LakshmiThink Bridgerton, High Tea and reading Austen.
The Toronto International Festival of Authors (TIFA) stepped into a new chapter with Ever After, the organization’s first-ever festival dedicated entirely to romance. Presented by Rakuten Kobo, the inaugural edition unfolded November 21–23, 2025, at the Yorkville Royal Sonesta Hotel in Toronto.
Across three glittering days, attendees were swept into a full-spectrum storm of story—panels that crackled with ideas, readings that felt like whispered confessions, workshops alive with creative alchemy, and book signings buzzing with anticipation. The romance roster was nothing short of kaleidoscopic: from rugged westerns to whimsical romantasy to cozy holiday love stories, the festival promised a celebration as varied as the genre itself.
At the festival’s glowing core lay the Ever After Ball, an evening steeped in candlelit enchantment. Here, dance cards brimmed, secrets traded hands like rare trinkets, tarot decks hummed with possibility, and ballgowns swept the floor like silk-stitched dreams. It was a radiant homage to the bold, brilliant voices who were scripting the future of romance. And, rest assured, we truly did dance the night away. In true Bridgerton style, costumes, waltzing and everything else that encompassed the Regency Era!
The festival’s programming extended beyond the ballroom. Guests could indulge in an afternoon of cakes, sandwiches, tea, and storytelling; explore the mystical in Tarot Tales with Kristin Cast and Lori Dyan; or sharpen their craft through the Creative Writing sections, which included masterclasses, hands-on workshops, and panels with publishing insiders. There was also an interesting 101 Tea Tasting event!
Featured events also included the Ever After Market that ran across all three days and High Tea with the acclaimed author of P.S. I Love You, Cecelia Ahern!! I totally remember reading her books as a kid!
Festival-goers also tried their luck at Blind Date with a Book, a playful event where each mystery title stayed wrapped in secrecy until the big reveal, this edition spotlighting none other than Harlequin’s irresistible romance novels.
Some other authors heading to Canada for this one-of-a-kind festival included Cecilia Ahern, Bailey Hannah, Julia McKay, Holly Cassidy, Lily Chu, Jenny Colgan, Farah Heron, Jenny Holiday, Kelley Armstrong and Amy Rosen.
Next year, don’t think twice. This festival wasn’t just an event; it was a guaranteed delight.
Lakshmi
