Shannon C’s review of Wrapped Together (Portland Heat, Book 5) by Annabeth Albert
Contemporary Gay Romance published by Lyrical Shine 06 Dec 16
I know, I know. This is a review for a holiday novella. The time to have written this up would have been last month, when it was still relevant. What can I say? I’m behind on many things. But I promise you, Annabeth Albert writes the kind of books that are like wrapping up in a comfy fleece blanket, no matter what time of year, so you should read it anyway.
This is the fourth novella in Albert’s Portland Heat series, which focuses on small business owners in Portland. The author is clearly from that area, or at least has spent lots of time there, because the city itself is as much a character as any of the humans. All the novellas stand alone just fine, and this one is no exception.
Our two leads are competing stationary store owners… and are related by marriage. Hollis is quiet, introverted, and a little fussy. Sawyer is loud, outrageous, and a total flirt. They’ve been circling around each other for years, mostly not getting together due to Hollis’s hangups. The holidays are notoriously difficult for Hollis, as they are for many of us, and Sawyer decides it’ll be his mission in life to give him a good dose of Christmas spirit.
Not much happens in this novella, but that’s OK. I adored the leads. Sure, Hollis is fussy and something of a stuffed shirt. But he also needs a hug and a cup of hot cocoa. And I loved how Sawyer recognizes that Hollis is never going to be the life of the party that he is and finds fun, introvert-friendly things that they can do to capture the Christmas spirit. The conflict comes about mostly because Hollis won’t get out of his own way, and I enjoyed watching Sawyer slowly wear him down into accepting that he is worthy of love.
Annabeth Albert has an impressive backlist. I haven’t run into a book of hers that I haven’t liked, and this is certainly no exception. If you’re looking for a holiday treat, give this one a try.
Grade: A
Summary:
In the bustling restaurants, shops, and cafés of Portland, Oregon, things really heat up for the hard-working men behind the scenes when the holidays come
into town . . .For a stationery store owner, the holidays are great for business. But for Hollis Alcott, Christmas reminds him of the tragic events of three years past,
and the last thing he wants to do is take part in Portland’s over-abundance of festive cheer. But Sawyer Murphy, a hunky gift shop owner whose brother
is married to Hollis’s sister, has made it his mission to pluck Hollis out of his holiday blues. And his plan is beginning to work. Wrapped in the warm
glow of newfound passion, the former business rivals hit up Portland’s finest holiday traditions—and Hollis’s icy attitude begins to melt like snowflakes
on his tongue. But he isn’t sure he can trust anyone with the only gift he has—his heart—without breaking it like an antique ornament. Unless he can find
the courage to take a leap with the one lover he never expected . . .Praise for the Portland Heat series
“Tremendously charming and sexy.” —RT Book Reviews on Served Hot
“A really enjoyable story.” —Joyfully Jay on Baked Fresh
“Sometimes an author just gets everything right…Absolutely perfect.” —Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews on Delivered Fast
No excerpt available.
Other books in this series:
