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An Invitation to Seashell Bay
The brand-new summery rom com from Bella Osborne, full of laughter, love and life’s twists and turns! One ambitious businesswoman. One irresponsible heir. A deal that will turn both their lives upside down… To grow her craft business, Nancy is in desperate need of two help and money. So when a potential investor she’s looking to impress recommends an assistant, she jumps at the chance to secure both. Freddy Astley-Davenport is a notorious playboy with zero work experience. He’s poised to inherit his family’s estate in sunny Seashell Bay – but only if he can hold down a job for six months first. His plan is to take the assistant role in name only, then do the least work he possibly can. Nancy has other ideas, though, and the pair butt heads from day one. However, as they argue, sparks begin to fly, and they soon discover exactly why opposites attract…
- GenresRomance
370 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 20, 2023
74 people are currently reading
151 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
September 10, 2023
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
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
May 19, 2024
I really enjoyed this story, and can't wait to read the sequels. I found it hard to put down as I wanted to find out what happened to both Nancy and Alice. I. Thought the first one ended well - tying up the loose ends between Nancy and Freddie, and Alice and Dom, whilst still leaving you wanting more.
The story is told with two narrators who are flatmates. Nancy owns the flat and is the owner of All things Crafty, a struggling new business which Nancy is trying to build. When Nancy mishears a telephone conversation on the way home from a pitch which doesn't go well, she thinks she has the answer to both her problems sorted - a new PA to help out, and a lucrative deal which will solve her financial problems. Instead she meets Freddie who comes from an extremely wealthy background and thinks that he can pretend to his parents that he is employed for 6 months so he can gain his inheritance, without actually doing any real work. This is a rock meeting a hard place and sparks fly.
Alice is Nancy's flatmate, and a TA in a local school working with a very difficult teacher. She loves living in London, and loves her job - especially the children. When she goes out to a club and kisses a man, there is a connection, but Alice thinks she will never see him again. Then she meets him in an unexpected place and sparks fly. However the course of true love never runs smooth, as Alice has a secret, which means their spark cannot be ignited.
A well written book, by an excellent author, and I am sure it's going to be very popular.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/edit...
The story is told with two narrators who are flatmates. Nancy owns the flat and is the owner of All things Crafty, a struggling new business which Nancy is trying to build. When Nancy mishears a telephone conversation on the way home from a pitch which doesn't go well, she thinks she has the answer to both her problems sorted - a new PA to help out, and a lucrative deal which will solve her financial problems. Instead she meets Freddie who comes from an extremely wealthy background and thinks that he can pretend to his parents that he is employed for 6 months so he can gain his inheritance, without actually doing any real work. This is a rock meeting a hard place and sparks fly.
Alice is Nancy's flatmate, and a TA in a local school working with a very difficult teacher. She loves living in London, and loves her job - especially the children. When she goes out to a club and kisses a man, there is a connection, but Alice thinks she will never see him again. Then she meets him in an unexpected place and sparks fly. However the course of true love never runs smooth, as Alice has a secret, which means their spark cannot be ignited.
A well written book, by an excellent author, and I am sure it's going to be very popular.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/edit...
July 24, 2023
I would firstly just like to say a big thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources who very kindly forwarded me an arc copy of this book, for my Kindle, in return for my honest review.
I have only very recently discovered this author and I honestly don’t know why I haven’t read anything from her sooner. This is her second book that I have read and I have thoroughly enjoyed them both and now need to read more from her!
Right from the very beginning of this book I loved the story and everything from the characters to the original storyline was wonderful and kept me engrossed all the way through to the very end.
I absolutely loved all the characters, especially the two main ones, the hilarious Nancy and the delicious Freddy but all the additional side characters played an important part in the story too.
Then there was also another side story going on alongside the main one and this was all about Alice and I loved how the two stories intertwined together.
After each chapter it would be left on a little mini cliffhanger and this definitely encouraged me to read more and more!
Overall this was a wonderful, enjoyable story that was full of funny, hilarious moments that had me cackling with laughter in quite a few places. It also contained some very sweet, heartwarming moments too and the ending was just perfect and left me with the emotional goosebumps - what more could I ask for from a wonderful book…….
I have only very recently discovered this author and I honestly don’t know why I haven’t read anything from her sooner. This is her second book that I have read and I have thoroughly enjoyed them both and now need to read more from her!
Right from the very beginning of this book I loved the story and everything from the characters to the original storyline was wonderful and kept me engrossed all the way through to the very end.
I absolutely loved all the characters, especially the two main ones, the hilarious Nancy and the delicious Freddy but all the additional side characters played an important part in the story too.
Then there was also another side story going on alongside the main one and this was all about Alice and I loved how the two stories intertwined together.
After each chapter it would be left on a little mini cliffhanger and this definitely encouraged me to read more and more!
Overall this was a wonderful, enjoyable story that was full of funny, hilarious moments that had me cackling with laughter in quite a few places. It also contained some very sweet, heartwarming moments too and the ending was just perfect and left me with the emotional goosebumps - what more could I ask for from a wonderful book…….
August 16, 2023
Loved the characters especially Nancy, she was an inspiration as she fought to save her business. Freddy I wasn’t sure of but I soon grew to like him. Alice’s story was sad but I found plenty of laughs in this book. Cleverly written, funny, uplifting and charming.
August 10, 2023
Dull, predictable and painful. The Invitation To Seashell Bay has probably been the worst book I have read this year and I’m glad it’s over.
This book was clearly written for British Mums™️, women aged 30+ with kids who will pick this up at Tesco on sale, partially read on holiday, leave it behind at the hotel and completely forget about it.
The main character Nancy is supposed to be 29 yet whenever she’s described I can only think of her as being late 30s to early 40s, which I suppose is the vibe the author was going for but I didn’t feel like she developed as a character AT ALL. Nancy’s whole plot was about “hey, rich people are people too despite being born with so many more opportunities than the working class” and even at the end after she was supposed to have “warmed up” to the upper class, she still went off on a tangent about “rich people are bad and i hate them”. Her attraction to the upperclass boy Freddy felt too sudden, not well developed and a bit off. While I am a sucker for slow burn, it just felt like one minute she had just started to warm up to the idea that Freddy was a decent person then the next she was imagining being with him. It just felt a bit forced I guess? like the author needed to push Nancy closer to Freddy so she could have their fallout in time with whatever Alice had going on. I liked that she was a business woman, clearly struggling to maintain everything which gave her a character drive, but that’s about it.
When looking at this book, reading the blurb and opening to the first page, Alice is not really mentioned as being anything more than Nancy’s younger roommate. I did not realise she would take on such a large role in this book, because her story isn’t advertised, the name of the novel and the blurb all focus on Nancy yet Alice’s story is half of the novel. She doesn’t feel much younger than Nancy, I thought of her as late 20s-early 30s but she is described to be much younger than that. Her story was a bit more interesting, despite being a plainer romance story than whatever Nancy and Freddy have going on. Her’s felt slightly more grounded in reality, perhaps it was used to ground Nancy and Freddy’s own, but I thought it was okay.
Freddy’s development was really slow, excruciatingly so. Even near the end, it still felt like he wasn’t dedicated to working for Nancy at all and that he wasn’t gaining the skills Nancy said he would learn. Instead, he was still quite self-focused and fretting about his inheritance and his money. Dom was just a single dad who fell in love, nothing special ig.
Sometimes I did want to scream at the characters to just say ‘arse’, too much use of the word ‘bum’ and ‘poo’ made it feel childish, like I was reading something off wattpad. Speaking of wattpad, the main character Nancy put her curly hair up in a bun and I couldn’t stop thinking about the ‘messy buns’ that all wattpad Y/N’s wear. 0/10 I hate that you made me think about that.
The one thing I really didn’t like was at the very end when it was revealed that Alice’s doctor was the same doctor who put Nancy’s dad in a wheelchair. That’s well and truly soiled whatever nice thoughts I had about this book. It felt like a stupid and pointless plot twist, placed there to highlight that Nancy still hates the upperclass and I didn’t like it.
I would not recommend this book, even if you’re that British Mum™️ on holiday. Choose something better that’s in the sale, not this.
This book was clearly written for British Mums™️, women aged 30+ with kids who will pick this up at Tesco on sale, partially read on holiday, leave it behind at the hotel and completely forget about it.
The main character Nancy is supposed to be 29 yet whenever she’s described I can only think of her as being late 30s to early 40s, which I suppose is the vibe the author was going for but I didn’t feel like she developed as a character AT ALL. Nancy’s whole plot was about “hey, rich people are people too despite being born with so many more opportunities than the working class” and even at the end after she was supposed to have “warmed up” to the upper class, she still went off on a tangent about “rich people are bad and i hate them”. Her attraction to the upperclass boy Freddy felt too sudden, not well developed and a bit off. While I am a sucker for slow burn, it just felt like one minute she had just started to warm up to the idea that Freddy was a decent person then the next she was imagining being with him. It just felt a bit forced I guess? like the author needed to push Nancy closer to Freddy so she could have their fallout in time with whatever Alice had going on. I liked that she was a business woman, clearly struggling to maintain everything which gave her a character drive, but that’s about it.
When looking at this book, reading the blurb and opening to the first page, Alice is not really mentioned as being anything more than Nancy’s younger roommate. I did not realise she would take on such a large role in this book, because her story isn’t advertised, the name of the novel and the blurb all focus on Nancy yet Alice’s story is half of the novel. She doesn’t feel much younger than Nancy, I thought of her as late 20s-early 30s but she is described to be much younger than that. Her story was a bit more interesting, despite being a plainer romance story than whatever Nancy and Freddy have going on. Her’s felt slightly more grounded in reality, perhaps it was used to ground Nancy and Freddy’s own, but I thought it was okay.
Freddy’s development was really slow, excruciatingly so. Even near the end, it still felt like he wasn’t dedicated to working for Nancy at all and that he wasn’t gaining the skills Nancy said he would learn. Instead, he was still quite self-focused and fretting about his inheritance and his money. Dom was just a single dad who fell in love, nothing special ig.
Sometimes I did want to scream at the characters to just say ‘arse’, too much use of the word ‘bum’ and ‘poo’ made it feel childish, like I was reading something off wattpad. Speaking of wattpad, the main character Nancy put her curly hair up in a bun and I couldn’t stop thinking about the ‘messy buns’ that all wattpad Y/N’s wear. 0/10 I hate that you made me think about that.
The one thing I really didn’t like was at the very end when it was revealed that Alice’s doctor was the same doctor who put Nancy’s dad in a wheelchair. That’s well and truly soiled whatever nice thoughts I had about this book. It felt like a stupid and pointless plot twist, placed there to highlight that Nancy still hates the upperclass and I didn’t like it.
I would not recommend this book, even if you’re that British Mum™️ on holiday. Choose something better that’s in the sale, not this.
July 27, 2023
Bella Osborne is up there as one of my favourite authors and I get so excited when I get approved to read and review, it's a real pleasure to be on the blog tour.
We have flatmates Nancy owner of all things crafty and Alice who is a teaching assistant.
I really enjoyed the duel stories of the girls and their journeys, Nancy needing help with her business taking on Freddy and Alice trying to find Dom who she met in a night out.
Freddie took some warming to, but I found him actually hilarious., he has no idea about the working world.
As always with Bella Osborne this is not just a romance read, it's filled full of humour, and really made me laugh out loud in several parts.
This is the perfect summer read with an excellent cast of characters which I highly recommend.
We have flatmates Nancy owner of all things crafty and Alice who is a teaching assistant.
I really enjoyed the duel stories of the girls and their journeys, Nancy needing help with her business taking on Freddy and Alice trying to find Dom who she met in a night out.
Freddie took some warming to, but I found him actually hilarious., he has no idea about the working world.
As always with Bella Osborne this is not just a romance read, it's filled full of humour, and really made me laugh out loud in several parts.
This is the perfect summer read with an excellent cast of characters which I highly recommend.
May 23, 2023
Loved it!!! As soon as I started reading this, I knew I would love it. At first I though Sir Richard would become Nancy's love interest, but then suspected it might be Freddy. I kept thinking Nancy was older than she actually was, while Freddy was younger. I knew Freddy would mess up anything he touched while "working" for Nancy. He almost kills himself while shredding paper. His proofreading and typing skills are a bit lacking. He emailed Claudia that she was busty (busy) and to order Filip strong drugs (storage drums). For all of Freddy's flaws with "working" an actual job, he's a pretty sweet guy. It was quite hilarious when he kept asking Nancy to make stuff with her broken arm, just to prove a point. Percy is scary and I wouldn't want to meet him in a dark alley or on the gorgeous grounds of Freddy's family home. At least they had an orangery to dash into. Too bad he didn't peck Arabella to death. She deserved it. Carrie's reaction to Lionel was priceless. Then Nancy tells her to behave or the family might stuff her. It wasn't a big shock when Nancy learns the truth about the contracts. Loved Otto and Carrie together. I had a suspicion who Dom would turn out to be, before Alice discovered his true identity. I can understand why Alice doesn't want to live with her parents. They never listen to what she is actually saying. Love the relationship between Alice and Nancy.
Definitely recommend the book. Loved the characters, writing style and story. I was smiling and laughing constantly Alice told Freddy he was used as a trampoline by Black Beauty. The stuffed room of horrors was not only creepy but funny. As soon as I started reading this, I knew I would love it. Look forward to reading more books by the author.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Avon Books UK through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Definitely recommend the book. Loved the characters, writing style and story. I was smiling and laughing constantly Alice told Freddy he was used as a trampoline by Black Beauty. The stuffed room of horrors was not only creepy but funny. As soon as I started reading this, I knew I would love it. Look forward to reading more books by the author.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Avon Books UK through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
August 24, 2023
A fun, very easy read following the lives of the two main characters. It did seem a book of two halves in someways; each character’s story was played out very separately which just didn’t flow well for me.
August 21, 2023
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.
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.
July 23, 2023
An Invitation to Seashell Bay by Bella Osborne
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Blurb
One ambitious businesswoman. One irresponsible heir. A deal that will turn both their lives upside down… To grow her craft business, Nancy is in desperate need of two help and money. So when a potential investor she’s looking to impress recommends an assistant, she jumps at the chance to secure both. Freddy Astley-Davenport is a notorious playboy with zero work experience. He’s poised to inherit his family’s estate in sunny Seashell Bay – but only if he can hold down a job for six months first. His plan is to take the assistant role in name only, then do the least work he possibly can. Nancy has other ideas, though, and the pair butt heads from day one. However, as they argue, sparks begin to fly, and they soon discover exactly why opposites attract… An absolutely escapist, funny, feel-good summer romance.
My Opinion
This book has previously been released in four short parts - this is the complete book. Before I started reading this I had already read the first two parts so I was eager to read the final two parts in one go. This is a lovely, light-hearted read, ideal for reading when a quick escape from reality is needed. Told with dual timelines, Nancy and Alice live together but lead two different lives.
I have read a few books by Bella Osborne now so I do know what to expect when I start a new book. This was a true pleasure to read.
Rating: 4/5
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Blurb
One ambitious businesswoman. One irresponsible heir. A deal that will turn both their lives upside down… To grow her craft business, Nancy is in desperate need of two help and money. So when a potential investor she’s looking to impress recommends an assistant, she jumps at the chance to secure both. Freddy Astley-Davenport is a notorious playboy with zero work experience. He’s poised to inherit his family’s estate in sunny Seashell Bay – but only if he can hold down a job for six months first. His plan is to take the assistant role in name only, then do the least work he possibly can. Nancy has other ideas, though, and the pair butt heads from day one. However, as they argue, sparks begin to fly, and they soon discover exactly why opposites attract… An absolutely escapist, funny, feel-good summer romance.
My Opinion
This book has previously been released in four short parts - this is the complete book. Before I started reading this I had already read the first two parts so I was eager to read the final two parts in one go. This is a lovely, light-hearted read, ideal for reading when a quick escape from reality is needed. Told with dual timelines, Nancy and Alice live together but lead two different lives.
I have read a few books by Bella Osborne now so I do know what to expect when I start a new book. This was a true pleasure to read.
Rating: 4/5
August 15, 2023
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!
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!
July 24, 2023
This book was a little bit of sunshine, lovely piece of escapism on the light hearted, piece of comfort, I lovely summer read just when you need it (given the amount of rain we’ve had recently in the UK) I love the fact that in this book, you get to romances for the price of one, which I wasn’t expecting because the synopsis focuses on Nancy, so it was a pleasant surprise to get Alices story too.
This is so funny, full of humour and wit, I think the mix of school, animals and humorous events has a lot to do with that. It was just so funny. The characters are wonderful! I love Nancy’s positivity, her driven nature, but how she’s also willing to help anyone who needs it. Alice was just so sweet, a bit unsure but I loved her determination.
This story has a little bit of everything I really love in a book, friendship, romance, humour and a little bit of drama. If your looking for a lovely story, with happiness, romance, a light hearted but no less brilliant writing, then this is for you.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
July 29, 2023
The synopsis only mentions Nancy and Freddy, but this was in fact two different stories. One story was about Nancy and her craft business and that's where we meet Freddy. The other story is about Nancy's roommate Alice. To be honest I was more touched by Alice's story than Nancy's, so I have no idea why it was not mentioned in the synopsis.
Nancy's online yarn company seems like a dream come true and her team was wonderful. I would love to work somewhere like that and would be doing everything possible to keep it up and running, just like Nancy is. Freddy started out being rather annoying, but he grew on me. I liked Alice right from the start and would't mind at all if she reappears in book 2, if there ever is a book 2. although there were some funny moments where I laughed, this was more of a gentle and feel-good story.
Nancy's online yarn company seems like a dream come true and her team was wonderful. I would love to work somewhere like that and would be doing everything possible to keep it up and running, just like Nancy is. Freddy started out being rather annoying, but he grew on me. I liked Alice right from the start and would't mind at all if she reappears in book 2, if there ever is a book 2. although there were some funny moments where I laughed, this was more of a gentle and feel-good story.
August 10, 2025
nice summer read at seashell bay..nancy business woman .and freddy the rich playboy heir to a fortune needs to hold down a job so he can prove to his family he can take over the estate.nancy takes him on as her pa.love all the fun and laughs along the way.freddy is so funny trying to adjust to a working day.😃
September 17, 2025
I loved Nancy and Alice's story. it made me laugh out loud. I hope there is a follow up.
May 22, 2023
After reading parts 1 and 2 as netgalley arcs I was excited to be approved for the whole book.
The book follows flatmates Nancy and Alice.
Nancy is desperate to save her business All Things Crafty, she takes on an assistant Freddy when she thinks it's oart of a deal to win a potential investor. Alice is a teaching assistant who fancies the dad if one if her pupils.
This is a lovely book full of warmth, humour and a naughty peacock. It's a perfect summer read and a book that I would definitely recommend. Thanks to netgalley and the publishers for this advance read.
The book follows flatmates Nancy and Alice.
Nancy is desperate to save her business All Things Crafty, she takes on an assistant Freddy when she thinks it's oart of a deal to win a potential investor. Alice is a teaching assistant who fancies the dad if one if her pupils.
This is a lovely book full of warmth, humour and a naughty peacock. It's a perfect summer read and a book that I would definitely recommend. Thanks to netgalley and the publishers for this advance read.
August 17, 2023
Nancy owns her company and is looking for ways to make more money. After a misunderstanding while looking for a personal assistant she ends up with Freddy. Freddy has never really held a job before and really is only doing this to please his parents.
Alice is a teaching assistant who falls for one of her students Dad. She has a secret that might end their relationship before it really starts.
The story is told in alternating chapters. The story flows easy and parts are kinda funny. It’s a perfect book to loose yourself in.
Thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources for the early copy
Alice is a teaching assistant who falls for one of her students Dad. She has a secret that might end their relationship before it really starts.
The story is told in alternating chapters. The story flows easy and parts are kinda funny. It’s a perfect book to loose yourself in.
Thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources for the early copy
August 4, 2023
This was my first Bella Osborne book. It's a very lighthearted, easy-going style. The main character is Nancy, an independent business owner who shares her flat with Alice, a young teaching assistant. The chapters focus mainly on Nancy but also tell Alice's story. The story is fast paced and perhaps a little rushed in places. A couple of minor niggles: I found it hard to believe a small craft business could sustain 4 employees and a London premises! I also felt that Freddie's character arc was unrealistic and there were perhaps a few too many farcical moments! It is fiction however and the Seashell Bay setting was delightful. I enjoyed exploring the house and learning more about the family. I felt myself drawn to Alice's story which was quite emotional. I liked Alice and Dom and Alice's parents were well written. Despite my few niggles I ended up enjoying the story and it had a good ending. It's the sort of book that's great when you're feeling a bit down or under the weather and need cheering up.
August 9, 2023
We meet Nancy and Alice - friends and housemates! Alice is a teaching assistant, and Nancy is running her own business, All Things Crafty! Both women have a lot going on in their lives, and the chapters are split between both of them.
Nancy is trying to build her business and urgently needs a big contract to keep the business going. A potential investor suggests hiring a friend to help out. Cue for posh Freddy to cause plenty of mishaps in the office. Of course, Nancy eventually sacks him at some point, but Freddy is the only person who can help her when she has an accident. For Nancy to recuperate, he whisk her to his family estate, Seashell Bay. There are plenty of mishaps, misunderstandings, funny and heartwarming moments between them.
Alice previously met a gorgeous man in a nightclub where they exchanged a brief but unforgettable kiss. Unfortunately, he turns out to be one of the parents of a child in her class, and therefore should be really out of bounds. That, however, doesn't stop her from seeking his company during the school holiday.
This was my first book by @bellaosborneauthor, and I very much enjoyed the story, it’s characters and the humour. It's a light & easy read.
This is a charming summer read full of laugh out loud moments.
Thank you @avonbooksuk and @netgalley for the advanced copy.
The book is released as 4 parts before the full book is released on 20.07.2023
Nancy is trying to build her business and urgently needs a big contract to keep the business going. A potential investor suggests hiring a friend to help out. Cue for posh Freddy to cause plenty of mishaps in the office. Of course, Nancy eventually sacks him at some point, but Freddy is the only person who can help her when she has an accident. For Nancy to recuperate, he whisk her to his family estate, Seashell Bay. There are plenty of mishaps, misunderstandings, funny and heartwarming moments between them.
Alice previously met a gorgeous man in a nightclub where they exchanged a brief but unforgettable kiss. Unfortunately, he turns out to be one of the parents of a child in her class, and therefore should be really out of bounds. That, however, doesn't stop her from seeking his company during the school holiday.
This was my first book by @bellaosborneauthor, and I very much enjoyed the story, it’s characters and the humour. It's a light & easy read.
This is a charming summer read full of laugh out loud moments.
Thank you @avonbooksuk and @netgalley for the advanced copy.
The book is released as 4 parts before the full book is released on 20.07.2023
August 6, 2023
Opposites attract in best-selling author Bella Osborne’s gorgeous summer romance, An Invitation to Seashell Bay.
Nancy’s craft business is her entire life. She has made countless sacrifices for the business and there is simply nothing that she will not do to grow it and make it even more successful. Nancy is thrilled when a potential investor she had been trying to impress seems taken by her business ideas and when a suggestion is made that she employs an assistant, she jumps at the chance. But does Nancy know what she is letting herself in for? Will taking on this particular member of staff end up being something she will regret? Or will it be the beginning of a very exciting romantic adventure?
Playboy Freddy Astley-Davenport was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. With his every whim catered for and the promise of a substantial inheritance coming his way, Freddy has never needed to apply himself to anything. He’s never worked a single day in his life and has no work experience whatsoever. However, his inheritance comes with a catch: he first needs to hold down a job for six whole months before being handed the keys to his family’s estate. Taking on the role of Nancy’s assistant seems like a walk in the park. Freddy plans to do the least amount of work possible before he can start his life as the heir to his family’s majestic property in sunny Seashell Bay. His plan seems foolproof – until he meets Nancy and sparks begin to fly…
Nancy and Freddy cannot seem to be in the same room for more than five seconds before they start butting heads. Tension might be at an all-time high, but keeping things strictly professional between them soon proves absolutely impossible as Cupid’s arrow strikes.
Will Nancy and Freddy take a chance on a happy ending? Or are the two of them simply too different to ever have a future together?
An Invitation to Seashell Bay is an irresistible romantic page-turner I couldn’t read fast enough. Bella Osborne is at her best with this uplifting, emotional and feel-good romance about forbidden attraction, finding happiness and falling in love when you least expect it.
Fun, hilarious and simply enchanting, romantic escapism does not get any better than Bella Osborne’s An Invitation to Seashell Bay!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Nancy’s craft business is her entire life. She has made countless sacrifices for the business and there is simply nothing that she will not do to grow it and make it even more successful. Nancy is thrilled when a potential investor she had been trying to impress seems taken by her business ideas and when a suggestion is made that she employs an assistant, she jumps at the chance. But does Nancy know what she is letting herself in for? Will taking on this particular member of staff end up being something she will regret? Or will it be the beginning of a very exciting romantic adventure?
Playboy Freddy Astley-Davenport was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. With his every whim catered for and the promise of a substantial inheritance coming his way, Freddy has never needed to apply himself to anything. He’s never worked a single day in his life and has no work experience whatsoever. However, his inheritance comes with a catch: he first needs to hold down a job for six whole months before being handed the keys to his family’s estate. Taking on the role of Nancy’s assistant seems like a walk in the park. Freddy plans to do the least amount of work possible before he can start his life as the heir to his family’s majestic property in sunny Seashell Bay. His plan seems foolproof – until he meets Nancy and sparks begin to fly…
Nancy and Freddy cannot seem to be in the same room for more than five seconds before they start butting heads. Tension might be at an all-time high, but keeping things strictly professional between them soon proves absolutely impossible as Cupid’s arrow strikes.
Will Nancy and Freddy take a chance on a happy ending? Or are the two of them simply too different to ever have a future together?
An Invitation to Seashell Bay is an irresistible romantic page-turner I couldn’t read fast enough. Bella Osborne is at her best with this uplifting, emotional and feel-good romance about forbidden attraction, finding happiness and falling in love when you least expect it.
Fun, hilarious and simply enchanting, romantic escapism does not get any better than Bella Osborne’s An Invitation to Seashell Bay!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 16, 2023
As has become familiar with Bella’s writing, she adopts a writing style that includes connected yet separate storylines. I have a strict policy of avoiding spoilers, so I stick within the restraints of the synopsis as I recap the book. That said, I must mention the story of Alice who is Nancy’s housemate. I’m sure you’ll love her story as much as I did.
Nancy is a hardworking, businesswoman who is focussed on bringing success to her crafting business. After a particularly calamitous presentation to a prospective investor, she is desperate for a lifeline so accepts the challenge of hiring a playboy for her vacancy for a personal assistant.
Freddy Astley-Davenport is the playboy in question, and he is as spoiled and useless as his reputation suggests. With a distinct lack of work ethic, Nancy finds that her patience is tested to the extreme in her bid to ensure that she keeps up her end of the challenge.
This is definitely a romantic comedy with a big heart. I smiled all the way through and chuckled at some of the ridiculous situations that Nancy found herself in. Bunny slippers at a society party was a particular favourite along with the threat of Percy pooping on the patio furniture. Bonus points are awarded for including Carrie, Nancy’s Ragdoll cat.
There are no prizes for seeing that there is a romantic future for Nancy and Freddy, as the synopsis suggests, but it’s a lot of fun seeing how that evolves. The exchanges between them are smart and witty and had me chuckling as I read. But as the story developed, we discovered that by Nancy losing some of the disdain that she felt for the landed gentry, and Freddy discovering the benefits of doing an honest day’s work, they were able to see a positive future.
An Invitation to Seashell Bay was a lot of fun to read, and I loved every minute of it. Nancy and Freddy were beautifully imagined, and I felt happy as they started to see each other with a new perspective. The bonus for you as a reader, will be discovering Alice and her story. As I said, no spoilers from me.
This is another terrific read, packed with warm characters and some lovely moments. I can definitely recommend accepting the Invitation to Seashell Bay.
Nancy is a hardworking, businesswoman who is focussed on bringing success to her crafting business. After a particularly calamitous presentation to a prospective investor, she is desperate for a lifeline so accepts the challenge of hiring a playboy for her vacancy for a personal assistant.
Freddy Astley-Davenport is the playboy in question, and he is as spoiled and useless as his reputation suggests. With a distinct lack of work ethic, Nancy finds that her patience is tested to the extreme in her bid to ensure that she keeps up her end of the challenge.
This is definitely a romantic comedy with a big heart. I smiled all the way through and chuckled at some of the ridiculous situations that Nancy found herself in. Bunny slippers at a society party was a particular favourite along with the threat of Percy pooping on the patio furniture. Bonus points are awarded for including Carrie, Nancy’s Ragdoll cat.
There are no prizes for seeing that there is a romantic future for Nancy and Freddy, as the synopsis suggests, but it’s a lot of fun seeing how that evolves. The exchanges between them are smart and witty and had me chuckling as I read. But as the story developed, we discovered that by Nancy losing some of the disdain that she felt for the landed gentry, and Freddy discovering the benefits of doing an honest day’s work, they were able to see a positive future.
An Invitation to Seashell Bay was a lot of fun to read, and I loved every minute of it. Nancy and Freddy were beautifully imagined, and I felt happy as they started to see each other with a new perspective. The bonus for you as a reader, will be discovering Alice and her story. As I said, no spoilers from me.
This is another terrific read, packed with warm characters and some lovely moments. I can definitely recommend accepting the Invitation to Seashell Bay.
July 20, 2023
Nancy’s craft business is badly in need of a new and lucrative contract – without it, they might not be able to survive for very much longer. Her pitch – to put it mildly – turns into a bit of a disaster, but there might be a way to rescue the situation. Enter Freddy – from a privileged background and distinctly unfamiliar with the world of work, needing to show he can hold down a job before he can be trusted to inherit and manage his family’s estate – with a half-heard promise that the much-needed contract will then come her way. As a PA, he leaves rather a lot to be desired – but comes into his own when Nancy has an accident, taking her to his family estate at Seashell Bay to recover and to be cared for, introducing her to a way of life way beyond her experience.
But there’s a second storyline too, equally engaging. Nancy shares a flat with Alice, away from home for the first time, enjoying everything London has to offer, and working as a hard-pressed teaching assistant. At a club one night, she shares a kiss with a man she just can’t forget – until he reappears as the father of one of the children in her class. She thinks he’s bound to be married and out-of-bounds – but while staying with her parents (who always wrap her in cotton wool, and we slowly discover why…) and discovering he’s holidaying near by, it seems he might just be within her reach after all.
But enough of telling the story – and it really is two separate stories, cleverly run in parallel and equally engaging – and more about why I so enjoyed it. There’s plenty of humour – Alice’s schoolday experiences, Freddy’s cack-handed attempts to prove his competence in the workplace, the verbal sparring between him and Nancy, and the various animal antics – but there’s also a good balance of poignancy and sadness, beautifully handled, at times even bringing a tear to the eye. There are, of course, the expected romances – satisfying, believable, filled with warmth – with all the main characters gaining in depth and background as their stories progress. And I very much enjoyed the well-drawn supporting cast too – Nancy’s co-workers, but especially Freddy’s aristocratic (and particularly lovely) parents and their butler Paul.
With its beautifully told story (as always…), this was a book I very much enjoyed – summery, light and lovely, but with plenty of emotional depth, a few unexpected twists and obstacles along the way, and an uplifting ending that was all I wanted it to be for the characters who’d slowly won my heart.
But there’s a second storyline too, equally engaging. Nancy shares a flat with Alice, away from home for the first time, enjoying everything London has to offer, and working as a hard-pressed teaching assistant. At a club one night, she shares a kiss with a man she just can’t forget – until he reappears as the father of one of the children in her class. She thinks he’s bound to be married and out-of-bounds – but while staying with her parents (who always wrap her in cotton wool, and we slowly discover why…) and discovering he’s holidaying near by, it seems he might just be within her reach after all.
But enough of telling the story – and it really is two separate stories, cleverly run in parallel and equally engaging – and more about why I so enjoyed it. There’s plenty of humour – Alice’s schoolday experiences, Freddy’s cack-handed attempts to prove his competence in the workplace, the verbal sparring between him and Nancy, and the various animal antics – but there’s also a good balance of poignancy and sadness, beautifully handled, at times even bringing a tear to the eye. There are, of course, the expected romances – satisfying, believable, filled with warmth – with all the main characters gaining in depth and background as their stories progress. And I very much enjoyed the well-drawn supporting cast too – Nancy’s co-workers, but especially Freddy’s aristocratic (and particularly lovely) parents and their butler Paul.
With its beautifully told story (as always…), this was a book I very much enjoyed – summery, light and lovely, but with plenty of emotional depth, a few unexpected twists and obstacles along the way, and an uplifting ending that was all I wanted it to be for the characters who’d slowly won my heart.
August 31, 2023
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.
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.
December 3, 2023
this was such a lovely story. I read part 1 as a standalone and then listened to the rest of the book on audiobook. I loved getting to meet Nancy and Alice in part 1. Both strong independent women who are finding their way in the world. I loved the fact that Nancy had built up her own business and was doing everything in her power to ensure that it continued to thrive. Alice is similarly trying to be as independent as possible by taking a job in a school and moving to london. They are by no means the best of friends but their relationship is important especially in a world that can be as lonely as the one we live in!
Then along comes a couple of men to throw spanners into the works. We have dad from Alice’s school Dom and then we have Freddy. Freddy is the perfect antidote to Nancy's continuous hard work and diligence. He’s a playboy with no real understanding of the real world but naturally this makes him the perfect person to be her personal assistant. Freddy is such a fin character to read and you know whenever he enters a scene, there’s going to be humour and perhaps chaos!
Then the titular invitation to seasell bay happens and we get to explore a whole new world outside of London. We get a bit of background as to why Freddy is the way he is and in addition, a deeper understanding of Nancy’s drive. We discover the secrets that Alice has been hiding and we also get to meet a peacock named Percy! It was wonderful to see the world that Freddy comes from and see his family and why they are the way they are, it made him seem to have much more humour and as we get deeper into the novel it's hard not to fall in love with all these characters and really genuinely care about what happens to them.
I so enjoyed my journey to seashell bay, it was funny and real and had a great deal of warmth and heart about it. I really recommend the latest Bella Osborne, I’m sure you will enjoy it as much as I did!
Then along comes a couple of men to throw spanners into the works. We have dad from Alice’s school Dom and then we have Freddy. Freddy is the perfect antidote to Nancy's continuous hard work and diligence. He’s a playboy with no real understanding of the real world but naturally this makes him the perfect person to be her personal assistant. Freddy is such a fin character to read and you know whenever he enters a scene, there’s going to be humour and perhaps chaos!
Then the titular invitation to seasell bay happens and we get to explore a whole new world outside of London. We get a bit of background as to why Freddy is the way he is and in addition, a deeper understanding of Nancy’s drive. We discover the secrets that Alice has been hiding and we also get to meet a peacock named Percy! It was wonderful to see the world that Freddy comes from and see his family and why they are the way they are, it made him seem to have much more humour and as we get deeper into the novel it's hard not to fall in love with all these characters and really genuinely care about what happens to them.
I so enjoyed my journey to seashell bay, it was funny and real and had a great deal of warmth and heart about it. I really recommend the latest Bella Osborne, I’m sure you will enjoy it as much as I did!
May 28, 2023
“An invitation to Seashell Bay” is a story about two flat mates Nancy and Alice, both very determined to make their own way with their respective careers. It is a very enjoyable romantic comedy but it also covers important issues such as invisible illness, disability and in particular reminds us not to judge a book by it’s cover.
Nancy, owns the flat and runs a small business and Alice is working as a teaching assistant and trying to enjoy every moment of life living away from home for the first time.
Initially we meet Nancy as she tries to secure a contract with a big craft firm that might save her business from financial difficulties. Her story continues as she tries to juggle with business, her hopeless new PA, “posh” Freddy (who she believes came as part of the contract with the craft company) and looking after herself all with with a broken wrist. Freddy, offers to help Nancy and suggests she stays at his home whilst she works out how to get things sorted one handed. However, he is not just posh, he is heir to a beautiful estate, cue an invite to Seashell Bay where he states his staff can look after Nancy!
Meanwhile, Alice has had an awkward encounter at school with a gorgeous man she had met in a nightclub and exchanged a brief, tender & unforgettable kiss with. He is one of the parents of a child in her class, and almost certainly not single. The fact that she is going home to visit her parents for the holidays, is probably a good thing.
Other than in the beginning and at the end, the two women’s lives operate completely separately. They have become close as flatmates and so do refer to one another but are not together for the majority of the book both holidaying separately and having different challenges to overcome.
The book is full of mishaps, misunderstandings, heartwarming moments and there is even a madcap cat & dog chase scene! Some of the characters are quite naive but they are also charming & endearing. I think it is a super book that should keep you reading and and smiling.
Nancy, owns the flat and runs a small business and Alice is working as a teaching assistant and trying to enjoy every moment of life living away from home for the first time.
Initially we meet Nancy as she tries to secure a contract with a big craft firm that might save her business from financial difficulties. Her story continues as she tries to juggle with business, her hopeless new PA, “posh” Freddy (who she believes came as part of the contract with the craft company) and looking after herself all with with a broken wrist. Freddy, offers to help Nancy and suggests she stays at his home whilst she works out how to get things sorted one handed. However, he is not just posh, he is heir to a beautiful estate, cue an invite to Seashell Bay where he states his staff can look after Nancy!
Meanwhile, Alice has had an awkward encounter at school with a gorgeous man she had met in a nightclub and exchanged a brief, tender & unforgettable kiss with. He is one of the parents of a child in her class, and almost certainly not single. The fact that she is going home to visit her parents for the holidays, is probably a good thing.
Other than in the beginning and at the end, the two women’s lives operate completely separately. They have become close as flatmates and so do refer to one another but are not together for the majority of the book both holidaying separately and having different challenges to overcome.
The book is full of mishaps, misunderstandings, heartwarming moments and there is even a madcap cat & dog chase scene! Some of the characters are quite naive but they are also charming & endearing. I think it is a super book that should keep you reading and and smiling.
May 23, 2023
A very emotional story who tells the stoy about two young woman housemates . Nancy is an owner of a craft business and in of an assistant and than when a potential investor asks her to hire a friend of him she accepts . It turns her new assistant is an heir who must work for six months so he can inherit . Freddy believes that he will go for one day and that she will write for him a recommendation letter after the six months but she has other plans . She needs him to be there to do his job he was hired for . When she has an accident and he is the only person who can help her they spent time together at his family estate to Seashell Bay where she meets his parents . Together they work to prove to his parents that he really is capable to inherit and they find love .
Alice is a teaching assistant and loves her job . She is at a club and meets a handsome guy and share and amazing kiss . The only thing she knows about him is his name is Dom . After few days she see him when he comes to collect his daughter from school which is one of her students . When she is having school holiday and she is back at her home town she ends up meeting Dom and Bonnie . She is happy to spend time with them and her feelings for him are growning . But she is afraid of hurting because of a health problem .
I received this book from net galley and the publisher as an ARC. Thank you! All thoughts and opinions are my own .
Alice is a teaching assistant and loves her job . She is at a club and meets a handsome guy and share and amazing kiss . The only thing she knows about him is his name is Dom . After few days she see him when he comes to collect his daughter from school which is one of her students . When she is having school holiday and she is back at her home town she ends up meeting Dom and Bonnie . She is happy to spend time with them and her feelings for him are growning . But she is afraid of hurting because of a health problem .
I received this book from net galley and the publisher as an ARC. Thank you! All thoughts and opinions are my own .
June 19, 2023
BLURB:
One ambitious businesswoman.
One irresponsible heir.
A deal that will turn both their lives upside down…
To grow her craft business, Nancy is in desperate need of two things: help and money. So when a potential investor she’s looking to impress recommends an assistant, she jumps at the chance to secure both.
Freddy Astley-Davenport is a notorious playboy with zero work experience. He’s poised to inherit his family’s estate in sunny Seashell Bay – but only if he can hold down a job for six months first. His plan is to take the assistant role in name only, then do the least work he possibly can.
Nancy has other ideas, though, and the pair butt heads from day one. However, as they argue, sparks begin to fly, and they soon discover exactly why opposites attract…
MY REVIEW:
This story follows two flatmates, Alice, a teaching assistant, and Nancy, a small business owner.
Facing financial ruin, Nancy accepts a contract from a larger firm, with the condition that she employ their assistant, Freddy, who is hiding secrets of his own.
Meanwhile Alice discovers that the stranger she shared an unforgettable kiss with in a nightclub, is actually the single dad to one of her pupils.
Some of the characters are rather naive considering the ages they are supposed to be, but overall, an okay read.
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book in return for my honest review.
One ambitious businesswoman.
One irresponsible heir.
A deal that will turn both their lives upside down…
To grow her craft business, Nancy is in desperate need of two things: help and money. So when a potential investor she’s looking to impress recommends an assistant, she jumps at the chance to secure both.
Freddy Astley-Davenport is a notorious playboy with zero work experience. He’s poised to inherit his family’s estate in sunny Seashell Bay – but only if he can hold down a job for six months first. His plan is to take the assistant role in name only, then do the least work he possibly can.
Nancy has other ideas, though, and the pair butt heads from day one. However, as they argue, sparks begin to fly, and they soon discover exactly why opposites attract…
MY REVIEW:
This story follows two flatmates, Alice, a teaching assistant, and Nancy, a small business owner.
Facing financial ruin, Nancy accepts a contract from a larger firm, with the condition that she employ their assistant, Freddy, who is hiding secrets of his own.
Meanwhile Alice discovers that the stranger she shared an unforgettable kiss with in a nightclub, is actually the single dad to one of her pupils.
Some of the characters are rather naive considering the ages they are supposed to be, but overall, an okay read.
Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this book in return for my honest review.
September 15, 2023
An Invitation to Seashell Bay is a fun, sweet romance and perfect book to escape with this summer.
I love Bella’s books; they are this delightful mix of laughter and heart. This is one of those books you can easily sink into. The story is fun and exciting and kept me entertained. All the secondary stories, especially Alice’s story, added so much depth and richness to the overall book. All the characters were wonderful and played important parts in moving the story forward. I enjoyed the dialogue and interactions between all the characters. I love a story that has me laughing, and then I can turn the page and find myself swooning at the interactions of the main couple. It just makes for such a wonderful reading experience.
Nancy is a wonderful heroine. She is smart, witty, and you cannot help but cheer her on as she tries to expand her crafting business. Freddy added some fabulous comic relief; watching this man try and work and mess up every time was endearing and hilarious. Nancy and Freddy, as a couple, were sweet, and I could see the chemistry/sparks between them. I enjoyed watching as their relationship grew into something more, and those sweet, swoony moments gave me all those good feelings.
An Invitation to Seashell Bay is the perfect summer romance for those looking for something lighter with a lot of heart.
Click on the link to read more of our reviews on our blog: https://romancebythebook.com/book-rev...
I love Bella’s books; they are this delightful mix of laughter and heart. This is one of those books you can easily sink into. The story is fun and exciting and kept me entertained. All the secondary stories, especially Alice’s story, added so much depth and richness to the overall book. All the characters were wonderful and played important parts in moving the story forward. I enjoyed the dialogue and interactions between all the characters. I love a story that has me laughing, and then I can turn the page and find myself swooning at the interactions of the main couple. It just makes for such a wonderful reading experience.
Nancy is a wonderful heroine. She is smart, witty, and you cannot help but cheer her on as she tries to expand her crafting business. Freddy added some fabulous comic relief; watching this man try and work and mess up every time was endearing and hilarious. Nancy and Freddy, as a couple, were sweet, and I could see the chemistry/sparks between them. I enjoyed watching as their relationship grew into something more, and those sweet, swoony moments gave me all those good feelings.
An Invitation to Seashell Bay is the perfect summer romance for those looking for something lighter with a lot of heart.
Click on the link to read more of our reviews on our blog: https://romancebythebook.com/book-rev...
July 13, 2023
If you only accept one invitation this summer then make it An Invitation to Seashell Bay by Bella Osborne. A gorgeous and summery feel-good romance filled with love and laughter, guaranteed to put a smile on your face and warmth in your heart. With two love stories cleverly intertwined and a cast of colourful characters the author makes it a page turning and thoroughly enjoyable piece of romantic escapism. The two main characters of Nancy and Freddy are brilliantly brought to life and we positively feel the sparks fly as they spar off each other. Total polar opposites the pair have sizzling chemistry from the off and even though their outcome is predictable the journey we are taken on to reach it is not. Filled with mishaps and misunderstandings that keep you engaged and entertained in equal measure. The secondary love story between Nancy’s housemate Alice and Dom is equally as engrossing and cleverly interweaved around the main plot in a way that keeps the pages turning.
All in all it is a highly entertaining and uplifting romance packed with colourful characters and set against a sunny and picturesque backdrop. If you’re looking for a love story filled with twists and turns, love and laughter then An Invitation to Seashell Bay is for you. Perfect for readers who enjoy Cressida McLaughlin, Cathy Bramley and Heidi Swain.
All in all it is a highly entertaining and uplifting romance packed with colourful characters and set against a sunny and picturesque backdrop. If you’re looking for a love story filled with twists and turns, love and laughter then An Invitation to Seashell Bay is for you. Perfect for readers who enjoy Cressida McLaughlin, Cathy Bramley and Heidi Swain.
January 7, 2025
This one started so well - the main character Nancy is a smart, competent young woman running a small business, a refreshing change from the usual ditzy and dysfunctional heroine. Unfortunately it all went downhill from there. Nancy's business is going through a rough patch. If this ever happens to your business it's good to know that you can solve all your problems by finding a wealthy, titled boyfriend. And I thought only Americans were so blindly enamoured with the British nobility.
The romance of Nancy's flatmate Alice (a competent and caring teaching assistant) went well too initially but then as the end of the novel approaches she commits an act of monumental stupidity, disrespect and self sabotage. Seriously, if I'd been her love interest I'd have dumped anyone stupid and uncaring enough to do that to me.
This aside there were a few cringeworthy moments but no more than you'd expect in this genre and wouldn't necessarily mark it down for that. But in combination with the major gaffes above it got to be too much for me towards the end. It was a struggle to finish and this came very close to being a one star, DNF review.
I notice that mine is at odds with the majority of reviews of this novel. It's disappointing that romance fans have to put up with this sort of standard.
The romance of Nancy's flatmate Alice (a competent and caring teaching assistant) went well too initially but then as the end of the novel approaches she commits an act of monumental stupidity, disrespect and self sabotage. Seriously, if I'd been her love interest I'd have dumped anyone stupid and uncaring enough to do that to me.
This aside there were a few cringeworthy moments but no more than you'd expect in this genre and wouldn't necessarily mark it down for that. But in combination with the major gaffes above it got to be too much for me towards the end. It was a struggle to finish and this came very close to being a one star, DNF review.
I notice that mine is at odds with the majority of reviews of this novel. It's disappointing that romance fans have to put up with this sort of standard.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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