Bella OsborneRecensioni

This is a contemporary fiction by English author Bella Osborne, featuring 16 year-old Tom Harris who seeks refuge from the difficulties of his life in the Compton Mallow Library where he meets the quirky 72 year-old Maggie Mann. Tom is struggling to get through his GCSE exams and avoid a looming future working in the dog food factory. His grieving alcoholic father seems not to see his distress or to understand his dreams. Gradually Maggie and Tom become friends, enriching both of their lives. Along with his high-school crush, Farah Shah, Tom and Maggie band together to rescue the library from imminent closure.

This is a pleasant, if predictable, heart-warming story, bringing together young and old. The audio narration was disappointing with the male voices sounding rather odd. 3.5 stars½

Holly Cross residents know how to do Christmas in the right way, with lots of lights, fun, and community activities. When Blythe sells a house to Sam Ashton, she never thought he would turn out to be a Grinch! Blythe and friends make it their mission to get Sam into the Christmas spirit, and there will be lots of surprises and a little bit of mystery along the way.

This is a sweet novel with lots of fun and humor, as well as warmth and caring. Although there are some naughty innuendoes, there is no overt intimacy or strong language. This book made me laugh many times before the satisfying conclusion.

I received this book from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.

This is the second novel I have read by Bella Osborne. The first was The Library. I can recommend both. Her stories are easy to read. The two I have read cover friendships rather than romance. A couple of twists in the story, one is easy to spot. Worth a read.

A nice story, well told. Worth a read.

4.5⭐️

When sixteen-year-old Tom Harris and seventy-two-year-old Maggie Mann meet at the local library and strike up a conversation about books it is just the beginning of a warm and beautiful friendship.

"There was something oddly isolating about being surrounded by people and yet completely alone."

Tom lives with his negligent father, whose alcoholic binges leave Tom with the responsibility of picking up after both himself and his father who works nights at a pet food factory. Tom wishes to pursue higher education but is under pressure to work as an apprentice at his father’s factory to supplement the family income. Shy, and introverted, he doesn’t have too many friends at school, preferring to spend his free time playing games on his Xbox. He’s not much of a reader, but when he ends up in the village library after a confrontation with his father, a chance meeting with Maggie changes the trajectory of his life in the best way possible. Widowed Maggie is lonely and lives alone on her farm, taking care of her sheep. Her book club meetings at the library proved to be an opportunity to discuss books (though she usually isn’t too happy with the selections and the lackluster conversations on the same) and spend some time with friends. As the story progresses we see Maggie befriending Tom, taking him under her wing, and becoming his confidante. In turn, Tom begins to treat Maggie like family, sharing her adventurous spirit, and learning to love books and Maggi’s sheep (not to mention her quad bike!). When the village library is threatened with closure, Maggie and Tom are crucial in bringing the community together in an initiative to save their library.

"Every book is a key that unlocks another world, leads us down the path of a different life and offers the chance to explore an unexpected adventure. Every one is a gift of either knowledge, entertainment or pure escapism and goodness knows we all need that from time to time."

The Library by Bella Osborne is a sweet , delightful read with endearing characters and an engaging narrative shared in alternating chapters from the perspectives of Tom and Maggie. I loved the vivid descriptions of nature and Maggie’s farm and animals. The intergenerational friendship and trust between Tom and Maggie are beautifully and convincingly developed as the story progresses. In addition to themes of friendship, kindness, trust and community and highlighting the power of books and libraries in bringing people and communities together, the author also touches upon sensitive themes of aging, grief, loneliness, alcoholism, dysfunctional families and bullying among others with sensitivity, compassion and wisdom. I'm drawn to stories that revolve around bookstores and/or libraries. Unfortunately, more often than not I've been disappointed with how the stories are handled/executed. I’m happy to say that this novel does not fall into that category. This is a perfect feel-good, uplifting read for those times you need to de-stress or when you just need a lighter read in between more serious /heavy reads.

I paired my reading with the wonderful audio narration by Julia Franklin and Harry Lister Smith who made the story and the characters come alive.

“Friends aren’t merely the tumbleweed of faces that roll in and out of your life. Friends are the ones you connect with and who last a lifetime. You’ll pass a million people on your path and just a few will be worth spending time with.”

In this poignant tale about intentions to close a local library, heartwarming characters cross paths. The storyline and the characters were both excellent. I absolutely LOVED this book.

Love love loved it. I adored the cover. The characters were fabulous and the storyline had me hooked. It was such a heartwarming book

Those lovely people over at AvonBooksUK and the great NetGalley gave me a preview copy of Bella Osbourne's Willow Cottage part 2 (Christmas Cheer) and it certainly has just that. It is a lovely heartwarming book which was a pleasure to read.You can easily curl up by the fire with this book and get lost in Willow Cottage and all of the characters in the book.

Love love loved it. I adored the cover. The characters were fabulous and the storyline had me hooked. It was such a heartwarming book

Thank you to Harper Collins Uk and Netgalley for allowing me to review this book.

I adored the cover, so clean and welcoming and the story really had me gripped too. I had a lump in my throat on numerous occasions, I laughed loudly at certain things too. In all this really was such an enjoyable read which really touched my heart.

omg

I admit it, I was lured by the title, drawn in by the cover, and made promises by the synopsis about what I was in store for. When I first started the book, my interest faded in and out...after all, it wasn't JUST about Ruby and her little adventure with the train passenger's left behind goods; there was a lot more! As I wasn't in the state of mind for a multi lead tale, it took me a bit to sort it all out and find my rhythm.

You see, it's as much Ruby's story as it is Curtis's, and Kim's, and Boomer's, and Adrian's, and the business associates, floral clients, and pretty much EVERYONE you meet throughout the journey. What starts as an awkward meet cute turns into a new job, a chance at meeting her potential HEA, and a whole lot of unexpected adventures. What begins as a frequent buyer of bouquets evolves into revelations, shared emotions, battle ready daughters, and a not-so-ghostly blast from the past. What carries on as an emotional guy laying it all on the line for love reveals itself in time to be quite the opposite of what they initially believed. SO, yeah, if you catch my drift, there are SO MANY GREAT STORIES running around in this one, it's hard to pick just one to love! Although hard pressed, I'd have to say the tale of Ruby and Curtis...and the drama that unfolded for Kim!

In the end, a book that makes a promise and while not keeping it exactly, it expands upon that promise to deliver a tale that spins, and twirls within itself, giving readers something truly lovely to remember.


**ecopy provided for review; opinions are my own

Although this book purports to be a "save the library" story, many other issues are discussed. When teenage Tom and senior citizen Maggie meet at the small local library, they do not expect their lives to intertwine as they do. Themes addressed include alcoholism, bullying, freedom of speech, and generational understanding. The story alternates between the two different viewpoints of Maggie and Tom.

I liked Maggie as a strong character, who survived through many heartaches and disappointments in life. She was willing to help others and showed a caring spirit. Tom had some redeeming characteristics, although he was a whiner and judgmental of adults. Tom had a lot of growing up to do. I wish the book had stuck to a lighter "save the library" theme instead of going off into so many darker tangents; maybe two different books could be written here, as the two themes really did not have a lot to do with each other.

I received this novel from the publisher and from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

When picking out something to read for Christmas, what do you look for?

Humor? Check.
Family drama? Check
Family secrets? Check
Romance? Check

Basically, this one checks everything off the list. It was a quick read that I genuinely enjoyed and would be happy to read again next year! And the year after...

Thank you for allowing me to read and review this.

Thanks to Aria & Aries and NetGalley for a digital advance reader copy. All comments and opinions are my own.

I'm a sucker for a save-the-library story, so when I saw this one I immediately wanted to read it. Of course, as is usually the case, the library is only a catalyst for the real story, which in this novel is the developing friendship between 16-year-old Tom and 72-year-old Maggie. The novel begins with two lonely people seemingly having nothing in common other than the library. But as Tom says when he thinks back to meeting Maggie: "A chance encounter at the library had changed so many things. I was now a proper bookworm. I’d loved all the books I’d been lost in and all the characters I’d shared ups and downs with but what I’d got most from the library was my friendship with Maggie. She’d taught me loads about life, about myself and how to fight for what I wanted. She was my hero."

The story alternates between Tom and Maggie's points of view, which gives us both perspectives and helps us to understand each of them. Both characters were likable and sympathetic. The novel is well-written and moves along as the plot develops - would the library be saved or be closed in a round of budget cuts? Would Tom graduate from high school and go to university or work in the dog food factory? Would Maggie...well, I'm not going to share any spoilers here but let me just say it's a heartwarming story.

In addition to the story, what I especially liked was the author's "message" about books and libraries, shared by Maggie: "This village library has always had a place in my heart. Books are such an underrated essential. Every book is a key that unlocks another world, leads us down the path of a different life and offers the chance to explore an unexpected adventure. Every one is a gift of either knowledge, entertainment, or pure escapism and goodness knows we all need that from time to time."

This is a charming, touching novel of friendship and families, forgiveness and healing, and books! I highly recommend it.

The Library by Bella Osborne is an engaging story about family, friendship, and community.

Set in a small English village, the threatened closure of the local library makes unexpected allies, and friends, of 16 year old high school student Tom, and 72 year old widow and small holder, Maggie. Maggie, restless and lonely, is intrigued by the young man who slinks into the library and tries to hide his romance novel selections. Tom, sad and alone, is impressed by Maggie’s right hook, and her delicious cooking.

Tom is such a forlorn character, and Osborne’s characterisation of a self-conscious, awkward and troubled teenage boy is very good. Since his mother’s death, Tom’s father has spiralled into alcoholism. Money is tight, and Tom’s dad is expecting that his son will leave school and get a factory job, ignoring his son’s hopes of attending University. Essentially friendless, his visits to the library are prompted by a need to escape his father’s moods, and a desire to learn more about girls so he can speak to his crush, Farah.

Maggie is a great character, independent, feisty, and nurturing. Since her husband’s death, Maggie has generally been content to attend to her small holding where she raises goats for their wool, with the weekly book club meeting at the library her only regular social activity. Tom’s vulnerability as he furtively browses the romance shelves, and his brave attempt to thwart her mugging, captures her interest, and when she finds herself in need of help at the farm, she is pleased that Tom offers to give her a hand.

The connection that forms between Maggie and Tom is a delight, and warmth and humour offsets the serious subjects Osborne explores in The Library which include addiction, grief, bullying, and social isolation. The threatened closure of the library is almost incidental to the plot though Osborne uses it to draw attention to the value of libraries within communities.

A moving and ultimately uplifting story The Library is a lovely, satisfying read.½

alcohol-issues, angst, generations, protests, family-dynamics, friendship, small-town, rural, farm-animals, farm-equipment, dual-narrators, secrets, second-chance, bullies, social-isolation, loneliness, teens, seniors*****

It all began with a chance encounter at the small local library. A septuagenarian self-sufficient farmer who minimizes contact with others except the Book Club and a teen who has a stressful home life but wants to learn how to talk with girls might seem like an unlikely pair to rescue each other. Together they learn to sort out their own lives and help others while rescuing their library from the greedy local Council. Engrossing.
I requested and received a free temporary ebook from Aria & Aries/Aria via NetGalley. Thank you!

Daisy gets called back to Ottercombe Bay when her great uncle dies. Daisy has spent most of her adult life traveling, not really setting down roots anywhere. Ottercombe Bay might be the closest she’s ever had to a home and she left there as a small child when her mother died under mysterious circumstances.

When the will is read, Daisy learns she has inherited property but with a huge caveat. She only gets the property if she stays in town for a year.

While trying to decide what to do, she stays with her aunt. Everywhere she goes, she sees old friends and acquaintances and can’t help but be reminded of her mother.

Is it fitting to call this a novella? If it’s a full book, it’s a short one. It sets up the premise, introduces us to the lead characters and mentions the mysterious death of Daisy’s mother. Then it ends very abruptly. I read an early edition ebook from NetGalley. So, my comments are entirely on this edition of the story. I can only say that this story ends quickly but makes you wonder what will happen in the books to follow.

Loved it!! So happy Bert was back. I love the chats he has with Anna, I keep hoping she will smuggle Maurice into see him. Although she would probably need a very large suitcase.

This book picked right where the last one ended and Anna realizes she hasn't been burglarized, instead she has a new roommate. Dave does all he can to woo his wife back, Anna has a great friendship with Hudson, Anna tries to decide if she is seeing Connor and is also trying to get over her fear of flying and heights. The cliffhanger to this book was just too much!!! I want to know what Hudson wanted to tell Anna and I'm guessing a new baby will be arriving soon.

I loved the story, characters and writing style. Connor gives me the creepy vibe. I have a feeling he's not who he appears to be and might be linked to what happened to Anna in college. It's just a hunch and I could be totally wrong. Loved how the uneaten cupcakes spelled You Poo Elvis. The scene with Maurice and his new kitty door was hilarious, especially with the mouse, Connor, umbrella and undies. I wonder if Liam will make another appearance, he's definitely not missed. This book was over too quick, I love reading about Anna and Sophie. I definitely recommend this book (after you read the first two) and can't wait for the last book in the series. I love the covers of the books.

Thanks to NetGalley, Avon Books UK and the author, Bella Osborne, for a free electronic ARC of this novel.

I enjoyed the book, but didn't love it as much as Part One in the Wildflower Park Series. Anna and Sophie are still there usually selves and we get to know more about Hudson and Anna's mysterious texter. Maurice, the giant kitty and fluffy scene-stealer, makes numerous appearances.

The story picks up where the last book left off with Anna and her coworkers at a team building event. There's an Amazon themed party at Hudson's, Anna decides to meet the man behind the texts, Anna is hiding something tragic that happened during her time at college and Sophie's unhappy marriage becomes a center point in the story. I would say the whole book is about how unhappy Sophie is with her husband Dave and how much he doesn't help at home. I will say Dave seemed pretty clueless about helping his wife and taking care of his children. I couldn't believe what Dave decided to surprise Sophie with for her birthday.

I enjoyed the characters , story and writing style. The whole fairy conversation was hilarious. I also couldn't believe how they found Sophie at Hudson's party. She definitely must be tired. After Anna babysits Sophie's children, I'm not sure she will ever have children. I keep hoping a romance will spark up between Anna and Hudson, a real one. I love reading about Anna and Sophie. The books are a very quick read and always end on a cliff hanger. I definitely recommend the book and can't wait to read Part 3!!

Thanks to NetGalley, Avon Books UK and the author, Bella Osborne, for a free electronic ARC of this novel.

I loved it. I was a big fan of the Ottercombe Bay Series, so I thought I would give this book a try and it did not disappoint. After the opening scene with the gruesome hedgehog cake with the demon eyes, I knew I would love the book. Of course, Maurice stole the show. Who doesn't love an enormous cat? My favorite part was Anna trying to transport Maurice home in a box. I can't imagine what the other drivers thought when they saw Maurice on Anna's lap as she tried to drive home.

Anna was recently dumped by her fiancé and finds her living by herself for the first time. Luckily she is only a few doors down from her best friend, Sophie, and her house backs up to a beautiful park. Anna adopts a very large cat and friends his previous owner, she also gets some strange texts from a mystery man that end up becoming flirty. While on an team building event, Anna gets quite the surprise and not the good kind. Sophie is pregnant with her third child. She feels overwhelmed, tired and not getting the help she needs from her husband. While on the team building event, Sophie blurts out a secret and runs out of the room. The book ends with the cliffhanger and now I can't wait to read the next part!!!!

I loved the story, writing style and characters. I absolutely love Anna and Sophie. Sophie's attempt at making an endangered animal costume overnight was hilarious. Weigh anchor was hilarious along with the pink panther costume. I can't wait to find out more about Bert.

Definitely recommend the book and can't wait to read the next part.

Thanks to NetGalley, Avon Books UK and the author, Bella Osborne, for a free electronic ARC of this novel.

Not having read the other parts in this series, it was a bit tricky to get into this. A lot of information was missing.

Still, my main problem was the writing style. It felt like a lot of scenes thrown together, there were jumps from one scene to another, or even within dialogue, which I just didn't understand.

I am hoping the book/story makes more sense as a whole.




I've received an ARC through NetGalley for an honest review of this book.

I really enjoy reading about Daisy and her adventures to get her gin bar/hot chocolate cabin business up and running. As usual, Bug, the demon dog causes her some problems. Daisy gets stuck in a cave during high tide when she goes after the little dog, Bug also decides to chew on a nasty fish he found on the beach which ends up on Daisy and also when Daisy tries to give the little monster a bath are a few of the dog vs Daisy moments. Daisy doesn't think her bar will ever get up and running with the bat problem she has in the building. Max, Jason and Tamsyn are there to help her out. Max's dad seems to cause more problems. To make matters worse, Daisy's ex-boyfriend Guillaume shows up out of the blue. He has trouble written all over him.

The Ottercombe Bay series were a fun read and wouldn't mind reading more about Daisy. I ended up reading Part 4 before Part 3. I definitely recommend the book and the whole Ottercombe Bay series.

Thanks to NetGalley, Avon Books UK and the author, Bella Osborne, for a free electronic ARC of this novel.

Part Four and the conclusion to the Ottercombe Bay series. Daisy finally finds out the missing pieces of her mom's death and the mystery behind the necklace. Bug and Daisy are no longer mortal enemies and seem to have worked out their issues. Daisy doesn't despise the little monster, I mean dog, and even tries to teach bug a trick. Aunt Coral and Tamsyn get their happy ending. Thankfully, Daisy manages to balance her traveling while also having a place to call home. She even gives love a try.

I really enjoyed the series. The characters were fun and the story-line was always interesting. I'm a little sad to see it end and say goodbye to Daisy. I definitely recommend the book and the whole series. I can't wait to read more by the author.

Thanks to NetGalley, Avon Books UK and the author, Bella Osborne, for a free electronic ARC of this novel.

The second book picks up right where the first one left off. Daisy's beloved locket is missing. It was in her bedroom when she went to bed and when she wakes up, it's missing. Tamsyn decides to cheer Daisy up and takes her to a donkey sanctuary, because nothing says happiness like donkeys. Daisy has finally decided what to do with the railroad station and with the help of Max she starts cleaning it up. Max's father is back in town after recently getting out of prison, which also happens to coincide with the burglaries that are taking place in town. Daisy's relationship with Bug is improving, the little dog no longer seems like he wants to kill her. Although, the second book ends with Daisy being trapped in a cave with the water starting to rise, all because she wanted to save that little dog.

I definitely enjoyed the book and I can't wait for Part 3 and 4. I find Daisy and and her group of friends quite amusing.

Thanks to NetGalley, Avon Books UK and the author, Bella Osborne, for a free electronic ARC of this novel.