Unwrapped By Him

by Emma Lee-Johnson

Avery Kane has always felt invisible and constantly outshone by her older sister, Shannon, who seems to have a perfect life. Being alienated by some of her friends after dumping her cheating boyfriend and navigating her parents’ messy separation has her head in a spin, but the final straw is her latest exam results, which confirm she is failing her degree at university. All she wants is to be happy and for one person to look at her like she is the only girl in the world.

With her life spiraling out of control, the last thing Avery expects is to reconnect with her childhood best friend who vanished off the face of the earth several years ago. Marley Jacobson looks nothing like the teenage boy she last saw. He was once a sweet young man who made her feel seen, but his absence crushed her. Though Avery wants to keep her heart guarded and protected, there is no denying the chemistry between them. If only she knew Marley’s reasons for returning and if she can trust him not to vanish again. In the meantime, he seems intent on unwrapping all of Avery's layers, especially the ones protecting her fragile heart.

Can Avery take a chance on Marley this Christmas?

199 pages, Paperback

Published October 16, 2025

Reviews

[Elizabeth Fowler · Rating 4 out of 5]

If good reads allowed 4.5 that would be my rating instead. Truthfully though this doesn't rate as high as her other works for me, so I can't give it the full 5 stars. While I absolutely loved the characters some of the intimacy scenes threw me. Marley's description of eating her like a "certain bear that loves honey" 😭😭😭 ma'am I love you but I closed the book and did something else for a while.

[Marcia - itsabookthing2021 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading Unwrapped By Him. This second chance love story gave me all the cosy feels. I really loved the direction it went in and thought Marley and Avery were the perfect fit. I really enjoy Emma Lee Johnson's writing style, she makes everything and everyone seem relatable and the way the storyline plays out feels believable. The characters are created with a realism which makes the reader connect, they're relatable which makes the story resonate more and you find yourself rooting for the main character to get his girl! I loved the interactions between the character and how the romantic connection or the steamy scenes didn't feel forced. Everything in this novel seemed natural and felt it developed organically. The only jarring thing (not bad fyi) for me was in the five years later epilogue... Excuse me? What happened?! I do need book 2 now 😆

[Rachii · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely amazing Christmas romance 🥰 said you love a school friends to adult lovers romance then this is definitely for you! Thank you Emma for another amazing book 🥰

[Kerri Jenkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marley is a possessive cinnamon roll and I love it! He has always known what and who he wants. Such a sweet christmas story, definitely a must read for the festive season