Thank you, Netgalley, the author, and Avon and Harper Voyager for the gifted e-book! ❤️ #gifted. My review is comprised of my honest thoughts.

Read this book if you like: Healing and growth, TV shows

This book kept my attention, for the most part. I liked the concept. I wish there was more romance. It's heavily focuses on her healing after a relationship. I liked it.

Between Us

I absolutely ADORE Mhairi McFarlane and this book is no exception! She writes such beautiful stories - characters with quick wit who feel real with their struggles and issues. Love that feels tender and soft yet fierce and passionate. Her way with words sweeps me up into the story and comforts me through the whole book.

In Between Us, we follow Roisin as she goes through a series of unfortunate events that begin with her long term boyfriend, Joe, sharing private details from her past in a hit television show we writes. As she begins to see their relationship differently with this new insight into Joe, she questions the path she is on and who she wants with her. With the support of an incredible friend group that has somewhat imploded, Roisin uncovers how she wants to see herself, how she wants to be loved and who she wants with her in life.

I won’t say much more because I think it’s worth it to uncover the intricacies of this one as the story forms. I highly recommend!

Well keep this just between us, but Mhairi is quite possibly might be a new favorite author of mine! I thought her writing style was brilliant, I laughed out loud and smiled so much at the end of the chapters. I rooted for Roison and Joe and could have easily had even more of their relationship!

I have mixed feelings regarding this novel, which is why it took me so long to write the review. I didn't hate it, but I also didn't love it - I'm still trying to figure out how much I liked it to be honest, but I think it lands in the 3-3,5 star area for me. A bit better than average, but still not really good - for my taste that is

Mhairi McFarlane consistently gives romance novels that also tackle a pretty heavy hitting topic(s). In this novel she takes a look at dysfunctional family dynamics, toxic and manipulative relationships, and gaslighting. So if that could be triggering for you as a reader you may want to skip this, and also this author just may not be for you.

In Between us we start out with Rosie & Joe, who have been together for years. Rosie supported them until Joe had success with his screenplays, the dynamic has shifted a bit. Rosie, Joe, and their friend's are at an estate to celebrate a birthday, engagement, and watch the pilot of Joe's new show. Things are going as per usual until Rosie is watching the show and realizes secrets she told him have ended up in the episode and character's seem to mimic the two of them and their friends - and the leading man is a serial cheater and manipulator. This sends her spiraling.

Has the man she's been living with for years been this character the whole time and gaslighting her, or is it just fiction?

In addition to this romantic plot between Rosie and Joe, we do get an additional one between two characters - don't want to say who as not to spoil, but I wish it had moved a bit faster. In general I wish there was less of Rosie/Joe in this and we saw more of the other romance, even though I do love some good drama! Overall it just felt like something was missing from this, I wish I could put my finger on it, but alas... That is what brought it down the most for me.

In general McFarlane has been a bit hit or miss for me. I LOVED the first one I read, and after that it was a bit of up and down. After 5 novels I may need to evaluate if I love her writing, or just loved that one book. I'll have to see if the next novel has a plot I am drawn to or not to decide if I continue with her books, but I know I will continue checking!

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins for the advance ready copy in exchange for an honest review.

there was love, drama and character development. I didn’t love this as much as some of her other books, but it was still a heartwarming read!

I really enjoyed Between Us by Mhairi McFarlane - my first time reading a book by this author, but won’t be the last! The main character, Roisin, is skillfully and sympathetically portrayed. Their friend group feels real, and Roisin’s evolution throughout the book is compelling. Thank you to Avon & Harper Voyager for the advance copy.

This is a great author so brought us another great read. It was an interesting take on a second chance romance. I enjoyed the book and the themes threaded into this interesting novel.

This was my first Mhairi McFarlane and book and I throughly enjoyed it. It was better than expected and the style of writing really helped me get into the storyline.

I'm a big fan of the witty, emotional writing style of Mhairi McFarlane. So, I really enjoyed the banter in "Between Us", a novel that navigates the complexities of relationships and ultimate consequences of sharing one's life with the wrong person. With its engaging plot and well-developed characters, this novel is a delightful and captivating read for anyone who appreciates a smart and heartfelt story. Also, loving the Taylor Swift references.

Sincere thanks to Avon and Harper Voyager, as well as NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this novel. Check it out! It is worth picking up and taking home for the weekend! #NetGalley #Edelweiss

This is more of a women's fiction book instead of a romance and that's ok. The book features gaslighting by a significant other, a bit of mystery, and a second chance with the right guy. Overall a good read.

Heard great things about this author so I was very disappointed. It took me a long time to finish this book. It was so slow and the pacing was not for me. I found myself irritated with the characters often.

I didn't love this one, but I also didn't hate it. It was kind of blah. But it was a quick read, and I do want to read other books that the author has written.

Loved this book! Between us is witty and emotional with great characters! Another fantastic book from Mhairi McFarland. I definitely recommend this one.

Thank you NetGalley and Publisher for the ARC.

This book wasn’t necessarily for me. I found it quite hard to get into and eventually DNF’d at 60% because I wasn’t getting into it. I will say, the writing was great and it could be that at this time of me reading it I was more in the mood for lit fiction and/or thriller. I will be giving this book a second go.

As with all of Mhairi McFarlane's books there is drama, romance, and a lot of character growth throughout this book. This character driven second chance book follows Roisin and Joe as their relationship falls apart when Roisin discovers that Joe has been gaslighting her throughout their relationship. Their friends are a big part of their story and are large influences in their lives. But now that their relationship is falling apart, and Roisin begins to move on from her long-term relationship with Joe, we can hope that she ultimately ends up with Nate who is the complete opposite of Joe personality wise. There is a good amount of friendship drama as Roisin moves on from Joe. Let's be honest, her life is full of unwanted drama! The characters are well developed and a pleasure to get to know.

The pace of the first half is a bit slow but, thankfully, the second half is much faster. The ending was satisfying and made the book completely worth reading. It may not be one of my favorite of Mhairi's books but I definitely did not dislike it. I do recommend reading this and all of Mhairi McFarlane's books! She is never lets me down when I am in the mood for a good drama filled book.

I am extremely grateful to Avon & Harper Voyager and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this highly enjoyable book in exchange for an honest review.

I’ve read a few of this author’s books now, and while this wasn’t my favorite by her, I appreciated the themes of toxic relationships and dysfunctional family dynamics.

I really enjoyed her writing style once again, and I probably would’ve enjoyed this story more if I was in a better head space. This was definitely a heavier read for me than I was expecting.

*many thanks to Harper Collins and Netgalley for the gifted copy for review

this book did not disappoint. What a fun story, entertaining from start to finish. Thank you for my copy in exchange for a review.

If you're looking for a book that explores healing after a toxic relationship and confronts family issues that revolve around self-growth and women's fiction themes, rather than lighthearted romance, then this book would suit your needs. Unfortunately, most of the book revolves around the unhealthy relationship of the heroine, who finds herself deceived by the illusion of their love life, leaving little time for her second chance romance.

Does fiction hold a seed of truth? In this contemporary fiction novel, protagonist Roisin discovers that it does. At the start, Roisin and her long time boyfriend, Joe, get together with their friend group to celebrate a birthday, an engagement, and the premiere of Joe's new show. When the show airs, she discovers that characters in the show have a surprising resemblance to their friend group, and even worse, that he had taken a specific traumatizing event from her past and used it as plot. This causes her to further examine their relationship, and to wonder, what else from the show is based in reality? And does she really want to know?

This book is so very British. I did enjoy the read for the most part. Lots of drama, but it's pretty slow paced near the beginning. Roisin is already ready to throw in the towel on her relationship before the show even airs, and then she starts to question Joe's fidelity. There's nothing worse than a cheater. The romance didn't really develop until the end; I feel like it could have benefited from a bit more set up. I did the enjoy the mystery/sluething element, and the realistic relationship between Roisin and her mother.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.