Incoming gushing review...I think I might have been one of the few readers who thought that Who's That Girl? ended on a pitch perfect note and further writing wasn't needed, though once I began reading this latest book, I was so happy that McFarlane decided a sequel was in order. Of course Edie and Elliot belonged together at the end of their first book. They proved that from the start when Elliot, against his better judgment, decided to let an unknown ghostwriter into his rarefied celebrity world to write his autobiography. Edie was a mess in the first novel, and Elliot was drawn to her swirling contradictions of kindness, fragility, and insecurity. Elliot might have started off in Edie's mind as "Megabrat," but once she got to know him and realized how much they had in common, the veneers of wealth and status were set aside. The uncertainties that plagued them in the first book were not thoroughly examined, but their love was such a passionate one that romance readers like myself accepted their future together. Of course it's Elliot knocking at her door for her in the final pages, which is exactly where You Belong with Me picks up.

This book depicts the rocky courtship of two people madly in love juggling internal and external problems that threaten their future together. I found that the problems were realistic but also always resolvable as long as they continued talking through them. And they do always keep talking and working on their relationship and never take it for granted. There are so many wonderful conversations that illustrate the give and take two people together must make in a relationship, and McFarlane does a lovely job of allowing both Edie and Elliot the grace to respect themselves while also nurture each other. There is a beautiful scene late in the book when Edie describes to Elliot that he is her "home" and how important he was to her in a frightening moment in the story when her father was ill that made me tear up. I had a few moments when I wondered if money, status, jealousy, long distance were all just insurmountable problems for them, but the priority put on building a steady foundation in the euphoria of falling in love remains central. Not only did I feel convinced that the characters do belong together but that the romance is in the work required to sustain a life-long love.

I loved the entire cast of characters here that carry over from the first book, and a few new ones. I love that despite the extent of Elliot's burgeoning career as an actor on the verge of A-list stardom, Edie's career successes are given equal weight and attention. I love that Elliot has so much respect for Edie, my personal favorite heroine from McFarlane's many books. In recent years, her books have been a little less romance-centric and this one puts romance at the heart of everything that happens. I hope this trend continues. Highly, highly recommend!

What happens after that HEA? This is what this book seeks to discover and describe and, unfortunately, it's not all peaches and cream. I enjoyed this behind the scenes ever after relationship between a celebrity and a non-celebrity but it was almost too realistic at times? It was not all hearts and roses but more a lot of misunderstanding and paparazzi. Still, well written and if you like this author, you will enjoy this one!

You Belong With Me comes out next week on September 3, 2024 and you can purchase HERE.

'Yesterday was magic, by the way, Edith, he said, 'I thought we must do it next year, then fretted: what if any of us aren't available to do it next year? This is a curse of the human condition. I've discussed it with my counsellor. Enjoy good times; don't become obsessed with prolonging and managing them. The only constant in life is change. You cannot step twice into the same stream.'

Dear readers, do not read this book if you have not read "Who's That Girl?" I honestly had zero idea this was a sequel until I started and kept going why do these characters sound familiar? LOL. I had to go back to my read list and found that I had read "Who's That Girl" in 2021. The book came out in 2015 though. And I have to say, I gave "Who's That Girl" 3.5 stars and rounded it up to 4 stars. I never really enjoyed Edie and Elliot's relationship in book #1 and in book #2 I was bored out of mind.

"You Belong With Me" follows Edie as she and Elliot try to have a relationship with each other and dealing with the PR of it all, people lying and scheming, etc. and Edie's lack of trust in the end with Elliot. This was just tedious. I think I got to the 30 percent mark and didn't like Edie or Elliot. Reading about a woman trying to navigate her romance with a movie star was not interesting and I don't know. I just want to read a romance that makes me root for the hero and heroine. Not wanting to go you need therapy and he needs to just be honest about things.

Edie was just boring. Reading about her reactions to Elliot out and about and reading their texts back and forth to each other made me bored and annoyed. I also got annoyed with how Edie kept acting like Elliot did something wrong by being with her. She was feeling insecure and that's most of this book. Hannah and Nick have zero personality outside of being Edie's sounding boards. Same with Fraser, Eliot's brother. Declan was not needed at all. Full stop.

Elliot, eh. I honestly at times wondered why he was trying to make it work with Edie. There's just no chemistry between them. He wants to be with her, but is resentful at times that she does not believe him and I swear they kept mini-breaking up to the point I was like are they still talking? No? Who cares. Maybe if I had re-read book #1 before I started this, I wouldn't have been caught confused a few times. I honestly had forgotten major storylines and went what a couple of times. I also wonder why McFarlane revisited these two characters. I can't imagine readers were demanding it.

The writing was so/so, most of it seems to be just text messages between multiple people and then emails, and then just barely any dialogue you can care about. . Look, I am 44 years old and don't text this much to anyone. Shit, I send my people goofy Instagram reels.

The ending was a big shrug to me. Probably because I didn't care if they stayed together or not.

I was so excited to find out what happens next for Elliot and Edie! These characters are so well done and very relatable. About 2/3 through the book I started to question if it was going to end how I hoped, but I was able to breathe a sigh of relief at the end! The author wrapped up their story nicely.

I had a very hard time getting into this book. Something about the writing, or phrasing, or something, just didn't work in my brain. Regardless, I stuck with it, and I'm glad I did.

About halfway through the story I got more into it and thoroughly enjoyed the ending. I thought it was going to go one way, and it didn't. That was a pleasant surprise.

While the book wasn't an overall success in my mind, I'd recommend it if you're a fan of the genre.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I didn’t realize this was the second book, but I as able to follow along and still enjoyed it. I did find myself almost feeling more chemistry between Edie and Declan though and was kind of rooting for them.

What happens after happily ever after? Eddie is just a regular gal, but she fell in love with Elliot, which means she's thrust into the spotlight right along with him. Can their relationship survive life in the public eye?

Unfortunately, I missed the fact that this was the second in a series - I've read a lot of Mhairi McFarlane, but I hadn't read Who's That Girl. Based on the other reviews I read, it would probably be best for me to read the first one before attempting this one. My library has a copy of it and we will be purchasing this to continue the series. Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC!

I love Mhairi McFarlane. She is one of my OG favorite Brit-Chick-Lit authors. I was very excited to get my hands on a copy of You Belong with Me!

In her usual fashion, I was laughing out and couldn’t put this down.

Highly recommend to anyone who loves a British rom-com. Always excited to read whatever Mhairi writes next.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for an advanced copy!

The story beautifully balances humor and heartfelt moments, ensuring that readers are both entertained and emotionally invested. McFarlane doesn't shy away from tough conversations, making the characters' growth and evolution feel genuine. While the third act breakup is gut-wrenching, the resolution is satisfying and hopeful.

This is a sequel and I think having recently read the first is crucial to your enjoyment of this book! I did read the first, but it was eight years ago when it came out and I’m lucky if I remember details of a book I read eight days ago.

The first few chapters does the set up and the connections of what happened in the first but this is truly a continuation of that story and I really think you need to read, and remember, that one to properly enjoy this.

It took me about 25% of the way into the book to stop feeling confused or uncertain about prior references and to be in a place where I really enjoyed what I was reading. But then, I really did enjoy what I was reading! So please, pick up or revisit Who’s That Girl before you dive into this one and then I’m sure you’ll love seeing where the story goes!

Eekkkkk! Imagine dating a Hollywood heartthrob with tomato soup on your coat—that’s Edie’s life now! Mhairi McFarlane nails the chaos of falling for a superstar, with all the drama and laughs you’d expect. Edie’s totally relatable as she navigates the madness of fame and love, all while trying not to lose herself, she was really relatable! Nothing better than when a book makes you laugh out loud!
This book is like a cozy rom-com with just the right amount of heart and humor. Perfect for anyone who loves a good romance with a twist of celebrity chaos!

You Belong With Me is the sequel to McFarlane’s Who’s That Girl. It’s an interesting take on what it might be like for a typical non famous person to fall in love and have a serious relationship with a celebrity.

I do think the ending of the first book allows us to assume a certain type of ending but leaves a bit of mystery as well. In times like these I find myself wanting more so it was satisfying to have a peek into Edie and Elliott’s life down the road. My biggest critiques are around the amount of back and forth long distance relationship drama and accusations of cheating as well as some loose ends left untied- what ever happens to Declan? There’s also an epilogue that provides even less closure than the ending of the first book, in my opinion. Even still, this is a fun little rom com. There aren’t too many I don’t enjoy.

Thank you to Net Galley for an ARC of this book I’m exchange for an honest review. Pick up your copy on September 3rd!

Mhairi’s books always make me feel so much when I step into the worlds she’s created and this novel was no different. I loved seeing Edie’s story continue as she grows and learns how to navigate through the challenges in her relationship and personal life.

I was interested in this book initially because it's named after a Taylor Swift song, and it ended up reminding me so much of the book "One for The Feeling", it had really enticing fangirl vibes and was such a fun time to read.

I'd read the first book, and boy this one was a miss. I've very much liked McFarlane's work in the past, but her books are starting to read formulaic and predictable. This one also lacked more of the 'laugh out loud' moments I'd come to expect from her humor.

I did not realized this is a follow up book. I haven't read the first and can't fit it in right now. I am so sorry! Thank you for letting me try!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Mhairi McFarlane is one of my all time favorite authors. Her latest offering, You Belong With Me, is the long awaited sequel to 2016’s Who’s That Girl.

You Belong With Me continues Edie and Elliot’s story as they navigate their long-distance relationship, Elliot’s fame, and tabloid fodder.

I wish I could say You Belong With Me is a home-run. Unfortunately, this isn’t one of my favorites. The tension and conflicts felt very “same-y” and regurgitated and, frankly predictable (not something I have ever said about one of McFarlane’s books).

That said, this is still a beautifully written book. McFarlane has a talent for creating relatable characters. There is plenty of fun and witty banter, and lots and lots of emotions (like every emotion you can think of, sometimes all at once).

If you’re a fan of her previous works, you’ll still find plenty to enjoy here. While it might not be my favorite, it’s a solid read that adds more layers to Edie and Elliot’s journey.

I am so grateful to get to read an ARC of You Belong with Me as I'm a big Mhairi McFarlane fan, I absolutely loved her book Just Last Night.

This book is a sequel to Who's That Girl - something I wish I had known before reading. While I think you can read this book without reading WTG first, I wish I would have read it prior to this as it could have gave me background on the couple in this book and more insight to their history. I felt like I was coming into their story halfway through and while I gathered breadcrumbs, I would have been more invested in their relationship had I read Who's That Girl first.

Edie, a normal gal, and Elliot, a famous actor re-connect and start a romance filled with challenges that come with dating someone in the public eye and managing long distance. These characters felt deep and emotional which I loved - I liked them separate and together. However, the cadence of this book and the flow was very off for me, I found myself having to re-read pages at a time, feeling like I missed something? I'm going to go back and read the first book in the series and hope it helps get into this one more because I really loved the humor and heart in this!

I really enjoy McFarlane’s books. She has interesting characters for both the protagonists and the side characters. The dialogue is witty and the emotional twists and turns of the two main characters seem believable even though the hero is a world-famous actor and the heroine is a copywriter for an ad agency in Nottingham, England. Their romance seems so unlikely, especially adding on their separation as he films a show for HBO in New York and she lives close to her family in England. There is not chance really of their living together in the same town even though that is where he is from also.

I hadn’t realized that this was a sequel to an earlier book, “Who’s That Girl.” That’s one of the few McFarlane novels that I haven’t read before, but now I want to download it. There are regular references to what happened in the earlier book and it would have been earlier if I was more familiar with their past history. Instead, this book picks up when they’re already in love and now trying to cope with separation and paparazzi. But there are enough references that it all sorted itself out in my mind and I was happy to just go along for the ride.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

"You Belong with Me" by Mhairi McFarlane is an absolute gem. The characters are incredibly well-crafted, and their connection feels authentic and deeply moving. McFarlane's writing is both beautiful and engaging, drawing you into the story with vivid descriptions and sharp wit. I found myself completely absorbed from start to finish. This book is a must-read, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to everyone. Thank you NetGalley, AVON and Harper Voyager and Mhairi McFarlane for the ARC!