Hazel is a bestselling author on the brink of disaster—her publisher is ready to drop her if she doesn’t deliver her next book ASAP. To make matters worse, she’s just been kicked out of her Upper East Side apartment.

In a moment of desperation (or brilliance?), she spontaneously buys a house in a quiet Pennsylvania town, convinced that a fresh start will spark her creativity. But when she arrives, she quickly realizes the place is a total wreck. The silver lining? Cam—the brooding, ridiculously attractive contractor—might just be all the inspiration she needs.

Tropes:

Grumpy x Sunshine
Small Town Romance
Plenty of Spice

From the very first page, I loved this book. And thank goodness—because as my most anticipated read of 2025, the pressure was real! The chemistry crackles, the banter is top-notch, and the swoon-worthy moments are everything I hoped for, all wrapped up in Lucy’s signature humor. I caught myself grinning at the pages more times than I can count, and I’m already desperate for book two!

(Also, a special shoutout to Bertha and Goose—you two stole the show!)

I have no doubt this one’s going to be a bestseller, and honestly? I think it’s one of her best books yet.

Huge thanks to the publisher for the ARC—my thoughts and opinions are entirely my own!

Hazel is in full on emotional breakdown after her divorce and her writing muse has abandoned her. In a fit of emotion she buys a house in a town she had read about in a happy news story. Then she meets Campbell who agreed to fake date her for inspiration for her new book! What could go wrong?
After Knockemout I did wonder if another of Lucy’s series would hold a torch to it and of course it does! I can’t wait for the next two books! As the characters are not young 20 somethings but more mature this resonates with me more as an older reader! Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

Easy five stars! Story of My Life is everything I love in a small-town romance—heartfelt, funny, and filled with characters I never want to leave behind. Lucy Score has a way of crafting stories that feel like home, and this one was no exception.

Hazel and Cam’s chemistry was off the charts, with plenty of banter, tension, and swoon-worthy moments. I loved Hazel’s resilience and humor, and Cam’s grumpy, guarded nature made their dynamic even better. But beyond the romance, the Bishop family stole my heart. I need more of them—so much more! The brothers, the small-town charm, the family bonds—it all made for such a compelling read.

If you love Lucy Score’s signature mix of humor, spice, and heart, Story of My Life is a must-read. I’ll be counting down the days until we get more of the Bishop brothers!

Hazel + Cam

Hazel is a pretty famous rom-com author.
At least she used to be until two years ago. It all has to do with her idiot ex. And now she's not writing anything. She can't come up with anything people would want to read.
She's just hanging around her apartment in dirty pajamas, eating chinese take out and staring at her laptop. Her fans are giving up on her and if she can't deliver a new book asap, her publisher is going to give up on her too.
Things have to change.
Off we go from NYC to rural Pennsylvania.
Maybe a small town and a fixer upper house will spark some small-town-rom-com ideas.
And a bunch of super hot handymen won't hurt either...

LET THE FUN TIMES BEGIN....

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Adorable and super fun!
I just loved reading this.
This was what every little small town rom com wants to be when it grows up!
Lucy knows exactly how to write those books. Small-town rom-com at its best.
I can't say much more. It was so funny and sweet and hilarious and ridiculous and sexy and a bit heartbreaking here and there. And we'll get two more stories because we have three Bishop brothers. It just doesn't get any better than that!

Also...this would make an amazing TV show!
And now please give me Gage!!

► THE STORY OF MY LIFE was such a beautiful rom-com. Full of all things sweet. Funny. Adorable. Ridiculous. Grumpy. Small-towny. Family. Friends.
I loved it.
Run to your nearest book dealer for your own Cam - he'll be sold out in no time!

Absolute heaven! I am a huge Lucy Score fan, and this felt like all of my favourite bits of her books rolled in to one. So funny and so swoony and bursting with loveable characters, I fell hard for this book. Loved the nods to Gilmore Girls and Parks and Rec, it was a joy to escape into this small town romance and I will happily read 5,000 more. I was gutted to turn the last page - I never wanted it to end.

Hazel used to write small town romcoms, but she's been struggling to bring pen to paper ever since her divorce. Maybe she needs to embrace the small town experience herself? On a whim she buys a house in a small town and once there asks one of her contractors to fake date her for research. What could possibly go wrong with a no-strings-attached-fake-dating-with-benefits agreement? And should I mention it's a small town that needs rescuing?

I came for the romance and the banter and I wasn't disappointed at all. Five stars and I am looking forward to more books in this new series.

First of all thank you for approving my request!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The authors writing style had me hooked throughout this book.

I didn't want it to end, a book I really couldn't put down.

Lucy Score's new series has got off to a fantastic start, with a romance writer heroine, gruff, gorgeous hero and all the wonderful, warm, small town shenanigans that make her books so escapist. I felt a genuine pang of desire to be a resident of Story Lake, with all its quirks and community, the beauty of the lake, the hilarious animals. I loved the house at the centre of the story, and could picture it perfectly, and the romance between Hazel and Cam was sizzling and sweet, with ups and downs that kept me turning the pages. I am already looking forward to book two in the series - The Story Of My Life is an unashamedly funny, warm-hearted, steamy and romantic delight.

A funny and wholesome read that you do not want to put down. Lucy Score is a master of swoon worthy romance and small towns you want to be a part of.

I am one of the biggest fans of this author so I was incredibly excited to get my hands on this. Let me tell you I read this book smiling the whole time. It is a pure joy to read. You will fall in love with the characters and even the location. Honestly couldn’t put this down. Absolutely fantastic! Ooo and sizzling hot romance scenes… wow!

4.5⭐
2🌶️

It's been a while since I've read a book from Lucy, and I seriously don't know why I've kept away for so long! SOML was just pure, small town love that felt like a big squishy hug, leaving you feeling all warm and fuzzy inside. You seriously can't help but fall for it's charm!

Hazel is a romance writer, who's got deadlines to meet but is currently sitting on zero words. With the world's worst writers block (courtesy of her ex-husband) and an impending eviction from her current apartment, she (drunkenly) comes across an article one night that makes her (drunkenly) impulse purchase a house in Story Lake, Pennsylvania. With nowhere else to go, she packs up and leaves, hoping for the best at Story Lake.

Noone literally writes small town romance quite like Lucy! Her characters were funny, ridiculously quirky and literally nothing like you've even seen. Hazel and Cam were the true definition of opposites attract, but did they get on like a house on fire or what! 🔥 I found Cam's grumpiness amusing, who stood no chance with Hazel's crazy charm, and how she changed him for the better (he actually SMILES 😊). Cam tries to play it cool with Hazel, 'fake dating' without the whole town knowing, but boy, did he get more than be bargained for! 💗 The banter, love and special bond he had going on between him and his family were so on point. I couldn't adore them more.

I literally loved everything about Story Lake.. from the town mascot, Goose 🦅- The Bald Eagle and Bertha 🦝, the newest residence of Heart House. It's literally everything you didn't know you wanted! I had an absolute blast reading this. You definitely don't want to sleep on it! 💕

Thank you to Lucy, Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley for providing me with an eARC, in exchange for an honest review 🫶🏼

4.5 ⭐️ Rounded up
3🌶

Hazel, wow, you were the definition of hot mess. Campbell , you was hot, grumpy and a family man. Not many books manage to actually make me laugh out loud. I think I could count the amount of books I have laughed out loud to on one hand. This was hot, funny, sweet and so uplifting. I love Hazel with all my heart, she is messy, but human and honest. The third act break up was needed for Campbell to work on himself and for Hazel to pull through and prove that she wasn't going to fall apart when broken-hearted again. I felt like this also gave a unique perspective to what writing a book is like from an author's perspective. This has everything that you love about Lucy Score's books. I cannot wait for the next book. This book left me feeling happy, and sad but only because the book was over. I could have read another 500 pages about Hazel and Campbell.

Thank you for this review copy in exchange for my honest review.

i was unfortunately unable to read this by pub date, but not from a lack of interest! life gets in the way and i still love lucy score’s romances- they are the perfect way to dive into slow burn small town romances!! 💫 i would still highly recommend picking up her books!

Story of My Life was one of most anticipated releases so I was bouncing with excitement to read it. It was SO GOOD! It is / has:
🔨 F/M small town romance
📑 She’s a writer looking for inspiration, he’s the grump that might just be able to help
🔨 This can’t be anything serious…
📑 MCs in 30s
🔨 Love after divorce
📑 Forced proximity (he’s renovating her home)
🔨 Dual POV, start of the Story Lake series

This is a book is joyously funny, it’s a story for romance readers, especially if you love small town romances with a good dose of slightly odd / quirky town happenings. I laughed out loud on multiple occasions and just wanted to keep reading and not put it down.
Some thoughts below:
•This is a classic Lucy Score book, bringing in elements I love her writing. It’s humorous (with perfect side of ridiculous), older MCs, and excellent banter (and this banter is not just in the relationship).
•The characters, from our MCs to most of the inhabitants of Story Lake were so loveable. I wish I could go there immediately! More on this ⬇️
- Many of Score’s books contain a feisty FMC, Hazel may be down on luck at the opening of the story but she comes out fighting; I loved how her tenacity developed.
- Cam was a delightful grump, his early reluctance and ultimate soft centre made me swoon.
- The friendships (especially Hazel and Zoe’s) and family relationships (of course I’m thinking of the Bishop siblings) had me cackling, smiling and wishing I could join their friend groups and/or family.

In short this was an excellent start to the Story Lake series, I am keeping everything crossed for books for all the Bishop siblings, they all MUST have a happily ever after.

Definately pick this up if you liked Score’s previously books (especially the Knochemout trilogy and Rock Bottom Girl).

This was so cute, hilarious & just a fun read!

⭐️: 4.75/5
🌶️: open door, several descriptive scenes

Hazel was such a witty character, I loved her inner (and outer) dialogue so much!
She’s a romance writer in her mid-30s, going though a breakup and looking for inspiration for her next novel/series.

After reading an article about the small town of Story Lake, Hazel impulse-buys a historical home & moves there.
Enter grumpy contractor Campbell Bishop 🛠

I love how Hazel hides behind “research” as she gets to know Cam, all while he’s falling for her SO fast and SO hard 🥹
I LOVED their communication, especially from Cam’s side.

The side characters in this one were fantastic, and I can’t wait for more from this town, Cam’s siblings, and Hazel’s agent Zoey.

🎧 audiobook thoughts:
Lila Winters & Sebastian York narrate this one, and they were perfect as Hazel & Cam!

read if you love:
🤫 fake dating & secret friends with benefits
🌦 grumpy sunshine
💻 romance author fmc
🛠 contractor mmc
🫶🏼 family & found family
💙 he falls first
🌳 small town
💞 dual 1st person pov

Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton and Hambright PR for advanced copies. All opinions are my own.

Lucy Score has become a firm favourote of mine since the Knockemout series.....and this one is shaping up to be the same. Absolutely devoured this, romance and friendship with the inevitable happy ever after 🩷

I will be recommending this to absolutely everyone! Probably the best book Lucy Score has published! I am in love with all the characters and this town! I've been blushing and giggling on the buses on my way to work! It's just perfect! Will 100% be getting a physical copy!