READERS GUIDE
In Conversation with Julia McKay1. Is there a real-life town that inspired the fictional locale of Evergreen?
Yes! Evergreen is loosely inspired by Haliburton, Ontario, where I spend summers at my family’s cottage—and many cozy winter weekends too. It’s beautiful in the summer, but winter is truly magical. I hope I’ve managed to convey just how otherworldly it can feel: the perfect place to fall in love, and the sweetest setting for a holiday romance.
2. Who was your favorite character to write and why?
I have a soft spot for Emory, of course. But Tate was the most satisfying to write. He’s quiet, grounded, and carries so much beneath the surface—and he’s totally swoon-worthy. I loved the challenge of peeling back his layers and giving him a second chance at love. I also really enjoyed writing him through the lens of Emory’s teenage journal entries—those rose-colored, head-over-heels memories added romantic tension and helped deepen his character on the page.
3. What was the genesis of this story?
The first winter we spent at our cottage, I knew I needed to set a love story here. Small-town stories are my love language, and I found endless inspiration in Haliburton and the snowy trails that surround it. One day, I passed a nearby horse farm and animal rescue and saw horses in a wintry field, their blankets dusted with snow, and the spark of the story came to life. I wanted to write a book that felt like a warm blanket on a cold night. The idea of someone being forced to return to a place they’d once left behind—and finding love, forgiveness, and a sense of home there—was irresistible to me.
4. If you could cast Emory Oakes in a movie or TV series, who would play her? What about the other supporting characters?
For Emory, I imagine someone like Zoey Deutch—she radiates warmth and wit and has such emotional range. For Tate, maybe someone rugged but soulful, like Taylor John Smith or Luke Bracey. Dream casting is always so much fun, and I love to hear readers’ ideas, too!
5. What was your favorite scene to write and why?
I rode horses throughout my childhood and adolescence and still try to ride at least once or twice a year. I even still harbor the dream of one day owning a horse. Writing the scenes at the ranch was pure joy—my way of proving Charlie right: you never forget your time with horses. Writers are often told to “write what you know,” and it was a deep pleasure to discover how easily that world came back to me.
6. What inspired you to set part of this novel on a ranch?
As mentioned, I grew up riding horses and have always felt inspired by the emotional connection between horses and people. That bond can be deeply healing. A snowy ranch at Christmastime felt like the perfect backdrop—romantic and grounded—for Emory to find clarity and strength, and for Tate to finally let his guard down.
7. What is one thing you hope readers will take away from Christmas at the Ranch?
That it’s never too late to come home to yourself. We all carry baggage—family history, mistakes, regrets—but love and grace can still find us, if we’re brave enough to let go and open our hearts.
8. Were any of these characters inspired by anyone in your own life?
Bits and pieces, absolutely. I think most writers draw from life, even unconsciously. Emory’s mix of vulnerability and defiance reminds me of a few women I admire, as well as myself. And my dad—whose name is Bruce—was once a small-town reporter and owned a community newspaper. I couldn’t resist honoring him with the Bruce who appears in this story.
9. What is your ideal way to spend the holidays?
Somewhere snowy, with a fire crackling and good food on the stove. A walk in the crisp air, a nap with a cat curled up beside me, a great book, and time with the people I love. That’s the dream.
10. What’s next for you?
I’m currently finishing up my next Julia McKay novel—another emotional, small-town love story, this time set in autumn and centered around a long-held secret. I’m also working on the sequel to Lucky under my own name, which is a very different kind of story—but just as much fun.
Discussion Questions
1. What was your favorite scene, and why did it resonate with you?
2. Emory winds up back in Evergreen when she has car troubles in the middle of a snowstorm. Have you ever been trapped under similar circumstances? How did it shift your perspective or lead to an unexpected connection?
3. Do you think the townspeople were justified in their original judgment of Emory due to her father’s actions? What does the story say about the burden of family legacy—and how much of our parents’ actions define us?
4. Have you ever rekindled a connection with someone from your past? What emotions did that stir up for you?
5. What was your favorite holiday tradition in the book—or one of your own that you cherish most? What makes it meaningful to you?
6. Emory often feels like the black sheep of her family. Have you ever felt out of place in your family or community? How did you navigate that?
7. Who was your favorite character and why?
8. Throughout her time in Evergreen, Emory forms a special connection with one of Wilder Ranch’s horses. Have you ever been horseback riding? If so, what was the best or worst part of the experience?
9. What role do animals or nature play in Emory’s emotional journey—and have you experienced anything similar in your own life?
10. Why do you think romance novels like Christmas at the Ranch have such enduring appeal? What draws you to stories about love, second chances, or finding your place in the world?
11. What do you think changed for Emory throughout the course of the novel?
12. What did you like best about the ending? What would you imagine next for Emory and Tate if the story continued?
