PMJ acquires 'uplifting and magical' Christmas romance from Bell

Penguin Michael Joseph has acquired Emily Bell's Christmas love story, Baby It’s Cold Outside.

Editor Rebecca Hilsdon acquired world rights from Rowan Lawton at The Soho Agency. The novel will be published in e-book and audio on 2nd September, with a paperback to follow on 14th October 2021. 

Set across London and Dublin, the novel will follow Norah who, 10 years earlier, met and fell in love with Andrew. Fate pulled the two in different directions but not before they made a promise to one another: if they are still single on Christmas Eve in 10 years they'll meet under the clock on Grafton Street in Dublin.

Hilsdon commented: "I am so excited to be publishing this beautifully written, uplifting and magical Christmas romance which has an ending that blew me away. It has been a delight to work with Emily over the last few months, and I can't wait to see this novel bring a spark of joy to the world this Christmas."

Bell said: "I wrote this book to celebrate everything we’ve missed lately, like travel, seeing friends, live music and of course romance! It’s been a joy to work with Rebecca and the team."

Baby It’s Cold Outside is the author's first title published as Emily Bell, but she has previously been published under a different name.