Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Baby, It's Cold Inside

Rate this book
A trip to visit his boyfriend Nate’s parents during the holidays leaves Emerson a nervous wreck. Bad weather and an unfortunate mix-up leads to an awkward first introduction, and as things deteriorate from there, Emerson begins to doubt if their relationship will survive the stressful weekend. Can Emerson get everything back on track and impress the Collins family in time to have a Merry Christmas?

---

“Nice to meet you Mr. and Mrs. Collins. I’m Emerson Brady. Nate’s boyfriend?”

The last part wasn’t supposed to come out like a question, but he grew more and more apprehensive at the blank look on their faces. What the hell is going on? He wondered as the nerves he’d been holding at bay for most of the day finally let loose.

Nate’s parents just stared at him, blinking, but utterly still otherwise, neither reaching for his hand. Emerson looked around for a moment, feeling like someone was pulling a prank on him.

“This is the right house, isn’t it?” He looked over at Nate, surprised to see that he was just as frozen, a horrified, uncomfortable expression on his face. “Nate?” he asked, his voice cracking a little. “Sweetheart, what’s going on?”

Nate finally seemed to rouse himself. “Mom, dad, this is Em. I’ve told you a lot about him, remember?”

Mrs. Collins nodded and gave Emerson a tight smile before looking over at her son. “Come in please.” Her voice sounded stiff and strained, and Emerson apprehensively followed them into the house. No one spoke as the boys dumped their bags on the tiled entryway, shrugged out of their coats, and unlaced their boots. Emerson felt like he was choking on the tension as he silently followed everyone into the living room, the warmth of the home almost painful on his chilled skin. It was a bright and cheerful space with carols playing in the background and a fat Christmas tree that took up one corner of the room. The tree was covered in a dazzling array of white lights and a hodgepodge of ornaments that had clearly been collected over the years alongside some red globes and a bright yellow star on top.

In fact, as Emerson took a seat on the sofa next to Nate, he decided that was the ambiance of the entire house. Warm and welcoming, with a mismatched yet somehow appealing collection of furniture and decor. It was an orderly, well-loved home for a family.

And yet, that family was not the loving, happy one Emerson had expected from the stories Nate had told him about. Mr. and Mrs. Collins sat stiffly on the couch across from them. Mr. Collins glowered at them, and although Nate bore a passing resemblance to his dark haired, dark eyed father, it was hard to believe anyone who looked so unhappy could ever be related to Nate. Nate was always cheerful, always ready to look on the bright side of things and see the best in people.

Mrs. Collins looked equally uncomfortable. Her features were more like Nate’s, although of a lighter coloring. With her unflattering jeans and shapeless red sweater, she looked like just about any other suburban mom, but her expression was pinched and she perched on the edge of the sofa like she was about to bolt.

Emerson couldn’t take the silence a moment longer and he turned to look at Nate. “What is going on here?” he asked in an urgent whisper. “Why are they staring at me like I’m a zoo animal?”

Although he tried to be quiet, it came out a little louder than he intended and he heard Mr. Collins clear his throat. Mrs. Collins was the one who spoke though.

“Well, um, Emerson was it?” He nodded. “When Nate told us he was bringing his partner home for Christmas we thought it was an uh, female someone.”

ebook

First published December 15, 2013

Loading interface...
Loading interface...

About the author

Brigham Vaughn

65 books516 followers
Brigham Vaughn is on the adventure of a lifetime as a full-time writer. She devours books at an alarming rate and hasn’t let her short arms and long torso stop her from doing yoga. She makes a killer key lime pie, hates green peppers, and loves wine tasting tours. A collector of vintage Nancy Drew books and green glassware, she enjoys poking around in antique shops and refinishing thrift store furniture. An avid photographer, she dreams of traveling the world and she can’t wait to discover everything else life has to offer her.

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
29 (27%)
4 stars
35 (33%)
3 stars
36 (34%)
2 stars
5 (4%)
1 star
0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
Profile Image for Pates.
384 reviews
December 27, 2013
I loved Brigham's Christmas story.

These two men go through a bit of angst and confusion, but their love for one another is what made them shine.

Emerson and Nate are both sweet and gentle men with a hearts full of love and understanding. I adored Nate's family completely.

This short story has everything you want...the holidays, a little bit of angst, happiness, and a wonderful ending.
January 6, 2014
I'm usually not a big fan of established couples, even in short stories, as I feel most of the point of the story is wasted. I love the UST, the meeting, etc.
That said, this story made me eat my words as it was perfectly attention-grabbing from the first word to the last, despite the fact the two main characters are already together.
Loved it very much!
Profile Image for Elsi.
319 reviews
December 8, 2018
Baby, it's cold inside is a warm hearted Christmas novel about two college students who have started dating few months ago and are crazy about each others. Emerson and Nathan are bone tired after a long drive in difficult conditions when they arrive at Nate's parents house. They are both chocked to *spoiler* when door opens when they are kissing and it becomes clear that Nate's parents have been waiting a girl to arrive with Nathan */spoiler* The Christmas starts ackwardly and continues that way as Emerson can't seem to relax after the weird beginning of their stay.. Luckily there is a happy ending and I think this story is a great example of how even seemingly perfect relationships have little mishaps but if you are willing to work with your partner you can get over them and move on together. I think this is a perfect feel good holiday short story to read while enjoying your Christmas holidays. It is very well written and made me feel all warm and smiling to myself.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Nicoletta.
51 reviews1 follower
December 10, 2018
Short stories are tricky, because a writer needs to set the world, the characters and the plot and make it all good in a few pages. Brigham Vaughn does it all very well in this short story set during Christmas. You get all the holiday feels in this one, and just a bit of angst to enjoy it even more. Nate and Emerson are a lovely couple that immediately wins you over, and so does Nate's family once the whole misunderstanding clears. Said misunderstanding felt forced to me and a bit blown out of proportion at times, but that is the only "flaw" I found, because I enjoyed the overall story very much.
If you want to read a light, warm holiday story, this one is for you!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Helena Stone.
Author 31 books126 followers
December 26, 2018
Poor Emerson. He’s hopeful and full of good intentions as he is about to meet his boyfriend’s parents for the first time. Except nothing goes as he’d imagined it would and he fears he’s ruined his only chance to make a good first impression. The poor lad made me smile. He’s so young and his emotions are sooooo over the top. In fact, the whole story made me happy and I can honestly say I read it, from start to finish, with a constant smile tugging at my lips. And the epilogue turned that smile into a delighted grin. A wonderful, feel good, Christmas story.
Profile Image for Enirehtak  Melas.
697 reviews32 followers
December 8, 2018
I like shorts like these that tie in the Holidays. Sometimes you simply need a comfort read or 2 (*cough* or 7).

It had a realistic vibe to it and even though Nate’s parents annoyed me with their reactions at first , they redeemed themselves.

Nate and Emerson were so sweet and this story was perfect for a little bed time reading.

Had the privilege of reading the ARC for this title. I have provided an unbiased review with my honest opinions.
240 reviews
December 9, 2018
This is a wonderful short about two young men and a crazy misunderstanding during the Christmas holiday. All of the things that could go wrong do. They are caught in a bad snowstorm, the first meeting with Nate's parents is awkward and painful and yet hopeful. I so appreciated the epilogue. It confirmed their HEA.

Readers looking for a short, excellent read will like this.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Silvia.
1,184 reviews
November 15, 2020
Emerson is meeting Nate’s parents for the first time over Christmas and of course he wants to make a good first impression. As if the holidays aren’t stressful enough. Nate’s parents assumed when Nate gushed about his ‘Em’ he meant Emma or even Emily. Lol. Misunderstandings galore make for an awkward introduction into the family. Actually Emerson handled himself better than I would have. All in all, this was enjoyable and the Epilogue was a beautiful bonus.
8,419 reviews113 followers
December 9, 2018
This is a short heartwarming story with a bit of humor,anger and anxiety when Nate takes Emerson home to meet his parents at Christmas. The author brings misunderstandings , awkward moments and lots of love and shows they can survive through anything. I loved the epilogue and enjoyed the story.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own and freely given.
Profile Image for Patricia Nelson.
1,731 reviews16 followers
December 11, 2018
Poor Emerson just wanted meeting his boyfriend Nate's parents to go smoothly and to make a good impression. This was a sweet, engaging, poignant, hilarious, charming, lovely, and adorable holiday story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Melissa.
849 reviews7 followers
December 17, 2018
What a cute holiday short with a funny but embarrassing misunderstanding and a lot of sweet moments! The author has a knack for making you feel connected to the characters in such a short amount of time! I adored it!
Profile Image for Wax.
1,295 reviews21 followers
December 24, 2018
For a short story, this worked pretty well. Nate and Emerson are an established couple who are meeting the parents for the first time. However, there is a misunderstanding and they might be getting into a major fight instead of happily celebrating the holidays.
Profile Image for Kathryn.
3,409 reviews27 followers
December 26, 2018
Sweet and short holiday meet the parents read...

A sweet holiday short about two young men visiting one of their families. It was cute, sweet and I loved it. Nate and Emmerson are adorable. Definitely recommend.
13.2k reviews61 followers
February 24, 2019
He is so nervous about meeting his boyfriend parents. Things do not get off on a good start when a mistake makes it more different for him. How will it all go? Can he won over the parents? See if he can

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Kendra T.
2,567 reviews42 followers
December 29, 2020
Sweet story about established couple Emerson and Nate. They are spending Christmas with Nate’s family, but Nate has obliviously never mentioned Em’s gender to his parents. They are in for a big shock when they show up at the door. Thankfully, the family was awesome. I loved Nate’s parents, and I loved how they welcomed Em with open arms. This was very sweet.
Profile Image for Lia.
88 reviews1 follower
December 28, 2023
TLDR: Quick short story about meeting the parents.

This short story is quick and cute so I don't have a lot to say. Guy brings his boyfriend home to meet the parents. Awkwardness ensues. The author actually does a good job of getting the reader to know and invest in the characters in a very short amount of time.

🌶️: 2/5 - two explicit scenes
🎄: 3/5 - decent amount of Christmas activities as well as it taking place over Christmas
Profile Image for Dan.
1,331 reviews32 followers
December 13, 2020
Cute, but not what I expected. Based on the blurb you'd think it'd be dramatic and a bit angsty, but it's sweet and simple and just slightly awkward. It was fine, but didn't wow me
Profile Image for Heather.
1,511 reviews53 followers
May 10, 2020
Re-read Review May 2020:
My original read from 6 years ago was short and sweet. Sometimes short and sweet says it all. When I was deciding on a short novella to read for Mother's Day I came across Brigham Vaughn's Baby, It's Cold Inside and realized it was doubly perfect as the weather TV people were predicting unusually cold temps for a large portion of the US and here in Wisconsin they were saying colder temps than on Christmas morning, so what better read than a Xmas tale?

As I said, it's been 6 years since I read Inside, but it all came flooding back. The passion, the chemistry, the anxiety, the drama, humor, and of course all the heart. I still found myself warring between shaking Emerson and Mama Bear hugging him reassuring him to just be himself. Then there is possibly the sweetest, cutest family-meet scene when Emerson wakes up to Nate's little sisters, Katie and Ava who were expecting to find a girl not a boy. Kids can be difficult to write in a favorable way, I have found that there is a fine line between cute & sassy and spoiled & bratty, well Brigham Vaughn definitely pulled off cute & sassy with Katie and Ava.

Just a delight to read. Baby, It's Cold Inside was a great read the first time around and it's an even brighter re-reading gem. Great blend of Christmasy sweet and lasting heart.

Original Review May 2014:
Humor, love, the holidays! It's the whole package. Emerson is so filled with anxiety that you just want to hug him till the holiday is over.
Profile Image for Stephanie.
185 reviews1 follower
November 6, 2015
This was such a sweet little Christmas story. Poor Em gets off to a bad start with Nate's family considering they thought Nate was bringing his girlfriend Emily/Emma...Surprise!!!

Nate was a great guy but slightly oblivious to the things going on around him, he thought his family knew that Em was Emerson and a BOY. After everything is cleared up and with a fresh start Em and Nate have a great Christmas (:

I really liked the epilogue and a glimpse at the boys in the future, don't often get such a full story in 36 pages!

This is my second book by this author and I really like her, I've bought her Equals series to start next!
Profile Image for Dominique.
200 reviews
December 21, 2015
My first Christmas story of the season. Very cute, loved it!! It's alway hit or miss when reading about an established couple. It feels like a snippet, and sometimes it seems like I want more backstory to be invested. Not in this case. She did an excellent job of bringing us into their lives. Great job!
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.