Snowbound with a Baby

by Melissa Senate

Snowy with a chance of love

Detective Reed Dawson should be looking for the mother who abandoned her infant in his office. But a freak snowstorm has him stranded and left to care for the baby with social worker Aimee Gallagher. Reed can see that Aimee is a caring person and a natural mother. But despite their ice-melting attraction, Reed’s painful past prevents him from getting involved. So why does he keep imagining their future as a family?

From Harlequin Special Believe in love. Overcome obstacles. Find happiness.

Dawson Family Ranch

Book 1: For the Twins' Sake
Book 2: Wyoming Special Delivery
Book 3: A Family for a Week
Book 4: The Long-Awaited Christmas Wish
Book 5: Wyoming Cinderella
Book 6: Wyoming Matchmaker
Book 7: His Baby No Matter What
Book 8: Heir to the Ranch
Book 9: Santa's Twin Surprise
Book 10: The Cowboy's Mistaken Identity
Book 11: Seven Birthday Wishes
Book 12: Snowbound with a Baby
Book 13: Triplets Under the Tree

Genres: Romance, Harlequin

288 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published September 26, 2023

About the author

I'm the author of many novels, including my debut, SEE JANE DATE (also available in cute TV movie form to stream). I write emotional, heartfelt romance novels for Harlequin Special Edition. I've also had two novels published under a secret pen name, but I will happily share if you message me to ask. I also wrote seven Special Edition novels under the pen name Meg Maxwell.

I'm a proud mom and animal devotee who lives on the southern coast of Maine. 3 new Harlequin Special Editions novels are coming in 2025 and also in 2026.

Reviews

[Gloria · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started pretty strong. A detective with a painful past finds a baby on his desk at work with a note asking him to take care of her for just a few days. A social services worker with a painful past is brought in to foster the baby, and they end up sharing the caretaking and grow closer.

However, the title is a bit misleading. They were only snowbound with the baby for about 18 hours by 8” of snow, then snow plows cleared it and life went back to normal. Well, not normal by normal standards. After 48 hours, the heroine was “falling in love.” By day 3, she was proclaiming him the man of her dreams and, when her sister asks why he’s the man of her dreams she expounds that he is always kind, always respectful, always supportive, etc. Really? “Always” means three days now? By day 4 she thinks this:

What she would give to marry Reed Dawson, the man of her every dream, and for the two of them to adopt Summer—the infant she loved with all her heart.

Other people start noticing they are “deeply” in love after hanging with them for an hour.

And the heroine wasn’t the only imbalanced one here: the hero was emotionally irrational too.

Long story short, it tanked.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book about two people with painful pasts who come together to care for an abandoned baby. Detective Reed Dawson arrived at work one morning to find a newborn baby on his desk and a note begging him to care for her "for a few days." Because of that note, Reed intends to care for baby Summer himself despite the efforts of social worker and foster mother Aimee Gallagher. When Reed joins Aimee at her home to discuss the matter, a freak snowstorm snows them in together.

I enjoyed watching Aimee and Reed's relationship develop as they cared for little Summer. Reed's ease with the baby impresses Aimee, but she also senses some turmoil. His past marriage made him wary of getting close to anyone, but Summer and Aimee didn't take long to sneak past his walls. Reed fights against his growing feelings for Aimee to the point where he makes a boneheaded decision near the end and almost loses her. He gets some good advice from his cousin, but the real eye-opening comes from a conversation with a new acquaintance.

Aimee also has a painful past, one that sent her on the journey to become a foster mother. I ached for her and the betrayal she suffered. She, too, doubts the likelihood of a successful relationship, but she doesn't let that stop her from her dream of becoming a mother. Her excitement at caring for Summer was evident, as was her disappointment at Reed's refusal to give up on her care. I ached for her as she fell hard for Reed and realized he would not return her feelings. I liked how she stayed true to her needs despite Reed's idea and held out for love.

The scenes of Aimee and Reed caring for Summer were sweet and realistic. I loved how Reed's experience showed Aimee the difference between the classroom and real life.

Part of the book covered Reed's search for Summer's mother. Her note implied she knew him, and I could feel Reed's determination to figure out who she was. I enjoyed seeing her story unfold. The resolution of her dilemma was terrific.

[Becky Tatar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Detective Reed Dawson gets to work and finds a new born baby on his desk, with a note addressed to him personally asking him to take care of the baby for a few days. But protocol says that Children's Services has to be called, and that would be social worker Aimee Gallagher, who has just passed all the requirements to be a foster parent. But Reed is reluctant to surrender the baby, arguing that the mom left the baby specifically to him. But while at Aimee's to discuss the issue, they are snowed in. And they fall in love. Aww.

I think this would be a little unrealistic even in a small town.

[Ann Manning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Second Chances!

A beautiful story of getting second chances, two people who are brought together by circumstances form a bond to provide protection and love for a innocent. This inspiring story of faith takes the readers through a incredible journey of emotions and a truly amazing romance everyone is sure to love.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Baby dropped off and stranger hanging around
Blizzard forced their proximity but trails made it better

Cheesy but good. A HEA of course