Wrapped Up in You by Jill Shalvis

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Title: Wrapped Up in You
Author: Jill Shalvis
Series: Heartbreaker Bay #8
Published by: HarperAudio
Release Date: September 24, 2019
Format: Audiobook
Narrator: Erin Mallon
Length: 7 hours and 12 minutes
Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Holiday
Source: Library
Reading Challenges: Lenoreo's 2019 Audiobook Challenge, Lenoreo's 2019 New Release Challenge
Find it: Goodreads ✩ Amazon ✩ B&N ✩ Google ✩ Kobo ✩ IndieBound ✩ iTunes ✩ Book Depository
My rating:

Blurb:

It’s love. Trust me.

After a lifetime on the move, Ivy Snow is an expert in all things temporary—schools, friends, and way too many Mr. Wrongs. Now that she owns a successful taco truck in San Francisco and an apartment to call home, Ivy’s reinvented life is on solid ground. And she’s guarded against anything that can rock it. Like the realities of a past she’s worked hard to cover up. And especially Kel O’Donnell. Too hot not to set off alarms, he screams temporary. If only his whispers weren’t so delightfully naughty and irresistible.

Kel, an Idaho sheriff and ranch owner, is on vacay, but Ivy’s a spicy reason to give his short-terms plans a second thought. Best of all, she’s a tonic for his untrusting heart, burned once and still in repair. But when Ivy’s past intrudes on a perfect romance, Kel fears that everything she’s told him has been a perfect lie. Now, if only Ivy’s willing to share, Kel will fight for a true love story.

My Review:

4.5 stars — I actually really loved this one!  I don’t know if it’s just because I’m finding I really love Erin Mallon’s narration, and that’s what set it over the top, or if it was the story, with it’s humour and heartbreak and depth…or more likely it was all of the above.

So we’ll start with Ms. Mallon’s narration — as with every other time I’ve listened to her, she brings so much emotion and depth to the performance.  And not just that, but subtle things…she truly performs the piece.  The thing I found interesting is that this book *is* actually dual POV, but Ms. Mallon does ALL of the narration.  Which I wondered how I would like, but I actually really loved it!  I think part of that is because I really enjoy Ms. Mallon’s male voices.  And she does a pretty good job of having subtle differences between all the different characters.

So that brings us to the story, and our two characters, Ivy and Kel.  Honestly, I found it interesting how much I fell for these two, because they are SERIOUSLY flawed…and I don’t really have a lot in common with either one, but particularly Ivy.  But Ms. Shalvis writes her characters in a way that you can’t help but connect.  I felt so much for what both of them have been through.  And even if they made boneheaded decisions from time to time, I believed it when they made their way back to one another from them.

Ivy was fiery, snarky, guarded, but vulnerable.  I loved her passion and drive.  I wanted all the good things to happen for her.  And even if her soft heart got her into trouble, I appreciated that about her.

Kel was forthright, upfront, unafraid of who he was (in some ways), and so sweet and protective.  I was frustrated with him in his stubbornness, but he found his way eventually.

It was gratifying how these two guarded souls saw one another.  And OMG, their chemistry was amazing…from the fun dates they had to the steamy scenes, I was invested in all of it.

I haven’t read all the books in this series yet, so I’ve missed some of the secondary characters stories (and will definitely be going back to check them out), but that didn’t stop me from loving the “cast” moments.  That’s one of the strong aspects of this series, is how we get to see them all hanging out and supporting one another.

So yeah.  Definite Christmas success.  Can’t wait to check out a few more when I have the time!