In Story of My Life by Lucy Score, A Manhattanite through and through, Hazel Hart might write about quirky small towns in her rom-coms but she’s never 
actually lived in one. But as her career begins to implode at the same time as her personal life dives off a cliff, she knows she has to do something drastic if she hopes to tear herself out of her funk. With her bestie Zoey (who’s also her agent) in tow, Hazel makes the life-changing decision to move to teensy Story Lake, Pennsylvania. Okay, the fact that she’s getting kicked out of her Upper East Side apartment is the biggest motivator. But she decides to take the bold step to buy Heart House without checking it out first. That was her first mistake. Her second is to begin to fall for her contractor Cam Bishop. Because he has the potential to not only inspire Hazel to write stellar stories, but he could also shatter her heart oh too easily.
“I’m going to have to step up my game,” I whispered from under Cam’s arm.
“What game?” he asked, rubbing his lips over my hair.
“My fictional happily ever after game. You out-grand gestured every hero I’ve ever written.”
“Damn right I did. Get used to it.”
Cam knew from the first second he laid eyes on Hazel that she was Trouble with a capital T. Okay, so she’s also gorgeous, witty, and undoubtedly smart. Good thing he’s in no position to enter into a relationship. Especially since Hazel is likely his family business’s saving grace with all they’ll have to fix around Heart House. But somehow, she works her way under Cam’s skin with every interaction. And before he realizes, he’s gone and fallen for the romance author. Which could spell trouble if things don’t work out. Given his track record, that’s a distinct possibility. But the heart wants what and who it wants. And that apparently is Hazel.
“I want you to have everything you want… I wanna be the one who champions you, who inspires you, who protects you. I wanna be the one at your side for all the bad news and the good.”
STORY OF MY LIFE was pure escapism. Full of unadulterated fun and the type of outrageous shenanigans–and steamy romance–as only Lucy Score can write it, I didn’t want to tear my eyes off the pages for a single moment.
‘Happily Ever After Starts Here.’
CW: View Spoiler »
At the end of STORY OF MY LIFE, Lucy Score mentions in her author’s note that she would love to make a real-life small town for readers. In lieu of that, this new Story Lake series is her way of giving back to her fans. What a present this book was. I fell in love with all the kooky characters, especially Hazel, our down on her luck rom-com author heroine. And I most certainly couldn’t wait to see what grumpy good guy Cam was going to do next. But honestly, it was Story Lake, with all its potential and its history–as well as its nosy but caring locals–that sealed the deal.
It was so fun living vicariously through Hazel. She might not have been in a good place in her personal or professional life when the book began, but she was an author who knew her process, what would work and what was no longer working at all. Seeing Hazel find inspiration in Cam and Story Lake once she abruptly decided to move there was heartening. Even if it seemed like things were always going wrong. And that the wildlife in the area had it out for her. But Hazel fit into the teeny town like she’d been born there. Her awesome best friend and agent Zoey was a little leery of Story Lake but eventually was captured by its charms too. Together, the duo made an entertaining, formidable team. Something the Bishop brothers found out quickly.
Cam Bishop and his brothers, Levi and Gabe, as well as their sister Laura and their parents were so incredibly wonderful–and an absolute riot. Cam had the whole sexy, broody, doesn’t-take-crap-off-anyone vibe down pat. And he was such a great guy. His family had been through a lot over the past couple of years, which was always in the back of his mind. But Cam fell for Hazel right from the start. And he didn’t like it. But as he found out, it was absolutely worth risking his heart and peace of mind to have Hazel in his life. Sigh.
QOTD: Hazel (hilariously) tangled with local wildlife the moment she drove into Story Lake. Have you had any close encounters with wild animals?
Book Info:
Publication: Published: March 11th, 2025 | Bloom Books | Story Lake #1
THE ALL-NEW SMALL-TOWN ROMCOM FROM LUCY SCORE.
♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
Hazel is given a one-two punch when she’s forced to move out of her Upper East Side apartment and is given a final warning from her publisher.
If she doesn’t turn in a book by her next deadline, they’re cutting her loose.
Hazel rashly decides to leave what’s left of her city life behind and impulse buys a house in rural Pennsylvania sight unseen. How better to entertain the loyal readers she still has and rediscover her writing mojo than immersing herself in small-town life?
Too bad this town looks to be on its last legs. At least she’s finding swoon-worthy inspiration from her hot, grumpy contractor Cam and his animal-rescuing, community-involved family. It’s all just research. What could go wrong?
♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️
A note from the author: This series is my love letter to every reader who said they wanted to move to a fictional town . . .
Amy R
QOTD: Hazel (hilariously) tangled with local wildlife the moment she drove into Story Lake. Have you had any close encounters with wild animals? No
Thanks for the review.
Debra Shutters
Thanks for the review.