This is the first part in a story that promises to be entertaining and compelling. There's a lot of fun and I can't wait to read the next part
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

I loved, loved, loved this book! The premise of the book involves Nancy, a businesswoman with a crafting business, Alice, Nancy's housemate who works as a teaching assistant, and a ragdoll cat! I really enjoyed everything about this book: the characters, the storyline, the crafting element and the gorgeous cat. I was totally hooked and I can't wait to read the rest of the story (as it is split into 4 parts) to see how it progresses.

Unfortunately, I'm a little annoyed for various reasons:
- The cover is misleading; we're not in a coastal setting, nowhere near one.
- The story started picking up, and then the book was abruptly interrupted.

The story seemed cute, and the characters were engaging, but I don't know if I'll continue with the other parts.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

First book I have read by this author.
I nice short story with follow up books to come
Look forward to reading the rest as this one has no ending and you want to find out what happens next.

An Invitation to Seashell Bay by Bella Osborne has a fundamental flaw: there is no sea and not a single shell. The cover suggests a coastal setting but, no, it's firmly located in East London. That's the first problem with it; I feel as though it's been mis-sold. The second issue I have is the abrupt ending. Now, I was a aware that this is a novel in four parts (cynical marketing ploy anyone?) but I'd still have expected some degree of completion in each of the four pieces.

That's the bad. The good is engaging storytelling and diverse characters. I'm looking forward to reading the other parts of the novel and seeing the romances set up in this part, coming to fruition.

I am really not sure how many stars to give this one. You are just getting into the story when suddenly the acknowledgements suddenly appear! 2* seems very harsh but on the other hand, 3* seems very generous for an incomplete book and not sure why the author (or publisher) has done it this way.

Shortness aside, the characters are enjoyable enough and the storyline has potential... I just wish I'd been able to read more of it to give a proper review.

A fun start to a new serial ! Nancy and Freddy are polar opposites- she's hard working and determined and he's, well, a wastrel who must take a job but he's not really intending to work. You know these two are going to have arguments but that they will also be attracted to one another. Osborne has a good way with this trope- as well as with her settings (love Sea Shell Bay). Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Looking forward to part 2.

I am so excited to have started a new series by Bella Osborne! Everytime I read a book by her, I enjoy my time! And this first book of the series "An invitation to seashell bay" was very very entertaining and very good! It was a lot of fun to read and we can see alreay a lot of things happening! Can't wait to be able to read the second book!!!! 4 stars out of 5 for me!

An Invitation to Seashell Bay: Part One by Bella Osborne

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

One ambitious businesswoman.

One irresponsible heir.

A deal that will turn both their lives upside down…

To save her business, All Things Crafty, Nancy is in desperate need of two things: help and money. After a pitch goes horribly wrong, Nancy is convinced she's failed to secure either. But, when a potential investor recommends an assistant, she jumps at the chance to hire them – hoping it will help her land a much-needed deal. 

Enter Freddy Astley-Davenport, a notorious socialite with zero work experience. He’s poised to inherit his family’s estate in sunny Seashell Bay, but only if he can hold down a job for six months first. Nancy is not impressed. Freddy’s late, rude and totally incompetent – and that's just the first day!

Nancy is further horrified to learn of Freddy’s plan to take the assistant role in name only, then do the least work he possibly can, expecting Nancy to lie to his parents on his behalf. She has other ideas, though, and the pair butt heads from day one.

However, as they argue, sparks begin to fly…

My Opinion

Bella Osborne is once again publishing a book in four parts - this is the first part and is a great introduction. Nancy is trying to secure the help that she will need to secure the future of her online craft store. Whilst this is a quick read there is a lot of information to take in and it will leave you waiting for the next part to be released. The storyline drew me in from the beginning and will appeal to craft lovers and fans of Bella Osborne.

Rating 4/5

I fell in love with Bella Osborne with her last book that everyone seemed to be talking about. This one will be no different as I laughed and smiled throughout.

Nancy - well you've got to love her ambition. A girl who badly needs a contract to save her company, will do anything including hiring the annoying, titled Freddy. The guy is an idiot and Nancy knows it, but she'll do anything to keep her business and stop it from going bankrupt. I liked her - she's the kind of boss you want to have. Caring, friendly and loyal to the bone.

Alice - the fact she's a TA ticked all the right boxes. Brave, stubborn, caring, loving and kind she's everything you want your child's PA to be. Her scene made me laugh and smile just as little Bonnie did. She's adorable but will anything happen between her and daddy hottie from a drunken kiss years ago in a nightclub.

I normally want to read a book all in one piece but this one is so good I want to read it all in one sitting. I couldn't stop reading and finished this little ten chapter book in two days. Bring on part 2!

BELLA OSBORNE - AN INVITATION TO SEASHELL BAY.
Part one.

Bella Osborne is one of my absolute favourite authors. I wouldn’t normally choose to read a book in four novella sized installations. I much prefer to read the book as a whole. However, a new book from Bella, was just too tempting to miss out on.

This is a lovely start to a new book.
I liked the characters. They are a great mix of people from all walks of life.
I particularly enjoyed the friendship between Nancy and Alice. It came across as so genuine and caring.

This first installment is an easy read. I fell into the story effortlessly.
It’s a fun read, warm hearted, charming and an absolute joy.
What stood out the most for me is the humour. Bella Osborne always writes beautifully, with great sensitivity, a big heart and rip-roaring, pass me a Tenna Lady humour.
I’m the sort of person who laughs on the inside, but Bella drags some proper belly laughs from me.

Just brilliant, but please can we have the whole book very soon.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
With thanks to Netgalley and Avon. Books for a digital arc of this title.

Another winner from Bella Osborne! I can't wait to see how this plays out. Nancy actually sounded like a dowdy old lady, until I found out she's only 29. I could totally relate. The characters are funny and we left part 1 on quite a cliff-hanger. Looking forward to the future instalments.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

Great set up for a brilliant book!
Classic fabulous Bella Osborne writing, ideas, and relevant subjects! Always a joy to read!
Nancy is trying to keep her business going by pitching to one of the largest craft suppliers in the uk but her day is not going as it should!
Part 1 sets up for a brilliant ride, full of laughs and surprises! Great characters, great premise….. when can I read the rest!!!?
For fans of Sophie Kinsella, and more!
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon books for the early read!! Brilliant as always!

This was a simple, fun, easy and quick read. The perfect type of book for your holiday, beach, pool kind of read. This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

Nancy wants to make something of herself and the business. However a disastrous business pitch leads her gaining an employee who has never worked in his life.

Will things get easier for Nancy or will more things prevent her?

An easy read and I am looking forward to seeing what happens to Nancy and Freddy.

Great start to what will be a lovely story
Businesswoman Nancy, flatmate Alice and ne'er to well Freddie meet in what will be a great stale
I like the structure of one part followed by another but do need to find out what happens

Where is part two? I need it NOW!
This book is fantastic and brilliant start with loveable characters especially Freddy who drives Nancy mad. This is such a fun read and I literally cannot wait for the next part.
Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review. It was an absolute pleasure. Roll on part two.

This was such a fun read and I can't wait for part 2. I devoured this in an afternoon as it was a wonderful easy read.

After five years in various office jobs, Nancy Barraclough starts selling crafting goods online. Her company, Having A Ball is an online yarn and wool shop that specializes in ethically sourced products. Her company had blossomed enough for her to quit her office job and run her own business full-time.

Now she’s on her way to All Things Crafty in Paddington, London where she hopes to land a contract and secure her job’s future.

But while waiting for her meeting at a cafe, her laptop bag as well as her laptop get stolen, along with her presentation. Somehow she manages to salvage some notes she had with her and heads to the office for her meeting.

While making her presentation, a man she met earlier at the cafe walks in. They had an altercation over their coffee order whereupon the man stormed off without his coffee.

Turns out the man in question is Lord Richard, whom she’s supposed to pitch her ideas to. Long story short her pitch didn’t go as planned.

Soon after, when Sir Richard recommends an assistant, Nancy jumps at the chance to hire them – hoping it will help her land a deal with his company.

So Sir Richard suggests a young man named Freddy Astley-Davenport, a notorious socialite with zero work experience. He’s set to inherit his family’s estate in Seashell Bay, but only if he can hold down a job for six months first.

Nancy is not impressed. Freddy’a rude, totally incompetent, and not to mention his tardiness.
Worst of all, Freddy has no plans to work instead choosing to skip work and asks Nancy to lie to his parents on his behalf.

This is part one of the Seashell Bay series. Would recommend this fun read.

Thank you to Bella Osborne, NetGalley and Avon for the arc of this book.

I read this funny and uplifting book in an afternoon. Nancy runs All Things Crafty and Alice, who rents a room from her, is a Teaching Assistant. Nancy is trying hard to expand her company and ends up making a ‘deal’ that results in aristocratic Freddy working for her. Although Alice enjoys her job she finds she is somewhat the teacher’s dogsbody. Add to that concerns over one of the students whose Dad she is attracted to. There were parts of this that made me laugh out loud, mainly to do with character Freddy. I can’t wait for the next part and to find out what happens next! Thank you to Avon Books UK and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.