Book: A Love Like Mulled Wine by Hailey Frost
Reviewed by Rie
Rating: 3/5
Thank you to Love Notes PR and Hailey Frost for the opportunity to read an ARC of Love Like Mulled Wine!
I went into this one hoping for a fun Christmas read with plenty of holiday shenanigans and romance, and while the Christmas element was certainly present, the romance and overall execution left me wanting more.
My biggest struggle was the romantic development. The story seemed to be going for an enemies-to-lovers dynamic, but the dislike felt pretty one-sided, and I never quite felt the chemistry or tension I wanted from the pairing. It was clear the characters liked each other, but the buildup to them getting together didn't feel as natural or developed as it could have been. When they finally moved past the misunderstanding, the shift into a relationship felt a little too convenient, as though the story had reached a certain percentage and decided it was time to get the romance underway.
I also think there was a lot of potential in the characters that didn't quite come through for me. I could understand Kieran's distrust and his fear of being judged or losing people, which made his struggles relatable. Brooke initially came across as fiery and fierce, a quality I really liked, but some of that personality seemed to fade as the story progressed. The supporting characters were a nice addition, and I appreciated how they showed up for the main characters, but I sometimes struggled to distinguish everyone's personalities. Even the grumpy café owner didn't quite give me the grumpy vibes I expected!
The writing style was another hurdle. I found the prose a little too simplistic for the story being told, and the very short paragraphs often left me wishing the characters, scenes, and emotional moments had more room to breathe. The setting, particularly beyond the farm, also felt rather vague, which made it harder to become immersed in the world. I could see the potential for a cozy, charming Christmas romance, but I never quite felt that atmosphere come to life while reading.
There were moments of humor, and I didn't dislike the plot itself. However, the story often felt as though it was taking too long to reach its next major development, and the events leading up to those moments didn't always feel natural enough to build the anticipation they seemed intended to create. As a result, I found it increasingly difficult to stay invested in what was happening.
Ultimately, I think Love Like Mulled Wine had some promising ingredients, but the execution didn't quite come together for me. I can see how readers looking for a straightforward Christmas romance might enjoy it, and I don't think there's anything inherently wrong with the story. It simply wasn't the reading experience I had hoped for, and the combination of the writing style, characterization, and romantic development left me disappointed.