We are returning to France for another great summer read by Gillian Harvey . The Village Cafe in the Loire was published by Boldwood on July 12th. High-flyer Becky Thorne cannot believe what she’s being told. She doesn’t need to be signed off for burnout! Life has been a bit chaotic lately, that’s all. As if dealing with her enviable job and permanent meddling from her mother aren’t enough, she’s also inherited a café in the Loire from an estranged great-aunt, complete with sitting tenant who refuses to budge. But nobody stands in Becky’s way! Ignoring her best friend Amber’s advice, she decides to storm over to France and sort the tenant out. Then she can finally get the café sold and jump back on the career ladder. What she doesn’t count on is the tenant being Pascale, who is six feet of tall, dark, handsome and extremely grumpy about her plans for change. Not to mention the village and the secrets it holds about her past. Becky’s path to succes...
The Promise of Summer by Bella Osborne #Review
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?
My Thoughts
This is a thoroughly enjoyable read. Ruby is such a lovely character. Tired of her attempts to find love, she is looking to move on to another stage in her life. What is clear is that she is looking for love and family. She is a mixture of down to earth common sense and then at other times, utter gullibility. Her desire for love leads her to shut her eyes to what you the reader can see all along. The absolute triumph for me is the character of Curtis who has his own perspective on life. Despite his apparent inability to empathise with others and his total lack of social awareness, he is intelligent and totally without malice. You see that he is kind and caring. He just needs to be nudged in the right direction...
I also enjoyed the side-story of Kim, the owner of the florist shop where Ruby works. They have a genuine friendship and she too has a heart of gold. There were some hilarious moments in the story. I loved Ruby's visits to the local care home. This is an uplifting read full of wit and humour. The darker parts of the characters' lives were not shied away from but added to the heart of the story.
In short: A warm, witty, brilliant summer read!
About the Author
Bella has been jotting down stories as far back as she can remember but decided that 2013 would be the year that she finished a full length novel. Since then she’s written seven best selling romantic comedies and she’s been shortlisted three times for the RNA Contemporary Romantic Novel of the Year Award.
Bella's stories are about friendship, love and coping with what life throws at you. She lives in The Midlands, UK with her husband, daughter and a cat who thinks she’s a dog. When not writing Bella is usually eating custard creams and planning holidays.
For more about Bella, visit her website at
www.bellaosborne.com follow her on Twitter - @osborne_bella or Facebook or Instagram
Book links: Amazon UK | Kobo | Universal Amazon link
Thanks to Bella Osborne, Avon and Rachel of Rachel's Random Resources for a copy of the book and a place on the tour.
Follow the rest of the tour!
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