An interesting start to a story of a young woman heavily influenced by her past and always trying to get away from it. Her Uncle Reg obviously recognised what the reader sees that Daisy Wickens needs roots and to find herself after her years of wandering and temporary jobs. I look forward to seeing how this develops.

Short and sweet 1st part of a series not much happens but it’s a lead into the next instalment. What will happen? Will she stay or will she go.....

This is a cute start to a brand new series from Bella Osborne and I look forward to the next installment.

I've enjoyed a few books by Bella Osborne in the past. This one is also the first in a series.. her style is unique, you understand the story quite early on and your not wasting your time reading...
Daisy is originally from Ottercombe bay in Devon on the south coast and it sounds like everyone's dream. Her mother died at sea when she was young and she cannot get it out of her head or even understand it because she doesn't know her own mothers cause of death therefore, daisy travels around finding casual jobs where she finds herself. Up until now as her great uncle has died and she has to come to the funeral and the will reading which gives her the old railway and car park. To gain this she must stay for a whole 12 months instead of jumping from country to country but she's finding it difficult with her anxieties of Ottorcombe bay... her friends and family are trying to help her stay but will it be enough....
Book 2 is on my to read list.
Great read. Loved it and I think netgalley for allowing me to read this.

Review will be up on my blog 08/01: thecosiestcorner.blogspot.com

What a great and intriguing start to a new series by Bella Osbourne! After reading Willow Cottage, I was so eager to read more of her work so when I saw this pop up on Netgalley I quickly requested it. The cover caught my eye straight away, there's so many different beautiful pastel colours that it just looks stunning. Even though you can tell the old train station is in need of repair, it still looks utterly adorable, with the pretty clock standing outside and the sea in the background. If I got left this in someones will then I would be very grateful indeed!

So it starts off with main character Daisy heading back to Ottercombe Bay for her great uncles funeral. Daisy intends to leave straight after the service but her aunt tells her she has to stay because she has been left something in Reg's will. Daisy believes its something small, so was gobsmacked to say the least when she finds out what it really is (although, to be fair, I think we'd all be gobsmacked)! Now, at first, I wasn't sure what to think of Daisy. She seemed quite ungrateful towards her great aunt and all her friends from her old hometown. However, as the story got underway I started to understand Daisy's actions a lot more and why she acted the way she did.

I started to feel terribly sorry for her when I read how her mother died, something like that much be so awful (I got a bit teary reading about it, so beware and be prepared!) so after this I definitely warmed up to her character a lot more. One thing I loved about this book was the events that took place, the carnival, the summer fete, it all sounded wonderful and once more I wished I could live somewhere just like this. The characters were all lovely as well, I loved Tamsyn - she seemed so down to earth and friendly! And felt a bit sorry for police officer Jason but overall I thought they were all really nice and it was lovely to get to know them in this first instalment.

Overall, a really enjoyable first novella. I really can't wait for the next one to be released! If you're looking for a novel to pass an afternoon with, then I would recommend this one. Thank you to Netgalley and to the publisher for a chance to read this novel, which I have reviewed honestly.

I always love Bellas books and was really looking forward to this book the cover really appealed to me and it didn't let me down at all was a really simple easy read and had you hooked from page one has great characters and is full of mystery and laugh out loud moments and has you hooked from page one an excellent book and now can't wait for part two to see what happens.
Daisy lost her mum in a beautiful Devon village when she was young and she has never got over it as she doesn't no why she died as she was found in the sea and she couldn't stay in this village and always moved about and found jobs while travelling. A relative dies and she goes back for the funeral expecting to be there for as little as possible but others have other ideas. She is told she needs to stay as she is included in his will so she does and she I see left something far more than she expected but there is a clause attached to it and can she meet that and gain what is hers or can she's not and feels she has to move on again. Her old friends and family try to help her make the best decision but can she's listen to them.
I highly recommend reading this and I now can't wait for book two.

The story starts off, and focuses entirely, on Daisy who has always strayed away Ottercombe Bay all her life—well, at least after her mother died here. She returns to this place for her uncle's funeral, and despite of her unshakable decision to get out of there as soon as the funeral is done with, she's stopped by a clause that Uncle Reg's will states. She'll be inheriting a railway station's quarters building, on one condition—she needs to stay in Ottercombe Bay for twelve months. Nice conflict and it did pull me in, especially because Daisy was so adamant on leaving but her reasons weren't disclosed upfront.

The writing is good enough with warm tones and light descriptions that would make you read the book quickly. It certainly qualifies as a cozy mystery, <i>for me</i>, with the story flowing by at a convenient pace that doesn't get you by the edge of your seat but is still interesting. Having said that, the characters failed to impress me. While Daisy was the epitome of rudeness, arrogance and too much immaturity, the side characters don't help her grow either. This might be debatable since as of now, there are four more books in this series and there's a possibility of more exploration left for the ones to follow. However, I'm all for first impressions and while the writing definitely draws me to the author, the character doesn't call me to the sequels. However, this was a good read despite that factor for the overall story and writing.

The story is about Daisy Wickens who returns to Ottercombe Bay at the death of her great uncle, Ray and finds that in order to inherit the money, she has to stay in Ottercombe Bay for a year.
This is the beginning of the series, part one, by Bella Osborne. It is a right start for the series with the introduction of various characters, and we get a basic idea what life in Ottercombe Bay is all about.
The main character, Daisy is not likable, she is moody, rude, pushing even well meaning kind people away, always in a hurry to escape. As a reader, we are given to understand that there is a mystery surrounding her mother's drowning years ago, at this very bay, which may not be accidental or suicide, and that causes her to run away from this place and it's people. But Daisy fails to understand that she cannot run from herself, which she has been doing for so many years. Only her great uncle understands that and hence the condition in the will.
I couldn't connect with the main character, Daisy, who is quite rude and brash, but I am hoping that Bella develops her in the forthcoming books, so we can see Daisy blossom. Daisy also seems adrift in terms of career and earning money, so it would be fun to see what the author makes her do, to earn a living in the next book.
The rest of the characters are introduced at various points in the book, as interactions with Daisy: neighbour Tamsyn who is innocent, enthusiastic, prone to flights to fancy in her thoughts, aunt Coral who is kind, helpful and non judgemental, childhood classmates, the police man Jason who likes her, and Max who keeps on provoking Daisy and is probably the future love interest.
Being the first in the series, I was not very invested in the characters as the book seems more like an introductory novella, rather than a full fledged story with a plot. It would be fun to see where the author Bella Osborne, takes her characters and this series. This book does end in a cliffhanger...

I really enjoyed the first instalment of Ottercombe Bay. It was a sweet little story with great characters. I didn't like Daisy that much, but to be honest that's just down to her attitude about dogs! Who couldn't love a little black farting pug?! It's a good start to the rest of the series which I look forward to reading - I can't wait to find out what happens!

Was super excited to see a new book from Bella! This book first instalment has set the scene nicely ant wait to see what’s to come

I managed to resist until Bella Osborne's book Escape to Willow Cottage was published in its entirety before reading it. But this new series Ottercombe Bay really caught my eye for its gorgeous, uplifting, colourful cover so when I saw part one – Where There's a Will, I just had to dive straight in,. I was glad I did as it was the perfect length for this time of year for when reading time is scarce, yet you want a few minutes just to get away from everything. Where There's a Will has set us up nicely for what is to come and I feel the reader really got a chance to familiarise themselves with our main female protagonist Daisy Wickens. There was enough of her back story and the reasons for her return to Ottercombe Bay introduced to keep me hooked and wanting to keep reading. Of course as with any serialised novel the ending left us on a cliff hanger to guarantee we'll be back for part two.

Daisy Wickens has had no choice but to return to Ottercombe Bay following the death of her Great Uncle Reg as there is a will to be read which may or may not include a little something for Daisy. The sleepy coastal village in Winter which bustles with tourists and activities during the Summer is a place which holds many memories for Daisy. Memories of a happy childhood until an abrupt event in her past Daisy would much rather forget. Daisy feels deep within her that returning is a major mistake that will only dredge up thoughts and feelings she has suppressed for so long. She is happy with her itinerant, nomadic lifestyle roaming various parts of the world, living hand to mouth only working as she sees fit to earn some money. As soon as she roars into town on her motorbike and encounters childhood friend Max Davey she feels even more that this has been one huge mistake and that she needs to turn around and leave. But she can't abandon Aunt Coral who has been left Sea Mist Cottage in Reg's will. Plus the fact money is an issue at the moment more so than ever, maybe these are the things that when faced with a challenge she feels no other option only to accept what has been laid down for her.

Bella Osborne did a wonderful job of setting the scene. She made it seem as if Ottercombe Bay was a real place that was charming and small where people would be there for you but on the other hand Daisy feels it's all a bit too intrusive and that people really want to get into her business. Daisy is a character who is difficult to warm to, she is always on the defensive and I found her to be rude and abrupt with people when really there was no need. I'm not saying I won't ever like her as a character but for the moment I am reserving full judgement as clearly there is a lot more to happen with plenty of secrets and reasons to be revealed as to why she is the way she came across for the majority of this part of the story. I could see her Aunt Coral and neighbour and childhood friend Tamsyn only wanted to help her, to get her to open up but she remained a closed book keeping her emotions and heartbreak very close to her chest in more ways than one considering the significance of the locket she wears around her neck. Daisy likes to keep all her life in one rucksack that way she can leave in a hurry if need be and she never has any significant ties to any one place. Ottercombe Bay holds a deep sadness for her and this will only be magnified the longer she stays there.

So what actually keeps Daisy in the bay once she has returned for what she presumed would be a fleeting visit? Reg has left her the old abandoned railway station and surrounding car park in his will. The proviso being she must stay in Ottercombe Bay for a year if she wishes to inherit it and a share of some money. Instantly Daisy feels like she is being chained to a place that she has spent her life running away from, she feels claustrophobic and a sense of being suffocated pervades. Whereas Tamysn views Daisy's bequest as a challenge and a way of finding happily ever after.

To be honest I felt Daisy was really over reacting with regard to everything. How hard could it be to stay in the same place for a year surrounded by people who love you and only want the best for you. She was stubborn and always resistant to any offer of help or wise words and the way she treated old friend Max, I just didn't understand it all. Daisy considers people to always be meddling in her life but really I found them to be kind and loving if only she could see that for herself. Her attitude of self preservation, look out for yourself or who else will, won't last that long if she manages to stay in Ottercombe Bay and the people and railway station can work their magic on her and the ice queen might melt bit by bit.

I immensely enjoyed my first visit to Ottercombe Bay and will definitely return for the remaining three parts to the story. I am more than keen to see will Daisy go the distance and last the year. What will she do in the intervening months? Will she continue to let the railway station go to rack and ruin or has she some ideas up her sleeve? And what of the mystery surrounding the exact circumstances surrounding an event in her past which still deeply affects her today? All these and many more questions need answering. I also want to discover will we see a more softer, friendly, approachable side of Daisy emerge? As realistically she can't continue the way she is. Roll on February 2018 when Gin and Trouble is published and I can once again enjoy what I know is shaping up to be an excellent series.

Bella Osborne's "Where There's a Will" is an introduction to a brand new series "Ottercombe Bay". It sets up the location and introduces us to some of the main characters and already leaves us with some questions to be answered.

There are of course many questions opened. Daisy returns to Ottercombe Bay for the funeral of her Great Uncle Reg. We know her mother died here when Daisy was a child, and we know from the pieces of information that something has probably happened that brought her to this death, we also know that Daisy avoided Ottercombe Bay with all her might but still we're not sure why - only because it brings memories of her childhood and her mother? Also, she just wants to attend the funeral and then go. But the late Uncle Reg had other ideas and Daisy finds herself inheriting an old railway station building, providing she's going to spent the next twelve months on Ottercombe Bay. Is it possible at all for Daisy, the free spirit?

The story was written in a nice, warm way - I really like Bella Osborne writing style. However, this time, I had problems with the characters here, and as this part was really characters' centred it wasn't easy to enjoy the story. Daisy is brash and temperamental, or rather moody, and I'm guessing it's because of her past, but nobody has been hurt by being kind, right? But the location on the Devon coast was lovely and the old station building sounds brilliant and beautiful and that there is a lot of potential in it.

I really looked forward to this novella and it's a real pity that I didn't warm to it as much as I hoped. I guess it would work much better as a whole novel - I understand it is only the introduction and it's a little unfortunate that it started in such a way, when I didn't warm to the characters at all. However, I'm guessing I'll read a second part in this series, to see if anything's going to change, and yes, I want to see how Daisy is going to settle in Ottercombe Bay - I'm sure she'll be wanting to leave more than once but well, she has to stay, right?

A cozy, small town story with the right amount of mystery and quirky characters makes it a great read.

Daisy gets called back to Ottercombe Bay when her great uncle dies. Daisy has spent most of her adult life traveling, not really setting down roots anywhere. Ottercombe Bay might be the closest she’s ever had to a home and she left there as a small child when her mother died under mysterious circumstances.

When the will is read, Daisy learns she has inherited property but with a huge caveat. She only gets the property if she stays in town for a year.

While trying to decide what to do, she stays with her aunt. Everywhere she goes, she sees old friends and acquaintances and can’t help but be reminded of her mother.

Is it fitting to call this a novella? If it’s a full book, it’s a short one. It sets up the premise, introduces us to the lead characters and mentions the mysterious death of Daisy’s mother. Then it ends very abruptly. I read an early edition ebook from NetGalley. So, my comments are entirely on this edition of the story. I can only say that this story ends quickly but makes you wonder what will happen in the books to follow.

I did enjoy this book but I can see the main character, Daisy being like marmite for some people, she isn't the most likable and friendly of characters I have read about recently but in a way that had intrigued me and made me want to read the rest of the series to see if she will become more personable if she settles in Ottercombe Bay!

I thought her aunt was a lovely character and her little dog is ace! I liked the small introductions we had to the other characters that also live in the Bay and hope we get to see more of them in future books - 3.5 stars from me, rounded up to 4 stars for Amazon and Goodreads.

Daisy has to return to Devon for her uncles funeral and the will reading. She finds that she has been left a tumbledown ex railway station- which honestly sounds wonderful to me!!!!! She has to stay in Ottercombe Bay to secure her inheritance and at the end of the book we aren't sure that she will stay. But reading the blurb- it looks as though great things are planned for this property. I love the promise of the storyline and look forward to reading more.
I am sure we will get to know everyone better and really enjoy being part of the community.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. I like this author and so pleased was selected to review this book. I shall let other reviews comment more but I loved it

Where There’s a Will (Ottercombe Bay Part 1) is the first book I’ve read by Bella Osborne.

I didn’t warm to the main character Daisy at first. She’s brash and ballsy with quite a chip on her shoulder but I have a feeling as the Ottercombe Bay series develops, this character will become more likeable.

It’s a nice little novel set on the Devon coast and sees Daisy return to her Aunt Coral’s cottage for a funeral. She hates being back as it brings back bad memories and she isn’t shy about letting people know she doesn’t want to stay. I’m looking forward to seeing how this series progresses.

I would give this book 3.5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon Books UK and the author for the chance to review.

I received a copy of Ottercombe Bay Part One by Bella Osborne from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was intrigued by the summary and really wanted to like this novel, but the storyline could have been pulled together better and the characters developed better (less flat). The protagonist, Daisy Wickens, was a bit of a shrew and did not have many redeeming qualities. Brusque would have been fine, but she was rather unpleasant and not at all likeable. I honestly focused more on my dislike of her than the storyline.

I would try reading another book by Bella Osborne to see if the series would improve with a different lead character, but I wouldn't recommend this novel.

The first part of this book leaves you looking forward to the next installment!