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.

This was hard for me because I love everything Mhairi writes. However for a good part of this book, I wasn’t rooting for the main couple, I was rooting for the love triangle guy 😅

I love that we got another look into Edie’s life, but this book just didn’t hit as well for me.

Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyage for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Like many others who read this book, I did not realize this book was a true sequel to a previous book rather than a standalone. I felt like I was jumping into the very end of a book I hadn’t read and I was trying to catch up. It’s certainly possible that I would’ve enjoyed this book more had I read its prequel, but I felt that it really should have been highlighted both on the cover and more in the description that this was not a standalone novel.

I love Mhairi McFarlane, and this book did not disappoint. A quick read and perfect for a day at the beach or a cozy fall afternoon.

The first book, "Who's that Girl", tells the original story of Edie and Elliot. This book, "You Belong With Me", tells more of Edie and Elliot's story after "Who's that Girl" ends. Elliot is famous, and Edie is a normal girl, who has to get used to all that comes with dating a famous person, including the media who is known for twisting things to get the juciest story.

I was not the biggest fan of this story. Edie and Elliot just seemed like they had a lot that they needed to work on together and individually, and together they just were not the best couple. The problems that the couple had seemed repetitive and drawn out for no reason and the jealousy was just insane, and I found myself not caring if the couple stayed together or not. The lack of happiness between the characters was disappointing.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. This book was super cute and fun to read. Definitely left me in a better mood with its humor and sweet love story. I didn't read the first book in the series but thankfully, the author puts great detail into previous events so the reader doesn't feel lost. The characters are also likable and fun to learn more about while also having a serious yet fun tone in moments that are needed.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.
Since I loved Who's That Girl, I was THRILLED when I heard there was going to be a sequel. Edie and Elliot were lovely and I couldn't wait to dive back into their world. Unfortunately, this sequel just didn't do it for me. The main reason was that it felt like conflict after conflict, dragging on unnecessarily. Obviously, I will still read anything and everything Mhairi McFarlane writes, but this was just okay for me.

You Belong With Me is the sequel to the 2016 contemporary romance novel Who’s That Girl.

This book picks up right where the previous installment left off. Edie Thompson is in her new home, making Christmas dinner for family and friends, when her famous ex, Elliott Owen, stops by with a big bouquet and a plea for them to give their relationship another try. Since they are both madly in love and have been unsuccessful at staying apart, they decide to try again. But nothing has changed in Elliott’s career, and they continue to face the same issues—press invasions of privacy and long periods of time apart. They must navigate insecurities about working closely with the opposite sex while in a relationship and figure out what to share with those around them and who they can trust.

Despite the glamour of Elliott’s career, this is a down-to-earth and realistic portrayal of what it’s like for a couple dealing with the pressures of celebrity and long distance. I love the wit and banter of all the characters and would love to see books starring everyone from Edie’s sister, Meg, to Elliott’s musician friend, whom we never meet. I found myself wishing I knew these people and could have a drink with them at a pub in Nottingham.

Sadly mhairi McFarlane books are not for me.. I loved the premise of this book: journalist falling in love with the celebrity she’s writing the story about and their banter was so fun. It just felt long and I didn’t love the writing style. Still a fun, heart warming read.

In You Belong With Me, a woman starts dating a pretty famous movie star and they need to navigate life with their relationship in the public eye. There are funny blog posts, texts and the like mixed in with the story. Lots of snark. Lots of pop culture references and just a fun frothy, light-hearted romp as they try to figure out who is selling their info to the tabloids. I cackled out loud quite a few times and really enjoyed this one. Even with the Taylor song stuck in my head the whole time.

This book is a sequel, and the first one, Who’s That Girl, should be read beforehand to appreciate the love story of Edie and Elliott. Who’s That Girl ended with a bit of “what if?” You Belong With Me picks up right at the ending scene and we get so much more of Edie’s journey into the world of show biz and fame. I did feel like a few of the obstacles were repetitive, and a bit more communication would have solved their issues much sooner. However, I loved getting together with all the friends and family. I couldn’t help but cheer everybody on in their new adventures and relationships. Thank you so much to the author for writing this long awaited book. Mhairi McFarlane is one of my favorite British authors, and the dialogue is absolute perfection. All the stars!
Thanks so much to the publisher and NetGalley for the eARC to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Like others, I didn’t realize that this was book 2 in a series so it took me by surprise that the main characters were together at the start of the book and throughout. It’s a sweet book and I look forward to reading book 1 in the series. That may change my overall opinion of this book with some context.