It's not often we see a novel set in the Brummie area (Birmingham) of England and now I don't understand why it hasn't really been done on this scale before. It's nice to see a story based in the midlands, rather than it being London-centric or Americentric. These are working-class and middle-class characters mixing not because of what they have in their pocket, but rather what intelligence and go-getting attitude that they all possess. Maybe now people will come to realise that the midlands is not Area 51 or something stupid and along those lines, which makes me happy to see.

Otty is a new-starter writer who has just been given the opportunity to write for a well-known show-runner, Russell Styles who has fired many other writers in the past, just because he believed that they were not good enough. But Otty is different from the rest, due to her working-class background and her cest for making every piece just as risk-worthy as the last, rather than safe and easy. But she hasn't been without struggles. With nearly selling her soul to write, it seems like there are still some people who would rather keep her back rather than see her talent for her passion.

But it seems like Otty however, has landed on a sour patch when she is told she has to vacate her residence at a moments notice. This does not help with the fact that she is due to start the writing job of her dreams at Ensign. Although, all is not lost, when it seems the other protagonist, Joe, is in similar circumstances to her own. The only difference is that he now has a room free and not enough money to be able to pay for the rent.

I think that if you have a lot of time to invest, this book can be seen as being a slow-burner. Not like there is anything wrong about any of that because there isn't. I have seen quite a few reviews from people not really liking the idea of the will-they or won't-they. But isn't this a part of real life anyway? It doesn't even make a ounce of sense to make someone simply fall-in-love after one specific encounter. Sometimes it just can't happen. Personalities are different and situations make us all villains in our own story. Maybe this is what makes the book more interesting to read? Love is not something that is just handed to you. You have to get it first and then work at it and even though it can just as easily slip through your fingers. That is what makes it the exciting part; the leap of faith into the unknown.

There are some occasions which the plot reminds me of a certain rom-com (Made of Honor) even though there are many major differences in the storyline itself. So, if you have already watched that film and liked some of the elements to it, maybe this would be the book for you. In general it felt very reminiscent of a rom-com and how the certain tropes would seem to pan out throughout. But somehow I didn't mind this. It seemed to be well-thought out and was interesting in terms of how it would work in a setting such as a writing office. Knowing full well that these are some people who would not be strangers to writing the next trope for their production.

Would I recommend this to other readers? Yes I would, but only those who have a willingness for patience and are used to this type of writing. On the whole, I have given on this occasion four stars.

A great read! Perfect for a beach holiday or just taking your mind of life as it is at the moment. Our heroine Otty has just landed the job of her dreams but has found herself homeless, the hero of the story needs a flatmate and coincidentally works on the writing team Otty has just started working with. He's not working at his best, she is the new blood in the team that gets him writing so much better again. So...will they? Won't they? They work well together, they live together and all the stars seem aligned. You need to read on to find out all the reasons why not but you just find yourself caring so much for them both that you want a happy ending. Lovely, lovely story!

Thank you to NetGalley and HQ for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review

I love Miranda Dickinson books and was really excited to receive an ARC through Netgalley. In this one we meet Otty, hired as a new scriptwriter by Birmingham based Ensign Media, and Joe, the slightly jaded experienced writer on the same team. A fortunate coincidence means that Joe needs a housemate on the same day as Otty is evicted by her unscrupulous landlord and so a connection between the two is formed. When they are then paired together by their high pressure boss everything hangs on them managing their increasingly tangled relationship.
This was an interesting insight into the high pressure world of TV scriptwriting and I loved the changing power balance between the two as experience and 'a fresh eye' jostle in their relationship. I loved their relationship but wasn't always convinced by the chemistry between them even though we see things through both their perspectives. It was also great to explore Otty's complicated situation with her dad, Sheila and Creepy Chris, her ex-fiance. However, what I really did welcome was Miranda Dickinson, as a local girl, returning to Birmingham as a setting. I loved the fact that I knew exactly where she was describing and the scenes set at Edgbaston Cricket Ground were particularly welcome. Overall a great read.

This is my first book by this author. Delightful story, beautifully told by someone who rearranges the letters of the alphabet with both style and aplomb.
Otty and Joe's story set in and around writing for TV, something I know little about, made it all the more enjoyable.

Since reading ‘Come Together’ by husband and wife team Emlyn Rees and Josie Lloyd many years ago, this his and hers narrative has been one of my favourites. I find the way two people, particularly of different sexes, can interpret the same event so differently absolutely fascinating.

Slightly disappointingly though was the mismatch between the two characters development. Whilst, the author really explored Otty’s character and back story, sadly the same couldn’t be said of the male lead, Joe.

I really enjoyed the writing style and the quick-paced, sharp dialogue of each chapter. I also loved the setting of the writer’s room which not only provided an interesting insight into professional writing but also a highly-pressurised backdrop for the story. And, it was both of these elements that managed to keep my interest in what was otherwise quite a long, samey will they/won’t they storyline.

I don’t think it’s a plot spoiler to say that the whole story was leading to the two characters getting together or not. But, then disappointingly I found the ending a bit abrupt especially after the lengthy long build-up.

So, overall this was a nice, light-hearted contemporary romance with a great setting and smart writing. Not a must-read but perfect escapism nonetheless.

This was an engrossing story of love, friendship and the beauty of writing!
It was an easy, at times predictable read - but one that kept me turning the page due to the lovely characters and the excitement of having an insight into seeing how a tv show is formed.

Otty and Joe were lovely main characters (if a little infuriating at times) and I was invested in their story from start to finish. I liked the complicated family dynamics of Otty's family, but did feel like Joe was not given the same attention, and I wanted to know more of Joe's background. Their chemistry was palpable in all settings of the book, and made it heart wrenching to see certain events unfold.
I loved the setting of the story; in a writers room producing a new tv show. This was an exciting addition to the love story that I felt utterly absorbed in, and made it a real page turner!

I was a bit underwhelmed with the ending though, it did feel a little abrupt and I found myself looking hopefully for an epilogue to give me more information and closure - partially because I loved the characters so much and felt like I needed to know more of their ending.

This book is the perfect escapism for those who love a lighthearted romance. I will definitely be reading more of Miranda Dickinson's books.

I really enjoyed the relaxed writing style of this book. The characters of Joe and Otty were both likeable and relatable and the setting of a team of script writers trying to make the next big thing was so unique. I loved all the modern descriptions of Birmingham and the references to the new developments and I just found myself getting really drawn in to quite a believable plot.

It’s the first book I have read from this author and I would definitely be interested in reading more.

I am a huge Miranda Dickinson fan she is one of my top 5 authors whose books even if I have been lucky enough to be sent a review copy I still go out and by the finish copy because she is such an amazing and accomplished writer. I look forward to her releases every year and constantly find myself recommend her books to other readers.

Unfortunately Our Story surprisingly didn’t appeal to me and I struggled to read this one. I missed the love and warmth of Miranda’s storytelling and I didn’t find the characters likeable or the storyline engaging and it lacked the normal depth her storylines have that leave a mark on your heart.

I just feel this one wasn’t for me but I will still be waiting eagerly for her next book because she is a wonderful writer.

Having read ‘The Day We Meet Again’ and thoroughly enjoying it I was really excited to read the latest offering by Miranda Dickinson.

‘Our Story’ tells the story of Otty who has taken the leap and got the job of her dreams. Ready to embrace her new challenge she finds herself evicted the night before she starts her job. Step into the scene Joe, one of her new colleagues who has just found himself in dire need of a replacement housemate. Otty moving in seems the perfect solution.

The story is a little bit predictable as, without giving any spoilers away, it seems obvious from the start what is going to happen. The story does stall in a few places where I feel my interest waned a little but it is still an enjoyable easy read. After all every now and again we need a little bit of predicability don’t we?

Although I may not have enjoyed it as much as her previous book I still enjoy Miranda’s style of writing and look forward to her next book already.

Thank you for NetGalley and HQ/Harper Collins for the advance copy.

Having read Miranda Dickinson before I requested this book on that evidence.
The setting, a scriptwriters office , and scriptwriters as characters was refreshingly appealing and offered a different perspective to a Rom Com.
Birmingham is a city I know well so it was interesting to identify certain places and the visualisation was enjoyable and made the settings more real.
Unfortunately, there was to many elements that let this story done.
Getting pass the title( surely it could have been more original especially considering the contents subject matter), the idea that the two protagonists wanted/needed a flatmate on the very same day was too contrived.
Otty and Joe's ' voices' were interchangeable so I had to go back repeatedly to see who's narrative it was.
Otty's rise from complete novice to no 1 star was incredulous
The introduction of Fraser and the resulting story was telegraphed and the comic banter between Ottie and Joe, laboured. The misunderstandings were repetitive and frustrating and the ending to though entirely predictable, was very abrupt. Disappointing.

Sorry this book wasn't for me, very hard to get into the story line, couldn't get on with the characters and I didn't like the ending.

Thank you to Netgalley and HQ Digital for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

Joe is stuck with his writing and wakes up one morning to a post it note saying his housemate has moved out, and the rent is due next week. Otty has been given notice to move out the day before she starts her new dream job.
This is a fantastic modern love story, of Otty and Joe. It is fascinating, absorbing and really addictive to follow these two on their journey together. A very different and realistic love story, which is focused on the two of them and the story of their relationship.
Just brilliant.
Highly recommended, as are all of Miranda Dickenson's books!

I enjoyed this book in part, at times it was fast paced in the world of scriptwriters but others a bit too slow and exasperating. A romance with more than it's fair share of will they, won't they and many twists and turns along the way. The main characters, Ottilie and Joe, were somewhat annoying with the usual round of misunderstanding, failure to communicate and not listening. The end was a tad unsatisfactory but maybe that's the script writing element coming through leaving the reader wanting the next bit but at least it wasn't a cosy cloying finish. Probably more a 3.5

Oh, how I loved this book!

It was perfection on the page and a most enjoyable story, hooking me in from the very first page and endearing the central characters to my heart and mind.

I read this book over a couple of days and found myself thinking about what might happen next in between reading sessions. I really enjoyed the story being told by way of alternate chapters from the two main characters, Otty and Joe, which really helped convey the highs and lows of unfolding events. There was also a fantastic cast of support characters in the form of Otty's dad, friends and work colleagues. The descriptions of the house, workplace and other locations was spot on and I found it very easy to visualise the surroundings as Otty and Joe's story unfolded.

I learned a lot about the exciting world of a script writer and found myself wondering if the author had, herself, worked in this profession, so detailed were the scenarios.

This is definitely a book I would recommend and it is crying out to be adapted for a fantastic TV series (please!)

I feel I won’t do this book the justice it deserves. It’s my number one read of 2020, so far. I don’t know if it’s because I’m a sucker for a love story and with the current climate I needed something to raise my spirits but this had everything. Pure genius, never read anything like it, it’s more than boys meets girl, they fall in love, the end. It’s modern & has you on the edge of your seat, tantalising, taunting. Please, please, please give us a sequel!!

I enjoyed this story however I honestly wouldn't recommend it to anyone due to the ending. I'm all for a long build up and a will they won't they, but when I've been reading for several hours and it's finally got to the ending, don't end it with 2 sentences. It feels as though there's a chapter missing off the end and has left me feeling as though I've done a jigsaw but there's a piece missing and it's so unsatisfying. As much as I enjoyed this story the ending has put me off reading anything else by this author. If the author adds an extra chapter before the official release, I feel this book would be more of a success

Joe and Otty work together as script writers for a TV production company. As roommates and coworkers, they fall in love; but due to misunderstandings and mistakes their relationship has trouble getting off the ground. With obstacles on the horizon, will Joe and Otty get their happy ever after?

A good book if slightly predictable but an easy read nonetheless.

Otty has always wanted to be a writer and finally she has her dream writing job, writing a new series Eye Spy. Joe Carver is an experienced writer and he takes her under his wing. This shows the gender politics of working in an office. They decide to live together as housemates but their friendship is pushed into the realms of romance before they back away from each other because they are scared it will ruin their friendship. The theme of loss is prominent in the story. I enjoyed the book. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me review this book.

Our Story is an easy read that unfortunately didn’t do it for me. The two main characters Otty and Joe annoyed me at times with their behaviour towards each other so therefore they just didn’t hold my interest.

Otty has always wanted to write for a living so when the opportunity arose to bag her dream job she quit working at her Dads bike shop and ventured into the high pressured role of script writing. She is assigned to co-write with long standing writer Joe and they become flatmates on her very first day. Love sparks between them right from the start but due to misunderstandings and lack of communication that side of their relationship doesn’t take off.

Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC of Our Story, this is my own opinion of this book.

This story had an interesting narrative, told from the two main characters point of view. I did enjoy the story, it had a storyline that started really well and bowled along nicely. For me, it lost a little in the middle and was a little predictable at times, but I loved the ending, despite expecting it to happen it was written with real emotion and had me hoping all would be as I predicted.

The characters are well written; both writers of tv drama, one experienced and one starting out for the first time. Thrown together at work and house sharing due to circumstances and finding friendship and partnership along the way. I really liked Otty, she would not be beaten down by obstacles in her way and stood up for herself when she needed to. I liked Joel too, though at times he needed a slap.

Overall it was a very enjoyable story, despite being a little predictable and slow at times. Definitely worth reading.