NFL player Jordan Christensen walks into Reed Ryan’s restaurant without a reservation. It isn’t the most serendipitous of meet-cute’s and they certainly aren’t the likeliest of romances, but over venison steaks and crème brûlée, they fall in love anyway.Flash forward two years . . .Jordan isn’t a football player anymore.Reed sold his restaurant.But even more drastically, they’ve lost each other.… drastically, they’ve lost each other.
When Reed moves to Los Angeles take a new job, he doesn’t realize Jordan now works at the same company. But Jordan definitely realizes how precious the second chance fate has bestowed on them is. He’s determined to make up for everything that fell apart the first time around, and it turns out he’s not the only one scheming to right old wrongs.
Starting a new career is always difficult but sharing office space—and big projects—with an old lover is particularly rough. Between impromptu Secret Santa exchanges, Christmas light viewings, and more tacos than even Reed can eat, the two former lovers have an eventful holiday season to navigate.
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I really liked this story. The second-chance element isn’t something I usually gravitate toward but I was happy I read it anyway. Reed is socially awkward, Jordan is an NFL star. Two unlikely men to form a lasting relationship but thought they could beat the odds. Until distance, silence, and fears got the better of them. Now finding themselves in the same city with a chance to clear the air and we get to know two men who have an endearingly awkward time of bearing their hearts. When they finally get on the same page we see how well-suited they are and can’t help but cheer for their reconciliation and the new-found confidence they have in themselves and one another. The coming out was a bit awkward and that scene could have been flushed out better, but it was alright.
A tender story with more than enough feels, awkward moments, and subtle passion to keep you reading. With the way the author juxtaposed the past with the present it was a little confusing in the beginning but it grew on me by the end. I liked the breaks we got with both learning about their past and seeing what their present was like. It was a different way to enjoy the story, but enjoy I did.
Sweet story about two men who WANT to be together but have let circumstances get in their way. Now others are getting involved in order to provide their own brand of happiness to Jordan and Reed. I enjoy Beth’s stories and this one was sweet with a bit of spice.
This book is a gem… Ms Bolden take us in a heartfelt story about Jordan and Reed, showing us how they slowly reconnected with each other, in this second chance love story. The author brilliantly managed dialogues and situations that displayed all the longing and despair of the characters by one hand and the deeply love they felt for each by the other. Intense and emotional, the book kept me at the edge of my seat alongside a box of tissues the whole time. A perfect reading!
This was a sweet second chance romance!
Reed is a chef who met the love of his life when a customer comes in demanding a table on an already full night. Jordan is in the NFL and is caught off guard when the owner of a restaurant meets him after their dinner service and insults him with his first sentence.
This is the first book that I have read by Beth Bolden and the writing pulled me in instantly. I haven’t read a book where I felt like a read an entire love story in the prologue alone. As the chapter progressed, it was really nice to read the flashbacks of the start and pause of their relationship.
I was super impressed by this book and my first read by Beth. I cannot wait to read more!
A charming second chance love story
Reed is a complicated man, great chefs aren’t usually known for being average, and Jordan is an idiot, messes up, and spends a year and half thinking he might never get a chance to fix things. It’s lucky for Jordan he has friends that can plot and manoeuvre the most stubborn of men into getting reacquainted with him. It’s a lovely story, not lightning fast, Reed and Jordon were together once, and it quickly becomes inevitable that past mistakes and miscommunication can be forgotten.
This is a wonderful book for the holiday season, but it’s more than that; it’s also a book about second chances, and it’s a beautifully done one.
I absolutely loved how the storyline was written. The flashbacks were perfectly placed, served a purpose, and didn’t interrupt the flow of the story. In fact, they enhanced it. Instead of reading inner dialogue, or a lengthy discussion (with a play by play), we get to see it…feel it. I could tell it was well thought out, versus just taking up space in the story. Their story wouldn’t have been any better written any other way.
Speaking of writing…Beth Bolden is one of my favorite authors. It’s a place earned by her talents of creating a book I can’t put down for any other reason other than when forced. I get lost in her words, and I haven’t met a character, she’s created, that falls flat. They’re flawed, yet lovable. They feel like people you would actually want to be friends with, or at the very least, enjoy the time spent with them.
I wouldn’t describe this story as steamy, per se, but it’s not without heat. There is so much more to this reunion than bedroom antics. I feel like having the focus be on the other aspects of their reconnection gives it a more authentic feel. Sure, sex feels good, and it’s fun to read about, but it doesn’t fix things. These men have mountains to climb and demons to slay, and to do that…they need to talk. Before they can even do that, they need time to get used to being in each other’s lives. Now, the UST was through the roof, so when they were ready to take it to the next level…it was perfect.
This book contains characters from two of Bolden’s other books. They were an utter delight. That said, this was very much a stand alone. The only issue the side characters cause, for me, is that I’m now dying to read their books, since I haven’t, yet. I need more hours in the day!
I absolutely recommend this book, and this author. Neither will disappoint.
***I received a copy for my reading pleasure. All thoughts, and opinions, are my own.***
This was my first book by this author. And I loved it. A wonderful storytelling. The way she writes her sentences shows her love for wording and atmosphere, I found that very talented.
It is the very romantic but realistic enough story between a couple which lost contact but could never forget each other. Once they met again, the reader can feel the fear, love and self-blaming of both. It needs a little help of friends to heal old wounds again and open up for a slow second chance. The reader will be carried fluently through present situations and past ones, giving a full emotional picture of the thoughts and desires of the main characters.
A lovely and intimate lovestory around these two lovebirds, while the cooking aspect remains rather in the background, with a sure happy ending. Anyhow, the end came quite quickly. I could have enjoyed a bit more “what happened then”. A wonderful weekend treat.
This is my first book by this author and it was a super cute read. Reed and Jordan go full steam ahead with their relationship in reality ruins it. Now they are back for take two but it’s not as easy when there are past hurts that may not let them have their second chance.
The author uses flashbacks so that we can see how their relationship was in the past and how that has affected there present. It really allowed me to feel like I really knew there relationship.
I liked this but I didn’t and that probably makes no sense haha
Second chance romances are always good and especially when they get their HEA but I found the other characters popped up too much and we didn’t get as much of Reed and Jordans story as I had hoped. Im also still not 100% sure why they broke up in the first place.
No spoilers of any kind included.
Wrapped In Love was a pretty amazing story.
I was completely hooked before the end of the first chapter and I stayed hooked right up until the very end of the book.
So yes I do recommend Wrapped In Love.
*An ARC was provided by the author, publisher or a promotional service and I have chosen to publish a fair and honest review*
Whenever Beth Bolden writes a book about chefs and food, it’s guaranteed to be a hit, including this one!
Wrapped With Love took me by total surprise with the strength of emotions it brought out! It’s a very touching second chance story with a lot of conflicting emotions, pining and meddling friends. I really loved the storyline and the characteres. As usual with Beth’s books!
#mm #secondchanceromance
3.5 stars
I was given a free arc copy from the author and Neon Rainbow review team for review.
This is a series but I think the author did a good job of making it a standalone as well. I personally have not read any of Beth’s books but found it easy to follow. Lovers of the series will prob enjoy more that they get to see cameos of past characters but they work as regular side characters if you’re not familiar with them.
I found both Mcs to be likeable as well as the side characters. Landon is great. I didn’t really feel the chemisty between the MCs though. I also thought their reasons for breaking up the first time were rather weak so I didn’t have a lot of hope for them. I also wasn’t overly fond of the back and forth from past to present. However I did think the plot was good overall. I love second chance romances but this one was just ok for me.
This started off with just a hint of how Reed and Jordan met, and then jumped right to an awkward and sad place. I wasn’t really sure if I would like it, or how they could bounce back. But it was just a matter of the wrong time and place before, in my opinion, and they had to rebuild trust.
I liked how this was about food in a round about way, Christmas, and second chances. The emotions were real, and the boys were sweet. Good holiday read.
I am always up for a second-chances story, it’s by far my favorite trope, and this one was so good!
A slow-burn reconnection between two men who have never stopped being completely and utterly in love with each other, despite having been broken up for almost two years.
I adored the sweet way Jordan tries to win Reed back and how Reed is unable (and unwilling) to resist him.
This second chance romance between Reed and Jordan was sweet and emotional. With some unnecessary help from good friends, Jordan was able rekindle the love he had with Reed just in time for Christmas.
Wonderful sensuous, delicate slow burn read
Wrapped with love. This is how I like a story with yearning and longing. Reed and Jordan
Apart and desperately wanting to be together. They didn’t speak out loud but they were dancing like two beautiful birds around each other to conquer.
Every little gesture spoke out loud more than words could do.
Reeds didn’t speak words, he was awkward with words he acts with food instead
“He flustered Reed as much as Reed flustered him, and the knowledge was even sweeter than the dessert they’d shared that first night”
Two years earlier: Reed a chef owning a restaurant Jordan a very well paid football player so in love.
The present: Reed without his restaurant, Jordan no longer a football player, and both without each other.
When they meet again and will be working together there are so many situations we don’t know yet this story beautifully tells us.
Second chances with a slow burn and oh gosh that was burning and sensual.
I loved it to be in their bubble they were mature and lovely, considered and thoughtful, hesitant, and full of love for each other.
It felt so pure and emotional it made me choke up more than once.
Both Reed and Jordan personalities were very well put down. You could only love them.
Reed was endearingly complex, at some point you could feel from the page how he felt.
Wonderful sensuous, delicate slow burn read. Written in a comfortable easygoing way. Ensuring to know already halfway that it will be alright whatever will happen they will be together and it will be alright. It had a pure way in it honest and emotional The more the story reveals the more I fell in love with this journey.
Wrapped With Love by Beth Bolden is a sweet, cute love story that covers the lovestory of Reed and Jordan. We get to see into their past as we see them approach their second chance at a future together. They are likable and relatable Characters, both the main and the secondary character. The story had feeling, communication, drama and romance. Loved it!!
This was flipping amazing!! So many feels, my eyes kept tearing up. Reed is a socially awkward, anxiety ridden chef who owns his own restaurant, Garnet. One-night Jordan, a high-profile football player comes into his restaurant, Reed insults him! Reed keeps coming back. Reed and Jordan fall in love, but the universe and communication is against them. They reconnect when Reed is offered a job in the same city that Jordan is living. This was a wonderful, angsty romance!! So much love between these two they just needed to learn to talk to one another. I literally could not put it down. Absolutely loved this story!! I’m voluntarily leaving a review form an advanced copy that I received. My reviews are solely based on my thoughts and opinions.
I received an ARC copy and this is my unbiased review.
Jordan and Reed are so damn cute…when they aren’t getting in their own way. Reed’s anxiety made him a relatable, vulnerable character. It also made him frustrating as hell. Jordan was a lovesick doofus. Reading these two trying to reconnect was fun and I enjoyed their little awkward dance. I had wanted Reed’s story since I read about him in the Kitchen Gods series and was so excited for this book. I definitely recommend this and the kitchen gods series!
This is a great second chance at love. I really felt for Reed and Jordan and couldn’t help but root for their happily-ever-after. The author quickly drew me into the story and had me wanting to know what was going to happen next. I enjoyed getting to know the characters and follow along on their journey. This is a great story.