WRAPPED IN CHRISTMAS JOY was sent to me by Net Galley, free of charge, in exchange for my honest review.
Published by Hallmark Publishing, WRAPPED IN CHRISTMAS JOY, is a Christian fiction romance novel, written by Janice Lynn. I chose to listen to it as an audiobook. The narrators were terrific! They were Alexander Cendese and Rachel L. Jacobs. They really brought the characters to life! I always enjoy audiobooks more when they have different narrators for the male and female parts.
In this novel, Sophie Davis, the owner of The Threaded Needle, a quilt shop in Pine Hill, Kentucky finds and reads a journal that was left in a box of donated items she came upon. The story in the journal was so like her own that she felt compelled to know the person behind it. She determined to return it to him. She found out that he worked at the local fire department, and took it there. Cole Aaron, a former soldier, wanted nothing to do with his journal, or the memories it represented. He told her to throw it away. Well, they got thrown together as partners in a toy drive. Sophie was determined to make Cole her friend. But, though Cole thought she was very nice, he thought she was just pitying him because of his story. He didn’t think he deserved a friend like her. And, because of his PTSD, he didn’t want to subject anyone to his life, he just as staunchly resisted her. Sophie had a foundation where she made QUILTS OF VALOR that she presented to heroes. She wanted to make one for Cole, but he strongly refused…WHAT A PAIR!!
Did Sophie ever get through to Cole? Did they become friends or even more? Or did Cole turn into himself, too depressed to ever see the truth, that he was worthy? That he was a hero? Or did Sophie become bitter because she couldn’t get through to this soldier, who she found to be a hero? Would Cole turn out to be like her dad, after all? You’ll have to read the book to find out.
I enjoyed this Christmas tale and would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a cozy Christmas read.

This is a clean, christian romance story about a woman who owns a quilting shop, Sophie, and Cole, a firefighter that has a violent past in the military. Cole suffers from PTSD and extreme guilt over whatever actions he had to take while in the military - this guilt makes him feel he is not worthy of anyone as sweet as Sophie.

However, the part of the book that totally got on my nerves was Sophie ALWAYS throwing herself at Cole. He told her repeatedly that he didn't want to be her friend; he didn't want to see her; etc. He NEVER led her on, but she ignored him and still baked cookies for him, invited him to dinner, invited him to church, basically stalked him, etc. I felt like she chased him way too much without him giving any indication that he wanted her. For that reason, I believe I started not liking this book as much - I didn't feel any chemistry between Sophie and Cole - only Cole's frustration that he didn't feel worthy of a significant other and Sophie constantly calling him, visiting him, inviting him to things, etc.

Don't get me wrong - the book is not bad, but I feel it could have been better.

I was provided a copy in exchange for an honest review. The opinions above are mine without biases.

3.5 stars
I enjoyed this audiobook.
It’s a sweet love story.
The narrators are terrific!
The story was just a little slow moving for me. But I loved the characters.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an arc in exchange for my honest review.

Wrapped Up in Christmas Joy by Janice Lynn
Narrated by: Arielle DeLisle
Publication Date: 27 Oct 2020  
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Description from NetGalley...
“Sarah Smith in Pine Hill, Kentucky has had her heart broken in the past. She pours herself into her work at church and into special projects—like making a quilt for a wounded warrior.

Bodie Lewis is lost. All he’s ever wanted was his career as an Army Ranger, but he was injured in an explosion that killed his brothers in arms. In the hospital, he receives a handmade quilt. Later, he sets out on his final mission: to find and thank its maker.

Bodie expected Sarah to be an elderly lady, not a lovely young woman. When she mistakes him for a handyman, he doesn’t immediately set her straight. Instead, he sets about repairing the home she’s turning into a bed and breakfast. Sarah’s presence and the spirit of the small town bring Bodie something he thought he’d left far behind on the battlefield: hope.”
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Thank you to @NetGalley @dreamescape_media @hallmarkpublish for the audiobook ARC in return for my honest review.
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My thoughts...
If you’re a big romance, romcom and/or Hallmark movies fan, then you’ll probably enjoy this book. I had a tough time enjoying the audiobook. The story was sweet and I was entertained by those “Butterflies,” very apt name for the match-making old biddies. I think I would have enjoyed reading the book better than listening to the audiobook. I was distracted by the southern accent the narrator used for the characters, it didn’t sound realistic, and Sarah sounded really young (almost teenage-like) as opposed to a mature young woman. Overall, this was a cute Christmas story and the Quilts of Valor Foundation is heartwarming.

This is a delightful and captivating Christmas story. The characters are charming and witty and the plot was engaging to the end. The narrator has done a remarkable job. I highly recommend this fun and quick read. Many thanks to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

A Christmas romance with a Patriotic twist. This story is based in the town I daydream about living in. All the characters feel realistic and well written. I sincerely hope these characters (& town) pop up in another book one day.

Sarah is a twenty something small town girl from Kentucky. Bodie is a recovering soldier not looking to settle. When his team is hit and only he survives, he has trouble figuring out how to carry on. A nurse in the Army hospital gives him a quilt made by Sarah. It turns his life around and let’s him see purpose again. When he goes to Kentucky to thank her, Bodie’s heart learns to love.
Opinion
This is a sweet, slow building romance with a HEA. Having served in the military myself, I can see his point of view on many things. I enjoyed this book and it gave me a chance to slow down. Great book.
I listened to the audiobook. The narrators did an exemplary job on reading this. The voices of the characters were fitting to their personalities.