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Belle Hamilton #1
Interwoven
Belle Hamilton is a romantic at heart. She's engaged to the love of her life and dreams of marriage, children and a happily ever after. Belle’s world is close to perfect until one afternoon she makes a decision she can't take back.
In the blink of an eye, Belle’s life spirals out of control. She loses everything that is dear to her and is forced to flee to the other side of the world where she meets Andrea, a local bartender in Rome, and develops an unexpected connection with him.
Can they break through the complications of past hurts and a long-distance relationship to make it work, or will one terrifying night in Paris end it before it had a chance to begin?
Interwoven is the first book in the Belle Hamilton series; a story about fate and how it can balance delicately upon the decisions we make.
In the blink of an eye, Belle’s life spirals out of control. She loses everything that is dear to her and is forced to flee to the other side of the world where she meets Andrea, a local bartender in Rome, and develops an unexpected connection with him.
Can they break through the complications of past hurts and a long-distance relationship to make it work, or will one terrifying night in Paris end it before it had a chance to begin?
Interwoven is the first book in the Belle Hamilton series; a story about fate and how it can balance delicately upon the decisions we make.
228 pages, ebook
First published October 3, 2017
1 person is currently reading
133 people want to read
About the author
Michelle Montebello
19 books236 followersMICHELLE 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
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
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 5, 2018
WOW this book packs a real punch, it is so very well written, it is moving, the characters are alive some vulnerable some trying at times but this one pulled me in from page one and I practically inhaled it, I savoured the words. This is different from the normal romances I read more along the woman’s fiction line I think, definitely has romance throughout but the ending brings to us the troubles of the world and starts a new life for Belle Hamilton.
Belle Hamilton is a romantic at heart she dreams of being the perfect wife and mother she loves cooking, she is an only child and is a bit of a disappointment to her father, but she has a job as a journalist is engaged to a barrister Ben and couldn’t be happier, all is good until she arrives at Ben’s place one Friday evening and everything she dreamed of is shattered. Belle turns to her best friend Riley and with the help of her mother Belle and Riley travel to Europe.
In Europe Belle changes, she becomes stronger, does things that make her happy as she travels from London, and then to Rome where she meets Andrea and his father gives her a job cooking and her life is moving really well but there are still a lot of insecurities for Belle. When there is a problem with Riley they need to leave Rome and quickly, but she leaves part of her heart with Andrea in Rome and they arrive in Paris which starts a new journey.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book it is a fabulous debut, there is so much going on Belle is a fabulous heroine in this story she is so very vulnerable but learns strength through her travels and the fabulous people she meets, I loved her journey and Andrea is such an Italian hero he is so good but with so much happening and Belle’s insecurities their timing is not quite right, Riley Belle’s best friend she is Riley I loved her as well, and she does so much to help Belle and then one night of terror in Paris and so many lives are torn apart. I highly recommend this book, I hope I have done it justice in the review and I am really looking forward to the next book in the series to see how Belle gets on, this book is going to stay with me for a while thank you MS Montebello for a fabulous story.
Belle Hamilton is a romantic at heart she dreams of being the perfect wife and mother she loves cooking, she is an only child and is a bit of a disappointment to her father, but she has a job as a journalist is engaged to a barrister Ben and couldn’t be happier, all is good until she arrives at Ben’s place one Friday evening and everything she dreamed of is shattered. Belle turns to her best friend Riley and with the help of her mother Belle and Riley travel to Europe.
In Europe Belle changes, she becomes stronger, does things that make her happy as she travels from London, and then to Rome where she meets Andrea and his father gives her a job cooking and her life is moving really well but there are still a lot of insecurities for Belle. When there is a problem with Riley they need to leave Rome and quickly, but she leaves part of her heart with Andrea in Rome and they arrive in Paris which starts a new journey.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book it is a fabulous debut, there is so much going on Belle is a fabulous heroine in this story she is so very vulnerable but learns strength through her travels and the fabulous people she meets, I loved her journey and Andrea is such an Italian hero he is so good but with so much happening and Belle’s insecurities their timing is not quite right, Riley Belle’s best friend she is Riley I loved her as well, and she does so much to help Belle and then one night of terror in Paris and so many lives are torn apart. I highly recommend this book, I hope I have done it justice in the review and I am really looking forward to the next book in the series to see how Belle gets on, this book is going to stay with me for a while thank you MS Montebello for a fabulous story.
January 29, 2018
A touching story that shows how actions are interconnected and woven together, and affecting the lives of many not just one.
Belle Hamilton is a woman who is a total romantic, all she wants the the happily after with the man she loves and has loved for a long time, yes she wants it all , the love the marriage and children. With the man she is engaged to. And all is just perfect until that one faithful day, her world comes crashing down and she makes a decision she can't take back.
In an instant Belles's life has changed, there is meets Andrea a local bartender and develops a soft connection with him.
Will they be able to get over the complications of the past hurts, and the things that had again gone wrong and changed many lives.
"Interwoven is the first book in the Belle Hamilton series; a story about fate and how it can balance delicately upon the decisions we make."
Belle Hamilton is a woman who is a total romantic, all she wants the the happily after with the man she loves and has loved for a long time, yes she wants it all , the love the marriage and children. With the man she is engaged to. And all is just perfect until that one faithful day, her world comes crashing down and she makes a decision she can't take back.
In an instant Belles's life has changed, there is meets Andrea a local bartender and develops a soft connection with him.
Will they be able to get over the complications of the past hurts, and the things that had again gone wrong and changed many lives.
"Interwoven is the first book in the Belle Hamilton series; a story about fate and how it can balance delicately upon the decisions we make."
January 16, 2018
Interwoven is the first installment from Michelle Montebello’s series, A Belle Hamilton. I liked it. It is not a very long read with a little over 200 pages and i had it finished within a few hours. I felt connected to Belle right from the start. Her story is so believable that I felt like I was with her throughout.
Interwoven is a beautifully written book of how to let go of yesterday and moving on. I recommend it and give it four stars.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
Interwoven is a beautifully written book of how to let go of yesterday and moving on. I recommend it and give it four stars.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
February 5, 2020
A nice read with an interesting ending. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series!
March 5, 2018
Belle Hamilton is a romantic girl. When the story begins she's engaged with the love of her life, Ben. They have been together for over a decade, and Belle knows in her heart of hearts that being together, starting a family and finding their happily ever after is a given. Until her world turns upside down and she looses everything she thought she had, Ben and even her carer.
Desperate for a clean start, she's encourage by her mother and best friend, Riley, to travel and find peace. So they do, Bella and her friend start travelling the world until they met a lovely Canadian girl, Avery, who invites them to join her in Rome.
Where in Rome... apparently you fall in love. There she meets a handsome bartender, Andrea, and develops an unexpected connection with him that could potentially lead to something more. But, is Bella willing to lower her defenses and allow love and happiness into her heart again?
Both Bella and Andrea have complicated past, and they both deal with it in different ways. It very interesting to see how they both break through the difficulties and try to make it work, first their friendship, then... maybe something more. If it wasn't for a terrifying night in Paris that might end it all before it starts.
Michelle Montebello's writing style is very enjoyable and descriptive. The extreme detail of her scenes have you right there in the scene along with her characters. Her character's are also relatable, genuine to the bone and very realistic. The book is beautifully colored with messages of love, faith, second chances and how everything around us is interconnected. Congratulations! It's a great book to read.
He was her soulmate, her first love, her entire world. Her relationship was just as it should be. There was nothing she would change.
Desperate for a clean start, she's encourage by her mother and best friend, Riley, to travel and find peace. So they do, Bella and her friend start travelling the world until they met a lovely Canadian girl, Avery, who invites them to join her in Rome.
Belle didn't know who she belonged to or where to slot in. She was neither here nor there and she felt much like Alice tumbling down the rabbit hole.
Where in Rome... apparently you fall in love. There she meets a handsome bartender, Andrea, and develops an unexpected connection with him that could potentially lead to something more. But, is Bella willing to lower her defenses and allow love and happiness into her heart again?
"I don't know what brought you here, Belle, but I know you'll be okay," he said, his voice soft and reassuring.
Both Bella and Andrea have complicated past, and they both deal with it in different ways. It very interesting to see how they both break through the difficulties and try to make it work, first their friendship, then... maybe something more. If it wasn't for a terrifying night in Paris that might end it all before it starts.
He wasn't like Ben. He wasn't self-assured or as confident. He wasn't interested in material possessions or how much money he could make. He seemed happiest with the simpler things in life─slow walks to work, good food and warm company.
Michelle Montebello's writing style is very enjoyable and descriptive. The extreme detail of her scenes have you right there in the scene along with her characters. Her character's are also relatable, genuine to the bone and very realistic. The book is beautifully colored with messages of love, faith, second chances and how everything around us is interconnected. Congratulations! It's a great book to read.
March 5, 2018
Apparently it is the season of contemporary romance novels revolving around a second chance at life in Italy. And I have to say that I can't blame authors for choosing that locale. It is truly a romantic place and one ripe for starting over, which is exactly what Belle ends up doing with her best friend Riley by her side.
Belle is a very likable character and you can't help but feel sorry for her after she finds her fiance in bed with another woman. You give her major kudos for getting a little bit of revenge against the two of them in a very public fashion. And you can't help but be a little jealous that she has the ability to jet off across the world on her parents' dime (and supplemented by her best friend) to try to find herself again. To her credit, though, she is determined to make it on her own and does land herself a job to help earn her keep.
The lively Avery and her family are the breath of fresh air that Belle needs as she tries to mend her broken heart. They all complement each other well. Riley is the balancing opposite to Belle, a lot more impulsive and wild, which helps Belle to break out of her quiet plotted life. Then you have the lovely Andrea and the elusive and strange Roberto. I want to smack her parents, but more her father than her mother, because I feel like her mother is trying a little bit to understand and help her daughter.
I love the descriptions of the Italian locales and foods. The rich descriptions simply make me want to go there even more. You start feeling warm and fuzzy about how everything is going.
And then all of a sudden, the whole story takes a few bizarre twists. The twists jarred me a bit and I lost my connection to the story. Or possibly it was just that there were so many of them. I almost thought of the strange twists that happened in the Bridget Jones series. They felt a bit out of place and made me lose touch with the story for a while. And yet, I was still intrigued by Bridget's story and kept on going with the series, even after those weird twists. I kind of feel the same with Belle's story. Despite her weird implausible twists, timely as they may be, I still want to know what is going to happen next. I know that a sequel is coming, because there was a preview at the end of this one. And I want to read it.
I do know that other people will not be as thrown by these twists as I was and won't mind them. I do think that the love story, the fantastic Italian food, and the second chance romance aspects of the book make it worth the quick read.
Belle is a very likable character and you can't help but feel sorry for her after she finds her fiance in bed with another woman. You give her major kudos for getting a little bit of revenge against the two of them in a very public fashion. And you can't help but be a little jealous that she has the ability to jet off across the world on her parents' dime (and supplemented by her best friend) to try to find herself again. To her credit, though, she is determined to make it on her own and does land herself a job to help earn her keep.
The lively Avery and her family are the breath of fresh air that Belle needs as she tries to mend her broken heart. They all complement each other well. Riley is the balancing opposite to Belle, a lot more impulsive and wild, which helps Belle to break out of her quiet plotted life. Then you have the lovely Andrea and the elusive and strange Roberto. I want to smack her parents, but more her father than her mother, because I feel like her mother is trying a little bit to understand and help her daughter.
I love the descriptions of the Italian locales and foods. The rich descriptions simply make me want to go there even more. You start feeling warm and fuzzy about how everything is going.
And then all of a sudden, the whole story takes a few bizarre twists. The twists jarred me a bit and I lost my connection to the story. Or possibly it was just that there were so many of them. I almost thought of the strange twists that happened in the Bridget Jones series. They felt a bit out of place and made me lose touch with the story for a while. And yet, I was still intrigued by Bridget's story and kept on going with the series, even after those weird twists. I kind of feel the same with Belle's story. Despite her weird implausible twists, timely as they may be, I still want to know what is going to happen next. I know that a sequel is coming, because there was a preview at the end of this one. And I want to read it.
I do know that other people will not be as thrown by these twists as I was and won't mind them. I do think that the love story, the fantastic Italian food, and the second chance romance aspects of the book make it worth the quick read.
February 26, 2018
Wow! Wow! Wow!
I am still in awe after finishing this book!
First off, I have to commend the author on her style of writing. I really enjoyed the flowing sentences with extreme detail that made most scenes very easy to picture. It was like almost watching the book come to life.
Second, I really liked the main characters, especially Belle. They were genuine and realistic. But with Belle, she was just so easy to relate to and I could even see a little of myself in the character. I am all about fairytales and happy-endings, so I knew right away we were going to be BFFs lol.
Rome has always been on my travel bucket list, but after reading and listening to how it was beautifully described it has definitely moved up on my bucket list and I feel quite the urgency to go lol.
I love that this book really has so many underlying messages about faith, hope, love, moving on, second chances, friendship, respect, and so much more!
This book is beautifully written and truly shows that choices we make today can affect the results of tomorrow and that those choices don’t just affect us, they affect those around us. Such an important message as I don't think many of us think about that before we act on impulses.
This book is book one in the Belle Hamilton Book Series.
All in all, I really enjoyed reading this book and would absolutely recommend this book to all readers!!
**Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book and have voluntarily provided an honest, and unbiased review in accordance with FTC regulations.**
I am still in awe after finishing this book!
First off, I have to commend the author on her style of writing. I really enjoyed the flowing sentences with extreme detail that made most scenes very easy to picture. It was like almost watching the book come to life.
Second, I really liked the main characters, especially Belle. They were genuine and realistic. But with Belle, she was just so easy to relate to and I could even see a little of myself in the character. I am all about fairytales and happy-endings, so I knew right away we were going to be BFFs lol.
Rome has always been on my travel bucket list, but after reading and listening to how it was beautifully described it has definitely moved up on my bucket list and I feel quite the urgency to go lol.
I love that this book really has so many underlying messages about faith, hope, love, moving on, second chances, friendship, respect, and so much more!
This book is beautifully written and truly shows that choices we make today can affect the results of tomorrow and that those choices don’t just affect us, they affect those around us. Such an important message as I don't think many of us think about that before we act on impulses.
This book is book one in the Belle Hamilton Book Series.
All in all, I really enjoyed reading this book and would absolutely recommend this book to all readers!!
**Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book and have voluntarily provided an honest, and unbiased review in accordance with FTC regulations.**
February 2, 2018
A touching story that shows how actions are interconnected and woven together, and affecting the lives of many not just one.
Belle Hamilton is a woman who is a total romantic, all she wants the the happily after with the man she loves and has loved for a long time, yes she wants it all , the love the marriage and children. With the man she is engaged to. And all is just perfect until that one faithful day, her world comes crashing down and she makes a decision she can't take back.
In an instant Belles's life has changed, there is meets Andrea a local bartender and develops a soft connection with him.
Will they be able to get over the complications of the past hurts, and the things that had again gone wrong and changed many lives.
"Interwoven is the first book in the Belle Hamilton series; a story about fate and how it can balance delicately upon the decisions we make."
I received a free copy for my honest review!
Review by Jara
Belle Hamilton is a woman who is a total romantic, all she wants the the happily after with the man she loves and has loved for a long time, yes she wants it all , the love the marriage and children. With the man she is engaged to. And all is just perfect until that one faithful day, her world comes crashing down and she makes a decision she can't take back.
In an instant Belles's life has changed, there is meets Andrea a local bartender and develops a soft connection with him.
Will they be able to get over the complications of the past hurts, and the things that had again gone wrong and changed many lives.
"Interwoven is the first book in the Belle Hamilton series; a story about fate and how it can balance delicately upon the decisions we make."
I received a free copy for my honest review!
Review by Jara
March 3, 2018
I LOVED every minute of this book and didn't want it to end! Interwoven is book 1 in the Belle series and is a compelling story about finding the strength to move forward after heartbreak. It has many of my favourite things; love, faith, food, travel and second chances. The descriptions of places like Rome and Paris were so vivid, I felt like I had travelled there from my own lounge room, and I could smell the smells and taste the food. The ending will move you so be ready for it! The author crafts a clever story about the decisions we make today and how they can affect us tomorrow, that actions and outcomes truly are "interwoven" as the book title suggests. I give this book a full 5 stars and it deserves every single one of them!
July 1, 2018
I was lucky enough to read all three novels back to back which anyone purchasing from now on is also able to do. I was hooked within the first few pages. Loved the books and the characters. Lots of original themes in the books and at times couldn’t put them down. I hope #3 isn’t the last Belle Hamilton book.
March 12, 2018
3.75 stars
“Interwoven” by Michelle Montebello follows the adventures of Belle Hamilton as she deals with a betrayal that breaks her heart, explores a new country, and tries to find a new lease on life. Unfortunately, things don’t always go as planned and Belle will have to discover just what she wants out of life.
This women’s fiction story is the first book in the ‘Belle Hamilton Novel’ series. The startling and impactful beginning abruptly shifts to a different location and the author deftly draws the reader into Belle’s world and heartbreak and follows her on a journey of discovery. I enjoyed the visit to Italy and was drawn into the warmth of the experience, but I was uncomfortable with her passive acceptance of the changes in her best friend’s life, even as I guessed what was going on. The naivete that Belle continued to display made her seem extremely young and unprepared for life…and the final dramatic events were both unexpected and disturbing. I ached for Belle’s experiences but the pace of this story was a little erratic for me. I think those who like to armchair travel will enjoy most of this tale, just be prepared for a bit of a rollercoaster ride while you’re at it.
A copy of this title was provided to me for review
“Interwoven” by Michelle Montebello follows the adventures of Belle Hamilton as she deals with a betrayal that breaks her heart, explores a new country, and tries to find a new lease on life. Unfortunately, things don’t always go as planned and Belle will have to discover just what she wants out of life.
This women’s fiction story is the first book in the ‘Belle Hamilton Novel’ series. The startling and impactful beginning abruptly shifts to a different location and the author deftly draws the reader into Belle’s world and heartbreak and follows her on a journey of discovery. I enjoyed the visit to Italy and was drawn into the warmth of the experience, but I was uncomfortable with her passive acceptance of the changes in her best friend’s life, even as I guessed what was going on. The naivete that Belle continued to display made her seem extremely young and unprepared for life…and the final dramatic events were both unexpected and disturbing. I ached for Belle’s experiences but the pace of this story was a little erratic for me. I think those who like to armchair travel will enjoy most of this tale, just be prepared for a bit of a rollercoaster ride while you’re at it.
A copy of this title was provided to me for review
November 2, 2017
Loved this book. Whilst the first half was slow-paced, there was nothing there that the author did not tie up or explain later in the last three-quarters of the book, so stick with it. The ending was fantastic!! Sad, tragic, realistic. Get the tissues ready. I loved this book and was surprised that this is the author's first published novel. So well-written and very well done! Looking forward to the second book in this series and all future stories that this talented author publishes!
October 10, 2017
The story was great. It was nicely paced, good characters and a sweet tale, until BANG!!! The ending hits you in the face. What an exciting, terrifying and sad ending! I wasn't expecting it to effect me in such a way. I finished this book last night and woke this morning still reeling from it. Great story, AMAZING ending and I can't wait for book 2 to see what happens with Belle and Andrea.
October 25, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed this. I could smell the air, taste the food and I was lost in the streets of ancient Rome. It was unputdownable! It made me want to pack my bags and fly there!! Great book! I wouldn't mind finding an Andrea either :) :)
August 10, 2021
This book had it all romance, heartbreak, suspense, shock. Fabulous story line. Never boring. Loved every chapter and have moved on to book 2 in Belle Hamilton’s series.
May 14, 2022
A wonderful story about Belle and her dreams, love and loses. I am looking forward to reading what happens to Belle next. Michelle as always puts in some unexpected twists which I loved.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews