Our Story by Miranda Dickinson

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.

The Do-Over by Lynn Painter

If you are in the mood for a sweet romance that gives Groundhog Day and Ferris Bueller vibes then this book is for you. What happens if you wake up to the same Valentine’s Day and everything always goes not to plan? What if you are someone who likes to plan and not share how you are really feeling? Emilie, our female protagonist is very much a stickler for planning and keeping to societal norms. She never really speaks her mind. But this Valentine’s Day is different. She is different. I found that the book itself is quirky and fun. It does have moments of sadness but there is a lot of heart in terms of how it is done. There could have been more time with other characters that are mentioned throughout but at the end of the day it is very much a Young Adult piece. There is nothing wrong with that. Would I read it again? Possibly if I want a Valentines themed book. It was also very quick to read for those who are not into big tomes. Rating: 4 Stars

The Unbreakable Code

I found now with reading the second one-off thriller books, that they have very similar qualities. I know, they are done by the exact same author. But just think, why is there always a person in a certain role to take the antagonist side? Well, just a thought anyway. So i hope you have all been sound this last week, because this week i'm taking you back to Dan Brown with his book ' Digital Fortress '. Whoo hoo! All in a days work. Sorry about before, i think i was in a deep idea of thought- i sometimes do that, like most people. But never mind that, you didn't click on this page to hear me babble on about myself- oh no. It's time for the big judgement and whether your in the right mind to try it out afterwards! Genre: Conspiracy, Thriller Publisher: Corgi Year Of Publish: First published 1998 Pages: 512 Of course this would be the UK version. But would you be able to break the unbreakable code? So i bet you're wondering what is this all about? Well,...

A Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston

I’ve been following Ashley Poston’s work for a while. At first it was the comic con series back in 2020 when she first became known to me during COVID. After I read the series I forgot about her for a while. It was only when I went into my local Waterstones to pick up The Dead Romantics she came back under my radar. She is now one of my must buys if a new book comes out. Her take of the romantic genre has always been fresh and interesting with some form of magical realism. A Novel Love Story follows our heroine Elsy, otherwise referred to as Eileen. Unlucky in love she struggles to try new things. Instead, she is comforted by her favourite book series by her favourite author, Rachel Flowers. On her way to a cabin retreat by herself, she finds her car broken down in a town that is somewhat familiar to her favourite book series. I’m not going to lie, compared to Poston’s earlier novels this book took some time for me to get into. There have been numerous occasions where I’ve had to...