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The Secret of Snow
Not yet published
Expected 3 Feb 26This lyrical runaway Swedish hit follows a reclusive, elderly couple who cross paths with a pair of twentysomething newcomers in a small mountain town, revealing an unexpected, shared history and the reclamation of a nearly extinct culture.
Meet Má eccentric, eighty-five years old, and facing a cancer diagnosis. She’s determined to keep the truth about her illness from her husband Biera, while also finding someone who can take care of him once she’s gone.
Meet a new transplant to the village, recently engaged to Mimmi, and mourning the death of his mother. One day, when Kaj unexpectedly finds a box of Sámi—the indigenous people of Scandinavia—handicrafts belonging to his mother, he unlocks something he never anticipated, something that will change his life for years to come.
A “brilliant debut” (Aftonbladet Söndag, Sweden) full of humor and heartbreak, The Secrets of Snow movingly grapples with grief, love, and the power of history.
Meet Má eccentric, eighty-five years old, and facing a cancer diagnosis. She’s determined to keep the truth about her illness from her husband Biera, while also finding someone who can take care of him once she’s gone.
Meet a new transplant to the village, recently engaged to Mimmi, and mourning the death of his mother. One day, when Kaj unexpectedly finds a box of Sámi—the indigenous people of Scandinavia—handicrafts belonging to his mother, he unlocks something he never anticipated, something that will change his life for years to come.
A “brilliant debut” (Aftonbladet Söndag, Sweden) full of humor and heartbreak, The Secrets of Snow movingly grapples with grief, love, and the power of history.
304 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication February 3, 2026
16 people are currently reading
6033 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
November 28, 2025
4+ stars
A novel in translation… a Swedish hit..
This was a tender and humorous story.
An elderly couple is faced with illness, she.. a cancer diagnosis (terminal) he.. dementia.
85 yr old Máriddja Rijá knows that she and her husband Biera will be separated if it’s found out about their conditions, both their health and living conditions, in their run down mountain home.
She keeps neighbors and everyone else from entering their home.
The only person she corresponds with is Siri, who she believes is a real person.. since after Biera got a new phone, they didn’t know how to use it but she mistakenly hit the button for Siri and talks to her daily.
The couple never had children in spite of trying, but did have Biera’s younger sister and her baby stay with them years ago and they ended up taking care of that baby boy for several years until the sister had to flee the area and took the boy with her due to a very abusive relationship by her son’s father.
The old couple has never gotten over the loss of the boy, but a surprise will be coming to them by the story’s end.
In this story you also learn about the Swedish indigenous group-the Sami’s, of which Biera descends from.
I loved this story!
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria for the gifted copy of the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
A novel in translation… a Swedish hit..
This was a tender and humorous story.
An elderly couple is faced with illness, she.. a cancer diagnosis (terminal) he.. dementia.
85 yr old Máriddja Rijá knows that she and her husband Biera will be separated if it’s found out about their conditions, both their health and living conditions, in their run down mountain home.
She keeps neighbors and everyone else from entering their home.
The only person she corresponds with is Siri, who she believes is a real person.. since after Biera got a new phone, they didn’t know how to use it but she mistakenly hit the button for Siri and talks to her daily.
The couple never had children in spite of trying, but did have Biera’s younger sister and her baby stay with them years ago and they ended up taking care of that baby boy for several years until the sister had to flee the area and took the boy with her due to a very abusive relationship by her son’s father.
The old couple has never gotten over the loss of the boy, but a surprise will be coming to them by the story’s end.
In this story you also learn about the Swedish indigenous group-the Sami’s, of which Biera descends from.
I loved this story!
Thank you to NetGalley and Atria for the gifted copy of the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
September 21, 2025
I won an advance reader's edition of this book in a Goodreads giveaway. I started reading it yesterday and just finished it this morning. I absolutely adored this book. It is charming and funny and sweet and heartbreaking and beautiful. I am so grateful to the author and to the translator- reading this book was a gift and its characters and story will stay with me for a long time.
September 21, 2025
This one was enjoyable. Definitely some loveable characters. And I think the setting was one of my favorite parts. Recommend!
January 10, 2026
I revived an ARC for this book through a giveaway, and I am so happy to have read it. This felt like a beautiful mix of Fredrik Backman and The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey (aka two of my very favorite things). This book came at a time when I really needed it. The book opens with a main character receiving a terminal cancer diagnosis, prompting her to ensure her family is taken care of before she dies. Having lost my grandmother to cancer just a few months ago, this was a difficult but healing read for me. It’s easy to fall in love with the characters and root for them. The setting is so immersive, perfect to read during winter. And even through all of the heaviness, Harnesk finds ways to include humor. Such a great read.
November 24, 2025
What a lovely translation! One of my favorite parts of this book was the turns of phrase and imagery, which I feel easily could get lost in translation.
We know I love a character of a certain age, but I also love a multigenerational relationship. Those are important in my real life and so I quite enjoyed this cast of characters.
So multigenerational relationships, which means characters of a certain age, plus mystery and intrigue plus a naturally woven in history lesson…yes please
A top read of the year for sure
We know I love a character of a certain age, but I also love a multigenerational relationship. Those are important in my real life and so I quite enjoyed this cast of characters.
So multigenerational relationships, which means characters of a certain age, plus mystery and intrigue plus a naturally woven in history lesson…yes please
A top read of the year for sure
October 15, 2025
From the moment we ‘meet’ Mariddja, (Ma) we are enveloped in
a heartwarming, loving, heartbreaking adventure, entwined
with the fascinating cultures and relationships of the Sami
people.
It took a couple of chapters to feel a rhythm, and then I
could not get enough~I was captivated and wanted to
know more.
This really does t read like a ‘debut’ novel with the
details, the brilliance and the complexities.
I absolutely recommend this to everyone ~ your
genre makes no difference!
My thanks to Atria and the Publisher for the copy
of this book for review purposes.
a heartwarming, loving, heartbreaking adventure, entwined
with the fascinating cultures and relationships of the Sami
people.
It took a couple of chapters to feel a rhythm, and then I
could not get enough~I was captivated and wanted to
know more.
This really does t read like a ‘debut’ novel with the
details, the brilliance and the complexities.
I absolutely recommend this to everyone ~ your
genre makes no difference!
My thanks to Atria and the Publisher for the copy
of this book for review purposes.
October 9, 2025
I received an ARC copy it took me a little while to get around to reading it but once i started i jus kept going. i finished it in a day. it kept me interested in where the story was gonna take me an im grateful for the opportunity to get this copy a sweet feel good read really enjoyed this book! HAPPY READING!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
An absolute treasure of a story, The Secret of the Snow, was a surprise to me as whatever I was expecting from this debut it wasn't to snicker to myself from the humorous antics of the characters while feeling emotional in turns. This Swedish hit held my attention with its heart, poignancy, and charm. Caring for these characters was instantaneous. The history and plight of the Sami, Scandinavia's indigenous people were woven into the storytelling with seamless precision.
☕🍪🍪🍪🍪☕
In a tiny Swedish mountain town live elderly couple Mariddja and Biera. She's hiding a recent terminal diagnosis and worrying about Biera's future without her. Biera has dementia. Neither are able to keep the house up, but they are doing the best they can under the circumstances. They have no children and years ago their family suffered a painful split with Biera's troubled younger sister and the son she left with the couple to raise. So, there is no trusted outside support to work on their behalf. She fears that the pair will be separated if placed in a care home so, they avoid most outside contact. Biera buys a new phone, and neither are sure how to work it, but Mariddja begins to hold conversations with Siri believing she's a real person. This quirky relationship made me laugh at times and feel sad much like the entire novel. The other storyline follows Dr. Kaj who recently moved to town with his wife. When he happens upon a box of indigenous crafts in his deceased mother's belongings, he realizes maybe the new town he just moved to isn't as new to him as he thought.
⛰️🎶🎶🎶🎶⛰️
Cheers 🎉 to Alice Menzies who translated this novel to English. Reading this felt easy and natural which isn't always the case with translated works. Her work was phenomenal.
🧊🛷🛷🛷🛷🧊
Although there is much sadness these pages were suffused with warmth. There were scenes that sparked with life bringing a smile to my face. The way the novel took on the theme of identity kept me engaged. The story does touch on a few heavy topics, but it maintains its heartfelt voice.
❄️🦌🦌🦌🦌❄️
Different types of bonds between people are analyzed making this fascinating on a psychological level as well. Kaj's reactions to the neighbor boy were quite telling for example. It felt as though recognizing pieces of himself when he was younger stirred up his emotions beneath the surface. The author brought so much to this story I double checked that it was a debut work.
👨🏻⚕️🩺🩺🩺🩺👨🏻⚕️
Looking forward to Harnesk's future works and hoping they too will be translated.
4.25 ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
Thank you to Atria Books for providing an ARC via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
☕🍪🍪🍪🍪☕
In a tiny Swedish mountain town live elderly couple Mariddja and Biera. She's hiding a recent terminal diagnosis and worrying about Biera's future without her. Biera has dementia. Neither are able to keep the house up, but they are doing the best they can under the circumstances. They have no children and years ago their family suffered a painful split with Biera's troubled younger sister and the son she left with the couple to raise. So, there is no trusted outside support to work on their behalf. She fears that the pair will be separated if placed in a care home so, they avoid most outside contact. Biera buys a new phone, and neither are sure how to work it, but Mariddja begins to hold conversations with Siri believing she's a real person. This quirky relationship made me laugh at times and feel sad much like the entire novel. The other storyline follows Dr. Kaj who recently moved to town with his wife. When he happens upon a box of indigenous crafts in his deceased mother's belongings, he realizes maybe the new town he just moved to isn't as new to him as he thought.
⛰️🎶🎶🎶🎶⛰️
Cheers 🎉 to Alice Menzies who translated this novel to English. Reading this felt easy and natural which isn't always the case with translated works. Her work was phenomenal.
🧊🛷🛷🛷🛷🧊
Although there is much sadness these pages were suffused with warmth. There were scenes that sparked with life bringing a smile to my face. The way the novel took on the theme of identity kept me engaged. The story does touch on a few heavy topics, but it maintains its heartfelt voice.
❄️🦌🦌🦌🦌❄️
Different types of bonds between people are analyzed making this fascinating on a psychological level as well. Kaj's reactions to the neighbor boy were quite telling for example. It felt as though recognizing pieces of himself when he was younger stirred up his emotions beneath the surface. The author brought so much to this story I double checked that it was a debut work.
👨🏻⚕️🩺🩺🩺🩺👨🏻⚕️
Looking forward to Harnesk's future works and hoping they too will be translated.
4.25 ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
Thank you to Atria Books for providing an ARC via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
PUBLISH DATE: February 3, 2026
The “secret of snow” is the reminder that even when life feels buried or silent, love and memory continue to exist, waiting to be seen.
The Secret of Snow is a beautifully written and thoughtful piece of literature. Tina Harnesk does an excellent job weaving together two very different relationships: the new, still forming bond between Kaj and Mimmi, and the long established relationship of Biera and Mari. One represents beginnings, self discovery, and finding where you fit in the world. The other shows what it means to share a lifetime with someone; years of love, hardship, loss, and a deep, wordless understanding that only comes from truly knowing another person.
The contrast between these relationships is one of the book’s greatest strengths. You see love at its earliest stages alongside love that has been tested by time, sorrow, and sickness and both feel equally authentic. The connection between Biera and Mari, in particular, is written with such tenderness that you feel how deeply they know one another, knowing when something is wrong before it’s ever spoken aloud.
This is a slower paced novel, but that pacing seems intentional. The author takes time to build the characters stories, allowing the you to understand who they are and how their past experiences shaped them.
There were several moments that brought me to tears because the emotions felt so real and honest. The way this story unfolds is deliberate and thoughtful, with a clear sense of purpose behind each scene. At its heart, this is a story about love and loss, and how people carry both throughout their lives.
Although this is a work of fiction, it is deeply rooted in real Sámi culture and reflects genuine experiences and struggles, which adds to its authenticity and emotional weight.
Overall, I highly recommend this book. It took me through a full range of emotions, from tears during the moments involving Kaj and his mother, to genuine laughter at Mari’s spunk and her unexpected “friendship” with Sire. Those emotional contrasts are what made the story feel so alive.
Content notes: very minimal profanity; no sexual content or nudity.
BOOK TITLE: The Secret of the Snow
AUTHOR: Tina Harnesk
PUBLISHER: Atria Books
FORMAT: e-book
PAGES: 304
I received a complimentary digital ARC [Advanced Reader copy] of this book via NetGalley. Thank you to Atria Books Publishing and the author, for the opportunity to read and review this title prior to publication. As always, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
The “secret of snow” is the reminder that even when life feels buried or silent, love and memory continue to exist, waiting to be seen.
The Secret of Snow is a beautifully written and thoughtful piece of literature. Tina Harnesk does an excellent job weaving together two very different relationships: the new, still forming bond between Kaj and Mimmi, and the long established relationship of Biera and Mari. One represents beginnings, self discovery, and finding where you fit in the world. The other shows what it means to share a lifetime with someone; years of love, hardship, loss, and a deep, wordless understanding that only comes from truly knowing another person.
The contrast between these relationships is one of the book’s greatest strengths. You see love at its earliest stages alongside love that has been tested by time, sorrow, and sickness and both feel equally authentic. The connection between Biera and Mari, in particular, is written with such tenderness that you feel how deeply they know one another, knowing when something is wrong before it’s ever spoken aloud.
This is a slower paced novel, but that pacing seems intentional. The author takes time to build the characters stories, allowing the you to understand who they are and how their past experiences shaped them.
There were several moments that brought me to tears because the emotions felt so real and honest. The way this story unfolds is deliberate and thoughtful, with a clear sense of purpose behind each scene. At its heart, this is a story about love and loss, and how people carry both throughout their lives.
Although this is a work of fiction, it is deeply rooted in real Sámi culture and reflects genuine experiences and struggles, which adds to its authenticity and emotional weight.
Overall, I highly recommend this book. It took me through a full range of emotions, from tears during the moments involving Kaj and his mother, to genuine laughter at Mari’s spunk and her unexpected “friendship” with Sire. Those emotional contrasts are what made the story feel so alive.
Content notes: very minimal profanity; no sexual content or nudity.
BOOK TITLE: The Secret of the Snow
AUTHOR: Tina Harnesk
PUBLISHER: Atria Books
FORMAT: e-book
PAGES: 304
I received a complimentary digital ARC [Advanced Reader copy] of this book via NetGalley. Thank you to Atria Books Publishing and the author, for the opportunity to read and review this title prior to publication. As always, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
October 20, 2025
The Secret of Snow by Tina Harnesk did one positive thing for me – introduce me to the Sami, the indigenous people of Nordic Europe. I had never heard of the Sami before.
The author did a good job depicting an elderly couple trying to stay in their home and independent as one slips into dementia and the other suffers from cancer. I liked the Swedish setting. The final chapters were beautiful and heartfelt. It was a bit of a road getting there. The set up for the story of two families with a shared history took a long time and I was very confused about what was happening and why the characters were doing things they were doing.
The elderly character of Mariddja accidentally stumbles on Siri on her phone and believes that Siri is a telephone operator. Her conversations (for lack of a better word) often didn’t seem realistic, and I felt this device was overused by the author. She used it to give the reader information but for me it triggered discomfort rather than amusement.
Some books translate well, and some do not. The Secret of Snow read very much like a book in translation. There were a lot of words I did not understand, and things that seemed phrased oddly to me as an English speaker. The character names were especially problematic for me, and this was made worse because some of the characters have multiple names, nicknames, etc. (And people who were not Sami kept calling Sami characters the wrong names.) I also had trouble making sense of the story as it was revealed and the timeline and ages of the characters. I’m not sure the math worked.
I feel this is one book that is difficult to review in translation. The story is solid, but I found the book frustrating to read. I appreciate the insights into the Sami, and the author is definitely one to watch.
I read an advance reader copy of The Secret of Snow from Netgalley.
The author did a good job depicting an elderly couple trying to stay in their home and independent as one slips into dementia and the other suffers from cancer. I liked the Swedish setting. The final chapters were beautiful and heartfelt. It was a bit of a road getting there. The set up for the story of two families with a shared history took a long time and I was very confused about what was happening and why the characters were doing things they were doing.
The elderly character of Mariddja accidentally stumbles on Siri on her phone and believes that Siri is a telephone operator. Her conversations (for lack of a better word) often didn’t seem realistic, and I felt this device was overused by the author. She used it to give the reader information but for me it triggered discomfort rather than amusement.
Some books translate well, and some do not. The Secret of Snow read very much like a book in translation. There were a lot of words I did not understand, and things that seemed phrased oddly to me as an English speaker. The character names were especially problematic for me, and this was made worse because some of the characters have multiple names, nicknames, etc. (And people who were not Sami kept calling Sami characters the wrong names.) I also had trouble making sense of the story as it was revealed and the timeline and ages of the characters. I’m not sure the math worked.
I feel this is one book that is difficult to review in translation. The story is solid, but I found the book frustrating to read. I appreciate the insights into the Sami, and the author is definitely one to watch.
I read an advance reader copy of The Secret of Snow from Netgalley.
December 13, 2025
The Secret of Snow was such an enjoyable read. A story about family, community connections, and displacement, the quirky characters and vivid setting in Sweden made this a very unique read.
Heartwarming and heartbreaking, this book was very funny and very sad. The balanced tone reminded me very much of Angela’s Ashes.
Mariddja and Biera are an elderly couple with medical concerns. Their lives are reaching a tipping point where intervention is needed. Kaj is an unsettled doctor who just moved to the country with his girlfriend and has unresolved trauma from his past. Their lives intertwine in the most interesting way. I found the elderly couple to be more compelling than Kaj and wished for more on the couple.
The history of the Sámi people is so fascinating. I had never heard of this group of people who are the only indigenous people of Europe. I wanted to know more about Biera’s background. There is a touch of magical realism throughout that was done especially well that added a richer understanding of the characters.
I was a Goodreads giveaway winner.
Heartwarming and heartbreaking, this book was very funny and very sad. The balanced tone reminded me very much of Angela’s Ashes.
Mariddja and Biera are an elderly couple with medical concerns. Their lives are reaching a tipping point where intervention is needed. Kaj is an unsettled doctor who just moved to the country with his girlfriend and has unresolved trauma from his past. Their lives intertwine in the most interesting way. I found the elderly couple to be more compelling than Kaj and wished for more on the couple.
The history of the Sámi people is so fascinating. I had never heard of this group of people who are the only indigenous people of Europe. I wanted to know more about Biera’s background. There is a touch of magical realism throughout that was done especially well that added a richer understanding of the characters.
I was a Goodreads giveaway winner.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
A 4.5 for me. I received this book from Goodreads Giveaways. I knew nothing about it other than it has snow in the title, so I thought it might be a good winter read. I hope it becomes widely read when it is released in Feb.
The plot was fairly predictable - family and culture lost (due to trauma, displacement, aging, death, etc.) and found. The story is tragic and hopeful. But even though the plot was predictable, the journey was a delight. The characters are lovable and deep. The dialogue and circumstances are hilarious. The relationships are complicated. And I got to learn about an indigenous group and history I knew nothing about. Highly recommend.
The plot was fairly predictable - family and culture lost (due to trauma, displacement, aging, death, etc.) and found. The story is tragic and hopeful. But even though the plot was predictable, the journey was a delight. The characters are lovable and deep. The dialogue and circumstances are hilarious. The relationships are complicated. And I got to learn about an indigenous group and history I knew nothing about. Highly recommend.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The Secret of Snow is a beautifully, translated piece of literary fiction. Two relationships are portrayed intricately between two couples: one finding their way in a new love and the other finding their way older in life grieving the lose of the nephew many years later after he was ripped from their loving arms. The ending will leave the reader with hope that hearts can heal when families reunite.
This a slower paced read as we learn about the characters, and how the past shaped lives in this family. Harnesk purposely weaves in the Sami culture (Sweden) and its bearings on Beira and Mari.
Tender, heartfelt read!
Thank you Atria Books for the free copy.
This a slower paced read as we learn about the characters, and how the past shaped lives in this family. Harnesk purposely weaves in the Sami culture (Sweden) and its bearings on Beira and Mari.
Tender, heartfelt read!
Thank you Atria Books for the free copy.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
I'm not sure if the appeal of this book was lost in translation, but I didn't love it. I did love learning about the Sami. I had never heard of that group or culture before. The book was kind of slow-moving. I felt like the trope with Siri and Maridjja was overused and not really funny after the first time.
October 31, 2025
While the narrative of this book is undeniably heartwarming, I found it lacked the emotional depth I was hoping for. One of the most compelling aspects of the novel was its window into Sámi culture—a world I was unfamiliar with before reading this book.
December 5, 2025
tender and so charming. the story revolves around two couples and their active stories, and also around Sami culture, which is something it was so interesting to read about. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
This was quaint and charming with issues that tugged at my heart strings.
It's a story of how things can come full circle, what a small world this is and the people you meet and the lives you influence
It's a story of how things can come full circle, what a small world this is and the people you meet and the lives you influence
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
This book felt like home! I have never lived in Sweden, nor have I lived in snow. Still, my heart seemed to believe that it was part of this story. The Author’s Note was a bit of welcomed history that I had never heard. A very good read!
September 28, 2025
This was an excellent story. There was a bit of sorrow but would recommend this book.
Review of advance copy received from Goodreads Giveaways
What a beautiful story. Tissues for tears and laughter.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Nerd Rating: 🤓🤓🤓🤓🤓— Warm, heartbreaking, and impossible not to love.
I will post this review on January 19, 2026.
I will post this review on January 19, 2026.
December 22, 2025
Didn’t keep me hooked, sadly. I struggle with books that are translated yet still keep a lot of phrases and names that I’m unfamiliar with, though I understand why the story needs to keep them. But it just leaves me feeling disconnected. The basis for the story was heartwarming but the difficulty of following along prevented me from enjoying it.
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ARC
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ARC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
My Reviews Can Also Be Found On:
The Book Review Crew Blog
This book wasn't just poignant; it was also very charming. It's a Swedish debut novel about the ways life unexpectedly has your paths cross. It's set in a remote mountain town in Sweden. The story is about Máriddja, an older woman who has recently gotten news about a serious illness. She is trying to find someone to look after her husband, Biera, after she passes away, all while trying to keep her diagnosis a secret from him. In alternating chapters, we also have the story of Kaj, who has recently moved to the small town. He is grieving his mother's death and finds a box of crafts while going through her belongings. This is when he learns that he has a connection to the town he didn't know about.
This is a story that has a lot of heart at its core, humour, and a tiny touch of magic. The story deals with themes of grief, love, and learning about one's background and culture. This was such a pleasure to read. It was heartfelt and witty, while at the same time, profound. It is literary fiction at its finest. This is more than just a book; it's like a warm drink after shovelling the snow. I enjoyed getting to know these characters and to learn about their past, Norrbotten, Sweden, and the Sami people. It's the characters that carry this story, but I have to compliment the writing style and translation as well. I loved the way the author balanced the sad parts of the story with moments of humour. If you're looking for something set in winter, with unique people, and a read that is beautifully written, this debut will tick all the boxes. Highly recommend.
Speaking of recommending, I have to thank my Goodreads friend, Karen, for her wonderful review that made me want to read this book. Her review can be found by clicking here .
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
The Book Review Crew Blog
This book wasn't just poignant; it was also very charming. It's a Swedish debut novel about the ways life unexpectedly has your paths cross. It's set in a remote mountain town in Sweden. The story is about Máriddja, an older woman who has recently gotten news about a serious illness. She is trying to find someone to look after her husband, Biera, after she passes away, all while trying to keep her diagnosis a secret from him. In alternating chapters, we also have the story of Kaj, who has recently moved to the small town. He is grieving his mother's death and finds a box of crafts while going through her belongings. This is when he learns that he has a connection to the town he didn't know about.
This is a story that has a lot of heart at its core, humour, and a tiny touch of magic. The story deals with themes of grief, love, and learning about one's background and culture. This was such a pleasure to read. It was heartfelt and witty, while at the same time, profound. It is literary fiction at its finest. This is more than just a book; it's like a warm drink after shovelling the snow. I enjoyed getting to know these characters and to learn about their past, Norrbotten, Sweden, and the Sami people. It's the characters that carry this story, but I have to compliment the writing style and translation as well. I loved the way the author balanced the sad parts of the story with moments of humour. If you're looking for something set in winter, with unique people, and a read that is beautifully written, this debut will tick all the boxes. Highly recommend.
Speaking of recommending, I have to thank my Goodreads friend, Karen, for her wonderful review that made me want to read this book. Her review can be found by clicking here .
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
January 7, 2026
I really enjoyed the story; loved the Swedish winter setting and learning about the indigenous Sami people and reindeer migration. Interesting characters, and the elderly couple were especially charming. While I enjoyed the humor in the book, I found that there were some scenes that were too silly and I could have done without them. The writing was a bit awkward at times but I was wondering if those parts just didn't translate well. Overall a good read and I would recommend it!
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