The Spring Farewell

Seasons of Belle #4

by Michelle Montebello

FROM THE BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE QUARANTINE STATION.

THE SEASONS OF BELLE READING ORDER:
The Summer of Everything (#1)
To Autumn, With Love (#2)
The Colour of Winter (#3)
The Spring Farewell (#4)

Happily married and still living in Tuscany, Belle and Andre pursue their dreams of starting a family. They’ve commenced fertility treatment and are hopeful it will result in a pregnancy. But a surprise bombshell from Belle’s best friend, Riley , puts their treatment on hold.

Riley announces that she’s marrying her partner, Emilio , and asks Belle and Andre to fly to Sydney for the wedding. But this is not the only surprise waiting for Belle when she arrives in her hometown.

Someone she loves dearly confesses devastating news to her, rocking her to the core. Belle’s world falls apart as she and Andre must decide if they stay in Sydney indefinitely, putting their dreams of having a baby on hold. One thing Belle knows for certain, she won’t lose another person she loves.

Witness the power of love, hope and human resilience in The Spring Farewell , the final instalment in the Seasons of Belle series.

304 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 10, 2024

About the author

MICHELLE MONTEBELLO is a writer from Sydney, Australia where she lives with her family.

She is the internationally bestselling author of The Quarantine Station, The Lost Letters of Playfair Street and The Forever Place.

Her books have won numerous accolades. The Quarantine Station won the 2023 International Book Excellence Award while The Lost Letters of Playfair Street won the 2020 ARRA Award for Favourite Historical Romance. The Forever Place was a 2022 ARRA and RWA RuBY Award finalist.

Michelle has been shortlisted three times for ARRA Australian Author of the Year.

For all Michelle’s book news, subscribe to her newsletter at www.michellemontebello.com.au.



Reach out to Michelle on social media:

Facebook: https://bit.ly/2JA6EsB
Instagram: https://bit.ly/2HzdOeP
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2LzG4Aj

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Belle and Andre, now married and living in Tuscany, found their happiness only marred by the fact that they were struggling to become pregnant. Fertility treatment wasn't successful and Belle wondered if she'd ever hold her child in her arms. When the call came from Sydney from Belle's best friend Riley to say she and Emilio were getting married and could they come, Belle and Andre put their treatment on hold and headed to Sydney. They were excited to hear of Riley and Emilio's marriage, and were looking forward to catching up once again.

The wedding was small and quiet, just as Belle and Andre's had been. Closest family and friends by their sides, Riley and Emilio were peaceful, happy and calm. But when Belle heard news from a loved one that devastated her and Andre, they weren't sure whether to return to Tuscany after their three weeks, as planned, or stay on indefinitely. And then something unexpected happened, and Belle felt emotionally in a turmoil. What was life throwing at them? Why was it so difficult, but also gave so much joy?

The Spring Farewell is the 4th and final episode in the Seasons of Belle by Aussie author Michelle Montebello and oh my goodness! It was powerful, heartbreaking, emotional and filled with love and laughter - what an amazing read; a spectacular finish to the series. I cried; never have I cried so much in a book! I had to stop because I couldn't see. Resilience, acceptance and strength fill the pages of The Spring Farewell and I recommend this book - the whole series - highly!

With thanks to the author for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say, this story the final one in the series, is heart wrenching, so emotional, moving and I cried buckets of tears all the way through, I am still crying, there were times I couldn’t read the words, but some of those tears were very happy tears as well. This story is about true friendship and love, it is such a powerful and honest story one that was very hard to put down once I picked it up.

Belle and Andre are living in Tuscany and trying desperately to have a baby they are now trying fertility treatment and keeping everything crossed that they will soon be pregnant but when Belle’s best friend Riley rings and drops the bombshell that she is marrying Emilio and she would love them to be there Belle and Andre make the decision to put the next treatment on hold so as they can be in Sydney for Riley.

They arrive in Sydney and Belle is helping with the wedding plans when another bombshell is dropped and Belle is devastated she could not possibly lose any more of the people she loves so dearly, one thing that she and Andre know is that they must put off having a baby to be here in Sydney, leaving is not an option, not at this stage anyway.

This story is beautifully told, yes it is painful, very at times but it is honest and filled with hope, love, laughter and such true friendship. Michelle Montebello you broke my heart, you put it back together then broke it again and then put it back together in such a beautiful way with such caring and kindness and true love, Belle, Andre, Riley and Emilio have become such close friends throughout this series it is going to be hard to let them go, but thank you for such a gorgeous series, I loved the epilogue it was the best. I highly recommend this one but you must read them all in order though.

My thanks to the author for my digital copy to read and review.

[Rhonda Stennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not put this book down. The last book in the Belle Series. I loved how the series wraps up- the circle of life and all the seasons. I cried (a lot), I felt happiness and raw emotion. Could not recommend this series enough, it’s a must read. Thank you Michelle Montebello, you are an amazing author. Congratulations

[Susan Mackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A poignant end to the series, beautifully written and extensively researched. No spoilers, but it's a five-star-three-tissue read.

[Craig and Phil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Michelle for gifting us a copy to read and review.
When Michelle sent us book mail with a packet of tissues, I wasn’t expecting to be so moved by this story.
And yes, you will need the tissues.
First of all, I want to applaud my wonderful and dear friend who writes with emotion and passion so damn well.
A beautifully written tale that will capture and touch the heart.
This is the final book in the Seasons of Belle series and quite possibly my favourite.
Living in Tuscany and working in the family restaurant, life has been busy.
And Belle and Andre are ready to start a family but it hasn’t been easy.
The many treatments of IVF have been unsuccessful.
But a phone call from home changes everything.
Riley, her best friend is about to get married.
So off to Australia they go, putting babies on hold for now.
After arriving Belle receives some devastating news which changes her plans for the future.
An emotional, heartfelt, tender and delightful tale.
With any series of multiple books you really get to know the characters and their stories and you could say they become friends and acquaintances.
This is the case here, being on this journey with Belle, there’s been ups and downs, happy and sad and a multitude of feelings but it’s been a charming and inspiring experience.
A monumental epilogue wraps up everything gracefully.
Goodbye friends.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read all of this author's books and simply can't wait for the next one. The Spring Farewell is book 4 (the last book) in the Seasons of Belle series. If you haven't picked up this series, you really need to.

Spring is emotional, raw, powerful and heart-wrenching. I cried throughout the whole book, happy and sad tears. Michelle Montebello will put you through the wringer multiple times with this story.

A fitting end to a gorgeous series from a masterful storyteller. These series needs to be made into a movie.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A possible tear-jerker. You know it's coming, but still a very emotional ending to Belle, Andre, Riley, and Emelio's stories. But a very satisfying epilogue.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story and the emotional journey that Belle went on to achieve the last of her dreams, and lose some more. I loved this book and the series.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again Michelle you have left me an emotional
Mess !
What a beautiful way to finish this amazing series. The friendship between Belle and Riley is something I have urned for my whole life. If felt the pain, the anguish and love between the two main characters and cried with them as Riley battled her cancer journey. But it was at the end of her journey I cried buckets and, again, needed shares in Kleenex. It really hit home though as we have just lost a young friend to brain cancer so that made my emotions tenfold and it have me an insight as to what his parents really went through.

Belle’s journey through pregnancy and IVF will give many women hope. It know it is fictitious but I can tell you have carefully researched to get all the facts correct.

Thank you for the epilogue that finalised the series perfectly and saved from messaging you saying we need more!

Thank you Michelle for an incredible series that I know want to go back and read again from the start!

[Michelle Rodger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by Michelle Montebello that once you start it you can’t put it down. This story is about true friendship and the lengths they go to support one another in a time of need. Riley and Belle have been through so much together in their lives. At a time when they knew Riley needed them Belle and Andre didn’t hesitate to put their lives on hold to be there to support Riley and Emilio in a time they knew they should be there for their friends. I shed many a tear while reading especially towards the end. I highly recommend reading The Spring Farewell. ❤️❤️

[Tanya Nellestein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michelle Montebello is my favourite author - she is incapable of writing a bad word. I adored the original series but her reimagining of Belle Hamilton into the Seasons of Belle is sublime. I got lost in the pages and found myself transported into Belle's world. Spring was the last and brand new instalment of this series, and it delivered in spades. My heart sang with happiness - and shattered a million times over. Montebello captures the experience of what it means to be human, to love and to lose, the essence of raw emotion, and packages it within not only this book, but the entire series. Unlike other series, the Seasons of Belle ties together all the threads and leaves the reader satisfied with the journeys of each character. This is a story that stays with you long after the book has ended.

[Kylie Berry · Rating 5 out of 5]

You know you have read a beautifully written story when the tears are flowing 😭.
The Spring Farewell is up there with my favourite books.
Thank you as always for the journey Michelle.
I laughed, I cried, its everything I look for in a book.
I loved it ❤️

[Rosemarie Pittman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the final book in the Belle series and Michelle Montebello has wrapped this series up perfectly. Belle and Andre yearn for a child and are having fertility treatment, a journey that has both hope and grief when another cycle fails. Due to start their next round, a surprise wedding invitation to their best friends wedding, in Australia, 2 weeks later, their plans are put on hold and they jet off. During their stay, someone they love dearly is found to be seriously ill, and their plans change again. To say more would be a spoiler. This book will have you in tears more than once. Even the acknowledgements had me crying. It is an emotional roller coaster written with a depth of understanding and sensitivity of not only the trails of serious illness but also the strength of love that gets people through hard times. The Belle Series must be read in order.

[Indigo · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an ending to this series! Michelle Montebello didn't disappoint in her greatly anticipated 4th and final book in the Seasons of Belle series.

Before you start, stock up on the tissues. This book packs a wallop in the emotional department. Beautifully honest and genuinely raw. I balled my eyes out from start to finish. This book has all the feels, will take you from one extreme to the other and when you think you're done, it will do it all over again.

If you haven't read this series, do yourself a favour, pick it up. It is sensational - heart-warming, gut-wrenching, soulful and captivating. And Montebello wraps it up so beautifully at the end - the circle of life and all the seasons. Magical!

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was close to a five star read for me, but parts were so telegraphed as to be shouted from the heavens. The plot picked up from the previous book and never really made me guess, even up to the climax, which was heartbreaking. The resolution felt rushed and didn't focus on anyone except the main character, which was disappointing.

[Heather Reyburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written, emotional ending to a wonderful series. Although filled with sadness, this story is also a wonderful view of true friendship and unwavering love. Real life, raw emotion and vivid descriptions, ensure you have the tissue box handy when you read this.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by Michelle. And if you thought the 3rd book was emotional, have your tissues ready for the final heartbreaking, heatwarming season of Belle's.

[Nikki Sims-Chilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

😭😭 the series is over.


And what an ending 😭😭

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series will keep you captivated and engaged. You will laugh and cry and get angry and sad. The characters will feel like family. Another great book, and series!

[Barbara Strickland · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely read

An emotional ride in every word but a beautiful finish to a good series. Good pace and a very uplifting tribute to friendships.

[Barbara West · Rating 5 out of 5]

journey of life

I have read the 4 books in this series each one tells the life of two friends so touching I would highly recommend them all