The really enjoyed the Ruby and Curtis side of this story. They are both very likeable and Curtis is a very interesting main character. I found myself really not caring much about Kim’s side of the story and tended to sometimes skim those parts to get back to the Ruby-Curtis story. I mostly enjoyed the ending, but maybe felt just a bit disappointing not to have more romantic interaction with Ruby and Curtis right at the end. Overall I thought this was a fun, sweet story.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books for allowing me access to this eARC for my honest opinion!

Originally released as a four-part serial, this is the complete book: and it flows and moves forward rapidly toward the happy conclusion. Told in third person from the perspective of two major narrators, we meet both Kim and Ruby and see their friendship as the story unfolds. Ruby has recently given up on men – deciding that she’s got a ‘broken picker’ and working for Kim at the florists is all she needs. There is a desire for more, and she’s been scouring the internet to find a sperm donor. Her close relationship with her now deceased mother has been the hallmark of her life – and she just knows that she can be a mother all by herself – giving her own child the same sort of confidence, love and happiness she had.

On the other hand, Kim has been widowed for many years, and has not found anyone who gives her a spark – not that she’s really looking. There is a customer that she has developed a friendship with, and the two have a spark – but neither is acting on it. He’s engaging Kim into taking a chance on a rescue dog, and she’s able to discuss everything with him – if only his daughter didn’t seem so against their relationship, or his devotion to his deceased wife weren’t so present.

When Ruby meets Curtis on the train to her own meeting with her sperm donor, the two are instantly chalk and cheese. Curtis is gorgeous and handsome, with none of the social grace or comfortability that Ruby displays. More reliant on his spreadsheets and things he can ‘see’ the two are a delightful contrast, particularly when Ruby becomes an asset to his work and life – and is willing to ‘coach’ him through the social moments in life. Neither of them sees that the friendship and relationship that they are developing is going to be one that will change both their lives for the better. With plenty of twists, a few secrets unveiled, and some truly dramatic moments, the story brings both Ruby and Kim a new outlook and fresh start on life – and leaves readers with a smile.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at <a href=” https://wp.me/p3OmRo-aWU /” > <a> I am, Indeed </a>

This book was so easy to read that I flew through it and right from the start I knew I was going to love it!
It’s quite a funny book, which had me giggling along in quite a few places. Ruby and Curtis were both wonderful together and their storyline is perfect.
The Promise Of summer was a wonderful, romantic, realistic story with a great set of characters that were all amazing together.
I loved this book and after I read it I had a great sense of happiness.

*this book was previously published as a 4-part series.

The Promise Of Summer is another brilliant read by Bella Osborne, this is the third book I’ve read by this author and they just seem to get better and better.
Ruby is the main character in this book, she is a florist and works for Kim in her florist shop. They are best friends and tell each other everything, well they think they do. Unlucky in love all Ruby wants is a man but as that isn’t going to happen she sets off one day to some dodgy guy who she is paying to artificially inseminate herself so she can have the longed for baby. The train journey there sparks a series of events that leads her to end up working for Curtis on her day off. Curtis is very straight but could there be something there between them?
This was a book that had me laughing as it’s written so well with Ruby and Kim doing some hilarious things. I can’t wait to see where the next book will take us.
I would like to thank Netgalley and Avon Books UK for this ARC I received in exchange for an honest review.

Ruby only ever seems to date losers and cheats and so when she meets a man on a train who is planning the perfect proposal to his girlfriend but leaves the engagement ring on the train she is determined to find him and reunite them. Curtis, a fellow passenger, however is more sceptical and determined to look out for Ruby and they form an unlikely friendship.

Another lovely book from this author, lots of fun and humour and I love the way Ruby tries to make Chris lighten up and teach him to have fun. Perfect light summer read

The Promise of Summer by Bella Osborne was a fab, fab book that I devoured. I could not put it down, I have yet to read a book by Bella that I have not enjoyed and this book was no exception, I loved it. A great summer read that made me laugh out loud.

This was a wonderfully refreshing book. The plot was fast, fun and contemporary. It certainly didn't go the way I was thinking it would initially. There were plenty of twist and turns that kept me on my toes throughout reading. Certainly a recommended read.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC to review.

A chance encounter on a train leads to florist Ruby, and business man Curtis, searching for the man who left his engagement ring and took Ruby's phone. It also leads to a blossoming friendship between outgoing Ruby and Curttis who has very little interaction on a social scale. Funny and easy to read, wondering how everything will work out for this couple.

I read my first Bella Osbourne book (One Family Christmas) in 2020 and knew as soon as I saw the teasers for this book on Bella’s Instagram I needed to read it.

Thank you to Netgalley, Avon and Bella for the opportunity to read this as an ARC.

This was an easy read and I found myself quickly turning pages to read more. From the very first page I adored Ruby, she was hilarious and relatable to a woman like me in her early 30s!

100% recommend!

What a fabulous book! It's like sunshine on a page! Of course it's obvious where this light hearted, uplifting romance is heading but the journey there was beautiful. The perfect summer read.
My thanks to Netgalley for my copy.

A fun, quick, easy read, perfect for every season! The dual storyline is engaging, the writing is beautiful and the characters are superb! You can't not love Ruby and Curtis, their witty, humorous banter had me in stitches: so funny and well written. I can't wait to read the next Bella Osborne's!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this beautifullly,,heartwarming and uplifting romantic story which evolves around Ruby. I have read a few books by Bella Osborne and Ihave thoroughly enjoyed each one.. A perfect form of escapism and a lovely light summery feel to the book. As you read through the pages the author takes you on an unexpected journey of love.

This is not a conventional or usual love story and so much of it is based on a chance encounter and the unexpected consequences of it. However, it is one of the most lovely romance books I have ever read.

The characters jump off the page, and I especially loved Ruby and Kat. Kat is feisty and fabulous. Ruby is fun-loving, lively and her energy just jumps off the page.

Bella’s humour within the book just falls into place beautifully and I couldn’t fault it. It never feels forced but it gives a book that deals with some serious themes a light-hearted touch.

There were so many twists and turns and this definitely kept me hooked. There was a particular bump in the road which I did not see coming!

For me, Bella has struck an excellent balance between providing the reader with a slow burn, unlikely romance whilst still managing to keep the reader fully engaged and invested.

This is a favourite from this genre for quite some time. It is full of laughs, friendship, mishaps and mischief, and if I could give it more than 5 stars I would!

This is the second Bella Osborne book I’ve read and I enjoyed it equally as much as the last one.
This one is set in Bloom with a View, a florist owned by Kim. Ruby works for Kim and they have the most amazing work/friendship.
Ruby meets Curtis on a train to London and the immediately form a great bond. They get into all kinds of scrapes while Ruby tries to make him into a different, more relaxed person.
Kim has been hurt by her husband and forms a great friendship with regular customer Adrian. Will this friendship turn into more once Adrians daughter Hayley gets involved.
Bella has a fantastic talent for writing warm, funny and emotional books. I find myself laughing out loud at some of the one liners and funny mishaps that happen along the way.
Not forgetting Boomerang the loveable little rescue dog who gets up to no good that Kim adopts.
Thank you NetGalley and Avon books Uk for the ARC of this fantastic book.

I picked up this book because I love British rom-coms and Ms. Osborne certainly knows how to write believable, quirky characters whom I loved instantly.

Ruby’s loneliness manifests in her wanting a baby and the men she has met are unreliable to say the least, so she resorts to meeting up with a shady sperm donor in London. On the train she runs into Curtis, a handsome, uptight, unemotional technical consultant who thankfully talks her out of the sperm donor fiasco in the nick of time. And if that isn’t enough they embark on a mission to track down the mysterious Lewis, a guy who borrowed Ruby’s phone on the train and left an engagement ring behind. As Curtis and Ruby become closer and she proceeds to teach Curtis how to better interact with people, especially a woman Curtis wants to pursue, Ruby realizes her feelings have changed toward him, but she may have left it too late.

Kim is happy with her flower shop and her only employee and friend, Ruby. However, she’s not happy with her personal life and decides to adopt a dog. Little did she know she would find a fellow dog lover in her best customer, Adrian, who has been buying flowers for his dead wife’s grave for two years. As their relationship gets sweeter, people interfere and they go their separate ways. But fate has some things in store that Kim didn’t see coming.

I love that I get two stories for the price of one in this book. I was invested in both Ruby’s and Kim’s happiness as they made mistakes, hit roadblocks, and supported each other at their lowest. Ruby’s quirky friendliness and Kim’s incredible kindness and outspokenness are such a treat. I would be proud to call them both my friends. There were several hilarious moments with Kim’s accidentally shedding too many layers at the cinema (darned menopause), and pretty much every conversation Ruby has with Curtis who takes some time catching on to Ruby’s sarcasm. As for Curtis and Adrian, they are both a bit clueless in figuring out how wonderful their women are, but they eventually come around leaving me with double the pleasure of happily ever after. Also, it would also be remiss of me if I didn’t mention the lovely and excitable Boomerang (Boomer), Kim’s adopted dog. He gives a new meaning to race walking.

If you enjoy captivating, endearing, and imperfect characters who will make you laugh, cry and cheer on as they make their way through life’s challenges, please give this book a try.

Thank you to Ms. Osborne for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.

Such a lovely story! I would like to thank Avon Books UK for providing me with an advance readers copy via access to the galley for free through the NetGalley program. I’d recommend this to anyone who enjoys sweet stories, balanced in humor, serious subject matter, and it would make for an interesting book club discussion.

The Story
This book was rich is so many themes of life. I’m not sure I understood the live sperm donation scene in modern day but I loved the up front dilemmas. There were times I would have liked to have known less backstory told to me, but more through an unfolding of events, that is more my style. However the emotional depth was really a great foundation to the story and made for a really solid read.

The Writing
There was an ease, a flow that brought out the best in the atmosphere, characters, plot, and dialogue. A few repeat of some characteristics, not too bothersome, but became less unique and special when I read them cookie-cutter in phrasing more than once.

Characters
I loved the depth. My first thoughts were that of an airhead which was fun and refreshing for the not so serious draw, but then it deepened. I loved the character development, the quirks they built, the inside jokes.

I don’t want to spoil anything so I’ll keep my observations vague. I felt there was unspoken character portrayal in a careful, subtle, way. Focusing on acceptance rather than depicting a villainous character trait or moral attribute that has to be conquered and overcome. And also if that’s the case I’d definitely say well done and quite refreshing and is a standout for the subject matter and type of love story/romance book coupled with a special interest read.

Excited for more.

This is the second Bella Osborne book that I've read and it didn't disappoint. I had read the first installment and was thrilled to have been given the opportunity to read the entire book. It was a light, fun read. There were some laugh out loud moments as well as some heartache along the way. The dual storylines were both given equal importance.

I absolutely loved Ruby's character; fun, quirky and down-to-earth and thought that the way her friendship blossomed with Curtis was lovely.

I look forward to reading more of Bella Osbourne's books.

There’s more to owning and working at a flower shop than “playing with flowers,” a term that Kim absolutely despised as the owner of her own flower shop. She has just one employee, Ruby, and they get along fantastically! Yet they both seem to share being single for various reasons, yet they’re not shy to help out others with romance through their beautiful floral arrangements!

Kim left her husband because he was cheating on her after he had a heart attack and moved. They had a great relationship, but it’s been years and she’s moved on, had their home sold and funds split, even adopted herself a crazy hyperactive dog from the shelter. Will she be able to stop her ex from taking advantage of her?

Then there’s Ruby and her horrible experiences with men, including one who peed in her kettle! Really? Who does that?! She decides she would be happier as a mother and is willing to artificially get pregnant using some random guys sperm. On her way she meets Curtis, who’s quite stiff and ignorant of many common social practices. He’s all spreadsheets and work. One thing leads to another and Ruby ends up as Curtis’s assistant. Will Ruby find her ideal mate and on her journey to motherhood as she desires?

I absolutely love Ruby and Kim! The book goes back and forth between them and often comes back together when they’re both working. I love their personalities and how they interact with the many people who come in to buy bouquets and arrangements. The addition of people who want to bring wilting flowers to get it wrapped with a nice bow is a grand touch to life as a florist!

Be forewarned, I did find myself laughing literally out loud, even with a few snorts! Make sure you aren’t drinking your Earl Grey tea or instant coffee while reading as it may cause a big mess! It may also be better to read this book when you don’t care if anyone’s listening! There are also moments I found myself holding my breath as well as being hopeful everything would end with happily like all fairy tales.

Thank you to Avon Books and Rachel’s Random Resources for access to The Promise of Summer by Bella Osborne. I give this book 5 out of 5 tiaras because it hooked me from page one and I never wanted to put it down! Fantastically written and fills me with joy!

Ruby helps Kim run her florist shop. And both of them are happy to nudge along romance, with Ruby writing romantic verses for one customer to add to the bouquets he buys, but they’re both unlucky in love.

Then Ruby decides to control her own future and takes a brave trip to London to meet a potential sperm donor. In the train, she chats up a stranger who is supposed to be proposing to his girlfriend later that day. But when he gets off the train, Ruby is left with the engagement ring and he has her telephone! A fellow passenger, Curtis, decides that she can’t be trusted with the ring, so both of them set off to find the owner. One thing leads to another and Ruby finds herself appointed as Curtis’ part-time assistant. Could he be the sperm donor Ruby is looking for?

Meanwhile, Kim is having a kind of romance of her own, but there are several road blocks on the way!

Ruby and Kim are delightful characters and I love how they interact with their customers and run their business. Both of them are big softies and can easily be taken for a ride. But they’re kind and generous and ready to give people a second chance.

Stiff and formal, Curtis is the opposite of impulsive Ruby and their interactions and conversations are absolutely hilarious. There are several scenes that even as I’m writing this review bring a smile to my face. The naughty conversations between Kim and Ruby too are fun! I absolutely enjoyed the book and would jump at the chance at reading another of Bella Osborne’s books.

A summertime read to put a smile on your face!

Ruby Edwards' jaded after dating too many losers so when she sits next to a man on a train who reveals his plan to propose to his girlfriend, her belief in romance is restored… until the man disappears from the train… with her phone. Only, Ruby finds the engagement ring under her seat, determined to reunite it with its owner. However, the passenger sitting nearby has conflicting ideas on how to tackle the evolving situation…

Ruby's friend, Kim runs a florists' shop and is single too. She also wants some romance in her life, but her situation turns on its head when someone from her past shows up unexpectedly!

This is my first Bella Osborne novel and it's a delight. Included are numerous plot lines, yet the narrative flows seamlessly, as we follow Ruby on her journey to a happily ever after. Expect highs and lows along the way creating a story that's both heart-warming and heartfelt. Prepare to laugh out loud and shed a tear or two as she, along with Kim confront life issues head-on as they venture along paths of discovery, in the search for love.

The award for the most unlikely romantic hero goes to Curtis. He's the perfect match for bubbly and vibrant Ruby, in his own unique way. He's socially awkward; a planner who feels more comfortable with a spreadsheet. He's the voice of reason, both diluting and complementing Ruby's impulsive actions. Together, they make an adorable couple in an unconventional way.

The secondary characters are an eclectic mix of loveable and rogue as well as the addition of the four-legged canine variety called Boomerang! Blended together, they all contribute to the emotional catalogue of events and the eventual satisfying results.

To sum up, The Promise Of Summer is a delightful and engaging novel and a perfect summer read.

4.5 stars

***arc generously received courtesy of Avon via NetGalley***