What a sweet read! Wrapped Together is a mix between friends-to-lovers story and an enemies-to-lovers novel.

It's impossible not to love Sawyer and Hollis, their chemistry and how they try to resist the obvious chemistry between them. Their story and struggles are very human and believable, and the sexy scenes could make anyone sweat. It's an easy-to-read novel to read during the holidays, full of sweetness and nostalgia.

A super sweet story by Annabeth Albert.. Adorable holiday read with Hollis Alcott and Sawyer Murphy. I liked the chemistry of Hollis and Sawyer. Their relationship was like the build up to Christmas with so much hope and love. Quick and delightful read and I wished it was longer.

Hollis Alcott has hated the holiday season ever since his parents died. His sister and her extended family always include him in their celebrations, but this time of year is still too painful for Hollis. Hollis owns a stationary store in Portland, and when the other shop owners plan a window decorating contest, Hollis has no interest in participating. But when storeowner Sawyer Murphy bets him that he can win, Hollis can’t help but agree to the competition. The men have known each since they were teens. In fact, Sawyer’s twin brother is married to Hollis’s twin sister. Sawyer knows Hollis can’t resist a bet, and gets him to agree to this small bit of holiday cheer.

As the season continues, the men end up spending more time together. As much as he tries to keep his distance from Sawyer, Hollis can admit to himself that he is attracted to the man. But Hollis doesn’t feel like he is entitled to real happiness after his parents’ death; it seems like a betrayal. Not to mention he isn’t interested in a relationship, and even if he was, Sawyer is not a good bet. He has a short attention span and moves from man to man, and even though he seems interested now, Hollis knows it won’t last.

Yet, Sawyer isn’t giving up and is making his interest in Hollis clear. And Hollis finds he can’t resist the sexy man, especially when Sawyer expresses an interest in some of Hollis’ kinks. The sex is explosive, but more than that, Hollis is really enjoying spending time with Sawyer. He is helping make the holiday season a little brighter, and helping to ease some of the pain and loneliness Hollis has felt since his parents’ death. Sawyer is clear he is hoping for more with Hollis, something real and lasting. Now Hollis has to decide if he is willing to trust in Sawyer’s feelings and if he is ready to move on to a relationship and a future with the man he is growing to love.

Wrapped Together is a wonderful holiday story with the perfect mix of warmth and sexiness. Hollis starts out the book so cold and reserved. He lives a life of control and keeps himself removed from other people. Part of Hollis has always been this way, but he had a lot more joy before his parents died. Sawyer is full of life, lives with exuberance and happiness, and as the men spend time together, Sawyer helps Hollis regain some of his joy. Albert ties the growth nicely to both the joys of the holiday season, but also to the connection between Hollis and Sawyer, and to Sawyer’s ability to help bring a spark back to Hollis. I liked that Hollis doesn’t completely change his personality over the course of the book, and the couple has to find some compromise, but at the same time, we see Hollis making a lot of progress emotionally.

The warmth and holiday cheer is nicely balanced here with the heat between the guys. The chemistry between the guys is great from the start, but things get even more explosive when Sawyer begins to pick up on Hollis’ kinks for orgasm denial and bondage. We can see Hollis’ thrill at having his needs met, as well as Sawyer’s excitement as he explores this side of Hollis he has never seen. The guys are super sexy together and their connection is really great. The kink is very much on the light side, so no worries if that is not your thing. But it adds some really great spice to the story.

Wrapped Together is part of Albert’s Portland Heat series, but the story absolutely stands alone. Hollis and Sawyer are both store owners in the shopping district where some of the other stories take place, but other than a couple of small cameos from previous main characters, the book stands alone well and you can easily read this one without the others.

If you are looking for a holiday story with a nice mix of romance, sexiness, and holiday cheer, I can definitely recommend Wrapped Together.

Another super sweet story by Annabeth Albert.. Adorable holiday read with Hollis Alcott and Sawyer Murphy. As Hollis is still in the thick of grief his sister's brother in law an his ex-best friend Sawyer is trying to bring him out of it and fall in love with Christmas again. As well as more but Hollis has to believe first. I liked the chemistry of Hollis and Sawyer. Their relationship was like the build up to Christmas with so much hope and love.

Whenever I want something sweet and MM, Annabeth is always one of my go to authors.

Sawyer and Hollis…. Let’s chat about them, shall we?


Okay, Hollis, I wasn’t so sure about in the beginning. He’s a real “glass-half-empty” kind of guy. It was kind of annoying in the beginning because I just wanted to be like… NOT EVERYTHING IS TERRIBLE! Knock it off! Lol but, he great on me, once he started opening up a bit more and not taking everything so seriously.


Sawyer was his exact opposite, he’s more of a glass-half-full, kind of guy and he just wanted to break Hollis out of that tough nut that was so hard to crack. However, to get Hollis out of his “Bah-Humbug” type tude for the holiday’s, Sawyer drums up a bet that ends up getting pretty steamy when it comes to collecting on it. The kicker? Even though Hollis never recovered from losing important people in his life, he seems to keep his feelings all wrapped up tight, he’s been in love with Sawyer.


Doesn’t that just suck? Unrequited love or not so unrequited in this case, but secret love? Sigh…. I found myself rootin for them the whole time. Especially once we get to see a more vulnerable side to Hollis. I will say that, this is the first book of this series that I’ve read and I can’t believe I started out with the 5th one; it didn’t take anything away from anything though, I wasn’t lost or confused, so I’m assuming it’s okay to be a standalone.
And even more happy to report that there is no cliffhanger and it has a cute little HEA.


I really enjoyed this one and it’s right on time for the holidays.


I was given a copy of this book by the publisher for the promise of an honest and unbiased review. Anyone who knows me or reads my reviews, knows that all my reviews/rant are honest and unbiased, so take my word for it; if you want a little feel good, Christmassy read; don’t pass this one up.
If you’ve read anything by this author, you know you won’t be disappointed.


4 pieces of eye candy for me

Super cute opposites attract story. I was in need of a quick read, something set in the winter to get me through the hot summer days we've had lately, and this really hit the spot.

Annabeth Albert writes the sweetest stories and this one is no different. Hollis and Sawyer, two men, friends for years, both attracted to each other but neither willing to make a move, nor accept a move, at the same time. The contrast between Hollis and Sawyer is vast, Hollis with insecurities and vulnerabilities, quiet and introverted, versus Sawyer and his exuberance and whit. They're nothing like each other but fit together perfectly.

I loved the way the relationship built between the two, loved the way Sawyer did whatever he could to make Hollis happy, to bring him out of his shell. I love how Hollis was willing to open himself up a little bit at a time, even with his doubts. But what I enjoyed the most was the way they communicated to each other when it counted the most... when they really needed to talk and figure things out.

I enjoyed this very much. Recommended.

This is a wonderful story with several layers. Hollis is still mourning the loss of both of his parents. He hasn't moved on and doesn't even know if he wants to. Plus it's the story of a large extended family that includes Hollis' twin sister Char, her husband Tucker and his twin brother Sawyer. Char & Tucker have a 2 year old daughter and are expecting twins. These 2 sets of twins grew up together and Char and Tucker were high school sweethearts. Hollis has had feelings for Sawyer since they first met all those years ago, and is really afraid that Saywer's recent interest is just a passing whim and is afraid to let him in.

Such a wonderful story that contains so much more than romance.

This book was just ok to me. I love Annabeth Albert but this book was kind of meh for me. I don't know if it was that it was a holiday book or that it felt too rushed but it's the least favorite of the series for me.

This series just keeps getting better and better, can't wait for the next one!

http://redzworld.blogspot.com/2017/01/wrapped-together-by-annabeth-albert.html

A new favorite book and author! (5 stars)

As a reader who is still trying to find what she enjoys in the LGBTQIA+ romance offerings I've been managing to find some fantastic reads by following my gut instincts. After the exhaustion that was 2016 I found myself sitting down at the end of Christmas day with one of the holiday themed romances I hadn't managed to fit in reading before the holiday, WRAPPED TOGETHER. And I devoured it in one sitting!

Hollis and Sawyer could not be much more different which makes for a delicious rivalry that isn't quite enemies-to-lovers. They have an interesting history and with their siblings married it makes for a complicated attraction. I absolutely adored them both as individuals, fangirling away at their sexy, sweet journey to true love.

WRAPPED TOGETHER not only ranks up there as one of the best holiday season romances I've read but also as one of my romance favorites too. If you read romances of all flavors because you simply love love I think you will adore this one too. I literally finished this book and came straight to Amazon to start adding the rest of the series to my wishlist. I'm adding Albert to my authors to watch list and I can't wait to catch up on all of the Portland Heat novels.

Another great book by Annabeth in the Portland Heat series. A great friends-to-lovers story with Hollis and Sawyer jumping right off the pages straight into your hearts. Grumpy Hollis has every right to be depressed and unsocial during the holidays but out-going, fun-loving Sawyer will not have it this year. With a bet between the two and high stakes on the line, Hollis will have not only a special Christmas but finally someone who loves him and his little quirks.

I have loved Annabeth Albert’s Portland Heat series from the start and I’ve enjoyed this all but this book…sigh, this book is simply fantastic. Wrapped Together is liked being bundled up in my favorite blanket, with a mug of my favorite hot chocolate while sitting in front of a toasty fire; it’s comforting, it’s heartwarming, and it is exactly the type of gay romance that should be made into a holiday movie.

Friends since childhood and now thrown together on “family” occasions since each of their twin siblings married each other Hollis Alcott and Sawyer Murphy share history, memories, and now family. Hollis is stuck in his grief of losing his parents three years prior and the holidays are something he doesn’t give much thought to other than helping the customers of his specialty stationary store select gifts for loved ones and the care he takes in selecting the perfect gift for his niece, Aria. Hollis was always an introvert and not comfortable in large crowds or party situations and it’s only gotten worse since the accident. Sawyer is and extroverted out and proud man who has enjoyed life to the fullest and was best friends with Hollis’ twin all through school. Determined to help Hollis see the joy of Christmas again Sawyer challenges Hollis to a series of bets hoping to get closer to the man that shut him down the night of their twins’ wedding.

I really loved how different these two men were and Sawyer’s determination to help Hollis see past his grief and enjoy the holidays once again. The dates he arranged and the time he spent not only helped Hollis begin to see how closed off he’d allowed himself to become, but helped him to see that he was missing out on life.

There was so much history between them, yet they really didn’t know one another well as the adults they’d become and them exploring all facets of an adult relationship proved to be very eye opening and interesting and given Hollis need for order and control in his life, I wasn’t at all surprised by his need to be dominated. The fact that Sawyer figured it out quickly and was more than willing to give Hollis everything he needed was just the icing on the Christmas sugar cookie. There were a few moments of doubt and honestly given the fact their families were so intertwined I could understand the hesitance, but overall this was a pretty low drama story.

Warm and cuddly, yet scintillating and sexy I absolutely loved Wrapped Together.

This book was an excellent exploration of grief, kindness, and community that warmed my heart, even as I went to this holiday season as uninterested in celebrating as Holland. Holland's grief was handled with the deft hand of someone who understands the feeling (or at least is remarkably empathetic to those who have experienced it). Even so, the novel managed to stay mostly light and delightfully fluffy. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a light, pleasant read to get them in the mood for the holidays.

I came to this book without realizing that it was 5th in a series, but like many of the LGBT romance series that are all set in a town or friends group, but individually focus on a couple or threesome relationship rather than a continuing story, the plot was at no point confusing or difficult to follow.

Shannon C’s review of Wrapped Together (Portland Heat, Book 5) by Annabeth Albert
Contemporary Gay Romance published by Lyrical Shine 06 Dec 16

I know, I know. This is a review for a holiday novella. The time to have written this up would have been last month, when it was still relevant. What can I say? I’m behind on many things. But I promise you, Annabeth Albert writes the kind of books that are like wrapping up in a comfy fleece blanket, no matter what time of year, so you should read it anyway.

This is the fourth novella in Albert’s Portland Heat series, which focuses on small business owners in Portland. The author is clearly from that area, or at least has spent lots of time there, because the city itself is as much a character as any of the humans. All the novellas stand alone just fine, and this one is no exception.

Our two leads are competing stationary store owners… and are related by marriage. Hollis is quiet, introverted, and a little fussy. Sawyer is loud, outrageous, and a total flirt. They’ve been circling around each other for years, mostly not getting together due to Hollis’s hangups. The holidays are notoriously difficult for Hollis, as they are for many of us, and Sawyer decides it’ll be his mission in life to give him a good dose of Christmas spirit.

Not much happens in this novella, but that’s OK. I adored the leads. Sure, Hollis is fussy and something of a stuffed shirt. But he also needs a hug and a cup of hot cocoa. And I loved how Sawyer recognizes that Hollis is never going to be the life of the party that he is and finds fun, introvert-friendly things that they can do to capture the Christmas spirit. The conflict comes about mostly because Hollis won’t get out of his own way, and I enjoyed watching Sawyer slowly wear him down into accepting that he is worthy of love.

Annabeth Albert has an impressive backlist. I haven’t run into a book of hers that I haven’t liked, and this is certainly no exception. If you’re looking for a holiday treat, give this one a try.

Grade: A

Post goes live 25 Jan

I’d read another book in the Portland Heat series and was intrigued to see what this one would be like. Now that I see where the push line is, I think I’ll go back and reread that book.

What do I mean push line? It’s the spot in the story for me where I start rooting for the characters. For me, that didn’t happen until 50% of the way through. Up until that point, I wasn’t sure about Sawyer. The story is told completely from Hollis’s point of view so we see everything from his very narrow view point. The issue with that is he doesn’t explain his narrow view point until 50%. Once he does, I understood who he was and why he saw people the way he did. And only then did I start rooting for the two men to get together.

So why 4 stars? Because the story left me with an “Ahhhh” at the ending. It’s a basic romance – and by that I mean nothing really goes on except the romance itself: it’s the whole drama/emphasis of the book. But by the end I was rooting for Hollis and Sawyer. And when the ending came, I even got a little teary.

After all, if Hollis can find his HEA, maybe there’s a chance for all of us who wonder where Mr. Right is :)