Wrapped with a Beau basically transported you to the movie set of a Hallmark movie... say less, I am here for it! I am a sucker for the grumpy-sunshine dynamic, and Ves and Elisha did not disappoint. There were so many lighthearted moments between the two where I found myself smiling even from the first chapter. I loved how passionate Elisha was about her hometown, but better than that I enjoyed the found family Ves found in Piney Peaks.

Very very cute Christmas romance with exceptionally loveable characters falling in love in a more diverse stars hollow type town. The spicy scenes are well done and while I found a couple logistical pieces a little confusing, the superb flirting more than made up for it.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. Wrapped With A Beau is a small town Christmas romantic comedy. Vesline is a bit of a grump who inherits the Christmas house in the small town of Piney Peaks from his great-aunt. Elisha is a film liaison who moves back to her hometown to prepare for The Sleighbells sequel. He doesn’t do relationships during the holidays but she needed a fake boyfriend to prove to her ex-fiancé that she truly moved on. Their fake dating turned into a no strings attached relationship until he moves back to New York. Throughout the holiday festivities, Ves not only learns stories about his great aunt but he falls in love with Elisha.

I truly enjoyed this story. I found it to be festive, witty and a heartwarming story of second chance at love and finding the true meaning of home. I highly recommend.

Elisha Rowe is desperate to have the sequel to a classic Christmas movie, Sleighbells under Starlight, filmed in her home town Piney Peaks, set in the romantic and rural Poconos. After the fame of the first movie filmed 50 years ago, her town could use the popularity from the sequel to boost the tourism and economy to the area. Standing in her way is the great-nephew of the owner of the quaint Victorian home that was featured in the first film. It has been made clear by the director of the sequel that this house MUST be in the second film as well or its a no go on production.

Ves Hollins is in town from NY to settle his great-aunts estate and is in a hurry to have the house he has inherited cleaned up and on the market to sale as soon as possible. He has no interest in prolonging his visit so that a movie can be filmed at the house he is eager to be rid of. He is also faced with the memories of his less than perfect childhood while he sifts through the contents of his aunts house.

Enter the adorable meet cute of these two main characters. Can Elisha change Ves's mind about the house being used in the film while also smoothing away some of his rough exterior? Does it even matter when Ves has made it clear he will be returning to NYC as soon as he sells the house?

I adored this grumpy/sunshine Christmas love story. It gives all the cozy Christmas vibes while still delivering on a little bit of spice! Plus it mentions The Holiday and Love Actually, need I say more?

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy of the E-book in exchange for a review.

Thank you NetGalley and Putnam for providing me with an e-arc!

Welcome to Piney Peaks, a very charming small town that is home to the famous and beloved Christmas movie Sleighbells. The town holds Sleighbells and it’s legacy near and dear and are thrilled at the prospect of a sequel being filmed there, especially Elisha Rowe, Christmas lover and film liaison for the chamber of commerce.

Sleighbells is especially important to Elisha, as she and her family were very close to Maeve Hollis, whose house, known as the Christmas house, was used for the filming of the original movie. Maeve unfortunately passed away, leaving her house to a family member to do what they please with it.

Ves Hollins is Maeve’s great nephew from New York City, determined to sell Maeve’s house as quickly as he can so that he can return to his city life. In true grinch fashion, he does not want anything to do with the town or the filming of the Sleighbells sequel…until more time spent with Elisha causes his icy demeanor to unthaw.

This book is such a fun Christmas story and I thoroughly enjoyed it! The author’s writing is so descriptive that I really felt like I was in Piney Peaks- this sounds like the perfect Christmas destination and I wish I could actually go! I really appreciated her attention to detail- even the food and drinks that Elisha and Ves enjoyed were festive and sounded wonderful! I could definitely see this becoming a Christmas movie someday- it’s fun, interesting and heartwarming. I was smiling from the very first chapter, looking forward to what festive shenanigans Elisha and Ves would get themselves into.

I had such high hopes for this book! First, the title didn't fit the story at all and I found it somewhat random. This could have been such a fun book since the setting of the small town was adorable but it just missed the mark. I thought the plot would be focused on Ellisha convincing Ves to let them shoot the movie sequel at the Christmas house, but that was taken care of in the first 25% of the book so the rest was just awkward relationship issues with a couple who had zero chemistry and nothing in common. The writing fell flat and felt mediocre, and the romance was often cringeworthy. The pacing dragged to me and I kept waiting on something interesting to happen but it never came.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Very cute and Hallmarky.
I wanted a little more from the book.

The dialogue was very cute and well written.
The slow burn was a little too slow for me. I’d still recommend this book though!

This was, in one word, "interesting". While the first 50% of this story reads very much like the screenplay of a Hallmark movie, once you hit the 50% mark, the writer ups the ante significantly. It shifts swiftly from sweet to spicy, while still maintaining its endearing nature.

Elisha is bubbly and sweet and completely loyal to the town that she grew up in. When she loves, it's clear that she loves hard. She and her family are the typical adorable close-knit family that you find in any small-town. Add on the rest of the interesting characters from Piney Peaks and its Christmas-centric locations, and it's almost as if you're transported to a movie set.

Ves is meant to be the antithesis to all of the syrupy goodness that is small-town life. But, upon closer inspection, it's pretty evident that he's not as shallow or stiff as he seems. His character has so much depth that it even surprises him to learn how far he will go for someone that he cares about.

Considering their instant attraction to each other, Elisha's romance with Ves is inevitable. What neither of them expects is how deeply their lives become intertwined through the course of their "relationship", so much so that it seems like they've known each other forever.

I will definitely be re-reading this one. 4/5 ⭐️ because the shift in tenses was distracting.

NOTE: ARC received in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to Penguin Group Putnam and Netgalley for an ARC of this book! I’ve willingly read and reviewed it. All opinions are my own.

3.5 ⭐️s

WRAPPED WITH A BEAU is a cute Christmas read, perfect for Hallmark fans who want a little spice to go with their romance, comedy, and guaranteed HEA.

Piney Peaks, Pennsylvania was the site of a classic Christmas movie fifty years previously and now film liaison Elisha is tasked with making sure production of its sequel goes smoothly. Her only road block is the newest owner of the house that served as a major showpiece for the original film, Ves.

As you can imagine, what starts out as grinchy Ves wanting nothing more than to clean out this house he’s inherited and head back to his home in the city, turns into a small town love story between two unlikely people.

WRAPPED WITH A BEAU will certainly appeal to those who are looking for a cute Christmas story with a quirky small town and cast of side characters. And while I enjoyed the story, I do wish the story and the small side plots had been fleshed out further.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for providing me with this arc of Wrapped with a Beau by Lillie Vale!

Elisha Rowe has a passion for all things holidays and films, and wants to see a recreation of a classic movie that was shot in her hometown, fifty years ago come to life again.

Piney Peaks’ beloved Christmas House was the most famous filming location of Sleighbells Under Starlight, Elisha’s favorite holiday classic. Elisha has recently moved back home to be with and support her parents and their business. At twenty-eight, she is single, working full time and hoping to accomplish a dream that has been hers for a long time as well as her late friend, Maeve’s; to see Maeve’s beautiful house aka the Christmas House in Sleighbells Under Starlight be featured in an upcoming sequel to the beloved classic.

Elisha has one obstacle to overcome. Unfortunately, she had already confirmed that the famous house was available for filming for the new year, without asking the new owner - Maeve’s great nephew who just recently moved in. Opposites attract in this adorable romantic comedy filled with hilarious banter, undeniable tension and an addicting slow-burn romance. Elisha finds unexpected romance while trying to also convince Ves Hollins that the holidays are most definitely, the most wonderful time of the year.

*My Review*

I genuinely liked this book and I was pleasantly surprised seeing how this was my first arc from NetGalley and I wasn’t sure what to expect!

This book was filled with amazing tension and a slow-burn that had me still waiting 60% in for more and more. Their chemistry was so well written and I was pleasantly surprised by some of the flirting and their sexy banter.

Although Ves was cold and distant at first, I loved reading him and Elisha become close and develop such a cute relationship. The way he opened up to her had be smiling so much and I especially loved how he became this warm, patient, thoughtful character, because she radiated warmth and good energy whenever she went.

Lillie wrote such cute dialogue and although this book was lighthearted, it also dealt with serious topics such as feelings of inadequacy (child/parent relationships), death and more. These were all handled with such care from the author and I really appreciated the time she took to make sure that it was done correctly.

Some of my favorite quotes:

* “Meet-cutes are everywhere you look. Save a local business, protect a landmark, fall in love with a wholesome small-town girl. Maybe she’s the hot lumberjane daughter of a tree farmer! Kiss under a blanket fort! Break your rule about holiday romance! Do everything different. The opportunities are endless.”

* “Could I bring him breakfast?” she asks. “And maybe, like, a welcome-slash-apology-slash-please-don’t-hate-me package?”

* “You can tell me that your favorite color is pink and your favorite food is Italian and your favorite hobbit is Samwise, and I promise you that I will be fucking fascinated because it’s you.”


Overall, I highly recommend this book, even in the middle of the summer. It definitely made me excited for the holidays and I look forward to Lillie’s future projects!

This was a super cute holiday romance. Everything from the name of the town, to the team names at trivia night, to the Grinch cocktails put you in the Christmas mood.

Loved the characters, loved the spice they had. Love the grumpy guy turns into a softy.

I read this for Christmas in July and I really enjoyed it! I think it would've been better during the holidays but I still couldn't get enough of it. the story line was perfect and it was super light and fluffy.

A nice way to introduce Christmas romance books, though sometimes the characters and the plot fell flat. I would recommend reading it as a filler to other books you might have.

Thank you Penguin Group Putnam for my copy! All thoughts are my own.

I picked this book up in July for a little Christmas in July moment as I prep for my 2023 Holiday Reading Guide and while I thought it was cute, I overall didn’t connect with this story. I loved the characters but didn’t feel the chemistry between them. I loved the setting but didn’t feel like I really got to know the people who made up the small town.

Overall, a nice easy festive read but not one I will return to.

Synopsis:

“As a successful film liaison, Elisha Rowe has her heart set on one thing and one thing only: putting her hometown back on the map. So, when she gets the chance to secure the long-hoped-for sequel to Sleighbells under Starlight, a beloved holiday movie, she's willing to do whatever it takes to make sure everything goes smoothly. Unfortunately, that includes claiming to have already gotten permission to film at the historic Christmas house—permission she was very much denied by the gorgeous new owner.City boy Ves Hollins is only back in Piney Peaks long enough to sell the house he inherited from his great-aunt. The holidays have always been tough for Ves, and it's not any easier when he's distracted by memories of a Christmas long, long ago, and the irresistible charm of neighbor Elisha. He has no plans to put down roots or fall in love...even if Elisha unravels his hesitations like a bad Christmas sweater. There's no question the two are opposites in every way. Ves is undeniably frosty. Elisha is brimming with warmth. He doesn't do commitment. She never runs from a challenge. But as the two grow closer, they quickly realize that the growing spark between them may be just what the season calls for. “ —NetGalley

What I Liked:

The Setting—Piney Peaks was so cute! It was a little Hallmarky town and I thought it was brought to life in a successful way.

The Idea of the Film—As someone who loves classic holiday movies, I really liked the concept of this book!

What Didn’t Work for Me:

The Pacing—Things just felt off in this department and I think it’s because the lack of tropes left it kind of guideless?

The Chemistry—Again, just felt off. I am not a fan of friends with benefits or “we’ll be together while you’re here” cause it feels like removes the tension the reader wants and replaces it with what the author thinks the writer wants (spice).

Wanted More—The whole book was just a little surface level in my opinion. I wanted it to go a bit deeper!

Character Authenticity: 3/5 Spice Rating: 1/5 Overall Rating: 2.75/5

Content Warnings:

grief

I'm torn when it comes to this book. Same as with Lillie's previous book, I was enchanted by the story and the writing. This one having a small town setting during Christmas was even better. I want to live in Piney Peaks! Also, it was so refreshing to read a Holiday book set in a small town where no business is struggling and nothing/no one needs saving! Very rare ha!

When I say I'm torn, it's because of the romance. I really tried to connect with it, but I didn't. I liked Ves and Elisha and while I can see they are good together, I just didn't see sparks in the romance.

Much too crass, not for me. I quit reading after 1 chapter due to the vulgar language. And what kind of name is Ves? It had a good beginning, just too crass.

This is the most wholesome yet spicy book I think I’ve ever encountered! Piney Peaks is a Christmas wonderland town, holding onto past fame from its feature in a beloved movie, but now it needs new energy. Elisha knows just what the town needs, to again be the backdrop for a 50th anniversary sequel of the movie that made it famous. Yet, a small wrench is thrown in her plans when the famous Christmas House is inherited by Ves Hollins, who has no plans to stay in town.

I like Elisha’s tenacity and drive, along with her decidedly unabashed love of Christmas. The descriptions of her many Christmas-themed nails are enough to make me want my own, and her love for the town and her job are clear. She and Ves quickly fall into a fun rhythm and notch their relationship up a few levels as she helps him clean out the old home that’s now his. Yet, the seemingly central plot lines surrounding the movie and Elisha’s job (and awful boss) take a backseat to the romantic connection. Could be that so close to the holiday, she is off work for a little, but it’s confusing for the reader.

This book was a perfect small town Christmas romance!

The town of Piney Peaks felt like it was something right out of a Hallmark movie (which is funny since they have their own famous movie in the book). The initial tension and banter between Elisha and Ves was amazing, and seeing how their relationship blossomed was absolutely magical.

The secondary characters also stole my heart, and if I were ever to be invited to a Rowe family meal I would say yes in a heartbeat beat. Note: Do not read the family meal chapter hungry 🤤

Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to read/review this book. My review is my own and left voluntarily

Tropes: Small Town Romance, Dual POV/Third Person, Christmas

This was a fun, cute, and easy-to-digest holiday romance! Ves and Elisha's chemistry radiated off the page, the holiday activities were entertaining, and the found family trope (one of my favorites) was actually really well done for Ves - which I loved! (I think I almost preferred the chapters from his POV than Elisha.) Personally, being an enemies-to-lovers fanatic, I wish the animosity had lasted a little bit longer between the MCs, but they jump to "Banter is our thing, isn't it?" real fast...and I guess I'lll let it slide, because the banter was one of my favorite parts of this book!

And did I mention that it's DUAL POV and has diverse MCs? No. Well I guess now I did.

rating: 3.5 STARS (rounded up for GR)
genre: romance
steam: open door, multiple scenes
tropes: grumpy/sunshine, found family, holiday romance

Read If You Like:
Small Town Romance
Hallmark Christmas Movies
Meddling Townspeople
Gilmore Girls-esque town events & contests
Really Stellar Banter
Neurodivergent Rep: Anxiety
Adult Children Of Divorce (ACOD) Rep

A cozy, warm Christmas book that will warm your heart. I really enjoyed this story. Likeable characters that I could relate with. Five stars!