Between Us was a fun mix of friendship, love, and a little mystery. I fully expected to go further in depth with the show (not just 3 episodes) and did find some of the history with the friend group lacking. The end was a little too insta-love and forgiveness for me but it was an enjoyable read. The setting of her mother's pub and the time spent there was my favorite.

“Between Us” shares a different perspective than most other romantic fiction books I’ve read before because it focus on the difficult ending of the protagonist’s relationship with her long term boyfriend. While getting to know Roisin, we are also getting to know the life and boyfriend where she’s felt stuck which is an interesting way to begin a book. I enjoyed this book overall and loved getting to know her friends, especially her next love interest. I empathized with Roisin as she discovered horrible things about her ex-boyfriend. This part of the story had a feeling of “Bridget Jones Diary” which I was initially annoyed with but ended up being mostly charming and made you root for Roisin. I appreciated getting to read this book.

I am an avid fan and reader of Mhairi McFarlane. This wasn’t my favorite, although I did like it in the end. Opening scene finds us at a mansion with the central group of the story, and I found myself wondering if I was embarking on a murder mystery venture due to the lack of direction. It was a slow-moving story that lacked a central plot. Yet, I’d still read her next book.

It is quintessentially British. This wasn't my first book by Mhairi Mcfarlane and it won't be my last. She writes the perfect cozy, British, rainy day, 'snuggle up with cat' book.

Rosin's boyfriend has new tv show airing and she can't help but pull parallels from their life to the show on screen. Joe decided to air alllill her dirty laundry and our girl isn't happy one bit.

Without spoilers, I like the mystery aspect of he is/isn't he. The found family friend group was also a nice touch. They were real broken people who were loved deeply anyways.

Read if you like:
Love actually
British humor
Love triangles
Friends to lovers
Found family
Forced Proximity
He falls first
Fat cats

Thanks to @netgalley and @avonbooks for my arc in exchange for my honest review

4.5 Stars

Not your typical romance! When viewing Mhairi McFarlane’s book covers, I always think they are going to be light fluffy romances, but they are always so much more than that. There IS romance, but there’s also complex friendships, deep emotions, dysfunctional families – drama!

The story is told from Roisin’s POV – Roisin and her long-term boyfriend, Joe, go away for the weekend with their friends of 10 years to celebrate a birthday, an engagement, and Joe’s new TV show. The weekend brings tension, revelations, and awkwardness. After the weekend, Roisin goes back to her hometown to help her mother during her teaching break, and starts to reflect and question a lot of things in her life.

I loved this story - the different characters, the mystery, and Roisin finally figuring out exactly who she is and what she wants. There were some girl power moments, and playing detective had my attention immediately. I think the added mystery made me enjoy this book even more, I couldn't put it down!

Thank you Netgalley and Avon/Harper Voyager for this ARC!

First first, HAPPY RELEASE DAY 😘. This book was definitely interesting and the writing style was great! This book does have TW such as gaslighting, drama like stressful ones, etc. The book dives deep of the toxic relationship Roisin was in as well as her character growth (the way the author wrote Roisin's growth was great)! The book also talks about change in the friendship dynamic because Roisin's friend group is also Joe's as well and that trip legit changed everything. This book has more of a focus on FMC and the ex rather than FMC and the love interest if that makes sense and thats because the love interest didn't seem like the main focus of this book? I love how Mhairi's writing takes us on a ride as she uncovers the truth about her relationship with Joe and she realizes the man she was in love with isn't the man she once loved or did she even love him in the first place? The gaslighting and the stress that I felt throughout this book had my jaw dropped! Also Joe and Roisin relationship was 10 years yall like 10 years! I definitely recommend this book!
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🎬 Appreciation 🎬
Thank you Netgalley, Avon and Harper, Mhairi McFarlane, and Tess for this finished copy in exchange for a honest review!

I have like this author's books in the past, but Between Us just didn't work for me.

I struggled to like or relate to any if the characters and there are a lot of side characters. Too many side characters for my taste.

And maybe it was the over abundance of characters that slowed this book down, because the pacing was so slow that I eventually put it down.

Roisin and Joe’s relationship has been rocky for a while. When she finds out he has been using stories for her personal life as plot lines for the new TV show he is writing for, that proves to be the last straw. Roisin soon begins to question whether their whole relationship was built on lies and starts seeking out the truth with the help of one of their mutual friends.

Between Us is contemporary fiction. While there is the element of second-chance romance, the book focuses more on Roisin and her personal journey. Content/Trigger Warnings - there are several points throughout the storyline where abortion is discussed.

In spite of being generally humorous, this author’s books always have at least one sad twist. Mhairi McFarlane has been a favorite of mine since I first found her books. The depth and background she pours into all of her main characters always makes her books stand out. Her sense of humor can be seen throughout the storyline of Between Us. She also never shies away from what could be considered a more difficult topic. I appreciate the sensitivity and realism that goes into writing plots with more controversial subjects.

I look forward to seeing what Mhairi McFarlane has next for her readers!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to NetGalley and Avon!

Roisin Walters and Joe Powell have been a couple for about a decade and things have become somewhat stagnant and stale recently. Joe is rising in fame and has a debut for a new show, Hunter, which seems to be a form of art imitating life if Roisin analyzes it more critically. She sees some version of truth twisted out of her own personal experiences and considers it a breach of trust which forces her to look at her relationship with Joe using a different lens.

This is my first read by Mhairi McFarlane and I see a lot of raves for her books. I started this over three weeks ago and am just now finishing. Granted, life did get in the way quite a bit, but I found that I never had a problem with stopping and setting the book aside without any yearning to dive back in as soon as possible. And I didn’t always reach for the story to continue when time did permit.

Having said that, I did like Roisin. She’s a bit optimistic and wears blinders, but partly because she comes off so self assured and has little reason to doubt her faith in others. She is not a drama queen and seems level headed and classy. Her friends are a unique bunch. Joe actually comes off as the most boring amongst them with his perceived humbleness covering up a subtle jerk. There’s funny dialogue to help offset some of the more serious undertones, but I actually would’ve preferred more exploration of those deeper issues to delve further into the core of the characters and the past experiences that shaped them. The budding romance was not as slow burn as it appeared because of reasons, and I could’ve enjoyed more between Roisin and this other guy who is not Joe since they jived so well together and I needed that relationship development. However, the story does satisfy Roisin’s journey in seeing past the facade of others and what their true intentions are rather than assuming face value. While there’s some meaningful lessons and conversations in this, I am don’t think this particular style of writing is for me.

Things that hold true in Mhairi McFarlane’s books:
1. Friends are like family and can sustain some of the best relationships.
2. If something seems fishy, it probably is.
3. Women will win out, every time.
4. A happy ending or happy beginning is a guarantee.
I always know I’m bound for a wonderfully engaging story rife with modern cultural references, humor, (and of course some kind of trauma) when I pick up one of McFarlane’s novels. Between Us does not disappoint and is more of the tried and true storytelling I’ve come to love from this author. I love being dropped into McFarlane’s narrative where characters are so precisely fleshed out that I feel like I’ve known them for a long time. Definitely more of a story with a romantic subplot than a romance specifically, Between Us picks up with a friend group on a long weekend together hilariously called The Brian’s (you’ll have to read about it) who are several years post-coworkers at Waterstone’s (the UK’s version of B&N). The dynamics between this friend group are exactly what Between Us is about, specifically Roisin and Joe’s relationship. There is quite a lot to unpack from over the years of their dating (and the book blurb does an excellent job mentioning it), so when cracks start to appear because Joe’s TV drama script seems a little too close to reality, “detective” Roisin begins to wonder what is truth and what is fictional.
I loved this friend group as with all McFarlane novels (especially Gina’s tirade!)—there is witty banter and dialogue and so many Yes!!! fist pumping moments. Parents are complicated, and content warnings should be given for cheating, gaslighting, abortion, and sexual assault (both mentioned, not on page). If you like your books funny, yet a bit moody on the verge of dark, but believe good will always triumph, love will win, and revenge is a dish best served cold, then may I introduce you to your newest favorite novel? I received this book as an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
4.5 stars

Mhairi McFarlane is an author that I enjoyed previously, so I was excited to pick this one up. Unfortunately, it fell quite flat for me.

What I liked - the wonderful British world that she plops you in every time. While I can't actually know if it's realistic, it certainly feels that way! Her writing style is something I always enjoy, even if the story itself wasn't fully what I wanted. She also explores rather deep topics without feeling overwhelming - this book included toxic relationships, gaslighting, and complex family dynamics. I thought she handled it quite well alongside the growth of Rosie, the main character. I definitely was rooting for her to get her happy ending!

Ultimately though the pacing was very slow - it took 20% for me to really feel connected to the story at all. I also wanted way more with actual love interest and not the abusive current boyfriend we start the book with! There could have been so much more depth and complexity with the romance and I think that's the biggest thing this book is missing.

Overall, I did enjoy parts of this book and it didn't feel like I was trudging to the end at all! But I am hoping her next book picks up the pace and has a bit more romance!

Thank you the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC. All opinions are my own.

There are those stories that you read and you are sad when they end, and those you can't wait to finish so you can move on to another one. Unfortunately, this one fell in the latter category for me.

The main male character, Joe, was a manipulative jerk. I never really connected with his girlfriend, Roisin. Their long-term friend group was a mess. There wasn't a lot to like about any of the characters (primary or secondary). And I really had no idea who we were supposed to be "rooting for" as the story dragged on.

While I did finish the book, I can't really recommend it.

Thank you to Mhairi McFarlane, Avon and Harper, and NetGalley for the advance review copy.

This book fell flat for me. It was sold to me as something that it is not. It was winding and winding with no end in sight.

I did not connect with the plot and characters. For one, I felt it was too long. I kept waiting on something or anything to happen but nothing did.

I would have preferred the weekend scene was shorter. We did not need to go through that many chapters before the ’real’ story started.

It did piqued my interest towards the end but by then the damage had been done. I just wanted to finish the book and move on.

It wasn’t all gloomy as the 10E class made it a bit interesting when they feature. I especially like Amir. He is a basket case.

Nevertheless, I will still recommend if you enjoy women’s fiction with bits of romance.

I received a copy from the publisher via Netgalley and the review is entirely mine.

I have to be honest and admit that I've had a bit of trouble getting through this novel (I'm still working through it). I think this one just isn't for me unfortunately. In looking at the cover and reading the description, this presents itself as a light-hearted rom com riddled with Hollywood shenanigans but in reality is much darker and snarkier. I'm halfway through and I'm not overly attached to any of the characters and I don't fully understand the European slang. It feels like I'm sitting a table away from a close group of friends overhearing their conversation, I'm lacking so much context and history that I just don't have.

Thank you for this ARC, I loved reading this book!!

As always, I loved the heroine. The conversations she has with her friend group reminded me of my own college friend group chat, and the chaos that ensues whenever we’re reunited. Roisin’s ability to be selfless in honor of her friends was something that isn’t often included in romance novels. At the same time, I am so glad she is the kind of character unafraid to be “emotional,” and stood up for herself over and over again.

The romance between Roisin and Matt was handled so seamlessly. Their summer spent together working a pub was like hanging out with friends, with a little added magic of the beginning of something.

I was a little skeptical about Gina/Matt/Roisin, because those plot lines make me soooo uncomfortable, but I think it was handled well.

I’ve said it many times, but Mhairi McFarlane is SO GOOD at what she does. She has such a distinctive voice that never fails to entertain. I could hardly stand to put it down 🧡

I loved this book - Matt is charming in an authentic way and Roisin is such a fun main character. I loved the character development and the group dynamic. They all brought something wonderful to the overall plot development. And Joe - man, I never liked him!

This book hits so many things - group dynamics where couples develop and separate, in fighting, wealth and class differences, etc.

Read this book in a day!

Mhairi McFarlane really excels at writing punchable ex-boyfriends. Believe it or not, that's a compliment - her writing makes it crystal clear who the villains are, and she does a great job writing female leads who you can't help but root for.

Roisin and Joe have been together for ten years. After supporting his aspiring writing career for more than half their relationship, Joe's career has taken off, with a smash hit TV show and another about to debut. Roisin has accepted the growing distance as he prioritizes his career, but when she sees elements of their relationship play out on screen in the new series, she's left questioning if she can still trust this man. She doesn't want to burden their mutual friends with her worries in case they're unfounded, but turns to Matt for help - the one friend pushed to the outskirts of their social group after an explosive weekend away.

Roisin's not perfect, which I appreciate. She's a flawed character and she's struggling with the end of one relationship while deciding whether it's okay to enter into a new one, and she questions if she's too quick to trust Matt as their connection grows. I enjoyed watching them work through their issues together.

𝘉𝘦𝘵𝘸𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘜𝘴 follows Roisin and her group of friends meeting up at a fancy manor where they'll all reevaluate what their friendship means and how you don't truly know the people you've known the longest.

- ~ -

Roisin and Joe used to be a couple in love or 𝙬𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙮 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧?

As Roisin discovers the mystery of her decade long relationship with Joe and what all she never knew about the man she slept next to, she teams up with his frenemy - Matt.

Sweet, kind, caring Matt who's always had a thing for his mate's girl and never the courage to tell her...until now that is.

Overall a great book with an interesting plot that sorta kept me on my toes and all my love goes to Matt and Roisin.

- ~ -

3.95 / 5✩

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘈𝘷𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘏𝘢𝘳𝘱𝘦𝘳 𝘝𝘰𝘺𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬, 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘐 𝘷𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸𝘦𝘥. 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯.

This was my first Mhairi McFarlane book. I'd heard really good things about her books from friends, so was excited to get a chance to read this as an ARC. Unfortunately, I have to admit I ended up not really liking it very much, and I'm not sure I'd go back and try another of her books to see if this was a fluke book or if I just don't mesh with McFarlane's writing.

The book revolves around Roisin, her partner Joe, and their group of friends. Roisin knows she and Joe have been off for a year or so but they've never dealt with it. He's always busy with his increasingly successful job as a screenwriter or he dismisses her feelings or says they'll talk about it later. So she questions whether it's just her or she's being too sensitive and ignores her feelings. Things finally come to a head with the premier of Joe's new mini-series where she sees things she told Joe in confidence play out on the screen. Now she's questioning not only what else will turn up on-screen, but their entire relationship. Was everything a lie? How much of what's in the story is real life?

If you want a book on emotional abuse and gaslighting relationships, this is a pretty good example. Even when she breaks up with Joe, Roisin seems to feel like she has to justify herself to both Joe and everyone else- even though they've agreed not to tell their friends the real story. I didn't find any of the characters especially likeable or highly developed, Roisin makes seriously questionable choices throughout the entire book (starting with choosing not to see Joe's vicious comments about their friends for what they are and call him on them at the time) and the emotions themselves seemed shallow. We spend half the book with one character's main trait that she's been in unrequited love with someone for ten years, then suddenly she isn't. Roisin might be in love with a new guy but is still completely fixated on finding out how much Joe lied to her and therefore how much of "her life" was a lie instead of accepting that he was horrible and toxic and moving on to something better.

The pacing was slow until the very end when lots of things happened and supposedly emotional revelations hit everyone on the head at once. I kept wondering when the point of the book would start, or at least sharpen into something I'd care about. In the end, it is less a second chance or rebound romance, or even a woman finding herself in the face of a relationship crash, and more about the toxic buildup that can happen either intentionally or accidentally between friends, family, and partners, and what happens when one person opens her eyes to see it all at the same time.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Between Us by Mhairi McFarlane
Rating: 3 stars
Pub Date: 8/8

Roisin and her boyfriend Joe are spending a weekend with their closest friends. They’re celebrating a birthday, an engagement, and the premiere of Joe’s new tv show. Roisin has already started questioning whether her relationship with Joe will work out when it’s revealed that he has used some of the personal information that Roisin has shared with him for his show. After returning home with her life in shambles, she’s stuck trying to decipher what other parts of this tv show are based on real life.

This was my first book by Mhairi McFarlane, and I can see why so many people love her books! Her writing is humorous and smart, and I enjoyed many of the character interactions. Roisin’s mom is so funny, and I thought the romance was sweet.

Unfortunately, this was hard for me to get through. The pacing was slow initially, and the story didn’t pick up for me until the halfway point. In the beginning, I had a difficult time with a lot of British slang, and I think that took me out of the story and slowed things down considerably. I couldn’t connect with the characters, and I thought Joe was the worst. Because so much of the story was taken up by the breakup, it was more depressing than uplifting for me, and I wasn’t able to enjoy it as much as I wanted to.

Overall, this wasn’t my favorite, but there are a lot of five-star reviews for this one already! Thank you so much to NetGalley and Avon for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.