I loved the premise of this book. A couple in opposite flats get to know each other by posting notes and questions on their windows.

I really liked this. The characters were both fleshed out, and there was more going on in their lives rather than just the relationship blossoming. I liked that they made space for each other.
As it says in the blurb, both characters had a part of themselves that they didn't want to initially share. Lachie is going through physio following an accident, and Bethan is a single mum. The reveals of these 'secrets' relied on the miscommunication trope, which isn't one of my favourites.

I liked this book and I can see me rereading this. My only negatives were the miscommunication, and that we don't see them in a relationship for very long within the book. Obviously, the book is about the notes on the window, so this is the majority of the book, but I would've liked to have seen a first date or something.

Thank you so much to HQ for providing me with an eArc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Two lonely people begin writing messages on a window to one another. Lachlan is at home recovering from a serious accident and Bethan has just moved into her new home with her young son. The messages to each other start off as playful but become more full of hope. They eventually meet in person and it doesn’t go to plan.
I really liked the story as it was told from two POV as a result you learnt about the characters equally. There were some great secondary characters who were relatable. Great writing which was engaging and overall could be described as a love story involving two lonely people reaching out.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. A great read from this fabulous author. Great characters, great storyline and wonderful read.

My First Miranda Dickinson read and wont be my last!

Fantastic romance read with lots of twists and turns.

I’ve heard nothing but great things about Miranda Dickinsons writing, and now I can see why! A solid, strong romance.

I liked the uniqueness of this book. A budding romance but not like any other I have read.
Bethan and Lachlan are two lonely people. Bethan lives with her small son. Lachlan spends most of his time at home alone after a terrible car crash. Their flats overlook each other and one day Lachlan sees a vase of flowers on Bethan's windowsill. He places a note on his window asking "what are those flowers called" and that was the start of something!

I must firstly apologise for the amount of time it has taken me to provide a review of this book, my health was rather bad for quite some time, something that had me in hospital on numerous occasions and simply didnt leave me with the time I once had to do what I love most.

Unfortunately that does mean I have missed the archive date for many of these books, so It would feel unjust throwing any review together without being able to pay attention to each novel properly.

However, I am now back to reading as before and look forward to sharing my honest reviews as always going forward. I thank you f0r the patience and understanding throughout x

In this book we meet Lachlan a solider recovering from a life changing injury. One day, his new neighbour catches his eye and soon they begin leaving notes in the window for each other.

Will sparks fly?

'The Start of Something' by Miranda Dickinson introduces readers to a promising and unique premise: two people connecting through messages written on their windows. Bethan, a single mother, and Lachlan, a soldier recovering from a car accident, become neighbors and begin exchanging messages as a form of communication. This setup, which starts with slow-burning potential, explores themes of personal battles, loneliness, and healing.

The initial part of the story is enjoyable and offers a different take on modern romance, focusing on the connection formed by sharing messages through windows. The characters, especially Bethan, are likable and relatable, and their stories are gradually developed. Lachlan's narrative, in particular, delves into his struggles with mobility and the mental health challenges that follow his accident.

However, as the story progresses, it transitions from a slow-burning tale to an insta-love romance. The connection between Bethan and Lachlan lacks depth and chemistry, and their declaration of love feels premature. The story's pacing varies, with some parts feeling slow, especially those focused on horticulture and the garden center, which become tedious at times.

The characters, while likable, could have benefited from more depth and development, particularly Lachlan. His character comes across as weak and makes questionable decisions for a mature adult. The story also introduces unnecessary miscommunication and drama, resulting from their secrets, which can be exasperating.

Despite these flaws, 'The Start of Something' maintains an entertaining and endearing premise. It explores themes of friendship, relationships, and personal growth, and while the pacing and romance might leave something to be desired, the story offers a lighthearted and enjoyable reading experience.

I received an advanced reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

I was so happy to receive an arc of this book as the premise of the story really pulled me in.

'Two lonely people, one note in the window. And what happens when they reach out'.

Lachlan, a soldier in the british army, is in rehab trying to strengthen his leg after ending up in a car accident but is struggling until he notices someone moving in to the flat opposite, and feels compelled to put a note in the window saying 'Hi'.

Single mum Bethan and her son have just moved into their new flat after living in a rough area. The story takes off when Bethan notices the note Lachlan has placed in his window and so the story goes - until they decide to meet up and both of them worry about how the other one will perceive them as neither one knows about the others struggles.

Such a down to heart book that really explores the realities of every day life - do we really know what other people are going through. The person at work, the person at the coffee shop you see every day with a smile on their face, the person you sit next to on the bus or the train - everybody is going through their own reality and nobody realises how much of a positive (or negative) impact your words or actions can have on somebody else.

The plot development was good and had all the feels of a typical budding romance book that had more depth when both peoples history was explored in more detail.

Definitely an enjoyable read that I whizzed through.

Gorgeous feel good romance between an injured soldier and a single mum who moves into the flat opposite.

They both have their struggles to overcome but Bethan's arrival brings sunshine into Lachlan's world just when he needs it most and he reaches out to her with a message in his window.

Bethan is equally captivated and their relationship develops cautiously as they continue to share messages, until a near tragedy when they finally meet leads to them both thinking all is lost. Their lives continue to fall apart around then and they are both on the brink of leaving, both believing the other person is not who they thought, when one last message reveals the truth of the situation.

Within pages, i knew this is the sort of book I needed. We meet Bethan who is just settling into her new life, She is aiming for better for herself and her little boy Noah as from what it seems they had it pretty tough and all she wants is happiness for him and a safe place to call home.

Lachlan is stuck at home recovering from an accident which could have a life-changing impact. He's lonely and almost seems to be wallowing when he glances out the window and sees some flowers that bring a little brightness into his day he posts a simple message asking what they are.

What follows is a lovely story of hope and brightness in those dark days as the pair exchange messages through the windows but what happens when they deicde to take the next step. A story of hope and light but also of those dark and desperate times. Beautifully written even down to the making of a cup of tea and eating toast. Every word bought the page to life for me and i was watching it all play out in my head.

The characters were flawed, strong willed and protective of their emotions so watching the pair discover a new side to themselves and discover each other was lovely. A lovely 5* read that brightened up my week.

Bethan is a single mom who is hard working and trying to make a good life for her and her son. Lachlan is recovering from an accident whilst in the army. They fid each other in te most heartwarming of ways which turns into a love story that almost never happens

I loved how the story of Bethan and Lochy starts with notes being exchanged. Such a cute idea! I enjoyed meeting Bert and Ernie. Little Noah was so sweet, too!

There was drama and tension, laughter and tears, and above all, feel-good romance. This is what I would hope from a Miranda Dickinson novel, and I wasn't disappointed!

What a romantic story, but full of twists and turns. As these two people begin to share very small pieces of themselves, their back stories are falling into place, and we realise why they struggle to commit. Slowly, they meet, but in another twist, they are thrown apart. Will their fears hold them back a second time?

How utterly compelling this story is, especially given how little time the two main characters spend together.

Told in alternating chapters between Lachlan and Bethan's stories, we are treated to a rather engaging story, of two interesting characters, who both are drawn to each other. But both have certain things in common, a demon of sorts to overcome, especially with how they are perceived and how others view them.

And the majority of their interaction are through notes written and put in their windows, as they live in apartments opposite each other. Both unexpectedly finding a friend when they are at their lowest ebbs.

I was invested in both characters stories, as different as they were, and I really enjoyed getting to know them both.

The individual journeys they both go on, over the course of the book were fascinating, and I really wasn't sure how things would turn out. It is one of those that could have gone either way, and I wasn't completely sure I'd get the ending I wanted, until perhaps a couple of chapters before the end. And wow Miranda puts her characters through the wringer a bit in this. Nothing is straightforward at all.

I also loved who was living in Lachlan and Bethan's apartments with them. On Lachlans side we have Bert and Ernie, a gorgeous cat and dog duo, who are a great double act just like their namesake. And on Bethan's we have her 3 year old son Noah, who is dragon mad and comes out with some great and amusing lines.

Just an all around fabulous story, that my only regret was having it on my kindle for over a year before I finally sat down to read it, as its brilliant.

Thank you to HQ and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

Unfortunately, this archived before I was able to download, therefore I was unable to read this. I have seen a lot of positive reviews though!

loved the lead up in this one! Lachlan...oh bless him, my heart went out to him and his struggles. I loved Bethan, she was such a strong character. It was such a brilliant story. I found it was so easy to read and very hard to put down. I absolutely loved it. Another amazing must read.

This has been sat on my netgalley shelf for the longest time. I'm so glad I finally picked it up.

Single mum Bethan Gwynne and Lachlan Wallace live across a hedge from each other. Both feel lonely as Bethan has just moved there, and Lachlan is recovering from a car accident, so he can't go out that much.
This story gives me '𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞' vibes. With this one, they are communicating via their windows until they eventually decide to meet by the cat size hole in the hedge.

This book is about love, trust, and fear. Also how love has a lot of healing power as they both met at a very lonely time in their lives.

Highly recommend

A novel that I thoroughly enjoyed! Okay some of the situations were a bit forced and had me rolling my eyes a bit but they didn't keep me from wanting to keep reading.

I think what I enjoyed most was the nervousness of each person while waiting for a reply from the other. I feel like it's something we can all relate to on some level.

The classic romance genre "misunderstanding" went on a little too long and felt too dragged out but all's well that ends well.

Also love the cat in the window. Made me want to have a neighbour whose cat I could spy on!

A fun and easy feel good read that had me wanting to keep turning the pages.

**Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an advance copy of this book. All opinions are my own.