I really enjoyed this novella, interesting quirky characters and a good plot so far. I am interested in seeing where Bella takes this book !
Thanks to Netgalley and Avon for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review

Ruby decides because of her disastrous lovelife, the only way she can have the baby she wants is by a sperm donor. A chance meeting on a train begins to transform her life. I cant wait for part 2 to find out what happens next.

I’m not sure how I feel about this book being released in four parts. Was this done in an effort to make more money? I enjoyed what I had read so far, but I would call the writing average. The woman main character seemed to really change voice as the story went along, although I suppose that was mentioned at one point towards the “end”. I’m assuming that Curtis and Ruby will get together at some point, but they are very much opposites, so much so that it’s hard to imagine them making a good pair. I enjoyed the story enough to read more, partly just to see how the author manages to make them work.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for providing me access to this eARC for my honest opinion!

I’m really not a fan of these part-books and much prefer buying and reading a full book all at once as you find you just get into it, begin to become familiar with the characters and the potential of the plot lines and then boom! all of a sudden it’s the end and you’re dangling on a cliffhanger frustratingly waiting for the next instalment. Sadly, I’ve found that by the time it’s released or I find it I’ve forgotten what happened previously or am reading something else instead & have lot interest. I’m unsure why this author releases her books in this way, but there’s obviously enough people who, unlike me, enjoy reading their stories in a rather fragmented way.
What I did read was enjoyable and the plot line for colleagues Ruby and Kim were set out well within the book, planting the seeds of what is to come in the next. I really enjoy Bella Osborne’s writing, it’s easy to read and has you immersed in the character’s lives throughout. I just wish it was all in one book.

I was absolutely delighted when I saw Bella Osborne's first part of her new 4 part installment is available to read now on Netgalley. I've heard so many great things about her books I finally wanted to read what the fuss is about.

Unfortunately I had not a good start with her writing. Fortunately I am in the minority here and other reader seem to love the first part. I loved the synopsis of the story and the cover is an eye catcher too.

I really liked the authors writing but the story was just not for me. The beginning of the story was great and I was intrigued quickly but it went downhill the more I read. I couldn't connect to Ruby and settle into the story.

The cliffhanger in the end left me wanting more but I don't think that I will read the rest of the story until the whole book is released.

I wish I could have written a better review. Thanks to NetGally for providing me with an ARC.

The Promise of Summer (part 1) is the first instalment in @bellaosborneauthor’s newest release and sets the scene for the instalments to come.

We are introduced to our two main characters, friends and co-workers Ruby and Kim. There is a bit of an age gap between the characters so they’re at different stages in their life albeit both single.

Ruby has a desire to have a family of her own and funnily enough this is the second book I’ve read in the last few weeks where the main character decides to take having a baby into her own hands! Kim has a burgeoning friendship with a regular, married, customer and you can tell there’s going to be something going on there.

The first book I read by this author was also in instalments so I was happy to receive a copy of this from the publisher via @netgalley.

This is the first of a series of four books and the wait is going to seem like forever even though it wont be. Bella writes great novels and this doesn't disappoint, the characters are great, the plot is very good and leaves you wanting more, you will get it. This is well worth the 5 stars that I am giving this and I highly recommend this book.

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for this ARC.

I'm not usually keen on books that come in parts as the time next part comes out you've forgotten previous. Ruby is on a train and gets talking to a stranger. He's going to meet his girlfriend to propose but then things start to unfurl

Ruby is on a train to London when she meets Lewis who is preparing to propose to his girlfriend. She loans him her phone and he accidentally gets off the train with it leaving behind the ring. Ruby and Curtis, another passenger on the train, then spend the rest of the day trying to find Lewis to return the ring.

What ensues is mishap after mishap and delightful adventure and still they don’t find Lewis. The story stops on page 93 and one is left wondering what becomes of Ruby, the ring, Curtis, and Lewis. Fortunately, there is a part 2 to the story. However, I felt like this was too short to be considered a novel and ended too abruptly for me. I am invested enough in the story, that I look forward to finding out how this story ends.
Thank you to @netgalley for the free arc.

I loved this book!

It’s well written with lovely characters!
Ruby is likeable and funny and has a day and a half when she is travelling to London

Curtis doesn’t know what hits him when he meets ruby

Sparks fly!

Meanwhile Kim is holding fort at the florist

I cannot wait for the next book!

Ruby finds herself on a train going to London, when the man next to her leaves a ring that he is going to ask his girlfriend to marry him with. What a story! So much happening & so much more to follow. I need to read part two so much.. Bella Osborne doesn't disappoint with her characters, they capture you & drag you in. Hurry up with part two please!

The Promise of Summer: Part One leaves Me hanging for part two! Ruby is tired of dating losers. On her way to get artificially inseminated she loses her phone, gets involved with a left behind diamond ring and just might have a new career. Crazy chase to find the rings owner. Didn't like the AI story. Her method of doing it was dangerous and ridiculous.

This is part 1 of a 4 part serialisation. It is only novella sized, and as it’s only a short read you find yourself flying through it forgetting that you’ll need to wait for the next part! We are introduced to the character of Ruby straight away and I have to admit I thought she was the nicest, funniest and best character I’ve met in a long time!! We join her on a train journey down to London where Ruby has a mysterious appointment, and this turns out to be a right old whirlwind of a journey with so many things going wrong for her. She finds an unlikely and unenthusiastic ally in fellow train passenger, Curtis who to be honest, is just as fabulous as what Ruby is!

Considering this was a short read there was so much packed into it! I have laughed and laughed my way through the pages, not quite believing what is happening to poor old Ruby. Visions of diamond rings, Turkey basters and train toilets will stay with me a lot longer than it took me to read the book, and to be honest I’m still chuckling about some of them as I’m writing now. I love how Ruby’s friend and colleague, Kim's story is interspersed between Ruby’s story and whilst I thought hers was just as funny I am wondering where Kim’s story is going.

I’ve read many of this author’s books and loved them all and this one is definitely no exception! It is the ideal starter, perfectly grabbing your attention and making sure you need to get the rest of the books to finish Ruby’s story. If the rest of it is as fantastic as Part 1 then I’m going to be in for such a treat!! Loved, loved LOVED it, fab, fab, fab!!!

I love Bella’s books so much and this first part definitely didn’t disappoint. I was hooked as it came to an end and I honestly can’t wait for the next part to find out what happens with Curtis and Ruby and her quest to be a mum. I also can’t wait to see if anything develops with Kim and Adrian and what is she hiding in that note. Really didn’t want it to end! Bring on part two!

A very cute story.
It is funny and exciting - and Ruby is such a warm (but also very naive) person. I quite enjoyed reading this!

But I also have to say - it is a maximum of three stars from me... But only because it is a cliffhanger, and now I have to go and do something to know how it ends... I hate that! I want an entire story in one book. (It is fine to have another or a follow up story in part 2... But no cliffhangers, please!)

Dear Author - Trust your writing to be good enough to keep me coming back for more - You do not need a cliffhanger for that! :-)

Ruby is happy with her life but there is one thing missing, “the one”. She just wants to meet a nice man, fall in love and have a family. That’s not too much to ask is it?
On a train to London she meets Lewis who tells her all about his girlfriend who he is on his way to meet and plans to propose. Unfortunately Lewis gets off the train by accident and leaves behind the engagement ring.
Ruby is so touched by his story that she determines she has to get the ring back to Lewis. Fellow passenger Curtis doesn’t think that Ruby can be trusted with the ring so they agree to work together
To reunite the ring with it’s rightful owner.
I loved the story, Ruby is a great character and I can’t wait to see where the adventure takes her and Curtis.

This was a cute prequel/novella. The book, presumably, will follow 2 women, Ruby and Kim and their romantic escapades.

Kim is a flower shop owner and is not actively searching for love= I admit to being a little confused about where this story is going but overall, I really like Kim, who is Ruby, the other woman's boss.

Ruby is who this story is following most closely. Ruby is on the train to go to an appointment. The reason for the appointment is known towards the middle of the book so I won't discuss it here but on the train, she meets two men- One man who has the perfect proposal planned but through a series of events, forgets the ring on the train. The second man, Curtis, is initially a jerk but becomes her partner in crime to find the man who wants to propose.

The prequel is amusing but I have to admit that I didn't like how Ruby was postured- a little bit of an airhead, she does silly things that I think were intended for a few chuckles but I think that female heroines can do funny things without appearing like airheads. However, overall, it was an easy read and I thank NetGalley for the early copy.

Lovely trademark Bella Osborne quirky heroine and situation! The author is an expert at putting her characters in situations you can imagine yourself in but hope to goodness you don't find yourself in really. Adored the part when Ruby told Curtis what she does for a job. The first part of this book made me intrigued to read more.

I received a free e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I loved part one of this book. It was a wonderful book that left me anxious for the next installment.

Fabulous, love it, can't wait for part 2
Will Ruby carry on with her quest to become a mum ? Will they ever find Lewis to give him his ring back ? Will we find out more about Curtis ?