I enjoyed the book for the most part but felt for me personally, there were too many religious references. I enjoyed the character development of both Cole and Sophie. The one thing I did not like was how it was literally the very end for the happy ending. As prior military and military spouse, I appreciate and enjoy reading books that include a military aspect. Overall, four stars, a cutesy Christmas Hallmark story.

This is a delightful Christmas romance!

I love both of the main characters. Cole and Sophie and incredibly well developed and easy to connect with. I love the fact that they were connected by veterans. Cole is a veteran with huge emotional wounds from his time in the military. Sophie on the other hand has many memories of her father, who was a veteran with huge emotional wounds.

I loved seeing how their friendship developed. Sophie was doing all she could to befriend Cole while he was doing everything to prevent becoming her friend. There were many moments that had me laughing out loud while I was listening to this audiobook.

I had never heard of the Quilts of Love Foundation before reading this wonderful story. It is a marvelous organization and Sophie is deeply involved in it. I learned a lot about it and the work that they do.

The book is written from alternating viewpoints. It goes back and forth from Sophie to Cole. I thoroughly enjoyed the fact that this audiobook has two narrators. They both did a wonderful job making the story come to life.

I received a complimentary copy of this audiobook from the publisher, through NetGalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All of the opinions expressed are my own.

Wrapped up in Christmas is a cute holiday romance about a former soldier and a small town girl who makes blankets for wounded soldiers.

This book is very sweet and cozy. It will give you all of the Christmas joy that you are looking for during the holiday season.

However, this book is nothing new. If you are looking for a different sort of holiday romance, this book is not for you. Everything is very predictable and the secondary characters aren’t very fleshed out.

I gave this book 4 stars because it was exactly what I was expecting and I really enjoyed my time listening to the audiobook.

I received this audiobook from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Definitely fits the Hallmark style! I did not particularly like the narrators but its a typical, sweet holiday romance. If you love those stories, you'll love this one too!

Wrapped Up in Christmas Joy by Janice Lynn ticks all the boxes when it comes to finding a Christmas romance and feel good story in one. This is the perfect Hallmark Christmas movie in audiobook form. It is sweet and romantic, with an edge of tension to build the story while peppered with all kinds of goodies related to holiday cheer, charity, and church.

The brooding hero, Cole and naive bell, Sophie are an adorable pair in that opposites attract. The author creates a sweet dynamic between Cole and Sophie. It starts off pretty tense and a little icy but slowly thaws to a warm and unassuming fondness for one another that the other is resisting.

This story is sweet and charming with a hint of conflict to move the narrative forward. You’ll have all the Christmas feels and innocent romance in this story!

Thank you Netgalley, Dreamscape Media, and Hallmark Publishing for a copy of this audiobook for review!

It was a typical romance but it was annoying that girl would pursue the guy even when he wanted space. I did enjoy the humor from the firefighters as well as the older matchmaking women. The male narrator was excellent and is probably what kept me going. The female voice was ok.

I received a copy of "Wrapped up in Christmas Joy" from Dreamscape Media and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review and I quite enjoyed the book. This book was an audio and the narration was completed by both a male and female as the two main characters of the story were male and female - Cole and Sophie. I really enjoyed the narration and felt that it added to the overall warmth of the story.

"Wrapped up in Christmas Joy" focuses on Sophie, Cole, and their growing friendship with each other as they both navigate their pasts. Cole is fairly new to town and struggling to leave his past behind him. Sophie finds Cole's journal detailing his war experiences, and she attempts to return it to him and strike up a new friendship. Cole is not interested, or at least believes that to be true. They are then forced into working together to make the annual Christmas toy drive a success.

The book offers readers Christmas magic, cheer, inspiration, and an adorable little holiday romance as the relationship between Cole and Sophie begins to blossom. "Wrapped up in Christmas Joy" is the perfect book to get you into the holiday spirit while enjoying a winter hot chocolate.

I'm a huge fan of Hallmark Christmas movies and this is going to be an excellent one! It contains all of the feel good moments one hopes to feel from a Christmas story.

Sophie is an upbeat, small town girl just bursting at the seams to make everyone around her not only a little bit happier, but their lives a little better. She meets new Pine Hills, Kentucky resident and firefighter Cole Aaron. Cole moved to the small town in hopes of getting through the trauma he endured in the Marines.
Due to the trauma, Cole has his walls up, keeping himself detached from others, afraid of not being good for them. Sophie sees all the good in him and feels his actions speaks volumes.

I absolutely adored this story. The struggle between the two as they slowly allow themselves to be vulnerable is quite realistic.

I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator for Sophie was wonderful. I had a more difficult time when listening to the male narrator as he was doing just that, narrating. I prefer when the narrators get into the role of the characters and are more voice acting rather than narrating. So while listening to Cole's perspectives, it wasn't as immersive, I didn't feel as much. It felt more like a sportscaster announcing what was happening.

Overall, a super cute story that I really hope makes it to the Hallmark channel!

Thank you Netgalley and Hallmark Publishing for e-galley in exchange for my honest thoughts.

I enjoyed this sweet Christmas romance.

Sophie Davis recognizes the struggle of a veteran with PTSD because she lived with a father who suffered. When Sophia finds and reads a soldier’s journal she feels deeply for the man. She makes the effort to return the journal to former Marine Cole Aaron who now serves her community as a firefighter. Cole doesn’t want the journal back because it his past haunts him. He also wants nothing to do with Sophie and what he perceives as her pity. Even though Cole wants to avoid Sophie, he keeps finding himself working alongside her for the Christmas toy drive and helping in other volunteer events, even participating in winter sports with Sophie.

Sophie is part owner of a Threaded Needle and she has a passion for making Quilts of Valor to award to Veterans in recognition of their service. Sophie persists on making a special patriotic quilt that she wants to wrap Cole in, even while Cole continues to push her away. But Cole can’t help but see the joy Sophie continually shares with others in all circumstances. Can Sophie’s joy bring a smile to Cole’s face and, more importantly, maybe bring peace to his troubled mind?

This is a sweet romance told from the rotating views of a bright heroine and an emotionally torn hero. The story focuses on the characters and how our self-view can be influenced by how others see us. The author uses the supporting characters to add to the fullness of the story. I like how the author shows how joy might heal a troubled soul. She apparently has other books in the same small town and I would enjoy reading/listening to others. This story reads easily, and I recommend it to readers who like heartwarming, sweet romance. I do think it would make a nice Hallmark movie.

Audio Notes: Alexander Cendese and Rachel L. Jacobs do an appropriate job narrating. I wasn’t enthralled by the audio but it did help me listen quickly. I am glad that I had the opportunity to listen to this.

Source: 2020 NetGalley.

Wrap yourself up and relax with this inspiring Christmas romance

The Christmas season is not complete, in my opinion, until I read at least one Christmas novel. And though Wrapped in Christmas Joy, by Janice Lynn is my first Christmas novel for this season, it isn't the last.

Like all holiday fiction, Wrapped in Christmas Joy offers readers the eternal gift of love, joy, and a warm inspired heart, and, as a bonus, this lovely story is wrapped up with a pretty Christmas bow at the end.

Awww. So sweet. True love in its purest form. Couldn't we all use a little love in our life. I know in mine, this is about as close and I am going to get.

The plot of Wrapped in Christmas Joy, is an old standard; boy meets girl … yada yada yada … and everything turns out wonderful. This story, however, has a deep military-service undertone that addresses their heroic and often difficult-to-overcome service to the United States, and the too-common consequences that arrive home within the hearts of military members who see conflict during their service.

Our protagonist, Sophie,Davis, is a sweet young adult who owns a quilt shop with her sister and is living life with a loving heart and empty arms. Sophie and her sister have a connection to the struggle former combat members suffer because their father, an Iraq veteran, abandoned them as children.

Our hero, Cole Aaron, is a recently released military veteran whose name describes him well;: He is cold, and burning hot.

Left alone, Sophie and Cole would never hook up, even though the couple's private thoughts are irresistibly drawn to one another. But, just like Cinderella's Fairy God Mother, the "Butterflies" quilting group intervenes to help true love and healing blossom in the young couple's hearts.

Wrapped in Christmas Joy is the epitome of a Christmastime chick flick. And it's worth every minute that screams past as you read or listen to this book on audio.

My suggestion is this, reader: Put down the cookies - or maybe serve yourself another plate of cookies - grab this book, wrap yourself up in your favorite quilt, climb into your soft, comfy bed next to your purring cat, and enjoy this inspiring read. It won't take you long to realize that each stage of Wrapped in Christmas Joy is yet another stitch in another Hallmark Publishing classic love story.

I'm such a sap … I love this stuff.

This is going to be an excellent Hallmark Christmas movie and I can't wait to watch it! It contains all of the typical feel good moments one hopes to feel from a Christmas story.
Sophie is a typical small town girl just bursting at the seams to make everyone around her a little bit happier. She loves God, her family and friends, and everything Christmas. She also has a sweet spot for Cole, the firefighter who was just selected to [play Santa in the annual Christmas parade.
Cole is a veteran struggling with the after effects of war. He wants to be a good person but feels he doesn't deserve it. Add a little bit of Sophie and his life could be great, if only he will let her in!
This was a really cute story!

This is very much a Hallmark movie story! And let’s be real, I live for Hallmark Christmas movie season!
Sophie finds a soldiers journal in the donation pile of their small town charity and she believes it was mistakingly dropped and is determined to find the owner and return the journal. Once she discovers the journal belongs to a former marine and current firefighter Cole, she befriends him even though he’s closed off and cold. Sophie slowly chips away at that cold exterior and their connection is sweet and heartwarming.
Great holiday story about friendship, forgiveness, strength and love; I recommend it!

My Review: As I am sure you know, I am all about the cozy holiday books and jumped at the chance to read this one. My interest was definitely piqued with the combination of a quilter (my mom has her own quilting business) and a Marine (many of my family members are members of our armed forces). This was exactly what I was looking for in a holiday book, a character with an internal struggle and one who just wants to love and bring comfort and joy to those around them, you add in a stray cat needing love and I am all for it. I do have to say that while Cole is struggling with some pretty big demons, we never get to fully see what all he is fighting internally, we get bits and pieces but not the full story, which I am okay with because it might make this book a bit too heavy. I loved Sophie, she just has so much love to give and while her upbeat personality would drive me nuts in person, it is just what this book needed. This does seem to be a second book in a series but you really don't notice, I do think I will be going back and reading the previous book though as I love the Quilts of Valor are the main theme in the series. This is definitely a book to pick up if you are looking for a book with comfort and hope in them to give you the warm fuzzies.

Thank you for NetGalley and Hallmark Publishing for my copy

This story is about Sophie, a quilt shop owner who finds a former Marin’s journal in a box of donated books, after reading the journal she is drawn to the man who has written these words and can’t help but want to heal his heart. Former Marine Cole, is battling to find peace in civilian life as a fire fighter after returning from war and does not want anyone’s pity, especially Sophie’s. But as Sophie and Cole find themselves parked together for the annual Christmas toy drive, they can’t help but be drawn to each other. A heart-warming but predictable romance, this book had me smiling the whole time. Especially when the meddling older women who call themselves “the butterflies” become involved in trying to set Sophie and Cole up. Wrapped Up in Christmas Joy will definitely put you in the Christmas spirit.
‘
#dreamscapemediahallmarkpublishing #netgalley #wrappedupinchristmasjoy #christmasiscoming #romancebooks #bookstagram #books #holidayreads #reads #booknerd #giftedreading

What a sweet audiobook! This story put me in the holiday spirit with a cute love story woven together with a community coming together for the children of their community. It was a great story about the power of love, healing, service, and community. I highly recommend this audiobook!

When a quilt shop owner Sophie finds a box of personal items at her local church rummage sale she couldn’t have known the contents would change her life. Former Marine Cole is just settling into his new life as a firefighter in a small town. His past never far away, he enjoys his new profession but knows that he can’t let anyone get too close. The two are thrown together to serve the town and make both of them question what they know about love, being loved and sacrifice. This chaste romance is a feel good read that I recommend completely!

I'm so glad to have tried out books from Hallmark Publishing. This one was a really fun read for me. Definitely recommend for anyone partial to sweet romances -- especially during the most magical time of year.

After a soldier's journal is accidentally put in the hands of Sophie Davis, she reads it to find out who the mystery soldier is and to return it to him if possible. Cole Aaron is now a firefighter in Pine Hill, Kentucky, and rejects his journal when a woman shows up with it on the firehouse's doorstep. But then, with a friendly little Christmas competition for charity, and these two hearts start unlocking each other... Who knows what the future might hold?

The audio book version was recorded well. It has two alternating voices, male and female, for when the story switches the POV back and forth, for each of the main characters.

I received an ARC of this audiobook through NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

Sophie Davis owns a quilt shop in her small Kentucky town, and in her spare time, she makes quilts for the Quilts of Valor program, which gives quilts to veterans to “wrap them in love”. Cole Aaron was a marine who has struggled to find peace since his last tour. Taking a job as a firefighter in Pine Hill, Kentucky seems like a chance to start over. One day while Sophie is sorting through items for her church's rummage sale, she finds a journal, which she assumes was surely a mistake. After finding no name on the inside cover, she begins to read the journal's entries to figure out who it belongs to. The journal was Cole's, and as she reads the struggles he has gone through because of his time in the military, she feels a deep connection to him. Sophie is determined to be Cole's friend and show him that he deserves happiness. Cole is convinced that he is too damaged to be with someone as good as Sophie, and he doesn't want her pity. Can they find some happiness with each other this Christmas?

I was intrigued by the blurb about this book, but the book itself just didn't live up to my expectations. The characters were all flat, including the main characters. I got tired of the repetition of Cole thinking he's not good and doesn't deserve good things, of how perfect Sophie is, and of Sophie's continually ignoring Cole's rebuffs. I didn't care for the Butterflies, either. This just wasn't the book for me.

This is the type of feel-good holiday romance that everyone needs right now.

Sophie finds a journal in a box of donated items for a church. She reads it and wants to get it back to its owner. She hunts down firefighter Cole and tries to give it back. As they get to know each other, they find what they need in their lives.

I really enjoyed listening to this book. I adored both Sophie and Cole. I loved that they really connected with each other. I loved seeing all the other characters in the town and getting to know all of them. I loved all of the parts of this book. I loved how much they just worked to understand each other but not try to change each other. I really want to go back and read the first book in this series! And you better bet I'm looking to see if this one got made into a Hallmark movie, too!

With the way this year has been going, I've just wanted to read fun books to escape into. And now that its's November I figured it was time for some Christmas magic! I knew I couldn't go wrong with Hallmark publishing so I requested an advance copy of the audiobook from netgalley.
First I have to say that the male narrator was not great, his voice sounded like one of those movie trailer voice overs, super deep and super dramatic. It took me a couple of chapters to get used to. But the worse part was when he had to say female dialogue, he would get super high pitched and sound like he was mocking the women. I feel this could have just had the female narrator, she did a great job of changing her voice for different characters.
The story was what you would expect from a slow burn Christmas romance book, fun but predictable. I still enjoyed it, it was just the amount of fluffy sappyness I needed.
I didn't realize this was the second book in a series, but I didn't feel lost, it fully introduced the town and had a fully contained story.
Pick this up if you need so holiday happiness!