Is it one message in the window, or the start of something special?

I expected (and needed) an uplifting romance, with realistic relatable characters and a meet-cute with a difference - which is exactly what I got! The notes in the window were a sweet addition to this story and the side characters were as wonderful (shout out to Patrick and the team at Bright Hill Garden centre) as the villain was cunning. I loved that Bethan’s position as a single mother and Lachlan’s injury were handled with care, whilst really revealing a lot of the ups and downsides of their respective struggles. Bethan and Lachlan’s journey is well worth a read for any romance lovers and I’d really recommend it to anyone needing a boost right now! Also the narrators were sensational, completely brought the characters to life - so a double recommend for the audio version.

Huge thanks to the author, Miranda Dickinson, and publisher, HQ, for this advance review copy. Views my own. 5*

Beautiful Beautiful Beautiful.
I loved this book so much. The characters are great, entertaining and funny and the story is just so relatable. Thoroughly enjoyed.

I have never read this author before. I had the audiobook and I really enjoyed it. The voices of the narrators were great and pronounced Welsh words I couldn’t even attempt to read on paper.

The story was a little slow in parts but maybe that’s because I wanted more detail on Bethan and Lachi. In these parts I did find Lachi’s story more interesting.

I will definitely read this author again.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

I listened to the audio version of the book and liked the narration; both characters were engaging and well paced, and definitely kept me listening when my interest in the plot waned slightly.

It's a cute story, with an angle that I hadn't come across before. Bethan and Lachie leave notes for each other at their windows; from asking for suggestions to what to watch on tv, to asking about Lachie's pets. I liked the nervous anticipation that each of them felt as they engage with each other, but this did seem to drag on a bit too long. I couldn't understand why neither decided to pick up the phone, or use social media. I think this is why the miscommunication between them fell a little flat for me.

The relationship that does develop between the pair is comforting and lovely to listen to, but lacked a spark that would have made me feel more invested in their journey.

My thanks go to the publishers and Net Galley for the advanced copy in return for an honest review.

I enjoyed this story of Lockie and Bethan, with their own problems and preconceptions of other peoples opinions. What started as a simple message in a window, led to a thrilling window, remote relationship. Fear of being judged keeps the two apart for a while, but when they meet, it’s as good as they had hoped.
A great little romantic story
Thanks to #NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook in exchange for an honest review

This is a nice light read with no smut. Beth and Lauchlan are both likeable, kind characters and I liked the inclusion of Lauchlan's pets, Burt and Ernie, which added a cuteness to the story; but the plot isn't anything amazing and there is nothing to particularly set it apart from other romance books. I liked the premise of the letters in the window, but felt it dragged on a little and I wasn't a fan of the miscommunication/misunderstanding which was infuriating. I think it's unrealistic that Lauchlan and Beth decide to carry on with the letters in the window after meeting - more believable would be that they exchange phone numbers and text! I also can't believe that they ask nothing personal in their exchanges and there was no mention of Social Media which is also a bit unrealistic with the age of the Characters. The romance itself didn't feel like there was much of a build up emotionally (more of an insta-love scenario) - and because of this, I really can't understand how the two main characters fell in love - but they were cute enough and I really liked the Narrators of the audio book who portrayed them.

Many thanks to NetGallery and HarperCollins UK Audio for approving my request to get an advance copy of the book.

Such a good book, I read a similar book last year about messages in windows and I adored it - this book falls into that category too.

The audiobook version is really good too, a little odd hearing the messages read out but overall the performances are really good and the voices fit well with the characters and the story.

I really enjoyed this book and loved the fact that one of the characters was a single mum that was being awesome and progressing on her own grit! If you want a sweet romance (with external drama and maddening misunderstanding) this book is for you!

I enjoyed this. The pace was a little slower than I expected, and the ending was a bit tamer than I would have liked, but that's just a personal preference thing. The story itself is solid, and well told. I loved the female narrator in particular.

This is a sweet and clean romance (there are no profanities throughout the book either) but it is quite insta-lovey.

I also felt the characters were a little flat. Bethan's main characteristic was being Welsh, and Lachie's that he had been in the military. Their stories aren't really developed past this enough for me to enjoy the book as much as I wanted to.

The ubiquituoius third act break up wasn't really that well done for me, I felt it was quite immature and rather unnecessary.

But, I did love seeing a character who has a physical hinderance, and uses a mobility aid.

This romance was a light read which I managed to finish in a day. I enjoyed the alternate pov's as we got to see the main characters thoughts and daily struggles. Bethan documents her struggles as a single mum balancing her job whilst Lachlan is coming to terms with his newly found disability. I got 'you belong with me' vibes from the story.
The book did take a while to get into it and there were some parts which dragged on for longer than they needed to, making it become cringy (e.g. the biscuit conversation). The book includes the miscommunication trope which isn't my favourite and got frustrating. Also Darren is also an asshole, and it was infuriating to hear him speak.
I listened to the audiobook and found the different readers engaging.

This is a review for the audiobook.

Bethan and Loki live in flats facing each other and they’re both struggling with their own problems, Bethan is a single mum who is used to being judge and whose previous partner has left with huge debts. Loki is recovering from a car accident in which his leg was badly damaged. One day Loki puts a message in his window for Bethan and they start exchanging messages to each other and getting closer.

Both narrators have great voices and a wonderful way of narrating this lovely romantic story. Highly recommend a listen or a read to any fans of a romantic book.

Thank you to to NetGalley and HarperCollins for letting me listen to this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

To be honest, if I wasn’t listening to this for NetGalley I’d have DNF’d and not written a review.
Zero chemistry between the main characters and this was the same for the kindle and the audiobook. I did not care about nor believe their ‘romance’. Hopefully I’m the minority and others feel differently.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publishers via NetGalley. Clearly these opinions are my own.

Such a wonderfully romantic story about the healing powers of love. Gentle and romantic, a wonderful salve for the soul, it is a charming joy to listen to. The narration has good pace and flow,and the narrators voices seemed right for the characters they were portraying. I listened to this as an audio book.

The Start of Something by Miranda Dickinson

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK and I am leaving this review voluntarily

Lachlan Wallace is stuck at home after a car accident stalled his army career. With months of physiotherapy still to endure and only his rescue dog and cat for company, he’s taken to gazing out of the window, watching the world spin on without him. And then he notices a vase of flowers on the windowsill of the apartment opposite his. Drawn to their hope and colour, he decides to reach out and sticks a message in his window…

Bethan Gwynne is a stranger in a new town. Bringing up her son Noah by herself, she is slowly rebuilding her life, but loneliness is one obstacle she has yet to overcome. She’s intrigued by a glimpse of her neighbour in the apartment across from hers – and then, one evening, she sees a message in his window just for her:

This was such a great idea for a book, a sweet and emotional story. It was a nice concept to be introduced to the characters in the forms of notes left in the window. A cute and easy romance to read.

Rating 4/5

In neighbouring blocks of flats, two individuals reach out in the hope of making some connection to the world.

Following a car accident, Army educator Lachlan Wallace is stuck in his home with just his dog, Bert, and cat, Ernie, for company, and visits from his physiotherapist, Tanya, to break up the monotony of his new day-to-day life. Looking out of the window, he sees a woman moving into the flat opposite.

That woman is Bethan Gwynne. She's finally got herself and her three-year-old son, Noah, out of the hovel bedsits, thanks to her job at the plant nursery, and into a beautiful flat, providing the safety and security they both need. After placing a vase of flowers on her windowsill, she sees a message taped to the window of the flat opposite:
What are those flowers called?

Both needing the interaction more than they realise, they dive head-first into an exchange of window messages, but they each fear what will happen when the other learns the full story of who they are.

There's a reason that a story is written the way it is- there will be a payoff. Granted, the journey can sometimes be convoluted or frustrating but have faith in the process. This book does exactly that, namely in chapters 40 & 41. Up until that point, the reasons for Bethan and Lachlan's wish to hide aspects of their lives can be a little grating. I found I empathised with Lachlan's wish to not be judged by his injury more than Bethan's wish, just for once, not to be judged for being a single mother, however, this is merely personal preference.

The culmination as to this causing the relationship conflict is beautifully awful. It's an absolute car crash of a moment, one that, yes, could be so easily solved with a two-minute chat but that, by this point, you fully understand and sympathise with. It's a bit of a way to get there but it collided so spectacularly that I was shouting at the dashboard of my car as I listened (listening whilst driving!). It's painful, only made worse by the fundamental understanding of the origins and complexities of that pain. Also, after this, it all becomes rather bleak so buckle up for some trauma.

It isn't insta-love but it is gushy, which can be a feature of the aforementioned trope. This is seen in the 'I love you' declarations in their inner monologues; it's cute, don't get me wrong, but a little rushed. Yet, that's also what endears this story- the fluffiness of it. The numerous conversations about biscuits and TV programmes feel very British, although the biscuit chat does perhaps go on a bit. I think Bethan describes their want for connection, more than a romantic relationship, well (even with her repetitive use of 'friend' which made her seem infantile):
'I don't need looking after but I'd like to matter to someone' (29%).

As it's a key theme, it seems the topic of injury (Lachlan) warrants a mention. On the whole, this depiction is respectful and calm without being overly sweet or motivational. It sums up the experience clearly for the reader, such as during Lachlan's time looking at other patients in the hospital waiting room:
'We exchange brief smiles and grimaces when our eyes meet, followed by swift, downward glances at our phones or books because while we may all be in the same boat, none of us volunteer to be in it' (45%).

Saying this, however, around the 58% mark, it's clear that the character of Lachlan is someone who hasn't had injury or disability in his life before his accident. Thus, the idea that someone can effortlessly/naturally accommodate you is surprising if you haven't come to expect it. However, if you have experience of disability or similar limitations, it's can be frustrating to see someone view themselves and those around them so consistently and defiantly in such a negative light.

This is a point to recognise the differences in other people's experiences versus your own; I imagine many also share his experience. This is represented in his family. They are just people trying their best to connect to their loved one, despite how difficult that person is making it. As a result, they come across as pushy and presumptuous even though they are well-meaning and caring. A text from his sister, Sally, perfectly encapsulates this, in a way that anyone would love to hear:
'A reminder you are loved, even if you don't want to be.' (91%)

Throughout listening to this audiobook, I found I had widely different opinions of the narrators. Simon Pothercary as Lachlan sounds (perhaps as a result of the accent) like Hugh Grant, specifically in his Notting Hill days, though with a dash of Ben Whishaw and/or Sam Claflin (maybe just because of the Me Before You comparison) thrown into the mix. Claire Morgan as Bethan has a naturally cheery voice, one that is fab for the character, perfectly matching her determination to take whatever is thrown at her and maintain a bright outlook for Noah, but that isn't as poignant when detailing the hardships of her past. It's a good example of the distinction between performing the story and reading it aloud.

Furthering this, I was livid at the 50% mark to hear that the first (and all subsequent) face-to-face conversations between Bethan and Lachlan are not voiced by the appropriate actor. For example, Pothercary puts on a Welsh accent for Lachlan's conversations with Bethan, rather than Morgan voicing her lines. It works from a narration viewpoint, but, especially by the halfway point, the characters are well-established but much of this is lost when the voice changes. It seems like an unusual choice to make but both of these performers deserve acknowledgement for their pronunciation of Welsh terms, including Llanfairpwll-gwyngyllgogerychwyrndrob-wllllantysiliogogogoch.

I recommend an interest in plants and/or gardening to truly enjoy this one. The audiobook is very helpful for the pronunciation of all of the flower names.

Also, for anyone who needs to know now, the flowers are ranunculus, a sub-species of buttercup.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to review this book in return for an honest review.

Another first with another author that didn’t disappoint at all. A really cute, touching, heartwarming story, of two slightly broken people who together make a whole.

I loved Lachlan’s character, a kind loving caring friend even when friends don’t deserve it. A hardworking man lost along the way due to injury.

Bethan, made me smile from the opening line, a lovely soul, a mum working hard to pay off the past and raise her little boy.

Their love story warmed and infuriated me equally, infuriating because I was rooting for them for what felt like forever.

A lovely lovely novel that I’d thoroughly recommend

Narration :
I think that both narrators were well chosen, I loved to hear the Welsh accent spoken as it should and the male voice was chosen well as it was easy to listen to and spoken well. No complaints here on that front.

Book:
This was such a sweet book, I loved the whole passing notes from the window idea and the relationship that built up around this. The twist was well written and I was heartbroken, about 10% left of the book and I swear I would have chucked my phone if it didn't end the way it did.

Very much enjoyed this, thank you!

This was a romantic read. Very romantic. Maybe even a little to much couse I can not belive someone would put notes on the window for so long and all. But was anyway pleasant jut not realistic. A sinhle mum and a man recovering from the accident, with adorable animals.it was nice to get both point of view. Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Coolins Uk audio.

I listened to this book on Audio after I’d read the book and I loved it. The narrators really helped to tell the story and give great visuals.

I enjoyed the story, it was a little slow in parts but a great romance and easy to listen to on the morning commute

I enjoyed parts of this story of two people, finding comfort through an initial connection through window messages, although I did immediately see several similarities to Kathryn Freeman's 'Mr Right Across The Street'. What I particularly enjoyed, was the way both Bethan and Lachlan (Lachie) were there at each other's lowest moments, and as such, it started as a slow-burning soulmates tale.

I did find the pacing very slow at times, with far too much time spent talking about horticulture and the garden centre. While I appreciate that it was part of a secondary plot, it did seem to drag at times, and I saw the 'twist' a mile off. However, the moments between Lachie and Bethan were much more enjoyable. I found Lachie's realisation about the way people around him didn't listen to him very moving. I also thought his post-accident mental health struggles and the subsequent emergence of his PTSD were well written. Likewise, I liked Bethan, and could empathise with her as a single parent. What I didn't enjoy was the forced miscommunication and how long it took them to actually meet (when you're nearly 200 pages in and they've only just seen each other's faces through a window, in 2022?) Then, when they finally did, it went from too slow to too fast and left me spinning.

As a cat parent, I loved the comedic moments between Bert and Ernie as they faced off with one another. The author managed to convey a lot of feline and canine traits in these passages.

Overall I liked the main characters but found it an overlong and dragged out story.

I did enjoy the voice actors, Claire Morgan and Simon Pothecary. I thought both voices fitted the respective characters of Bethan and Lachie well, and thought they conveyed the emotions of the story well.

*Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to give an honest review*

Overall Rating: ❤❤❤
Heat Rating: 🔥
Emotional Rating: 💓😢