Reviewed by Taylin

TITLE: Wrapped In Red

SERIES: The Just Friends Series #2

AUTHOR: Rebecca James

PUBLISHER: Self Published

LENGTH: 60k, Pages N/A

RELEASE DATE: November 22, 2022

BLURB:

Wrapped in Red is a sweet, slow-burn, friends-to-lovers MM romance with college-aged characters and no explicit content.

At Christmas, anything seems possible.
University student Duri Jeong has been hopelessly in love with his friend Mac since they were freshman. Unfortunately, the handsome football quarterback is never without a girlfriend. Well, except for every year around Thanksgiving when, like clockwork, Mac breaks up with whatever girl he’s dating and remains single through the New Year. Duri knows he’s the wrong gender for Mac, but that doesn’t stop his heart from dreaming, especially around the holidays. However, even after a wonderful summer spent with Mac at his home in Nags Head, Duri can’t ignore the girlfriend issue. And he’s only got one Christmas left to make Mac see him as more than a friend.

Every November, Mac Murdock breaks up with his girlfriend at the time to avoid the romance and pressure of the holidays. He finds the festivities are more fun spent with his group of friends, especially cute and affectionate Duri. At the end of junior year, when Mac finds out that Duri has nowhere to go for the summer, he brings him home with him; and, unexpectedly, their friendship solidifies into something Mac has never had before–and doesn’t fully understand. As fall drifts into winter and Duri begins spending time with other guys, Mac has to question the feelings of jealousy stirring within him. Thinking it might clear up his confusion, Mac asks Duri to go with him to the Christmas party. He isn’t prepared for the version of his shy little friend the night presents him with.

REVIEW:

Petite Duri knew that his friend and quarterback, Mac, was a good guy, but he’d never be his guy. Mac was a straight man who picked up a new girl at New Year’s and broke up with her by Thanksgiving. However, this serial habit and Mac’s protectiveness over Duri gave the young Korean man hope. But was it a fool’s hope?

For the classic theme of the gay man falling for the straight guy, this is a delightfully different story. I intended to read a few chapters, put it down, watch some TV, and then return to it the next day. Several hours later – TV ignored – I was still reading and only the later hour, work the next day, and extreme tiredness made me put it down for the night.

The story is told in the first person from the viewpoints of Mac and Duri, and other than the odd easily missed typo was technically sound. College is the overall setting, though the focus remains on the more personal out-of-class scenarios. These included humanitarian works, frat house events, sledding, and interactions between friends. One aspect that I found refreshing was that hormones were left on the sidelines (kissing – yes, sex – no) in favor of emotional scenes that highlighted the connection between Mac and Duri and the journeys they took to one another.

Duri is adorable. He has problems with his family and needs to learn independence. He is on a mission to face his fears and overcome them. All were portrayed with realistic reactions that many will relate to. Duri is primarily supported and encouraged by his best friend Peyton (who is awesome), but others are in his corner – many of whom see Duri as a brother.

As already mentioned, Mac is a good guy and a privileged one. His interactions with Duri encourage him to appreciate what he has. Albeit he is somewhat blind where other aspects of his life are concerned (cough, Duri, cough). The extended cast contains a range of characters, including family and university students, from the geek to the jock, the nice guy to the homophobic ass.

Wrapped in Red is a slow-burn, low-heat story containing a splendid range of situations. Mac and Duri go on a journey of self-discovery that covers a range of emotions, and all nicely transferred from the page to my heart.

RATING:

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