It’s been a long, hard winter here in Eastern Ontario, Canada.

Except for the Pacific coast, Canadian winters are known for being cold and snowy, but the winter of 2025-2026 has seemed especially severe.

And while the calendar says spring, winter still hasn’t fully released its grip.

Can there be too much of the ‘cozy season?’ Yes!

After five months, I’m done with my parkas (of which I have three, for different types of cold weather), mittens (again I have several of various thermal grades), winter boots and other winter gear.

I’m also looking forward to not needing a blanket when curling up with a book of an evening.

Despite welcome longer, lighter days, Canadian spring is often called ‘whiplash season’ because it’s characterized by dramatic weather changes, often within twenty-four hours.

Last weekend was a case in point.

On Saturday, we basked in June-like warmth and sunshine and, for the first time since last autumn, came out of hibernation to tidy winter weary lawns and gardens and chat across back fences.

On Sunday morning, we woke up to snow, sleet and temperatures below freezing again.

While British weather is certainly unpredictable, when I lived in the south of England I relished what I now appreciate was a slower, more gradual transition between winter, spring and summer.

Here in Canada, however, it often seems as if we go from winter to summer with only a few days of ‘true’ spring in between.

However, when walking Floppy Ears yesterday, I spotted my first daffodil—a true sign of this time of hope, renewal and new beginnings.

I also realized that this ‘whiplash spring’ is much like life itself which, like good books too, can be volatile, dramatic and filled with unexpected events.

As for only four seasons and often experiencing all of them in a day?

The Weather Network recently shared a chart suggesting that Canada has eleven seasons including allergies, potholes and construction.

We’re firmly in the last three in my world.

I have the stockpiled tissues and, in what’s also an especially bad pothole and construction season, the local driving and walking ‘map in my head’ to prove it!

Calling NetGalley reviewers: In case you missed it in my reader newsletter, A Surprise for the Single Dad, my next Jen Gilroy sweet contemporary romance for Harlequin Heartwarming (out May 2026) is now available (for a limited time) to request.

Ask for your e-copy of my small-town Strawberry Pond friends to lovers story here.

In fiction, there’s no such thing as too much cozy season, and I hope you’ll enjoy my new ‘winter book’ no matter what the weather.