Reviewed by True
TITLE: All Wrapped Up
AUTHOR: C.F. White
PUBLISHER: Self-Published
LENGTH: 252 pages
RELEASE DATE: November 8, 2024
BLURB:
“Fancy a bit of elf-pleasure?”
Struggling actor Rick Thornton is on a downward spiral. Once a celebrated stage and screen star, scandal and heartbreak caused the roles to dry up. Persuaded by his agent to take a temp job as Santa at the local mall to get himself back in the game, he’s hit rock bottom.
Budding actor Jayden Collins is fighting to fund his drama school education. With no family to turn to, he’s left alone in his university digs over the Christmas holidays. But he’s landed the best temp job ever—playing the elf at the local mall’s grotto, spreading joy and gifts to the children. Especially as he’ll be starring opposite the Rick Thornton.
But Rick is a cynical, bitter shell of his former self, drowning his sorrows in alcohol and Jayden soon learns the truth behind the saying: never meet your heroes. As complaints stack up, threatening to close the grotto, Jayden and Rick must join forces to keep it open. Along the way, they uncover more about each other than meets the eye.
Beneath the glittering wonderland of festivities in London, Jayden and Rick are drawn together by more than just necessity. In each other’s company, they find solace, understanding, and an unexpected spark of romance, giving them both a newfound hope for the future.
But when Christmas is all wrapped up, will Santa still need his playful little elf?
All Wrapped Up is an Age Gap, Grumpy/Sunshine, Found Family steamy standalone MM holiday romance featuring a washed-up actor spiralling out of control and a care-experienced happy-go-lucky drama student desperate to change his fate.
REVIEW:
Rick is a forty-year-old faded actor without work, drinking and smoking way too much, and lying to his proud parents about non-existent roles.
There was a time when he had jobs, friends, a social life, lovers, a future, but now, he’s lonely and grumpy. Betrayal broke him down.
Jayden is a broke, final-year drama student at ULC, brought up in children’s homes and foster placements.
Even where everyone goes home for the holidays, Jayden stays at the U during the summers and the holidays, he has no place to call home.
He’s the sunshine in this story.
The grumpy Santa and the ever-optimistic elf, the elf pokes the bear… ehh Santa. They are soothing for each others battered hearts and souls!
“Last Christmas” is a theme here, an emotional one.
With every chapter we get to know these men better, their characteristics, their ups and downs, their past, the awful amount of hurt both been through, their present and we have a look at their future, because dang they deserve and beautiful future together.
This author writes the best stories, with rich layered characters and emotions all over the pages.
RATING: 
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