Anything British hooks me instantly. So, going past that - I really loved the characters. Started out slow, but then built up.

This was just okay! Kind of forgettable. I liked the characters but found myself struggling to keep reading. I think it could have been a little shorter.

Mhari McFarlane writes such excellent stories, and I think it's almost a disservice to this one to assume it's a romance, because while there's a major romantic subplot, the bigger story has Harriet finding herself independent of a relationship, finding friendship and connection and standing up for herself. It was a really solid story, though as usual with this author I found that this was slightly too long.

Fun read! Started off a bit slow but you get into it. Leans more towards fiction than romance but would recommend!

Loved this one so British and adorable Also using this as a place to show my support for the Harper Collins union. Thank you to Harper for the gifted ARC my honest review.

✨ Review ✨Mad About You by Mhairi McFarlane

This one is hard to review since it crosses several genres and does a LOT across its pages.

**vague, light spoilers ahead**

Here's what worked for me:
1) it was so funny; it had me giggling as I listened
2) there's so much character development, especially of main character Harriet but also of Cal (her landlord and potential new love interest)

Here's what didn't work for me:
1) this book had a lot of sadness and trauma tied up in Harriet's gaslighting exes, and there's not just one but two that stretch across the book's pages. These men deserve our hatred but they just took up so much space here. I am glad that it shows women breaking free from these men, but it was also really hard to read.
2) I wanted a bit more out of the relationship with Cal; I loved their connection but I wanted this developed more than the interactions with the shitty men.

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.5)
Genre: women's fiction (technically m/f romance, but minorly so?)
Location: UK
Pub Date: out now!

Thanks to Avon and #netgalley for an advanced e-copy of this book!

More of women's fiction than a romance. Requested based on Emily Henry's quote. Started off slow but it was enjoyable. Thank you Net Galley and Mhairi McFarlane!

This started out kind of slow for my taste, but it picked up fairly soon in. I loved the supporting characters, especially Harriet’s and Cal’s best friends, and I appreciated the friendship between Harriet and Cal.

I was definitely surprised by some of the reveals (except one, though I was surprised by the reaction) which kept the book engaging beyond the romantic portion. I love romance, but McFarlane didn’t spend much of the focus of this book on romance, and I was okay with that; there were several issues that took precedence and I appreciate McFarlane not glossing over them.

I would recommend this book, especially for book clubs because there’s a lot to discuss, and to anyone who enjoys romcoms and awkward meet cutes.

Mhairi always finds a way into my soul. After reading her last book I knew she was an auto buy author for me. Mad About You didn’t disappoint. While it took me a little longer to get into the story for this book I was still just as moved by the plot and loved getting to know these characters!

⚠️ TW: Toxic relationships, emotional abuse, & gaslighting

Got to start this morning with @thechicklitbookclub and @mhairimcf discussing her latest book: Mad About You😍

What I love about @mhairimcf’s books are that they’re never about the romance, but are about the growth a person can go through. This book is about going through trials and tribulations, abusive pasts, letting go, and moving forward to the next stage in life. It’s about learning about yourself and better understanding what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger and that sometimes those trials gives you what you need to go on. I loved this book about strength, resilience, and uplifting others when they need it the most. I cannot wait to check out her other books 💙

P.S. She loved Arlo so extra points for her 🤣!
#thechicklitbookclub #romancebooks

Mad About You
By: Mhari McFarlane
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/4 stars

This was my first ever audiobook! So it took some getting used to as it's going out of my comfort zone with reading. I felt like I was cheating somehow! Although I did have a digital copy as well that I followed along with at times. I love the narrators accent 🙂.

Harriet Hatley knows what she wants. She is a wedding photographer but personally is not interested in her own wedding, or romance for that matter. She is currently in a relationship with John Barraclough, a wealthy and successful man. When he proposes to her in front of his family, she says, "yes", while internally screaming, "NO!". So she breaks up with him later that evening.

Harriet then moves in with Cal Clarke, as he has an in suite bedroom available to rent. Harriet finds herself with 2 ex boyfriends, John and Scott, trying to destroy her life. What starts out as a questionable friendship with Cal, turns into him being her biggest supporter. This book truly ends with karma and the saying that, "what goes around, comes around."

Thank you @netgalley @harpervoyagerus and @avonbooks for this ARC for my honest review 🙂

*3.5 Stars*

This is most definitely not a romance novel. There is a romance subplot, but this is women’s fiction, starring Harriett a popular wedding photographer who has recently called it quits with her longtime boyfriend following his proposal. Next she runs into an old boyfriend at a wedding she is working at and this event unravels a dark past. Ultimately this story is about women finding their voice to speak their truth and women helping women.

Trigger warning: relationship abuse, emotional abuse, gaslighting

Sincere thanks to NetGalley and Avon for an advanced reader copy.

I wanted to love this book, I really did. But it's not really a romance--it focuses SO much on Harriet's previous relationships and getting revenge on her ex than it does on building a believable romance between Harriet and Cal. I liked it, but I didn't LOVE it.

I love Mhairi McFarlane, and this was no exception. Funny, charming, with characters who are working through realistic issues in realistic and satisfying ways. Cal and Harriet were a delight and the resolution of Harriet's experience with her abuser was deeply, deeply satisfying.

DNF.
Given that it talked about smoking and sex (of which involved cheating) all before the first chapter is even over, it’s definitely not my type of book.

Book Review 🤍
Mad About You by Mhairi Mcfarlane

Summary: Harriet is a wedding photographer, however she loathes the idea of marriage. When her partner proposes she ends up single. Now she needs a new place to live. Cal Clarke, is looking for a new roommate and just experienced his own wedding drama. They end up roommates to friends surprisingly despite their differences. They are both running from their past and now they are both forced to deal with it.

This read has lots of turns that had me gasping out loud and pumping my fist at others. If you need a book about a journey of self and working through your trauma to get to the other side, this is it.

Mhairi I think does such an amazing job at writing loveable quirky characters and are emotionally intelligent. I absolutely loved the ending of this one.

This gem was released in August, pick your copy up now! Thank you NetGalley, Avon Books, and Harper Voyager US for the opportunity to read this novel by one of my favorite authors 🤍

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

#netgalley #madaboutyou #earc #leavesandfiction #womensfiction #booksta #bookreviews #bibliophile
#bookrecommendations #fictionlover #bookstagrammer #booksbooksbooks

There was just something about this book that didn’t quite grab me like I expected it would! I listened to it on audiobook, and that could be a contributor, but it was a cute and enjoyable book nonetheless (once I figured out what all the English words meant!)

I liked the main character, Harriet. She was relatable in her relationship struggles and history. Knowing all of her past bad luck made you love her new male interest even more! I wish that we would’ve gotten to see more of their romantic relationship develop. I feel like we got to see them become friends really well, and then all of the sudden they kiss annnnd what? I dunno I just didn’t feel the chemistry building between them and wanted more of that! I was cheering them on the whole time.

The whole plot is cute, and I love the entanglements of old relationships, traitorous best friends, changing opinions and the development of new friendships/relationships.

This was a fun book to read, and I really enjoyed being able to read it. Thank you Net Galley and Mhairi McFarlane!

This wasn’t just about romance, it tackled lots of other topics like abusive pasts, growing up, and moving on. From what I’ve heard, this is common with this author which I think would be perfect for people who are looking for a little romance but not a full blown romance novel. There’s balance and it kind of feels like you’re reading through, enjoying the rest of it, excited to get a glimpse at Harriet and Cal.

Mhairi McFarlane books always make me laugh and this one is no different! Such a great enemy to friends to lovers. As a photographer myself I found Harriet so relatable!

Rating: 4/5
Warnings: emotional abuse (in past), toxic relationships, death of a parent

Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for access to this advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

I have read nearly all of McFalane’s previous work, I absolutely adore it and went in knowing that this was not a romance but women’s fiction. (please stop marking these books as romance, it takes away from the beautiful story the author is trying to tell)

I know this book was at it’s core a well written and good book, but I really struggled to read it. I found myself taking pause at the storyline, wanting to stop these characters or cry with them. All this to say, the author did a fantastic job about telling the story of someone walking away from an abusive relationship and navigating them reentering their lives to cause even more havoc. I adored Harriet’s journey and personal growth arc and felt all her feelings while she navigated all aspects of her life. So much was packed into this book, and I thought the ending was the perfect tie to this story.

Do I wish we had more of the relationship? Yes, always.