It’s love. Trust me.After a lifetime on the move, Ivy Snow is an expert in all things temporary—schools, friends, and way too many Mr. Wrongs. Now that she owns a successful taco truck in San Francisco and an apartment to call home, Ivy’s reinvented life is on solid ground. And she’s guarded against anything that can rock it. Like the realities of a past she’s worked hard to cover up. And … worked hard to cover up. And especially Kel O’Donnell. Too hot not to set off alarms, he screams temporary. If only his whispers weren’t so delightfully naughty and irresistible.
Kel, an Idaho sheriff and ranch owner, is on vacay, but Ivy’s a spicy reason to give his short-term plans a second thought. Best of all, she’s a tonic for his untrusting heart, burned once and still in repair. But when Ivy’s past intrudes on a perfect romance, Kel fears that everything she’s told him has been a perfect lie. Now, if only Ivy’s willing to share, Kel will fight for a true love story.
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Jill did a great job of creating a story with a great romance, emotion, and humor. From the moment that you opened the book to closed it she had you hooked. I only put it down when I had to go sleep. 🙂
Regarding her main characters I really enjoyed Kel and Ivy, they are different from what she had done before and they really fit each other well. I also liked her intertwining other previous characters from the other books so you could catch up on their stories.
Lastly, in addition to the love story I really enjoyed the story of friendship in this book for both Kel and Ivy. I think it really added to this book and made it complete.
What happens when a girl who has never trusted the police finds herself attracted to a hot cop? Ivy hasn’t lead the easiest or most stable life but has finally found friends and a life in San Francisco. Her food truck is doing well and she’s for the first time in her life feeling like she had one foot out the door. Then she meets Kel.
After being betrayed and given time off from his job as a police offer Kel comes to Cali to visit his cousin. He quickly falls for Ivy and her tacos.
They both have things in their past that could jeopardize their future together and when Ivy’s comes pushing back in she has to decide if she takes a chance on her future.
This book takes place at Christmas time but is so much more than a Christmas story. I love it. And Ivy and Kel are hot hot hot.
I received an advanced readers copy for a honest review.
I think Kel and Ivy are my favorite couple so far. At least until the next book Jill Shalvis writes! Can she even write characters that don’t pull at your heartstrings? Characters that don’t force you to make a connection with them even as they are making a connection with each other? Ms. Shalvis is so good at that! She doesn’t just write characters; I think they are all in her head (in a good way!), just waiting for her to share them with her readers in a way only she can. I would never have thought to put a woman owning and running a taco truck with a career cop. Together, this unlikely pair forge a bond. Kel teaches Ivy how important trustworthiness is to him and Ivy shows Kel how important family is. Just when you believe they’re not getting through to each other, Jill Shalvis works her magic. Not only do Kel and Ivy get their happily ever after, we the readers get to share in the fun!
I enjoyed returning to Heartbreaker Bay and reading Ivy and Kel’s story. Each has their own struggles to overcome (family, work, and friendships) but there’s a powerful attraction between the two, so the real question is how long will they resist it and their happiness.
This is an entertaining read and a feel good Christmas story and one that I would recommend to everyone.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review; all opinions are my own.
Jill Shalvis is one of the best authors ever. She has a gift with words. I love every story she creates. The characters are out of this world.
I just adore Wrapped Up in You. If I could give it more than 5 stars I would. It’s a best seller. Ivy is amazing. I loved watching both her and Kel overcome their struggles. This is the perfect holiday romance. The supporting characters are amazing. Kel is a character from another of Jill Shalvis series called Animal Magnetism. I felt as if I were a part of their world and not just reading their story. I love their chemistry. I could not put this book down. I read it in one night and read it a second time. Oh and can I just say I’m wanting some tacos right now. I laughed and had some hearswooning moments all in one. I adore this series. Grab your copy and see why so many people are falling in love with Wrapped Up in You and Jill Shalvis
Ivy has spent most her life moving around and looking over her shoulder. She’s finally settled into life with an apartment and her own business but things from her past start to threaten that. Kel’s spent a good portion of his life protecting those he loves and keeping a secret. When he gets hurt and is forced to take a vacation, he goes to help his cousin and also finds Ivy. There’s an instant attraction and Kel starts to protect her despite her protests that she can take care of herself. Their past threatens their future but together they learn to love, trust and overcome the past to have their HEA. Another great addition to the Heartbreaker Series and while I’ve enjoyed the others, I think Kel is my new favorite, maybe it’s that protective nature of his! I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving my review.
All I have to say is…Jill Shalvis – you did it again. Another great book in this terrific Heartbreaker Bay series. Wrapped Up in You is a story about Ivy Snow – a gal who runs a taco truck (with the best taco’s in the bay area, some say) and Kel O’Donnell (law enforcement from Idaho) is in town visiting his buddies Caleb and Jake.
Now we know that there will be resistance on each persons’ part to get involved…just the nature of the romance genre beast. However, the way the story is told, along with the backstory on each main character is what sets the stories written by Ms. Shalvis apart from other contemporary romance novels. From the beginning I was drawn into the character’s lives with vivid imagery, witty dialogue and frankly, belly laughing events that occurred throughout the book. I laughed, I cried (well – okay maybe not cried but certainly shaking my head a few times) and I lived vicariously through these wonderful characters.
Witty and entertaining dialogue was evident throughout. For example – one of my favourites:
“…Okay, I’ll give this to you-you’re funny. And maybe also sexy as hell, but this isn’t happening, Cowboy.”
He’d take sexy as hell any day of the week. “We’re just talking.”
“Uh-huh,” she said dryly. “But when men talk, they think they’re flirting, and to them flirting lead to everything else, which is always a disappointment. And if I wanted to be disappointed, I’d just go inside and stream The Bachelor.”
“How do you know I’d disappoint?”
“You’re a man, aren’t you?”
Having read other books in this series, it was like coming home to familiar territory when reading. I just wanted to find out what was going on in the lives of my people. I was so consumed and enthralled by the storytelling that I could barely put down the book.
Ivy and Kel each have a past, which certainly shaped their interactions with each other. Both wanting nothing serious (after all – Kel was only in town on a short vacation) set the stage in my mind for a truly fun and probable love story which you know would have to end in a HEA. Of course, the journey to get to that HEA was fraught with mishaps and misunderstandings. While I do not want to get into too much detail so as to leave you the opportunity to read each word yourself, just know that it will be worth your time and effort (though frankly, it was not any effort at all to enjoy this engaging story).
I will wait with baited breath for the next novel in the Heartbreaker Bay series.
Always a great story when Jill Shalvis throws her characters together! Kel and Ivy both had some baggage, but HEAs prevail. Trouble and the cowboy turn up the heat with the tacos and each other. The girl crew is always a riot, and I’m so glad that Kel finally got a wonderful HEA.
I love reading Jill Shalvis because she always does a fabulous job of transporting me into her imaginary worlds and making me fall in love with her well-crafted, multifaceted heroes and heroines.
This was another fantastic addition to the Heartbreaker Bay series and I really enjoyed the story. I was a little bothered by some of the secondary characters reactions to Kel towards the end of the book because it felt like they were being especially hard on him while ignoring Ivy’s role in the conflict between them. I realize that they were just being supportive friends but it bugged me just enough that I couldn’t give this a full 5 Stars.
That being said, one of my favorite parts of this series is the community of characters that we get to see throughout it. I’m not a real fan of revisiting characters once we’ve gotten their HEA’s but in a series like this, it’s nice to get the occasional scene with familiar characters.
The Heartbreaker Bay series continues in Wrapped Up In You and is the story of police officer Kel and food truck owner Ivy. Kel is on leave from his job and in CA visiting friends when he meets Ivy. Ivy is the emotionally closed off food truck owner that everyone in town loves even though Ivy tries her best to keep everyone at arm’s length. The two both come from a broken home and rough childhood that has left both with a poor relationship track record.
This new installment in the series was (as always) written with all the love and wit that Jill Shalvis is so famous for, however, I really struggled to feel the connection between Kel and Ivy. I loved the idea of the story but for some reason it just didn’t come together for me like Jill’s books usually do. I am so used to the effortless vibe and flow that I get from Jill’s books that I was sad that I just couldn’t get to that place with Kel and Ivy. I think that so much of the characters actions were so strongly based on their not so great pasts that after a while it really took away from their chemistry and became a bit redundant.
Although not a favorite of mine, don’t get me wrong it is still well written with a lot of the signature charm that Jill Shalvis does so well. I fell so deeply in love with Jill’s previous release that maybe this one just could not hold up to it just yet.
Wrapped Up in You is the latest in the Heartbreaker Bay series and is a MUST read! Ivy & Kel’s story is one of two people who have suffered at the hands of love, been betrayed, and have lost the ability to trust. Their story is about undeniable attraction, finding the one who helps you on the path to trust again, and a happily ever after. Their story isn’t just we met, we fell in love. It’s full of the things that happen in real life, where people’s problems and phobias get in the way of love and happiness. Jill’s writing always makes you feel like you’re an insider, like you’re right there witnessing the story in real time. I love her stories, her characters, and the way she portrays love and friendships. She’s always on the top of my TBR (to be read) pile.
*arc received in exchange for an honest review
I can’t get enough of these Holiday novels at Heartbreak Bay by Jill Shalvis. Each book just keeps getting better and better plus we get to see a little glimpse of the whole gang with each book – which makes this fan giddy with love.
I was super excited about Ivy’s book. She’s a tough cookie on the outside and knew that it would take someone special to break through her walls. Enter Kel O’Donnel. He was stoic but permeated per ALPHA when with a touch of humor, helping to break down the walls. Kel and Ivy ended up having a lot more in common than each of them knew in the beginning but as the walls started to fall and the steam started to rise, this couple were magnetic together.
I loved how Ivy started to open up to Kel and how Kel’s need to be the protector for her when no one in her life had ever been before, it totally made me swoon.
A great book fun of witty banter, steamy connections and a little drama thrown in for good measure. I never want this series to end!
Wrapped Up in You by Jill Shalvis brings readers back to Heartbreaker Bay and I am here for it!! This time, its Kel (Caleb’s cousin) and Ivy (the Taco Truck owner). These two are quite opposites-Kel is a cop and Ivy is a free bird of sorts. Ivy has trust issues with law enforcement so she is wary of Kel right away.
Ivy has been raised in a rolling stone environment-never staying in one place. Now, she is putting down roots in San Francisco with her truck and, hopefully, a new condo. She has kept her family secrets from her new friends though and they don’t know about her con artist brother. Kel is also dealing with his dysfunctional family drama too. Both Kel and Ivy are keeping secrets from the people in their lives, but Ivy’s brother is potential dangerous.
The back and forth between Ivy and Kel is light on the outside, but both are playing things close to the vest. Neither has had success in love in the past and neither seem willing to fully trust anyone. So they banter around their feelings and avoid heavy conversations for a while. But, it turns out, the best person to share your struggles with is someone who has similar struggles!
I think September might be a little early for holiday books, but it plays a background role so its not a “holiday book”. Wrapped Up in You is surprisingly emotional despite its fun and light looking cover, but I think that is true of all the Heartbreaker Bay novels! I enjoyed Ivy and Kel because they are both disheartened and manage to power through and find a happy life.
Both Ivy and Kel have reasons for being loners, for Ivy, it’s the way she grew up and for Kel it’s being betrayed by his partner. They both have issues with their families, Ivy had a not present Mother and a brother who caused havoc in her life with his illegal activities. Kel had issues with his Mother because of a childhood incident and then his mother dropping him and his sister off with their grandparents and not coming back until they were grown. The book takes place over just a couple of weeks and they both grow as individuals because of each other. A lot happens in those couple of weeks and, IMO, there were way too many kickboxing classes! I was reading this book in public and had to stop reading so people wouldn’t wonder why I was tearing up. This is a great addition to the series!
Why in the world did I wait so long to read a book by Jill Shalvis?! Wrapped Up in You has easily made my 2019 favorites and I’m excited that there’s so many books to read in this series.
With this being book 8 in the Heartbreaker Bay series, I was pleasantly surprised that I wasn’t confused at all with the many characters that were mentioned. I’d say that’s pretty rare when you decide to drop in a series so late.
I loved that you get two completely different characters, each with their own personal hang-ups and certain things that they’d rather keep to themselves.
Ivy was definitely a tough character to crack, she’s got some secrets and rarely lets anyone in. Even when she’s surrounded by the best group of friends anyone could ask for. Bring in Kel and nearly knocks down all her walls, completely.
But with Kel, trust goes a long way. And he doesn’t do well when someone lies to him, plus there’s no point in trying to keep the truth from him. He’ll know right way.
I loved the pacing between Kel and Ivy, okay, maybe it was quick. But it didn’t feel that way, they went from strangers to a friendship of sorts, to something more. That something being something they couldn’t turn their backs on.
Truly loved this one and I’m looking forward to reading more about the Heartbreaker Bay gang!
Jill Shalvis
This is the 8th book in the Heartbreaker Bay series. Ivy and Kel are both guarded and reluctant to take a chance on love due to their difficult pasts, however their attraction is undeniable. As with all of Ms. Shalvis’ books, this one is sexy, heartwarming, funny and original. I especially loved the banter between Ivy and Kel and Ivy’s inner dialogue. Jill Shalvis makes her characters come alive. The involvement of the rest of the Heartbreaker Bay friends and family as well as the relationships of Kel with his sister and mother and Ivy with her brother also added another layer to an already hard-to-put-down book.
Wow what a great book. This story was explosive and wonderful, I don’t think anything else would have done Ivy and Kel’s story justice. Ivy’s spunk and sassiness is makes you want to be her friend. They both have trust issues for very different reason but when they learn to let go and give each other everything the other needs, love, trust and acceptance. I love Jill’s writing style, her story’s are always funny and captivating
I absolutely adored Kel; I mostly liked Ivy. These two have tons of issues due to past betrayals but, it does not matter – as they sizzle from the beginning. Ms. Shalvis makes me so happy with these feel good romances. I was not even put off by the short timeframe (2-weeks) that resulted in forever love.
Of course, you get a peek in the wonderful the circle of friends that exist in Heartbreaker Bay.
Thank you to Social Butterfly, Avon Books and the author for an advanced copy. All opinions expressed are my own.
Wrapped Up In You
Heartbreaker Bay Series
By: Jill Shalvis
*REVIEW*
I’ll admit I’ve never read Jill Shalvis, so, obviously, I’m not familiar with this series. Wrapped Up In You is a very warm hearted lovely story in the Heartbreaker Bay Series. Set in San Francisco, the story centers around Ivy and Kel. Ivy has had a tough transient upbringing and is ready to put down roots. She owns and operates a taco truck in San Francisco. It’s here she meets Kel, a sheriff visiting for two weeks from Idaho. Kel has known the sting of lies and betrayals. Neither are looking for a relationship, but life has other plans. As they build trust and friendship, the walls slowly start to come down. Ivy and Kel have all this baggage from childhood, family, etc.,but they help carry the load for each other. With a core group of friends, they just might have a chance together. I really enjoyed this story. Ivy is tough and sassy. Kel is the protective hot guy girls always love. They are wonderful characters full of warmth, light and laughter, and I was pulling for them all the way. The friends around are excellent engaging secondary characters. The story is written in a way that just flows and everything balances out nicely. This is not strictly a holiday story, and I think it’s appropriate for anytime of year. Pick this one up for a compelling feel good read!
“If It destroyed you, it wasn’t true love.”
Abandonment, lies, losses and betrayals. Despite going through different situations, they have more in common than they think.
At ten, Kel witnessed a scene that would mark his life forever. And let’s say being abandoned by his mother after the event and years later being betrayed by his coworker didn’t do much to build his trust in people. He hates lies and fate will cross his path with the greatest liar of all.
Ivy has a brother who is a scientist. Or would it be an astronomer? Maybe none of the above. The painful truths she hides about her past and her family make her flee across the country and from all sorts of relationships. Until being entwined by the charm of a cowboy. Actually a cop. Or was it both?
Jill Shalvis got it right: Wrapped Up in You is a romance for anyone to blame. Despite a timid beginning of narrative, the story has a beautiful development, where each chapter brings the couple closer together, while revealing the secrets they both tried to hide.
With a wonderful and funny troupe of friends and rapprochement with their families, new, unexpected and electrifying facts will build the dramatic twist that can shake and tear the couple apart. An ending that thrills, engages and makes us believe in second chances.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest Review *