Book review: Wrapped up in You by Carole Matthews

A Christmas fling, or has Janie found the real thing?

Thirty-something hairdresser Janie Johnson’s single status is a constant source of gossip for her friends and clients. So after too many nights in with her cat, a blind date disaster and news that her ex is getting married, Janie realises it’s time to do something dramatic with her life.

It’s time for an adventure!

Leaving winter behind, Janie takes the plunge and books an exotic trip to Africa. Her friends think she’s mad and Janie thinks they may very well be right… but then she falls head over heels for her tour guide – and fully fledged Maasai Warrior – Dominic. But can Janie now face spending a snowy Christmas back home without him?

It’s no secret that I love Christmas and every year I make sure I have a collection of Christmas reads to see me through November and December. This year I’ve started my Christmas reading early with Wrapped up in You and what an excellent start it is!

I was drawn into the story immediately and within pages I was hooked. Carole Matthews has a very warm and easy to read writing style and I found this the perfect book to curl up and escape with. Even though my situation is very different to the one that lead character Janie finds herself in I identified with her straight away. She’s the same age as me so I think that helped and I loved her mindset; she made me laugh from the start with her thoughts and banter. The story is written in the first person from Janie’s point of view which makes her even more accessible as a character and by the end of the book I felt like I really knew her and I was really hoping for a happy ending to her story!

Janie finds herself in a situation which will be familiar to many; having come out of a long term relationship and wondering if she will ever find true love. Fed up with her life after a run in with her ex who informs her that he’s getting married and about to be a Dad, Janie books a spur of the moment holiday; an African Safari. The story steps up a gear as Janie sets foot on African turf; Carole Matthew’s descriptions are vivid and the safari setting is refreshingly different for a Christmas novel. I loved the depiction of the developing relationship between Janie and Maasai warrior Dominic – it was so romantic but also felt very believable. Wrapped up in You certainly wins the prize for the most original couple in a rom com this year and through Janie and Dominic’s relationship the book explores the notion that true love can strike anywhere.

As Janie does, I found Dominic fascinating and enjoyed reading about a different culture and character. Matthews has certainly done her research (see her guest post earlier this week for more on that) and she handles the clash of cultures with style. Dominic’s perceptions and experiences of British culture certainly made me think. There is a strong theme of friendship running through the book and a good cast of supporting characters. I particularly liked Janie’s neighbor Mike and I enjoyed the way their relationship developed through the book. I liked the fact that Matthews kept me guessing to the end as to who Janie would end up with (if anyone!).

Although the book is set in the winter months and partly at Christmas, it is more about the relationship between Janie, Dominic and the supporting charcters than the festive celebrations and I think would make a fantastic read whatever the time of year. This is a story of true love, faith in your feelings and belief in soul mates. Definitely one for the romantics our there, Wrapped Up in You is an absolute winner in the winter warmer stakes. This is Carole Matthews nineteenth novel and I’m wondering why it’s taken me so long to discover her. I’ll certainly be reading more and am already looking forward to her next book which is out in May 2012.

5/5

I’d like to thank publisher Sphere for sending me a copy of this book for review.

Wrapped up in You is out now. You can find out more about Carole and her books at: http://www.carolematthews.com/