The Start of Something by Miranda Dickinson published by HQ Books

Lachlan Wallace is stuck at home after a car accident stalled his army career. With months of physiotherapy still to endure and only Bert & Ernie, his 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…WHAT ARE THOSE FLOWERS CALLED?

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 is the first book of Miranda’s that I have read, and it was quite enjoyable. I felt I could engage with the characters, although at times they really frustrated me as well!!

I did question why in this day and age, the two characters didn’t text or What’s App each other after a while and so the “notes” in the window became a bit laborious after a while. I know that there were reasons why they didn’t want to meet up sooner but hiding behind a hedge and chatting was a bit far-fetched for me.

With every love story, there is always an element of jeopardy where someone misinterprets a situation (usually seeing their love interest in the pub with another man/woman who turns out to be the brother/sister/cousin/friend) but this situation was so limp it was like a wet paper bag – that part of the story I felt could have been stronger.

Both characters had a back story which when you get into is brilliant, and I loved that part of the book and wish we had got into it sooner.

I will look out for more books by this author.

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