Guest Post: Bella Osborne's Top Ten Beach Reads

TITLE: A Family Holiday
AUTHOR: Bella Osborne
PUBLISHER: HarperImpulse
PUBLICATION DATE: June 16, 2016

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She’ll do whatever it takes to keep this family together…

As the nanny to four quirky but loveable children, Charlie French has learnt that if there was ever a cement shortage Weetabix would be a viable substitute and that YouTube videos can go viral in seconds, much to her horror. But, most importantly, she's learnt that whatever happens you stick together as a family.

When tragedy strikes, Charlie is forced to decide whether it’s time to move on or fight to keep the children she loves. With the distraction of the children's gorgeous Uncle Felix and the chance of a holiday in stunning Antigua, she’s left wondering if turquoise seas can wash away their present troubles. Is the pull of white sand beaches too tempting to resist or will paradise fail to keep them all together?

Hi Sophie and thank you so much for having me on your blog today.

It is very difficult to choose just ten for my top beach reads but here’s my best shot with deepest apologies to so many of my favourite writers!

My Top Ten Beach Reads

No 1. Anything by Katie Fforde - What do you mean this is cheating? I am a huge Katie Fforde fan so choosing only one is impossible so my top picks of hers are The Perfect Match (the heroine is called Bella, what else do you need to know?), Stately Pursuits and Wild Designs.

No 2. Anything by Jill Mansell – (ok I promise this is the last time I’ll do this) I adore Jill Mansell and have read every one of her books so again I can’t pick out just one. My top picks of hers are Mixed Doubles, Staying At Daisy's and You and Me Always.

No 3. Helen Fielding - Bridget Jones’s Diary. This is the book that kicked off Chick Lit. The brilliantly told story of Bridget the singleton and her love triangle with the uptight Mark Darcy and the cad Daniel Cleaver. I wish I could read it again for the first time, if you see what I mean.

No 4. Marian Keyes – Lucy Sullivan is Getting Married. A psychic predicts that Lucy will be married within the year but she doesn’t say to whom. A really fun read.

No 5. Zoe Barnes - Bouncing Back. At 30 Cally Storm is back in her mum's spare room, contemplating a dismal future until she takes a job at the local wildlife park. Brilliantly funny and there’s even a skunk called Colin! So sad to lose such a talented author, I still really miss Zoe Barnes’s books.

No 6. Lisa Jewell - Ralph's Party. Ralph and Smith are flatmates and best mates - until, that is, the gorgeous Jemima moves in but who will she choose? Add in a great supporting cast as the neighbours in the adjourning flats and you have a cracking read. This is till my absolute favourite Lisa Jewell novel.

No 7. JoJo Moyes - Me Before You. A modern classic. A beautifully written story of the loveable and quirky Lou and the aloof, paralyzed heart-throb Will. Get the tissues at the ready.

No 8. Jenny Colgan - Amanda's Wedding. A story of a long held dislike that spills over when old school friends are invited to the wedding of the thoroughly unlikeable Amanda to a Scottish laird.

No 9. Graeme Simsion - The Rosie Project. Told from the point of view of Don who has such a delightful innocence when it comes to women. He sets about finding a wife with a 16 page questionnaire and when Rosie appears he gets more than he bargained for – it is a very funny read.

No 10. Joanne Harris – Chocolat. A young single mother moves to a small French village and opens a chocolate shop during Lent much to the mixed response of the locals. Add in some romance and you have a charming summer read on your hands.


There you have it, these are my favourites to help you while away the hours by the pool, on the beach or curled up in an armchair with the British weather doing what it does best! Wherever you find yourself transported to this summer I hope you have a good time.


Win A Family Holiday tote bag!

For your chance to win the gorgeous tote bag pictured below, comment on this post and recommend one of your favourite beach reads by the end of June 26. Winner will be picked at random.