Baby It's Cold Outside

The cover of this book is absolutely fabulous, it instantly grabbed my attention. When I requested this book on Netgalley, I wasn’t aware this was part of the series that Kerry has wrote. This wasn’t a problem however, everything that needs to be explained is, and while I think it would add more depth to understanding the characters and what led to this moment, it doesn’t stop the enjoyment of this book.

This book is possibly one of the most wintery books that I have ever read. Even though winter is known as a cold season, especially in the book with all of the snow. Just thinking of the snow, and how picturesque it is I felt a warm glow, imagining being all snuggly under a blanket in front of a fire, or being out in the cold, but wrapped up in my winter coat, wooly hat and mittens. It makes me smile and the description of the setting of this book gets me totally in that frame of mind.

With no prior connection to Esme in the opening chapter or so I thought that she came across quite selfish when it came to her mother’s relationship with Douglas. I understand it may have been a shock, and hard to get used to but she didn’t even seem to try, she was quite rude to him outwardly and acted in a very teenager way, not like someone who is in their 20s. No one is perfect though, and this skepticism over Esme was soon dissipated when she was confronted with her Fiancée’s ex girlfriend, Tansy and Jamie’s five year old son, who neither Esme or Jamie knew about. Esme handled this so calmly, I don’t think I would have handled this situation so well. This warmed me to Esme. Overall she seemed lovely once you get to know her, and had the patience of a saint for most of it, especially in the face of wedding crisis, again I don’t think this would have coped with that either!

Harry and Louise were absolutely lovely, they were so close to Esme and a great support in her hour of need. I also really liked Tansy, other than a few mistakes (hey, who doesn’t make a few bad decisions?!) she seemed genuinely nice, it was hard not to like her, quite the opposite to the usual ex girlfriends you normally read about.

Parker, where do I start with Parker? I loved him. His quirky interests made for some great big smiles and he was incredibly smart for someone who was 5. The relationship between Esme and Parker developed really nicely and was quite touching at times.

This book was simply lovely and full of warmth , I cannot wait to read the rest of the series.

I hadn't read the first two books in the series, so I didn't catch on some of the parts of the past the were referenced in the book. I don't feel like that took anything away from this book though. The book was cute. The characters were interesting. Had some issues with trying to remember who they were, but I think if I would have read the first two books before reading this one it would have cleared it up. Overall the book was good and it made me want to read the first two.

I haven't read the other books in this series, so when I saw the blurb for this book, my first thought was "Oh, is Esme like Elsa in Frozen?"

In Baby It's Cold Outside, Esme and Jamie are finally getting married. However, Jamie's ex suddenly appears with a young boy in tow whom she claims is Jamie's son. Before things can get properly sorted out, an avalanche occurs, closing off the road that leads in and out of their town. This means that not only is Jamie's ex and son trapped with them, but a lot of their wedding supplies and suppliers won't be able to come. Can everything be fixed in time?

As it turns out, Esme and her family are witches and not an ice princess like Queen Elsa. On hindsight, not that surprising since the blurb does say "magical powers" and not "ice powers." So the whole book bears more of a resemblance to Bewitched than the beloved Disney movie. Not that I'm disappointed, though, as I enjoyed the book.

There were plenty of plot twists and spanners thrown in the works, but the book never felt dark or heavy. There was something about it, or maybe the characters, that made you feel like there really was nothing to worry about. It's clearly tailor-made for moments when you just want some light reading with a happy ending.

It's kind of funny, though, since the idea of your future spouse's ex popping up with a surprise child isn't exactly something that will inspire laughter in anyone. Esme's handling of the situation, as well as her feelings about everything, however, seemed realistic. Yes, some might say she had her selfish moments, but I felt that they were all within reason. That's probably why I liked Esme rather than was annoyed by her.

Esme's family was interesting as well. The family dynamics were fun to watch, and reading about all the things they did made me seriously consider moving to a small town for a little while just to see if it's as fun as they make it seem.

Thanks to NetGalley and Carina UK for the e-ARC.

THE GOOD:
Esme's reactions were realistic.
The secondary characters were all pretty likable.
It makes living in a small town seem like a must-try experience. 

THE BAD:
There are a lot of characters so you might get confused sometimes as to who those characters are. 

READ IT IF:
You come from or are part of a non-traditional family.
You like winter and everything associated with it.
You like stories featuring tight-knit families.

Although this is the third book in the series, it still works as a stand alone book as I hadn’t read either of the earlier books and still enjoyed this one. Esme and Jamie have planned their perfect wedding day after a romance that has had quite a rocky path. They’re returned to their mountain home, dreaming of a snowy white wedding. Unfortunately they get more snow than they bargained for and lots of things seem to be working against them actually being able to tie the knot! Esme, like most of her family, is a witch and she hope they will be able to use their magical powers to save the day but you’ll have to read it yourself to find out what happens - which includes an ex-girlfriend with a real surprise, a major avalanche involving some of the bridal party, roads being blocked by snow - cutting off their hometown from the deliverers of the bride’s and bridesmaid dresses, photographer, registrar and other key participants in the wedding! A totally nightmare scenario and a hilarious tale.

I recommend this to anyone wanting to escape to a wintery witchy romance. It is well written, with strong characters it is easy to relate to and a story line where you keep wondering what on earth can possibly go wrong next!?!

A Christmas romance with a bit of cosmic stardust in the midst! Esme is planning the perfect Christmas wedding to her fiancé. An avalanche threatens to spoil all of her plans. It cuts the town off from the world with a lot of the compulsory wedding elements the wrong side of the perfect day. To add to their problems – her fiance’s ex manages to turn up on the right side of the avalanche! She has a surprise or two up her sleeve. Will their perfect day ever happen now?
This was the third in a series and I hadn’t read the other two- but I’m keen to hunt them down now!
With many thanks to the publisher Carina Uk and Net Galley for a copy of this book

BABY IT COLD OUTSIDE BY KERRY BARRETT

THE BLURB 

For better or much, much worse...

Esme and Jamie have finally got their perfect wedding day planned. Beautiful snowy landscape – check. Amazing venue – check. Stunning dress – check. 

But when an avalanche seals off their gorgeous mountain hometown from the outside world, their dream day starts to look more like a nightmare. Especially when Jamie’s ex turns up on their doorstep with a surprise neither of them expected!

Whilst Esme’s magical powers can solve a lot of problems, it's starting to look like their big day is doomed! Is Esme and Jamie’s wedding simply not meant to be, or can they still make it down the aisle, against all the odds?

Could It Be Magic series:

Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered

I Put a Spell on You

Baby It's Cold Outside

WHAT I SAY  I just loved this cover it a pick up now cover it just makes you want to read 

You can read this as a standalone book it so easy to follow but this is the third book in the could be magic series i would say read the other first because you will just love  all the characters you want to know more about them and what gone on before 

This book a nice wintery romance it very well written  The characters are very strong you will love them all you will relate to them all  I loved all the snow in story  Esme planning the perfect christmas wedding bit there avalanche that could spoil the day  This avalanche cut the village off we got the bride on one side the groom on the other  What going to happen next it a lovely magical tale  We learn more about each of the characters strength the witchy elements work so well it not over done  We got a few  unexpected visitors and a few hiccups along the way just like all weddings it packed with drama it got lots of excitement and hitches along the way 

It a another fab story by Kerry i had enjoyed them all it will make you laugh  It fab read  5dolls (4stars)  Thank net galley for letting me read