Wrapped with a Beau
£7.90£8.50 (-7%)
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, 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 town’s historic Christmas House-permission she was very much denied by the mysterious 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 his new neighbour, Elisha. He has no plans to put down roots or fall in love…even if Elisha is unravelling 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…
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Additional information
| Publisher | Zaffre (12 Oct. 2023) |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Paperback | 320 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 1804184217 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1804184219 |
| Dimensions | 12.9 x 2.1 x 19.8 cm |
by The Book Elf
What is not to like about this lovely seasonal RomCom at this time of year as the nights draw in and we look to snuggle up with a cosy read. Wrapped with A Beau meets the criteria for allowing yourself a little escapism in the will they, won’t they world of Elisha and Ves. These two, as the main characters are well thought out and even though they are like chalk and cheese and ,if I am honest Ves didn’t have me rooting for him at the beginning they work well together as the storyline progresses. Consequently I spent most of my time praying that Elisha would see sense and find someone else. However, as the story progresses he definitely grows on you as you uncover his background, which is a complete contrast to Elisha’s.
For me some aspects of the story were a bit slow and didn’t hold my attention as I feel they would have done with a faster pace. However, that is just my opinion and others of you out there may well differ.
Wrapped with a Beau is definitely well embedded in the rom com genre and makes a light easy read when you don’t want to overload your brain and just enjoy a few hours escapism in the run up to the festive season and it would perfectly complement a warm spicy glass of mulled wine .
by Linda’s Book Bag
Someone is breaking into Maeve’s house!
Wrapped with a Beau was an unexpected novel. I’d expected a romantic read with enemies to lovers and a happy ever after ending and to some extent I got that – think candy canes, romance and snow, but I hadn’t reckoned on either the level of sexual explicitness or the emotional pull of the story. It’s pretty racy in places!
There’s a clever structure to Wrapped with a Beau because it’s a Russian doll of a novel; reading like a romantic Christmas movie with a romantic Christmas movie as a catalyst for the action. This gives it depth and layers and a sense of history that I really appreciated.
Both Ves and Elisha are warm and convincing, but it was Ves who held the most fascination for me because he develops more and there’s a sadness and isolation in his past that feels touching to read about. That said, I liked the strength of character in Elisha too. She is principled, friendly and certainly no push over. Indeed, all the characters are well depicted so that there’s a real sense of community in Piney Peaks.
The Piney Peaks setting is gorgeous. It’s vividly depicted and very attractive. Lillie Vale has the ability to appeal to all the reader’s senses with a filmic quality so that each one is extremely well catered for highly entertainingly. I want to move there immediately. I loved the sense of social intimacy and the way Ves and Bentley are treated and viewed quite differently by those who care about Elisha.
As well as a spicy romance, Lillie Vale considers family and belonging, the way our treatment as a child might impact us as adults and how actions speak louder than words so that as well as being a fun read, I found real moments of affecting emotion in the story.
I thoroughly enjoyed Wrapped with a Beau, because it’s romantic, sexy and entertaining. Certainly it has all the elements one would expect from the genre but there’s rather more to it too!
by A Mother’s Musings ????
A lovely cosy romance story. Perfect alongside a warm blanket and hot chocolate.
More sex than is usual in this genre – not a complaint, but something I wanted to mention in case it’s relevant to some potential readers.
by Kate
I absolutely loved this book, it is such a sweet natured and cosy read with just a hint of spice. Piney Peaks gave me such Stars Hollow crossed with Virgin River and as a GG stan and a slow catcher-upper on VR the setting made me insanely happy, I would love to spend time there around Christmas. I loved the pairing of Elisha and Ves, they complimented each other really well. I liked the initial meeting and how their relationship progressed, how Elisha and the town just seem to welcome Ves with no questions asked (but lots of small town chatting and gossip – it’s a place where everyone knows everyone’s business after all…). I loved Elisha’s family and her spirit and determination and how their love language is food!
Can you tell I really loved this book?!
by Kate
I’ve just spent the last few days in the adorable town of Piney Peaks with their lovely families and in particular the gorgeous Elisha and handsome Ves. The author hopes that you fall in love with the town like she has and boy, did I fall hard! But oh my goodness, the smouldering tension in this cosy Christmas romance novel was just mind blowing. The characters were just perfectly portrayed and suited the storyline superbly.
Elisha and Ves are two very cool people, modern, strait-laced, hard working and know exactly what they want from life but they come from two very different family backgrounds. When they meet in very awkward circumstances you can see their hearts explode with desire but can a guy from the city and a gal from a small town like Piney Peaks find a suitable compromise in pursuit of happiness?
I love all things Christmas and this book took me right into the heart of it, from candy cane garden ornaments, to gingerbread making competitions, twinkling snowflakes, tinsel decorated windows and even an enchanted forest.
This isn’t for too young a reader due to some adult scenes but all romance readers will enjoy this book, romance isn’t even my first or second choice genre and I was hooked from page one. I’m already missing Piney Peaks and its inhabitants and I’m not sure that my own Christmas can compete now!
Cosy, romantic, fuzzy, festive, endearing (and not forgetting erotic) if you like your romance novels neatly wrapped in a Christmas bow, then “Wrapped with a Beau” will certainly be for you and it goes without saying I highly recommend this book and the author Lillie Vale.