Love this latest from Emily Bell
Brilliant mix of Christmas, summer holidays, student life, wisdom, warmth and life experience.
Norah Jones has been left high and dry for Christmas this year, when her mum chooses to go on a retreat instead of having a family Christmas. One of her best friends Joe comes with her to Dublin on a mission to reunite with the love of her life from 10 years ago.
Poignant and moving depiction of family relationships and friendships. Although very slightly predictable, it was in a good way, and just as enjoyable.
Loved reading this, and recommend highly.
Thank you to NetGalley for the early read

💭 ᴍʏ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛꜱ:
This is such a sweet story. An absolutely Christmas feel good book. Also, I loved how it plays out in Dublin! There was a lovely background built up for all characters involved. Giving a little bit more depth to it than a standard romance story. This book reminded me quite a bit of my own love story, so it felt so real and loving.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🤓 ʀᴇᴀᴅ ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ʟɪᴋᴇ:
Friends to lovers
Christmas miracle
Good background stories

ꜱʏɴᴏᴘꜱɪꜱ:
𝘈𝘴 𝘕𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘩 𝘣𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘦, 𝘺𝘦𝘵 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯, 𝘵𝘩𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘋𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘥𝘴 𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘴𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘯𝘶𝘮 & 𝘔𝘢𝘴𝘰𝘯, 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘣𝘶𝘴𝘬𝘦𝘳'𝘴 𝘴𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘴 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘬 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦. 𝘓𝘢𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯 𝘐𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘯 𝘴𝘬𝘺, 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵, 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 𝘈𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘸 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘦.

𝘚𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵'𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘰. 𝘛𝘰 𝘋𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘯. 𝘛𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘤𝘬. 𝘏𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘮𝘢𝘴 𝘮𝘪𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘭𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘈𝘯𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘸. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥𝘯'𝘵 𝘣𝘦 𝘊𝘩𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘮𝘢𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘢 𝘧𝘦𝘸 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘱𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘴 . . .

Two young aspiring musicians meet in Italy and agree to meet in Dublin 10 years later….

Although I felt it was was slightly predictable in parts, this book is very well written. Once you’ve started, you are engrossed in the book and towards the end I was torn in knowing what happens but also not wanting into end.
The detailed way the author writes ensures you like all the characters, and the way the author describes Dublin makes you fall in love with the place without even visiting.

It is an easy read, and perfect for those December months.

I would be interested in reading more from this author as she has a good style of writing.

We've all heard the "if we still know each other on 10 years let's meet" agreement.
Norah and Andrew made that pact after a brief fling 10 years ago.
Now it's the eve of the meeting and Norah has travelled to Ireland with her friend Joe.
A little predictable from around half way, but a good story nonetheless.

A Christmas romance, very predictable and slow going but easy read.
Norah meets Andrew in Italy she extends her holiday to spend more time with him, they vow if still single in 10yrs they will meet up in Dublin on Christmas eve.
Norah has bad luck in love over the years so is desperate to meet Andrew in Dublin, being nervous she takes her old friend Joe with her, Joe doesn`t want Norah to be disappointed if Andrew doesn`t turn up so is happy to go along with her.
A very predictable but happy ending.
Norah can be irritating at times.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Norah met Andrew in Italy 10 years ago, the timing wasn’t right to start a serious relationship and so they agreed to meet in Andrew’s home town of Ireland in 10 years time at 6 pm on Christmas Eve. Baby It’s Cold Outside is a Christmas themed romance which is both heartwarming and up-lifting. The settings are beautifully described and in particular Ireland conjures up vivid images of a magical Christmassy atmosphere and will definitely make you want to visit. A compelling read you need to keep going to find out how it will end. This is a friends-to-lovers romance with a dual timeline, both past and present. I preferred the present timeline which I found much more engaging and preferred the relationship Norah had with Joe rather than Andrew.

There is a wonderful cast of characters, the lead characters are likeable and relatable and really well portrayed, as are Norah’s circle of friends and parents. The narrative is detailed and you learn so much about the complexities of Norah’s character with the flashbacks to her past. Joe is sweet, kind, gentle and it was lovely that he goes to Dublin to support his best friend should things go awry. The story sensitively explores the effects of a marital break up and grief felt at the passing of a loved one.

It’s fairly predictable we have a good idea from the onset who Norah will end up with but it’s a lot of fun getting there. Each chapter heading is a song title and it was a lot of fun discovering both the artist and song. This is a wonderful festive read, which is well written, well structured and will transport you to the beautiful settings of Verona, London and Dublin.

Thank you to the publisher for the eARC for review. My review will be published across my social media platforms nearer to the publication date and Amazon when published.

A charming story of Norah trying to find the love of her life. Despite this being pretty predictable, I still thoroughly enjoyed it! The characters were entertaining. Perfect for reading under a blanket on a winter’s day.

It may be getting colder outside but this romance has enough warmth and love and good old Irish charm to melt the most frozen of hearts. Make yourself comfortable and enter into the world of music teacher Norah Jones, who is currently christmas shopping, the festive season in full swing. A last minute hiccup in her arrangements for the big day together with the sound of a busker playing Joni Mitchell’s “River” is all it takes for her to be transported back in time to 2009 to Verona, Italy where she met a young man she’s never quite been able to banish from her mind. As the music drifts through the London air Norah is reminded of the promise her and Andrew made to meet up again in ten years time should they both be single. The Irish born Andrew suggested outside Bewley’s cafe on Grafton street Dublin as the venue for their reunion. The time 6pm on Christmas Eve 2019. Now with nowhere else to be Norah is seriously considering making the trip to the Emerald Isle with friend Joe in tow. What’s she got to lose? At least in the event of Norah being stood up,she’ll have had the opportunity to discover her father’s heritage in the company of a good friend but there still remains the possibility this Christmas Eve could be one to remember. It just might not be for the reasons she’s expecting!

Is Norah brave, foolish, hopelessly romantic or a mixture of all three? I settled on the latter as Emily Bell invites her readers to travel between the past and present revealing snapshots of both the younger Norah and her girlfriends Caroline and Kiran and the women they are today. I loved these comparisons between the naive, optimistic, full of hopes and dreams young Norah and the slightly more jaded grown up version emotionally scarred by grief and loss. It’s a unashamedly sentimental tale encompassing some of life’s big questions and the trials and tribulations we face along the way from unforgettable first loves, bereavement, finding your soulmate, to fate without destiny and learning how to live laugh, love and sing again!! This is a storyline whose heart beats in rhythm to the music that plays such an integral role in the lives of jazz singer Norah and music composer Andrew. Is their very brief but sweet love story either “a genuine connection or a romantic illusion?”That’s for you to decide as the author swaps the enchanting backdrop of Verona for the streets of London and Dublin.

It’s a shame the scenes in Italy are so short lived. Aside from wonderful visions of this medieval setting, I was loathe to say goodbye to the younger versions of Norah and Andrew who are clearly smitten with each other as they discover their mutual love for music, even if their tastes do differ. Drunk on the happiness their chance encounter has engendered I didn’t want their little bubble to burst!

Fast forward to Norah in the present day and it would seem the intervening years have done nothing to dampen memories of Italy and time spent with Andrew. Norah is one of life’s dreamers clutching onto an idealistic vision of love but in some ways I admired her decision to keep hold of those rose tinted spectacles. Who wants to succumb to cynicism and cold hard reality when you can lose yourself in dreams of a happy ever after? Yet I also felt pity and a degree of sadness for this lost soul whose head and heart are stuck firmly in the past, her memories a painful reminder of everything she’s lost. Surely though there’s a reason why Norah and Andrew’s paths have diverged never to collide again until (fingers crossed) ten years later? Whether or not you believe in those instant connections, those sparks of attraction that ignite into flames of passion and a lifetime of togetherness is almost immaterial. You can’t help harbouring hope that for Norah her dreams for everlasting true love lie just around the corner, but will her date with destiny be everything she’s wished for? This is a woman begging to be picked up and dusted off, a figurative needle stuck in the same groove. It’s about time she changes the record and lives her life singing to a different tune. Will Andrew be the man to help her do just that?

Whilst the narrative follows a familiar predictable path (I knew exactly how Norah’s story would end within the first few pages) there are elements in between that I absolutely loved. It’s Norah’s relationship with her father that for me is so heartwarming and that Emily Bell has captured so beautifully. As someone who’s always considered herself a daddy’s girl I understood the impact their special bond has in shaping both Norah’s younger and present day self. I liked the friendship that exists between Norah, Caroline, Kiran and Joe, all proving to be loyal, supportive, patient and good fun. I couldn’t fail to be swept up in the air of hopefulness and expectation that hovers over Norah however unrealistic and fanciful it appears to be. This is the stuff all good fictional romances are made of!

Even though this is a novel I enjoyed I didn’t fall 100% in love with these characters and the storyline (I was 75% of the way there!)the city of Dublin failing to cast its magic spell over this hard to please reader. For me the main characters didn’t sparkle as much as I longed for them to do and towards the end the storyline becomes a smidgeon too cheesy and cringey but I do accept that is par for the course. I’m not a fan of jazz (or opera) either although the love both Norah and her father feel towards this genre of music reminded me of childhood memories listening to my own father’s jazz records; a trip down memory lane is always welcome! If there was an accompanying playlist you could listen to whilst reading this novel I think that would definitely add to the ambience. In fact I downloaded certain songs mentioned as a soundtrack to writing my review so Emily Bell’s characters musical tastes rubbed off on me in the end!

Would it make a perfect Christmas movie? Most definitely! Overall this novel is incurably romantic, wistful, musical and depending on your age will perhaps make you feel nostalgic for your younger days. Since it’s set at Christmas time the narrative has that extra magical feel, taking you to a happy dreamy place that rarely exists outside of the movies. It’s one to cuddle up with, giving you the perfect excuse to indulge your romantic yearnings, destined to make you sigh with contentment and keep you warm on a cold winter’s night. For those readers who like authors such as Josie Silver, Jo Lovett, Kitty Wilson and Emily Stone (to name but a few!) this should fly to the top of your reading wish list. Well worth a read.

My thanks as always to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read in exchange for an honest review.

.Norah and Andrew share a blissful and unforgetable week in Verona. When its time to leave they promise to keep in touch but to met in 10 years time in Dublin on Christmas Eve..
Norah is let down at the last minute by her Mum so decides to go to Dublin with her best friend Joe.
Will Andrew be there or will she realise what is right under her nose? Will it end in tears?

A lovely Christmas read, two friends, can they become lovers ? This is a real curl up warm and cosy novel and very well written, I can't wait for Emily to write more books as I will be looking for them. 5 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for this e ARC

I loved this Christmas book a lot!

It’s a super sweet friends to lovers story with the most beautiful setting of Dublin. It painted Dublin in the most stunning light and I was ready to hop on over there for Christmas festivities as soon as I’d finished reading it!

I love the premise of this with the ‘one that got away’ and the ‘meet me in X amount of years pact’ too.

I was rooting for Norah and Jo and Andrew all the way through and I’m so happy with how the ending went, it was romcom perfection!

I read this in a day and it’s the absolute perfect book to read at this time of year, it’s Christmassy and heartwarming and I just really loved it!

It’s on sale for 99p right now on Kindle

Here is the blurb…
“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 . . .”

P.a It’s set over Christmas but does have many flashbacks to other times of the year✨

Advanced copy from Netgalley

I ADORED this book. Right from the first chapter it drew me in and kept me enthralled until the end.
A heart warming book full of everything, friends, holiday romance, laughter, tears., music and falling in love. A perfect read for when the cold nights draw in.
I definitely cannot wait for the next book by Emily Bell and for anyone who looks a book that makes you feel warm inside - this book is a must!!

A sweet, engrossing and compelling story that made me smile and root for Norah.
There's a moment in your life when you look back and want to relive feelings and emotions like in the past.
Norah is a likeable character even if she's a bit too focused on the past to see the current opportunity.
The descriptions of Dublin were lovely.
My only note is that there were too many flashbacks and this made me the plot less compelling.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

A heart-warming story of love lost and found. Norah's Christmas plans have fallen through at the last minute. Flashback to 2009 when Norah and boyfriend Andrew were musicians. Their careers had separated them but they had an arrangement to meet ten years later in Bewdley's Cafe in Dublin on Christmas Eve. It's now 2019 but Norah is happy with her new life as a music teacher. She wonders whether to bother making the long journey from London and if Andrew will actually turn up. Her arty friend Joe says he'll go with her for moral support. How will she feel when she meets her old flame? Will their romance be rekindled or will there be a new light in her life? Love all the references to songs of the era.

Not everyone is meant to stay in your life forever. Sometimes they are only there long enough to teach you the lessons that you needed to learn.' I think this quote really does sum the book up nicely.

When Norah decides to take an unexpected chance on love and meet an old holiday fling on Christmas Eve where they had arranged ten years prior in Dublin everything changes.

A lovely book filled with holiday spirit filled with references to different types of music, beautiful Irish culture and references, grief and starting again.

I thoroughly enjoyed the flashbacks and they showed Norahs' growth.

The ending was very predictable and seemed to be wrapped up very fast but it was still an enjoyable festive book.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

#BabyItsColdOutside #Netgalley

#BookTour

This book is a wistful look back on a lost Summer romance that doesn't feel quite finished. With the promise of meeting on Christmas Eve in 2019, Norah drags her friend Joe along with her as she throws herself into finding her lost love. This story is a good exploration of what we think love should be versus what it actually is. The idea of what ifs and what could have been is a key theme here.

Though Norah is going to find Andrew, she ends up finding herself and once she does, she realises that sometimes love is right under your nose.

Norah has a lot of unprocessed trauma from losing her Dad. One of my favourite things about this book is the soundtrack. Yes, Norah is a singer and her dad loved music - owning a rather large and impressive vinyl collection, so she was raised on it. The music and songs mentioned in this book are wonderful and if you have a listen to it, you feel a real sense of connection to the characters. Joni Mitchell, Dusty Springfield as well as song great, classic Christmas songs - what's Christmas without Mariah. I thought that was lovely.

Aside from Norah finding herself, she also learns an important lesson. To live for right now. To not fret about what might happen and live each moment as it comes. Given the current state of the world (and the pandemic is mentioned at the end in terms of how the world is up in the air and everything is different and challenging), I think this is a really important message to send this Christmas.

Embrace every moment and enjoy it.

Teacher and sometimes singer, Norah Jones (no, not THAT one!) had a whirlwind holiday romance when she was in her early twenties. She's now in her early thirties and is questioning her life choices. But will a promise from that holiday romance to meet 10 years later on Christmas Eve in Dublin give Norah a second chance at romance and the opportunity to change her life.

This is an easy to read, heart warming story with some genuinely funny and touching moments. The plot is very guessable from the beginning but that's to be expected from this type of book. And it is still enjoyable!!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

This was a really cute Christmas really. I really enjoyed and the romance at the centre of the story. It has also left me wanting to visit Dublin at Christmas

Norah Jones (no not that one) is okay with being single but when her mum decides to go off to a retreat leaving her facing Christmas alone, Norah takes stock of her life.
Remembering a promise made 10 years ago to handsome Irishman Andrew she decides to take a chance that he also remembers they agreed to meet outside a café on Grafton Street on Christmas Eve 2019. Norah convinces her close friend Joe to go with her. She doesn't really think Andrew will be there and doesn't want to be left alone over Christmas in a strange city. Joe has no real plans so he agrees.
Comfortable in each other's company, they enjoy the sights and sounds of Dublin in the run up to Christmas Eve and Norah begins to wonder if she has built Andrew up too much in her mind.
The story is told in the present and in flashbacks to Norah and Andrew’s relationship and Norah and Joe’s story. It’s funny, moving and well written.

A really fun and festive feel good read.

I thought the romance plot was very predictable but it was still cute. On top of that we had some great characters, the main character was surrounding by a great group of friends and family, and interesting side topics such as grief and finding your way back from that.

The real star of the show as the atmospheric writing with fabulous descriptions of Dublin at Christmas time, filled with with that magical feeling you get at that time of year. It really did make me want to visit Dublin at Christmas!