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The Promise of Summer #1-4
The Promise of Summer
The Promise of Summer was originally published as a four-part serial. This is the complete story in one package.
Ruby’s life is about to change for ever…
After years of dating losers, cheats and one guy who did something unrepeatable to her kettle, Ruby has all but given up on romance. But then a stranger sits next to her on a train to London and explains his plan to propose to the woman of his dreams. Maybe true love does exist after all?
When the man accidentally leaves the engagement ring behind, Ruby is determined to save the day. But she hasn't counted on fellow passenger Curtis stepping in and insisting he should be the one to track the stranger down.
As summer closes in, the unlikely pair make a promise to reunite the ring with its owner. But can they find their own happy ever after along the way?
The absolutely perfect summer read you’ve been waiting for! Fans of Cathy Bramley, Katie Fforde and Milly Johnson will be totally hooked!
Ruby’s life is about to change for ever…
After years of dating losers, cheats and one guy who did something unrepeatable to her kettle, Ruby has all but given up on romance. But then a stranger sits next to her on a train to London and explains his plan to propose to the woman of his dreams. Maybe true love does exist after all?
When the man accidentally leaves the engagement ring behind, Ruby is determined to save the day. But she hasn't counted on fellow passenger Curtis stepping in and insisting he should be the one to track the stranger down.
As summer closes in, the unlikely pair make a promise to reunite the ring with its owner. But can they find their own happy ever after along the way?
The absolutely perfect summer read you’ve been waiting for! Fans of Cathy Bramley, Katie Fforde and Milly Johnson will be totally hooked!
416 pages, Paperback
First published July 22, 2021
75 people are currently reading
477 people want to read
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October 22, 2023
I don’t even remember when I last rated a “chick-lit” this high! So today is indeed a rare day. This was an absolutely fabulous book to listen to and with some hilarious writing to boot!
Story:
You don’t get brownie points for guessing that Ruby will end up with Curtis, and Kim with Adrian. It’s a chick-lit! It’s supposed to go in the good old predictable fashion. But where this book stands out is in its journey towards the happy ending. There are so many things that add a wonderful appeal to the story.
❤ Curtis – Curtis is unlike any romantic hero you've seen. Think of the typical lead heroes in such books. Uber-rich, ultra-successful, charismatic, good-looking, hot, having women falling over them head over heels,…Not a single one of these attributes is applicable to Curtis. (Except maybe for the good-looking part, which isn’t dwelt up on much.) Curtis is a fellow who is more into statistics, and I mean actual mathematical statistics. He doesn’t get jokes because he takes everything literally. He loves making spreadsheets for every single decision. He doesn’t understand the common cues of dating such as ‘Do you want to come over for a cup of coffee?’ He’s a guy who prefers logic over love. And yet he tries his best to figure out what Ruby wants and to help her in achieving her goals. For me, all this makes Curtis rank much higher than typical male leads in such novels.
❤ Ruby – She’s thirty five but acts like she’s twenty five. Chirpy, sweet, loyal, and optimistic, Ruby is the quintessential girl with a heart of gold. But, unlike such characters who are usually shown to be bubbleheads, Ruby is also intelligent and a quick learner. There’s no way you won’t adore this character for her straightforwardness and helpfulness.
(Let me quickly add that the Kim and Adrian track is also very nice and both of them are quite loveable too; just that their storyline went down a little more stereotypical path)
❤ The Romance: If you want a more-or-less clean romance (just a couple of kisses mentioned), this is your book. I enjoyed the rare opportunity of reading a rom-com without any lust or sex mentioned.
❤ The Humour: I don’t think I have laughed so much while reading a book in ages. The humour is corny at times but it works well for the characters. The book has many silly, farfetched scenes that are simultaneously cringe-worthy and hilarious. While you won’t get the following two examples unless you read the book, I still want to mention that Curtis’ double-door “Ta-da” and the turkey baster scene had me going lol and ewwww at the same time.
❤ The Emotions: Sometimes, when such books try hard to be funny, they forget that there are many other emotions that appeal to their readers. (Well, women readers because most men are biased against this genre!) In aiming to tickle the funny bone, they ignore everything else. Not here though. ‘The Promise of Summer’ ticks all the right checkboxes for bringing a lump in your throat. Beneath Ruby’s funny demeanour, you will feel for her desperation at not finding “her one true love”. Underneath Curtis’ rough manners lies a little boy who is afraid to commit to anyone because of his family background.
❤ There’s an adorable dog too! And his name is “Boomerang”! Icing on the cake, if you ask me.
All in all, this is a heart-warming story of a woman with a strong heart and a man with a strong brain, and how opposites can still encourage each other towards betterment and balance.
Do I have any complaints? Well, yeah. Only two really minor ones. Firstly, Ruby is almost 35 but she seems to behave like a newly-minted adult. At one point, she seems more concerned about someone’s lost chance at romance than her own lost phone. I would have been panic-stricken had my phone disappeared, to hell with romance. The second issue is that the title (and the cover page) has nothing to do with the book. But these are trivial issues for a book that gave me so much of enjoyment. I simply adored this story and will look for more books by this author whenever I need something light-hearted and quick.
Recommended with all my heart.
Can’t let this review go by without mentioning the special lady who enhanced my experience with her spirited performance: Narrator Laura Brydon. This is, by far, one of the best audiobooks I’ve heard this year. I usually hear audiobooks at 1.25-1.75x speed. But I heard this one at 1x, just because I didn’t want it to end! 11.5 hours at 1 x, and not a single minute of boredom, Gawd! Her accents, her voice effects, her enunciation… everything was awesome! 10 stars for her narration. 😍😍😍
Note: 'The Promise of Summer' was originally published as a four-part serial. This is the complete story in one novel without editing. So there is some repetition after each new "episode" begins, as the story recapitulates what happened earlier before moving on.
Thank you, NetGalley and HarperCollins UK Audio, for the audio ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
Story:
Ruby, a florist in her day-time job, is a huge romantic who has not found anyone special yet. She dreams of the day when someone will swoop her off her feet with his grandiose romantic gestures. During one train ride to London, she discovers that the interesting stranger she was seated next to and who was going to propose to his girlfriend that day has left the engagement ring behind. Ruby takes it up as her personal agenda to return the ring. The problem? Another passenger on the train, a surly fellow named Curtis, doesn’t trust Ruby with it. So he creates his own personal agenda: accompany Ruby on her quest to ensure she completes it successfully.
A secondary love story comes to us from Ruby’s boss, Kim, who is living life trying not to allow the memories of her long-gone husband Vince to sully her present. One of her regular customers, Adrian, is someone she loves to interact with. The problem? Adrian is very much in love with his wife.
The story alternates between Ruby’s and Kim’s perspectives written in third person.
You don’t get brownie points for guessing that Ruby will end up with Curtis, and Kim with Adrian. It’s a chick-lit! It’s supposed to go in the good old predictable fashion. But where this book stands out is in its journey towards the happy ending. There are so many things that add a wonderful appeal to the story.
❤ Curtis – Curtis is unlike any romantic hero you've seen. Think of the typical lead heroes in such books. Uber-rich, ultra-successful, charismatic, good-looking, hot, having women falling over them head over heels,…Not a single one of these attributes is applicable to Curtis. (Except maybe for the good-looking part, which isn’t dwelt up on much.) Curtis is a fellow who is more into statistics, and I mean actual mathematical statistics. He doesn’t get jokes because he takes everything literally. He loves making spreadsheets for every single decision. He doesn’t understand the common cues of dating such as ‘Do you want to come over for a cup of coffee?’ He’s a guy who prefers logic over love. And yet he tries his best to figure out what Ruby wants and to help her in achieving her goals. For me, all this makes Curtis rank much higher than typical male leads in such novels.
❤ Ruby – She’s thirty five but acts like she’s twenty five. Chirpy, sweet, loyal, and optimistic, Ruby is the quintessential girl with a heart of gold. But, unlike such characters who are usually shown to be bubbleheads, Ruby is also intelligent and a quick learner. There’s no way you won’t adore this character for her straightforwardness and helpfulness.
(Let me quickly add that the Kim and Adrian track is also very nice and both of them are quite loveable too; just that their storyline went down a little more stereotypical path)
❤ The Romance: If you want a more-or-less clean romance (just a couple of kisses mentioned), this is your book. I enjoyed the rare opportunity of reading a rom-com without any lust or sex mentioned.
❤ The Humour: I don’t think I have laughed so much while reading a book in ages. The humour is corny at times but it works well for the characters. The book has many silly, farfetched scenes that are simultaneously cringe-worthy and hilarious. While you won’t get the following two examples unless you read the book, I still want to mention that Curtis’ double-door “Ta-da” and the turkey baster scene had me going lol and ewwww at the same time.
❤ The Emotions: Sometimes, when such books try hard to be funny, they forget that there are many other emotions that appeal to their readers. (Well, women readers because most men are biased against this genre!) In aiming to tickle the funny bone, they ignore everything else. Not here though. ‘The Promise of Summer’ ticks all the right checkboxes for bringing a lump in your throat. Beneath Ruby’s funny demeanour, you will feel for her desperation at not finding “her one true love”. Underneath Curtis’ rough manners lies a little boy who is afraid to commit to anyone because of his family background.
❤ There’s an adorable dog too! And his name is “Boomerang”! Icing on the cake, if you ask me.
All in all, this is a heart-warming story of a woman with a strong heart and a man with a strong brain, and how opposites can still encourage each other towards betterment and balance.
Do I have any complaints? Well, yeah. Only two really minor ones. Firstly, Ruby is almost 35 but she seems to behave like a newly-minted adult. At one point, she seems more concerned about someone’s lost chance at romance than her own lost phone. I would have been panic-stricken had my phone disappeared, to hell with romance. The second issue is that the title (and the cover page) has nothing to do with the book. But these are trivial issues for a book that gave me so much of enjoyment. I simply adored this story and will look for more books by this author whenever I need something light-hearted and quick.
Recommended with all my heart.
Can’t let this review go by without mentioning the special lady who enhanced my experience with her spirited performance: Narrator Laura Brydon. This is, by far, one of the best audiobooks I’ve heard this year. I usually hear audiobooks at 1.25-1.75x speed. But I heard this one at 1x, just because I didn’t want it to end! 11.5 hours at 1 x, and not a single minute of boredom, Gawd! Her accents, her voice effects, her enunciation… everything was awesome! 10 stars for her narration. 😍😍😍
Note: 'The Promise of Summer' was originally published as a four-part serial. This is the complete story in one novel without editing. So there is some repetition after each new "episode" begins, as the story recapitulates what happened earlier before moving on.
Thank you, NetGalley and HarperCollins UK Audio, for the audio ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
July 21, 2021
4 stars.
This book was the most hilarious, endearing & feel-good summer read. Everyone is bound to have a blast with this one.
This book follows Ruby, (who I picture as Bryce Dallas Howard)
a spirited, bubbly & quirky florist who found herself on a mission to return a lost engagement ring--left behind on a train--to its owner. Despite being someone who has given up on love, Ruby is a hopeless romantic at heart & is determined to return the ring. She embarks on this mission with Curtis, another fellow passenger she met on the train who is the complete opposite of her. Where Ruby is all soft edges & colour, Curtis is crisp, curt (pun intended) & monotone. Will anything come out of this unlikely pairing?
⤷ This book was effortlessly hilarious, with the most delightful & amusing dialogue. The humour was so well-done & never felt forced or cringey. It definitely cracked me up more than a few times. The characters were also very vivid & 3D.
⤷ I absolutely loved Ruby. She is young at heart & so optimistic. It was such a delight to read from her perspective because she was always genuine, kind & was never afraid to speak her mind. I loved how easily she made conversation with everybody & never thought twice about helping people out.
The two leads, Ruby & Curtis are the opposite ends of the eccentric spectrum.
⤷ The interactions between Ruby, someone who is so sensitive to her surroundings & has high social intelligence paired with someone like Curtis, who according to Ruby's own words
⤷ Their adventures were so charged with contagious energy & happiness that I found myself grinning all the time. Despite Curtis being a 'robot' / overly analytical at times, he was actually very endearing & swoon-worthy!
⤷ Despite being a rom-com, there was actually a fairly present plot-line that I appreciated. It made the book a lot more solid & memorable. It kept things going & minimised the drag. The writing was easy to read & light. Although I wished there was a bit more feeling & atmosphere. There were times where the author may have been too economical with her descriptions. I also disliked how often the POV switched between Ruby & Kim especially when they're together, it often becomes confusing as to which POV we were reading from. I also felt detached from Kim, my love for Boomer aside, I found that I didn't care much for her storyline & was just skimming through her parts to get to Ruby's.
Overall, this was such a needed breath of fresh summery air. It's one of those invigorating reads that has an amazing emotional pay-off at the end.
〖 Follow me on Instagram (@shashaybooks)! 〗
Thank you a million times to Avon Books UK for offering me a free e-ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts are genuine & entirely my own.
"Whoever said we all have to be a perfect match?"
This book was the most hilarious, endearing & feel-good summer read. Everyone is bound to have a blast with this one.
This book follows Ruby, (who I picture as Bryce Dallas Howard)
a spirited, bubbly & quirky florist who found herself on a mission to return a lost engagement ring--left behind on a train--to its owner. Despite being someone who has given up on love, Ruby is a hopeless romantic at heart & is determined to return the ring. She embarks on this mission with Curtis, another fellow passenger she met on the train who is the complete opposite of her. Where Ruby is all soft edges & colour, Curtis is crisp, curt (pun intended) & monotone. Will anything come out of this unlikely pairing?
⤷ This book was effortlessly hilarious, with the most delightful & amusing dialogue. The humour was so well-done & never felt forced or cringey. It definitely cracked me up more than a few times. The characters were also very vivid & 3D.
⤷ I absolutely loved Ruby. She is young at heart & so optimistic. It was such a delight to read from her perspective because she was always genuine, kind & was never afraid to speak her mind. I loved how easily she made conversation with everybody & never thought twice about helping people out.
The two leads, Ruby & Curtis are the opposite ends of the eccentric spectrum.
⤷ The interactions between Ruby, someone who is so sensitive to her surroundings & has high social intelligence paired with someone like Curtis, who according to Ruby's own words
"...knows nothing about life or people. He is obsessed with spreadsheets & order."were the highlight. It was like Curtis was a baby & Ruby was helping him navigate life for the first time & she made it SO MUCH FUN.
⤷ Their adventures were so charged with contagious energy & happiness that I found myself grinning all the time. Despite Curtis being a 'robot' / overly analytical at times, he was actually very endearing & swoon-worthy!
⤷ Despite being a rom-com, there was actually a fairly present plot-line that I appreciated. It made the book a lot more solid & memorable. It kept things going & minimised the drag. The writing was easy to read & light. Although I wished there was a bit more feeling & atmosphere. There were times where the author may have been too economical with her descriptions. I also disliked how often the POV switched between Ruby & Kim especially when they're together, it often becomes confusing as to which POV we were reading from. I also felt detached from Kim, my love for Boomer aside, I found that I didn't care much for her storyline & was just skimming through her parts to get to Ruby's.
Overall, this was such a needed breath of fresh summery air. It's one of those invigorating reads that has an amazing emotional pay-off at the end.
〖 Follow me on Instagram (@shashaybooks)! 〗
Thank you a million times to Avon Books UK for offering me a free e-ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review! All thoughts are genuine & entirely my own.
July 29, 2021
This was a brilliant book by Osborne and I loved every page of it! The characters were so interesting, the story was so entertaining and, for 400-odd pages, I read with a smile on my face. What’s not to love?
I have become a massive fan of Osborne’s books over the last twelve months and was delighted to have the opportunity to read this one, especially with such an enticing cover! The book immediately grabbed me with the interesting scenario of Ruby, our protagonist, meeting a rather dishy stranger on the train to London. However, circumstances evolve when the stranger walks off with her mobile phone and forgets his engagement ring. Ruby is left with a fellow passenger, Curtis, as they debate how they can return the significant jewellery to its owner and reunite Ruby with her phone! What to do!
You might think a quick phone call to Ruby’s mobile would solve the problem. But, heady, spontaneous Ruby has not managed to remember her phone number. Several weird ex-boyfriends have led her to change her number so, of course, why should she remember it when everyone she knows has her number? On the other hand, passenger Curtis is so level-headed and serious that he cannot understand how Ruby has even managed to get to London! How could these characters possibly get along?
A series of events cause Ruby and Curtis’s paths to remain interlinked as the story follows not only their quest to reunite the ring with its owner, but Ruby and Curtis’s friendship developing. Curtis is definitely one of my favourite characters this year because he is so funny and clueless. Ruby’s presence intends to help Curtis be a bit more socially-aware but, my goodness, Osborne’s dialogue for this character had me properly laughing out loud. Curtis’s responses to flirtatious women are priceless and I think his character really added flavour to the story.
As I have come to expect from Osborne’s writing, the story isn’t just about romance and positive feeling. There is always an undercurrent of something more serious and sombre. In this case, it is not just Ruby and Curtis who have a sadder back story, but also the supporting characters of Kim and her acquaintances. This added more variety to the plot as we also follow Kim as her past comes back to haunt her. To be honest, I think the story would have worked wonderfully if it just featured Ruby and Curtis, but I liked Kim’s character and I was intrigued to see what her journey would be.
Osborne’s writing is like having a jolly good pair of slippers! I read this over a day because I was so hooked and entertained by the story. True, there are some sadder parts to the plot, but this is outweighed by the fantastic characters and witty dialogue. I could not imagine how Ruby and Curtis could work together because she is so bubbly and spontaneous, versus his calculating methods and socially-awkward manner. It shouldn’t work but it definitely provides entertainment!
If you have yet to sample any of Osborne’s books then, look no further! I highly recommend this one because it was so entertaining and immersive. If what I have written doesn’t persuade you, then maybe my unusually high volume of exclamation marks might do the trick!
With thanks to Avon books, NetGalley and Rachel’s Random Resources for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I have become a massive fan of Osborne’s books over the last twelve months and was delighted to have the opportunity to read this one, especially with such an enticing cover! The book immediately grabbed me with the interesting scenario of Ruby, our protagonist, meeting a rather dishy stranger on the train to London. However, circumstances evolve when the stranger walks off with her mobile phone and forgets his engagement ring. Ruby is left with a fellow passenger, Curtis, as they debate how they can return the significant jewellery to its owner and reunite Ruby with her phone! What to do!
You might think a quick phone call to Ruby’s mobile would solve the problem. But, heady, spontaneous Ruby has not managed to remember her phone number. Several weird ex-boyfriends have led her to change her number so, of course, why should she remember it when everyone she knows has her number? On the other hand, passenger Curtis is so level-headed and serious that he cannot understand how Ruby has even managed to get to London! How could these characters possibly get along?
A series of events cause Ruby and Curtis’s paths to remain interlinked as the story follows not only their quest to reunite the ring with its owner, but Ruby and Curtis’s friendship developing. Curtis is definitely one of my favourite characters this year because he is so funny and clueless. Ruby’s presence intends to help Curtis be a bit more socially-aware but, my goodness, Osborne’s dialogue for this character had me properly laughing out loud. Curtis’s responses to flirtatious women are priceless and I think his character really added flavour to the story.
As I have come to expect from Osborne’s writing, the story isn’t just about romance and positive feeling. There is always an undercurrent of something more serious and sombre. In this case, it is not just Ruby and Curtis who have a sadder back story, but also the supporting characters of Kim and her acquaintances. This added more variety to the plot as we also follow Kim as her past comes back to haunt her. To be honest, I think the story would have worked wonderfully if it just featured Ruby and Curtis, but I liked Kim’s character and I was intrigued to see what her journey would be.
Osborne’s writing is like having a jolly good pair of slippers! I read this over a day because I was so hooked and entertained by the story. True, there are some sadder parts to the plot, but this is outweighed by the fantastic characters and witty dialogue. I could not imagine how Ruby and Curtis could work together because she is so bubbly and spontaneous, versus his calculating methods and socially-awkward manner. It shouldn’t work but it definitely provides entertainment!
If you have yet to sample any of Osborne’s books then, look no further! I highly recommend this one because it was so entertaining and immersive. If what I have written doesn’t persuade you, then maybe my unusually high volume of exclamation marks might do the trick!
With thanks to Avon books, NetGalley and Rachel’s Random Resources for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 7, 2021
Well I was hooked into the story within the first chapter and my absorption and love of it didn't wane throughout.
There are so many threads running through this book, some I kind of guessed correctly the outcomes of, some I desperately wanted my ideas to be the truth, and others were just so lovely and at all times I was enjoying what I was reading so much.
Although Ruby is the main character, I also loved the chapters focusing on Kim, her boss and best friend, who has some great storylines of her own, including one with a new four legged friend that is so heartwarming.
But for me the standout character is Curtis, I absolutely adored him. He's not the easiest to describe, but has such a way about him that once you are used to his speech patterns and have an idea of how he thinks, he is quite adorable and really just lovely!
And what of the stranger on the train, that Ruby starts chatting to as mentioned in the blurb, well his initial actions are essentially the catalyst for Ruby and Curtis' budding friendship and I was just as invested as Ruby was in finding him again!
I'm a massive fan already of Bella Osborne, and this is just another example of a fabulous book from a talented author. I wasn't really sure what to expect in terms of plot as don't think I'd even looked at the blurb, and was incredibly happy with what was delivered.
Thoroughly enjoyable, what a fantastic book!
Thank you to Avon and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
There are so many threads running through this book, some I kind of guessed correctly the outcomes of, some I desperately wanted my ideas to be the truth, and others were just so lovely and at all times I was enjoying what I was reading so much.
Although Ruby is the main character, I also loved the chapters focusing on Kim, her boss and best friend, who has some great storylines of her own, including one with a new four legged friend that is so heartwarming.
But for me the standout character is Curtis, I absolutely adored him. He's not the easiest to describe, but has such a way about him that once you are used to his speech patterns and have an idea of how he thinks, he is quite adorable and really just lovely!
And what of the stranger on the train, that Ruby starts chatting to as mentioned in the blurb, well his initial actions are essentially the catalyst for Ruby and Curtis' budding friendship and I was just as invested as Ruby was in finding him again!
I'm a massive fan already of Bella Osborne, and this is just another example of a fabulous book from a talented author. I wasn't really sure what to expect in terms of plot as don't think I'd even looked at the blurb, and was incredibly happy with what was delivered.
Thoroughly enjoyable, what a fantastic book!
Thank you to Avon and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
September 13, 2021
This book was initially released as four separate parts and I had already read part 1 before I got the chance to read the book in its entirety. I absolutely LOVED every minute of it!! It was an entertaining and delightful book with interesting, entertaining and delightful characters plus a hyperactive and adorable dog called Boomerang. The story was very original and I could not quite figure out how it would all end. The phrase 'opposites attract' worked wonders for our two main potential couples in making, Ruby/Curtis and Kim/Adrian. Funny, heartwarming and lovable, I had a smile and a chuckle ready for the entire length of the book.
The Promise of Summer lived up to its promise.
My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Avon Books UK, and the author Bella Osborne for the e-Arc of the book. This is the first book I have read by the author and I now want to read more of her works.
The Promise of Summer lived up to its promise.
My thanks to NetGalley, the publisher Avon Books UK, and the author Bella Osborne for the e-Arc of the book. This is the first book I have read by the author and I now want to read more of her works.
September 4, 2021
3,5 Stars
This story is quite extraordinary. You shouldn't question its likability. However, getting to know the main protagonists (in my opinion those are Ruby, Curtis and Kim) is quite fun - I liked all three of them.
Still, there were some things that could have been done better. The switch between Rubys and Kims perspective is often very rushed. There is a page with Ruby, followed by a page about Kim, and back to Ruby for a few paragraph and then back to Kim. As if Bella Osborne really wanted to tell us their stories simultanously. But I would have preferred staying with one storyline for a bit longer.
Originally this book has been 4 installments of a series. I read them all as one book, and this felt a bit lenghty in the last quarter. I was getting a bit impatient and was just wishing they would finally wrap it all up. Even though I didn't feel any chemistry between Ruby and Curtis (except for them becoming good friends), I wanted them to come to a decision and didn't care so much which way they would take.
This story is quite extraordinary. You shouldn't question its likability. However, getting to know the main protagonists (in my opinion those are Ruby, Curtis and Kim) is quite fun - I liked all three of them.
Still, there were some things that could have been done better. The switch between Rubys and Kims perspective is often very rushed. There is a page with Ruby, followed by a page about Kim, and back to Ruby for a few paragraph and then back to Kim. As if Bella Osborne really wanted to tell us their stories simultanously. But I would have preferred staying with one storyline for a bit longer.
Originally this book has been 4 installments of a series. I read them all as one book, and this felt a bit lenghty in the last quarter. I was getting a bit impatient and was just wishing they would finally wrap it all up. Even though I didn't feel any chemistry between Ruby and Curtis (except for them becoming good friends), I wanted them to come to a decision and didn't care so much which way they would take.
September 5, 2021
Fantastic book from start to end and shows how you can change your life and be happy plenty about new friends and romance and moving forward. A great read
July 7, 2021
A fun, quick, easy read, perfect for every season!
The dual storyline is engaging, the writing is beautiful and the characters are superb! You can't not love Ruby and Curtis, their witty, humorous banter had me in stitches: so funny and well written.
I can't wait to read the next Bella Osborne's!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The dual storyline is engaging, the writing is beautiful and the characters are superb! You can't not love Ruby and Curtis, their witty, humorous banter had me in stitches: so funny and well written.
I can't wait to read the next Bella Osborne's!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 23, 2021
Many thanks to @rachelsrandomresources for tour invite and publisher for provide e-copy via NetGalley, in change for an honest review.
It was cozy and heart-warming romance that revolved around Ruby and Curtis trying to return the engagement ring they found on train and slowly falling
in love. It also revolved around Ruby’s employer and florist, Kim, and her love story.
The story was about dream, hope, heartbreak, love, friendship, loss, and betrayal.
Even though this was romance, there was fair amount of plot and characters depth. It was slow developing. Author took very good time in building their friendship. Both Kim and Ruby fell in love only in second half of the book. It was no fairy tale romance as ruby expected and yet it was lovely. And I couldn’t be sure if characters would get their happy ending or not until the end.
Overall, The Promise of Summer was uplifting, delightful, entertaining and lovely romance with amazing characters and plot.
I highly recommend this if you enjoy,
Slow developing romance
will they won’t they trope
Great employer-employee bond
Amazing friendship
Dog adoption and training in story
Cozy plot
Steady pace
Quirky character
Hero different from any romance you have read
Full review - https://booksteacupreviews.com/2021/0...
It was cozy and heart-warming romance that revolved around Ruby and Curtis trying to return the engagement ring they found on train and slowly falling
in love. It also revolved around Ruby’s employer and florist, Kim, and her love story.
The story was about dream, hope, heartbreak, love, friendship, loss, and betrayal.
Even though this was romance, there was fair amount of plot and characters depth. It was slow developing. Author took very good time in building their friendship. Both Kim and Ruby fell in love only in second half of the book. It was no fairy tale romance as ruby expected and yet it was lovely. And I couldn’t be sure if characters would get their happy ending or not until the end.
Overall, The Promise of Summer was uplifting, delightful, entertaining and lovely romance with amazing characters and plot.
I highly recommend this if you enjoy,
Slow developing romance
will they won’t they trope
Great employer-employee bond
Amazing friendship
Dog adoption and training in story
Cozy plot
Steady pace
Quirky character
Hero different from any romance you have read
Full review - https://booksteacupreviews.com/2021/0...
June 14, 2021
This story is hilarious! It is also heartwarming, sad at times and optimistic. Ruby is a unique person, has a heart of gold and is a bit of an accident waiting to happen, however she always has the best intentions. Nothing planned works out, and sometimes that is for the best! Curtis is extremely intelligent, very talented in his career and dreadfully socially awkward. When fate brings these two together, it makes at an amazing tale.
If you have not read anything by Bella Osborne in the past, this is a great way to be introduced to her writing. I think you will love this story and her other work.
This book was originally released in 4 parts. I was gifted part 1 and loved it so much and immediate purchased parts 2, 3 and 4! Unfortunately, I would have to wait until each was released (each part was released a few weeks apart). After I read part 2, I was then gifted an early copy of the entire book! That was such a treat since I was so engrossed in the story, and I definitely did not want to wait to find out the rest of the story.
Bella Osborne is a fairly new-to-me author, and I am so happy I found her. I love her writing style. She creates the most endearing characters. Also, she molds scenes with such expert skill that I am reading along and, bam, I am laughing out loud and don't even realize that it was coming until it is there.
I love this story and highly recommend it. Life does not go smoothly for the characters, but things will work out in the end. That is the main reason I like to read romance books. They will always have a happy ending.
I want to thank NetGalley and Avon Books UK for giving me the pleasure of reading the advance reader copy, with no obligation to write a review. My review is done freely as a hobby of mine, and is totally my own opinion, not influenced by receiving the ARC. (I will also note, as I said in my review, I also purchased this book in parts, prior to the entire book being released.)
If you have not read anything by Bella Osborne in the past, this is a great way to be introduced to her writing. I think you will love this story and her other work.
This book was originally released in 4 parts. I was gifted part 1 and loved it so much and immediate purchased parts 2, 3 and 4! Unfortunately, I would have to wait until each was released (each part was released a few weeks apart). After I read part 2, I was then gifted an early copy of the entire book! That was such a treat since I was so engrossed in the story, and I definitely did not want to wait to find out the rest of the story.
Bella Osborne is a fairly new-to-me author, and I am so happy I found her. I love her writing style. She creates the most endearing characters. Also, she molds scenes with such expert skill that I am reading along and, bam, I am laughing out loud and don't even realize that it was coming until it is there.
I love this story and highly recommend it. Life does not go smoothly for the characters, but things will work out in the end. That is the main reason I like to read romance books. They will always have a happy ending.
I want to thank NetGalley and Avon Books UK for giving me the pleasure of reading the advance reader copy, with no obligation to write a review. My review is done freely as a hobby of mine, and is totally my own opinion, not influenced by receiving the ARC. (I will also note, as I said in my review, I also purchased this book in parts, prior to the entire book being released.)
June 15, 2021
Bella osborne is a gem of an author and again a book that absolutely did not disappoint.....full of humour, relationships, a dog and a flower shop....what is there not to love.
Kim owns a flower shop and employs Ruby. That have a great working, friendship.
Ruby is always on the look out for love, previous relationships always ending disastrously. Now she has changed her game and is looking for a sperm donor. An unusual friendship forms after a chance meeting with Curtis.....socially awkward, hard working and single. Ruby finds herself beginning to coach Curtis to begin to embrace life and live.
Kim has had a relationship which ended suddenly. Whilst her interest is piqued by a regular customer, his daughter has other ideas as to how things should progress. Add into the mix an adopted manic dog, a returning husband and a wedding with no flowers....how can anything go wrong.
An absolute gem of a book.....highly recommend. Thank you avon and net galley for this advanced copy....Loved it.
Kim owns a flower shop and employs Ruby. That have a great working, friendship.
Ruby is always on the look out for love, previous relationships always ending disastrously. Now she has changed her game and is looking for a sperm donor. An unusual friendship forms after a chance meeting with Curtis.....socially awkward, hard working and single. Ruby finds herself beginning to coach Curtis to begin to embrace life and live.
Kim has had a relationship which ended suddenly. Whilst her interest is piqued by a regular customer, his daughter has other ideas as to how things should progress. Add into the mix an adopted manic dog, a returning husband and a wedding with no flowers....how can anything go wrong.
An absolute gem of a book.....highly recommend. Thank you avon and net galley for this advanced copy....Loved it.
July 28, 2021
Loved this. What a heartwarming read. There’s a bit of everything here, but the romance doesn’t disappoint. I’d very much like to read more about these characters in the future. One of the rare instances where I missed the, when the book was over.
I devoured this in nearly one sitting. Couldn’t put it down.
I devoured this in nearly one sitting. Couldn’t put it down.
July 14, 2021
I had already read part one so was really pleased to be given the opportunity to read the whole book.
Ruby meets Curtis on a train after Lewis jumps off with Ruby's phone after borrowing it. They discover Lewis has left behind an engagement ring and so they set about trying to find him to return it.
Kim owns a florist where Ruby works. She is lonely. Her regular customer Adrian pops in every week for flowers for his wife. They become friends and he helps her with finding a dog.
This is really funny, I had so many laugh out loud moments. I loved Curtis, he is so literal.
I'm not sure I could handle a dog like Boomer but he was sweet.
Overall a fantastic summer read I can highly recommend.
My thanks to Netgalley and Avon for the ARC in return for an honest review.
Ruby meets Curtis on a train after Lewis jumps off with Ruby's phone after borrowing it. They discover Lewis has left behind an engagement ring and so they set about trying to find him to return it.
Kim owns a florist where Ruby works. She is lonely. Her regular customer Adrian pops in every week for flowers for his wife. They become friends and he helps her with finding a dog.
This is really funny, I had so many laugh out loud moments. I loved Curtis, he is so literal.
I'm not sure I could handle a dog like Boomer but he was sweet.
Overall a fantastic summer read I can highly recommend.
My thanks to Netgalley and Avon for the ARC in return for an honest review.
September 28, 2021
Completely implausible plot. Ruby is naïve, stupid, and ridiculous. Some of the dialogue started amusing but drifted towards annoying. In one day, two complete strangers start out sitting next to each other on a train, fight over a phone and a ring, decide to track down the owner, and then SOMEHOW.... he agrees to take her to work with him for a "very important" meeting. Where she proceeds to act like a total dingbat, and he doesn't say a word. Gimme a break. I can see giving a book it's premise so that the story moves along, but this is completely ridiculous.
July 21, 2021
5 stars
Ruby is a 35 year old woman that has been burned out by the dating scene! She has a desire to have a baby despite not having a partner so she decides she is going to pay for a sperm donor! On her way to meet the donor, Ruby meets Lewis, a man who is on his way to propose to his girlfriend at the London Eye. After lending Lewis her phone, she discovers he has left the engagement ring on the train. And as the train pulls away from the station, she also discovers he left the train and has her phone. Willing to do anything to stop the train even if it means pulling the emergence button, she is about to pull it when another passenger, Curtis, steps in her way and tries to convince her he is the one that should track the man down and return the ring. Not willing to surrender to Curtis, Ruby and Curtis will find themselves entangled on the adventure of finding the owner of the ring. But might this adventure turn into them finding their own HEA?
I loved Ruby. She was so strong and witty. She was such a likeable character and had a lot of mishaps that made her a person I would want as a best friend. Ruby had a wonderful partnership with her business partner Kim. They seemed to have a great sense of what the other needs in terms of supporting one another. Curtis was a riot! He is so practical and has such a dry humor. I loved watching Ruby and Curtis spend time together as they embarked on finding the owner of the ring. Ruby was such a great match for Curtis. She was able to bring him out of his cycle of work home! She had such great ideas on how to spend his days off.
I love author Bella Osborne's writing style! She is able to capture the characters, setting, and humor, which causes the reader to fly through the story in no time. I loved how this part allows the reader to learn more about Kim! Kim is such an endearing character! I was glad to learn more about Kim and her past has finding been revealed by the appearance of a certain someone (I will not name him, read the book to find out! *winks) The dog scenes had me laughing out loud and brought warm feelings for those at the shelter. She and Ruby seemed to have their own set of mishaps in front of their potential love interest! I liked reading about some of the other secondary characters such as the ladies at the retirement home and the customers that come to the florist shop. The ending had me so giddy and well satisfied with the partners Ruby and Kim ended up with! Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to those who are fans of romantic comedies and dogs! I can't wait to read more by this author in the future!
Thanks NetGalley, author Bella Osbonre, and Avon publishing for giving me a free arc copy of this book! All thoughts and opinions are my own!
Ruby is a 35 year old woman that has been burned out by the dating scene! She has a desire to have a baby despite not having a partner so she decides she is going to pay for a sperm donor! On her way to meet the donor, Ruby meets Lewis, a man who is on his way to propose to his girlfriend at the London Eye. After lending Lewis her phone, she discovers he has left the engagement ring on the train. And as the train pulls away from the station, she also discovers he left the train and has her phone. Willing to do anything to stop the train even if it means pulling the emergence button, she is about to pull it when another passenger, Curtis, steps in her way and tries to convince her he is the one that should track the man down and return the ring. Not willing to surrender to Curtis, Ruby and Curtis will find themselves entangled on the adventure of finding the owner of the ring. But might this adventure turn into them finding their own HEA?
I loved Ruby. She was so strong and witty. She was such a likeable character and had a lot of mishaps that made her a person I would want as a best friend. Ruby had a wonderful partnership with her business partner Kim. They seemed to have a great sense of what the other needs in terms of supporting one another. Curtis was a riot! He is so practical and has such a dry humor. I loved watching Ruby and Curtis spend time together as they embarked on finding the owner of the ring. Ruby was such a great match for Curtis. She was able to bring him out of his cycle of work home! She had such great ideas on how to spend his days off.
I love author Bella Osborne's writing style! She is able to capture the characters, setting, and humor, which causes the reader to fly through the story in no time. I loved how this part allows the reader to learn more about Kim! Kim is such an endearing character! I was glad to learn more about Kim and her past has finding been revealed by the appearance of a certain someone (I will not name him, read the book to find out! *winks) The dog scenes had me laughing out loud and brought warm feelings for those at the shelter. She and Ruby seemed to have their own set of mishaps in front of their potential love interest! I liked reading about some of the other secondary characters such as the ladies at the retirement home and the customers that come to the florist shop. The ending had me so giddy and well satisfied with the partners Ruby and Kim ended up with! Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to those who are fans of romantic comedies and dogs! I can't wait to read more by this author in the future!
Thanks NetGalley, author Bella Osbonre, and Avon publishing for giving me a free arc copy of this book! All thoughts and opinions are my own!
August 18, 2021
I read the first part of this book when it was released as part 1 on ebook and although I did pre-order the other 3 parts I ended up listening to the whole thing on audio. I will say that the narrator of the audio was good. They did different accent for the characters who are mostly from the Sheffield area and did a good job of providing slightly more sinister voices for those characters we love to hate.
I think that this book did feel different to a usual Bella Osborne book, I don't know if thats just because it was set in and around Sheffield for the most part and so I was getting Milly Johnson vibes or if it's because a lot more bodily functions and fluids are involved than in a usual Bella Osborne book and so it just felt more risque funny and less sweet romance. Either way it suited me down to the ground and I was chuckling away to myself in my car quite a bit listening to the mishaps of the various characters.
This book centres around Ruby who is just so sweet and innocent. At some times her naivety did grate on my a little bit but I kn ew that this book was a journey for her and I enjoyed getting to see her become more worldly wise but still never losing that sweet side. Kim is Ruby's employer and we get to hear her side of the story as well. Unfortunately both women do fall fowl to some horrible men in their lives and so they have that in common but Kim does find solace with some human and canine friendships and I loved that for her.
I think my favourite character in the book was Curtis. I think this is because you being the book really quite disliking the guy but then you realise he provides an antidote to some of the other character traits in the novel and he really does grow on you. I would love to hear from him again in future novels. The characters we love to hate in this book are really evil in their own ways. I really did hate them with a passion and I'm glad that this writing evoked such emotion in me. I couldn't believe some of them got away with the things that they did-as always, no spoilers here!
It's always nice to have a book that is set in and around Yorkshire rather than just having a London, New York or Cornwall setting as so many romcoms lean towards these days. I enjoyed the fact that we got some train travel in there and I enjoyed the social norms that were exposed and explored that maybe shouldn't be our norms anymore. I was glad to see that this include's women's biological clocks and the pressure that society puts on women of a certain ago. I really enjoyed this audio and even though it didn't feel the same as Bella Osborne novels I have read in the past, I liked this new direction and I laughed an awful lot so what's not to love?
I think that this book did feel different to a usual Bella Osborne book, I don't know if thats just because it was set in and around Sheffield for the most part and so I was getting Milly Johnson vibes or if it's because a lot more bodily functions and fluids are involved than in a usual Bella Osborne book and so it just felt more risque funny and less sweet romance. Either way it suited me down to the ground and I was chuckling away to myself in my car quite a bit listening to the mishaps of the various characters.
This book centres around Ruby who is just so sweet and innocent. At some times her naivety did grate on my a little bit but I kn ew that this book was a journey for her and I enjoyed getting to see her become more worldly wise but still never losing that sweet side. Kim is Ruby's employer and we get to hear her side of the story as well. Unfortunately both women do fall fowl to some horrible men in their lives and so they have that in common but Kim does find solace with some human and canine friendships and I loved that for her.
I think my favourite character in the book was Curtis. I think this is because you being the book really quite disliking the guy but then you realise he provides an antidote to some of the other character traits in the novel and he really does grow on you. I would love to hear from him again in future novels. The characters we love to hate in this book are really evil in their own ways. I really did hate them with a passion and I'm glad that this writing evoked such emotion in me. I couldn't believe some of them got away with the things that they did-as always, no spoilers here!
It's always nice to have a book that is set in and around Yorkshire rather than just having a London, New York or Cornwall setting as so many romcoms lean towards these days. I enjoyed the fact that we got some train travel in there and I enjoyed the social norms that were exposed and explored that maybe shouldn't be our norms anymore. I was glad to see that this include's women's biological clocks and the pressure that society puts on women of a certain ago. I really enjoyed this audio and even though it didn't feel the same as Bella Osborne novels I have read in the past, I liked this new direction and I laughed an awful lot so what's not to love?
July 14, 2021
After being involved in the cover reveal in May for this beautiful looking Summer story, I couldn’t wait to read it.
It’s a fantastic summery read. I loved how it wasn’t just about Ruby, but told us Kim’s story too. Two strands of storyline showed just why these two warm and compassionate women were more than just work colleagues.
The dialogue between Ruby and Curtis was wonderful - such an easy going friendship full of wit and humour.
With many laugh out loud scenarios tinged with those serious moments too, this book is brilliantly written and was a joy to read.
It’s a fantastic summery read. I loved how it wasn’t just about Ruby, but told us Kim’s story too. Two strands of storyline showed just why these two warm and compassionate women were more than just work colleagues.
The dialogue between Ruby and Curtis was wonderful - such an easy going friendship full of wit and humour.
With many laugh out loud scenarios tinged with those serious moments too, this book is brilliantly written and was a joy to read.
July 4, 2021
This is a lovely Summer book full of humour, mystery and romance. Ruby works at a friendly florist shop and is friends with Kim, the owner. She travels to London for an important appointment and meets two men on the train who influence her future life.
Trying to return the ring draws Curtis and Ruby together with amusing results he is a mysterious man but appears kind. The original plot is peppered with witty humour, gentle romance and mysteries to solve. It keeps you turning the pages to see what happens next to Ruby and Kim.
There are plenty of conflicts to happy endings, for the women in this book with past loves and disgruntled relatives causing problems. The animal characters are worth a mention, as they add humour and poignancy to the story. Boomer and Seymour are wonderfully portrayed.
The relationship dynamics are so well written. They draw the reader into the characters' lives, making what happens to Kim and Ruby count. The plot has unexpected twists and not all the characters are what they first appear to be. The ending is romantic and satisfying, leaving the reader with a heartwarming hug.
I received a copy of this book from Avon Books UK via NetGalley in return for an honest review.
July 11, 2021
The Promise of Summer by Bella Osborne
📓Genre: Women's Fiction | General Fiction | Romance
Star: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌠 (4.5 stars rounded to 5 stars)
🔖 Although I initially wasn't too sure how the book would turn out, it in fact, turned out to be a really good one.
🔖It's mainly the story of Ruby, a vibrant young woman, with a history of being not too lucky in love.
🔖But while on a train journey, when one of her fellow passengers mistakenly leaves behind a ring – Ruby and Curtis – two people having completely opposite temperaments – join forces to return the ring to its rightful owner.
🔖The core story is pretty simple. But what keeps you hooked is the style of writing, complete with the right amount of humour, romance and even a pinch of mystery.
🔖The book explores the emotionally layered sides of relationships, but all in an enjoyable, light-hearted way.
🔖The story is well-paced and both Ruby and Kim (owner of the flower shop where Ruby works) are really well-written characters. The tale even has its fair share of twists and turns.
🔖Special mention – is how lovingly the author has written about the super cute dog – Boomerang (later shortened to Boomer).
🔖Overall, if you are looking for a cute little summer read that's both heartwarming and enjoyable – this is the book for you!
🔸Final Verdict: Really good!
🔸Book Cover: Vibrant
🔸Writing Style: Fun and engaging
🔸Character Development: Realistic and likeable characters.
✨Many thanks to Avon Books UK (Publisher) and Netgalley for sending me the ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
#NetGalley #arc #bookreview
📓Genre: Women's Fiction | General Fiction | Romance
Star: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌠 (4.5 stars rounded to 5 stars)
🔖 Although I initially wasn't too sure how the book would turn out, it in fact, turned out to be a really good one.
🔖It's mainly the story of Ruby, a vibrant young woman, with a history of being not too lucky in love.
🔖But while on a train journey, when one of her fellow passengers mistakenly leaves behind a ring – Ruby and Curtis – two people having completely opposite temperaments – join forces to return the ring to its rightful owner.
🔖The core story is pretty simple. But what keeps you hooked is the style of writing, complete with the right amount of humour, romance and even a pinch of mystery.
🔖The book explores the emotionally layered sides of relationships, but all in an enjoyable, light-hearted way.
🔖The story is well-paced and both Ruby and Kim (owner of the flower shop where Ruby works) are really well-written characters. The tale even has its fair share of twists and turns.
🔖Special mention – is how lovingly the author has written about the super cute dog – Boomerang (later shortened to Boomer).
🔖Overall, if you are looking for a cute little summer read that's both heartwarming and enjoyable – this is the book for you!
🔸Final Verdict: Really good!
🔸Book Cover: Vibrant
🔸Writing Style: Fun and engaging
🔸Character Development: Realistic and likeable characters.
✨Many thanks to Avon Books UK (Publisher) and Netgalley for sending me the ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
#NetGalley #arc #bookreview
July 30, 2021
I knew I was going to love this book from its opening pages – as Ruby bemoans her troubled love life while working alongside Kim in her Sheffield flower shop, I was already laughing out loud and immediately took to both characters, looking forward to finding out their stories.
The book takes off at breakneck pace with Ruby’s trip to London. First there’s a brush with a grumpy businessman, then an encounter with a chatty young man on his way to the London Eye to propose to his girlfriend – desperately romantic Ruby is enchanted by his story, but disaster strikes when he leaves the train holding her mobile phone and leaving her with the flashy engagement ring. But all is not lost – Curtis (he’s the grumpy businessman) and Ruby join forces, remain together as they spend their day in the capital, Curtis attending a high-powered meeting with Ruby in tow as his “assistant”, Curtis tagging along for Ruby’s rather more unusual appointment, but their plan to catch up with the romantic stranger at the Eye is doomed to failure.
But it’s the start of an uneasy friendship between the pair, as Ruby agrees to be Curtis’ part-time assistant – she’s considerably less scatty than she at first appears – and so begins a quite wonderful relationship between two very different people. Ruby constantly wears her heart on her sleeve – she’s kind, funny, full of warmth, unashamedly romantic, and has a tendency to speak first and engage her brain a little later. Curtis is the total opposite – he’s logical, analytical, a little (actually, a lot) stiff and businesslike, struggles with real life and any hint of emotion – but his alliance with Ruby is about to change him beyond recognition. The quest for the owner of the ring continues, but the story’s main focus becomes the relationship between them – and I adored every single moment.
But there’s a second thread to the story, as we follow Kim – she’s a character who won my heart from first encounter too, a mother figure to Ruby, warm and caring, but carrying her own secrets and sadness. Romance comes into her life from an unexpected quarter – a really lovely second chance one, and I so hoped she’d get her happy ending, but there are certainly some seemingly insurmountable obstacles along the way. And in an attempt to stave off loneliness, she decides to take on something of a challenge – an over exuberant and slightly insane dog called Boomerang – and I really enjoyed every moment of their journey together.
I enjoyed this book so much – I read it from cover to cover in one lovely sitting, frequently laughing out loud but sometimes wiping away a tear or two, entirely wrapped up in the story. The author has a particularly special touch with dialogue, and Ruby’s exchanges with Curtis are simply wonderful – I loved watching the way her quirkiness slowly won him over, warming his heart and softening his edges, becoming part of his life as their friendship slowly turns into the loveliest slow-burn romance. Emotionally, the author has the perfect touch – there’s a lot more depth to the story than you might expect amid all the sparkling humour, those touches of life’s ups and downs and moments of sadness that keep things very real. The next laugh is never far away, but the humour is all quite perfectly judged – and sometimes the funniest moments are the little touches that take you by surprise, like the hitherto undiscovered joy of walking through double doors with an enthusiastic accompanying “ta-da” (must try it soon!). The whole book is immaculately plotted and gloriously convoluted, with the quest to return the ring running throughout along with a multitude of other intriguing small story lines – but I thought the absolute joy of this book was in its characters, every one of them perfectly rounded and developed, and I entirely took every one of them to my heart.
This really was the perfect summer read – beautifully written, both touching and hilarious, warm and uplifting, unashamedly romantic, filled with twists and turns that keep you entirely engaged in the story – and I loved every single moment.
The book takes off at breakneck pace with Ruby’s trip to London. First there’s a brush with a grumpy businessman, then an encounter with a chatty young man on his way to the London Eye to propose to his girlfriend – desperately romantic Ruby is enchanted by his story, but disaster strikes when he leaves the train holding her mobile phone and leaving her with the flashy engagement ring. But all is not lost – Curtis (he’s the grumpy businessman) and Ruby join forces, remain together as they spend their day in the capital, Curtis attending a high-powered meeting with Ruby in tow as his “assistant”, Curtis tagging along for Ruby’s rather more unusual appointment, but their plan to catch up with the romantic stranger at the Eye is doomed to failure.
But it’s the start of an uneasy friendship between the pair, as Ruby agrees to be Curtis’ part-time assistant – she’s considerably less scatty than she at first appears – and so begins a quite wonderful relationship between two very different people. Ruby constantly wears her heart on her sleeve – she’s kind, funny, full of warmth, unashamedly romantic, and has a tendency to speak first and engage her brain a little later. Curtis is the total opposite – he’s logical, analytical, a little (actually, a lot) stiff and businesslike, struggles with real life and any hint of emotion – but his alliance with Ruby is about to change him beyond recognition. The quest for the owner of the ring continues, but the story’s main focus becomes the relationship between them – and I adored every single moment.
But there’s a second thread to the story, as we follow Kim – she’s a character who won my heart from first encounter too, a mother figure to Ruby, warm and caring, but carrying her own secrets and sadness. Romance comes into her life from an unexpected quarter – a really lovely second chance one, and I so hoped she’d get her happy ending, but there are certainly some seemingly insurmountable obstacles along the way. And in an attempt to stave off loneliness, she decides to take on something of a challenge – an over exuberant and slightly insane dog called Boomerang – and I really enjoyed every moment of their journey together.
I enjoyed this book so much – I read it from cover to cover in one lovely sitting, frequently laughing out loud but sometimes wiping away a tear or two, entirely wrapped up in the story. The author has a particularly special touch with dialogue, and Ruby’s exchanges with Curtis are simply wonderful – I loved watching the way her quirkiness slowly won him over, warming his heart and softening his edges, becoming part of his life as their friendship slowly turns into the loveliest slow-burn romance. Emotionally, the author has the perfect touch – there’s a lot more depth to the story than you might expect amid all the sparkling humour, those touches of life’s ups and downs and moments of sadness that keep things very real. The next laugh is never far away, but the humour is all quite perfectly judged – and sometimes the funniest moments are the little touches that take you by surprise, like the hitherto undiscovered joy of walking through double doors with an enthusiastic accompanying “ta-da” (must try it soon!). The whole book is immaculately plotted and gloriously convoluted, with the quest to return the ring running throughout along with a multitude of other intriguing small story lines – but I thought the absolute joy of this book was in its characters, every one of them perfectly rounded and developed, and I entirely took every one of them to my heart.
This really was the perfect summer read – beautifully written, both touching and hilarious, warm and uplifting, unashamedly romantic, filled with twists and turns that keep you entirely engaged in the story – and I loved every single moment.
July 1, 2021
Thank you to Netgalley, Avon, and Bella Osborne for a gifted copy of this in exchange for an honest review!
I had previously read the first part of this book upon request and was super excited to be able to read the rest of it! I absolutely loved it! It has humour, moments of depth, portrays complicated relationships, and live found in unexpected places.
The characters in this story are so easy to fall for and I had so much following along with Ruby, Curtis, and the rest of the fun cast of characters! Including Boomerang! That was a favourite storyline of mine as I see so many animals who don’t get a chance to live in a great home and you could just tell he was a sweetheart at his core!
I encourage you to pick up this book and enjoy the ride on a crazy adventure!!!
I had previously read the first part of this book upon request and was super excited to be able to read the rest of it! I absolutely loved it! It has humour, moments of depth, portrays complicated relationships, and live found in unexpected places.
The characters in this story are so easy to fall for and I had so much following along with Ruby, Curtis, and the rest of the fun cast of characters! Including Boomerang! That was a favourite storyline of mine as I see so many animals who don’t get a chance to live in a great home and you could just tell he was a sweetheart at his core!
I encourage you to pick up this book and enjoy the ride on a crazy adventure!!!
June 15, 2021
The Promise of Summer by Bella Osborne is an amazing contemporary romance that had me laughing out loud and also gushing with happiness from beginning to end.
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FYI: this review is for ALL 4 parts together as being released on 7/22/21.
This is the first book I have read by this author and I have to say, “How have I missed her all my life?!”. This is fabulous!
This book is ingenious. It is the perfect combination of quick wit, excellent plot, character cast, sass, one-liners, humor, seriousness, and romance. Everything balances perfectly.
The banter, sarcasm, and straight out LOL humor between Kim, Ruby, Adrienne, and Curtis was perfect. It fits my personality to a T. It was balanced perfectly with the serious undertones of love, loss, finding yourself, and finding a future . There were a few twists and turns, but everything was realistic and authentic. Yet, this book was a perfect escape from the downs of life.
I love the progression of not just Ruby and Curtis and Kim and Adrienne, but also of Kim and Ruby themselves. They really found out who they were meant to be. Add in a dash of Boomer and Seymour, and some fiery Grandmothers, and you have got yourself a hit of a novel.
I cannot recommend this book enough and I am checking out the rest of Ms. Osborne’s books.
5/5 stars
Thank you NG and Avon Books UK for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication.
*******************************
FYI: this review is for ALL 4 parts together as being released on 7/22/21.
This is the first book I have read by this author and I have to say, “How have I missed her all my life?!”. This is fabulous!
This book is ingenious. It is the perfect combination of quick wit, excellent plot, character cast, sass, one-liners, humor, seriousness, and romance. Everything balances perfectly.
The banter, sarcasm, and straight out LOL humor between Kim, Ruby, Adrienne, and Curtis was perfect. It fits my personality to a T. It was balanced perfectly with the serious undertones of love, loss, finding yourself, and finding a future . There were a few twists and turns, but everything was realistic and authentic. Yet, this book was a perfect escape from the downs of life.
I love the progression of not just Ruby and Curtis and Kim and Adrienne, but also of Kim and Ruby themselves. They really found out who they were meant to be. Add in a dash of Boomer and Seymour, and some fiery Grandmothers, and you have got yourself a hit of a novel.
I cannot recommend this book enough and I am checking out the rest of Ms. Osborne’s books.
5/5 stars
Thank you NG and Avon Books UK for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication.
June 15, 2021
The Promise of Summer - Bella Osborne
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK and I am leaving this review voluntarily
After years of dating losers, cheats and one guy who did something unrepeatable to her kettle, Ruby has all but given up on romance. But then a stranger sits next to her on a train to London and explains his plan to propose to the woman of his dreams. Maybe true love does exist after all?
When the man accidentally leaves the engagement ring behind, Ruby is determined to save the day. But she hasn't counted on fellow passenger Curtis stepping in and insisting he should be the one to track the stranger down.
The Promise of Summer has been released as four parts - this is my review of the entire book. I initially reviewed the first 10 chapters (Part One) and I was hooked so when I was given the opportunity to read the book in its entirety I jumped at the chance.
This book is filled with great well-written characters, most are very likeable but there are a few baddies thrown in for good measure. It is full of romance, second chances, friendship, forgiveness and a lot of spontaneity.
It is a perfect read for a summer evening. I would highly recommend this book, especially if you are a fan of Bella.
Rating 5/5
I would love to see a sequel to this book
I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK and I am leaving this review voluntarily
After years of dating losers, cheats and one guy who did something unrepeatable to her kettle, Ruby has all but given up on romance. But then a stranger sits next to her on a train to London and explains his plan to propose to the woman of his dreams. Maybe true love does exist after all?
When the man accidentally leaves the engagement ring behind, Ruby is determined to save the day. But she hasn't counted on fellow passenger Curtis stepping in and insisting he should be the one to track the stranger down.
The Promise of Summer has been released as four parts - this is my review of the entire book. I initially reviewed the first 10 chapters (Part One) and I was hooked so when I was given the opportunity to read the book in its entirety I jumped at the chance.
This book is filled with great well-written characters, most are very likeable but there are a few baddies thrown in for good measure. It is full of romance, second chances, friendship, forgiveness and a lot of spontaneity.
It is a perfect read for a summer evening. I would highly recommend this book, especially if you are a fan of Bella.
Rating 5/5
I would love to see a sequel to this book
July 28, 2021
I have been a fan of Bella’s work for a little while now. I haven’t quite caught up with everything that she has written but I am getting there. I read the synopsis of ‘The Promise Of Summer’ and it certainly sounded like the sort of fun and light hearted read that I have come to expect from Bella. I couldn’t wait to start reading so without further ado I grabbed my copy of the book, grabbed a cup of tea and settled down for what proved to be a fabulously entertaining afternoon of reading. I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘The Promise Of Summer’ but more about that in a bit.
I absolutely loved the character of Ruby and I warmed to her from the very start. In fact it didn’t take me long to feel as though Ruby had become a good friend of mine and I naturally began to feel very protective of her. She is a lovely young lady in her mid-thirties and she is starting to panic a bit that she hasn’t yet achieved what she wanted to achieve. In a way, her good nature has been abused by those around her- like her former boyfriend for example. Ruby is certainly a romantic at heart and she wants to find the ‘happy ever after ending’ that she so deserves. Ruby is warm, sensitive, kind, generous, funny and honest. Will Ruby get the ‘happy ever after’ ending that she so deserves? Well for the answer to that question and so much more you are just going to have to read the book for yourselves to find out as I am not going to tell you.
‘The Promise Of Summer’ was a delight to read from start to finish. I started chuckling away to myself as soon as I read the first sentence of the story and I kept chuckling away to myself throughout the rest of the story.. It’s not often that you start reading a book and the opening words are ‘what a knob’. I almost spluttered my cup of tea when I read that line. Anyway I soon got into the story and I found it impossible to put the book down for any reason whatsoever. The book wasn’t exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it travelled everywhere with me. I became so wrapped up in the story that I lost all track of time and how quickly the time was passing. I finished this book within the space of a day and I enjoyed every single second of it.
‘The Promise Of Summer’ is well written. Bella has one of those easy going writing styles that is easy to get used to and easy to get along with. In fact reading one of Bella’s books is more like a chat between friends rather than reading an actual book. I hope that makes sense. Bella certainly knows how to grab your attention and draw you into what proves to be a compelling story. This book was just the tonic I needed after a naff few days. Bella creates adorable characters who are impossible to dislike and you really do taken them into your hearts.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘The Promise Of Summer’ and I would recommend it to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Bella’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
I absolutely loved the character of Ruby and I warmed to her from the very start. In fact it didn’t take me long to feel as though Ruby had become a good friend of mine and I naturally began to feel very protective of her. She is a lovely young lady in her mid-thirties and she is starting to panic a bit that she hasn’t yet achieved what she wanted to achieve. In a way, her good nature has been abused by those around her- like her former boyfriend for example. Ruby is certainly a romantic at heart and she wants to find the ‘happy ever after ending’ that she so deserves. Ruby is warm, sensitive, kind, generous, funny and honest. Will Ruby get the ‘happy ever after’ ending that she so deserves? Well for the answer to that question and so much more you are just going to have to read the book for yourselves to find out as I am not going to tell you.
‘The Promise Of Summer’ was a delight to read from start to finish. I started chuckling away to myself as soon as I read the first sentence of the story and I kept chuckling away to myself throughout the rest of the story.. It’s not often that you start reading a book and the opening words are ‘what a knob’. I almost spluttered my cup of tea when I read that line. Anyway I soon got into the story and I found it impossible to put the book down for any reason whatsoever. The book wasn’t exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it travelled everywhere with me. I became so wrapped up in the story that I lost all track of time and how quickly the time was passing. I finished this book within the space of a day and I enjoyed every single second of it.
‘The Promise Of Summer’ is well written. Bella has one of those easy going writing styles that is easy to get used to and easy to get along with. In fact reading one of Bella’s books is more like a chat between friends rather than reading an actual book. I hope that makes sense. Bella certainly knows how to grab your attention and draw you into what proves to be a compelling story. This book was just the tonic I needed after a naff few days. Bella creates adorable characters who are impossible to dislike and you really do taken them into your hearts.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘The Promise Of Summer’ and I would recommend it to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Bella’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
August 2, 2021
A free-spirited florist and a nerdy tech guy strike an unlikely friendship.
The Promise of Summer is a light and fun story about Curtis, a very organized and rule-follower guy, and Ruby, a spontaneous florist that always dates the wrong guys.
After a chance meeting on the train, Curtis and Ruby join forces to return a lost engagement ring to its rightful owner.
I loved this couple so very much! Curtis was adorably nerdy and irresistibly sweet despite his uptight ways. He reminded me a little of Sheldon from the Big Bang Theory.
Ruby was so refreshing and fun. I could feel they were perfect for each other from the very start.
Their interactions were so adorable. I enjoyed following them into friendship and watch them fall in love without realizing it.
The side characters were also sweet and relatable. There was a sense of friendship and understanding that warmed my heart.
The cherry of the cake was Boomerang, the dog that always bounced back from adoption for being too energetic. What a cutie!
The Promise of Summer is the perfect summer read. Uplifting, inspiring, romantic, and with several happy endings!
Highly Recommended!
Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley for an honest review.
*For more reviews, book art, and book-related articles, please visit https://lureviewsbooks.com *
The Promise of Summer is a light and fun story about Curtis, a very organized and rule-follower guy, and Ruby, a spontaneous florist that always dates the wrong guys.
After a chance meeting on the train, Curtis and Ruby join forces to return a lost engagement ring to its rightful owner.
I loved this couple so very much! Curtis was adorably nerdy and irresistibly sweet despite his uptight ways. He reminded me a little of Sheldon from the Big Bang Theory.
Ruby was so refreshing and fun. I could feel they were perfect for each other from the very start.
Their interactions were so adorable. I enjoyed following them into friendship and watch them fall in love without realizing it.
The side characters were also sweet and relatable. There was a sense of friendship and understanding that warmed my heart.
The cherry of the cake was Boomerang, the dog that always bounced back from adoption for being too energetic. What a cutie!
The Promise of Summer is the perfect summer read. Uplifting, inspiring, romantic, and with several happy endings!
Highly Recommended!
Disclosure: I received an ARC of this book via NetGalley for an honest review.
*For more reviews, book art, and book-related articles, please visit https://lureviewsbooks.com *
July 10, 2021
With thanks to #Netgalley and #AvonBooks for an ARC of #ThePromiseOfSummer by #BellaOsborne.
Flame haired, unlucky in love, Ruby, is 35 and desperate to be a mother.
In her quest to achieve her goal, Ruby finds herself on a train to London, where she meets Curtis. A man who views life in black and white, and has a spreadsheet for everything.
Ruby also meets Lewis on the train, a handsome stranger, who tells Ruby a wildly romantic story as to why he is on the train that day. This ultimately leads Ruby and Curtis on an adventure that will change both of their lives.
Kim, is in her mid forties, and she is the owner of, and Ruby’s boss at, Room With A Bloom, where she runs a successful florist shop.
Every week Adrian comes into the shop to buy a bouquet of flowers for his wife. Around the same age as Kim, they become friends and Adrian helps Her to find a rescue dog. Along comes Boomer… a hyperactive spaniel, who’ll eat or pee on anything!
As their friendship grows, Kim realises that Adrian’s life isn’t as she first thought.
As in every episode of Scoobydoo, there is a mystery to be solved, but there is so, so much more along the way in this book.
As always Bella writes with great humour, warmth and sensitivity.
I loved the characters. They were down to earth and believable.
Curtis was a joy. His social awkwardness and sense of right and wrong were so endearing.
This is definitely one of those books that will keep you reading for ‘just one more chapter,’ well into the wee small hours.
I actually caught myself smiling while reading because I was so engrossed, and enjoying every word of this charming tale.
By the end, I will admit there were tears. They were happy tears though. It’s been a long time since the love story in a book has given me butterflies in my tummy and a lump in my throat, but this wonderful book delivered.
Genuinely my only critisism of this book was the page that said, ‘THE END’.
A wonderfully uplifting, warm and full of fuzzy feelings, five stars from me.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book has been released in four parts, and will be released as a whole story on 22/7/21
Shared to https://www.facebook.com/groups/44778...
Instagram #blindiebookgirl
Amazon
Goodreads
Flame haired, unlucky in love, Ruby, is 35 and desperate to be a mother.
In her quest to achieve her goal, Ruby finds herself on a train to London, where she meets Curtis. A man who views life in black and white, and has a spreadsheet for everything.
Ruby also meets Lewis on the train, a handsome stranger, who tells Ruby a wildly romantic story as to why he is on the train that day. This ultimately leads Ruby and Curtis on an adventure that will change both of their lives.
Kim, is in her mid forties, and she is the owner of, and Ruby’s boss at, Room With A Bloom, where she runs a successful florist shop.
Every week Adrian comes into the shop to buy a bouquet of flowers for his wife. Around the same age as Kim, they become friends and Adrian helps Her to find a rescue dog. Along comes Boomer… a hyperactive spaniel, who’ll eat or pee on anything!
As their friendship grows, Kim realises that Adrian’s life isn’t as she first thought.
As in every episode of Scoobydoo, there is a mystery to be solved, but there is so, so much more along the way in this book.
As always Bella writes with great humour, warmth and sensitivity.
I loved the characters. They were down to earth and believable.
Curtis was a joy. His social awkwardness and sense of right and wrong were so endearing.
This is definitely one of those books that will keep you reading for ‘just one more chapter,’ well into the wee small hours.
I actually caught myself smiling while reading because I was so engrossed, and enjoying every word of this charming tale.
By the end, I will admit there were tears. They were happy tears though. It’s been a long time since the love story in a book has given me butterflies in my tummy and a lump in my throat, but this wonderful book delivered.
Genuinely my only critisism of this book was the page that said, ‘THE END’.
A wonderfully uplifting, warm and full of fuzzy feelings, five stars from me.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This book has been released in four parts, and will be released as a whole story on 22/7/21
Shared to https://www.facebook.com/groups/44778...
Instagram #blindiebookgirl
Amazon
Goodreads
July 20, 2021
*This is a revised and updated version of my original review for part one of this novel which I read earlier in the year.*
Welcome to Bella Osborne’s utterly hilarious and joyous new novel which radiates sunshine, happiness and positivity. This is your glass half full kind of read,in fact it’s in danger of spilling over,with characters who manage to charm your socks off within the first few minutes of their introduction. Bella Osborne knows exactly which buttons to press in order to engage her readers and keep the laughter rolling.
Meet Ruby Edwards, who works alongside Bloom with a View flower shop owner Kim in their home town of Sheffield. Her story really begins aboard a train destined for London St Pancras, heading for an appointment that could change the course of her life when she strikes up a conversation with the stranger sitting next to her. Lewis is planning to propose to his girlfriend aboard the London Eye, a discussion which proves to Ruby true love and romance DOES exist outside of the movies. Just not for her! Still single at nearly thirty five she’s more or less given up on finding The One so when it transpires Lewis has inadvertently left the engagement ring behind, Ruby automatically resolves to reunite the piece of jewellery with its rightful owner before the proposal is due to take place. Enter into the frame, fellow passenger Curtis Walker, a geeky tech guy who feels he should join forces with Ruby in her mission. Her plans for the day may already have been derailed but how much worse can it get? Cue much hilarity as Bella Osborne ramps up the comedy element without further ado, setting the scene for further adventures a la Edwards and Walker style and gloriously entertaining it most certainly is!
I loved the pairing of Ruby and Curtis without reservation. Straightaway I could tell that the straight laced, responsible and practical Curtis would be the perfect contrast to the haphazard, chaotic, head in the clouds Ruby. They are a winning combination! Everything points to Ruby bringing fun, laughter and mayhem into Curtis’s rigid daily routine whilst this man who speaks like a robot and displays an encyclopaedic knowledge of the underground system may just instil some calm, order and sensibility into hers. Despite their initial lack of success in returning the ring to Lewis neither one of them are ready to abort their mission just yet and needless to say Ruby and Curtis fast become an inseparable duo (friendship basis only!) in what promises to turn into a summer full of surprises and undiluted, spontaneous fun.
This is a hearts and flowers storyline destined to melt your heart and test the theory whether love, romance and happily ever afters is simply a construct of the film industry and romantic novelists or not! Whilst Ruby can teach Curtis a lesson or two in the art of loving, employing the more traditional route to helping
her new friend find a long term girlfriend, Curtis on the other hand can teach Ruby to adopt a more scientific approach, one involving spreadsheets, in her search for a partner whom Ruby will deem the complete package. Two very different methods for attracting either Mr or Mrs Right but could they both be wrong? By being less prescriptive they may discover that love can blossom organically and in the most unlikely of places with little or no interference from outside forces. Watch this space! But it isn’t only Ruby who’s currently unlucky in love. Fellow good friend and work colleague Kim’s love life is full of disasters, both past and present so quite honestly between her and Ruby they make a fine pair. Will either of them be struck by Cupid’s arrow this summer?
Who needs a heatwave when you can bask in the genuine warmth generated by this cast of wonderful characters? From the two old dears in the local nursing home, Dot and Kitty, who like nothing more than a lovely bunch of flowers and a good old gossip, to highly excitable rescue spaniel Boomer to Bloom with a View regular customer Adrian you are swept away in a tidal wave of friendliness, love and romance, kindness and silliness. As the storyline continued to unfold my affection for these characters kept on flourishing. Of course any novel of this type requires the odd (green!)fly in the ointment just to spice things up and ensure not everything runs smoothly or goes according to plan so you can anticipate the presence of a few less than wholesome, unsavoury characters too.
The Promise of Summer is escapist fiction at its very best and a book I happily devoured almost in one sitting. My overall impressions are that this rather cheesy and predictable storyline warrants a massive thumbs up and a resounding ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ It literally fizzes with energy. I had a huge smile on my face for the time it took me to read from beginning to end. Once again Bella Osborne delivers a perfect summer read that has cheerful with a capital C stamped all over it. Give me one of this author’s novels any day of the week and I’m in heaven! And if by any chance you’re still wondering whether Lewis and his engagement ring eventually find one another then why not buy (or borrow) a copy of this novel today?
My thanks as always to the publisher Avon and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read in exchange for an honest review.
Welcome to Bella Osborne’s utterly hilarious and joyous new novel which radiates sunshine, happiness and positivity. This is your glass half full kind of read,in fact it’s in danger of spilling over,with characters who manage to charm your socks off within the first few minutes of their introduction. Bella Osborne knows exactly which buttons to press in order to engage her readers and keep the laughter rolling.
Meet Ruby Edwards, who works alongside Bloom with a View flower shop owner Kim in their home town of Sheffield. Her story really begins aboard a train destined for London St Pancras, heading for an appointment that could change the course of her life when she strikes up a conversation with the stranger sitting next to her. Lewis is planning to propose to his girlfriend aboard the London Eye, a discussion which proves to Ruby true love and romance DOES exist outside of the movies. Just not for her! Still single at nearly thirty five she’s more or less given up on finding The One so when it transpires Lewis has inadvertently left the engagement ring behind, Ruby automatically resolves to reunite the piece of jewellery with its rightful owner before the proposal is due to take place. Enter into the frame, fellow passenger Curtis Walker, a geeky tech guy who feels he should join forces with Ruby in her mission. Her plans for the day may already have been derailed but how much worse can it get? Cue much hilarity as Bella Osborne ramps up the comedy element without further ado, setting the scene for further adventures a la Edwards and Walker style and gloriously entertaining it most certainly is!
I loved the pairing of Ruby and Curtis without reservation. Straightaway I could tell that the straight laced, responsible and practical Curtis would be the perfect contrast to the haphazard, chaotic, head in the clouds Ruby. They are a winning combination! Everything points to Ruby bringing fun, laughter and mayhem into Curtis’s rigid daily routine whilst this man who speaks like a robot and displays an encyclopaedic knowledge of the underground system may just instil some calm, order and sensibility into hers. Despite their initial lack of success in returning the ring to Lewis neither one of them are ready to abort their mission just yet and needless to say Ruby and Curtis fast become an inseparable duo (friendship basis only!) in what promises to turn into a summer full of surprises and undiluted, spontaneous fun.
This is a hearts and flowers storyline destined to melt your heart and test the theory whether love, romance and happily ever afters is simply a construct of the film industry and romantic novelists or not! Whilst Ruby can teach Curtis a lesson or two in the art of loving, employing the more traditional route to helping
her new friend find a long term girlfriend, Curtis on the other hand can teach Ruby to adopt a more scientific approach, one involving spreadsheets, in her search for a partner whom Ruby will deem the complete package. Two very different methods for attracting either Mr or Mrs Right but could they both be wrong? By being less prescriptive they may discover that love can blossom organically and in the most unlikely of places with little or no interference from outside forces. Watch this space! But it isn’t only Ruby who’s currently unlucky in love. Fellow good friend and work colleague Kim’s love life is full of disasters, both past and present so quite honestly between her and Ruby they make a fine pair. Will either of them be struck by Cupid’s arrow this summer?
Who needs a heatwave when you can bask in the genuine warmth generated by this cast of wonderful characters? From the two old dears in the local nursing home, Dot and Kitty, who like nothing more than a lovely bunch of flowers and a good old gossip, to highly excitable rescue spaniel Boomer to Bloom with a View regular customer Adrian you are swept away in a tidal wave of friendliness, love and romance, kindness and silliness. As the storyline continued to unfold my affection for these characters kept on flourishing. Of course any novel of this type requires the odd (green!)fly in the ointment just to spice things up and ensure not everything runs smoothly or goes according to plan so you can anticipate the presence of a few less than wholesome, unsavoury characters too.
The Promise of Summer is escapist fiction at its very best and a book I happily devoured almost in one sitting. My overall impressions are that this rather cheesy and predictable storyline warrants a massive thumbs up and a resounding ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ It literally fizzes with energy. I had a huge smile on my face for the time it took me to read from beginning to end. Once again Bella Osborne delivers a perfect summer read that has cheerful with a capital C stamped all over it. Give me one of this author’s novels any day of the week and I’m in heaven! And if by any chance you’re still wondering whether Lewis and his engagement ring eventually find one another then why not buy (or borrow) a copy of this novel today?
My thanks as always to the publisher Avon and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read in exchange for an honest review.
November 30, 2021
This book by Bella Osborne is definitely a 5 stars book!!!! Bella Osborne is one of my top favorite author and I was not disappointed by this book of hers! It's very entertaining, very fun and funny at times, but also very addictive as you want to know what will happen next, it's a page-turner! 5 stars out of 5 and more!!!!!
July 30, 2021
A summertime read to put a smile on your face!
Ruby Edwards' jaded after dating too many losers so when she sits next to a man on a train who reveals his plan to propose to his girlfriend, her belief in romance is restored… until the man disappears from the train… with her phone. Only, Ruby finds the engagement ring under her seat, determined to reunite it with its owner. However, the passenger sitting nearby has conflicting ideas on how to tackle the evolving situation…
Ruby's friend, Kim runs a florists' shop and is single too. She also wants some romance in her life, but her situation turns on its head when someone from her past shows up unexpectedly!
This is my first Bella Osborne novel and it's a delight. Included are numerous plot lines, yet the narrative flows seamlessly, as we follow Ruby on her journey to a happily ever after. Expect highs and lows along the way creating a story that's both heart-warming and heartfelt. Prepare to laugh out loud and shed a tear or two as she, along with Kim confront life issues head-on as they venture along paths of discovery, in the search for love.
The award for the most unlikely romantic hero goes to Curtis. He's the perfect match for bubbly and vibrant Ruby, in his own unique way. He's socially awkward; a planner who feels more comfortable with a spreadsheet. He's the voice of reason, both diluting and complementing Ruby's impulsive actions. Together, they make an adorable couple in an unconventional way.
The secondary characters are an eclectic mix of loveable and rogue as well as the addition of the four-legged canine variety called Boomerang! Blended together, they all contribute to the emotional catalogue of events and the eventual satisfying results.
To sum up, The Promise Of Summer is a delightful and engaging novel and a perfect summer read.
4.5 stars
***arc generously received courtesy of Avon via NetGalley***
Ruby Edwards' jaded after dating too many losers so when she sits next to a man on a train who reveals his plan to propose to his girlfriend, her belief in romance is restored… until the man disappears from the train… with her phone. Only, Ruby finds the engagement ring under her seat, determined to reunite it with its owner. However, the passenger sitting nearby has conflicting ideas on how to tackle the evolving situation…
Ruby's friend, Kim runs a florists' shop and is single too. She also wants some romance in her life, but her situation turns on its head when someone from her past shows up unexpectedly!
This is my first Bella Osborne novel and it's a delight. Included are numerous plot lines, yet the narrative flows seamlessly, as we follow Ruby on her journey to a happily ever after. Expect highs and lows along the way creating a story that's both heart-warming and heartfelt. Prepare to laugh out loud and shed a tear or two as she, along with Kim confront life issues head-on as they venture along paths of discovery, in the search for love.
The award for the most unlikely romantic hero goes to Curtis. He's the perfect match for bubbly and vibrant Ruby, in his own unique way. He's socially awkward; a planner who feels more comfortable with a spreadsheet. He's the voice of reason, both diluting and complementing Ruby's impulsive actions. Together, they make an adorable couple in an unconventional way.
The secondary characters are an eclectic mix of loveable and rogue as well as the addition of the four-legged canine variety called Boomerang! Blended together, they all contribute to the emotional catalogue of events and the eventual satisfying results.
To sum up, The Promise Of Summer is a delightful and engaging novel and a perfect summer read.
4.5 stars
***arc generously received courtesy of Avon via NetGalley***
December 3, 2021
This was my first book by Bella Osborne. I thoroughly enjoyed this tale. LOVED every page of it. It was a fresh and heart-warming story of Ruby, Curtis and Kim, Adrian. Kudos to the author for creating beautiful relatable characters which can’t get any real than this. Especially I can relate to Curtis. He was definitely one of the strong male characters I’ve read.
An unexpected encounter introduces Curtis and Ruby to each other. The same scene brings them together at the end and is used to express love. Ruby and Curtis are poles apart. Ruby is fun loving, spontaneous, romance book buff, waiting for her happily ever shown in those books but encounters jerks only. On other hand Curtis is geeky, straight forward, naïve, sees the world through black and white. These chalk and cheese characters are the charm of this story. It’s all about their journey, helping each other, ultimately what brought them together.
Another story is of Kim, who owns a flower shop where Ruby works. Being a lover of flowers, I loved this setting. It was delightful reading about flowers. The stories of Kim and Adrian are another beautiful aspect in this book. You get two stories in one book. The camaraderie of Kim and Ruby is pleasant to read about. Had fun reading how Kim was taken for a ride and the ensuing fiasco brought smiles.
Hooted with laughter when Ruby visited the nursing home and her funny encounters with old ladies over there.
Overall, I would highly recommend this book. I immensely enjoyed this awesome story. I’ve added all other books by Osborne to my TBR and can’t wait to read them.
An unexpected encounter introduces Curtis and Ruby to each other. The same scene brings them together at the end and is used to express love. Ruby and Curtis are poles apart. Ruby is fun loving, spontaneous, romance book buff, waiting for her happily ever shown in those books but encounters jerks only. On other hand Curtis is geeky, straight forward, naïve, sees the world through black and white. These chalk and cheese characters are the charm of this story. It’s all about their journey, helping each other, ultimately what brought them together.
Another story is of Kim, who owns a flower shop where Ruby works. Being a lover of flowers, I loved this setting. It was delightful reading about flowers. The stories of Kim and Adrian are another beautiful aspect in this book. You get two stories in one book. The camaraderie of Kim and Ruby is pleasant to read about. Had fun reading how Kim was taken for a ride and the ensuing fiasco brought smiles.
Hooted with laughter when Ruby visited the nursing home and her funny encounters with old ladies over there.
Overall, I would highly recommend this book. I immensely enjoyed this awesome story. I’ve added all other books by Osborne to my TBR and can’t wait to read them.
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