A Smoky Mountain Christmas Refuge: A Christmas Holiday Romance

by Kayla Lowe

A moving Christian holiday romance about finding safety, faith, and love when life feels broken.

Abigail “Abi” Langley is running—from fear, from her past, and from the man who nearly destroyed her spirit. When her car breaks down in a snowy Smoky Mountain town, she meets Malachi Hale, a kind carpenter who offers her shelter and warmth.

Mal can tell Abi’s been hurt, but he knows better than to force her to talk. Instead, he shows her what steady faith looks like—one small act of kindness at a time. As Christmas draws near, Abi begins to see that the refuge she’s been searching for isn’t found in walls or people…but in the arms of a loving Savior.

With snow falling outside and hope stirring within, Abi must decide if she’ll keep running—or finally rest in the peace only God can give.

A Smoky Mountain Christmas Refuge is a clean, faith-based Christmas romance set in the Smoky Mountains—a tender story of healing, grace, and new beginnings that will warm your heart long after the snow melts.

Fans of Karen Kingsbury, Becky Wade, and Denise Hunter will fall in love with this touching holiday story of redemption and faith.

Genres: Christmas

291 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 12, 2025

About the author

Award-winning author Kayla Lowe writes women's fiction that explores complex themes with sensitivity and depth. Kayla’s books delve into the intricacies of relationships, self-discovery, and resilience. From cozy love stories interspersed with a bit of faith to heartwarming tales of friendship and suspenseful novels of empowerment and heartbreak, her books illustrate the struggles specific to women.

When she’s not churning out her next novel, you can find her with her feet in the sand and a book in her hand or curled up on the couch with her dogs.

Go to www.authorkaylalowe.com for a free book!

Reviews

[Sandi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story....needs editing

I liked the basic story but the writing needs a lot of work. A good editor would do wonders for the book...duplicate words and sentences in some places, incorrect name of x husband in a few places (Marcus mostly, sometimes Eric), inconsistent information to support the storyline, etc. It's written like it's the author's first attempt at writing. I like the story and the Christian support, but editing would really help.

[G · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful Christian romance novel, full of heart, trust and belief. An inspiring story of finding your way out of domestic violence and how to find your new way. An impactful book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Holly Mitchell · Rating 3 out of 5]

nice story but needed major editing

It was a great story line. But there were so many errors that it was pretty distracting for me. Needed editing.

[Cathy Avischious · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice story if you can get past all of the editing errors

The overall story is very nice, but I had a hard time getting past all of the editing flaws. Repeated passages, missed name changes, paragraphs in wrong order, continued use of same words and passages over and over-simple, not overpowering but... These things are so distracting, I had a hard time staying engaged with the heartfelt story.

[Chandra Luna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abigail “Abi” Langley isn’t looking for miracles—she’s just looking to survive. After escaping a painful past, all she wants is distance and silence. But when her car breaks down in a small Smoky Mountain town blanketed with snow, she stumbles into something she never expected: kindness. And that kindness comes in the form of Malachi Hale, a quiet carpenter with a gentle strength and a steadfast faith that speaks louder than words ever could.

Mal doesn’t push. He doesn’t pry. He simply shows Abi what love rooted in grace looks like—through repaired fences, warm meals, and the kind of patience that melts even the most frozen hearts. As the snow falls and Christmas draws near, Abi begins to realize that refuge isn’t a place you find—it’s a peace you’re offered.

Kayla Lowe beautifully captures the intersection of pain and redemption, weaving a story that feels as honest as it is hopeful. Abi’s journey from fear to faith is tenderly written, reminding readers that healing doesn’t happen all at once—it comes softly, like snowflakes settling on a quiet mountain night.

If you’ve ever carried hurt too heavy to name, if you’ve ever needed to believe that second chances are real, A Smoky Mountain Christmas Refuge will speak straight to your soul.

This isn’t just a Christmas romance—it’s a story of grace, of rebuilding, and of finding peace where you least expect it. Because sometimes, the miracle isn’t being rescued…it’s realizing you were never forgotten.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Megan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a good story with good characters, however, I found the poor editing to be really frustrating. It felt like the author kept forgetting details of things that had already happened, sometimes very obviously (i.e. Mal takes his coffee mug to the sink, but a few paragraphs later both mugs are still sitting on the table... and in the epilogue Abi's ex has a different name, twice!). And I have questions, like how did Abi escape such a controlling, abusive relationship, with enough cash to rent a cottage for months without any income? And the car should have been a pretty easy way to track her movement. Some of those missing details made it seem very unrealistic.

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a powerful story of healing, trust, and genuine love. Abi's story of hurt and pain coming to restoration, forgiveness, and faith is filled with obstacles and faced with courage. Malachi has wisdom and teaching for anyone who sees another hurting, as he validates and dignifies Abi without judgment or pressure to take a journey that is not her own. I cannot get over how beautifully this story was told.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Smoky Mountain Christmas Refuge is a sweet, romantic but clean, romance book that will definitely win your heart.
I LOVED reading this book by Kayla and if I could give it all the stars in the sky as part of my review, I most definitely would. It's not your typical romance read this book it has you really think about a lot of different things when it comes to romance and faith. At least that is what it did for me.

[Lilian · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5⭐️
I loved how Abi’s journey towards finding her way back to the Lord was portrayed. It was gradual and realistic. One of my favourite lines was: “"Faith that can't withstand honest questions isn't faith worth having."

There were a lot of scenes where Abi and Mal discussed Christianity openly and it led to many teachable moment. You will love this if you enjoy reading a Christian romance built on a strong foundation of friendship.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

She is escaping from an abusive relationship when she finds refuge with a stranger in a new town in the Smoky Mountains. He understands that she does not need words but actions to sh9w she is safe and to show her what love truly is. When her abuser shows up to reclaim her, the town and both of them stand up and support her. Truly lovely story of faith and love and healing.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Marichus Real · Rating 4 out of 5]

Abi has left in the middle of the night because her life is in danger. She arrives in the Smokies to live in a cabin in the mountains. There she meets Mal, a kind man who helps her without judging. They get on well, and little by little they become friends.
I haven’t finished the book yet, but I like what I've read so far.
Once I finish the book, I will update my review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very introspective look at Abi's healing journey. They story was more about that process than action and momentum. In spite of a few editing errors (repeated paragraphs, a mixed-up name, and a section where the narration changed from third person omniscient to first person), it was a good story that demonstrated the internal journey.

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this to be a fantastic read from start to finish. The storyline and characters were wonderful. Recommend this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Debra Pease · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweet story

Good rendering of characters. Having been with an alcoholic narcissist is no easy journey. Things were right on target with faith too and forgiveness. Enjoyed the story it was reminder of healing journeys.

[Brianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas romance

Christmas romance filled with faith. I love how the author spoke truths about forgiveness and healing throughout the book. These truths strengthen the dialogue and added to the story. Beautiful read.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

5 Stars - for the storyline, the characters.
4 1/2 stars - a couple of Beta issues and a gentle need of an editor in a few places.
I thoroughly enjoyed the story and it fit my December Christmas themed reading

[Janet Dickinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book possibly because I could relate to some of the christian themes. It was so good I am not down grading it for the bad editing. In the last quarter the story changes to first person narrative for a bit and then a bit later on the evil ex's name changes to Eric for awhile.

[Diane Bailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful

This was such a gentle uplifting adventure taken by a soul wounded deeply and awash in fear, guilt, doubt and hopelessness. A beautiful depiction of healing and restoration gained step by step with patience, faith, true listening, not preaching.

[Jacqueline Johnston Cotton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written and inspiring, faith filled holiday romance. This honest, real, emotional and hopeful story will touch your heart. A great book!.

[Anita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mal was a little too good to be true imo. Some questionable editing noted, repetition of paragraphs except for final words, and Marcus was called Eric in one part.

[Linda Hoover · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kayla Lowe put me in a beautiful wintery setting for A Smoky Mountain Christmas Refuge: A Christmas Holiday Romance. She makes good use of the five senses in her descriptions. The plot wasn't hurried. The end was believable. I appreciated the strong faith elements.

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I’ve read in a while! The author did a great job of using Scriptural truth in a fiction story setting. Loved it!

[Stewart A. Nutter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story. I loved it. Note, I've been sending "reports via the Kindle app. Not try to cause problems. Please go see the reports so they don't cause a problem. Don't stop writing!

[Lynne Bain · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book

I really enjoyed reading this book, the author did a wonderful job when she wrote it. I loved the characters, they seemed so real.