Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for providing a free ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was a lovely story that hit all the notes I look for when I sit down to read a book like this. I enjoyed how the characters came to know each other, and how their lives evolved after that. The multiple storylines made this an entertaining and fast read that pushed me to devour this one in a few sittings. I highly recommend this book for anyone wanting a fun, lighthearted escape with a little romance and quirky antics thrown in for good measure.

A delightful summer read!

Ruby has struggled to find a lasting relationship. Whilst talking to Lewis, a passenger on a train, who shows her the beautiful engagement ring he is going to surprise his girlfriend with on the London Eye, her faith in love is partially restored. However, when he momentarily steps off the train to ring his girlfriend, the train pulls out of the station and Ruby still has the ring. Another passenger, Curtis agrees to help Ruby track down Lewis so that they can reunite him with the ring.

Ruby works for Kim, the owner of a florists. Kim has her own romantic woes, having rebuilt her life after leaving her cheating partner. She builds a friendship with Adrian, a regular customer who buys flowers for his wife. When she discovers he is a widower, their friendship becomes closer, however his grown daughter does not approve.

This was a beautiful story and it is so lovely to see a tale of love and friendship for older characters as well as young ones.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my review.

The Promise of Summer tells the story of Ruby, 35, and who had  a "woefully bad luck track record when it came to men".
She works as a florist in "Bloom With A View" in Sheffield with her friend Kim.

The story tells the story of the two girls love life, Kim falling for Adrian a regular customer and Curtis whom Ruby meets a man on a train trip to London But it's a will she won't she take the plunge plunge and let fate pall her towards love as at the time has given up on love completely. 

The girls have have huge ups and  upsetting downs and a wide variety of funny stories along the way with very endearing characters and a cute dog! They discover if the can find their own happily ever after along the way!?!

I would thoroughly enjoyed this book and would definitely read one of Bella Osborne's other books because I loved the charters, pace and style of her writing.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for giving me an digital copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.

The Promise Of Summer by Bella Osborne. This is another NetGalley read. The main character is Ruby who has been very unlucky in love and has given up finding a man. We see Ruby’s story begin when she meets a man in a train who is going to propose to his girlfriend in London but leaves the engagement ring on the train. Ever the romantic Ruby wants to save the day but another passenger Curtis has the same idea and we follow the journey of what adventures follow. My first impressions of this book were wow what the hell is going on, I didn’t expect that when starting the book but when you read on it all makes sense and is really quite funny and makes it quite a intriguing story. However this for me was probably the most gripping and interesting part of the book. When reading these books I sometimes make notes along the way about the way I’m feeling about it and at 25% in I wrote that this book hadn’t grabbed me, the beginning is a great hook and will have you laughing out load but at this point it hadn’t grabbed me and this was the same throughout, at best I can describe it as a nice, easy summer read. It will continually make you laugh and smile and at point the characters stubbornness will frustrate you and parts will bring a tear to your eye. Yet despite all of this is just missed something. Ruby is a lovely character but I found that even though at times she’s this strong and head strong character she also trusts far to easily, and sees the best in everyone. Yet she’s had it tough at times more recently losing her mum. However as the reader you get right behind her and want the best for her. For me this book was like watching an ok Rom Com, you sit there watching it knowing it ok, it has potential and you want things to work out for the characters. In places it’s a bit boring but it has its good parts. As the Ron Com draws to its conclusion no matter how average the film has been you want things to work out for the characters and once everything works out the way you were hopping it gives you the romantic feels! This is exactly how this book was for me. A very average, nice book but just missing something. However would still recommend. I would read something again by this author.

The story about love. In every shape, shade. Love but not from the movie or books, but the authentic one. With doubts, misunderstanding, tears and Sorrow. And happy end, of course.

At The beginning, I felt overwhelmed. So many separate paths, actions that seems to be random. Sure, later on, everything was nice tangled in one, but the few first chapters were hard to go through.

I found it difficult to understand the main characters actions, decisions and thought but these situations are so specific, personal that It is impossible to get until you get in their shoes.

Summer reading. A little bit predictable with naïve belief in love that lasts forever. Full of emotions, second chances, mistakes and makeups. Perfect for last day on the beach.

The main characters in this book reminded me of Professor Don Tillman and Rosie in the book, The Rosie Project.
Ruby is an outgoing and very animated young woman. She has finally decided that after dating many less than likely prospects, that romance and love are probably not in the cards for her. She sets off on a trip to London. On the train ride there, she meets up with a young man who is on his way to propose to his girlfriend. When the young man leaves the ring behind on the train, Ruby and another traveller, Curtis, embark on a journey to return the ring to the young man. Curtis is very staid and almost robotic in nature and he and Ruby seem like a very unlikely pair. But their friendship begins to bloom. What will become of their friendship and will the ring be returned? Thank you to Netgalley and Avon books UK for giving me this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The book is titled a " heartwarming and uplifting romance for Summer 2021" Isn't that what we need at the end of this long pandemic lockdown? I say at the price of $1.99 CA it is worth every penny! I plan on investigating some of this writer's other books!
4 stars out of 5
Available now on Amazon Kindle for $1.99

Another wonderful book from Bella. An unusual and captivating story which is fast paced and fun. The humour is natural and unforced. I loved the characters of Ruby and Curtis and the interaction between them was both humorous and tender. It’s an unusual romance full of heartfelt emotions. There is a feeling of kindness and hope throughout the story. It’s a heartwarming book that will make you smile and believe that true love and friendship will always win the day. A must read book!
Thanks to NetGalley and Avon books for allowing me to read this book.

This is a lovely Summer book full of humour, mystery and romance. Ruby works at a friendly florist shop and is friends with Kim, the owner. She travels to London for an important appointment and meets two men on the train who influence her future life.

Trying to return the ring draws Curtis and Ruby together with amusing results he is a mysterious man but appears kind. The original plot is peppered with witty humour, gentle romance and mysteries to solve. It keeps you turning the pages to see what happens next to Ruby and Kim.

There are plenty of conflicts to happy endings, for the women in this book with past loves and disgruntled relatives causing problems. The animal characters are worth a mention, as they add humour and poignancy to the story. Boomer and Seymour are wonderfully portrayed.

The relationship dynamics are so well written. They draw the reader into the characters' lives, making what happens to Kim and Ruby count. The plot has unexpected twists and not all the characters are what they first appear to be. The ending is romantic and satisfying, leaving the reader with a heartwarming hug.

I received a copy of this book from Avon Books UK via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

I'll be honest and say I was putting off reading this story as I thought it'll kill time but not be all that good, and let me tell you how wrong I was. I loved this story!! Our hero and heroine were both so lovable and relatable; if you're an introvert you'll instantly relate to our hero, or if you're an extrovert you'll perfectly understand our heroine. Although the story is about giving a ring back to someone you met in passing on a train, the story is about so much more than that. It's a woman in her mid 30s grieving the loss of her mother and trying to make her way in the world, a guy who is possibly on the spectrum and struggling to relate to others, and a woman in her late 50s struggling with a secret. I must admit to loving all the twists and turns that kept you guessing, despite the fact it's a romcom, and did feel all warm and fuzzy reading this. I would definitely recommend to others and look out for other books from this author

The Promise of Summer is told by 30-something Ruby and middle-aged Kim who owns the flower shop they both work in. Ruby has suffered so many dating disasters and is almost at the point of giving up her dream of romance. A chance encounter on a train with two very different men could change all that.

This is another warm, feel-good story filled with random acts of kindness. As always Bella Osborne's books are well written with lovely characters. Even though you think you know how the love interests will pan out, there's still a bit of mystery with a really good storyline that makes you want to read on.

I loved that it included dog rescue, the seaside, and some funny menopausal moments. I'd love to see a follow up to this book. Highly recommended.

A cute story that I would recommend to those who like sweet romance novels with sweet characters. I don't think I've read anything by Bella Osborne before, and will seek out more of her books in the future.

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Bella Osborne is a new author to me. I absolutely loved this book from beginning to end. The characters were wonderful especially Ruby who made me laugh. Curtis was quite a character both funny and serious. It was funny, heartwarming and a little sad at times - especially at the end it really tugged at my heart strings. I couldn't put it down and read it in record time. Wonderful.

I've been apprehensive about picking up my next romance read, knowing that I haven't been reading any fantastic ones in a long time. The blurb of this book attracted me, though not so much the cover and the title. Looking at it again now, I honestly don't think that the cover and the title suit this book at all. Summer doesn't have a significance; I don't remember the season being mentioned at all.

After having dated so many men and not having any luck, Ruby has decided to take matters into her own hands to fulfill what she thinks her purpose is. To do so, she has to travel to London. While on the train, the stranger sitting beside her took out an engagement ring and regaled to her a story about how he intends to propose to his girlfriend. It makes Ruby believe in love again. But when he leaves the ring behind, she makes it a point to return it to him. How could she not, after spending time with this romantic man who helped boost her mood? Only, this other passenger she met on the train, Curtis, doesn't find her trustworthy. This begins their journey together to find him. Meanwhile, Ruby's friend Kim is also having a love story of her own written out for her.

I would say that the plot of this book did not disappoint. Several parts of the story caught me unawares, and I loved them. They really left me shocked for a good few seconds! And though the main story has already been revealed in the blurb, I was still impressed. Finding the man who lost an engagement ring on the train and finding love on the way... who could possibly think of this? Only this author.

What I am not so into are the characters. The story switches between Ruby and Kim. Personally, I'm not a huge fan of that. I'd much prefer if the whole book is written with Ruby as our one and only protagonist (along with Curtis, of course). Both of them are exactly the same: naive and tired of love. I understand that they are flaws, but to have two people's stories almost mirroring each other's in the same book where they are both considered protagonists, it does get quite annoying and a bit like 'what's the point?'. The build-up for the romance between Curtis and Ruby was quite boring too. I didn't feel anything. It was hard to know what Curtis was feeling. As Ruby mentioned, he's like a robot. But maybe he's too much of a robot to be included in fiction.

Life is never simple, is it? Lewis and Aiden seem like the perfect men for Ruby and Kim, but they each have their own demons. Curtis and Vince seem like ones to throw back, but are they? Full of twists, turns, and the occasional crazy surprise (sperm donor found online, anyone?), this book is sure to have you laughing, crying, and ready to do battle on behalf of your two new favorite floral artists!

Aww - this is such a cute story!

I love the fact that we get to follow not only Ruby in her idyllic and somewhat naïve search for the perfect man/or at least the perfect "swimmers", but we also get to follow her boss, Kim, from being a grieving wife to a strong woman getting her life back on track.

This book gives you lots of hints about life to follow. The point of it all being that you cannot change a person to fit you, because everyone is perfect in their own way.
You just have to way until your perfect person shows up... Sounds easy enough, right?

Thanks to NetGalley and Avon books for the ARC.
I will come back and post on instragram on the publishing date.

Loved this book. Quick read, and completely enjoyable.
While on a train to London, a stranger its net to Ruby and tells her the story of how he is going to propose to his girlfriend. Accidentally, Ruby ends with the ring when he leaves it behind. She is determined to find him so he can continue with his proposal. But, someone else from the train, Curtis, thinks he should take charge of the ring and finding its owner.
Fun story with some romance, and some laughs.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This is a story of Ruby who meets Curtis in a rather unexpected way and how their relationship unfolds.

I’ve never read any of this authors work before and so wasn’t sure what to expect. The start of the book annoyed me a little as I felt the initial meeting and following activities felt a bit unrealistic. However, the great interaction between the characters, and lovely writing soon won me over. In fact I think I fell a little bit in love with Curtis myself too (and Boomer the dog – who sounded great and I was so happy he got his forever home)

It had a little bit of everything – highs, lows, some poignant moments, and some funny ones.

I was a little bit sad when it came to the end. I absolutely would read another book by Bella Osborne

4.5 stars

Copy provided by Avon Books and Netgalley.

As a huge fan of this author, I looked forward to some salt of the earth characters and some humour in amongst the drama. I was not disappointed.

Ruby is a smart young lady who is unlucky in love, while Kim is middle aged with a tale to tell. Curtis is a handsome but naive businessman with a lot to learn about finding a lovematch. Adrian is a widower whose daughter doesn't want him to move on.

Their lives become entangled through chance encounters, mix ups and fraud.

I loved this book and read it in a day. Ruby’s getting old and makes a life changing decision that needs a trip to London. However from the start of sitting in the wrong seat, upsetting a stuffed shirt business man, to then sitting with a gorgeous guy on his way to propose to the love of his life on the London eye. Ruby’s day and life takes a totally different route. This book is chocker full of laughter, tears, shocks and love. A must read just fabulous

When a stranger sits next to Ruby on the train delighting her with the story of how he is going to propose to his girlfriend. She is swept away in the romance of it. When he accidentally leaves the engagement ring behind Ruby is determined to find him so his planned proposal can go ahead. But a fellow passenger, Curtis, insists it should be him that takes possession of the ring and track down the owner.

This starts a beautiful friendship and a some hilarious situations.

I love Bella Osborne books and this one is no exception.