I did not realize this was a sequel going into the story. While it mostly works as a standalone, there were some blanks I had to fill in on my own. The story kept me satisifed and enterained, however, I felt like our two leads kept rehashing the same issue for the majority of the book and by 90%, I was a bit frustrated. I do love McFarlane’s writing and look forward to the next one.

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoyed this! It felt like a sweet and genuine love story but wasn't so heavy that it felt drawn out or fake.

"You Belong with Me" picks up right where "Who's That Girl" left off, with Elliot making his grand return from the US. The book beautifully explores the journey of two people from different worlds trying to weave their lives together and tackle a long-distance relationship. This charming story lets us reconnect with the lovable characters from the first book.

The stakes in this book are pretty low, with Edie’s own self-doubt being the main antagonist. (Seriously, she needs some therapy ASAP!) It's a bit quirky that she blames all her issues on a guy she had a crush on instead of the years of trauma from her mother’s suicide and her father's mental health crisis and abandonment. But hey, maybe she’s just not super self-aware, or she's made peace with her past. Either way, it doesn’t really impact the story.

Because the stakes are so low and there isn’t much drama, the writing takes center stage, making this Mhairi's funniest book yet! It’s also delightfully English. As a Canadian, it reminded me of the fast-paced, witty banter of "Gilmore Girls," with its rapid-fire language and pop-culture references. The English jokes I was able to get were absolute gems.

Unfortunately, this one wasn’t for me and I didn’t finish, although my star rating reflects what I would have likely given it. The writing style isn’t my taste, and several chapters in, I could tell I wasn’t interested in either the characters or the plot. I will recommend it for fans of her other work though!

oh mhairi. this was my first book of hers and she’s completely stolen my heart. at the recommendation of emily henry, i decided to pick up my first novel and boy was that a good choice. packed with heart and straddling the line of romance and women’s fiction (my personal favorite) mcfarlane has sold me an unforgettable story and i can’t wait to dive into her backlist

i dnfed this book. the writing style was not for me and the story was so hard to follow. i read more than half before ultimately giving up. i felt no connection to the characters and unfortunately could not bring myself to care about how anyone ended up by the end.

Unfortunately had to DNF as the writing was not for me. I think this would be amazing for anyone else.

Rating: 3.5 ⭐️

Thank you to Netgalley and The publisher for this E-Galley!

I really enjoyed this book! It was a great sequel to Who’s That Girl. Also loved all the Taylor Swift references in this book, I mean the title is literally called “You Belong With Me” so I expected it. Now while this was a continuation of the first book with the cliffhanger ending, I honestly feel like the two books could’ve been one. If you would’ve made the main points of this book the prologue of the first it could’ve worked great as well. Nonetheless I still thoroughly enjoyed this it was a great read!

I have never been a big fan of this Notting Hill trope but once in a while I will indulge in it and see how it pans out. Mhairi McFarlane happens to be one of my favorite authors, I love the stories and characters she creates so obviously I was going to read this. And as much as I liked the writing and characters alot in You Belong with Me, I still could not look past the celebrity and normal person thing. It just didnt feel as romantic and that just might be my problem.

More often than not, Edie would make trouble for herself and create situations that were only hypothetical in nature. She continued to repent for a situation in the past which involved two parties at fault. Yet, she came out stronger at end with a loving and successful boyfriend, supportive friends and a great career. It was often exhausting to read about her continuously crying all the time. She surely was her own worst enemy. I was glad to see that Elliot knew this love was worth fighting for and hid career as an actor didn't define who he was as a person. He wanted to take care of Edie to make her life better and welcomed her into his family. She took precedent over anything else. I felt like Edie finally became stronger at the end when she expressed how she truly felt. Their love was evident and Edie knew that asking Elliot to belong to her was the best decision she made.

Thank you NetGalley and the Publisher for an advanced e-copy of You Belong with Me, in exchange for an honest review.

You Belong with Me' by Mhairi McFarlane is a heartwarming and entertaining sequel to 'Who's That Girl.' The novel follows Elliot and Edie, as they navigate the challenges of a long-distance relationship while balancing their different worlds.

One of the strengths of the book is its lovable characters. Elliot and Edie are relatable and easy to root for. Their chemistry is undeniable, and their interactions are full of wit and charm. The supporting cast is equally well-developed, adding depth and humor to the story.

The primary conflict in this book stems from Edie's self-doubt and it focuses on the characters' relationships and their personal growth. While some readers may prefer higher stakes, the book's emphasis on character development makes for a refreshing and emotionally satisfying read.

What sets this book apart is McFarlane's exceptional writing. Her prose is clever and engaging, filled with playful language and pop culture references. The novel has a distinctly English flavor, which may not appeal to all American readers. However, for those who enjoy the fast-paced dialogue and cultural nuances of British literature, this book is a treat.

Overall, 'You Belong with Me' is a charming and heartwarming read. It is a testament to McFarlane's storytelling abilities that she can create a compelling and entertaining story even with a relatively low-stakes conflict. Fans of the first book will delight in revisiting these beloved characters, while new readers will find a sweet and humorous love story to enjoy.
This was a 4.25 Stars Read for me!

📖📖 Book Review 📖📖 I am the Queen of not realizing books are sequels and jumping right in. Whoops. You Belong With Me is beautifully written and filled with emotions that tugged at my heartstrings without even reading the first book. I am going to go back and read it and come back with a more complete review and then share!!!

When I first read Who’s That Girl, I fell in love with Edie and Elliot. So you can imagine how gutted I was while reading the final scene of said book.

And then this book was announced and I got equally excited and nervous for this sequel. Was it necessary? Could the author summon the feelings I felt reading the first book? The answer to those question is yes!

It starts off right where we ended in book one and bam, it was like continuing a conversation with a longtime friend.

Elliot and Edie have to manage a public relationship fraught with prying eyes and old enemies. And I loved watching all the drama unfold! The characters are so life-like and I found myself biting my nails with how invested I was.

There were also several quotes and moments that stuck out to me. Mostly having to do with self-sabotaging. The insecurities of both parties, and also how your childhood trauma can haunt you, had me highlighting up a storm.

Mhairi’s humor and wit will always be a love of mine. But another thing she does well is intimacy. And not only the romantic kind but, that of family and friends. And if you are looking for a romance with minimal spice, Mhairi is always the way to go.

I have to also say I did not know how much I was missing Richard in my life, but I was.

Again my only pet peeve is that I want Mhairi to write an epilogue of a more grand scale. But, if that’s my biggest criticism, I don’t think I mind too terribly.

Thanks to HarperCollins Publishing and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced copy!

McFarlane never disappoints me!!! Such deep and meaningful love stories yet fun and witty at the same time. There's always a good message hidden in her books. Loved the characters and storyline.

✨ARC Review✨

Full disclosure: I did not read the first book, Who’s That Girl? I’m not bothered by reading out of order, but if you’re a stickler, you have plenty of time to read the first one before this releases on 9/3/24.

So, this book picks right up with Elliott showing up at Edie’s door on Christmas Day to convince her to give their nascent relationship another chance. Edie had broken it off a few months prior due to not being able to see how they would make it work with their vastly different lifestyles and plain ol’ geography. None of that has changed, but Elliott urges her to see how good they are together and they both acknowledge how much they’ve missed each other. She’s convinced. They’re off to the races!

There’s still a lot going on for both of them. Elliott is becoming an even bigger celebrity when he takes a starring role in a premium cable show that shoots in NYC and co-stars one of the most gorgeous women in the world. Edie earns a promotion which keeps her roots firmly grounded in Nottingham. She also gets a new, handsome Irish co-worker named Declan.

Will these two figure out how to make their long-distance, full-of-distractions relationship work? I gotta say, I was occasionally worried and may have shed a tear or two once.

I love the banter AND the serious conversations between Edie and Elliott. They are genuinely friends plus more. Elliott is clever and Edie gives it back just as well. And all of their friends and family are stars on their own.

I’ve been a fan of Mhairi McFarlane for years and this is another great one in her repertoire.

I received an ARC from #netgalley, @AvonBooks @HarpervoyagerUS
My thoughts are mine alone.

#romance #romancebooks #contemporaryromance #arc #bookstagram

I have yet to be a fan of this author but people adore her books so I am grateful I had an opportunity to receive this ARC however I cannot give a good review. I believe her previous fans will enjoy this.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the arc of “You Belong with Me” by Mhairi McFarlane.

I really enjoyed “Who’s that Girl” and I loved getting to see more of Edie and Elliot. I love Mhairi’s writing style and the way she tells stories and she didn’t disappoint with this one either. The banter was amazing and the relationship between Edie and Elliot felt so real. Absolutely loved it.

the unexpected twists in trust turned everything upside down, keeping me completely engaged. Despite the challenges the characters faced, the story remained hopeful and heartwarming.

The way the characters navigated their complex relationships and seemingly insurmountable obstacles was both inspiring and uplifting. There was a sense of resilience and optimism that permeated the narrative, making even the darkest moments feel manageable.

Hope was a constant theme throughout the story. No matter how dire the circumstances, the characters never gave up. Their perseverance was incredibly touching and left me feeling encouraged and positive long after I finished the book.

This was such a great follow up to Who’s that Girl and I was thrilled to see more Edie and Elliot and how their relationship grew! This book also did ALL OF US a favor of having Fraz front and center and I feel like I could read another few of just his antics!

Don't get me wrong, I love Mhairi McFarlane, and I was over the moon to receive an ARC for this sequel! However, Edie and Elliot's story felt far too stretched out and would have made a far better short story than a novel. Full disclosure: they're not my favorite McFarlane characters, so that opinion definitely shaded my preconceived notions and, most likely, my final opinion.

That said, Mhairi McFarlane is fantastic at her craft! This story is fun, funny, and provides all the feels! 🥰

Special thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for sharing this digital ARC with me in exchange for my honest review.