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Wrapped Up In You
A story from the Dreamspinner Press 2013 Advent Calendar collection Heartwarming.
Friends of Norris Mason and Danny Falk said their relationship was guaranteed to last. But lack of communication and individual insecurities broke them apart, and their love affair ended with Danny seeking employment in Japan. Now it's two years later, Danny is back in town, Norris hasn't let go of his love for Danny, and their friends are determined to see them happy again—together. A bit of Christmas matchmaking may encourage a new start for Norris and Danny… if they're willing to take a chance.
Friends of Norris Mason and Danny Falk said their relationship was guaranteed to last. But lack of communication and individual insecurities broke them apart, and their love affair ended with Danny seeking employment in Japan. Now it's two years later, Danny is back in town, Norris hasn't let go of his love for Danny, and their friends are determined to see them happy again—together. A bit of Christmas matchmaking may encourage a new start for Norris and Danny… if they're willing to take a chance.
33 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 30, 2013
27 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
December 25, 2013
This story wasn't for me. Both MCs behaved stupid. I couldn't follow any of their reasoning. At least I finished, that's about the most positive I have to say about it.
December 27, 2013
This is one of those stories that I could have loved. If it had been longer and I could have seen Norris and Danny's relationship before it went to hell and what their lives were like during their separation.
I got a bit of Norris' since it was told from his POV but nothing from Danny.
I liked the emotions I got from Norris, I could feel his fear, his trepidation, his love and his hurts. Had I seen a bit of Danny's too, that would have been awesome. Then maybe I would have understood how they actually let it get as far as it did.
They fought and said shit they didn't mean and not only did they break up, no Danny left not just the country but the continent.
I know sometimes we say things we don't mean, and it's too hard to apologize, hurt feelings and pride get in the way. Stupidity, is unfortunately far too common.
But the resolution was too fast for me. They needed to clear it all up, not just fall back into the same pattern as before.
Like I said, it was well told, I could feel the emotions pouring off Norris, and I could see how they could split the way they did, being stubborn and stupid, but I needed more of the story to love it.
I got a bit of Norris' since it was told from his POV but nothing from Danny.
I liked the emotions I got from Norris, I could feel his fear, his trepidation, his love and his hurts. Had I seen a bit of Danny's too, that would have been awesome. Then maybe I would have understood how they actually let it get as far as it did.
They fought and said shit they didn't mean and not only did they break up, no Danny left not just the country but the continent.
I know sometimes we say things we don't mean, and it's too hard to apologize, hurt feelings and pride get in the way. Stupidity, is unfortunately far too common.
But the resolution was too fast for me. They needed to clear it all up, not just fall back into the same pattern as before.
Like I said, it was well told, I could feel the emotions pouring off Norris, and I could see how they could split the way they did, being stubborn and stupid, but I needed more of the story to love it.
December 30, 2013
I was just charmed to pieces to get to peek into such an original, festive, and very twenty-first century-like event called "The Not Your-Family Christmas Party". Yes! This rather unique and special gathering came into being nine years ago, when a group of struggling grad students bonded.
Norris was the only one of the group to actually make it the brass-ring-mecca for all English post-graduate majors. He is a professor. He is also the delivery man for his mother’s famous cookies that he jokes with his hostess about as being the main reason for his invitation to this annual gathering…all in good fun. For Norris, however, all idea of fun and festivity seeps out of his being when he learns that his ex is also attending this year. Why hadn’t anyone told him?
Danny is Norris’s ex and from Norris’s point of view the very essence of Scrooge or any other entity capable of sucking every ounce of good will from this party for him. A large misunderstanding between the two guys ended with Norris demanding that Danny should get his sorry ass out of his life! Norris never wanted to see him again. And so, Danny took a teaching assignment in Japan for more than two years following this brouhaha. Danny is the bearer of an olive branch now. Norris is still too torn up about everything related to Danny.
Will either man leave the party? Will poker games continue with empty seats? It takes the traditional gift-giving ritual for this event that I thought was simply brilliant to infuse the true essence of a golden olive branch within the beautifully unique presents that are exchanged. One can surely hope for angels to sing, God and sinners to reconcile, creating a most perfect medium to hopefully allow peace and tranquility to flow in Norris and Danny’s hearts. This was one party I am so glad I went to!
Norris was the only one of the group to actually make it the brass-ring-mecca for all English post-graduate majors. He is a professor. He is also the delivery man for his mother’s famous cookies that he jokes with his hostess about as being the main reason for his invitation to this annual gathering…all in good fun. For Norris, however, all idea of fun and festivity seeps out of his being when he learns that his ex is also attending this year. Why hadn’t anyone told him?
Danny is Norris’s ex and from Norris’s point of view the very essence of Scrooge or any other entity capable of sucking every ounce of good will from this party for him. A large misunderstanding between the two guys ended with Norris demanding that Danny should get his sorry ass out of his life! Norris never wanted to see him again. And so, Danny took a teaching assignment in Japan for more than two years following this brouhaha. Danny is the bearer of an olive branch now. Norris is still too torn up about everything related to Danny.
Will either man leave the party? Will poker games continue with empty seats? It takes the traditional gift-giving ritual for this event that I thought was simply brilliant to infuse the true essence of a golden olive branch within the beautifully unique presents that are exchanged. One can surely hope for angels to sing, God and sinners to reconcile, creating a most perfect medium to hopefully allow peace and tranquility to flow in Norris and Danny’s hearts. This was one party I am so glad I went to!
December 16, 2013
2.5
Norris, finds out last minute that his ex (who he hasn’t gotten over) is at his friends’ annual Christmas party. So Norris hides in the bathroom...
“I give up,” he said. “I’m not over him, I’ve never been over him and I’m hiding in here until he leaves or there’s an earthquake or something. I’m reverting to my fifteen-year-old self, thanks very much.”
And revert he does. Actually, Norris comes off as a drama queen, he was the one who broke it off with Danny, after all. And Danny seems to be doing all the work at trying to reconcile.
Luckily, their caring friends don’t seem to have chosen sides and conspire to help the couple along.
This is well written. I felt Norris’s hurt and confusion, though Danny remains a bit of a mystery, and yet, I think I like him better. It’s not clear at the end how the guys will fare down the road.
For me, this is more about the gift of all those caring, supportive friends than the struggling romance.
Wrapped Up In You is part of DSP’s 2013 Advent Calendar - Heartwarming.
For this review and much more:
August 31, 2016
Sometimes we say things we don't mean, usually when we're angry, or disappointed, or hurt. Norris felt all three of those emotions when he told his then-boyfriend Danny to get out because he couldn't commit. And Danny got out, and went to Japan. Now he's back and joint friends have decided to get the both of them together again.
Norris is en extremely emotional guy, someone who speaks before he thinks. He feels deeply, but has no idea how to fix the situation with Danny. He tells himself he doesn't want to, but it is clearly a lie. Well, it's cleat to everyone but him.
While Norris does seem to change his mind, it isn't a conscious process I could follow. He begins to admit (to himself) that he regrets what he said, but he never comes right out and says it. In fact, he and Danny communicate through touch and somewhat intimate activities rather than really hashing it out. All I can say is that it seems to work for them.
If you like stories about men who have no clue what to say to each other to bridge the gap of two years of separation, if you enjoy reading about reunions (albeit reluctant ones), and if you're looking for a short read that has the heroes really struggle for their happy end, then you will probably like this short story.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review.
Norris is en extremely emotional guy, someone who speaks before he thinks. He feels deeply, but has no idea how to fix the situation with Danny. He tells himself he doesn't want to, but it is clearly a lie. Well, it's cleat to everyone but him.
While Norris does seem to change his mind, it isn't a conscious process I could follow. He begins to admit (to himself) that he regrets what he said, but he never comes right out and says it. In fact, he and Danny communicate through touch and somewhat intimate activities rather than really hashing it out. All I can say is that it seems to work for them.
If you like stories about men who have no clue what to say to each other to bridge the gap of two years of separation, if you enjoy reading about reunions (albeit reluctant ones), and if you're looking for a short read that has the heroes really struggle for their happy end, then you will probably like this short story.
NOTE: This book was provided by Dreamspinner Press for the purpose of a review.
December 23, 2013
To read my full review, please visit http://onsilverwingz.blogspot.com/201...
This is a very nice, heart warming short story about reconciling lovers at a Christmas party with their close friends.
Even though Norris was the one who told Danny to get out, he didn't mean it and still regretted saying it. Now Danny is back from Japan and plans to work close to Norris, Norris doesn't know how to handle his own feelings. He rejects Danny twice and Danny is about ready to give up. Their friends, however, want to try one more time to bring them back together.
I like that Norris is so conscience of Danny's presence but is afraid of getting burned again and keeps rejecting Danny's advances. It's clear that both of them have communicating issues but the passion between them is still burning even after two years of separation.
Even though there are too much detail about their friends and too many characters all have some role in the story, the story is very cohesive and engaging. The ending is heartwarming and leaves a very hopeful feeling for the future of these two lovers. Overall, this is a very enjoyable short story that's perfect for the Christmas holiday.
*review copy received in exchange for an honest review*
This is a very nice, heart warming short story about reconciling lovers at a Christmas party with their close friends.
Even though Norris was the one who told Danny to get out, he didn't mean it and still regretted saying it. Now Danny is back from Japan and plans to work close to Norris, Norris doesn't know how to handle his own feelings. He rejects Danny twice and Danny is about ready to give up. Their friends, however, want to try one more time to bring them back together.
I like that Norris is so conscience of Danny's presence but is afraid of getting burned again and keeps rejecting Danny's advances. It's clear that both of them have communicating issues but the passion between them is still burning even after two years of separation.
Even though there are too much detail about their friends and too many characters all have some role in the story, the story is very cohesive and engaging. The ending is heartwarming and leaves a very hopeful feeling for the future of these two lovers. Overall, this is a very enjoyable short story that's perfect for the Christmas holiday.
*review copy received in exchange for an honest review*
December 15, 2013
3.5 Hearts
Review written for MM Good Book Reviews
I’m a sentimental sap, full stop. Oh, I’m so ridiculously mellow and grinning like a fool with this little Christmas story.
Norris has been wrapped up in memories of a love lost for two and a half years. He’s still working, living, and enjoying his friends but the empty feeling his lover left after he left is still there, now during the Holidays more so than ever. This time though when he joins the Christmas party at his friend’s house Norris is faced with a shocking surprise...
Read the entire review here.
Thommie
Review written for MM Good Book Reviews
I’m a sentimental sap, full stop. Oh, I’m so ridiculously mellow and grinning like a fool with this little Christmas story.
Norris has been wrapped up in memories of a love lost for two and a half years. He’s still working, living, and enjoying his friends but the empty feeling his lover left after he left is still there, now during the Holidays more so than ever. This time though when he joins the Christmas party at his friend’s house Norris is faced with a shocking surprise...
Read the entire review here.
Thommie
December 22, 2013
4.5 Stars
If any two people deserved the gift of a do-over, Norris and Danny are two of them, and it is indeed the perfect gift—one that didn’t come from a store—this gift most definitely meant a little bit more.
Wrapped Up In You is one Advent story I was more than happy to find in my Dreamspinner stocking this year. Lucy Whedon delivered.
You can read a full review at The Novel Approach
If any two people deserved the gift of a do-over, Norris and Danny are two of them, and it is indeed the perfect gift—one that didn’t come from a store—this gift most definitely meant a little bit more.
Wrapped Up In You is one Advent story I was more than happy to find in my Dreamspinner stocking this year. Lucy Whedon delivered.
You can read a full review at The Novel Approach
December 25, 2013
This is a cute story and the rating may have suffered a bit by being one of three books I read today. I just thought Norris was just a bit too dramatic and if Danny really felt that strongly why wait two years to say something. Maybe a longer story would have explained both their actions a bit more.
December 31, 2013
3.5 Stars - This would have been a solid 4 with just a little bit more. Like maybe some of Danny's POV too. Norris' perspective was written so well I could really feel all the tension he had going on. If I would have had some of Danny's too, this would have been perfect. Really well written and had me looking for more from this author.
December 12, 2014
This is the after the big misunderstanding.
Norris told Danny he didnt want to see him again, so Danny went to Japan. Two years later they meet again.
Norris was a mite annoying as a character, I didnt feel any sympathy for him.
Danny was a bit of an unknown quantity so agaib couldnt get behind him either!
Norris told Danny he didnt want to see him again, so Danny went to Japan. Two years later they meet again.
Norris was a mite annoying as a character, I didnt feel any sympathy for him.
Danny was a bit of an unknown quantity so agaib couldnt get behind him either!
December 24, 2013
Oh, man! This was shaping up to be a really good redemption story. But in the end, I still don't know why Danny wouldn't commit the first time. I want answers!! Cute story of a great group of friends.
December 27, 2013
Personally this shorty is emotionally to packed with hurt and sadness. The way it ended just didn't sit well with me, I couldn't really accept it. It was just to unrealistic and nothing what happened between Norris and Danny got settled. Blah...
December 30, 2013
Enjoyable though super short reunion story with unconventional holiday cheer I liked. This takes place at a party as Norris and the man who got away, Danny, are reunited by their friends at an Anti-Christmas-Christmas Party.
*review copy provided by publisher*
*review copy provided by publisher*
January 11, 2014
2.5 stars.
December 20, 2013
2.5 stars
A few pages more to resolve the situation would have done wonders for this.
It's well written and I like both MCs, it's just too short
A few pages more to resolve the situation would have done wonders for this.
It's well written and I like both MCs, it's just too short
December 13, 2013
3.5 stars
February 9, 2014
It's hard to resolve what went wrong two years ago in one evening. This story is a start, but I would have liked to know more.
February 9, 2015
M/M romance. Lite quick read.
December 27, 2013
3.5 stars
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews