If you love a little romance then this is the perfect light hearted read for you, I love Kim & Ruby they were wonderful leading ladies as we join them in their hunt for the perfect man.

The florist was a gorgeous setting for this story with a few adventures in London dotted throughout. This is one of those stories where you are mentally pairing people off as you read and assessing why they wouldn't be the perfect match for your character.

Curtis is a complex character who befriends Ruby in the strangest of circumstances, but quickly realises her lovely nature is just the influence he needs when holding meetings and interacting with his colleagues.

This is one of those stories that you want to go on forever as you become increasingly desperate for the characters to find their happily ever after. A highly recommended read

A lovely book which should have been read on a sunlounger by a pool - unfortunately had to make do with my garden! Lovely characters and two love stories being told. You wanted everyone to live happily ever after and you'll have to read it to find out if they did!

Thanks to Avon Books and Netgalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for a review.

What a wonderful summery read. I loved the characters of Kim and Ruby - in the short space of time I was with them they felt like friends I'd known forever. Ruby is the main character here but Kim's story is a good one too,

Loved it.

5 stars
Ruby is a 35 year old woman that has been burned out by the dating scene! She has a desire to have a baby despite not having a partner so she decides she is going to pay for a sperm donor! On her way to meet the donor, Ruby meets Lewis, a man who is on his way to propose to his girlfriend at the London Eye. After lending Lewis her phone, she discovers he has left the engagement ring on the train. And as the train pulls away from the station, she also discovers he left the train and has her phone. Willing to do anything to stop the train even if it means pulling the emergence button, she is about to pull it when another passenger, Curtis, steps in her way and tries to convince her he is the one that should track the man down and return the ring. Not willing to surrender to Curtis, Ruby and Curtis will find themselves entangled on the adventure of finding the owner of the ring. But might this adventure turn into them finding their own HEA?
I loved Ruby. She was so strong and witty. She was such a likeable character and had a lot of mishaps that made her a person I would want as a best friend. Ruby had a wonderful partnership with her business partner Kim. They seemed to have a great sense of what the other needs in terms of supporting one another. Curtis was a riot! He is so practical and has such a dry humor. I loved watching Ruby and Curtis spend time together as they embarked on finding the owner of the ring. Ruby was such a great match for Curtis. She was able to bring him out of his cycle of work home! She had such great ideas on how to spend his days off.
I love author Bella Osborne's writing style! She is able to capture the characters, setting, and humor, which causes the reader to fly through the story in no time. I loved how this part allows the reader to learn more about Kim! Kim is such an endearing character! I was glad to learn more about Kim and her past has finding been revealed by the appearance of a certain someone (I will not name him, read the book to find out! *winks) The dog scenes had me laughing out loud and brought warm feelings for those at the shelter. She and Ruby seemed to have their own set of mishaps in front of their potential love interest! I liked reading about some of the other secondary characters such as the ladies at the retirement home and the customers that come to the florist shop. The ending had me so giddy and well satisfied with the partners Ruby and Kim ended up with! Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to those who are fans of romantic comedies and dogs! I can't wait to read more by this author in the future!
Thanks NetGalley, author Bella Osbonre, and Avon publishing for giving me a free arc copy of this book! All thoughts and opinions are my own!

I have read most of Bella Osborne's books and really enjoyed them. I was delighted to receive an early preview copy of this book from Netgalley and the Publisher.
This book is a little more unusual as it features the main Protagonists of Ruby and Curtis as well as a second storyteller featuring Ruby's Manager Kim. There was a lot going on in this book, but it was well written and flowed seamlessly between chapters and characters.
The characters were well thought out, I loved Dot and Kitty from the Nursing home. Ruby was a likeable character, kind and thoughtful.
The book was a little predictable in places but it was a fun and entertaining read. It is lighthearted, feel-good and enjoyable read.. it is an excellent book.

Thank you NetGalley, Bella Osborne and Avon Books UK for the ARC of The Promise of Summer. This is my personal review.
I had been given the first installment of this marvelous book to read and was so excited when I got the privilege to read the entire book.
Ruby and Kim are two friends and the work together at Kim’s florist shop.
This story focuses on Ruby, but Kim is a huge part of it also.
The story is so perfectly written I felt like I had known these two women for years. They made me laugh with them, cheer for them and feel all the emotions they do as I read the book.
Pick up this book to read this summer you will be so glad you did.

This is an amazing contemporary romance that had me laughing out loud and also gushing with happiness from beginning to end. It follows Ruby after years of dating losers, cheats and one guy who did something unrepeatable to her kettle, Ruby has all but given up on romance. But then a stranger sits next to her on a train to London and explains his plan to propose to the woman of his dreams. Maybe true love does exist after all?
When the man accidentally leaves the engagement ring behind, Ruby is determined to save the day. But she hasn't counted on fellow passenger Curtis stepping in and insisting he should be the one to track the stranger down.
This is the first book I have read by this author and I have to say fabulous book

*This is a revised and updated version of my original review for part one of this novel which I read earlier in the year.*

Welcome to Bella Osborne’s utterly hilarious and joyous new novel which radiates sunshine, happiness and positivity. This is your glass half full kind of read,in fact it’s in danger of spilling over,with characters who manage to charm your socks off within the first few minutes of their introduction. Bella Osborne knows exactly which buttons to press in order to engage her readers and keep the laughter rolling.

Meet Ruby Edwards, who works alongside Bloom with a View flower shop owner Kim in their home town of Sheffield. Her story really begins aboard a train destined for London St Pancras, heading for an appointment that could change the course of her life when she strikes up a conversation with the stranger sitting next to her. Lewis is planning to propose to his girlfriend aboard the London Eye, a discussion which proves to Ruby true love and romance DOES exist outside of the movies. Just not for her! Still single at nearly thirty five she’s more or less given up on finding The One so when it transpires Lewis has inadvertently left the engagement ring behind, Ruby automatically resolves to reunite the piece of jewellery with its rightful owner before the proposal is due to take place. Enter into the frame, fellow passenger Curtis Walker, a geeky tech guy who feels he should join forces with Ruby in her mission. Her plans for the day may already have been derailed but how much worse can it get? Cue much hilarity as Bella Osborne ramps up the comedy element without further ado, setting the scene for further adventures a la Edwards and Walker style and gloriously entertaining it most certainly is!

I loved the pairing of Ruby and Curtis without reservation. Straightaway I could tell that the straight laced, responsible and practical Curtis would be the perfect contrast to the haphazard, chaotic, head in the clouds Ruby. They are a winning combination! Everything points to Ruby bringing fun, laughter and mayhem into Curtis’s rigid daily routine whilst this man who speaks like a robot and displays an encyclopaedic knowledge of the underground system may just instil some calm, order and sensibility into hers. Despite their initial lack of success in returning the ring to Lewis neither one of them are ready to abort their mission just yet and needless to say Ruby and Curtis fast become an inseparable duo (friendship basis only!) in what promises to turn into a summer full of surprises and undiluted, spontaneous fun.

This is a hearts and flowers storyline destined to melt your heart and test the theory whether love, romance and happily ever afters is simply a construct of the film industry and romantic novelists or not! Whilst Ruby can teach Curtis a lesson or two in the art of loving, employing the more traditional route to helping
her new friend find a long term girlfriend, Curtis on the other hand can teach Ruby to adopt a more scientific approach, one involving spreadsheets, in her search for a partner whom Ruby will deem the complete package. Two very different methods for attracting either Mr or Mrs Right but could they both be wrong? By being less prescriptive they may discover that love can blossom organically and in the most unlikely of places with little or no interference from outside forces. Watch this space! But it isn’t only Ruby who’s currently unlucky in love. Fellow good friend and work colleague Kim’s love life is full of disasters, both past and present so quite honestly between her and Ruby they make a fine pair. Will either of them be struck by Cupid’s arrow this summer?

Who needs a heatwave when you can bask in the genuine warmth generated by this cast of wonderful characters? From the two old dears in the local nursing home, Dot and Kitty, who like nothing more than a lovely bunch of flowers and a good old gossip, to highly excitable rescue spaniel Boomer to Bloom with a View regular customer Adrian you are swept away in a tidal wave of friendliness, love and romance, kindness and silliness. As the storyline continued to unfold my affection for these characters kept on flourishing. Of course any novel of this type requires the odd (green!)fly in the ointment just to spice things up and ensure not everything runs smoothly or goes according to plan so you can anticipate the presence of a few less than wholesome, unsavoury characters too.

The Promise of Summer is escapist fiction at its very best and a book I happily devoured almost in one sitting. My overall impressions are that this rather cheesy and predictable storyline warrants a massive thumbs up and a resounding ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ It literally fizzes with energy. I had a huge smile on my face for the time it took me to read from beginning to end. Once again Bella Osborne delivers a perfect summer read that has cheerful with a capital C stamped all over it. Give me one of this author’s novels any day of the week and I’m in heaven! And if by any chance you’re still wondering whether Lewis and his engagement ring eventually find one another then why not buy (or borrow) a copy of this novel today?

My thanks as always to the publisher Avon and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read in exchange for an honest review.

Sweet, Clean, Wonderful Romantic Comedy
This is just the best book! It is a sweet and clean romantic comedy that suffers from none of the same old tropes we are all tired of reading. Our main female characters are ladies you would love to have as friends. The men run the gamut from creep to treasure. The actions, reactions, and decisions made all ring true. All of the characters in the book are as real as fictional characters can be. This is the second book by this author that I have read as she is right at the top of my list of 'must read' authors. Well done! I received this ARC book for free from Net Galley and this is my honest review.

This fast-paced summer read was a great way to jump start my summer reading list. I enjoyed how ambitious Ruby was to return a lost ring to it's rightful owner all the while getting to know Curtis better. The story of her co-worker and best friend Kim was written in a way to keep the reader engaged.

I eagerly look forward to reading other books by Bella Osbourne.

Thank you to NetGalley, Bella Osbourne, and the publisher for this advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

This is one of my favourite authors so I just knew I was going to love this book. Originally released as a 4 part serialisation, it’s now available as a full length read. Ruby meets Curtis on a train and they end up trying to find the owner of an engagement ring which has been left behind. Ruby and Curtis are complete chalk and cheese – she’s fun and easy going, he’s straight laced and uptight – but together they are a great double act! As usual this author has had me in stitches with her funny writing and great witty banter between the characters and the storyline in general.

Whilst Ruby and Curtis are the main characters, we also have a second storyline featuring Ruby’s boss and friend, Kim. I loved Kim’s character, and whilst her storyline is quite sad in places she bowled me over with her no nonsense attitude, her friendship with Ruby and her apparent lack of clothes! Boomerang the dog was another firm favourite and the relationship between him and his new owner was simply heart warming.

There were so many likeable moments in this book that I would find it difficult to choose my favourite! The storyline flows at a great pace, moving effortlessly from one chapter to another! I was so captivated by the characters stories that I forgot what I was supposed to be doing and ended up finishing the book in a day! The author always manages to create the perfect story filled with lots of love and laughter, and this book was no different! It’s the perfect escapism and I would wholeheartedly recommend it! Loved it!!

What a wonderful story!
This is one of my favourite authors doing what she does best; but better than ever! A string of wonderful characters in a story that never seems as complicated as it really was. All signs of a master story teller at the top of her form. A story that cracked along at a pace hard to believe, yet never faltering. As ever, I now want to know what happens next for Ruby and Curtis. Sequel, perhaps, Bella?
My thanks to Avon and Netgalley for the reading copy.

What a lovely heartwarming story! I smiled a lot and laughed quite a bit while reading and loved every minute of it!

I had already read part one of this book, before it was a whole book and I absolutely loved it so I knew I was in for a treat.

The story is in fact two stories, the story of Kim who owns a flower shop and has lost her husband Vince and the story of Ruby who works for Kim and is also her friend. There are more stories about Ruby than about Kim, but both are great characters and both seem to have the “gift of the gab”, so there is no shortage of chats and funny lines. Literally laugh out loud funny bits!

Ruby meets Curtis on the train to London and ends up staying in touch with her for numerous reasons. Curtis is rather different, perhaps best described as a handsome Sheldon (The Big Bang Theory), but a wonderful challenge for Ruby, a feisty red head. Ruby is really lovely and can talk to literally anyone, which leads to some lovely conversations and some funny situations.

If you are looking for a light read about friends and romance and with a cute over excited dog look no further!

I would like to thank Bella Osborne, Avon Books UK and NetGalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

💍💐Sweet, fun and addictive😍

Bella Osborne has produced a real winner of a romance here, with plucky, optimistic lead Ruby looking for someone to love and a decidedly staid but somehow irresistible fellow who sneaks into her heart. There's also a secondary plot involving Kim, Ruby's florist employer, and her bit of midlife crisis complete with a rapscallion of a rescue dog and a husband returned from the grave! I was hooked by the excellent writing, well-drawn characters and both Ruby's and Kim's search for that perfect companion and I was sad when I reached the book's end. The minor characters, especially the ladies at the rest home and some of the flower shop's problematic customers, also proved fun and entertaining.

I loved the mix of poignant, romantic and humorous moments. There's nary a thing about this story that I did not adore. It's one of the top romances I've read in 2021!

Thanks to Avon Books and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

We meet Kim and Ruby who run and work at a small florists, and are introduced to various customers who have their own tales to tell. Ruby ends up on a madcap adventure after meeting two very different men on a train and it's all put together extremely well.

A real feel-good novel with a twisty-turny plot that’s expertly handled and characters you can root for, based in a real world where you have to do floristry admin and tidying up, where you have to work hard to get a dog’s trust, and a person’s.

This was the first Bella Osborne novel I’ve read and certainly won’t be the last. Recommended for people who want a well-plotted and researched, fun summer read that you can rely on to do a good job.

My full review on my blog: https://librofulltime.wordpress.com/2021/07/16/book-review-bella-osborne-the-promise-of-summer/

This Was such a heart warming and laigh out loud book. The characters were so relatable. The female character Who has experienced her share of not suitable men. Her still looking for the happily ever after ending. The male character so strong but oh so naive about life. You Just want to hug him and take him home with you. A pick me UP book. Thank you to netgalley for letting me read this e arc in exchange for an honest opinion

What a fantastic read! A hilarious and heart-warming read that I couldn’t have loved anymore!
The characters are so well written that you can picture them as clearly as if you had met them in real life. They were so special, they really made this story sing. Totally unconventional, and far from the personalities you usually come across in this genre, I felt like this was real a breath of fresh air! Bella in my opinion absolutely nailed it with Curtis, one of the best characters I have come across for so many reasons. Commonly when a character with autism or with tendencies of ASD are presented in books, it is in a negative way or with sadness. This however turned that stereotype right on its head and I was absolutely over the moon to see that Bella had really plucked all the best bits about being on the spectrum and turned it into a real positive. With ASD playing such a big part in our lives I found it touching to see that all those beautiful positives were really celebrated. It added to the humour beautifully and I hope that other authors will follow suit and really celebrate people that may be different or quirky.
The setting was perfect, largely in a florist, where I could almost smell the gorgeous blooms, I enjoyed the lively friendship between Kim and Ruby. Following Kim alongside the main story line was such a good idea, it really gave that little extra, and again Boomer the slightly uncontrollable pooch, was a funny and adorable addition.
I will finish there as I don’t want to spoil this for anyone else reading as I could sing this book’s praises all day, but I really could not recommend this enough, for a perfect, feel good, Summer read, this is your one!
Thank you to Netgalley, Bella Osbourne and Avon for the ARC copy.

I had already read part one so was really pleased to be given the opportunity to read the whole book.
Ruby meets Curtis on a train after Lewis jumps off with Ruby's phone after borrowing it. They discover Lewis has left behind an engagement ring and so they set about trying to find him to return it.
Kim owns a florist where Ruby works. She is lonely. Her regular customer Adrian pops in every week for flowers for his wife. They become friends and he helps her with finding a dog.
This is really funny, I had so many laugh out loud moments. I loved Curtis, he is so literal.
I'm not sure I could handle a dog like Boomer but he was sweet.
Overall a fantastic summer read I can highly recommend.
My thanks to Netgalley and Avon for the ARC in return for an honest review.

After being involved in the cover reveal in May for this beautiful looking Summer story, I couldn’t wait to read it.
It’s a fantastic summery read. I loved how it wasn’t just about Ruby, but told us Kim’s story too. Two strands of storyline showed just why these two warm and compassionate women were more than just work colleagues.
The dialogue between Ruby and Curtis was wonderful - such an easy going friendship full of wit and humour.
With many laugh out loud scenarios tinged with those serious moments too, this book is brilliantly written and was a joy to read.

Kim and Ruby, who work together at Kim's flower shop, both find love in unexpected ways in this sweet tale. Ruby's seat mate on the Tube shows her a diamond ring he plans to use to propose to his love at the London Eye. When his phone dies, she lends him hers but then- he gets off the train with her phone, leaving the ring behind! She's desperate to make the switch and along with Curtis. sets off to find him. Meanwhile, Kim has a client who has been buying flowers for his wife but it turns out she's been dead for two years. Why does he keep coming in? It's light, it's fun, and if you can guess that's going to happen, that's ok but Osborne is a good storyteller. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC.