The Cabin Calculation: A Pine Ridge Holiday Romance

by E.A.M. Trofimenkoff

It’s a very merry breakdown in Pine Ridge.

Charlie only wants one thing and that’s for everything to fit into her neat little equations and work themselves out. Unfortunately, there’s one variable she hasn’t solved breaking down in the middle of nowhere, and being saved by her childhood best friend and first love.

Okay. Make that two variables.

After thirteen years, Charlie is forced to confront the biggest regret of her Nari, the one who got away, and her only hope of survival through the imminent snow storm. Will the two of them be able to establish a new steady state together? Or will the parameters of their past push them to chaos instead?


The Cabin Calculation is a sweet and spicy holiday romance, and companion novella to The Cabin Clause.

131 pages, Paperback

Published December 18, 2025

About the author

The E stands for Elizabeth, but I also go by Liz. I am a complete Lord of the Rings and cat enthusiast, but not necessarily always in that order. Books hold such a special place in my heart. They have taught me so many things about the world and myself, and of course, plenty of other fantasy worlds as well. If I have learned anything over the years, it's that books can be a safe place. I hope that my words make you feel loved, seen, and accepted. You deserve it.

Reviews

[Rhys · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to the author for a review copy.

This is my first time reading an E.A.M. Trofimenkoff book, and it’s safe to say that I’ll be reading all her others! I really loved the writing style, and I’m interested to see how it works in a fantasy book especially 👀

Anyway, this holiday romance novella was so sweet.

Charlie is autistic and has panic attacks. The panic attacks felt real, which is something I don’t find a lot of books can do, but this one really did it for me. Reminds me of the panic attacks I’ve had, like so vividly. Probably not a good thing, but seeing it on page was reaffirming.

The love story itself is sort of built on miscommunication, so if that isn’t your thing, this novella might not be for you. I really enjoyed it because seeing Nari be like ‘oh my god she didn’t understand me’ was great LOL.

If you’re looking for a sapphic holiday romance novella that doesn’t focus on Christmas too much, and has disability representation, pick this up!

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️ So this book brought about a way to read I’ve never done before, tandem reading! This book, Cabin Calculation shared a timeline as well as interactions with characters from Cabin Clause by C. Swift. Both books have a reading order guide in the beginning which I decided to utilize for the experience. I have to say it was an interesting way to read two companion novellas at once! While it’s not necessary to read this way or even read both, I recommend giving it go and enjoy the ride!

I adored Nari, Rizzo and of course Charlie! Their story was in Charlie’s pov. Her autistic and neurodivergent mind was so well portrayed imo. Most of the time Nari was glorious in her support and interest. Some of the time, since Charlie has difficulty understanding social cues, Nari seems almost cold. When the communications lines really open up, it’s just beautiful. And worth the wait. I would love more of their story.

[Jacqueline Halle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read The Cabin Clause by Cathrine Swift and The Cabin Calculation by E.A.M. Trofimenkoff in tandem as they occur at the same time. The Cabin Clause is FM and The Cabin Calculation is FF.

I really enjoyed both stories and how they take place at the same time (let's call them cabin neighbors) with different POVs but the two books also show how lives intersect.

You can read one without the other but I feel they are even better read tandem.

[LovesickJunkie · Rating 5 out of 5]

📖 AT A GLANCE
STARS 5 stars
SPICE medium
CHEMISTRY excellent
ANGST medium
SLOW BURN no
CLIFFHANGER no
CHARACTERS Nari and Charlie


💬 LINES THAT LIVE RENT-FREE
I am a woman possessed, drunk on Nari’s presence, her passion, her power. If she were to ask me for my heart, I would carve it out and serve it to her still beating.

“I want you to fuck me like the last thirteen years never existed. I want you to make me forget all the time we lost and the miles between us. I want to feel you so deep in my bones that I never lose your touch again.”

She was always there with me, in every equation, every calculation, every solution. I never dreamed that I would be with her too.

🖤 MY READING EXPERIENCE
Could I have picked up something more adorable and joy-inducing? Honestly… no. Cozy books aren’t usually my thing, and the holidays are behind us, but this? Pure perfection. I loved every single second. I had a stupid-happy grin on my face from start to finish, and I already know I’ll be working my way through everything this author has written.

🫀CHARACTER THOUGHTS
Oh my gosh; Charlie. Bless her sweet, neurodivergent soul. She is quirky, thoughtful, and analyzes everything, and I loved living inside her brain. Getting to experience her thoughts, fears, and struggles felt so tender and real. And Nari?? The BEST friend and the most gentle, big-hearted partner. Patient, caring, and exactly what Charlie needed. These two together? Perfection. No notes.

🔥 MOMENTS I’M STILL THINKING ABOUT
There are a few, but that moment when they finally come together lives rent-free in my head. The way Nari speaks to Charlie checking in, making sure she feels safe, comfortable, and fully consenting. I was absolutely breathtaking. Soft, intentional, and so full of care.

⚠️ ONE SMALL NOTE
None. Zero. This novella is perfect and I adored it

📚 READ THIS IF YOU LOVE…
Novellas you can inhale - Cozy, heart-warming reads - Love that’s patient and enduring -Thoughtful, ride-or-die best friends - The BEST snow dog ever - Quirky, neurodivergent characters who will steal your whole heart - and well earned second-chance

[Janessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so excited to read both these holiday Novellas! I decided to do the tandem read and I highly recommend you go this route! I loved the stories and the crossover scene told from multiple POVs . The Cabin Calculation is about 2 childhood best friends who haven't seen each other in a long time, forced to spend time together due to a car malfunction and a blizzard of course. Can Charlie and Nari work through their pasts ? Rizzo believes so 🤣 that dog is hilarious!

The Cabin Clause is a parent trap set up by their own adult children. Toni and Mitch are divorced and end up at their cabin together over the holidays. Due to a blizzard Mitch can't leave like Toni would like. Can they navigate their pastand rekindle their love for one another?

These novellas were super cute and I loved both equally!!

[Luna · Rating 4 out of 5]

i really enjoyed this and loved the crossover concept with the cabin clause! this is perfect for the holidays, especially if you’re not feeling particularly festive and/or struggle with family dynamics around the holidays but still love a good snowed-in story with all the tension. you’ll love if you like sapphic romance. you’ll extra love if you like neurodivergence and mental health rep. you’ll extra EXTRA love if you’re a math/science nerd. all this packaged in a sweet, funny, and cozy little novella.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Cabin Calculation is a sapphic missed connection, second chance with one bed (Duh! Never miss the one bed trope from Liz! 😆) romance, and it was just a sweet and cute as their other works have been. The care with which they writes their characters tugs on my heartstrings every time. A lot of times, they are misunderstood, needing connection and true care and they find they within their partners, and Charlie and Nari are no exception. Their relationship has been strained but once they’re snowed in to the cabin, they begin to realize things aren’t what they seemed in the past, and the reconnection they desperately want seems to be within reach. It’s a beautiful story of acceptance and finding out that the love they desired was standing right in front of them from the beginning

[Serina’s Stories wolfganghollows · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my usual type of read, but this was really atmospheric and cute. I loved Rizzo the dog 🤩 this was lighthearted and really enjoyable for this time of year. I read it in a very frosty Aviemore so it suited the story. This is pretty spicy 🌶️ 🥵
I tandem read with The Cabin Clause by Cathrine Swift

I received and ARC from the author and this is my honest review

[Christy Acc · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have not read in tandem before and these did not disappoint. Although they compliment each other it’s not necessary to tandem read. There was wonderful character development. I found myself rooting for Mitch. As a mom of older children I could really relate to Toni’s feelings of not being needed as a mom. Thank you for the ARC opportunity!!

[Ammie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great holiday short novel to enjoy this holiday season! This is a book you could absolutely enjoy tonight or tomorrow.

Liz always does a great job at developing their characters. Whether it’s in their fantasy series or in a short novel, they give you characters you could easily see yourself being friends with. The representation of anxiety and ruminating thoughts was well captured and adds a layer of depth to the story. It was perfectly cozy with pining romance.

I definitely recommend picking this up! It’s on kindle unlimited and it will put you right in the holiday spirit.

[Audra Lutterotti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shoutout to Liz for the ARC of this book! This was the first time reading a book by Liz and I very much enjoyed it :)
If you’re looking for a sapphic romance that is adds a little heat to Christmas, I would recommend this novella!!

[T.M. Ghent · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this one. Sapphic and nerdy with a great amount of heat (and delivered the perfect time in the story). A wonderful anxiety rep too... This made me wish it wasn't a novella because Nari and Charlie were so relatable.

[Molly press · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Cabin Calculation is by my favorite author of sapphic couples. A short cozy Christmas read where an anxious, neurodivergent scientist finds her childhood love and the one person that really gets her.

[Debbie Delano · Rating 5 out of 5]

absolutely loved this winter/christmas novella read in tandem with The Cabin Clause by Cathrine Swift (couldn't find to add).

[Robin McMahon · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this novella, I recommend tandem reading it with The Cabin Clause as the two stories morph together so well.

[bariatricbookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Uhm, hello?! This was delicioussss & I loved every moment!