Wrapped Up in You by Jill Shalvis

Wrapped Up in You by Jill Shalvis, the latest addition to the Heartbreaker Bay series, offers up a seasonal dose of holiday romance for two people with major trust issues.

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.

I started reading the Heartbreaker Bay books about a year ago, and I just like them more and more as I continue reading the series. Wrapped Up in You features two of my favorite characters to-date, both with understandable trust issues, and both longing for something more, even while scared of being burned again.

Seeing Ivy and Kel try to fight off their feelings (and fail spectacularly) makes for a delightful read. The more serious aspects of the story (most notably Ivy’s past, and how it catches up to her) kept me engaged and turning the pages to see what would happen next. But it also never detracted from the romantic aspect of the story, which I truly appreciated.

And of course, the romance between this pair was enchanting, and had me rooting for them to work things out at every turn.

I really loved watching these two characters fall in love, and try to navigate the rocky path to happily ever after. The ultimate payoff was well worth it. Look for Wrapped Up in You in stores now.