Can you tell I’m on a Talia Hibbert binge? After reading two of the three books in her The Brown Sisters trilogy, I’ve had a constant urge to just read all of her works … which I’m slowly but surely in the process of doing!

Thank you to ALL of you who recommended this book to me! I can’t wait to tell you all the lovely things this book has to offer!

Title: Wrapped Up in You

Author: Talia Hibbert

Published on November 16th, 2020 by Kobo Originals

Format: Paperback, 127 pages

Genre / Themes: Contemporary | Humour | Realistic Fiction | Romance

Synopsis: William Reid is nothing special, except for his billion-dollar acting career and his, you know, face. (Apparently, it’s a good one.) Winning ‘Sexiest Man Alive’ was nice, but this Christmas, he has more important goals in mind… like finally winning over his best friend’s little sister, the super-smart and kinda-scary Abbie Farrell.

When a blizzard leaves Will and Abbie alone at Grandma Farrell’s house (if bunking with 27 pets counts as ‘alone’), it’s the perfect opportunity to pull off a Christmas miracle. Convincing clever, frosty Abbie to give Will a chance will take more than mistletoe, but hiding his lifelong crush on her is no longer an option.

Source: Goodreads

Hibbert’s Wrapped Up in You is an incredibly adorable friends-to-lovers romance novel, a heartfelt story about friendship and trauma and love. This was such a fast read, I honestly couldn’t put it down!

Abbie’s so sassy and blunt, making me laugh literally right from the beginning. But she also has a huge heart behind that tough exterior. And Will’s literally the biggest sweetheart ever! He’s kind and caring, wanting to do what’s best for his friends and family. It was such a fun experience watching them explore their deeply rooted feelings for one another.

Hibbert has a knack for addressing sensitive and tougher topics in a respectful manner. Abbie’s anxiety and trauma from a past abusive relationship are definitely focal points of the novel, reasons for Abbie’s hesitance in pursuing anymore relationships. Abbie learns that her anxiety shouldn’t define her life throughout the novel, and seeking help is important. But Will’s response to her anxiety just melted my heart, especially as someone with an anxiety disorder. Rather than wanting to FIX her, he just wants to be with her no matter what, to learn how to understand her anxiety. It’s a beautiful way to put it.

The one setback with the number of topics discussed in Hibbert’s novella is it felt too much. Abbie and Will’s friendship to lovers story felt really rushed, especially with YEARS of friendship and angst explored between the two. Abbie’s anxiety and trauma also felt sped over, with loose ties left undone. This honestly would have made a FANTASTIC full-length novel.⁣
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Though it seems to be advertised as a holiday story, the Christmas vibes were lacking a bit (much to my disappointment). The cover’s Christmasy and the story takes place during the Christmas holidays, but that’s pretty much it. There was a snowball fight though!

 OVERALL

Well, Hibbert’s done it again. Wrapped Up in You completely melted my heart! The MCs are so charming and the story’s so wholesome. Even the few side characters really brought the story to life, making me want to explore their backstories even more. I can’t wait to read more of her books.

I recommend this novel if you enjoy: friends-to-lovers trope; serious undertones; short stories; multiple POV novels; happy endings.

Discussion time!

I’m so glad I started reading Talia Hibbert’s books! Hopefully, I can get around to reading more of her books in 2021. Who are some new to you authors you’d like to read more from in the new year?

 

 

 

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