Originally published: 2 September 2021 (ebook); 14 October 2021 (Paperback)

Author: Emily Bell

Published by: Michael Joseph

Genre: Christmas Romance

Length: 352 pages

Listening Dates: 29 September-2 October 2021

FATE PULLED THEM APART BUT NOT BEFORE THEY MADE A PROMISE.

TEN CHRISTMASES LATER, WILL THEIR WISH COME TRUE? . . .

As Norah battles through the bustling December crowds, she hears the notes of a song that transports her back to the most romantic week of her life.

After meeting on a blissful holiday, but knowing they had to part, a boy named Andrew made her a promise:

If they are both single on Christmas Eve in ten years’ time, they will meet under the clock on Grafton Street, Dublin.

Norah has no idea if he will remember, but she has nothing to lose.

So, hoping for a Christmas miracle, she heads to Dublin. To that clock. And, maybe, to Andrew.

But it wouldn’t be Christmas without a few surprises . . .

Is October a little early for a Christmas read? Not for me – this year I am all over Christmas and romance so Baby It’s Cold Outside by Emily Bell was the perfect book to kick off my Christmas countdown!

Norah is a in a bit of a rut – she has fabulous friends and a job she enjoys as a music teacher but her own aspirations for be a singer have taken a back burner, she is mourning the death of her dad and she hasn’t had any romance in her life for a while. When her mum lets her down at Christmas, Norah decides she should revisit a past love. 10 years ago in Verona she met Andrew, a musician and they had a strong connection but the timing wasn’t right. When they part, Andrew makes Norah promise to meet him on Grafton Street, Dublin if they are both still single on Christmas Eve 2019 to see if they still have a connection and Norah is hopeful they can pick up where they left off…

Knowing how ridiculous the whole thing seems, she persuades her friend Joe to come with her and the pair of them head over to Dublin for Christmas, so Norah can see if there is anything between her and Andrew and maybe find her happy ever after.

What I absolutely adored about this book was the locations: from a holiday romance in the beautiful Verona to a cosy Christmas in Dublin, with the lights, smells and food of Christmas. I guessed the outcome quite early on but I still very much enjoyed the cosy Christmas feeling and romance of this lovely book.

An utterly charming and heart-warming read, I highly recommend Baby It’s Cold Outside to get you firmly in the festive spirit.

Thank you to Kallie for sending me a proof copy of the book. Check out the rest of the blog tour below:

About the author:

Emily Bell grew up in Dublin and moved to London after university. She has had various jobs including tour guide, bookseller and pub singer, and now writes full time. She lives in north London with her husband and daughter.