Member Reviews

What a fantastic read, I read this book in two days, I couldn’t put it down.

I would recommend this to all my friends

5 stars from me

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Ruby Edwards life at first sounds mundane, works in a florist, no boyfriend & appears no life but how things change. Ruby is on a train to London & after a series of events, her life is turned upside down. Now never a dull moment in Ruby's life!
A really good read & another good book from Bella Osborne. Her books never fail to entertain. Recommended read.

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Ruby has had her fair share of unsuitable boyfriends and has virtually given up on love looking elsewhere to achieve her dream of a baby.
On her way to London she sits next to a young man who is about to propose to his girlfriend. She lends him her phone and he goes to get a better reception and is left on the station and she finds herself the owner of the engagement ring.
The young man opposite, Curtis, takes charge and off they go to try and find him.
Will it take all summer? will they be successful and will Ruby achieve her dream?

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Another fantastic and very well written book by Bella, you can't go wrong with her books. I loved this one with its twists and turns but it was also an easy read, This one has a lot of emotions within its covers. Well worth 5 stars.

Thanks to Netgalley and publisher for this ARC

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I have followed Bella Osborne’s writing since she published her debut novel It Started at Sunset Cottage and have enjoyed all of her trademark quirky heroines. I loved Ruby, especially when she first starts to work alongside Curtis and he asks her what she normally does for a living!

The thing with Bella’s books is that you think you are in for a light easy to read novel and that’s what you get, but the author throws some serious themes in with the mix that make you think. I do believe that The Promise of Summer is my favourite Bella Osborne yet.

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Yet another stunning book by Bella. This one has a touch of mystery as well as romance with relatable characters. Thank you for the ARC.

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The Promise of Summer by Bella Osborne

📓Genre: Women's Fiction | General Fiction | Romance
Star: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌠 (4.5 stars rounded to 5 stars)

🔖 Although I initially wasn't too sure how the book would turn out, it in fact, turned out to be a really good one.
🔖It's mainly the story of Ruby, a vibrant young woman, with a history of being not too lucky in love.
🔖But while on a train journey, when one of her fellow passengers mistakenly leaves behind a ring – Ruby and Curtis – two people having completely opposite temperaments – join forces to return the ring to its rightful owner.
🔖The core story is pretty simple. But what keeps you hooked is the style of writing, complete with the right amount of humour, romance and even a pinch of mystery.
🔖The book explores the emotionally layered sides of relationships, but all in an enjoyable, light-hearted way.
🔖The story is well-paced and both Ruby and Kim (owner of the flower shop where Ruby works) are really well-written characters. The tale even has its fair share of twists and turns.
🔖Special mention – is how lovingly the author has written about the super cute dog – Boomerang (later shortened to Boomer).
🔖Overall, if you are looking for a cute little summer read that's both heartwarming and enjoyable – this is the book for you!

🔸Final Verdict: Really good!
🔸Book Cover: Vibrant
🔸Writing Style: Fun and engaging
🔸Character Development: Realistic and likeable characters.

✨Many thanks to Avon Books UK (Publisher) and Netgalley for sending me the ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
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#NetGalley #arc #bookreview

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I loved this book! It makes you feel all warm and fuzzy inside... Love and romance isn't always where you expect it and with whom. Bella Osborne writes about this in such a lovely way, it's a perfect summer read.

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With thanks to #Netgalley and #AvonBooks for an ARC of #ThePromiseOfSummer by #BellaOsborne.

Flame haired, unlucky in love, Ruby, is 35 and desperate to be a mother.
In her quest to achieve her goal, Ruby finds herself on a train to London, where she meets Curtis. A man who views life in black and white, and has a spreadsheet for everything.
Ruby also meets Lewis on the train, a handsome stranger, who tells Ruby a wildly romantic story as to why he is on the train that day. This ultimately leads Ruby and Curtis on an adventure that will change both of their lives.

Kim, is in her mid forties, and she is the owner of, and Ruby’s boss at, Room With A Bloom, where she runs a successful florist shop.
Every week Adrian comes into the shop to buy a bouquet of flowers for his wife. Around the same age as Kim, they become friends and Adrian helps Her to find a rescue dog. Along comes Boomer… a hyperactive spaniel, who’ll eat or pee on anything!
As their friendship grows, Kim realises that Adrian’s life isn’t as she first thought.

As in every episode of Scoobydoo, there is a mystery to be solved, but there is so, so much more along the way in this book.

As always Bella writes with great humour, warmth and sensitivity.

I loved the characters. They were down to earth and believable.
Curtis was a joy. His social awkwardness and sense of right and wrong were so endearing.

This is definitely one of those books that will keep you reading for ‘just one more chapter,’ well into the wee small hours.
I actually caught myself smiling while reading because I was so engrossed, and enjoying every word of this charming tale.

By the end, I will admit there were tears. They were happy tears though. It’s been a long time since the love story in a book has given me butterflies in my tummy and a lump in my throat, but this wonderful book delivered.

Genuinely my only critisism of this book was the page that said, ‘THE END’.

A wonderfully uplifting, warm and full of fuzzy feelings, five stars from me.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book has been released in four parts, and will be released as a whole story on 22/7/21

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This was originally published in four parts and then finally as a single book. I read the first three parts in their individual volumes before finally reading this combined book.
Ruby is a florist with a history of a bad choice of boyfriends. Travelling on a train to London she meets Lewis, who shows her an engagement ring, saying that he is going to propose to his girlfriend on the London Eye. Also on the train is Curtis, a very socially awkward businessman, who when Lewis accidentally leaves the ring behind when he briefly leaves the train to make a phone call, says that they should try to return the ring.
This leads to a series of events whilst they are trying to return the ring, with some surprising twists and turns in the storyline. The book also covers the story of Ruby's boss Kim and her friendship with a regular customer, Aiden.
Bella Osborne is on my list of must read authors managing to combine romance and humour, balanced with some sadder moments, and I would give this more than 5* if I could.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

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I love Bella Osborne's books!! And this is no exception, its a winner!!
Seriously feel good reading - fun, warm and kind. Ruby has given up on romance and has a plan which involves a trip to London. She works in a florist in Sheffield with her great friend Kim, who is unaware of what she up to. The train journey changes her day completely - no spoilers here!
The characters are just brilliant, I could even hear their Yorkshire accents when I read! The friendships are portrayed so very well.
Loved the book and all the twists and turns of this amazing story!
Highly recommended!
Thank you to NetGalley for the early read, very much appreciated!

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Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

If I could give more than 5⭐️ I would.

Ruby who works with Kim in a florist that Kim owns, has dated for years, mainly those were losers and cheated on her, and there was one guy who did something to her kettle. So has given up on finding love. On a train, someone whose sitting next to her, tells her how he’s going to propose, making Ruby think that true love can be found…

Getting off the train, he leaves the engagement ring behind. Ruby so wants to get the ring to him. That is until, another passenger, Curtis, decides he should find the person. Whilst trying to return the ring Curtis and Ruby are thrown together.

The story is well-written, with some likeable/lovable characters and some not. With mysteries to clear, it’ll keep you turning the pages as you’ll want to know what happens next.

Love to read Bella’s books and I can’t wait to see what she writes next.

Highly Recommend It

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From the first page I knew I was in for a fun, lighthearted read and it didn't disappoint. I've The story is based around Ruby. She's looking for love after some bad encounters. On an eventful trip to London she meets Curtis.

I absolutey loved this book its not all sweetness and light there are some sad moments. I loved the writing style it flowed really well. read a few books by Bella Osborne and she aways delivers a brilliant storyline.shes fast becoming one of those authors you don't need to read the blurb to know its going to be good.

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Another brilliant book from Bella. I loved this one although I guessed the ending right at the start it didn’t spoil the read at all. It was so entertaining and funny. I was so pleased with the ending. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

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What a wonderful summer read, it had me hook from the first page.
I loved the dual story on both Ruby and Kim.
Ruby was a 30 something woman who wanted her happy ever after. When on her way to London she meets a rather intriguing Curtis on the train but also another tall dark stranger into the mix which then leads her onto a journey of mystery and discovery.
Kim owns the florist shop where Ruby works and she has her own romantic problems along with a rescue dog who she adopts which provides laughs along the way.
This book has all the emotions in the read, the characters are sweet and refreshing.
Cannot wait for Bella's next read.

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What a fantastic read I devoured this book in one sitting!
Loved the Bella touch as in all her books the characters just gelled perfectly.
This crazy love story includes a mad dog, a flower shop and a whole tangle of adventures.
Highly recommended read

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From the very first page this book made me smile and yes in some places even laugh out loud. Two parallel stories, of best friends , run side by side focussing on the middle aged Kim (owner of Bloom with a view - fantastic name for a florist) and Ruby her capable, but mad as a box of frogs, assistant. We follow their normal daily lives in the shop, see new new friendships develop with Curtis (I fell in love with him after Covent garden) and Adrian , visit a residential home full of life and chase a man about to propose across London. It's brilliant, well written, easy to read and funny and just a bit silly in places. A total pick me up.

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Well I was hooked into the story within the first chapter and my absorption and love of it didn't wane throughout.

There are so many threads running through this book, some I kind of guessed correctly the outcomes of, some I desperately wanted my ideas to be the truth, and others were just so lovely and at all times I was enjoying what I was reading so much.

Although Ruby is the main character, I also loved the chapters focusing on Kim, her boss and best friend, who has some great storylines of her own, including one with a new four legged friend that is so heartwarming.

But for me the standout character is Curtis, I absolutely adored him. He's not the easiest to describe, but has such a way about him that once you are used to his speech patterns and have an idea of how he thinks, he is quite adorable and really just lovely!

And what of the stranger on the train, that Ruby starts chatting to as mentioned in the blurb, well his initial actions are essentially the catalyst for Ruby and Curtis' budding friendship and I was just as invested as Ruby was in finding him again!

I'm a massive fan already of Bella Osborne, and this is just another example of a fabulous book from a talented author. I wasn't really sure what to expect in terms of plot as don't think I'd even looked at the blurb, and was incredibly happy with what was delivered.

Thoroughly enjoyable, what a fantastic book!

Thank you to Avon and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

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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!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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Really enjoyed this story and all it brought. Hard to put down as you truly get involved into the story.

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