This book has you rooting for a happy-ever-after for Otty and Joe from very early on but like every good romantic novel, it is never going to be that easy. Likeable characters with human flaws and an interesting context - that of the world of television - keeps the reader engaged. I really enjoyed this novel! My only criticism is that I really don't like the name Ottilie, or Otty - but that's a personal thing and didn't detract from my enjoyment! I'd love to read more by Miranda Dickinson.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the arc, which I have enjoyed reading.
Our Story by Miranda Dickinson is a love story, Joe and Otty’s love story. They are both screen writers and live together as lodgers, work together and may end up together.
A simple easy to read story about the romance of two people getting to know and love each other. An enjoyable feel good read in complicated times.
Highly recommended

I usually love Miranda’s books but unfortunately our story didn’t excite me as much as her previous books! Set in Birmingham it tells the progression of scriptwriters joe and ottys friendship from house sharing, working together and the complicated feelings they have for each other! It really was an agonisingly slow burn of a developing romance with many bumps along the way in the form of denial, other relationships, misunderstandings and suppressed feelings!
It was interesting and different to get an insight into the scriptwriters world and the writing room and I liked the work friendships that developed here and the varied characters that at all played a part in the ongoing otty/ joe situation .
Thank you net galley for this early read.

Miranda Dickinson is like a warm blanket. All of her books have given me that comforted feeling, like bing wrapped up in a warm hug. She is an author that you can trust to make you feel good and give you the warm and fuzzies. Never more so than with her latest novel Our Story which - I have to say - I think is my favourite book of hers so far.

It is the story of Otty and Joe. Through kismet they became housemates, through living and working together they became friends and through excellent story telling I was yelling at them to become more than that - a classic kiss him/her you fool story played out as I read each page.

It is funny because you know they kind of stories that Miranda Dickinson writes and you know that with this genre that as a reader you have certain expectations which inevitably are met but when a writer can have you guessing to the very last minute if it will happen or not then you know they writer is worth her salt.

I loved Our Story. It had the perfect amount of give and take, the dual narrative was perfect for the type of story and Dickinson really did make me want to read more but also slow my pace because I didn’t want the story to end. Absolutely fantastic.

Our Story by Miranda Dickinson is available now.

For more information regarding Miranda Dickinson (@wurdsmyth) please visit www.miranda-dickinson.com.

For more information regarding HQ (@HQStories) please visit www.hqstories.co.uk.

This was one of those books that played out in front of my eyes like a movie. Not only was it based in that industry but it really did feel like I was binge watching The Bold Type or 30 Rock, I loved it and it felt like a very special book because of the way it was formatted.



This book has all of Miranda Dickinson's trademark warmth and humour. It has some fabulous Midlands phrases in there, it's set in and around Birmingham and of course it has a frustratingly slow burn romance in there. But this book is just such a great example of what can happen when you follow your dreams, not matter how many people around you may doubt you or try and discourage you. I loved this message of going for what you want, having confidence in yourself and being an independent person even when other try to hold you back.



It was such a pleasure to meet Joe and Otty. I love Otty's name I have to say. As someone with an unusual name myself I always do a little cheer when someone else in a book has an unusual name because we are a dying breed! The opening of Otty's story reminded me a lot of the movie While You Were Sleeping and then from there on in I pictured her a the heroine of her own comeback story. I love that Otty has a past but that she is following her dreams and making it happen later into her life.



Joe is a really interesting character. I liked that he seems like a typical writer in the industry, a male-dominated industry, but we discover hidden depths to our Joe. In many ways I felt like Joe was more the underdog of this story than Otty was, someone which is unusual to find in a romcom. He is such a complex fellow and I know you're going to love getting to know him.



There are some seriously frustrating moments in this book when it comes to characters realising things, whether that's their true potential or whether that is what is right in front of their faces but boy does that make you keep turning the pages. I know you're going to love this story. It really is a modern classic that I know I will revisit again in the future.

It’s been a while since I read a Miranda Dickinson book and I was looking forward to reading Our Story. It started off well with likeable characters but, like other readers, I did find it somewhat predictable and the middle section of the book lacked pace. Having said that it was an enjoyable read that I’m sure many others will love. I’d rate this 3.5 stars. Thank you to NetGalley, HQ and the author for the chance to review.

Ottie is offered the chance of a life time writing for one of the hottest production companies in the country, the day before she leaves her old life behind she is evicted from her flat, with a new job to start in the morning and now needing to find a new house Ottie is feeling desperate. Joe carver the hot shot at ensign has just lost his house mate so Ottie asks to take the room, he agrees and the their story begins.

A great book I really enjoyed it.

I really loved the story of Joe and Otty. A well-structured story, great characters, and interesting to find out a bit more about how the TV series are written. Tears of sadness and joy along the way, with great twists too. Compelling read from start to finish.

Wow. A gorgeous story with so much content - and I LOVED it!

Ottilie Perry is about to begin her new job as a writer with one of the most sought after company when she is turfed out of her flat. Joe Wright has worked for the same firm for years, but has lost his get-up-and go recently. When his flatmate does a moonlight flit, it is just about the final straw. Otty moving in solves both their problems - or does it? Thrown together as writing partners, living together it's inevitable there will be sparks flying at some point - but will it be friendly fire?

Every so often, I begin reading a story and just sink into it; this is one of those. I knew within the first half dozen pages that this was made for me and I happily soaked up everything which followed. Otty and Joe are great characters, beautifully created and they come alive on the page. All the secondary characters fit perfectly and the ensuing tale is completely wonderful. Very believable, lots of ups and downs and having writing scripts as the theme was brilliant (or, in colloquial terms, pure dead brilliant). I will be looking to see who the writers are on every programme and film I enjoy from now on! A fabulous piece of writing by Miranda Dickinson which kept me hooked to the very end. Awesome! No less than five sparkling stars will do, and the very highest of recommendations to all those who enjoy a romantic read with a darn good story!

My thanks to the publisher for my copy via NetGalley; this is - as always - my honest, original and unbiased review.

This is the truly delightful story of Otty and Joe! Otty has recently got a new job as a scriptwriter, and this is where she meets Joe. Having been evicted from her flat the night before she starts her new job, it would seem that luck is on her side when she finds out Joe is looking for a flatmate. The flat is perfect, and Otty and Joe have the potential to become best friends, if not something more. Can you work closely with someone, be best friends with them and not have feelings for them? Yes, of course you can, but sometimes it doesn’t work out like that, and it does make it very difficult to admit their true feelings for each other!

I loved Otty’s character! In her first job as a scriptwriter she comes across as unsure of herself, unaware of just how good she is at it. Her relationship with her father was lovely, but I have to admit sometimes I wished he would take a few steps back. Joe, for me, took a little bit longer to like! In a slightly different position from Otty, where he has been a scriptwriter for a while, he still finds himself having to fight for his job just like the new scriptwriters that have been bought in. I connected with his character more and more as the story moved on, although my opinion changed throughout the book as to whether I was on Team Joe or Team Otty!! The chemistry between these two characters was breath-taking and had me captivated from early on in the story.

The story is told from both Otty and Joe’s perspectives. The chapters flowed well, moving from each character’s story. The author does a fabulous job of connecting with not just the two main characters, but all of the other characters as well. The idea of scriptwriting for the theme of the book was so original, and as I read, I could really see the TV program they were writing as something I really wanted to watch!! It was also a real education as to how TV programs are made, and was something which I’d never really considered before! I loved the location and living not far from the outskirts of Birmingham, I knew many of the Birmingham landmarks mentioned so could immediately picture in my mind the characters amongst the areas!!

Whilst I had some inkling as to where the story was heading, it was a wonderful journey with Otty and Joe to get there!! I loved the fact that it wasn’t like your ‘normal’ love story, there were other things which ran alongside the romantic interests which had me captivated just as much as Otty and Joe did! This is a heart-warming read of friendships, love and life, and the author captures the moods and emotions of the characters perfectly!! Beautifully written, this book gripped me from the first page! Would definitely recommend!

Fabulous! What a lovely, entertaining, warm and light hearted read. All the characters were well written and I invested in their story. A joy to read and I finished with a smile! Highly recommend

Plot

Otty has just landed her dream job. She's about to join the writing team of one of the most respected showrunners in TV. And then the night before her first day, she's evicted from her flat.

Joe has been working with Russell for years. He's the best writer on his team, but lately something has been off. He's trying to get his mojo back, but when his flatmate moves out without warning he has other things to worry about.

Otty moving into Joe's house seems like the most obvious solution to both their problems, but neither is prepared for what happens next. Paired together in the writing room, their obvious chemistry sparks from the page and they are the writing duo to beat. But their relationship off the page is an entirely different story, and neither of them can figure out why.

And suddenly the question isn't, will they, or won't they? It's why won't they?

Review

Oh my god where do I start?

This book is such a refreshing and wonderful change from what I’ve read recently. The setting is unusual for commercial fiction but it works! Giving a glimpse inside the room where it happens (shameless Hamilton reference by me) you are drawn into the action from the very beginning. Every emotion that Otty and Joe go through you are there with them, from Otty’s nerves starting her dream job and breaking away from her well meaning but overbearing family to Joe’s fears that he’s just not good enough anymore.

That’s the one main thing I love about this story. It’s not the fancy setting, it’s the fact that these characters are normal people with normal flaws and normal worries. Despite the fact that they are scriptwriters they could be in any situation and have the same emotions.

The why won’t they between Joe and Otty will make you want to laugh, cry and eventually if your like me sit on the floor and scream to the living room that you want to bang their heads together!

The secondary characters are just as important as the main hero and heroine with Rona who is basically Otty’s best friend being the stand out for me.

I also love the fact that despite the storyline centring around a production company it’s not set in London but Birmingham a city which holds a piece of my heart as well as some of my closest friends.

Everything about this book is perfect and if you haven’t read it yet I have just one question. Why the hell not?!

Rating

Five stars

Recommend

Yes yes yes yes yes (x1000000)

I enjoyed the setting, refreshing to have Birmingham as the location and the descriptions did it proud. The central characters too were quite lovable. The story was rather predictable and sadly the ending did not to Otty and Joe justice. But an enjoyable read.

JOE, a seasoned script writer with relationship issues.
OTTY a newly employed novice scriptwriter leaving her past behind to find her future.

Living together, working together, chemistry together but somehow never together. This is their journey but will it end in happiness?

With alternate chapters from Otty and Joe's viewpoint, the reader has intimate knowledge of how they feel and what they are hiding. A definite will they won't they scenario.

Absolutely loved reading the story of Otty and Joe.
From the start of the book, I was hooked.

Otty is evicted from her home the day before she starts a new job as a script writer. On her first day, she discovers her colleague Joe is looking for a roommate. Timing is perfect.
Our Story tells of their relationship of working and living together.

I liked the setting of the TV script writing world - and that the book was set in Birmingham as it’s somewhere I’ve spent lots of time over the years. Even the Garlic Bread man from the German Markets got a mention.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book from start to finish. I’ll definitely be recommending it to friends. Thanks to Net Galley for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 4.5/5

This romance was very nearly perfection for me! It had the ingredients that I love (dual narrative romance, set in the city where I grew up making me feel extremely nostalgic) and a will they/wont they storyline that kept my heart in my throat many times throughout.

My first Miranda Dickinson novel and certainly wont be my last, I would LOVE a sequel. Otty and Joe both feel like characters I can't get enough from!

For me this was a great and unique twist of a modern romance story. Personally I’d never really given much thought to how tv dramas were written and reading about this process was eye opening. I loved the dynamic of all the members of the group and I just couldn’t help getting invested in Ottie and Joe. The e were I’ll they won’t they pull was huge, and for bring screen writers their communication to each other sucked... but they were scared of being vulnerable and rejected. I was so pleased when Joe decided to use the whole situation as his screen play and finally air how he felt for Ottie.

It was an easy read that flowed really well and I managed to read it fairly fast. I loved the northern aspect to it too, I smiled every time Otties dad said ‘bab’

It was an easy, at times predictable read - but one that kept me turning the page due to the lovely characters Ottalie and Joe
I loved the setting of the story; in a writers room producing a new tv show. This was an exciting addition to the love story that I felt utterly absorbed in, and made it a real page turner!

I was a bit underwhelmed with the ending though, it did feel a little abrupt and I found myself looking hopefully for an epilogue to give me more information and closure - partially because I loved the characters so much and felt like I needed to know more of their ending.

Otty wants to be a television writer.

I cannot believe Our Story is my first Miranda Dickinson read. I have others on my shelves but I’ve never actually found time to pick one up and read it. Our Story has convinced me that that ridiculous state of affairs needs rectifying immediately. I adored this book.  Miranda Dickinson has a smooth, effortless style that makes reading her words a sheer delight. I thoroughly appreciated the structure of the narrative because although there are two points of view, the chronology gives coherence and flow that I sometimes find missing in other books, adding to my enjoyment immensely.

I thought the setting of the writers’ room was inspired. Giving a unity to the action it provides an insight into a world most of us will never encounter so that there’s an extra layer of interest outside the simply glorious love story that is Our Story. I adored the concept that, whilst people like Joe and Otto can write life narratives for others, they can’t write their own happiness and the way this hooked me into the book was genius. Miranda Dickinson captivated me completely.

Despite the fact that the narrative is set in the global, cut-throat world of television writing, it has an intimate, personal atmosphere that I found incredibly affecting. In Our Story, Miranda Dickinson illustrates events that might well be happening in any working environment in any era so that there is a realism here. I loved the balance of viewpoint from Joe and Otto because not only does it fit the theme of not accepting the truth, and moves on the plot with dynamism and pace, but hearing both their voices clearly has the effect of making the reader fall in love with them both and care about what happens to them. I became so immersed in their story, experiencing such emotion that I felt a physical ache where my heart lies in my chest.

Otty, Joe and all the characters in Our Story are brilliantly created. I thought it was a wonderful message to give Otty a career far outside the usual expectations of her working class Brummie background because whilst the story is fabulously entertaining, it reminds readers that dreams can be fulfilled through hard work and ambition.

In essence, the book has a relatively simple plot revolving aroundtwo protagonists writing for television. However, there were several points during the story where I wasn’t sure I would finish reading Our Story. You see, Miranda Dickinson kept breaking my heart, sticking it back together briefly and then smashing it again until I wasn’t sure just how much more emotion I could take. I desperately, desperately wanted Joe and Otto to be together and to have a happy ending. By the time I reached the final part of the story I was a blubbering, weeping wreck. You’ll have to read the book for yourself to see if I got what I wanted!

Our Story is just wonderful. It’s both realistic and romantic. It’s heart-breaking and joyous. It’s going straight on my list of books of the year!

Such a modern love story of our times in which you will definitely see yourselves, smile and sigh at the memory,
I have managed to read this novel in two sittings, not being able to put it down. I wanted Otty and Joe to be together and kept asking myself: when will they?
It's pretty clear from the beginning that they are meant to be together but life is not always about pink clouds and fluffy unicorns, it's not about they lived happily ever after but what happened before that. How many obstacles they encountered on the way, how much were they willing to fight fr each other, leave their ego on the side, be honest til the end and admit that careers, money and stability can't replace love, family and friendships