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Miranda Dickinson
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The Start of Something: A heartwarming romance fiction novel from the Sunday Times bestseller of Take A Look At Me Now Kindle Edition

by Miranda Dickinson (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 out of 5 stars 1,773 ratings

‘A proper lovely romance, and a fabulous spirit-lifter’ Ruth Jones

‘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

‘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 and reviewers have fallen in love with The Start of Something:

‘Charming, quirky and properly romantic’ Mike Gayle, bestselling author of 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, bestselling author of The Sight of You

‘A story about love, fear, trust; this is a big warmhearted hug of a book’ Nina Pottell, Prima

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  1. Print length
    416 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    HQ
  4. Publication date
    3 Feb. 2022
  5. File size
    1.6 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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From the Publisher

TSOS
All My Love by Miranda Dickinson
Miranda Dickinson
The Day We Meet Again
Our Story
The Start of Something
All My Love
Things We Do For Love
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Customer Reviews
4.2 out of 5 stars 1,900
4.4 out of 5 stars 898
4.3 out of 5 stars 1,773
4.3 out of 5 stars 308
4.2 out of 5 stars 291
Price £2.99 £4.49 £1.99 £3.99 £2.99
'I adored every page’ Josie Silver 'Witty portrayal of modern love' HEAT ‘Wonderfully romantic’ Milly Johnson 'Stole my heart’ Sarah Morgan Could romance be waiting in the wings…?

Product description

Review

Praise for The Start of Something

‘A proper lovely romance, and a fabulous spirit-lifter’ Ruth Jones, Sunday Times bestselling author

‘Heart-warming and believable. This is Miranda Dickinson at her very best’ Sarah Morgan, Sunday Times bestselling author

‘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 – this is Miranda at her very best’ Milly Johnson, Sunday Times bestselling author

‘Miranda is such a big-hearted, generous writer, full of warmth and love’ Jenny Colgan, Sunday Times bestselling author

‘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, bestselling author of Half a World Away and All the Lonely People

‘The Start of Something is a truly heart-warming novel about hope, loneliness and the power of reaching out. Charming and romantic, Bethan and Lachlan's story will move anyone who's ever taken a chance on love. A magical read’ Holly Miller, bestselling author of The Sight of You

‘Charming, relatable and sweet – I was fully invested in the heartwarming love story of Bethan and Lachlan’ Laura Jane Williams, bestselling author of Our Stop

‘The Start of Something is the perfect story to remind us all to reconnect: insightful, clever, and with a gentle humour that left me wanting more. A beautiful summer read from Miranda Dickinson that will captivate and maybe even inspire you to reach out of your comfort zone’ Penny Parkes, author of Best Practice

‘A story about love, fear, trust; this is a big warmhearted hug of a book’ Nina Pottell, Prima

About the Author

Holly Williams is a journalist and worked for The Independent for six years. She has written for many publications including The New York Times, The FT, The Telegraph, The i newspaper, ELLE, and the BBC, as well as returning to The Independent to edit its arts section. She is currently a theatre critic for Time Out and The Mail on Sunday, and a book reviewer for The Observer and The TLS. She was born in Wales and currently lives in Sheffield. What Time Is Love? is her first novel.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08N5NVQ9L
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ HQ (3 Feb. 2022)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.6 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 416 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 0008485496
  • Customer reviews:
    4.3 out of 5 stars 1,773 ratings

About the author

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Miranda Dickinson

Miranda Dickinson

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Miranda Dickinson has always had a head full of stories. Born in Wolverhampton, in The Black Country, West Midlands, she grew up in Kingswinford and dreamed of one day writing a book that would reach the heady heights of Kingswinford Library... Her first novel, Fairytale of New York (2009) was discovered on Authonomy.com - HarperCollins' site for unpublished authors. Within three weeks of its release, Fairytale of New York had entered the Sunday Times Top Ten Bestsellers List, where it remained for five weeks - making it the world's first crowd-sourced bestseller. The novel was also shortlisted for the RNA's Romantic Novel of the Year Award 2010 at the Pure Passion Awards.

Miranda is a six-times Sunday Times Bestseller, with Fairytale of New York, Welcome to My World, It Started With a Kiss, When I Fall in Love, Take a Look at Me Now, I'll Take New York, A Parcel for Anna Browne and Searching for a Silver Lining, a Christmas novella, Christmas in St Ives, is a festive treat and prequel to her ninth novel, Somewhere Beyond the Sea. The Day We Meet Again has won critical acclaim and is much loved by readers, most recently publishing in the US and Canada, taking her words Stateside for the first time.

Miranda is an international bestseller in four countries and her books have been translated into sixteen languages. To date, she has sold one million books worldwide. Her latest book is Our Story, out now.

Miranda is the founder of WriteFoxy - resources, vlogs and inspiration writing days for writers of all ages and abilities. Her popular vlogs feature her own publishing journey for each new novel, together with advice for authors and lots and lots of hats!

Miranda lives in Dudley with her husband, Bob and daughter, Flo. She is also a singer-songwriter and recently released her first solo album, About Time.

Follow Miranda's vlog at www.youtube.com/mirandawurdy and visit her website: miranda-dickinson.com

You can also follow Miranda on Twitter @wurdsmyth, on Instagram @wurdsmyth and on Facebook: MirandaDickinsonAuthor

Photo copyright 2011 Bobwhite Photography

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
1,773 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this romance novel to be a cozy read with a lovely romantic storyline. The book is well-written and pleasant to read, with customers loving the characters.

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23 customers mention ‘Enjoyment’23 positive0 negative

Customers find the book thoroughly enjoyable, describing it as a great little cozy read.

"...i'd say that it's quite good if you're a beginner reader because it really helped me find my favourite style of writing/genre...." Read more

"...’s a slow burning romance novel without any graphic scenes so that scores highly and it has this community feel that I enjoy so much as well...." Read more

"A perfect, fictional tonic to remind us that looking for the positives - even when it’s hard to see through darkness - will put us on a better path..." Read more

"...I had the luxury of reading in one sitting which is just as well as I'm not sure I would have been able to put it down!..." Read more

17 customers mention ‘Storyline’17 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the storyline of this romance novel, describing it as sweet and lovely, with one customer noting its many twists and turns.

"...'ve not been able to get 'into' the book, but the way this story is written has me hooked :) i loved it so much, i'm left wanting more!!..." Read more

"...Overall The Start of Something was a sweet and lovely story, not completely unique or outstanding from the rest, and the romance isn’t overwhelming..." Read more

"...their feelings to each other, resulting in that warm, fuzzy happy ending that left me wanting to know more. Thank you for that Miranda!" Read more

"...You liked the characters as soon as they were introduced. The story is wonderful. I thoroughly enjoyed it." Read more

16 customers mention ‘Story quality’16 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's story well-written and pleasant to read, with one customer noting how the characters are invested from the beginning.

"...'re a beginner reader because it really helped me find my favourite style of writing/genre...." Read more

"...presence and they do play a significant part, which was often very relatable...." Read more

"A perfect, fictional tonic to remind us that looking for the positives - even when it’s hard to see through darkness - will put us on a better path..." Read more

"...I loved the characters and their individual stories as much as I enjoyed them getting to know each other...." Read more

11 customers mention ‘Character development’11 positive0 negative

Customers love the characters in the book.

"...I quickly warmed to the main characters and the very different challenges faced by them both...." Read more

"...I loved the characters and their individual stories as much as I enjoyed them getting to know each other...." Read more

"...written, all the little details, make it so real, I really liked both the main characters, and adored all the funny comments from Noah!..." Read more

"...off apprehensive with this book, but quickly saw the allure of the two main characters, the way they interacted, and their storylines which were..." Read more

A story of love and hope from the window across the way
4 out of 5 stars
A story of love and hope from the window across the way
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?
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Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • Sophia May
    5.0 out of 5 stars AMAZING
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 August 2023
    Verified Purchase
    i've always wanted to get into reading but i've not been able to get 'into' the book, but the way this story is written has me hooked :) i loved it so much, i'm left wanting more!! this is my favourite book of all time. i'd say that it's quite good if you're a beginner reader because it really helped me find my favourite style of writing/genre. the chapters aren't 'too long' or anything if you're the kind of person who is a 'read one chapter a time' reader :) i love this book with all my heart <3
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  • The Belgian Reviewer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Quite enjoyable
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 18 August 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Miranda Dickinson has already written over 20 books but The Start of Something is my first read by this author. It’s a slow burning romance novel without any graphic scenes so that scores highly and it has this community feel that I enjoy so much as well.

    Bethan and Lachlan are both people with some baggage, living in their own very small bubble. One day Lachlan reaches out with a message in the window and Bethan answers. I really enjoyed this back and forth and I was often wondering what they would write next to keep the conversation going. The banter about favorite cookies was fun but the deeper questions were definitely the best ones. It’s so great when you see characters that you like connecting with each other.

    Both Bethan and Lachlan hide something from each other because they want to be seen for who they are, their true selves. But it’s dangerous when you’re not honest from the start and it seems it might just backfire.

    The misunderstandings (the inevitable rift created in the romance) were a bit frustrating because it was such a trivial moment but I get that their fear of being judged hasn’t just vanished, and comes into play even when you’re not aware of it. I could only hope they would find a way back to each other. Another thing that was held off and went a bit too long for me was what had happened to Lachlan. He had an accident which resulted in a leg injury and it seems he’s hiding things there too but it isn’t till the near end that I finally had the full picture of what had happened on that fatal night. I so hoped he would gain full control of his leg again and this thread certainly kept me in suspense.

    I did love Bethan’s work at the Bright Hill nurseries (it took me a minute there to realize it’s a sort of garden centre and nothing to do with babies) and how the challenge to keep the shop afloat brings them all together (albeit one terrible person at the workplace, as per usual). The sense of community is heart-warming.

    Finally I can’t leave without commenting on the adorable addition of Bert and Ernie, Lachie’s dog and cat. I adored their presence and they do play a significant part, which was often very relatable. I also truly felt the love Lachie had for his pets so that made me like him even more.

    Overall The Start of Something was a sweet and lovely story, not completely unique or outstanding from the rest, and the romance isn’t overwhelming either, but still quite enjoyable nonetheless. A perfect read for those who enjoy Lucy Dillon and Beth O’Leary.
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  • Sally
    5.0 out of 5 stars A real pick-me-up.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 November 2022
    Verified Purchase
    A perfect, fictional tonic to remind us that looking for the positives - even when it’s hard to see through darkness - will put us on a better path as we try to move forward.
    I quickly warmed to the main characters and the very different challenges faced by them both. Most importantly, Bethan and Lachie found an old-fashioned, more healthy way to communicate their feelings to each other, resulting in that warm, fuzzy happy ending that left me wanting to know more. Thank you for that Miranda!
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  • Eden
    3.0 out of 5 stars Laborious.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 November 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I found this book to be extremely hard going and thought once or twice about calling it a day. The first half of the book is drawn out . The book could of been written on less than 300 pages instead of dragging it out to just under 400.
    I couldn't really understand why Bethan felt that Lachie would be that terribly offended if he found out she was a single mother, not in this day or age. That reason sounded so ridiculous.
    The book got a little interesting in the last 100 or so pages.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Vanessa Mc Grath
    5.0 out of 5 stars Another fabulous story
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 6 February 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I always look forward to a new release from Miranda and this was well worth the extra wait.I loved the characters and their individual stories as much as I enjoyed them getting to know each other. I had the luxury of reading in one sitting which is just as well as I'm not sure I would have been able to put it down! I'm off now to reread my favs while I wait for the next (",) Slightly jealous of those who have only discovered Miranda's books now - I highly recommend getting your hands on the rest & get set for some more fantastic reading time
    8 people found this helpful
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  • Sarah bytyqi
    4.0 out of 5 stars Something got me started
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 15 April 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Was an ok book,can be a book to get into and not put down.good read
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Love love love this!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 April 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I have really got into audio books recently, they are a fantastic way to switch off and relax, although I have never read Miranda Dickinson before, I downloaded The start of something based on reviews, and seriously! I just loved it, it's so amazingly written, all the little details, make it so real, I really liked both the main characters, and adored all the funny comments from Noah! Was sad to reach the end, I'm gonna miss those guys! But excited to work my way through all her other books, thank you Miranda X
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  • JJB500
    5.0 out of 5 stars A very special story
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 April 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I loved the premise of this book. Strangers leaving notes in a window. A glimmer of hope in this depressing world. A step away from technology and us all staring at our phones instead of seeing each other. The book did not disappoint. You liked the characters as soon as they were introduced. The story is wonderful. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Kindle Customer
    3.0 out of 5 stars Sweet story
    Reviewed in Australia on 13 April 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Such a lovely and sweet story. Love how the boy meets girl scenario is refreshingly different. Makes for a fun, heart warming story with also a few little plot twists.
    Report
  • Michelle
    3.0 out of 5 stars Very slow start
    Reviewed in Canada on 26 March 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I liked the characters of this book and the overall plot line. The story doesn't really pick up until you are about the 55% mark. I started and stopped the first half of this book a dozen times before I could stick with it all the way through.
    Report
  • iriejelry
    5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful story.
    Reviewed in the United States on 18 June 2023
    Verified Purchase
    This story resonates because we're all searching for that void to be filled. The main characters willingness to take a chance and go out on a limb was so encouraging.
    This was wonderfully written and wish it had gone on longer.
    Report
  • Mainer
    3.0 out of 5 stars Pleasant story
    Reviewed in the United States on 4 May 2022
    Verified Purchase
    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.
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  • k
    5.0 out of 5 stars Very English
    Reviewed in the United States on 25 February 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I Loved the real world approach to loneliness, life changing injuries and being left holding the bag of economic injustice.
    Report

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