Nell Phillips’ debut novel has unexpectedly become a hit during the Christmas season. Her final destination on a cross-country book tour is Springdale, the hometown of Emmett Turner. Nell and Emmett crossed paths over five years ago when they were both junior copy editors at a publishing firm in New York. Nell was left disappointed when Emmett failed to show up for a dinner date and vanished from New York without a word. Nell readily acknowledges that Emmett’s vivid and nostalgic stories about Springdale were the inspiration behind her book, which is now significantly influencing her life, particularly during this festive season.