A Love Like Christmas Time: A Cozy Small Town Holiday Romance

Wayward Hollow #2

by Hailey Frost

TBA

Genres: Christmas, Romance, Found Family, Friends To Lovers, Holiday, Small Town Romance, Ebooks

346 pages, Paperback

Published November 15, 2025

Reviews

[itsjessamess · Rating 5 out of 5]

YEEEEESSSSSSSSSS
Ich hab das erste Buch schon so geliebt und mich damals schon unglaublich auf Band zwei gefreut!!! UND ES WAR SO TOLL😭😭😭 Die Gilmore Girls Cozy Small Town Vibes!!!! PHENOMENAL und der Grumpy Barista!!?!?!? SOLD

[Jen ♥ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐

cute and sweet

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a cute, adorable read and I loved it. I loved getting to know Lauren and Caleb more and their relationship was heart-warming to read about.

I loved how, despite both characters having issues with family, they were able to overcome it and navigate their way to happiness.

It's very low angst this read, perfect to switch your brain off with this holiday season.

I adore the small town, I'd love to be a part of the friendship group!

I definitely need to check out some of Hailey's other books while I wait for the next book in this series!

[Alexa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Small town romance. A sequel or side story of the A love like pumpkin spice. Another love story set in the same small town that makes you wanna move there.

[Kayleigh Hunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was my first ARC read and I absolutely loved it! The story was so cute and I adored both James and Lauren's characters and personalities. The plot, the Christmas vices and the cozy chemistry between them made this the perfect first Christmas book of the year. Such a super cute cozy read.

[Maxine (The Bookish Brew) · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Review
Grumpy/Sunshine | Holiday Romance | Healing from Toxic Family | Found Family

After A Love Like Pumpkin Spice, I could not wait to dive back into Wayward Hollow 😍 It felt like coming home to a warm coffee and a good book after a long, exhausting day. Pure comfort. 🥺✨

Hailey Frost once again masterfully blends romance, humor, and just the right amount of spice into a cozy Christmas tale that feels like a hug. A Love Like Christmas Time transports us straight back into the magical little town of Wayward Hollow✨️ complete with ghost cats, festive markets, and a love story that melts you like marshmallows in hot cocoa. 😍

Caleb’s grumpiness toward literally anything joyful and Lauren’s larger-than-life sunshine energy deliver the perfect grumpy/sunshine dynamic. Their constant banter is hilarious, and their path to romance is absolutely heart-squeezing. The story also gently weaves in heavier themes(PPD, toxic family dynamics, healing) without ever weighing it down. It’s real, relatable, and beautifully handled.

The found friendship between Keiran, Henry, Caleb, Nic, and Lauren is pure perfection. Their dynamic feels like a Christmas-themed episode of Friends 🤭chaotic, supportive, heartfelt, and endlessly entertaining. Their group moments add so much warmth and humor, making Wayward Hollow feel like a place you never want to leave.

And of course… the animals. THE ANIMALS 😍🐾 Because what’s a good story without them? They’ll absolutely warm your heart in the best way.

Grab your hot cocoa and your fluffiest blanket, besties, because this book is the kind of warm, cozy ride that fills your heart, softens your mood, and maybe leaves you wiping away a tear or two.

Thank you to the author for the opportunity to be an early reader. 🎄❤️

[❁ Ashton ❀ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was promised a grumpy MMC and that’s exactly what I got ! This grump has his own past trauma and it was so bittersweet to watch him slowly drop his guard and be open to trusting those around him. Especially with the trust he was giving to Lauren with giving his heart to her.

It was refreshing to have a character with torn family dynamics and the heavy decision of cutting them off. As I have recently gone no contact with family member i know it’s not easy and honestly I complete felt for Lauren , the freedom and stress that’s felt afterwards is empowering ! So her pain definitely hit home

This was a cute and sweet Christmas book that totally sucked me into the small town festivities. If there’s a friendship group I could physically join - theirs would be it ! Although their story was sweet and low angst , the author touched on a few upsetting and possible trigger moments but she did it with compassion and care . It flowed perfectly with their love story ! I’m not sure how but Hailey’s writing flowed so easily that I didn’t realise how quick I finished the book! I’m excited for the next book in the series ! I NEED Kieran’s book asap !

[Kelly Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so happy to return to Wayward Hollow! I adored A Love Like Pumpkin Spice and couldn’t wait to see how Lauren and Caleb’s story would unfold. As you probably know by now (because I’m basically a broken record), I’m a feral for a grumpy/sunshine romance... and Caleb was perfection.

I loved that this story was low-angst and comforting. Sometimes you just want to read a love story that feels easy, cozy, and a little bit like coming home. Don’t get me wrong, I love to be emotionally destroyed by a book as much as the next person.... but sometimes I just need the warm and fuzzies, and this story delivered exactly that.

Lauren and Nic's tendency to romanticise life, especially during the holidays resonated with me so much. It’s such a lovely reminder to slow down, find the magic in the small things, and escape the monotony of everyday life for a while.

Sweet, cozy, and brimming with holiday spirit, A Love Like Christmas Time captures the magic of love, belonging, and small-town Christmases perfectly.

I also have to give the author credit for continuing one of my favourite traditions in Wayward Hollow, the unexpected (and always adorable) animal deliveries courtesy of Chaos. I couldn’t stop smiling every time a new one appeared!

Thank you to Hailey Frost for sharing another Wayward Hollow story and eARC with me.

[Krystal - nerdy_book_lover_1987 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was super cute and such a fun holiday read! I loved the animals, the christmas vibes, christmas market, and of course the romance. Caleb was such a grumpy man but Lauren broke through those walls that he had built up (with good reason) and turned him into a loving man who was so swoon worthy. Snowed in, no problem! Gave them more time together. I was here for it all! Definitely recommend this one.

[Karla · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Lauren moves to Wayward Hollow, she’s determined to drink too much coffee, romanticize every tiny moment, and finally find a place that feels like home. What she doesn’t expect is getting paired with the town’s resident grump, Caleb—the broody café owner who treats Christmas spirit like it’s a personal threat.

But running a gingerbread booth together slowly chips away at his frosty edges, and Lauren begins to see the sweetness hiding beneath the sarcasm. Just when things start to feel warm and bright, old memories return and complicate everything…
Yet she can’t shake one thought: maybe the town grump is the Christmas wish she never knew she had.
I absolutely loved this book! From start to finish, it’s soaked in Christmas spirit — cozy markets, gingerbread chaos, festive small-town vibes, and that perfect winter-romance warmth. Lauren and Caleb completely won me over.

One of my favorite things was how openly both main characters talked about their problems and their pasts. There’s no dragging out miscommunication — they actually communicate, grow, and learn together. Their character development is genuinely wonderful, and it makes their relationship feel so real and earned.

The atmosphere? Pure magic. Heartwarming, snowy, comforting — exactly what you want from a holiday romance. This little series just keeps getting better, and this author has become one of my absolute favorites.
A perfect Christmas read.

“𝑾𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒉𝒆’𝒔 𝒏𝒆𝒙𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒆, 𝑰’𝒎 𝒇𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒅 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒂𝒎𝒆 𝒋𝒐𝒚 𝒂𝒔 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝑰 𝒅𝒆𝒄𝒐𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒎𝒚 𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒔𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑪𝒉𝒓𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒎𝒂𝒔. 𝑫𝒆𝒆𝒑-𝒔𝒆𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒑𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒊𝒔 𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒐 𝒎𝒚 𝒔𝒐𝒖𝒍. 𝑾𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒉𝒆 𝒉𝒖𝒈𝒔 𝒎𝒆, 𝒊𝒕 𝒇𝒆𝒆𝒍𝒔 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒛𝒚𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒖𝒑 𝒊𝒏 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒕 𝒐𝒇 𝒂 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒂 𝒉𝒐𝒕 𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒄𝒐𝒍𝒂𝒕𝒆 𝒂𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒅𝒂𝒚 𝒊𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒏𝒐𝒘.”

[Chloë · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh how I’ve missed you, Wayward Hollow ~ 4.5✨
Would I recommend? ☑️

⭑ Publication date: 18th November
⭑ Format: Paperback (available now), eBook & Kindleunlimited
⭑ Genre: Romance - Cozy, Christmas, Comedy
⭑ Tropes: Christmas lover x Grinch, Small town with Stars Hollow vibes, Cozy read, Found family, Friends to lovers, He falls harder, Low angst/drama, She falls first, Snowed in
📚Book 2 in the ‘Wayward Hollow’ series - can be read as a standalone but does contain spoilers from book 1 ‘Pumpkin Spice… Lessons’

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

✧ S U M M A R Y & T H O U G H T S ✧

A Love Like Christmas Time is a warm & cozy festive romance that sees us back in the small magical town of Wayward Hollow. It’s full of lovable familiar faces, holiday hijinks & more cute animals that make you want to go out & adopt 2 kittens & a litter of puppies…

This is a story that gives you emotional depth, laugh out loud jokes & more than a few feet kicking giddy moments.
Caleb & Lauren couldn’t be more opposite, he’s grumpy & set in his ways - a man of few words so to speak! Whilst she’s a famous actress with a mischievous personality who lights up every room. BUT, that’s what makes this story so heartwarming & satisfying. It’s a beautiful journey where we get to see vulnerability, growth & of course, a happy ending!

If you love love, enjoy all things festive or just need an upbeat comforting book to cuddle up with, Happy early Christmas - you’ve found your next read 🎁🎄

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

✧ F I N A L • T A K E A W A Y ✧

I was SO happy to be back in Wayward Hollow.
Hailey Frost is such a talented author & has once again created an entertaining yet endearing festive read that’s perfect to curl up with. I loved how she seamlessly blended coziness with chaos, sugar with spice, wit with warmth & above all - heart, humour & holiday magic. I had so much fun spending time with the friendship group/found family & I’m really looking forward to what comes next!!! This is a book that should be added to everyone’s Christmas TBR♥️

~

📣 A huge thank you to Hailey Frost for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC. This is my honest opinion & I’m sharing it voluntarily.

[Tania De Gheselle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Love Like Christmas Time is the second book of Hailey Frost's Wayward Hollow series and tells the story of Caleb, a grumpy cafe owner (he reminds me of Luke from the Gilmore Girls) who doesn't really like Christmas. Until Lauren and her best friend Nic arrives in Wayward Hollow. The girls used to be famous actresses but decided to leave their glamourous life (and family) behind in LA and start a new life in a cosy small town. Opposites attract and slowly they give in on their feelings for each other.

This story is so easy to read. I couldn't stop reading and read the book in less than 2 days. The story isn’t only about friendship and romance but also about some heavier themes as personal struggles, healing and family issues. It’s funny (I just can imagine Lauren with a bottle of syrup in her handbag) and in some parts you get tears in your eyes (how can you leave your kid behind). Oh and we may not forget their furr friends who have also their part in the story.

After reading this book I really want to read the first book in this Wayward Hollow series. Not that you need to because A Love Like Christmas Time can be read as a standalone but I really loved the story and am curious about A Love Like Pumpkin Spice.

So if you are looking for a warm cosy town holiday romance I can definitely recommend this book. Grab yourself a blanket and cup of tea and snuggle up to read this story.

Thank you Hailey for this advanced copy!

[Chantelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Love Like Christmas Time
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶-🌶🌶


So I remember saying I would be so game to read Caleb's story after reading about Henry and Nic in A Love Like Pumpkin Spice, and this story did not disappoint 👏🏻

Caleb is the grumpy resident cafe owner who makes a good coffee and bakes. Poor guy has some serious trust issues and trauma from childhood.

Lauren is bright, loud, passionate and fierce. Her humor and internal dialouge had me laughing out loud, I really connected to her.

Thier story together was sweet and spicy like a good, well baked gingerbread cookie. Lauren was incredibly gentle with Caleb and he reassuring in the way Lauren needed. Like gingerbread creamer and coffee these two characters complimented eachother so well.

I love that no matter the history, trauma, fight or hurt, these characters always deal with issues openly and in a healthy. Another favorite for me is the amount of fur babies in these books. And the reoccurring theme of Chaos and her antics is amazing.

This story lives up to its name as it reads cozy and comforting. Like your favorite Christmas movie you put on and decorate your tree too. Warm and inviting, I love stepping back into Wayward Hollow and seeing what is new with everyone. I can't wait to see what's next!

Thank you Hailey Frost for the opportunity to read A Love Like Christmas Time as an ARC.

🎄 Christmas lover × Grinch
🎄 Grumpy x Sunshine
🎄 Low Angst
🎄 HEA
🎄 Trauma Healing
🎄 Holiday Romance

[Amanda✨️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Cozy, Festive Romance Full of Heart

This book felt like wrapping myself in a warm blanket and walking straight into a Hallmark movie perfect small town, just with more sass, spice, and gingerbread. I absolutely loved the vibe of Wayward Hollow and the whole “grumpy café owner meets sunshine newcomer” dynamic. The banter is fun, the winter atmosphere is adorable, and the found family moments gave me all the warm fuzzies.

The romance is a slow-ish burn with just enough heat to keep things extra fun, and I really enjoyed watching the walls come down between the two leads. The pets, the friendships, and the Christmas Market chaos were just the icing on the gingerbread house.

If you’re looking for a cute, cozy, low angst holiday read that delivers festive charm and a sweet HEA, this one is definitely worth curling up with. Perfect for anyone who loves small towns, winter vibes, and a good grumpy vs sunshine pairing!

[Sam Metcalfe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finished this book and loved it!! Perfect start to my Christmas reading 4⭐️1🌶️

Thank you to Hailey Frost for letting me be an ARC reader for A Love Like Christmas Time, the second book in the series. I loved it just as much as the first! This time we follow Lauren and Caleb’s story - an emotional rollercoaster in the best way. I adore the family they’ve built and the love they’ve found in Wayward Hollow. Honestly, I’d move to this town in a heartbeat!
Hailey has such a talent for crafting heartfelt stories. Her writing style, especially the banter and dialogue, is something I enjoy every single time.

[The Book Ssirren · Rating 5 out of 5]

A grumpy cuteness holiday overload. This book was the best. I had so much fun reading about Lauren and Caleb. How do you not love a grumpy hot guy that you can rope into a contest with? The two of them were so much fun. He was like watching the ice melt off of him as he started coming around and enjoying himself. I’m a fool for a holiday read, and this one was just so much fun.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would first like to thank the author for this ARC for exchange for a review. I adore this series. Perfect holiday read with sweet and little spice. This book had huge Gilmore Girls vibes. Must read for fans. Reading book 2 was just like meeting up with friends again. Can't wait to read more from Hailey Frost.

[Yashoda Jaikaran · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐️

[Vallon Barnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my fastest reads recently by far! This is the perfect book to start the holiday season. I was so happy to read about Lauren and Caleb’s story following A Love Like Pumpkin Spice, and the grumpy/sunshine trope is always one of my favorites to follow. I also loved that Chaos was still able to be present/relevant in this one!

[ciin_leest · Rating 4 out of 5]

It felt so good being back in Wayward Hollow! This time you follow Lauren and Caleb and I loved how they came together. It's a slowburn story with lots and lots of background story from both main characters. And I was there for it every second of the way.

And when the christmas market was there, it felt like I was in Germany, walking around on a christmas market myself. Hailey really knows how to bring over feelings and bringing places the characters go to life. I can't wait for the third book in this series, because I am nowhere done with this amazing found family.

Hailey Frost thank you so much for letting me arc read this amazing book.

[Nicola “Shortbookthyme” · Rating 5 out of 5]

✅♥️Many thanks @haileyfrostauthor for the opportunity to read your book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

My thoughts:
What a fun holiday read!
I especially loved the romance and chemistry between Lauren and Caleb.
The Christmas vibes were on point!
The animals? Adorable for sure!
I HATED Lauren’s family…literally DISLIKED them so much!
It was fun being back in Wayward Hollow….perfect Christmas story to give you all the feels🥰

[Tiffany M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cranky Caleb owns the coffee shop in town. He doesn’t believe in the “fun” creamers offered in most coffee shops.

Lauren, retired actress, loves to get under Caleb’s skin, smuggling pumpkin spice (or whatever the flavor of the month) creamer in her large bag. And sharing with her friends.

Caleb doesn’t love it, but just shakes his head and accepts the things he cannot change.

 

Caleb and Lauren are both facing family issues, both navigating forgiveness or the chance to move on.

Through Gingerbread and family uncertainty, Caleb and Lauren come together.  Although rough patches come to fruition, cranky Caleb opens his heart to fun loving Lauren.

[Heather Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lauren is the black sheep of her family, and tired of constantly being compared to her cousin. She jumped at the opportunity to move to Wayward Hollow with her best friend, Nic. With her coffee addiction, Lauren finds herself smuggling her favorite sugary syrup to Caleb’s multiple times a day. Lauren and Caleb have an instant attraction to each other! Their relationship is inevitable.

I absolutely adore these characters and this town! I totally felt like I was in Stars Hollow right at Luke’s Diner. He acts grumpy around her, but Caleb actually enjoys Lauren’s quirkiness. The banter and the love is perfect!

I cannot wait for this series to continue!

🎄Grumpy x Sunshine
🎄Small Town Romance
🎄Friends to Lovers
🎄Found Family
🎄Coffee Shop Owner x Coffee Addict
🎄Holiday Romance
🎄Cute Fur Babies
🎄Luke & Lorelai Coded
🎄Stars Hollow Vibes

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished reading an advanced copy of a book that was just released called, A Love Like Christmas Time. Lauren helped her best friend move to the charming town of Wayward Hollow because they both needed to cut ties with toxic family. But she didn't expect to find a small town that accepted her with open arms, a friend group who feels like how a family should feel, and a massive crush on the grumpy café owner. Caleb owns the café in Wayward Hollow, and he doesn't like Christmas, yet he gets pulled into helping Lauren with her Christmas Market booth because he can't say no to the girl who makes his heart feel a little less heavy. Both Lauren and Caleb have family trauma, but they start to lean on each other and find the courage to make hard choices, finally learning to put their happiness first and open their hearts to love.
I absolutely loved this story! This book is all the best parts of Gilmore Girls, think Luke and Lorelai in Stars Hollow at Christmastime vibes. This was book two in this series (book one was, A Love Like Pumpkin Spice) I am absolutely obsessed with both books in this series! This author doesn't shy away from hard topics and toxic families, and I don't want to get too personal on here but these books both resonated with me so much. I highlighted so much of this ebook (just like I did with book one in this series) these books made me feel seen and validated in my own life. If I could give these books infinite stars I would. ♾️✨ I wish I could give the author a hug and truly thank her for writing these stories, because honestly they're everything. ❤️📚

“I have all I need,” she repeats. “And I’m happy. I know in my heart that, had I kept my parents in my life, they would still be a constant stress factor. They would still make me constantly doubt my self-worth. They wouldn’t contribute to my life in any meaningful way. And by that, I mean even a meaningful conversation.” She shakes her head. “Cutting off that dead weight is freeing. I feel like a whole different person. One that’s a lot happier.” -Lauren

Thank you to the author and her team for this ARC of A Love Like Christmas Time, in exchange for an honest review.

[Ciara Hartman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Book 2 in the Wayward Hollow series. While it could technically be read as a standalone, you won’t understand all the dynamics of the relationships/characters and backgrounds if you haven’t read Book 1, A Love Like Pumpkin Spice.

I wound up loving both books equally and highly recommend this series if you’re looking for romance and small town cozy vibes!

In this story, two new to each other friends, wind up getting closer to each other during the holiday season as the town is prepping for the Christmas Market. But the FMC, Lauren, has family drama to deal with and a city apartment to finish moving out of, while the MMC, Caleb, has childhood trauma to work through and a big decision to make regarding a ghost of sorts from his past. Amidst the emotions and upheaval in both their lives, can the holiday cheer and loving friends help bring them together and heal old wounds?

Personally I loved how their relationship began as friends and morphed into a deeper one. They didn’t rush into anything and it felt natural, the way their romance developed slowly and comfortingly. Being able to trust someone with your inner feelings, to have a listening ear and a comforting hug, is definitely an excellent way to lead into a deeper relationship I think. Also, their banter was so fun since he’s a no-frills coffee guy, but every time she enters the coffee shop, she smuggles in her specialty syrups to add to her cup of coffee.

And I think what I loved most, was how even though Lauren knows Caleb has his own trust issues, she still puts her foot down and prioritizes the fact that she has needs as well and needs to handle her emotions before she can deal with his. - Coming from a relationship where we both have trauma in our pasts that is similar in nature but not exactly the same, I totally understand how difficult it can be to navigate two separate traumas when you each need to express yourself, but don’t want to add to the others distress.

I also appreciated how this story brought out a real life lesson in that you can choose your family and should not let anyone (even if blood relation) dim your light and make you feel as if you’re not enough just the way you are. If that’s how you’re being made to feel/treated, than you have every right to cut those toxic people out of your life. Even if they are so-called family.

And finally, I love how although there is on page spice in both these books, it does not overwhelm the story. It takes a while to get there and the author adds those scenes into the story in a seamless manner which doesn’t detract, but instead enhances, the overall romance of the story. - Spice: 3/5.

Some quotes I thought notable 👇

“Turns out, grumpy comes with a side of sweet.” 💞

“Excuse me for having a resting murder face.” 😂

“The ties you nurture can quietly strangle the light you carry.”💔

“You have to draw your own boundaries and defend them.” 👏🙌

“Kissing her is like coming home.” 🥰

“In Wayward Hollow, my neighbors are my best friends. But here? I don’t think I’ve ever even met the people who live next door to me.” 😢

😍 FAVE quote: “When he hugs me, it feels like cozying up in front of a fire with a hot chocolate after spending the day in the snow.” 😍

“I don’t want to go back to a world where I don’t get to fall asleep in the same bed as him every night and where we can’t stay in for the whole day to bake cookies or cuddle.” 🥺😍🙌

“I’m still spending time with the people I call my family. I’ve found a home where I actually feel welcome and people who accept me for who I am, instead of chasing a weird fantasy image of me they have in their heads.” 🙌👏🙌


Tropes 👇

- Small town
- Grumpy sunshine
- Slow burn
- Friends to lovers
- Snowed in
- Christmas festivities
- Coffee lovers
- Animal lovers
- Found family


Micro-Tropes 👇

- He makes her breakfast
- They bake together
- He says the L word first
- He can’t say no to her


TW’s 👇

- Mention of pregnancy loss (not the FMC)
- Postpartum Depression (not the FMC)
- Parental Abandonment
- Mention of Parental Neglect
- Body-shaming
- Mention of suicidal thoughts

[Carmen Dieleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A love like christmas time

Het tweede deel van de serie en ik ben zo blij dat ik deze mocht lezen!!! Deel 1 vind ik al eeg leuk, maar deze is mijn nieuwe favoriet. Het is een cozy verhaal, vol warmte, kerstgevoel, vriendschappen en elkaar laten ontdooien. Ik zat er vanaf het begin heerlijk in en vloog door het verhaal, ik vond het daarom ook erg jammer dat het boek uit was.

Het is een fijn geschreven verhaal, met leuke personages. Je leest ook nog over de personages van het eerste boek, alles loopt mooi in elkaar over, waardoor het fijn leest. Ik hoop dat er een deel 3 komt!

When I moved to Wayward Hollow, I promised myself three things:
1. Drink entirely too much coffee.
2. Romanticize the hell out of life.
3. Let myself finally belong somewhere.
Enter Caleb - Wayward Hollow’s grumpy café owner who treats anything festive like it’s a contagious disease. Unfortunately for him, he let me strong-arm him into running a gingerbread booth with me for the Christmas Market. He’s stubborn, sarcastic, hot…and the more time we spend together, the more glimpses I catch of the man hiding beneath his gruff exterior. Turns out, grumpy comes with a side of sweet. But just as things start to feel merry and bright, old memories show up on our doorsteps, and turn whatever is happening between us more complicated than building a gingerbread house without icing. And yet, somehow, I can’t help but wonder…
What if the town grump is the Christmas wish I didn’t even know I had?

The second book in the series, and I'm so glad I got to read it!!! I already loved the first book, but this one is my new favorite. It's a cozy story, full of warmth, Christmas spirit, friendships, and letting each other defrost. I was hooked from the start and flew through the story, so I was really sad to see it end.

It's a well-written story with fun characters. You also get to read about the characters from the first book, and everything flows together beautifully, making it a pleasant read. I hope there's a third coming!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ sterren
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[Ptiteaurel · Rating 5 out of 5]

J'avais adoré la romance automnale de l'autrice que j'avais découverte par hasard en français et je suis ravie d'avoir été sélectionnée pour lire ce 2ème tome qui se déroule à Noêl. Me voilà de retour à Wayward Hollow et j'ai été ravie de revoir Nic et Henry, les héros du 1er tome. Les thèmes abordés sont très intéressants et l'autrice a su les aborder avec brio.

Lauren est donc notre héroïne. Elle n'avait pas hésité à tout quitter à Los Angeles pour suivre et épauler Nic dans l'épreuve qu'elle avait traversé. Si la famille de cette dernière était haut perchée, la sienne n'est pas en reste. je les ai trouvés odieux. Is organisent des repas entre eux sans jamais l'inviter, la rendant invisible à leurs yeux. Elle se sent trahie et elle est à chaque fois touchée par les piques qu'elle va devoir affrontrer encore dans ce tome. Dans cette petite ville, elle va comprendre que la famille de coeur qu'elle s'est construite est bien plus importante. Elle va tenter de percer la carapace de notre grognon Caleb et essayer de l'initier à la magie de Noêl. J'ai adoré les moments passés ensemble et j'espère que dans le prochain tome, nous la verrons encore plus épanouie.

Caleb tient le café du coin. Il ne parle pas, il grogne mais il sera là pour aider en cas de besoin. Il ouffre de la peur de l'abandon et on le comprend avec ce qu'il a vécu à ses 6 ans. Quand le passé revient en pleine force, il va devoir s'ouvrir et en parler pour tenter d'avancer. Lauren a beau l'agacer, elle le pousse aussi hors de sa zone de confort. Etonnament, ils seront une oreil attentive les uns pour les autres et les voir se rapprocher, ça n'a pas de prix. J'ai aimé explorer des thèmes profonds avec lui et voir qu'il mettra tout en oeuvre pour aller de l'avant. Il ne voit pas ce que tous les autres personnages voient mais attendons la révélation pour faire battre nos coeurs plus fort.

Bref, une très belle romance de Noël avec cette famille de coeur attachante. J'ai hâte de découvrir ce que nous réserve Kieran, le 3ème membre de ce groupe d'amis et voir aussi ce que nous réserve les habitants de cette petite ville. Les animaux ont une fois plus toute leur place dans ce récit et on adore.

[Melting Into Fiction · Rating 4 out of 5]

ʀᴀᴛɪɴɢ: 4.2 ⭐️
sᴘɪᴄᴇ: 3🌶

'Tis the season for a cozy small town romance! This is the second novel in the "Wayward Hollow" series about ex-actress, Lauren, and coffee shop owner, Caleb, who we met in 𝘈 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘓𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘗𝘶𝘮𝘱𝘬𝘪𝘯 𝘚𝘱𝘪𝘤𝘦. He's the stubborn owner who despises anything festive, until she flips his world upside down with her sunny personality & love for Christmas. Things heat up when she enters the town's Christmas market competition & tasks him with helping her.

If you love a grumpy x sunshine trope, then look no further. From the grumpy personality to the backward caps, Caleb gives Luke vibes from "Gilmore Girls". Then there's Lauren, who is sassy, cheerful & loves to push his buttons, which is totally Lorelai. Every time she whipped out her flavoured syrups at the shop to annoy him, it reminded me of when Lorelai would use her cellphone at Luke's. There were even moments like the Christmas market that reminded me of Stars Hollow's festivities.

While I loved the first book, the sequel brought another depth to the series. Both Lauren & Caleb had complicated family pasts, which caused a lot of insecurities & heartaches. Despite this, I loved that they managed to create their own found family in Wayward Hollow.

I thought it was also great how they showed up for each other during tough times. With Caleb's abandoment issues, she brought the light & security that he craved & he provided the support she needed after feeling like a total black sheep. Bonus points for no third act breakup!

𝐴 𝐿𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝐿𝑖𝑘𝑒 𝐶ℎ𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑚𝑎𝑠 𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒 will definitely get you in a festive mood. It has plenty of sweet moments & the perfect amount of spice! I recommend reading 𝘈 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘓𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘗𝘶𝘮𝘱𝘬𝘪𝘯 𝘚𝘱𝘪𝘤𝘦 first, so you get more context behind their connection and the secondary characters. I cannot wait for more stories from this joyful small town!

A big thanks to Hailey Frost for the opportunity to read the eARC!

[Jenia · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Thank you to the author, Hailey Frost for eARC, in exchange for an honest review*

I love Wayward Hollow! It’s the type of town that I would love to live in. When I lived in Arizona, I lived in a small town, and I loved it. What I loved about Wayward Hollow was the sense of community, where others genuinely looked out for one another. I was tempted to re-watch Gilmore Girls while reading the book. I was excited for the chance to return to Wayward Hollow and to read Lauren’s story. I have loved Lauren since the first book, mostly her friendship with Nic. She reminded me so much of the friendship between my long-time best friend, Mariah, and me. Everyone needs a friend like that.

A Love Like Christmas Time is a type of holiday story that I adore. It’s cozy, festive, funny, emotional, and romantic. The way Hailey portrayed the story blended so well. It definitely got me into the holiday spirit. It got to the point where I had put a limit on how much to read; otherwise, I would never get any studying done. It was so magical. I loved the friendship between Lauren, Caleb, Nic, Henry, and Keiran. Their friendship reminded me so much of the TV show Friends. I loved the way they were there for one another. Of course, you couldn’t help but love animals; it had me smiling every time.

I loved the way that Hailey developed the relationship between Caleb and Lauren. I laughed at their banter and sometimes found myself shaking my head as I read. There were several scenes between the two of them that had me smiling and thinking about it afterwards. I loved A Love Like Pumpkin Spice, but I loved A Love Like Christmas Time even more. Part of me wanted to see how it would end for Lauren and Caleb, but another part of me didn’t want to be the end of their story. I still smile every time I think or talk about this book. I am excited to see what’s next for Wayward Hollow!

[Manon Theys · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐ Goodreads Review - A Love Like Christmas Time by Hailey Frost

Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)

In the second stroll through Wayward Hollow, A Love Like Christmas Time proves once again that Hayley Frost understands the quiet magic of a romance that does not stumble into unnecessary heartbreak merely for drama’s sake. Bless her quill for that restraint. The tale glides forward with a grace that feels almost enchantingly rare - smooth, steady, sure-footed, as though the author herself were guiding us by lamplight through freshly fallen snow.

This story carries all the charm of a Hallmark holiday film, yet it never falls into the hollow sweetness such tales sometimes bear. Instead, Frost gives us a romance that breathes naturally - warm, cozy, and very human. The pacing is wonderfully balanced: never hurried, never languishing, but unfolding with the gentle inevitability of winter settling over a familiar town. Every moment feels placed with intention, and never once was I jarred out of the narrative thinking, “Wait- how did we get here?”

And how delightful it is to see the beloved characters from the first book wandering into this one, living their lives beside our new leads. Their presence lends the story that lovely small-town continuity - the sense that Wayward Hollow is, indeed, a living place, where people grow and linger and return.

This ARC was a joy to read, a perfect herald of the coming Christmas season: warm lights in frosted windows, laughter drifting across snowy streets, and a romance that comforts more than it torments.

My thanks to Hailey Frost for the Advanced Reader’s Copy. I cannot wait to slip back into Wayward Hollow again.