Wrapped Up In Christmas

Wrapped Up in Christmas #1

by Janice Lynn

A gift of warmth
to heal two hearts…

Sarah Smith in Pine Hill, Kentucky has had her heart broken in the past. She pours herself into her work at church and into special projects—like making a quilt for a wounded warrior.

Bodie Lewis is lost. All he’s ever wanted was his career as an Army Ranger, but he was injured in an explosion that killed his brothers in arms. In the hospital, he receives a handmade quilt. Later, he sets out on his final mission: to find and thank its maker.

Bodie expected Sarah to be an elderly lady, not a lovely young woman. When she mistakes him for a handyman, he doesn’t immediately set her straight. Instead, he sets about repairing the home she’s turning into a bed and breakfast. Sarah’s presence and the spirit of the small town bring Bodie something he thought he’d left far behind on the battlefield: hope.

This heartwarming military romance includes a free quilt pattern from the Quilts of Valor Foundation and a new Hallmark original recipe for Cinnamon Swirl Bread.

Genres: Christmas, Romance, Holiday, Audiobook, Contemporary, Fiction, Contemporary Romance

293 pages, Paperback

First published October 8, 2019

Reviews

[Natalia R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Former soldier, Bodie Lewis has traveled to Pine Hill, Kentucky to thank a woman named Sarah for a quilt he received from her through the Quilts of Valor Foundation. When he gets there, he is surprised to discover that Sarah is not the sweet elderly lady he had been picturing in his mind and when an opportunity to help her presents itself, he decides to take it. This is a very enjoyable, heartwarming Christmas romance. Reading a book or watching a movie from Hallmark makes me want to curl up on a sofa with a hot cup of tea and a blanket. I loved the small, tight-knit community of Pine Hill and all of its kind, eccentric residents. Sarah and Bodie were wonderful characters and I enjoyed seeing their love for each other grow throughout the book. If you're a fan of Hallmark Christmas movies then you will definitely enjoy this book. Thank you to NetGalley and Hallmark Publishing for this ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.

[Cara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wrapped Up in Christmas by Janice Lynn is a sweet small town Christmas romance. I absolutely adored this story so much, the characters had my heart<3, I was hooked from the very first page and couldn't put it down. Janice Lynn is now one of my many favorite authors and I will continue to read her other books. So, Janice thank you for having my heart in these stories.

Bodie Lewis wants nothing but to serve his country, but when an IED hits his humvee and injuries him and kills his brothers in his arms, he feels nothing but guilt. Bodie believes he shouldn't be alive, but when he receives a very special quilt everything changes. Bodie is set on a mission to go to Pine Hill Kentucky and find the very special person who made him this quilt, when Bodie arrives and finds Sarah, he is shocked how young she is, Bodie thought Sarah was to be someone older. Bodie is not a holiday person, so when Sarah gets all Christmassy, he finds her a joy to be around. Bodie is set to find Sarah and leave Pine Hill very fast.

Sarah has felt nothing but so much pain in her life. Sarah never had a mother figure in her life until her Aunt Jean took her in because Sarah's mother died. When Sarah's Aunt Jean passes away Sarah is determined to get Hamilton House all fixed up and ready for business, but when all her handymen disappear she's at a lost and doesn't know what to do. When Bodie arrives Sarah thinks he saw her help wanted ad. Bodie has decided he wants to help Sarah repair Hamilton House and tell her the truth why he's really there.

[Wendy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I tried, I really really tried, but I just could not finish this book. I got halfway through it but it just seemed to go and on and on forever with nothing happening. I know it's a holiday book and holiday books/movies are super mushy sweet (thinking Hallmark movies here) and I like a fair dose of sweetness during the holidays but this one put me into a diabetic coma. I mean using "Christmas candy canes" as swearing?? Don't get me wrong, I'm glad there were no curse words in a Christmas novel but no one and I mean NO ONE is as syrupy sweet and perfect as Sarah and that sweetness got extremely irritating VERY fast. I couldn't take any more. I know I am the minority here and I apologize to the author but it crossed the line from enjoyable to irritating and boring. Maybe if it was half as long, it would have been okay but over 300 pages was definitely too much.

[Deanne Patterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wrapped Up In Christmas is an uplifting small town romance from Hallmark Publishing.
Warm, uplifting ,clean and inspiring would be used to describe this holiday book.
Bodie had a quilt made for him while he was recovering from battle wounds and he travels to meet the woman who made it for him thinking it was an older lady. Meeting her it wasn't what he was expecting at all.
The story line plays out beautiful with the warm fuzzies.
I really enjoyed it and look forward to more by the Hallmark Publishing line.

Published October 1st 2019 by Hallmark Publishing
I was given a complimentary copy of this book. Thank you.
All opinions expressed are my own.

[JoAn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wrapped Up In Christmas by Janice Lynn is a sweet small town romance. Definitely the type of story that Hallmark is known to produce.

Bodie Lewis is a lost soul now that he has been discharged from the Army after severe injuries. Sarah Smith from Pine Hill, KY is a young woman who is happy in her small town and keeps herself busy with community service through her church and quilting for the Quilts of Valor Foundation. It's her quilt that Bodie received while in the hospital during his recovery. He comes to thank her for the quilt but remains in Pine Hill to help her thinking that's the best way to thank her.

The plot is smoothly paced with well developed characters and the quirky secondary characters in Sarah's life, the Butterflies. A feel good Christmas story that provided an easy afternoon read.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Hallmark Publishing via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.

[Kymber Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book by Janice Lynn proves once again why Hallmark is the go to for Christmas cheer. I literally could not put it down until I finally finished the book! It's not that it's a stupendous read, it's not, but it's fun, loving, and cheesy, and I absolutely loved it! I can't wait for more Christmas books put out by Hallmark!!

[Dawnny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brody Lewis, an Army Ranger injured from an explosion receives a hand made quilt while recovering in the hospital. When he gets released he sets out on a new mission to find the quilt maker and thank them. Expecting to find and elderly woman Brody is shock to find Sarah isn't elderly and very pretty. Sarah mistakes Brody for the handyman. He doesn't tell her he isn't the handyman but starts to do the repairs on the house she turning into a bed and breakfast. This is a military romance that is full of small town charm and romance. A touching story I enjoyed so much. Thank you Hallmark for another amazing read.
Dawnny-BookGypsy
Novels N Latte Review
Hudson Valley NY

[Gemma · Rating 4 out of 5]

This really reads like a Hallmark movie. Warm, romantic, funny, and packed full of love and festive cheer.
It was a delightful read.
I loved how the quilt storyline ran through the book, and Harry the adorable, well behaved dog was a lovely addition.

I perfect Christmas romance.

I voluntarily read and reviewed this book, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Alaina · Rating 2 out of 5]

I honestly don't remember this being a Hallmark movie, but then again, I haven't seen each and every one of them that has been made. So, maybe I should to a deep dark dive into their Holiday movie selection and watch this. As for the book, Wrapped Up in Christmas, well it was okay.

The characters were pretty interesting, and I wanted to find something likable or relatable. Unfortunately, that just didn't end up. I still kept reading though. Mostly because I wanted to see how things were going to end.

If I'm being honest here, I liked little things about both Sarah and Bodie. Their chemistry was pretty good, but Sarah's friends were a huge hit with me. In the end, it was a pretty cute holiday book, but I think I'll stick to Hallmark movies instead.

[Stacie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 "Very Sweet and Patriotic" Stars!

If you are looking for a sweet, wholesome, patriotic, small town America, Christmas read. This is for you!

Sarah and Brodie were both great characters. The Butterflies were a hoot. This was a super pleasant story. Happy reading!

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet romance that I enjoyed and needed to get my mind off the issues going on right now. This is the story of Sarah Smith, a young woman living in a small town in Kentucky. She is trying to turn her Aunt's house into a Bed & Breakfast. She has gone through several different handymen as they don't seem to take the care she wants in their work. Bodie Lewis is a veteran who has been released from the hospital after surviving an IED blast that kills the rest of his platoon. He was ready to give up on life, until the day that he received a Quilt of Valor. It gives him a reason to live and he wants to thank the woman who made it for him. When he arrives in Pine Hill, Kentucky, it is assumed that he is looking for Sarah to apply for the position of handyman. He decides that he can pay her back by helping her fulfill her dream and works on her home. As they work together, they begin to develop feelings for one another. What Bodie has been through causes a lot of baggage, and heartbreak in Sarah's life has her a bit mistrustful as well. Can they get beyond these feelings and realize that they can make each other happy?

I really enjoyed this story. I loved both Sarah's and Bodie's characters. They were fighting their feelings along the way, but they were too strong. It took awhile to realize how they both felt, but when one character keeps secrets from another, you know there is going to be a blow up eventually. Bodie is normally so honest, he is hardworking, loyal and caring, but once he pretends to be the handyman, he doesn't know how to tell the truth. Sarah is loved by everyone in town. She is always looking out for others and enjoys making them happy and doing unto others. The Butterflies were a delightful group. I enjoyed their different personalities and how they looked after Sarah and pushed her toward Bodie. This was a heartwarming story, that can be read anytime, even though it is set at Christmas. If you enjoy Hallmark movies, then you will love this story. I definitely recommend this one. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book upon request. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.

[Asheley T. · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5/5

This story has so many of the details and tropes that I usually love in sweet, small-town stories so I really should have loved it. But there are a lot of other stories out there like this one that pull at my heartstrings and make me feel emotionally invested in what the characters are going through. This one sadly did not and I was ultimately bored with it. It was too sweet and a bit longer than it needed to be.

[Living My Best Book Life · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wrapped Up In Christmas was a heartfelt holiday romance about the healing powers of love. The story follows Sarah Smith and Bodie Lewis as they work together to get the town of Pine Hills ready for Christmas.

Sarah is a dedicated and compassionate woman. She is always busy and doing special projects that are close to her heart. She loves working with her church and donating items to wounded warriors. She made a quilt for a wounded warrior that ended up in the hands of Bodie Lewis.

Bodie is a protector and defender. He was injured in the line of duty and is trying to adjust to his new life. In his darkest time, a quilt helped him heal. He knew he had to meet the person who made it so he traveled to Kentucky to meet Sarah Smith. He was looking for an older woman, but when he realized Sarah was around his age he couldn't keep his eye off of hers.

Bodie decides not to tell Sarah why he really came to Pine Hills and pretends to be the new handyman Sarah was looking for. As they spend more time together, their feelings grow stronger. Sarah teaches him to get into the spirit of Christmas by going to local festivals and decorating Christmas trees. He starts to enjoy the holiday season and realize that Sarah was put in his life for a reason.

Overall, I thought this was an adorable and heartwarming holiday romance. Another great one from Hallmark Publishing. I give Wrapped Up In Christmas 3.5 stars.

[Leo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was in a Christmas feel good mood and this definitely scratched the itch, a real heartwarming, festive and romantic book that puts you in the Christmas feeling. I loved the small town and quilt making for soldier theme to this.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted something with Christmas spirit. This was a light hearted romance that was predictable. I’m sure it should be a Hallmark movie!

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

In typical Hallmark fashion Janice Lynn’s book WRAPPED UP IN CHRISTMAS tugs at the heart strings.

Main character Sarah Smith passionately donates her time and energy in service to her community and church. Among other service projects, she continues her family’s tradition of making quilts for servicemen and donating them to the Quilts of Valor Foundation. When the recipient of one of these quilts arrives in her small Kentucky town to thank her, Sarah comes to understand the life-changing benefit of her handiwork.

Bodie Lewis, the soldier whose life was changed by Sarah’s quilt, wants nothing more than to show his gratitude to the quilt-maker and then to start a new life as a civilian. However, Sarah and Bodie predictably become wrapped up in a relationship that eventually leads to a healing of both their wounds.

In WRAPPED UP IN CHRISTMAS, Janice Lynn has cleverly designed a poignant patchwork of storylines that revolve around house renovations, the military, dogs, Christmas traditions, and even a recipe for cinnamon swirl bread.

The author blends a sweet Southern dialogue with descriptive prose. Her main characters’ compassion for others coupled with the good-natured shenanigans of a group of elderly women known as the Butterflies make this book a delightful read.

For anyone who appreciates wholesome family values, friendships, Christmas traditions, and the military, this book will not disappoint.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

- Received an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for a fair review -
A quilt brings together an improbable couple in this sweet romance about a handsome wounded warrior who feels an outsider and a woman all goodness and light living in a tight knit small town.
This is a light read, highly and unabashedly predictable, something like a small personal indulgence. I enjoyed spending time with Sarah and Bodie, Sarah’s friends and the small community of Pine Hill, Kentucky.
It is a trope widely told and retold – the wounded hero healed by the love of a good woman – and there are no surprises or detours here.
Writing Bodie as a character afflicted by survivor’s guilt and with no sense of belonging is an interesting contrast to Sarah’s steadiness and strong sense of community.
I found the focus on the Butterflies a bit dull and all that small town feeling left me kind of overwhelmed. Loved the dog, Harry.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is the earliest I have ever read a Christmasy book 🙊 But I was in the mood for something meaningful and feel-good, and this book was perfectly that. Wrapped Up in Christmas was such a sweet, Hallmarky story. It reminded me of the movie, The Christmas Card but with a different setting, cast of characters, and details. It was the same soldier comes to thank the woman who inspired him type of vibe though. The story was simple and wholesome in a nostalgic way. The characters felt so real and lovable. I especially loved Sarah's friendship with "The Butterflies". It was just so adorable to see an elderly group of ladies thrive so young at heart and continue a friendship with their late friend's niece. It emphasized the beauty of community and friends of all ages. It was a very sweet, quick read. Quite predictable and stereotypical Hallmark, but I find that relaxing and comforting so long as there's some depth and new beauty to the story too 😌

[Phylis Carpenter · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are looking for a book that makes you smile, laugh and cry all at the same time, this one's for you. I really enjoyed it.

Brodie is a at a rough patch in his life. He has just about given up any hope of coming through this when someone gives him a quilt through the Quilts for Valor program, he comes in to town to tell her thank you then meets her and decides to not say thank you but help her and then leave town.

Sarah made the quilt when she was at a rough patch in her life and it helped her to write the note that she wrote with it.

This is the kind of book that you find is so easy to give spoilers when you write the reviewer so I just think I will leave you with this. A great book that will not disappoint you. I really enjoyed reading the book and don't forget to check out the butterflies in the book they are awesome too.

[Isha Coleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wrapped Up in Christmas throws your heart for a loop. The heartache will either bleed you dry or uplift your soul. Lynn pulls a fast one on romance lovers. Sarah and Bodie may be central to the story, but it's the emotion that proves to be the star of the show. With every chapter author and characters bring a raw hopefulness that keeps your heart crying out for more.

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sarah made quilt for wounded vet. Bodie came to small town Kentucky to thank the quilt maker, but Sarah thought he's her new handyman. Bodie ended up renovating the old home for a bed and breakfast.
I like the Christmas romance story, but it felt longer than necessary.

[Linda Dunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quilt of Dreams

Who knew a Quilt of Honor could result in a charming story about bringing 2 people and the Town of Pine Hill together. Janice Lynn has and done so beautifully.

Bodie Lewis was a walking soul in pain and guilt. He was discharged from the Army with serious physical injuries. But he suffered much worse pain with the emotional backlash of his experiences in combat. The one saving grace was when he received a handmade Quilt of Honor and a note of encouragement from a woman that literally saved his will to carry on. His new mission was to find this woman named Sarah and thank her in person. Little did he know that his life would be forever changed after meeting her.

Sarah Smith brightened up the life of everyone she met. She had a luminescence quality about her that touched all around her. That is how Bodie felt immediately when he first meets her. Sarah herself was experiencing a loss, but she never faltered in letting herself give into the sorrow. She kept herself extremely busy so her thoughts would not linger on her sad thoughts. Sarah is such a strong person and I was drawn to her from the start.

This story also has humor in the second characters that appear in this story, namely "The Butterflies" and an adorable dog named Harry. This is a definite read, you will not be disappointed.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a sweet, wonderful Christmas book to listen to. Bodie was a brooding hero who was reeling from the emotional and physical wounds from his military service. Sarah was a kind and caring woman who Bodie felt he wasn't enough for. Their working relationship grew to friendship and then to more, but would it be possible for them to end up together?

I really enjoyed this story. The author created a wonderful community, full of sweet Christmas traditions and interesting and fun characters.

[Susan Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartwarming

Wrapped Up in Christmas will wrap you up with love and joy. Bodie and Sarah come from different worlds, and his life has been impacted by what he did and saw as a soldier. Sarah is warmth and light, exuberant and hopeful, but can she break through his barriers? I love the setting of this book, as well as the delightful supporting characters. This book will bring a big smile to your face, guaranteed.

[Joann M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hallmark has a book division. I am here for it!!

[Kara Doerksen]

Classic Hallmark

[Sarah TheAromaofBooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5* This one was... fine. It actually had a lot of the right ingredients, but for some reason I just didn't find it very engaging. Perfectly nice, but I don't see myself continuing the series.

[Yvonne Reynders · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fairly simple, proper Christmas romance. A Christmas Hallmark movie in book form. Easy to devour. ❤️

[Jo-Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

After an honorable discharge from the military, Bodie Lewis got a job at his buddy's security company. On his way there, he made a couple of stops. One was to thank the woman who made him the Quilt of Valor he received while in the hospital recovering from injuries he got from an IED. That quilt helped him get through some tough times and he wanted her to know how much he appreciated it. Expecting to find an older woman, he was shocked to see she was in her 20s. But before he could say anything, several older ladies assumed he was there to answer the young woman's handyman ad and started interrogating/interviewing him. Wanting to repay her kindness, he took the job.

With the main characters, Bodie was a wonderful hero and I couldn’t help sympathizing with him after all that he’s been through. Sarah liked doing community service projects with the church and loved working with her friends who called themselves The Butterflies. These elderly church ladies watched out for each other and were always ready to protect Sarah - whether she needed them to or not. I liked Sarah. She was so upbeat and positive all the time. Always thinking of others, she made quilts for the Quilts of Valor Foundation.

Sarah and Bodie had an interesting first encounter. There was definitely chemistry, but both were cautious about acting on it.

I enjoyed this sweet small-town romance with it's HEA that left me smiling.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Hallmark Publishing via NetGalley

[Bethany Vaughn · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a feel-good Christmas romance that was just a little too cheesy for me. If you love Hallmark movies, and don't mind a totally predictable storyline with conversations that are especially forced, then this might be a book for you.
Thank you to Hallmark publishing and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.