Wrapped Up in You

You can’t beat well thought out storylines and even better grammar in a book. Jill Shalvis has proven herself in the Romance genre. With “Wrapped up in You,” we learn that Ivy has always held her emotions close and bottled up. Kel has been hurt emotionally by his mother and has chosen not to forgive her and also holds back his emotions. When the pair are introduced, they know that things can’t be. Yet they are drawn to each other and soon find that hope is what it takes to find a way to happiness.

Ivy and Kel have a beautiful connection and are much more alike than it seems on the surface. I loved watching them slowly come to this realization through the course of this story. Unfortunately, that realization comes after they blow each other’s worlds apart with their mistrust.

While they both tugged at my heartstrings, I really felt for Ivy. Kel had a rough time of it growing up, but he also had a lot of family who loved him. Ivy didn’t have much of anyone. Her mom was never around and moved them all around the country and her brother was always getting into trouble. She really had to learn independence at a young age and has worked hard for all she has.

There are many reasons Kel doesn’t trust easily, all of them legitimate. But Ivy’s life to this point does not lend itself to being fully truthful. Therein lies the problem that will weave its way throughout this story. The author does a wonderful job with the push/pull this couple has with their trust issues. The tone she sets really helped me immerse myself in the feelings they both had swirling around.

When the climax happens, and that trust is inevitably broken, Ivy had me in tears. Not only with the confrontation between her and Kel, but also the cleansing chat she has with her girlfriends. Everyone needs a group of friends like those at Cow’s Hollow.

I always look forward to this author’s books. Be it women’s fiction or contemporary romance, she brings the emotions to the page in a spectacular fashion.

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Ivy and Kel are each dealing with family issues that keep them from trusting. But can’t help falling for each other. Love the plot and interesting challenges they face getting to the happy ever after!

Both Ivy Snow and Kel O’Donnell have been burned by those who should have loved them and had their backs, so don’t trust easily. Ivy left home at the age of 16, wandering and never growing roots, until she came to Cows Hollow. Now she has her own business, a taco truck, an apartment, savings in the bank for a condo that she is going to buy on Caleb’s new building and friends. But she is both attracted to and very wary of Caleb’s cousin, Kel, who is on a two week leave of absence from his job and ranch in Idaho, helping Caleb get security up for his new building, since Archer and all his employees are otherwise occupied. Kel had not only been abandoned by his mother, when she left him and his sister with her parents after his father died, but his partner had turned out to be a crooked cop, first trying to frame him and then attempting to kill him. The chemistry between them is strong and the possibility of Kel staying in California is brotched, before Ivy’s brother Brandon comes to town and (figuratively) throws a grenade into Ivy’s life and their relationship. Can their feelings for each other trump their trust issues?

As always, great characters, witty banter, an intriguing plot in a well written story. Only missing the usual appealing animal.

Terrific story of two people who find it hard to trust. Ivy has been on the move her entire life. Raised by a flaky mother, and with a troublemaker brother, Ivy set out on her own when she was sixteen. After years of moving from place to place, she’s ready to put down some roots. She has made some friends, owns a successful taco truck, and is saving up for a place of her own. I loved her determination to succeed, her independence, and her kind heart. I ached for her and the vulnerability that made her reluctant to open herself up completely. She’s been burned multiple times and trusting people is hard to do.

Kel is a sheriff in Sunshine Idaho (Animal Magnetism series). He is in San Francisco visiting his cousin Caleb (Playing for Keeps) and helping Caleb with his business. Kel was recently injured in the line of duty at the same time he was betrayed by someone close to him. Added to family issues, Kel also has trouble trusting. Keeping his emotions closed off protects him from being hurt.

Ivy and Kel meet through mutual friends when they come to Ivy’s Taco Truck. I loved their initial meeting and the banter that they exchanged. Ivy was still on his mind that night when he found her at her vandalized taco truck. I loved their back-and-forth as he insisted on helping her, her “prickly as a porcupine” attitude drawing him in rather than turning him off. I loved Kel’s determination to get closer to Ivy, and the charm and patience he used to do so. I loved watching Kel chip away at Ivy’s walls, not realizing that she did the same to his. Both Kel and Ivy resisted the idea that there was more than chemistry between them, even though everyone around them could see it. They had just started admitting that there might be something special growing between them when Ivy’s brother made an unwelcome appearance. I ached for Ivy, who could see her beautiful new life disintegrating in front of her. I wanted to smack Kel for his boneheaded actions and words. Though I hurt for Ivy and the pain he caused her, I loved how she stood up to him. I enjoyed the way that Ivy’s friends rallied around her and the effect it had on Ivy’s entire outlook. A lecture from Caleb made Kel realize that he had to face his past before he could pursue the future. I loved his big moment at the end. It was sweet and romantic. The epilogue was a nice touch. I loved seeing the changes in their lives and the surprise that Kel had for Ivy.

I love how earlier characters wander in and out of the story. As Kel’s cousin, Caleb has a significant role, but he’s also a good friend to Ivy. I loved the morning kickboxing classes and the comradeship it built. Tina made me laugh with her “inspirational” statements and her ability to motivate her students. I loved the closeness of the friendships and how they are there for each other when needed.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Ruthie –
This is the eighth book in the series – and every one is a lovely story, but somehow this one seemed even more special… it may be because we get to catch up with the gang, and watch as they adopt another as their own. I think Ivy had been adopted and not realised it, but when she does… oh what a heartwarming moment.

As we learn, Ivy has not had it easy, and yet she is unerringly faithful to hard work and trying to make the best she can of every day. She may not realise it at the beginning of the story, but she has fallen in with the very best of people, and they absolutely intend to see her succeed, enjoy life, and be happy. When Kel turns up and turns her emotional calm upside down, she has a whole new fight on her hands.

Kel’s temporary assignment in the city is much improved by the tacos and more importantly the taco maker, Ivy. He is somewhat cautious of love and emotions, but cannot deny the chemistry – now to find out why Ivy has a secret, and what it means for them both.

Such a sweet, sexy, sad, and ultimately uplifting story – Jill Shalvis does it again (and again), much to my reading delight!

Veronica –
Ivy is a woman who has had a hard start in life and is trying to make better choices to live the life she wants. Kel hasn’t had the easiest of lives either and is estranged from his family after his mother abandoned him at the age of 12.

I liked Ivy and appreciated having a lead character who was working hard and struggling to make a better life for herself, but her lying bugged me. For Kel, he seems like a good guy but the author spent a lot of time telling us how he pushed people away because of his mother, and frankly making out that he is wrong not to forgive her. That bugged me too. He had every right to feel the way he did and everyone making out like it was no big deal and water under the bridge pissed me off.

Ivy and Kel’s romance is enjoyable, though predictable, and it took quite a while for it to grow on me. For the majority of the story I was just going with the flow and didn’t feel particularly invested but I was having a good time. Then the poop hit the fan. I realised I was totally invested when I started bawling my eyes out. As expected, we get a perfect romantic ending, but I was really annoyed because there was nowhere near enough grovelling for my liking.

Wrapped Up in You is a good romance. Not my favourite in the series but still worth your time.

Reviewers received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.

This is book #8, in the Heartbreaker Bay series. This book can be read as a standalone novel. To avoid spoilers, and to greater understand the series, I recommend reading this in order.

Ivy has never been able to really count on anyone. She is finally building a home for herself and her business. Now with feelings creeping in for someone who will not be staying, she is starting to feel vulnerable again.

Kel has issues of trust on his own. Feeling like Ivy is hiding something is hindering what could be a new relationship for them both. Can they move beyond the past and create of future together?

This book felt truly like a slow burn. The heat is there and each chapter stokes the flames until finally you know the fire is coming. I loved the banter among the characters. I also enjoyed a peek into the previous characters from this series we all love.

***This early copy was given in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 STARS!

Man, I just really love Jill! Reading her books is easy. They’re fun and sexy and captivating and so damn heartwarming. I have a tendency to #bingeread her work, and that’s exactly what I did when this ARC landed on my kindle many months ago. I skipped a few of the short novellas but re-read every full-length story before Wrapped up in You and it was one of the best reading weeks I’ve had in a long time!

I don’t even know where to begin with this review LOL because all I ever want to say about her work is JUST READ IT, TRUST ME!! LOL As she has done in the past, she brings in past characters in the series but never so much so that if you haven’t read their books, you’d be spoiled for them. Her stories always center around the love of family, whether by blood or choice. That’s my number one passion about Jill!

Okay, so Ivy and Kel have instant attraction to one another but neither is really jumping into the arms of the other. They’re both relationship weary. They both have baggage they need to sift thru. They both have a past that they need to overcome. And they both need to learn to let go of the past and grab on to the present. So we have baggage from both ends which makes for quite the poignant read when the walls start to crumble.

Not gonna lie, one of the *conflicts* at the end was a little to neat and quick for my taste. It’s not worth going into because it’s a small thing compared to story as a whole but it’s the reason it isn’t a 5 star read for me. It annoyed me LOL

It is always a joy to return to Jill Shalvis’ popular series Heartbreaker Bay, full of romance and wonderful characters. The story begins with Ivy snow, who leads a wanderlust life, never able to settle down until she arrives Cow Hollow where she buys and runs the best taco truck in Cow Hollow. She then meets Kel O’Donnell, a small-town sheriff from Idaho who is on a medically leave. He is immediately attracted to Ivy, but feels she is keeping secrets and wants to help her. Throughout the story is focused on their attraction amidst a tight group of friends. They always show up to love and support the next couple. It’s a wonderful story of the power of forgiveness, letting go of the past while moving on to a new future with endless possibilities.

Another book into my favorite small town, Heartbreaker Bay! I love this series so much and each of the characters who are in each book but only peripherally as each book focuses on a different couple.

Ivy has had a rough life – so who can blame her for being a lot guarded? But Kel and his cowboy/cop self just won’t let Ivy keep him at arms length. Ivy, her taco truck, sassy attitude grab his attention as soon as he sees her. Ivy does NOT need a cop digging into her business and Kel just won’t leave her to deal with her problems alone.

Heartbreaker Bay is a series where you feel you know each of these people and this town and it welcomes you back with every book you read. You don’t have to read the books in order but you should.