2.5 stars, rounding up to 3

McFarlane is an author I've grown to appreciate over the years. At first I was very turned off by the profanity, but there is generally very little in the way of "bedroom" scenes. Also, her stories tend to be about normal people and their regular lives.

I didn't realize when I requested this ARC that it was a sequel to Who's That Girl?—a break from McFarlane's usual in that one of the parties is a celebrity (movie star, of course). Not my favorite trope, and this follow-up is more of a sop to the fans who didn't like the ending of the first book.

So, I didn't hate it because I don't think I can when McFarlane is writing it, but I didn't love it either. If you loved Who's That Girl, Notting Hill type romances, or second chances, then give it a go. But there are better McFarlane novels out there, so please try a different one if you haven't tried her yet.

WARNING: THIS BOOK IS A SEQUEL!!

Before I get to the negatives, the concept is super fun!! If you want to read this book, I highly recommend picking up book #1 as it has some great reviews and gives a lot of context/investment for this book that could help a reader with this one.

I truly tried my best with this one but I simply could not get into it and had to DNF. In the days since, I have a hard time putting my finger on why I couldn't finish it. First, it's a sequel. That was not advertised in the NetGalley blurb and was only recently added to the Goodreads page for this book. I decided to give this book a shot to see if it was worth pausing it and reading book #1 first. But, I struggled to get through any pages of this book. My second issue was that the prose felt really dry. It didn't flow at all and the sentences felt almost like reading a textbook to get through.

For example: "Edie knew exactly who was at the door, and yet she still didn't know, both at the same time. Perfect certainty and the precariousness of hope" (p. 8). Why did we need 2 sentences to say the same thing? The book wasn't super concise which made each page feel longer.

My smaller issue was that the main characters' names shared the same first name (Edie & Elliot), which made it slightly confusing. If I had read the first book this might not have been as much of an issue.

Overall, I did my best. I may pick up book #1 if I have a chance as I tend to enjoy books from this genre.

Thank you to NetGalley + Avon for this ARC! I apologize for the more negative review.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

This book drops you straight into the final scenes of Love Actually and then goes from there. I loved that take of the "what happens after the big dramatic moment??" Mhairi McFarlane's writing is so zany and British - this is my first of her books, and the writing really comes to life off the pages. I could almost see the book as a movie script, with quips and fast-paced dialogue left and right. And I couldn't help imagining Hugh Grant or Colin Firth as our Elliot. A fun, fresh Christmas read for when you have the energy to dig into a good romance!

Who’s That Girl? was adorable and this was a beautiful sequel.

I love that sometimes, we have trials and tribulations before we REALLY get the HEA and it’s okay that things aren’t always perfect.

I adored this book with the friends and family that we’ve come to know, the sense of humor between Edie and Elliott, and the way they will always inherently fight for and trust in each other.

Thank you Mhairi McFarlane for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

As several others mentioned in their reviews, I didn’t realize this was a sequel initially. The book was definitely a bit confusing at parts early on since I hadn’t read the first book. That aside, I don’t think reading the first book before this one would’ve made me enjoy You Beling with Me significantly more. There seemed to be little chemistry between Edie and Elliot and almost too much focus on his fame. I was still cheering for them, but I wasn’t really even overly excited at the ending.

First I would like to thank Netgalley and Avon books for the ARC of this book. When I first got this book I was super excited to read it, but I had no idea that there was a whole other book before this one. That’s definitely my fault for not reading the fine print, but I did think it would be easy to follow along being it’s a sequel, but that wasn’t the case with this book. I was trying so hard to kind of understand the different characters that I couldn’t truly enjoy this book. I will definitely read the first book, and then come back and give a fair review of this book! (I’m giving it 3 stars for now as I love the concept of this book, and am anticipating that I will love it once I read the first book!)

Thank you Netgalley and Avon/HarperCollins for sharing this ARC with me.

I read about 1/3 of this book before I decided that I just couldn't finish it. I'm typically a big fan of the celebrity/regular person trope but You Belong with Me just didn't connect with me. After reading some other reviews, I understand that is the second book in a series. I recommend reading the first book first.

I tried really hard to get into this book and was just incredibly confused. It just felt like a mess. Everything was jumbled together. After some googling, I learned this was a sequel and I have yet to read the first in the series, which is likely why I didn't have an insta connection with the characters, but sequels should be easier to follow than this novel was. Time of death: 24%

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for this honest review.

Admittedly it’s my fault I didn’t read the first book in this series so It's also my fault that I felt like I was playing catch up for the first few chapters with little to no backstory and knowing who the characters were. This is a follow up sequel to “Who’s That Girl” and that book is the story of how Edie, a ghost writer, and Elliot, a movie star, fell in love. This book starts right up on Christmas Day when Edie finds Elliot knocking on her door and asking for a second chance.

This book gave me major Notting Hill Vibes and by starting with a grand gesture to get back the girl, it was a unique way to start a book and what follows is how they battle with the media and naysayers on how to keep their relationship strong. Elliot being a movie star and Edie being a non famous person, she has doubts and insecurities but it did seem like they were having the same issues over and over. With them already starting as a couple, I missed the initial meet cute and slow building of tension and anxiety that comes with a romance book. Again it’s my fault for now reading the first book but maybe combine these two into one?

At the end of the day the book was fine…. but I wasn’t invested in the characters and the story. The moral of this review is read the first book in this series before you read this one.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Avon/Harper Voyager for sharing this book’s digital advanced review copy with me in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyage publishing for the advanced copy of this title.
This book had 'Notting Hill' vibes for me. Edie a "normal, everyday woman and Ethan, an A-list actor. The odds are stacked against these two as they have to navigate the media, jealousy, long-distance, and past abandonment issues. Whenever they are on the page, their attraction is believable and heartfelt.
The author does a great job building their relationship and the two have great banter. You really get a feel for how 'celebrity' becomes a mask to the real person underneath all the smoke and mirrors.
There is clear communication in this book and I appreciated the author showing a mature relationship. They deal with issues of jealousy, distance,
As much as I appreciated the lack of miscommunication, I didn't feel like there was enough conflict to warrant the length of this novel.

First I would like to thank Netgalley and Avon books for the ARC of this book.

When I first received a copy of the book I didn’t realize this was a sequel to a previous book but it was easy to catch up on the story. Edie and Elliot were a very cute couple but also had very different lives and lived on different content so it made their relationship difficult.

I thought this story was very cute and easy to read. I really enjoy Mhairi McFarlanes writing style and find her romances always a good read but I wasn’t super invested in this story.

I didn’t find much chemistry between the two MCs and just wanted more from their story. Maybe if it had read the first book I would have been rooting for them a little more.

Overall it was a good read and a solid 3/5 stars.

This book just wasn't for me. I felt like there was no real plot (nothing moved forward), the 'romance' was awkward, and the MMC was unlikeable. After reading, I found out it was a sequel to an earlier book, and while I wonder if reading that would provide context, I have no desire to pick it up.

Average girl Edie ended things with her movie star fling Elliot only to have him end up on her doorstep on Christmas Day asking for a second chance. Can they make things work this time around?

You might consider picking it up if you like:
-Second Chance
-Against All Odds
-Celebrity Romance

It did not work for me because Elliot gaslit Edie for the entire book, there was more chemistry between Edie and her coworker, and after all those pages, the book pretty much ended with the same vibes of the opening, only this time in reverse. The only reason I kept reading was I was rooting for the co-worker but that never happened.

Edie has found "the one". When Elliott shows up at her door on Christmas day proclaiming he's madly in love with her. Elliott is basically Hollywood royalty. Can Edie learn how to live in the limelight? They get along so well that she wants to try. It's hard when the press is like a third wheel in your relationship. When her past is raked up by jealous people who want to destroy her what will Edie do? Thanks to @NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of You Belong with Me by Mhairi McFarlane.

When I saw this book I jumped at the chance to read a new Mhairi McFarlane book. I’m newish to her writing and really enjoy her funny, casual style. Her characters are easy to relate to, the emotions genuine and the books are often really funny. I should have done a little homework before picking this one up as it’s a sequel to a book I haven’t read. I enjoyed it anyway.

In the beginning I felt like I had joined this book in the middle of a conversation. As It turns out, I had. Luckily it was easy enough to figure out the basics of the previous book and get invested in the story of Edie and Elliot. This is a second-chance-at-love story and the main characters are great together. Too bad they live on separate continents and have incredibly different life styles. The world is pulling them apart and it would be easier to brake up than to stay together.

I wish I’d read the original story first as I believe it would have increased my enjoyment of this one, but I liked it well enough any way. Rounding up from 3 1/2 stars.

This book was to stretched out. I would have enjoyed it more if it was shorter. However it was funny, and provided all the feels.

This book was so cute! I really loved the two main characters and the story was so cute. I would highly recommend reading this book!

Mhairi McFarlane delivers a poignant, witty, and captivating story in "You Belong with Me," which delves into the intricacies of a relationship between an everyday woman and a renowned actor. Edie Thompson, who once found herself entangled with the charming Elliot Owen, a Hollywood star, grapples with the unique challenges of dating someone in the limelight. When Elliot unexpectedly arrives at her home on Christmas Day, Edie is swept into a whirlwind romance that is both magical and intimidating.

As they navigate the pressures of media attention, the struggles of a long-distance relationship, and familial complications, Edie and Elliot's journey is enriched with clever dialogue and relatable situations. The novel explores their relationship dynamics in depth, capturing the emotional peaks and valleys with a sincerity that resonates with readers. The supporting characters, particularly the evolving friendship between Fraz and Elliot, contribute additional layers of warmth to the story.

This book skillfully intertwines humor with heartfelt moments, ensuring that readers remain both entertained and emotionally engaged. McFarlane addresses challenging topics head-on, allowing for authentic character development and transformation. Although the breakup in the third act is heart-wrenching, the resolution offers a sense of hope and fulfillment.

Overall, "You Belong with Me" is a charming continuation of Edie and Elliot's journey, seamlessly blending romance with reality in a manner that captivates readers from beginning to end. It comes highly recommended for McFarlane enthusiasts and anyone who appreciates a thoughtfully crafted, emotionally resonant love story.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc!

This was a great follow-up to Who's That Girl, and I just adore Mhairi McFarlane's writing style! Edie and Elliot are end goals and I love them! Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for the digital ARC!!

This book was a DNF for me. The beginning felt super abrupt, and I just couldn't get into it. I gave about 1/3 of the way through. I have liked other books by this author, so I think this one was just a miss for me.

Mhairi McFarlane is the queen of the romance novel in my book. You Belong with Me is another winner. The only problem is how fast you will inhale this book and then have to wait for her next creation! Prepare to fall in love with Edie, Elliott and their cast and crew all over again.