Based on my thoughts, I didn’t enjoy the writing style of this book which is disappointing because I enjoy Mhairi McFarlane books. I was excited to have a squeal however that excitement is probably the only reason I was able to complete the book.

Note I will continue to read McFarlane books, this one just didn’t hit.

You belong with me is a book that perfectly combines romance with emotional and comic overtones at the same time. The love between Elliot and Edie held me captive from the first pages of the book.

In addition to the rest of the secondary characters that provided the story with the necessary dynamics to make it an endearing book. I want more stories with this trope between an actor and an ordinary person. I loved it from beginning to end.

Edie Thompson has sealed the deal with famous actor Elliott Owen. What comes next? Poor communication.

First off, I didn’t realize this was a sequel. It would really help if you read the first book. Overall, this book is just a series of misunderstandings between ED and Elliot. There wasn’t much romance, happiness, or anything of like. I was kind of disappointed.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for an advance copy of this book.

The blurb got me SO interested but the opening was just hard for me to get into. Once I did, I did find the sweetness of the romance but I wish I connected with it all more.

Let me start by saying that I'm normally a HUGE fan of Mhairi McFarlane. Unfortunately, this one just missed the mark for me. I had trouble connecting with both Edie and Elliot and didn't feel the spark that makes me want to read THIS romance (as opposed to the thousands of others out there). Don't get me wrong, it's a cute read. But the spark in both the story and the characters was just missing for me.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

While "You Belong With Me" by Mhairi McFarlane isn’t my usual type of book, I can appreciate its charm. The story follows the journey of a woman navigating the complexities of love and friendship as she grapples with feelings for her best friend, who seems oblivious to her affection. McFarlane's witty writing and relatable characters bring humor and heart to the narrative. It’s a delightful exploration of unrequited love and self-discovery, but ultimately, it’s just not my cup of tea.

Mhairi McFarlane’s You Belong with Me is a witty, heartwarming, and sometimes bittersweet exploration of love, fame, and the trials that come with being thrust into the limelight. It centers on Edie Thompson, an ordinary woman who finds herself in an extraordinary relationship with Elliot Owen, a Hollywood A-lister who is as charming as he is elusive. While the premise might sound like a fairytale come true, McFarlane quickly reveals that life with a celebrity is far more complicated than Edie ever anticipated.

The novel opens with Edie in a whirlwind romance with Elliot, who, despite his star power and global adoration, chooses her—someone completely unprepared for the media circus that follows their relationship. The book effectively taps into the wish-fulfillment fantasy of dating a celebrity, only to pull back the curtain on the very real challenges that come with it. McFarlane cleverly balances the lightheartedness of the premise with deeper emotional beats, making it more than just a celebrity romance.

The chemistry between Edie and Elliot is undeniable, and McFarlane’s talent for writing snappy dialogue and creating relatable characters shines through. Edie is endearing, grounded, and full of self-deprecating humor, making her an easy character to root for. Her navigation of Elliot’s glitzy world is both amusing and stressful, as she finds herself trying to fit into a life that’s full of red-carpet events, paparazzi, and the constant scrutiny of the press.

However, McFarlane doesn’t just focus on the romance; she also delves into Edie’s internal journey of self-worth and trust. The novel examines the toll that fame takes on her personal identity, as well as the growing mistrust that creeps into her relationship with Elliot. With every magazine headline, leaked rumor, and prying journalist, Edie begins to wonder if she can truly trust those around her—or even Elliot himself. The tension between love and the need for self-preservation is a key theme that McFarlane expertly weaves into the story, giving it emotional depth and authenticity.

As much as You Belong with Me is a romance, it’s also a commentary on the darker sides of celebrity culture. McFarlane explores the invasion of privacy, the pressure to maintain a perfect image, and the toxic ways in which tabloids and gossip can unravel even the strongest of relationships. The ocean between Edie and Elliot, both literally and metaphorically, grows wider as they face these challenges. While Elliot’s glamorous life in Hollywood seems to pull him in one direction, Edie’s more grounded existence in the UK tugs her in another. The added pressure of gorgeous co-stars and Elliot’s jet-setting lifestyle heightens Edie’s insecurities and amplifies the distance between them.

McFarlane also skillfully includes a subplot about Edie’s past, which resurfaces as she becomes more famous. Old wounds are reopened as people from her previous life begin to meddle, fueled by jealousy and the desire to take advantage of her newfound fame. This adds an extra layer of conflict, as Edie is forced to confront not just the pressures of her current situation, but the unresolved issues of her past.

The novel keeps readers guessing whether Edie and Elliot’s love story will be a modern-day fairytale or a cautionary tale about getting too close to the sun. McFarlane’s ability to inject humor into these tense moments keeps the tone light, even as the stakes grow higher. The emotional ups and downs are beautifully balanced, making the reader feel the highs of love and the lows of doubt right alongside Edie.

Final Thoughts:
You Belong with Me is a captivating, smartly written romance that tackles the complexities of dating someone in the spotlight. Mhairi McFarlane offers more than just a Cinderella-style romance—she dives into the difficulties of maintaining trust, individuality, and love in a relationship where the world is constantly watching. With relatable characters, sharp humor, and a storyline that feels both modern and emotionally rich, this novel will appeal to fans of contemporary romance who want a mix of charm, drama, and deeper emotional reflection. Whether Edie and Elliot’s relationship can withstand the pressures of fame keeps the reader invested until the very last page.

Edie and Elliot get a HEA! McFarlane’s witty writing and distinctive voice are what make this book so good. I thought the plot was a little weak and I actually found myself rooting (just slightly!) for the newly introduced quasi love interest. He was such a great side character! But I was so happy that the author makes the readers sweat a bit before giving us the reunion we want.

Declan better get himself a whole book. You can’t just introduce a fabulous character like that and then give us only a glimpse.

McFarlane’s books are always a delight. She is an auto-read author for sure and I will always look forward to her next book.

Edie and Elliot's story is charmingly continued in Mhairi McFarlane's most recent book, which follows their brief romance as Edie gets used to life with a Hollywood star. The challenges of celebrity and media scrutiny in a relationship are explored in this book full of poignant moments and clever dialogue. Even though there are funny and emotionally impactful moments in the story, some readers might find the conflicts in the story repetitive and the overall plot less essential—especially considering how long it has been since the last book. However, McFarlane fans will enjoy the well-known characters and the happy ending to their romance.

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.