The Start of Something

Written by Miranda Dickinson

Narrated by Claire Morgan and Simon Pothecary

Miranda is such a big-hearted, generous writer, full of warmth and love” Jenny Colgan

* * *

Two lonely people.
One note in the window.
And what happens when they reach out…

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:

WHAT ARE THOSE FLOWERS CALLED?

And so begins a love story of two people reaching out, daring to trust a stranger…

* * *
Authors have fallen in love with The Start of Something:

“Heart-warming and believable. This is Miranda Dickinson at her very best” Sarah Morgan

“The Start of Something is a wonderfully romantic story about the healing powers of love. Gentle and romantic, a wonderful salve for the soul, it is a charming joy of a read” Milly Johnson

“Charming, quirky and properly romantic, The Start of Something is a wonderful engaging story of love, the blossoming of hope and the power of a good pack of felt-tipped pens! Perfect” Mike Gayle, All The Lonely People

“A truly heart-warming novel about hope, loneliness and the power of reaching out. Bethan and Lachlan's story will move anyone who's ever taken a chance on love. A magical read” Holly Miller, The Sight of You

“Charming, relatable and sweet – I was fully invested in the heartwarming love story of Bethan and Lachlan” Laura Jane Williams, Our Stop

“A proper lovely romance, and a fabulous spirit-lifter” Ruth Jones, Never Greener

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
• Release date: Feb 3, 2022
• ISBN: 9780008485511

Miranda Dickinson

MirandaDickinson is the author of thirteen books, including six Sunday Times bestsellers. Her books have been translated into ten languages, selling over a million copies worldwide. She has been shortlisted for the RNA Novel of the Year and Contemporary Novel of the Year awards and is the winner of the 26 Project Writer award. Miranda lives in The Black Country with her husband and daughter.

Reviews for The Start of Something

[SerendipityReads · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

MAAAAAAAN. I was really looking forward to this one! It had so many elements I love: Single mom. Broken hero. Pets with adorable names. Beginning of the relationship carried out through the exchange of messages (with an EXTRA charming twist in this particular story)....

And at first I was ALL IN, waving a blythly dismissive hand at every strain on my incredulity....

But the longer it went on, the less I cared about the dramas surrounding our charming hero and heroine, or the cliche', contrived, "why don't they just TALK to each other?!" controversy that developed between the two of them.

By the end of the book, I just found myself glad that it was over....while simultaneously missing the beginning of the book, and the simplicity and sweet excitement of their messages in the windows.

The writing was good. I'll definitely try other books by this author; this one just didn't do it for me.

The narration was good as well.
Overall I'd give this a 3.5 if I could.

[n.w.moors-1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Lachie is recovering from a bad car accident while Bethan is a single mom with a young son. Their apartments are across from each other and one day Lachie puts a note in his window asking about Bethan's flowers. The notes continue back and forth until they finally meet face-to-face. Both are hiding secrets from each other, but are lonely and need a friend.I really liked the first part of this book with the window notes and getting to know both Bethan and Lachie. Once they meet, the book went downhill for me some. I dislike instalove and these two go from superficial remarks to "I love you" pretty fast while afraid to tell the other about their secrets. And I really didn't get why the secrets were such a big deal. Why anyone would care about Bethan being a single mother in this day and age seemed silly, at least that she would let it loom over her so much. Lachie's accident was, despite what he told the investigators, an accident, and while he didn't come out of it exactly covered in glory, it isn't something to be ashamed of. He must have seen Army buddies who came out of a war with as severe injuries.So, the ending didn't work for me as well though I like my HEAs. This is still a pleasant read, and I love stories set in Yorkshire any road.