Winter is my Nemesis
Cold Weather Running and A Very Bavarian Review
While we had a very brown Christmas here in Ohio, January is making up for it with frigid temps and snow flurries. This January I’m training for a half-marathon in March, and I can tell you that the weather outside is frightful—especially for running. I have a love-hate relationship with running to begin with—I love how I feel when I’m done and participating in races, but I hate training/losing reading time—so the temperatures have been very uninspiring when it comes to getting out there to clock a few miles. It’s easy to make excuses to stay inside to read, but I have also challenged myself to at least ride the stationary bike if the winter weather defeats my determination to stick to my training plan. The indoor bike allows for reading and exercise, so I count that as a partial win. The bike isn’t quite the same as getting out there and pounding some pavement, but at least I don’t end up with frostbitten toes. I highly recommend safety over outdoor fitness goals in the winter. If it’s a very bitter cold day where you live, check out my review of A Very Bavarian Christmas to chase those winter blues away with some sweet rom-com magic!
A Very Bavarian Christmas by Katie M. Reid
SYSNOPSIS: Holly Noel Brigham is making a list and checking it twice—counting all the reasons she is fed up with her not-so-jolly reality:
Single
Broke
Sleeping in her childhood bedroom at the age of thirty
After her dreams of opening a community art space in the city are shattered, Holly returns to her hometown of Bavarian Falls—the Christmas capital of the Midwest. She finds seasonal employment personalizing ornaments at Neumann’s, the mile-long Christmas store, instead of decking gallery walls with her art.
As December draws near, a melancholy mood—instead of mistletoe—hangs over Holly’s head. The only guy showing any interest in her is quirky Frank, who keeps her laughing but makes her feel boxed in. Then there’s handsome Nik, who has a shady past but takes her ambitions seriously.
As Holly faces fractured relationships and embarrassing misunderstandings, will she unwrap more disappointment or say yes to love, with no strings attached?
GENRE: Christian Romance
AVAILABILITY: Amazon (ebook, paperback), Barnes & Noble (paperback)
OPENING THOUGHTS: Welcome to Bavarian Falls, where Christmas fills the air year-round! Dive into the holiday magic as Holly Noel—a self-proclaimed grinch with a stubborn streak—finds herself swept up in festivities that challenge her views on life, love, and leaving the past behind. This festive read will delight readers seeking over-the-top antics, a small-town setting, and plenty of Hallmark vibes. But don’t be fooled—this holiday romance is far from predictable and offers heartfelt moments for anyone who finds the Christmas season bittersweet.
ACTION/ADVENTURE: Holly’s adventure centers on returning to her hometown after failing to launch her business. Surrounded by relatable characters, each dealing with understandable struggles, Holly chooses to focus on the negative, creating a list of why she’s not a fan of Christmas and being trapped in her hometown. But as she opens up to her friends and takes steps to make things right with her family, she begins to see life in a new way. Unfortunately, she makes a very bad assumption about a very handsome newcomer in her little world. Her discrimination leads to an ongoing misunderstanding that creates a huge obstacle to their relationship, not to mention the fact that he’s already dating the woman that represents everything Holly is not. As Holly deals with her tendency to fall into the comparison trap, she’s also dealing with an adorable admirer named Frank, whose antics leave Holly annoyed but amused.
ROMANCE: Holly’s single life leaves the door open for romance to blossom, but will the right guy be revealed? Frank seems sweet, but too young for her, and Nik’s already taken. Still, Holly finds herself wanting to fall in love with someone who can honor and respect her. She’s also got to get her feet planted solidly on a firm foundation before she’s even ready to commit to a healthy relationship. This novel explores healing and restoration throughout the comedic mishaps and sweet gestures of these two wholesome guys. The book mentions checking out their physical appearances, tingles from light physical contact in the form of holding hands or arms brushing, kisses on the forehead, and eventually, a lip-locked kiss.
FAITH: Holly asks God for help through prayer, and her faith helps her to find healing from a heartbreaking medical tragedy that occurred during her childhood and changed her family forever. Learning to work through the difficulties and letdowns of the past is a major theme explored throughout the novel. This story also focuses on Holly’s changing perspective, using coping exercises to release grief, and moving into a healthy mindset.
FINAL THOUGHTS: While there’s not much to worry about content-wise, the main character is in her thirties, so I’d recommend this book to new adult and adult readers. The romance is mild but complex, with a few scenarios that would be better understood by adult readers. I enjoyed how this book focuses on helping each character reach a healthy place to build a relationship before making major decisions. The plot contains plenty of messy conversations and humorous miscommunications, but the feeling of found family induces a light-hearted atmosphere and a spark of hope despite some of the ups and downs. It’s definitely a fun holiday read, especially if you tend to feel a bit hesitant about saying “yes” to Christmas.
*This review is featured in the Winter 2025 Edition of Clean Fiction Magazine.
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For those of you who don’t already know, I am a reviewer for Clean Fiction Magazine, a quarterly publication that includes book reviews, media and video game reviews, writing contests, short stories, and more. Clean Fiction Magazine is a fantastic place to advertise your clean and Christian titles of all genres. Affordable for authors on just about every budget you can find all sorts of great deals for various sized advertisements from one line to a full page! Check out the pricing guide HERE. You can also use my coupon code (DYDEK) to get an extra $5 off your order! Book your ads today because the deadline is coming up fast. All ads must be submitted by February 14th for the Spring 2026 edition.
Thank you so much for this well-written, thorough, and favorable book review, Erin. So glad you enjoyed A Very Bavarian Christmas!