It’s the most wonderful time of the year… but not for Angie Martinelli…
Having lost her boyfriend, job, and apartment all in the space of a week, Angie has no choice but to leave California and return to her family in New England.
Determined not to let life weigh her down, Angie finds work at the local mall where she worked as a teenager. After an embarrassing run-in with a handsome stranger, Nick, she’s convinced her luck is about to change.
But Nick has secrets of his own… and as the first flakes of snow begin to fall, Angie can’t help but wonder if she’ll ever find love.
Katlyn Duncan is a multi-published author of adult and young adult fiction, and has ghostwritten over 40 novels for children and adults.
When she’s not writing, she’s obsessing over many (many) television series’, and hanging out on YouTube where she shares her writing process and all the bookish things.
Katlyn Duncan has written a festive feel-good story bursting with holiday cheer! The entire time I was reading this I was thinking to myself, this is like reading a Hallmark movie. So it was no surprise to find out after I was finished that Katlyn is a big fan of the Hallmark Christmas movies and wrote this with them in mind. This was definitely a cozy up in a warm blanket with some hot chocolate and Christmas music in the background kind of read.
Angie has returned home to Connecticut after a bad breakup that also lead to the loss of her job in California. This was not how Angie had planned on spending the Christmas holidays, but it is nice to be home enveloped in the warmth of her family and friends. Determined to start over Angie finds herself a new job and perhaps even a new love interest. But is it too soon? Nick is a great guy handsome and kind, but what is he hiding? A dash of drama, a peppering of secrets, a sprinkling of romance, and a generous dose of holiday cheer. Angie was a great character, I loved her heart, her family, and her friends. The connection between Angie and Nick was so sweet, The romance happened a bit speedily, But the Christmas season is short. This is an absolute must read for anyone who is a fan of a feel good festive Christmas story!
This book in three emojis: 🎁 ❤️ 🎄
*** Big thanks to HQ Digital for my copy of this book ***
I cannot put into words just how much I enjoyed this holiday romance. I want it whipped up into a movie and stuck on the Christmas channel in time for me to slip into some PJ's, heat up some hot chocolate, curl up and get those festive fuzzy feelings.
When I read a festive romance, I want that warm, love and happiness vibe and Wrapped up for Christmas fully delivered. This story is everything that I wished it to be.
The story opens with Angie heading home after a nasty break up that meant losing everything. Well finding everything really, because an unfaithful ex is no loss!
I just loved this story, the atmosphere, the friendships, family and romance. Everything that I wanted when I saw the cover and read the synopsis was delivered, beautifully packaged.
The author was inspired by Hallmark and that is reflected in the overall feeling of this. As someone who is obsessed with the Hallmark style Christmas movies and the day that the channels turn into Christmas channels, it feels like Katlyn Duncan's Wrapped Up For Christmas was aimed straight at my heart.
This is the perfect Christmas, feel-good story. It has great characters, well-written story, second chances, friendship, family, some angst and romance. What else could you want in a Christmas story. This is one that would definitely be a hit on the Hallmark Channel. The author said she wrote it as an ode to all the Hallmark movies out there, and she was right on.
I loved Angie. She had gone through so much, but was still upbeat, smiling, and wanting to help others. She seemed to have a tough time being alone, as she mentions that when she has a break up it doesn’t take her long to find another guy, but this time, she wants to take her time and just be friends. Nick has problems of his own, including a big family issue that causes him, his mother and his brother a lot of pain. I was not impressed with his father at all. I did like Angie’s mom and nonna trying to get her and Nick together, they were quite sweet and amusing.
Overall, this is a wonderful Christmas story. It had just the right amount of angst, a few issues of trust, some fun, lots of romance and second chances. There was a sprinkling of good deeds with Angie trying to raise money for the homeless shelter and some great friendships. If you enjoy the “Magic of Christmas” in a holiday romance, then this book is for you. And don’t you just love that cover!
4☆ A Warm and Cosy, Feel Good Read, With A Sprinkle of Festive Romance!
Wrapped Up for Christmas is a warm and Cosy, Feel Good Read, festive romance.
Angie is having a pretty tough time. No one wants to be jobless and heartbroken around Christmas time and that's exactly how Angie finds herself.
Having no other option she moves back home and it just so happens that her old job in the mall has become available. Not really ideal but she takes what she can get. After all a change might be just what she needs.
Especially when she jumps into the mysteriously handsome Nick! He appears to tick all the right boxes, charming, Witty, handsome, kind, but why is he holding back? The chemistry is clearly there between the two. Could things start to be looking up again for Angie or is it all too soon?
Wrapped Up for Christmas is a heart warming story about Second Chances, Romance, Secrets, Letting go and Moving On. The Characters are a wonderful strong mix and I loved watching Angie and Nick blossom. Oh and have I mentioned just how much I Adore the book cover! It really is a festive cover, that I couldn't resist!
So if you are looking for a warm, cosy, light hearted Romance that's full of Festive cheer, then you will adore this book. So grab a steaming hot drink, a cosy blanket, snuggle up and Enjoy!
Thank you to Rachel Random Resources for this copy which I reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
Wrapped Up for Christmas by Katlyn Duncan 248 pages 4 ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Having lost her boyfriend, job, and apartment all in the space of a week, Angie has no choice but to leave California and return to her family in New England. Determined not to let life weigh her down, Angie finds work at the local mall where she worked as a teenager. After an embarrassing run-in with a handsome stranger, Nick, she’s convinced her luck is about to change. But Nick has secrets of his own… and as the first flakes of snow begin to fall, Angie can’t help but wonder if she’ll ever find love. 🎄📕 MY REVIEW 🎄📕 Good story from beginning to end! This book has all the feels and emotions. The characters are very likeable and relatable. Angie and Nick easily drew me into their world as their bittersweet story had me cheering them on. This would make a perfect Hallmark Christmas movie. Many thanks to HQ Digital, NetGalley, and the author for a ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. If you would like to follow my reviews please do so at my facebook page Joyce Stewart Reviews or my reading group Stewart Book Reviews Book Club. #WrappedUpForChristmas #NetGalley
** I received this through netgalley in exchange for an honest review **
This book, was the perfect feel-good Christmas story. It was like reading a cozy Hallmark Christmas movie. I really loved the story, the friendships, the atmosphere, the families and the romance.
This was my first book by Katlyn Duncan and I can definitely see myself picking up something else from her in the future
I must admit I’ve had the blues the last few days. Adulting sucks sometimes, doesn’t it?
With that in mind, I wanted an escape and what better way to take my mind off things than to delve between the pages of my first Christmas-themed read of the year!
*sigh*
As clichéd as it may sound, this story was the perfect pick-me-up read. Some stories fill you with warmth as you read, and I’m sure I was glowing by the time I’d finished Angie and Nick’s tale. (*rolls eyes* Disclaimer: No, it’s not that type of read. You really do have a low opinion of me, don’t you? *giggles*)
Anyhoo, I devoured this book in a day as I just couldn’t put it down. *shrugs* It just made me happy.
Angie has been through a tough time lately and has certainly come back down to earth with a bump. Let’s be real here, you may start off this story with a certain amount of man-hating and choice words at said man echoing through your head. Or, is that just me? *snorts*
The advent of Christmas is not a time when you want to be ‘starting over’, but with little choice in the matter that’s what Angie is going to do. With the love and support of her colourful family and awesome BFF, she won’t have to go it alone. Plus, meeting Nick brings with it the possibility of romance.
Now Nick, here is a guy with a heart of gold. He has so much love to give if he can just find the right person. He is the quintessential leading man; handsome, debonair, and above all – kind.
With just the right amount of angst, a dusting of trust issues, a meddling parent or two, a dash of cross-purposes, and a good deed which will leave a lump in your throat topped off with a sprinkling of romance – WUFC will leave you full of Christmas spirit.
The author said she wrote this book as an ode to her favourite Hallmark Christmas movies. Well, it played like a movie in my mind. Fingers crossed we get to see it on the big screen in the not so distant future.
I’m normally a bit of a Grinch, but... Bring on Christmas!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher HQ Digital for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
An extremely enjoyable read, full of character and festive cheer.
At the start of the book we meet Angie, down in the dumps because her boyfriend cheated on her but it gets worse- he's also her boss. Making the decision to leave California and fly home to her family in New England, Angie spends time with her family and friends and finds work at a local shopping mall. There she has a cringe-inducing first encounter with Nick which makes Angie start to consider if she would be able to fall in love again this year.
A well-paced and entertaining read, jam-packed with fully-developed characters in an exciting plot. Truly a perfect book to read this Christmas season.
First of all, I have to mention the stunning cover of this book which is equally matched by the warm and festive story that lies within - this is the kind of cover that really catches your eye and I found myself looking at it from time to time, just because it gave me all the warm feels. Now for the story which is sure to keep you hooked from the very beginning.
Angie Martinelli thought that she had left her childhood home behind her and had the kind of life she had always dreamed of in California - a great career as an event planner, a sexy boyfriend that she would one day marry, and a lovely place to call home. But in the blink of an eye, she loses it all. Her boyfriend turned out to be a turd and because he was her boss she couldn't work for him anymore, and that is why she finds herself returning to her mum's for Christmas. With her grandparents also living there, it isn't long before everyone is getting under each other's feet but Angie has to admit that she has missed her family, and her best friend, Reese, who is about to have her first baby. But money doesn't grow on trees and it looks like her old job at the mall when she was a teenager, may just be the best thing for her at the moment. It doesn't hurt that there is a very handsome stranger there, Nick, with whom a little spark seems to be burning. As Angie throws herself into the season, helping others as much as she can, it isn't long before Angie and Nick cannot deny the attraction between them, but is it too soon for romance? And should Angie open her heart to someone who appears to be hiding something?
Fabulously entertaining, brimming with festive kindness and spirit, WRAPPED UP FOR CHRISTMAS by Katlyn Duncan is the perfect Christmas read. There is laughter, tears, and everything in between in this story, and kindness is the key in this lovely tale. The characters are very likeable and relatable, and I loved the different relationships that centred around Angie, from her family to her friends. Nick is also really likeable and I felt for him and his family situation which weighed heavy on him.
WRAPPED UP FOR CHRISTMAS by Katlyn Duncan has got it all and I cannot wait to read more from this wonderful author.
Now that it is October its full blown festive book season and boy this had a fair whack of it. Angie - is going through a rough time having to leave her dreams in California after her boyfriend/boss kind of forgot to inform her that he was kind of taken. Its been a pretty rubbish time for Angie and been surrounded by a bustling family can be great, she still wants to focus on herself and get some space.
However, with the help of her life long best friend she soon sets about helping her and Angie ends up working in a job she did as a teenager - i mean, its not ideal but it will tide her over for Christmas. There is some positives to been in the mall - the handsome man she keeps bumping into, Nick.
Know - let me tell you, i loved Nick from the minute we met him - as a reader i adored him, i felt he was flawed and didnt always think his actions through but you could just tell he had a warm loving spirit inside him and i mean if all else - he has a wondrous dog *shrug*
Angie likewise has her issues but again - i loved getting to know her. I had preconceptions from the beginning but as we spend time with her i found her cautious, sweet and loving. This book as a sprinkling of christmas magic, romance, cross wires & delicious hot chocolate. It is one to get you ready for the most wonderful time of the year.
It’s only the beginning of October, but the Christmas stories are popping up like mushrooms. I have to admit I am not really a big fan of the festive season, but I can truely enjoy a few books about it.
Often this time of the year is about money and forced feelings. Not in this book, though. The author treats us to a story where the essence of this period should be about : love. If does not matter whether it’s between friends, partners or family but this emotion is what should be in the center.
It’s not always easy but when the feeling is strong enough and you are willing to go for it, there is no sea too deep or a mountain too high.
If you are in for a dose of happy ever after, this is a story you will enjoy. 4 stars.
Thank you, Katlyn Duncan and Rachel’s Random Resources.
It's spooky season... which means it's one month closer to being acceptable to read holiday books, lol!
To start off the festivities, I decided to dive into this book. And it was such a cute, cozy romance that made me even more excited for Christmas! I could definitely see this being a Hallmark movie. Of course, like those movies, there's always that huge miscommunication piece that makes me sigh and want to tear out my hair to no end... but overall, a cute, festive read to kick off the holidays! My first read from this author, but it definitely won't be my last.
Wrapped Up For Christmas is a charming, feel good, Christmas romance. A book about second chances and family, about serving others, and how sometimes the hardest things in life lead us to the right paths. This was the perfect book to curl up with in front of the fire on a snowy night. It’s a cozy read that will definitely put you in the Christmas spirit! Thank you the the publisher for the free review copy in exchange for my honest review.
What everyone said who rated it highly, I agree with. However, it comes off pretty cheesy to me and the narrator sounded so flat in places….it was ok, but nothing I’ll reread.
I found this also kinda boring. I don't know...when I look on the reviews it seems like I'm the only one who didn't enjoy it that much. Maybe it's just me...😂 Is there no good Christmas book to find except from Sarah Morgan ( which I have read already)? Could someone recommend anything?
*** ARC sent via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review ***
These past few weeks I’ve been in such a festive mood, and this Christmas book did not disappoint! Wrapped up for Christmas follows Nick and Angie, two career driven people that find themselves single during the holiday season. I was so pleasantly surprised to find that this was a book written from both perspectives. I love a romance where you hear both sides of the story.
Angie was such an endearing character. After finding out her boss in California was cheating on her, she moves back home, heartbroken and cynical. She is desperate to get back on the career ladder, but also to make the most of the festive period with her family and best friend (I LOVED that this book prioritised friendship as well as romance). Her charitable nature made the book that bit more cosy and heartwarming, and Hazel’s character was a great addition. The chemistry between Angie and Nick was strong, and I genuinely believed their connection. I flew through this book.
It started out cute but the writing just got worse and worse as it went on. It’s like the author didn’t care about the characters anymore and so neither did I. I love a mushy romance book but this was just bad. It also needed a good editor.
Writing was not very good. Editing was deplorable. There were sentences that made no sense & were missing words. However, I really enjoyed the characters so that boosted it up a star.
This story was a pretty good contender for a Hallmark Christmas film. It has all of the feel good parts and was cozy enough to want to sit under the covers with a warm cup of hot cocoa while you read it. However, cozy doesn't always mean that it stood out, or that it would make the cut.
Overall, this story was okay for me. However, there were too many plot points that just didn't add up or made me roll my eyes and I like a corny, unbelievable story sometimes too.
* Received this copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you very much! This doesn’t affect the review in any way. My opinions are, as always, my own.*
This was so adorable! I literally could put this down and read it in two sittings. Such a feel-good story!
This is Angie’s story. She just had a bad break-up, lost her job and had to move home to her parent’s house. Needless to say, this was not how her Christmas was supposed to go. Nonetheless, Angie makes the best of it and enjoys the comfort of being near her family and friends, finds a new job even if it’s not ‘the’ one, and even a new romance. It’s not easy for her to put herself so soon in a romantic situation but sometimes life just happens… it might not go how you predict but it might just go where it should.
Angie was the kindest sweetest person and I loved how much she cared for everyone around her. She’s intelligent, self-sufficient, strong and I loved to see her ultrapass every obstacle life put in front of her. I also loved how much initiative she had and how much she worked for something she believed in. It was beautiful to see and we need more of those thoughts and actions!
I loved her friendship with Reese and how sweet she was for everyone near her. Reese was very different from her, a lot more blunt and harsh but with a heart of gold. Their friendship was beautiful and I dearly enjoyed their moments together.
As for our love interest, Nick. He was definitely a good guy with his heart in place even if sometimes his actions didn’t shine through the way they were supposed to. I loved seeing him with Angie and I could feel their spark and attraction through the pages. Their romance started quite fast but sometimes that’s just how it is, and it doesn’t mean it’s not right. I loved them together and I think they were perfect for each other.
This book is full of holiday cheer, sweet moments, it’s a fair share of drama and a lot of romantic moments.
If you’re a fan of sweet, feel-good Christmas stories this is for you! It was gripping and just the perfect holiday book to curl up and read on a cold day.
Wrapped Up for Christmas was a very fun and enjoyable festive read. The story definitely has the Hallmark feel where a woman returns to her hometown and rediscovers some magic. The main character, Angie Martinelli, loves Hallmark-style movies, which brings a nice tie-in to the fact that she is in her own version. After breaking up with her boyfriend (and boss), she was also let go from her event planning position at the hotel she worked at in California. She returns home to Connecticut for the holidays and now needs to decide what to do next. She begins by applying to multiple jobs, but she does not hear back for some and her savings are running out fast. Despite all of these downfalls, Angie is determined to try to make the best of everything.
As she is in need of money, Angie ends up taking her old job from high school at the information desk at the local mall. She ends up running into Nick and has an instant attraction to him. Each has their own reasons for jumping into a relationship, so they begin as friends; however, as this is a holiday romance, their connection continues to grow. Nick has his own issues that he is going through, especially with his family, which creates many moments of tension in the story. It did feel a bit much given the reason for the tension as most of it stems from an incident with Nick’s brother, but Nick is not the same person, so it was difficult to comprehend. (It is difficult to discuss more without spoiling this element.)
The romance between Nick and Angie moves very quickly considering they do not spend a ton of time together, but it did not bother me as much considering it can happen if you are swept away in the magic of the holiday. Another portion that was rushed was an incident with Angie and a homeless woman she helps, as it was very sweet, but it felt very rushed. I wish that there were more backstory/set-up for this part of Angie’s personality as it seems that this is a major turning point yet there was no build-up. Overall, this was an enjoyable story and a great holiday/cozy read.
I chose to read this book because the blurb appealed to me, and the cover absolutely screamed 'Christmas Romance' at me.
This is the first time I've read anything by Katlyn Duncan, and she is certainly an author I will look out for again. I'm a sucker for a Christmas love story, and this charming romance ticked all the boxes for me.
Angie Martinelli is without a job having exited a relationship with her ex-boss, who it transpires, was using her. She goes back to her family home and all things familiar where, with the support of friends and family, she is persuaded to take a lowly job at the mall while she waits for a better job to come along.
A stranger, Nick, helps her out in the coffee shop, and they both feel the magic, but go their separate ways. He is able to help her a second time, and hopes this will be an opportunity for him to get to know her better.
Whilst working at the mall, Angie comes up with an idea to help shoppers and support the local homeless shelter. It is approved and implemented, and proves a big hit with shoppers.
The characters in this story are interesting and likeable. I particularly liked Maya, who, in the beginning, I expected to loathe; and Reece, who despite being in the late stages of pregnancy, is still protective, and ready to do battle on behalf of her best friend.
This will-they-won't-they Christmas romance has it all - a grumpy, controlling workaholic; two people newly out of bad relationships; supportive family and friends; a sibling and his family who have been sidelined by the controlling workaholic; the old high school enemy; a social issue; a baby, a darling dog; snow, and of course a happy ending!
Angie and Nick, both burned by ex lovers. Angie dumped by her longtime boyfriend who actually is engaged to someone else. Nick dumped by his girlfriend because he was never available because he was always working. They meet randomly at a cafe near where Nick works and where Angie finds a job. He pays for her breakfast after her card is declined, she doesn't stay and thank him because she is so embarrassed. Anyway, they become friends. He wants more but she is hesitant because she is still traumatized from how her last relationship ended. Eventually they both develop deeper feelings for one another and they kiss. His father wants to set him up with someone else. He already drove one son away with his ultimatums and now he's interfering in Nick's personal life as well.
After a couple of misunderstandings Angie backs off. What annoyed me about this was that she could've just asked him what was going on. At the same time he could've just been honest and things would have gone smoothly. It really annoyed me how immature she was and how dumb he was. He knew all about her insecurities and still kept things from her. It was no surprise that she wasn't receptive to his explanations later on.
The only likeable members of Nick's family were his brother David and his wife and kids. His mother is an almost non-existant character and his father is a huge, HUGE jerk. I thought all of Angie's family was a stereotype of an Italian family. Like all of these books there is of course a happy ending, everything is wrapped up nicely and it's satisfying. The books is a nice read but a bit boring.
What a lovely Christmas book ... just oozing Christmas spirit and oodles of feel-good factor.
Angie has spent the last few years living in the warmth of California; she expected to be there for this festive season too, but then finds herself out of a job, a relationship and a home all within the space of a week. She heads home to her mother in New England, determined to keep her chin up and move on with her life. With no-one rushing to hire her for her talents over the holiday season, she picks up a job at the local mall, and finds herself frequently bumping into a man she first met in an embarrassing situation and can't deny there is an attraction - but she is determined not to jump out of the frying pan and into the fire . . .
So many people head home for Christmas each year with hopes in their hearts for a peaceful time with their families and this novel capitalises on that. It's a really good read encompassing all the good things of the season: happiness, sparkle, festive food - albeit with an Italian flavour - family, romance, and a healthy dose of Christmas spirit! Beautifully written, with plenty of ups and downs to keep interest, this flows really well and is an easy and enjoyable read - and one I immersed myself in. I do love a Christmas romance, and this one fits the bill perfectly. A well-penned novel which will appeal to all those who like to bury themselves in Christmas reads at this - or any other - time of year, and well worth the four stars I'm happy to give it.
After Angie loses her boyfriend and her job, she has no choice but to back to her hometown and nurse her broken heart within the comfort of her childhood home whilst looking for a new job and new life. To keep herself busy Angie finds herself working at the mall that she worked at as a teenager helping Christmas shoppers with any last minute shopping woes they may have. It is here where she meets Nick who she is instantly attracted to but the secrets he chooses to keep may backfire on their relationship.
This book was cute and adorable. I enjoyed the Christmas spirit and loved that it took place in the mall for the majority of the book. Unfortunately, this book harboured two of the tropes that I dislike the most in romance novels: insta-love and fallout due to miscommunication.
Angie and Nick barely knew each other before falling so fast in love and then breaking up just as fast. The break up was depicted with such great anguish you would think these two characters had been together for five odd years. I could feel the spark between the two characters but it was not nearly fleshed out enough for me to believe the magnitude of their love for each other.
All the obstacles that occurred between these two was due to miscommunication. I truly despise this trope and wish it was banned from all romance novels. It portrayed the characters as juvenile and immature making for an eye-roll of story at some parts, which is disappointing because I truly enjoyed the minimal flirt and spark that these two had with each other.