Why We Love Nordic Stories (and Why I’m Dreaming of Lapland Right Now)

There’s something about the Nordic region that lingers with you—whether you've lived there, visited, or simply read a story set beneath the Northern Lights. The stillness of snow-covered landscapes, the quiet emotional intensity of the people, the pull between light and dark, warmth and isolation… it’s no wonder that Nordic settings are so popular in both fiction and film.

As someone who grew up in Finland and Sweden, I’ve always been drawn to writing stories grounded in these icy yet emotionally rich landscapes. One of my favourite places in the world is Ylläs, a magical spot in Finnish Lapland where my novel To Melt a Frozen Heart is set.

I have so many wonderful memories of holidays in Lapland—skiing down pristine slopes, watching the sky come alive with the Northern Lights, and catching those dreamy purple sunsets you only get when the snow meets the Arctic twilight. And the food? I can almost taste the reindeer meat, or leipäjuusto (Finnish “squeaky” cheese) served warm with a dollop of cloudberry jam. All of it washed down with hot coffee—or if you’re feeling brave, a shot of salmiakki vodka (yes, that’s salty liquorice vodka. And yes, it’s a thing. Finns love their liquorice!).

Now, as the summer heat swelters in London, I find myself once again writing about snowy Lapland. I’m currently working on To Love Again, the sequel to To Melt a Frozen Heart. It’s a second-chance love story between Elsa, Mikael’s oldest friend, and his rebellious younger brother Victor. As you might imagine, sparks fly—but in Lapland, nothing thaws quickly. This wintery tale of buried secrets, emotional reckoning, and slow-burning romance has been a joy to return to, especially as I escape the July heat!

Here I am just about to take a cross-country skiing trip in Ylläs.

If you’re curious to explore that world too, To Melt a Frozen Heart is now just £0.99 in my store at helenahalmebooks.com. It’s a story of second chances, long-held secrets, and healing in a place where nature rules and time slows down.But enough about me—what draws you to Nordic stories? Is it the landscape, the food, the atmosphere? Or do you have a Nordic memory of your own that’s stayed with you?

I’d love to hear from you.