Mad About You by Mhairi McFarlane was an okay read for me, but it didn’t quite hit the mark the way I had hoped. While McFarlane’s writing is smooth and often witty, I found myself not fully connecting with the story or the characters. The book had its moments, but overall, it felt a bit underwhelming.

The plot centers around themes of independence, relationships, and personal growth, and while there were some meaningful insights and heartfelt scenes, the pacing at times dragged. Some plot developments felt predictable, and the emotional payoff just wasn’t as strong as it could have been. I appreciated the attempt at depth and the inclusion of important issues, but the execution didn’t always land for me.

The narrator was generally reliable, but her voice didn’t always feel engaging. There were times when her perspective felt distant or hard to relate to, which made it a little tough to stay invested in her journey. I wouldn’t say she was unreliable, just not particularly compelling.

I’d recommend Mad About You to readers who are already fans of Mhairi McFarlane’s style or those looking for a light, introspective read. It might resonate more with others, but for me, it just didn’t stand out.

Mhairi McFarlane’s latest rom-com leans more into personal growth than romance, following 35-year-old wedding photographer Harriet Hatley as she confronts her past. Having escaped a toxic relationship she never fully processed, Harriet now mishandles her current one with wealthy, affectionate Jonathan. When he unexpectedly proposes at his parents’ anniversary party—despite her clear stance against marriage—she accepts to save face, only to break it off right after.

This entertaining read balances humor with heavier themes as Harriet is forced to reckon with her patterns and choices. With a fantastic supporting cast, it’s a journey of self-discovery that’s both compelling and uplifting.

There were a lot of plots holes and I kept falling in and out of the book. It just wasn’t something that kept my attention, also this did not really seem like romance as marketed more like women’s fiction.

Mad About You by Mhairi McFarlane is a quirky fake dating book. Hattie is the most in demand wedding photographer but doesn't really believe in marriage. When her boyfriend proposes she panics and breaks up with him. She needs a new apartment where the perfect MC enters. Cal Clarke is a hopeless romantic who has his own wedding related disaster. I enjoyed both characters in this book and the fake dating. Overall this was a good read.

I enjoyed this one! I loved how McFarlane touched on the dynamics in relationships and navigating wants, needs and respect. Such a fun weekend read!

I loved the romance! they understood each and could be themselves together. The chemistry between them was amazing! I also loved the slow-burn and the sexual tension between the main characters. There were several scenes that made me blush and smile so much. The writing is beautiful and descriptive. I honestly felt like I was living in the world with the characters. I felt so many emotions while reading this book, I cried, I laughed and I smiled. This book will stay in my heart for a long time.

This is not a romance. This book really should just be marketed as women's fiction. There are really serious topics included in this one and it takes some time before everything starts to unfurl for Harriet.

Mad About You by Mhairi McFarlane is a perfect fit for readers who crave a heartwarming and humorous exploration of complex relationships, emotional growth, and the power of human connection, as they follow the journey of two flawed but lovable characters as they navigate the ups and downs of love, friendship, and self-discovery.

Harriet Hatley is a wedding photographer with no desire to get married. A position she has made eminently clear to her live-in boyfriend Jon. So when he surprises her with a proposal — in front of his family at a celebration of his parents’ wedding anniversary — she is furious. And, it makes her realize she is long overdue in ending the relationship. Suddenly, she’s in need of a new place to live, and finds herself renting a room from Cal Clarke — who happened to be the groom who left his bride at the altar at a wedding Harriet was scheduled to photograph shortly before. Harriet is sure that Cal must be an irredeemable jerk — but as she gets to know him, he certainly doesn’t seem that way. Meanwhile, as Jon continues to try to win her back, Harriet comes face to face with her previous ex, Scott — which sets into motion a series of events that jeopardize Harriet’s reputation and, therefore, career.

I really enjoyed this one. While the cover and jacket copy suggest this is a rom-com, it is very much Harriet’s story. It raises serious issues about emotional abuse, and it is a joy to see Harriet find her strength. It’s very much empowering about women supporting one another — with the exception of one of Harriet’s “closest” friends — whose behavior is really never fully explained (one of my few, minor issues with the book — after all, sometimes people simply do inexplicable things). I would have liked to have a seen a bit more of Harriet and Cal together, but I loved the way their relationship unfolded gradually — and understanding Cal’s behavior with his own ex makes clear that it’s important to know full context before potentially judging anyone!

I will also add that Harriet lost both her parents at a young age and as I am now, too, an orphan, the epilogue of the book brought me to tears — in the best kind of way.

My favorite Mhairi McFarlane remains Just Last Night, but this is a close second!

I always adore Mhairi McFarlane, and Mad About You is no exception. It's so full of heart and love and great friendships. Harriet has survived more than her share of tragedy when she lands in Cal's house as his tenant. Sparks eventually fly, in sort of a enemies to friends to lovers, slow slow burn. It deals with deeper more difficult subjects, but ultimately ends on the happiest note.

I am sorry for the inconvenience but I don’t have the time to read this anymore and have lost interest in the concept. I believe that it would benefit your book more if I did not skim your book and write a rushed review. Again, I am sorry for the inconvenience. Please disregard the star rating below.

Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book! Unfortunately for me this was one I did not finish for various reasons

Fairly predictable rom com but it was still a good read that I enjoyed. But I do tend to love the ones that are hate to me more than others.

This was a beautiful book about friendship, self-development, grief and courage. Handled the serious matter of emotional abuse and the effects on victims while also being full of humor. I loved the side characters and wished I had a friend like Lorna.

I wouldn’t categorize this book as a romance novel though, and feel like the description of the book gave me a wrong expectation about what I was going to read. The romance part was way more of a sub-plot that supported Harriet’s journey as well as exploring the significance of friendship in romantic relationships as well. Friendship is a lot more central to the primary plot so if you’re not searching for a romance-centric read, I definitely recommend!

I enjoyed the character development and growth. Feel this is more women's fiction than romance and I appreciate the author's writing. Thank you for my copy.

I was not a fan of this book! It bored me to death and I struggled to get through it. The plot did not move whatsoever.

100% honest yo no disfrute este libro! Si me gustaron varias cosas pero yo no estuve interesada en lo que estaba pasando en el libro en mas de 85% de el. No me gusto como se desarrolló la historia, odio a los dos ex de la tipa con toda mi alma tan freaking manipuladores y malas personas y enserio que no se como ella puede elegir tantas malas relaciones y hombres. Odio a la ex mejor amiga y espero que ella enserio se arrepienta de todo lo que hizo y no tenga mas amigas en su vida. La parte del fb post was so cringe worthy que literalmente tuve que parar como 4 veces, pero la la parte de la boda fue chef kiss 💋 la única parte que disfrute del libro. Y este no es un libro de romance ella pasó más de 90% del libro sin nadie. Y no pienso decir más nada de este libro que enserio no entiendo como termine bye

This is another old ARC that I completely forgot about until my library turn came around for McFarlane’s new release and it popped up on the Kindle . . . so I gave it a read first. This is the story about Harriet – a wedding photographer who realizes she and her live-in beau are probably not meant to be, calls it quits with him and takes a flatshare with landlord Cal. Like this author’s other works it’s very chick-litty. Unlike her other stuff, I wasn’t totally on board with the plot.

I liked the self-realization of getting out of a toxic situation (whether romantic or “breaking up” with a friend who doesn’t have your best interest), but the whole storyline with trying to run an intervention with a complete stranger about her relationship with your ex – and moreso that you are surprised when things backfire – was just a bit much for me.

I’ll happily keep picking up whatever Mhairi McFarlane puts down, this simply wasn’t my cuppa . . .

This author is such a refreshing take on "rom coms" leaning much more into womens fiction and bringing up real topics! I think most of her books make great book club reads due to heavier discussion topics, but she also manages a lightness in her narration somehow with humor and unexpected reveals. Another hit!

My thanks to NetGalley for this digital ARC. This is my honest review.

This is my first Mhairi MCfarlane read and I will definitely be searching out more.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I went in expecting a tropey romance from the summary but what I got was a thoroughly lovely romance and a deeply moving, character focused book with so much character development and plot. So well done. The storytelling is brilliant. There are so many themes addressed here: love, self-acceptance, trauma, the power of friendship, found family.

Be warned that there are mentions of abusive and controlling relationships.

The writing was so good, effectively showing the tension and trauma of the bad relationships and the sweeter side of the roommates to friends to lovers part of the story. I liked that both MCs had come out of troubled relationships, not just the female MC. I think the coming out of abusive relationship arcs were well written. Finding love and trust after that also felt very believable.

I also appreciated the way some of the women supported each other and put friendship and caring first.

The toxicity of family members, enabler, the exes themselves, was well drawn and quite believable and recognizable. The reluctance to trust something new, something that feels too good to be true also felt honest.

Overall a good read, not a formulaic rom com. Good use of tropes and good character arcs.