Mhairi McFarlane is a goddess among women, and she's done it again. She's written yet another book that simultaneously sweeps me off my feet and knocks me on my ass.

This is one of the most unique books I've read. The idea is so fun and hilarious, and I don't think anyone but Mhairi could've pulled it off. We follow Roisin as she deals with her gradually increasing paranoia that her boyfriend, Joe, is using their real-life issues as fodder for his TV show. As the story progresses, Roisin analyzes the clues throughout the series to determine whether or not Joe is keeping something from her, and if so, will it be revealed in the show?

The romance between Roisin and a certain someone was so fucking cute, and I was screaming at my Kindle for them to open their eyes. Mhairi handled Joe's character very well, but I don't think I can say much more for the sake of the full experience.

Bottom line: Both this book and Mhairi McFarlane rock!!!!!

(P.S. I know what you were doing with those last few sentences, but fuck if it didn’t make me want to pull my hair right out of my head.)

I wasn't sure where this book was going at first, but I was intrigued from the beginning. I enjoyed reading about the Brian Group, and I thought all of their friendships were unique and fun to read about. As the story unfolded I was happy to be along for the ride, and I didn't see many of the twists and turns coming. It was fun to read about the different characters as their true personalities were uncovered, and the romance aspect of the story was believeable and very cute. Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for this ARC!

This book was unfortunately not for me. I DNFed at 10% because the storyline was confusing and I was not able to connect with the characters.

I love McFarlane’s other works and will still continue to purchase her novels.

Sadly this felt too long and a bit convoluted. The romance aspect didn’t feel clear cut and like the main driver of the plot, instead this felt more like women’s fiction with a side romance plot. I think the marketing on this one did it a disservice by not setting the right expectations.

I read the first several chapters and sadly the voice was just not working for me. I’ve liked McFarlane’s other books, and sadly this one just wasn’t it. Thank you for the advanced copy.

I love this author!! This was a such a great book. I loved the chemistry between the characters. I loved the setting as well. I can't wait to read Mhairi McFarlane's next book.

A novel that shows it’s better to leave something safe if it doesn’t feel right and to pay attention to what is being said to you, who supports you, and how you feel in response. It’s a slower book at first, about a core group of friends and their dynamics. But the frayed edges are present and the threads are ready to snap. I do wish some of the characters had stronger roles throughout rather than disappearing halfway through. A solid 3 stars for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

Another wonderful real life type romance by Mhairi McFarlane. What I love about this author is her ability to write a romance that is both heartwarming but full of real life stuff that happens when two people find one another.

This story follows Roisin whose life falls apart when her long time screenwriter boyfriend, Joe, uses their relationship as inspiration for his new television show. As more episodes are released Roisin realizes Joe wrote secrets she didn’t know into his storyline as well.

This book is mostly about a breakup and Roisin finding herself before she realizes the person she’s meant to be with.

This story did not go the way I thought it would! I am sometimes at fault for thinking I can predict the ending and I was happy to be wrong in the case of Mhairi McFarlane’s BETWEEN US. Mhairi did a wonderful job reflecting the realities of friendships that are years in, how people change and our tendency to try to keep our relationships from growing even as we ourselves evolve. The backdrop of TV show through which secrets are revealed was a great narrative device as well.

This book is so interesting to me! On its own the romantic arc isn’t super convincing but since this book is mainly about Roison, & I would characterize it as women’s fiction, I accepted it as icing on a very well-written cake.

This book is about so much—the ending to a 9-year-old relationship & also the beginning of something else, as Roisin says.

She & Joe have been together forever. While watching the first episode of a show he’s written, she feels betrayed by how he’s incorporated her past without consent & worries that he has a secret real life, that of a philanderer, which has served as inspo for his writing.

Roison unpacks a lot in this book & I love how that journey is written. She is a lead that I really rooted for: I love her self-awareness & her willingness to see where she has messed up. Her growth is substantial.

I’ve heard great things about Mhairi McFarlane’s books & I can see why. Definitely looking forward to reading more!

4.5/5 stars

Thank you to Netgalley, the publishers, and Mhairi McFarlane for allowing me to read and review this book.

I absolutely adored this book. There are twists and turns, romance, struggles, and finding yourself.

The main character has been in a relationship for a very long time; however, she is potentially learning things about her boyfriend that would shock anyone to their core. And she is finding these things out by watching his newest TV show along with the entire world.

Secrets, scandals, and a secret admirer. This book is amazing all the way through. I could not put this book down because I just had to know what would happen next. You get to figure out what is real and who is lying along with the main character. There is also an amazing romance, of course.

The one that got away, what-ifs, and fighting for love are also big parts of this story. Along with strong friendships, heartbreak, and fear of losing the people you love. This book is such an emotional rollercoaster that you will want to keep reading until it is over.

I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a sweet one that almost got away romance with scandals, mysteries, and true friends.

This is such a cute romcom. Mhairi really knows how to write them. Love the main characters and they're like-ability as well as chemistry.

Fans of McFarlane will enjoy her next book. Roisin and Joe fell a little flat for me, but overall it was okay.

Opening is a bit pretentious, so I continued with trepidation. I was then pleasantly surprised how much I wound up liking the story, the human dynamic, and plot developments. McFarlene does an effective job at weaving the layers of the main character, Roisin, with her supporting cast of friends. There are on occasion British terms I was less familiar with, but that didn’t take away from understanding what was happening.

Between Us is a tale of a group of friends who face trials and tribulations in their early 30’s. Having met in college, they have formed and normed over the years, with their friendship evolving over time. As the friends negotiate some revelations after Roisin’s boyfriend used elements of their life in a screenplay he wrote for a new show, they have to decide their loyalties as well as what comes next. Overall, I found it satisfying, right up till the end.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley and have written an objective review.

this was so boring to me. this author loves womens fiction and usually I don't mind but the romance wasn't present and it was quite depressing.

I am so happy I found this author! I can't wait to read more of McFarlane's books! I have been hearing how great these books are, but I had not gotten around to reading them. But now I NEED to read them! I couldn't put this one down!

Between us by Mhairi McFarlane is sold as a second chance romance and while that piece is there this novel may be best sold as chick lit, a break up novel, a fictional hot to survive gaslighting and lying boyfriend. But alas there is a happy ending, romance and good friends so this is a beautiful novel despite the romance title. As my first intro to this author it was a bit surprising as a romance but I am told she has more traditional romances which are equally brilliant and more romance focused.

Roisin has been dating Joe for a number of years and has had the same friend group for roughly 10 years so it's not a surprise that she chooses to celebrate her birthday with that friend group while they also celebrate an engagement and her boyfriends new TV show. Joe has written a new show featuring a couple and friend group that is a bit dark.

Roisin finds the TV show to be more true than she likes as it shares a deep secret that she has only shared with Joe. He is horrible to her about the show, the secret and the show ends up causing issues amongst them and the friend group for numerous reasons. Needless to say Roisin and Joe do no survive Joes success and thankfully the friends support Roisin.

Matt, a friend is exceptionally and unexpectedly supportive in this situation as he is the friend group playboy. With Roisins support group she is able to get back to dating and eventually finds a new romance.

Whilst this novel heavily focused on the breakup, Joe's disrespect, gaslighting and frankly his dislike for Roisin and their friends, it ends with a quick romance. Believable? Not quite sure but it happened. Still a wonderful read.

This is the first book in ages where I have so many thoughts/feelings but also don't know how to feel at the end. 🤣😫 the earlier titles by this author I didn't love, but last few were SO great, I had high hopes for this one. Bear with me, a thinking out loud review is ahead!

Roisin (a teacher) and Joe (screen writer) have been together for 10 years, they have an amazing friend group (affectionately called Brian club) and the book starts with an elaborate weekend celebration for an engagement, birthday and the premiere of Joe's new show.

I love the found family trope. Love it. Eat it right up. Based on the first couple chapters, I was hopeful to see that here. And whoa the drama. Not the happy family I thought we'd find. ***Partial spoiler ahead***. I picked this up based on liking the author, not reading the summary and Joe at the beginning really just rubbed me the wrong way. I liked Matt from the beginning, there was just something there. But finding out one of Roisin's besties had been in love with him for as long as she had I immediately retreated with an oh never mind because they would never. As the group watches the first episode of Joe's show, Roisin is presented with a lot of familiarity and starts to have some questions. Turns out Joe took some real life creative liberties. Thus begins Roisin's quest to unravel the web of lies and formally ending things with Joe. She enlists Matt's help on the investigation as he had unexpectedly found himself unemployed and working at her family's pub. As Roisin begins to uncover the secrets behind what is actually a biopic on Joe's infidelity. As her and Matt obviously get closer, come to find out he's been pining after her for a decade. (Granted Gina was the one who told her about said feelings and was shockingly okay with them getting together, rooting for them even). The book had soooo much going on, that the ending felt really rushed and loose ends weren't entirely tied up. But at the end of the day I think I did actually enjoy it? It was different. Definitely not the romcom I had in mind, more of a, I guess happy thriller that was mostly drama? A thriller through a chick lit lense if you will!

Thank you Netgalley, Avon, and Harper Voyager for the ARC in exchange for my review!

Thank you NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for a copy of this arc! This is the first time reading anything by Mhairi McFarlane and it was a joy to be introduced to a new author.

This book was heavy with the feels. Rosie has been with Joe for years, helping him through his career as a writer for television. At the premier of his new show, Rosie realizes how everything seems oddly familiar. Similar characters. Similar situations. Unknown cheating??

Enter the gaslighting from Mr. Joe. He could be the poster child for narcissism and gaslighting. Seriously.

This man took up way too much of the book. That is the only reason I gave it three stars.
I adored Rosie and cheered for her every step of the way through this book and her healing.

I really enjoyed this book and appreciated the elements that were addressed such as gaslighting. This was a realistic story and engaged me from the beginning.
Many thanks to Avon and Harper Voyager and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.