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.

A perfect Christmas read, heartwarming and with a lovely plot.
I loved the strong and well written characters, the engrossing and entertaining plot and the Christmas atmosphere.
it's the first work I read by this author and won't surely be the last.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

A second chance romance with the lovely festive backdrop of New England. Angie never thought she go back east, but when her life implodes thanks to her cheating ex, she has little choice. Moving in with mum and dad is not ideal, not to mention overcrowded, so she needs a plan. Nick’s life is far from easy, but a serendipitous meeting with Angie, maybe just what he needs, but is it really?

This is a story of family and friendships, secrets and lies, with a small town ethos. The romance is gentle and slow, both are hurting, and they have many conflicts to overcome. Thankfully, this is a heartwarming festive read and so the ending is hopeful and romantic.

The perfect escapist read, full of family drama, interference and love, good friends, and a chance to start again for Angie and Nick.

I received a copy of this book from HQ Digital UK via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Lovely festive read. It was a heart warming romance. It was a wonderful book to read. It was well written and flowed well.

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.

A wonderful pick me up and make me happy read, this is a wonderful story about second chances and I loved the characters and them fighting through their issues to find themselves and one another, a lovely read to curl up on a miserable night and make you feel warm inside

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion

We all have dreams when we are young. Sometimes they work out and other times we are rudely awakened. What matters is how you respond and manage to move forward, pull yourself together and begin again.
This is a book about second chances and learning to open your heart. There is some serendipity involved, but what better time of year than that of peace and love?

Angie Martinelli is starting over and returning to a place she couldn't wait to escape. Her best friend is about to have a baby and seems to be living the life of her dreams. Angie's mother is thrilled to have her back home, but it seems there is very little "room at the inn" when the grandparents also must move in. What else could go wrong? Angie is about to find out.

Angie is not looking for romance and certainly not for another man like her ex. So why is she attracted to the attractive man in the expensive suit who acts as if money is just a small inconvenience? And he seems to show up EVERYWHERE!

The main characters are wonderful, with their own flaws and endearing qualities. The secondary characters add much to the story without taking it over, but I could spend more time with them.
This is a wonderful sit-by-the-fire holiday read that can be enjoyed any time of year.

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!

What an amazing and fun book. This is the perfect read to get you in the Christmas Spirit. I love the addition of the homeless shelter. It reminds the reader to help those less fortunate. I would definitely recommend this book for the fall season.

Really wonderful christmas story. Full of charm, romance, great characters, and magic settings this book will get you in the mood to put your christmas tree up early, it did me anyway. Lovely story, i would really recommend it.

There are still many many weeks until the festive season is upon us again and already I've read a few Christmas themed novels. Wrapped Up For Christmas is another fabulous book to get you into the mood for the holidays.

Angie Martinelli is heading back to the place she grew up with no job and no boyfriend after her cheating ex who is also her boss forces her to up sticks from her life in California and seek refuge in New England town she once called home. During a reunion with her friend, she has an embarrassing encounter with a guy who pays for her coffees when her card's declined highlighting her dire situation but giving her hope her circumstances are about to change for the better. With the sneaky 'help' of her friend, she lands a temporary job, but all isn't as it seems at the Westford Mall where she now works.

Sometimes, I felt the plot kept going in circles when one crisis led to another...I guess I'm more of a straight to the point reader and so this fact caught my attention more than others? Yet overall, I really enjoyed the narrative along with the protagonists, both of whom are relatable and likeable.

Learning to trust, not assuming things and been upfront are all issues faced by Angie and Nick Bower, however, when giving the benefit of the doubt and not presuming are better ways of dealing with situations. Of course, nothing is clear cut when interference throws everyone off guard, however, love finds its way and a happy ever after achieved.

The time-line is short and Angie and Nick's romance begins quickly but nothing feels forced as you feel these two people are destined to be together despite their pasts and recent hiccups. With the added inclusion of entertaining secondary characters, the overall effect is a heart-warming romance; a perfect book to read with a mug of cocoa or a glass of mulled wine.

This is my first novel by Ms Duncan and I'll definitely seek out for more of her contemporary romance books.

***arc generously received courtesy of the publisher HQ Digital via NetGalley***

I loved the cover of this book which drew me to this book.
I felt that this book was ok but nothing special. The storyline felt very shallow.
An ok read for a winters day.

We’re only in October but we’re already seeing some of the Christmas new releases making their way into our reading lists.
In my case it starts off in America and spans a whole month leading up to Christmas with a young girl suffering a massive heartbreak because her boyfriend had been cheating on her. She goes home to spend time with her family and regroup over the Christmas season.
Leading into the season of giving it’s nice to read a sweet romance that embodies being with family, getting oneself onto a better path, forgiveness and giving back to others. Katlyn balances these aspects of the Christmas time in one story in a way that allows us to truly relax and enjoy it.
I read this one over a few days and found it to be a calmly relaxing read that I was able to emotionally buy into, without becoming emotionally stressed as the story progressed through its peaks and throughs. For those coming into the Christmas season with a busy schedule but still want a nice, sweet romance, this could be a great book for you to keep up your reading.
If you’re a dog lover like me, you’ll especially love the doggy love that is shown throughout this love story.

Thanks to NetGalley and to HQ Digital for an advance copy of Wrapped up for Christmas.

I love Christmas and I loved this book. I also loved the concept and the double meaning of "wrapped up". 

After a disastrous relationship, Angie has come back to her home town to lick her wounds and rebuild her life. Yet the first thing she seems to do is want to walk into another potentially damaging relationship.

Touching base with her family and friends and accepting a temporary holiday job keep her grounded for a while. But before long she's back in the will-he-won't-he/does-he-doesn't-he mindset and Christmas for at least two people looks to be ruined.

The story is very well-written, if a little bitty and disjointed in places, which could be down to the editing. I got confused with all of the family and friends as some of the names were so similar (Emilia, Emma and Maria, for example for Angie, plus several different names for her grandparents, and the Kents and Trent for Nick, and there was a Jeremy, a Jared and a James too).

I also thought the "misunderstanding" was stretched a bit too far, possibly to meet a certain word-count, I felt very sorry for Nick who, I believe, didn't do anything wrong at all, and I'm afraid I wouldn't have had his patience with Angie. 

But it's a good story with some good characters, and it certainly put me in the mood for Christmas this year a few months too early.

A broken heart can go two ways... towards healing or further heartbreak. “Wrapped for Christmas” is a sweet love story and perfect book for a cold winter night. This is the first book I have read from Katlyn Duncan, but it won’t be my last.

The cover of this book just screams Christmas romance, it's the first thing that drew me in and after reading the synopsis I knew this book was for me. This is the perfect festive story it has it all. Heartbreak, family, friends and of course a new romantic partner.

This is the first book my Katlyn Duncan that I have read and I know i'll be reading more in the future!

An enjoyable christmas read.

Angie is back home living with her parents after leaving both her job and cheating boyfriend behind.

Not long after she moves back she meets Nick, and they don't get off to the best of starts. They start to spend more time together, but do they stand a chance when he is keeping secrets from her and his dad is doing his best to keep them apart?

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!

A lovely, romantic, seasonal read!

Wrapped up for Christmas is a story about a broken heart that goes home to heal. Angie takes a job in the mall and meets Mr. Right but there are bumps to overcome. You'll enjoy reading how this happens and how the heart heals.

A wonderful book my first by this Author could not put the book down. I really hope there is a sequel