Member Reviews
I received a copy of the book from Netgalley to review. Thank you for the opportunity.
A sweet romance, perfect for the modern age. Good writing and super relatable. A great read.
Tried hard to find any chemistry between the protagonists and didn't get to see that, which threw an dampener on the whole story as a result as it all felt forced and too much serendipity and just over-the-top (the doesn't-make-sense kind)
Otty is finally taking a step into the world of her dreams - writing. Away from a secure job and her safe place. On top of that her small world of independence is being torn right from under her, which isn't a great way to start a new job.
Joe is missing his inspiration, which can mean the difference between having a job and being out of one. His saving grace is being a favourite of his boss, but he is well aware that the new writers might have just the right kind of ideas and style to threaten his position.
The two of them seem like an unlikely couple to strike up any kind of relationship, whether it be professional, friendly or something that explains the sparks between them. Fate intervenes and their very own story begins.
I can imagine that some readers may think that the end is a bit of a slow burner or lacks the emotional bonfire of a romcom or romance, but in my opinion it's actually a clever way to end their story. Their love for their common interest and the creativity comes together to create the ending they would write for someone else and absolutely wish for themselves.
Dickinson always gives readers an interesting kind of read. Imagine picking the thing that makes you feel most comfortable and emerging yourself in it. It's never too much, never not enough and never too risque - it just is, and sometimes that is enough. The kind of story that doesn't aspire to be anything other than something you really want to read to the very end.
A beautiful written story, which had my hooked from the start. I loved joe and otty what a lovely ending
I was really happy to be offered an arc of this book as the blurb really intrigued me.
The story flowed well and I loved the authors writing style. I’m a big fan of dual perspective/POV in books.
Some parts of the book seemed to drag a little, but I was invested enough to keep going. The ending didn’t disappoint.
Thank you NetGalley and publisher for my advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review 📚
I really enjoyed this book, thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity, it's a good book and I read it in a couple of days.
In this book we meet Otty and Joe. I loved how the story switched between the two viewpoints with each chapter so you get a real feel for the characters.
Recent events lead them to not only be living together but working directly in each other’s pockets for a screen writing company. Will this make or break them?
Well written and enjoyable read. I’ve also learnt I would not like to work in the cutthroat screen writing industry!
This book was enjoyable, even if a little predictable. The characters were nice, but not as rounded as I would hope - Otty in particular seemed very 1 track - would have liked more depth to her. I think nice is the best summary - not terrible but not mid-blowing.
Extra star for being set in Birmingham, although one scene sounded like the writer had googled an area and was listing a route map! that being said, it was lovely for a book to have some local dialect, and to be set somewhere other than London. this definitely gave it extra warmth.
Overall, I enjoyed the writers style and this book felt like a cup of hot chocolate - warm and comforting but not something I would go back to every day!
loved that we get inside our male lead Joe’s head and heart in Our Story. Not only does it build the conflict (because we know what Otty and Joe are feeling when they don’t) but it makes it easy to relate to him and get that all important emotional connection. I saw Otty as much stronger and grounded than he was (not necessarily a good thing) – for me she was the practical one and tried to get on with everything whilst he was the creative/dreamer. Both of them start out with insecurities and they worry about pleasing others. I despaired they would ever get together. The ebb and flow is at the right pace and kept me engaged.
I found the writing team at Ensign Media interesting (I didn’t know anything about script writing – isn’t it great that books give us so much!) and inspiring. There’s lots of tensions in the group as a whole as well as between Otty and Joe. Deadlines and jealousies play out with great effect. Oh Daphne, you thought you were playing a very clever game didn’t you … I felt lots of empathy towards Joe for the task Russ gave him (he did set himself up for that though) and how that had the potential of blowing the chance of any type of relationship with Otty. I was on tenterhooks waiting.
I felt many emotions because of these two. I cried when Otty left her job in the beginning – the scene in the workshop was really poignant. I cried when her dad called her from the cricket club. It swelled my heart to bursting. I was disappointed in Otty for a decision she made but knew she had some realisations and growing to do so forgave her I cried at the ending too. Tenterhooks until the end.
Our Story will draw you in and warm your heart. Recommended.
I have always known i was going to love this, from the minute i heard about it - to the sneak peaks Miranda has been giving away on her facebook to the reviews. I was right, it was out of this world good. Otty and Joe are just. Words fail me. Im going to try and review it as best i can, but you will have to forgive me if i dont do it justice.
Otty has just landed her dream job, writing has been her secretly hidden passion for years and now she has chance to actually do something with it. Her future looks bright and she can't wait to get started. Yet the the day before she starts her new job, she gets evicted from her flat and has to start her new job with all her wordly belongings in the back of her car. Otty is fearless though in her pursuit and determined, something will work out - even if she is doubting herself, and it does.
Joe has worked for Russell for years and has survived yet another new writers cull and seems to be focused and getting on, however his house mate has just upped and left without much warning leaving Joe wondering how he is going to cover the rent, because he cant do it alone. Thats were fate steps in, Otty needs a place to stay and Joe needs a housemate.
Working together, living together seems like a great compromise and the perfect solution. The pair bond and then something changes and they cannot seem to work out their own story.
I loved their story though, as a reader you can see it all before Otty and Joe. Its the long game, a slow burn but its honest, its real and its raw. The passion the pair have for their lives and work is so engaging. I loved their personalities too, they had me laughing, they were kind people that deserved to work things out, but life often throws challenges in its way.
In my minds eye, i could visually see every chapter play out as they got to work on the new drama, i could see everyone sat in the writers room down to the wednesday night chilli been cooked. It was so clear and i could picture it all. It was an all consuming read that allowed the reader to feel they are watching it play out on a screen in front of them.
Our Story is a love story for modern times, its about near misses, lost chances, friendship and sometimes letting go. I just simply thought this was wonderful.
This is a lovely read and I just loved the characters. This is such a compelling read and the perfect escape from life and all its drudgery at the moment! .
This is the story of Otty & Joe. Through Miranda's great story telling you follow their story through the emotional rollercoaster of life. I found myself wishing them to sort things out and cared so much for Otty to find happiness with the right person.
It was interesting to find out a bit about script writing and made me realize how different it is to just writing a story. It is a really competitive job to be successful at and at times intense. It was a lovely story to read in these difficult times.
Miranda always tells a lovely story and they all have great plots. I have read all her books and always feel a bond with the characters.
Looking forward to her next book.
From the very first page Otto and Joe had me hooked. Miranda Dickinson has written a clever, funny book with such bright, clear characters. Birmingham having its very own starring role. I loved this and will be searching out more Miranda Dickinson books
What's not to like about a Miranda Dickinson story? In these current gloomy times, this heartfelt romantic "will they wont they" story was just what the reader ordered! Otty and Joe get thrown together by a couple of quirks of fate, they end up working and living together. There then ensues a tale of rivalry, missed opportunities, the odd bit of conflict until they both finally see sense!
I will be honest, UI don't like first person narrative in a book like this but Miranda really makes it work. You are totally drawn into her characters and her story. I did find this pair a little frustrating at times though and wanted to shake them - I think they could have got there quicker but then it would have been a short story not a heart-warming novel and much needed break from the real world!
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a review copy.
How I loved this book and Otty and Joe. Miranda Dickenson writes with such heart that it spills over into her characters and I fell a little in love with both of them, was desperately willing them to get together and getting a little cross when they were making poor decisions. I love reacting this way, it means the author has completely pulled me in to her world. Our Story is a wonderful novel to escape with. Fun, empathetic and engaging, it was delightful reading and an absolutely perfect rom-com.
I loved this book! I read this well into the night the pacing and the characters had me hooked. The storyline of the characters being script righters I found original and fascinating.
Was already recommending this book before I even finished it.
Thanks to Netgalley for allowing me to read an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and HQ for providing me with a copy of this book!
When Otty leaves her dad's cycle business for the world of screenwriting, the last thing she expected was also to be evicted from her flat. Her first day on the job she meets Joe, part of the writing team at Ensign, who is looking for a new housemate. Perfect timing for the both of them, and the rest is going to be history...or is it?
The chemistry between these two characters was seeping through the pages from the moment they met, only they didn't seem to realise themselves until it was too late! I really warmed to both of them, though I was shouty and wanted to bang their heads together at times - I do love it when a book does that to me, it means I've really invested myself in the characters.
Some of the minor characters I wasn't keen on, but then that's also the sign of a good book and diverse characters.
The storyline of the relationship developing between them was intertwined with a few other minor ones, but Dickinson wove them together well and the story flowed seamlessly.
I felt like I actually wanted to be a part of every single setting in the book, they were written so descriptive - and the mention of Christmas markets put me right in the mood! It was interesting to get an insight into a screen writers room too and it made me want to watch the series they were writing!
Our Story kept me hanging on right until the end; I thought it was going to go one way but hoping for another, and the last couple of chapters just hit me right in the feels! I think I can put this in my top ten reads of the year so far.
Our Story was a really heartwarming will-they-won't-they romance perfect for curling up in your pyjamas on a chilly autumn evening and really immersing yourself in the story
A couple of lovely characters and an insight into what is behind the top TV Shows that we watch. If it wasn't for the Standard bit of one miscommunication About two People wanting to be together and can't seem to fix, then this was great. You never really understood why they couldn't get together. I loved how they wrote together, made their stories together and even the house they lived in sounded so good. The Addition of Fraser Shows the author is a fan of Outlander….and is a nice bit of whimsy.
The Day We Meet Again - Miranda Dickinson
I have read many (if not most) of Miranda’s books and I have loved them all. This is her 10th book. It tells the story of two people who are off on long overdue adventures- Phoebe in search of her future & Sam in search of his past. Fate throws them together and their journeys pull them apart. How will they feel when they meet again?
I haven’t had much time to read lately. And I found this one a bit slow to get into - I found Pheobe a bit of a wishy washy character to begin with but as the book progresses and we get to know her better she was very likeable. I then got in to it so much that I stayed up really late on several occasions to read ‘one more chapter’ - and then when my cat kindly woke me up at 5am I sat & finished it. My first thought when I finished it was that my bestie would love it. Which is always a good sign right?