In Wrapped Together by Annabeth Albert, Hollis (an uptight, introverted stationary store owner) is learning to love Christmas again after a troubled past. Sawyer is hoping that Hollis learns to love HIM at the same time.  I received one copy of this book at no charge in exchange for my honest reviews but all opinions expressed here are my own.  This post contains affiliate links.

Wrapped Together by Annabeth Albert

Purchase Links: Amazon

Title:   Wrapped Together

Series:   Portland Heat, #5

Author:       Annabeth Albert 

Publisher:  Lyrical Shine (December 6, 2016)

ASIN:  B01CWYTJUS

Genre:     M/M, Contemporary

Heat Rating:  3

Star Rating:   4

About the Author:  To learn more about the author you can check out her website or follow along on Facebook or Twitter.

Book Blurb:  

For a stationery store owner, the holidays are great for business. But for Hollis Alcott, Christmas reminds him of the tragic events of three years past, and the last thing he wants to do is take part in Portland’s over-abundance of festive cheer. But Sawyer Murphy, a hunky gift shop owner whose brother is married to Hollis’s sister, has made it his mission to pluck Hollis out of his holiday blues. And his plan is beginning to work. Wrapped in the warm glow of newfound passion, the former business rivals hit up Portland’s finest holiday traditions—and Hollis’s icy attitude begins to melt like snowflakes on his tongue. But he isn’t sure he can trust anyone with the only gift he has—his heart—without breaking it like an antique ornament. Unless he can find the courage to take a leap with the one lover he never expected .

Wrapped Together  Review:

Wrapped Together by Annabeth Albert is  a sweet contemporary Christmas romance.  After losing his parents at Christmas a few years ago, Hollis has lost all interest in the holiday.  He is happy running his stationary store and keeps his heart protected as he avoids anything resembling holiday cheer.  Sawyer Murphy has been in Hollis’s life since they were kids and his brother is married to Hollis’s sister.  Sawyer has made it his mission to warm Hollis’s heart….and hopefully his bed!  However, he has to tread very carefully if he has any hope of melting Hollis’s heart.

I loved this story…it’s warmth, the characters who balanced each other perfectly, the secondary characters, and the message of love and hope that the author presents.  These two men have know each other since they were kids so there is a bond between these guys already, even if Hollis tries to keep Sawyer at arm’s length.  Sawyer knows exactly how to get through Hollis’s tough exterior.  A friendly bet, a few shared memories…..Hollis never had a chance!  Sawyer’s real challenge comes in trying to convince Hollis that he isn’t a love them and leave them air headed teenager any more.

Wrapped Together by Annabeth Albert is told in Hollis’s point of view only and while you really get to know him very well, I felt like I didn’t quite get enough of Sawyer.  But, I think that is common of most single POV stories.

I will say that I loved the sexy bits of this story.  Hollis likes a little bit of dominance in his partner and Sawyer has never played that way before.  Watching Hollis (who is rather quiet and introverted) teach Sawyer what he likes in bed was hot.  Sawyer was happy to learn and eager to please.  The scenes were just the right balance of perfection and realism.

Hollis has had a secret crush on Sawyer for years but wasn’t willing to risk his heart on a guy he thought was pretty much just a playboy.  It was nice seeing Hollis go from frumpy, kale eating scrooge to oh so happy in love and learning to enjoy Christmas again.

Wrapped Together by Annabeth Albert is a wonderful Christmas romance with the perfect balance of holiday cheer and sweet, sexy heat.

 

Knit Tight by Annabeth Albert