Get ready to learn more about the book Gingerbread & Lies in this discussion with sapphic author Greta Mayer.
Join us for an exclusive peek behind the scenes as we quiz Greta Mayer about Gingerbread & Lies, writing, reading, and more.
This book is part of the Second Chance category in the 2025 IHS Reading Challenge.
Why did you write Gingerbread & Lies?
I’ve been fascinated by German Christmas culture for years, and I kept thinking about this contrast between the magic tourists see and the reality of people who live there year-round. I wanted to explore what happens when someone running away from home meets someone desperately searching for one. Plus, I’m a sucker for stories where people stop running from love – whether that’s romantic love or love of place or love of themselves.
Who is your favorite character in the book?
I think I love Emma a little more, even though she’s prickly. There’s something so relatable about her fear of being truly known, and the way she’s convinced herself that independence means isolation. But watching her learn to let Sofia see her, really see her, was so satisfying to write.
What part of Gingerbread & Lies was the most fun to write?
The baking class scene! There’s something so joyful about writing people falling in love while covered in flour and arguing about cookie dough. It was this perfect moment where both characters let their guards down and just had fun together.
How did you come up with the title for your book?
Well, originally the title was “Lebkuchen & Lügen” – which translates (loosely) to Gingerbread and Lies – felt perfect because it captures both the sweetness of the setting and the secrets both characters are keeping. (It sounds better in German!)
What is your writing process like?
I’m definitely a pantser! I knew the major emotional beats, but so much of the story emerged as I wrote. I usually write in the mornings with tea, and I tend to write scenes out of order if I’m excited about a particular moment. My writing space is pretty minimal – just my laptop, tea, and usually a scented candle, depending on my mood.
Where do you usually write, and what do you need in your writing space to help you stay focused?
I have a little corner of my living room set up with a desk facing a window, but honestly, I write best in cafés. There’s something about the ambient noise and the smell of coffee that gets my creativity flowing. When I was writing this book, I’d often go to local German bakeries for inspiration – nothing like the smell of fresh bread to get you in the mood for writing about a café!
What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given about writing, and by whom?
A writing mentor once told me “write the book you want to read,” and it changed everything. I stopped worrying about what was “marketable” and just focused on the kind of love story that would make me happy. That’s how I ended up with two complex women finding love in a German Christmas market – exactly the kind of book I’d want to curl up with on a winter evening.
When you’re writing an emotional or difficult scene, how do you set the mood?
Music is everything for me! I have different playlists for different emotional tones. For the angsty scenes, I’d listen to a lot of indie folk with German Christmas music mixed in. For the romantic moments, I’d switch to something softer. And I always light candles – something about the warm light helps me access those deeper emotions.
What type of books do you enjoy reading the most?
I’m a total romance addict, especially books with a strong sense of place. I love stories where the setting is almost a character itself – like how Winterbach becomes this entity that both Emma and Sofia have to reckon with. I’m drawn to books about people finding chosen family or rediscovering what home means to them.
Describe your favorite reading spot.
I have this big armchair by my window with a soft throw blanket, perfect for curling up with tea and a book. But honestly, my absolute favorite is reading in actual German cafés when I travel – there’s something about being surrounded by the language and culture that makes every book feel more immersive.
