The story begins with film reviewer Chris Paley flat-hunting after splitting up with his girlfriend. Chris opts for a flat solely on the grounds that there is a Drugstore Cowboy poster hanging on the wall. Good choice.

But Becca Coles is his mysterious landlady who becomes intrigued when she hears why he chose the place, and begins to snoop around when he's out. Enticed by the thought of a kindred spirit with a passion for film equal only to hers, she begins to set up opportunities for them to meet.

On the first of these set-ups Becca discovers they have a mutual friend who is a film producer: the unfolding love story then begins to resemble one of these productions. And this is where we can't be sure about what is real and what is scripted.

This so-so tale is interrupted now and then by a run-down of Chris' favourite films and Becca's dodgy past relationships. And at time the entire book reads like a role-call of film references. As Beeca says: 'All life is a film, you know that.'

Dreaming Of Strangers wants to be a love story about a love story that wants to be a film. Sadly, if it were a film it would be something starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. Anyone hoping for torrid love scenes will also be disappointed as all the action stops at the bedroom door - because ultimately this is all a bit limp.

— Claire Doherty