Cruel Winter with You Review

Cruel Winter with You by Ali Hazelwood

Cruel Winter with You (3/5 stars) was my first Ali Hazelwood read, and even though it’s a short story, it definitely left an impression—and sparked my excitement to read more from her. I picked this one up while searching for a Kindle Unlimited audiobook to listen to while doing chores, and it turned out to be a quick, easy, and enjoyable listen.

The story follows Jamie and Marc, who have known each other forever—Marc being Jamie’s childhood best friend’s little brother. They’ve clearly been in love for a long time, but life and timing have kept them apart… until a winter storm traps them together and forces everything into the open. It’s a classic setup that works well in this cozy, wintry format.

The storytelling itself was strong, especially for such a short piece. Hazelwood’s voice came through clearly, and the chemistry between the characters was easy to feel. That said, the brevity was also the biggest drawback. I found myself wanting more—more depth, more conflict, more character development, more emotional buildup. Not because anything was missing, but because what was there was genuinely enjoyable and made me curious to see it expanded.

I gave Cruel Winter with You 3 stars. It’s a solid, well-written short romance that does its job but leaves you wishing for a little more time with the characters. In many ways, that’s a compliment. This quick read convinced me that Ali Hazelwood is an author worth exploring, and I can’t wait to see what she does with a full-length novel.