what an enjoyable book to read as always from bella osborne telling a story of two flat mates who have different problems in their lives with up and downs but of course it comes to a happy end for alice and dom and nancy and freddy now to read the follow up part 1 here you come

Such a wonderful read! All the warm feels are captured within these pages. It’s feel good, funny, romantic and light hearted. I loved every page. The characters are engaging and fun throughout and the dual storyline just adds to the overall story. If I could jump into the pages of any book I think it would be this one even with Percy on the rampage!

Thank you Netgalley

Oh I just loved this! It was one of my favourites this summer. The location and the characters I adored! The story itself is stunning and so easy to read. Very happy would definitely recommend this book.

I really enjoyed this, I thought the storyline was great, as were the characters.

Thank you NetGalley for my complimentary copy in return for my honest review.

Nancy's craft enterprise is on the brink of collapse without a new profitable deal. Her presentation flops, yet a glimmer of hope arises when Freddy steps in. Freddy, born into wealth and unacquainted with work, must prove he can handle a job to gain control of his family's estate. In return, he hints at providing Nancy the much-needed contract. As her assistant, he's not ideal, but shines when he takes an injured Nancy to recuperate at his Seashell Bay family estate, exposing her to a lavish lifestyle.

Parallel to this is another captivating narrative. Nancy's flatmate, Alice, is experiencing London's allure while working as a teaching assistant. A memorable kiss at a club haunts her, especially when the man reemerges as a parent of a student in her class. Alice presumes he's taken until a vacation revelation suggests he might be attainable.

These intertwined romance stories are linked primarily by their main characters, Nancy Barraclough and Alice Pelling, who cohabit, discuss their dilemmas, and give each other love advice. The tale is a delightful romantic escapade filled with vivid personalities and set amidst a beautiful backdrop.

This is a really entertaining, fun read with plenty of witty dialogue and humorous events. A great source of the latter has to come from the various animals who inhabit the pages, usually bringing chaos in their wake! Nancy is a positive, go-getter who is determined to build up her business through sheer hard work. She is a likeable though driven character with a softer side which you often glimpse. Fair as a boss, she sets out to help those who need a helping hand to get on. In that, she couldn't be more different from some of the hard- nosed businessmen she comes up against.

Freddy is Nancy's polar opposite and has had a privileged background. It is when you see him at home, that you glimpse some hidden depths and a caring side. Alongside Nancy's story, you meet Alice, Nancy's young lodger who has some huge difficulties to overcome. At first, you are impatient with her over-protective parents but the reasons for their behaviour become clear as the story develops. There is plenty in the book to amuse, with different generations and a few surprising characters. I can see the setting and the characters have potential for further stories, but am not sure if that is planned- let's hope so!

Brilliant storyline. Laughed a lot, Nancy certainly kept Freddy on his toes! Great escapism from real life.

I absolutely loved this book. The characters were excellent. It was good to have 2 stories going at the same time. Meet me at Pebble beach is my favourite Bella Osbourne book and this comes a very close second.

I always love books by Bella Osborne and this one is no exception. Light hearted fun and I love the interaction between Nancy and Freddy. Perfect beach read

A brilliant read and one I really enjoyed. The characters are loveable and varied, the plot is one that is engaging and medium paced. I found myself completely drawn into the story and enjoyed the writing style.

This one did start off well. Around 40% in I got bored and I just could not continue. It did not interest me any more.

An Invitation To Seashell Bay is a romance novel by British author, Bella Osborne. It consists of two romance tales told in tandem, whose only real connection is that their protagonists, Nancy Barraclough and Alice Pelling share a house, act as sounding boards for each other’s problems, and offer relationship advice.

Twenty-one-year-old teaching assistant Alice Pelling shares a kiss with a man in a nightclub, then discovers another connection they have, and indulges in a bit of stalking to find out if he’s available. But Alice has a situation that might impede the course of true love.

Twenty-nine-year-old owner of Having A Ball, an online business selling ethically-sourced yarn, needs to land an account with All Things Crafty to save her business, but the snooty owner rejects her products. His surprising about-face has a catch: she needs to employ the notorious playboy heir to Langham Hall, Freddy Astley-Davenport for six months as proof to his parents that he can take over the estate. But Freddy’s idea of work doesn’t really match up with what Nancy believes a Personal Assistant should do...

This is, disappointingly, quite a bit more light-weight than two of Osborne’s previous novels, The Library and The Girls, but readers in the market for a light-hearted romance that includes plenty of silliness may enjoy it.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Avon Books UK

An Invitation to Seashell Bay is author Bella Osborne's another attempt at a light and lovely romantic story. In this book, she primarily focuses on two sets of couples. The first couple are as distant as two people can be. Nancy, who is a self- made entrepreneur, is a confident and self-assured go-getter who is determined to do the best by the company she is running. Fate and circumstances make her cross paths with Freddy, the son of a Lord belonging to the upper echelons of the society who has had everything handed over to him throughout his life.

On the other hand is Alice, Nancy's roommate and a trainee teacher, who has been trying her best to come of the boundaries he parents tend to send for her and is searching for that one person with whom she can connect with. But Alice's long time health issue poses a threat to her dreams and hopes. However, her accidental meeting with Dom, the father of one of her students, sets off sparks and also the hopes that she can have a chance at normal life as well.

The author has woven a good story for shows the reader portraying the development of relationship between these ordinary people who are facing their own challenges and difficulties in life. It was a fairly good read going through the steps and stages of these people's relationships. There were some great moments, particularly in the first half of the story, which got me greatly interested in the lives of these people. However, the second half of the story didn't sustain my interest. Not to say that it was boring; it was not. But still there were some moments between Nancy and Freddy which seemed forced to me. Alice's dilemma with Dom did seem believable and even quite understandable, I was able to emotionally invest in their relationship; but there were moments which felt too unreal and unnatural.

Overall, this is a fairly good holiday read filled with light and lovely moments, that you could read for a good time-pass.

I had not read part 1 or 2 in the series and found this book can be read alone. Bella Osborne is a favorite author and don’t know how I missed the other books, but I will go and read them. Nice modern romance. I didn't expect the last third of the book and was happy at the ending. I don’t want to be a spoiler. Read and enjoy!

I really loved this romantic fiction book. It was just wonderful!

The story is about Nancy, Alice, Freddy and Dom, who are all wonderful characters. Nancy has a business and she hires rich Freddy as her assistant, which leads to funny antics and a blossoming friendship between two people who are very different. Freddy is a real character, and he is very funny. Alice is a teacher, and Dom is the Dad of one of her students. They also form a great friendship, and perhaps something more.

This is a really fun novel, which is heartwarming and full of love, family and friendships. It is the perfect summer read, and great for a holiday! Highly recommended!

Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book.

I had already read part one of this book as an ARC from Netgalley so was really eager to find out how the story goes.

I enjoyed the dual storyline running through it and how the stories intertwined since Nancy and Alice share a house.

When Nancy hires Freddy as her PA he thinks he can work one day, get his reference and leave. Nancy needs him to work as her PA but his antics cause mayhem in the workplace. You can definitely tell there is chemistry between them but they are a loggerheads so much they don't see it. However, when Nancy has an accident that's when Freddy really steps up. As the storyline goes on it is lovely to see the constant changes in their relationship.

Alice meanwhile meets someone she feels very much for but a hidden illness means she feels the relationship will not work.

This book is full of so many surprises, especially with some of the storylines covered. It is such a lovely, lighthearted, fun but emotional read whilst highlighting more serious subjects.

This is the second book I have read by this author and I will definitely be looking out for more.

Thank you Netgalley and Rachel's Random Resources for my ARC copy.

I devoured this book! I absolutely adored it, this light - hearted, uplifting and brillaintly funny story, written with such lightness that it makes your heart swell with joy!

The characters were absolutely brilliant, all of them. Sure, some came too short and too stereotyped but I'm guessing it was intended, if only to make them even more caricatural. However, the main character were simply top shelf - witty, sharp - minded and colourful. The banter between them was first class and the one - liners were the best.

But wit and humour is not everything and the author touches upon some health issues - albeit surprisingly, I for sure wasn't expecting it and well, I think it felt a bit like an after - thought and was dealt with a bit too rushed for my liking. The subplot with Alice and Dom felt also a bit forced, to be honest, and Dom came as hard hitting. I think it the author gave them a bit more time it wouldn't feel so wooden and forced, as if it was added in the last moment.

But altogether, it was a brilliant, sunny read, with engaging characters, lovely plot and gorgeous setting - a perfect read for a summer evening!

An absolutely brilliant book. I was totally gripped from the start and I so didn't want it to end, I'm actually hoping there may be a chance to catch up with these fabulous characters again. This book is witty, charming, fun and one that I heartily recommend.

After reading the first instalment of the book I couldn’t wait to get stuck into the full book and it certainly didn’t disappoint, I didn’t want it to finish. I hope there might be a follow on so we can see what happened next ?
A lovely easy read

A new author to me and they did not disappoint. I loved the background of this story and wanted to find out more about the crafting side. I really hope this becomes a series as I'll definitely be purchasing more. Lovely feel good factor book with the added bonus of a dual storyline with the 2 main characters. Already recommending to family and friends.