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greads2's review against another edition
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
This was a sweet story with very loveable characters. It was a great audiobook.
nickymaund's review against another edition
4.0
I have to say that right from the start I was hooked on Bethan and Lachie’s story. Their individual story arcs and their moments ‘together’. I loved their vulnerabilities and their individual strengths. I also really enjoyed how the author was able to pull on her own experiences of isolation during the national lockdown as their feelings of loneliness and isolation (despite the fact that they had the freedom to leave their homes!) There’s some great supporting characters in this read too - I particularly enjoyed Bethan’s interactions with Patrick.
I thought that they were perfect for each other, but for me it felt that their relationship could have benefited from a bit more development so you can truly appreciate just how much they’ve come to mean to each other. But this was an enjoyable read. This was my first read by Dickinson - it won’t be my last!
I thought that they were perfect for each other, but for me it felt that their relationship could have benefited from a bit more development so you can truly appreciate just how much they’ve come to mean to each other. But this was an enjoyable read. This was my first read by Dickinson - it won’t be my last!
lauramanderson0710's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
3.75
totallybookeduk's review
4.0
After years of being fit and active in the army Lachlan (Lachie) is struggling being stuck at home following an accident. Battling personal demons he has his car (Ernie) and dog (Bert) for company around his physio sessions. Spotting that the flat opposite has someone new moving in.
Bethan has had a difficult few years and is still attempting to overcome the stigma and financial costs. Finally feeling as though she is making a positive change in her life with a new flat for her and her son Noah. Decorating the space to call home and spying a cate in the window opposite with a tattooed arm stroking it.
After a bad day, Lachlan makes a sign to place in his window asking about the flowers in Bethan's window. This starts off a quirky to and fro of messages containing questions, answers and flirtations. Something that brings a smile to each other's faces. Much needed on both sides as they battle against issues in their personal lives. As they arrange to meet by the hedge in between their flats, each is withholding secrets about their lives, fearing judgement.
Their friendship blossoms and they share daily messages and a weekly meet up by the hedge, However, a misunderstanding happens when they are finally forced to meet face to face causing them to stop all communication. Missing the support they had from each other is difficult and much needed as they go through some tough accusations and harsh realities. Have they let their connection go without fighting for it?
Bethan has had a difficult few years and is still attempting to overcome the stigma and financial costs. Finally feeling as though she is making a positive change in her life with a new flat for her and her son Noah. Decorating the space to call home and spying a cate in the window opposite with a tattooed arm stroking it.
After a bad day, Lachlan makes a sign to place in his window asking about the flowers in Bethan's window. This starts off a quirky to and fro of messages containing questions, answers and flirtations. Something that brings a smile to each other's faces. Much needed on both sides as they battle against issues in their personal lives. As they arrange to meet by the hedge in between their flats, each is withholding secrets about their lives, fearing judgement.
Their friendship blossoms and they share daily messages and a weekly meet up by the hedge, However, a misunderstanding happens when they are finally forced to meet face to face causing them to stop all communication. Missing the support they had from each other is difficult and much needed as they go through some tough accusations and harsh realities. Have they let their connection go without fighting for it?
kirstyreviewsbooks's review
4.0
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
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
bookshappythoughts's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
𝕋𝕙𝕖 𝕊𝕥𝕒𝕣𝕥 𝕠𝕗 𝕊𝕠𝕞𝕖𝕥𝕙𝕚𝕟𝕘🎧
By Miranda Dickinson
Aw, I really enjoyed listening to this book.
It was such a sweet read.
Bethan is a single mum with a three year old son called Noah. They have recently moved into a new flat to start afresh and make life a little better for themselves.
Bethan has a job in the local garden centre and she is always finding the positive in the little things so when she pops a vase of flowers 💐 on her windowsil and she receives a written note in the window across the hedge in the building over the way asking
"What are the flowers called?" Little does she know that this is the start of a new relationship!
Lochaline is stuck in his flat, recovering from a serious injury after being involved in a car accident. He lives with his dog and cat Bert and Ernie, he is doing his best to stay positive and build his strength so when he spots the gorgeous flowers in the opposite window he just has to ask what they are?
Here, the relationship with Bethan begins to bloom!
It is a lovely story full of love, strength, compassion, and acceptance!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me! 🤓
By Miranda Dickinson
Aw, I really enjoyed listening to this book.
It was such a sweet read.
Bethan is a single mum with a three year old son called Noah. They have recently moved into a new flat to start afresh and make life a little better for themselves.
Bethan has a job in the local garden centre and she is always finding the positive in the little things so when she pops a vase of flowers 💐 on her windowsil and she receives a written note in the window across the hedge in the building over the way asking
"What are the flowers called?" Little does she know that this is the start of a new relationship!
Lochaline is stuck in his flat, recovering from a serious injury after being involved in a car accident. He lives with his dog and cat Bert and Ernie, he is doing his best to stay positive and build his strength so when he spots the gorgeous flowers in the opposite window he just has to ask what they are?
Here, the relationship with Bethan begins to bloom!
It is a lovely story full of love, strength, compassion, and acceptance!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me! 🤓
vanessa_issa's review against another edition
3.0
A fofura desse livroooo! Eles se apaixonam trocando mensagens escritas pela janela. E não é uma história sobre a pandemia. O Lachlan é um militar que sofreu um acidente e está fazendo fisioterapia e se recuperando em casa. A Bethan é uma mãe solteira, que se mudou recentemente com o filho e está tentando recomeçar sua vida. Ela é apaixonada por plantas, trabalha com isso, mas está longe de se sentir com a vida perfeita. Sentindo-se solitários, eles começam a se observar de longe e a trocar mensagens. Porém, ambos guardam segredos que têm medo de revelar.
É um romance muito gostosinho de ler. As mensagens entre eles são meio bobinhas, mas a gente se pega torcendo e esperando pela próxima. Tudo demora muito pra acontecer, então não espere por grandes cenas de amor. Tiveram momentos em que ambos me deixaram irritada, mas entendo os motivos deles. Depois de tantos traumas, não é tão simples se abrir novamente para novas experiências. Imaginei que algumas coisas seriam diferentes, mas, no geral, gostei sim.
É um romance muito gostosinho de ler. As mensagens entre eles são meio bobinhas, mas a gente se pega torcendo e esperando pela próxima. Tudo demora muito pra acontecer, então não espere por grandes cenas de amor. Tiveram momentos em que ambos me deixaram irritada, mas entendo os motivos deles. Depois de tantos traumas, não é tão simples se abrir novamente para novas experiências. Imaginei que algumas coisas seriam diferentes, mas, no geral, gostei sim.
moomints's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.25
swiftevermorereader's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
annebrooke's review
3.0
This is a strange one - I really loved the two characters here and thought both their individual stories were very interesting indeed. At one point - when Lachlan realises how much his family really do care for him - I even cried in a good way! However, I'm afraid the romance between Bethan and Lachlan is really terrible - it's embarrassingly twee, HIGHLY unlikely (meeting up by a hole in a hedge and never actually seeing one another but still falling deeply in love?!? REALLY??) and just totally unbelievable. It would have been a really fabulous book without the romance, in my view. Sadly, as it is, it just doesn't work.