Dual Reviews: Wrapped Together and Glass Tidings

Wrapped Together by Annabeth Albert


Review by Lauren


source: copy from Netgalley; all opinions are my own


Official Summary: 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 . . .

Review: This is the 5th novel in the Portland Heat series, but I think it’s only the second one that I’ve read. I definitely need to read the others though, because Albert is a fantastic writer and creator of characters that you just grow to love. The only small, tiny negative I’d have about Wrapped Together is that it’s just not long enough! Alas…I did love what I was given.

This book is about Hollis Alcott and Sawyer Murphy. Hollis’ twin sister is married to Sawyer’s twin brother, and people have been pushing these two together for years. Despite growing up as friends, they are very different people and Hollis mostly keeps to himself, especially after the tragic death of his parents. Sawyer, on the other hand, is more out and proud, bringing around guys all the time. Hollis tries to squash any feelings he has for Sawyer, but it’s difficult.

When Sawyer makes it his Christmas mission to bring the joy of the season back into Hollis’ life, Hollis realizes that he really does want to be with Sawyer, not to mention all the happiness he’s been missing. However, Hollis thinks he knows Sawyer. Anything the two of them have will just end, because Sawyer can’t stay committed to anything.

I loved both of these characters, despite their vast differences. I thought it was wonderful how Albert showed aspect of these men that the other hadn’t realized existed. It just goes to show how pre-conceived notions aren’t always right, no matter how long you have known someone.

Wrapped Together was such a sweet novel, and perfect for the holiday season! Definitely worth reading!

Glass Tidings by Amy Jo Cousins


Review by Lauren


source: copy from Netgalley; all opinions are my own


Official Summary: Eddie Rodrigues doesn’t stay in one place long enough to get attached. The only time he broke that rule, things went south fast. Now he’s on the road again, with barely enough cash in his pocket to hop a bus south after his (sort-of-stolen) car breaks down in the middle of nowhere, Midwest, USA.

He’s fine. He’ll manage. Until he watches that girl get hit by a car and left to die.

Local shop owner Grayson Croft isn’t in the habit of doing people any favors. But even a recluse can’t avoid everyone in a town as small as Clear Lake. And when the cop who played Juliet to your Romeo in the high school play asks you to put up her key witness for the night, you say yes.

Now Gray’s got a grouchy glass artist stomping around his big, empty house, and it turns out that he . . . maybe . . . kind of . . . likes the company.

But Eddie Rodrigues never sticks around.

Unless a Christmas shop owner who hates the season can show an orphan what it means to have family for the holidays.


Review: Let me preface this review by saying that I really love this author and some of her other novels, but Glass Tidings just didn’t work for me all that much. There is some age difference between Gray and Eddie, though I couldn’t ever really figure out how much. Age differences in romance don’t bother me if they are done well, but I just felt like Eddie was too much of a kid for Gray and therefore, it didn’t entirely ring “true” for me.

Also, the reason that Eddie is stuck in town is due to a hit and run that he witnessed. I thought this aspect would play more of a part, but it didn’t. Sure, it’s mentioned throughout and there were some parts of this story line that I did not see coming, but all in all, it just seemed like a convenient way for the two guys to meet.

Regardless of my qualms, I did finish the book, so it wasn’t terrible and I did really enjoy parts of the story. I thought Gray and Eddie’s love of books was really cute, and I liked how both characters grew throughout the novel. All in all, I gave this 3 stars on Goodreads.