This book. This is why I love romcoms so much. Another warm and funny hug of a book from Kristen Bailey with no third act breakup, no monstrous villain or miscommunication, just a heartwarming and hilarious story about being yourself and being enough for that one person who really sees you.

The main characters are wonderful and flawed and good, but they have their demons. Break the Ice is genuinely, sniggeringly funny, in between moments of heartache, especially for Josh.

Phoebe has completed her uni studies and currently works in events.  She seems like a train crash to her family, and she plays up to this, even though she is the best person. She’s a party girl, outrageous and fearless, but so kind, and she leans into her extroverted nature while deciding what to do with her life. She’s just having fun and I LOVE her!

Josh Is a mathematician visiting from New York City and housesitting for Phoebe’s sister. He is not only serious, but also very proper. For him, free-spirited Phoebe is terrifying and at the same time magnetically appealing – he is transfixed by her, basically.

Phoebe agrees to bring the new rescue puppy (‘Steve’, after Stevie Wonder) to her dad’s house in Devon for Christmas to surprise her nieces. Josh agrees to come along (it’s a whole thing) and the three of them set off in a snow storm for what should be a five-hour drive to Devon. Shenanigans ensue as their road trip includes crashes and breakdowns, an overnight stay, Stonehenge, Steve getting lost, and found, and more.

At first Phoebe sees Josh as “very earnest and … super American, straight-down-the-line, always uses his blinkers … cleans his glasses …” while Josh looks at Phoebe and thinks “being in a relationship with someone like her would be like dating a very loud and uncontrollable parrot”. Slowly they reveal themselves and it’s lovely watching their opinions change and affection and attraction creep in.

After Christmas, Josh asks Phoebe to go with him to NYC for a New Years Eve party being hosted by his ex and her family. For me, the second half just sang – Phoebe’s excitement and warmth sold me on everything New York-ish: the food (can she eat!), strangers in the Met, walking in the snow, shopping in Bergdorf Goodman, movie scenes, basketball at Madison Square Garden, basically everything is snow-covered and sparkly and bathed in the light of Pheobe’s enthusiasm.

For an instalove story that takes place over a week or so, this has the best epilogue I’ve read in ages – fabulous!

Even though it’s lightweight and lots of scenes are played for laughs, the characters stayed with me and I’m still thinking about them days later. Readers who love sparkly, clever romcoms from writers like Katherine Center, Annabel Monaghan or Mhairi McFarlane, try this! It’s steamy and funny and just adorable.

Thank you Kristen Bailey and Storm Publishing for the ARC. Opinions are my own.

Laura Black is a romance editor, reader and reviewer based in Queensland, Australia. You can visit me on Instagram @laura_black_reads