Total blast! Edie and Elliot’s romance is full of laughs, drama, and heartwarming moments. McFarlane’s witty writing makes their journey from rekindling an old flame to navigating the chaos of fame super engaging. The characters are relatable and their chemistry is off the charts. If you love a rom-com with a bit of depth and a lot of fun, this book is a must-read!

As an avid fan of Mhairi McFarlane, I've always found her books to be nothing short of treasures. Each one has a special place on my shelf, and in my heart. Yet, with a heavy heart, I confess that her latest offering fell short of the mark for me. Despite my eagerness to dive into its pages, the story failed to captivate me as her previous works have. It pains me to say, but perhaps this narrative didn't necessitate a continuation. In my view, the characters' journey could have gracefully ended without this addition.

I really enjoyed this book which was my first Mhairi McFarlane read! I know I will enjoy the book even more when I read the first one (I wasn't able to finish the first book in time before I needed to review this one, so I went in blind but am excited to re-read it with new eyes). The details of the characters and the emotions were palpable and made a very vivid imagine throughout. Solid book, I'll probably bump it to 4 stars after I re-read!

Mhairi Mcfarlane can do no wrongs! I enjoyed Who’s That Girl and I enjoyed this sequel too. I also like this realistic perspective on how dating a celebrity as a normie could really suck sometimes. Very much a what happens after the happily ever after and how the leads have to keep choosing each other.

There gender swapped Notting Hill-esque British romcom had way too much drama going on for my tastes. I've never been a huge fan of this author and this sequel (that can be read as a standalone), opposites attract movie star romance just felt way too over the top and didn't have the emotional depth I look for in a good romance. Edie had to constantly figure out how to fit in as the girlfriend of a famous actor and negotiate rumors, lies, misunderstandings and the media constantly harassing her. Not a big fan of the narrator either. Definitely skipable in my opinion. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

did not like the first book of this series when I tried to read it
not a fan of this author's writing style

Mhairi McFarlane’s latest novel offers a charming continuation of Edie and Elliot’s story, following their whirlwind romance as Edie adjusts to life with a Hollywood star. With witty dialogue and heartfelt moments, the book explores the challenges of fame and media scrutiny in a relationship. While the narrative delivers engaging, emotionally resonant moments and humor, some readers may find the story's conflicts repetitive and the overall plot less essential, especially given the long gap since the previous book. Nonetheless, fans of McFarlane will appreciate the familiar characters and the satisfying conclusion to their romance.

After the last sentence from McFarlane’s first novel about Edie Thompson, it was so great to get to dive further into Elliott and Edie’s relationship. Edie being a “normal” woman and Elliot being a famous actor causes some obstacles (and drama) as they learn what navigating a relationship together looks like…especially where the press is concerned. In her usual fashion, McFarlane has written a very witty, heartfelt, and engaging story.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this eARC.

Eight years ago when I read “the end” of Mhairi McFarlane’s Who’s That Girl?, it seemed that Edie and movie star Elliot were beginning their fairy tale, but somewhere in between Who’s That Girl? and You Belong With Me–just months in their time, not eight years–Edie called off their relationship because she just didn’t see how it could work out. She was just an average girl from Nottingham and he was a movie superstar. You Belong With Me opens with Elliot showing up on Christmas Day to tell Edie that he loved her and couldn’t live without her. A very romantic beginning to a novel–so where does one go from the couple already saying that they love each other and will try to make a long distance love work?

Well, if you’re Mhairi McFarlane you write a charming, funny novel filled with British slang (to which Kindle can only shake its electronic head and say: “dunno”) and fast paced dialogue, then throw in a tall, built, truly nice Irishman, and see what happens.

While I very much enjoyed McFarlane’s writing, I didn’t feel like this was her strongest novel. If anyone had asked my opinion, I probably would not have been in the camp desiring a sequel. I’m of the less-is-more camp as far as writing goes (unless I’m utterly delighted and then I’m all more, more, more, of course).

However. McFarlane wrote one sequence that, for me, made up for any plot inadequacies. It was a wrenching scene in which Edie realizes that things might be over between her and Elliot. The emotions she experiences, confused, overwhelmed, nauseating uncertainty are so recognizable to anyone who’s ever been in that position that they’re almost palpable. It’s much like the written form of Emma Thompson’s wrenching scene in “Love Actually” when she comes to terms with the fact that she isn’t getting a beautiful necklace for Christmas but instead a CD (but a damn good CD, ya know). The battling emotions, despair, sadness, darkness. McFarlane’s scene might not be what you’re expecting from a rom-com (anymore than Thompson’s was in her rom-com) but it lifted what had been, to that point, a fun, but average, novel. Lest you think that I’m referring to any type of melodrama here: no. Real emotions are not the same as overwrought melodrama.

And because I’m the arbitrary flinger of butterflies (not a sport), I gave You Belong With Me an extra butterfly just for that scene and how it affected me.

Many thanks to Avon Books for sending me a copy.

I’ve decided to not finish. I was completely confused by the first chapter when it felt like a lot of info dump so I looked the book up to see if I was missing anything and apparently it’s apart of a series. That’s definitely my mistake for not realizing that when I requested it but I won’t be continuing. Thank you for the opportunity though.

So I am in a bit of a pickle here. I love reading any of Mhairi McFarlane's books. I literally have all of her books. They are truly gems, in my opinion. However, this book just wasn't it for me. I am sorry to say it, but it was a letdown. I just couldn't get into it. I really didn't like how the story was going. I truly think that it should not have been another book for them. There was no need, in my opinion.

A really underwhelming story and the writing felt very off. It fell flat for me, and I’m sad about that.

✅8 years (!!!) after Who’s That Girl was published and 3 years after I read it, Edie & Elliott are back!!
✅ starts right where book 1 ended
✅ Celeb-normie romance
🌶️: no, all off page.

The lesson of this book is, if you ever start dating a celebrity, you should probably also immediately get a therapist who you see regularly.

Overall, a very satisfying conclusion!

I didn’t realize "You Belong with Me" was a sequel to "Who’s That Girl", but luckily, Mhairi McFarlane did a great job giving enough backstory that I didn’t feel lost. However, even with this seamless integration, something about the book felt a bit lacking for me.

The story of Edie dating a Hollywood actor is definitely fun, but it felt more like we were just following their everyday lives rather than experiencing a full-fledged romance with a clear plot. There’s a lot of real-life messiness in their relationship—dealing with the media, long-distance struggles, and the pressures of fame—but at times, it felt like the book needed a little more momentum.

I appreciated the exploration of how fame impacts relationships, and the humor throughout kept things enjoyable. However, some of Edie’s reactions to certain situations, like how she dealt with the media, felt a bit too dramatic for me. The ending also came across as a bit abrupt, and I would have loved to see more of their happily ever after instead of just a quick wrap-up.

That said, McFarlane’s wit and relatable characters make the book a good read overall. I would imagine that if you loved Edie and Elliot in "Who’s That Girl", you’ll probably enjoy revisiting them here, but it left me wanting a bit more conflict and emotional depth and a stronger ending.

3.5⭐

In "You Belong With Me," Mahairi McFarlane masterfully intertwines themes of unrequited love, self-discovery, and the complexities of modern relationships. The narrative centers around the protagonist's internal struggle as she navigates her feelings for her best friend while grappling with societal expectations and personal insecurities. McFarlane's adept characterization invites readers to empathize with the protagonist's plight, creating a relatable and engaging experience. Her ability to depict nuanced emotions elevates the work beyond a mere romantic comedy, allowing it to resonate on a deeper level.

Moreover, McFarlane employs humor effectively throughout the text. This not only lightens moments of tension but also serves as a vehicle for character development. The witty banter among characters adds layers to their interactions, showcasing their personalities while simultaneously advancing the plot. Such comedic elements are essential in balancing the heavier themes present in the story, demonstrating McFarlane’s skillful narrative craftsmanship.

However, some critiques may arise regarding predictability in certain plot points typical of contemporary romance novels. While this may detract from originality for some readers, it can also be argued that these familiar tropes serve to comfort audiences seeking escapism through literature. Thus, despite its conventional elements, "You Belong With Me" remains a compelling exploration of love and belonging that reflects modern societal dynamics.

Didn't love this book. While the writing was strong, there wasn't a spark to anything else. I wanted more excitement and joy from the characters. Everything felt quite bland. This is a sequel, and I didn't read the first, so maybe that's why/ But usaully for romances you can pick up wherever and s sequel still feel special. I may try the first book, but it'll be low on my priority list since this one didn't draw me in.

In my eyes Mhairi McFarlane can do no wrong. Her rom-coms are always instant hits for me and this one was no different!

This was a sequel to “Who’s That Girl” which I didn’t know going in but this can still be read as a standalone. I recommend reading that one first though!

This book had well-crafted characters with incredible depth, spot on humor, with a fair amount of entertaining drama. This book is perfect for lovers of rom-coms!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC!

ARC ALERT 🚨 ‼️
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
He’s a rising super star actor and she’s a normal ad exec living 2 very different lives when they meet and fall in love. But those differences made being together too hard then. But with round 2, can they reunite and survive together despite the drama, the paparazzi, the old bitter exes, and the guy next door.
If you’re a Mhairi McFarlane reader, you will enjoy it, too.

I did enjoy it, but I appreciated the side characters more than the MMC. Maybe because the MMC is a rich actor, his acts seemed a bit over the top. The couple has a lot of insecurities (understandably so) that really get in between. It’s about working through them all.

This book was an excellent follow up to Who’s that Girl and I’m glad to have delayed finishing this one after realizing it was book 2. I was pulling for Elliott and Edie and the constant issues did drive me a bit crazy but I’m glad they figured it out in the end. This was a true romance compared to Who’s that Girl considering WTG did NOT end in an HEA. I am so happy Elliott and Edie figured their stuff out in the end!!

The writing was consistent and I did find it easy to follow. Mhairi writes great stories with realistic characters with realistic flaws and I greatly appreciate the chance to read this ARC!

loved this romance and interesting that she meet him at the hotel . She ends up working with him with the airline. she is fighting her feelings for him. He is trying to not become attached to her too. They are slowly having a good working relationship and figuring out themselves and their heat.