"Good women are not a rewards system for silly men."

In this romance novel, more time is spent on breakups than finding new love, and strangely... it works. Wedding photographer Harriet is determined not to marry, so when her longtime boyfriend proposes in front of his family, she is trapped and furious. She breaks up with her would-be fiancee and jumps on the first available room for rent that takes her out of her ex's house and orbit. Harriet must come to terms with who her ex really is in the aftermath as well as the person she was when she was dating him. As we watch Harriet catch feelings for her landlord, Cal, we also learn about yet another ex, the one who dropped a bomb on her twenties with his emotional abuse and manipulative, controlling actions. We hear the details in a letter she sends to his current fiancee as she tries to warn her, to offer solidarity and a way out if it's needed. It calls up the multifold burdens on women (or anyone) who have been harassed or abused, including trying to protect an unknown sisterhood with the few tools available to us. It's an awful but cathartic bond from a shared, harrowing experience. It cuts through gaslighting to the heart of "me too." On the flip side, we have to suffer through weaponized social media for revenge which demonstrates how a cishet white man can spin anything to make himself an undeserving victim. I literally felt my stomach churn reading it.

In terms of romance, this book falls into the trap of a single POV: I adored Harriet but love interest Cal was much flatter to me despite the provided backstory. I honestly could have done without the romance altogether despite that being the supposed genre of the book. The rest of the story was so powerful. Just give me that. Or let the romantic plot be more of a side note. A little, hopeful question mark of what could come in the future. Instead, it was an instalove story marauding as enemies-to-lovers because of a brief awkward period and no actual enmity. One positive is that Harriet is a champion of using her words instead of letting things fester, which is romance novel catnip (says the Queen of Letting Feelings Fester™).

In contrast, I'm HERE for the friendship subplots-- both the great, truly inspiring ones and the epic breakups that make me want to listen to vengeful, angry music and tell someone off right alongside our protagonist. There are old, sturdy friendships that have seen it all and new ones forged in fire and shaped by powerful empathy. The girl friendships are the real MVP of this book, and I need that to be a genre as widespread and widely read as romance. Thanks to Avon for this powerful read, and please get back to me on the friendship book genre idea asap.

So i totally thought this was going to be a romcom, and it wasnt. I still got my romance but it definitely was secondary in this story. This is also my first book ive read from this author too, so unsure if most of her work is similar im the sense of romance is there but not the main point of the story. With that, it was still a good book. The character growth is outstanding and both the characters are likeable. I think i just want into this with a different mindset, so i was disappointed a little. But overall still good!!

This book was a tad difficult to read. The emotional abuse that Harriet endured with Scott and Jon and his family. Her friend breaking the girls code. Oy! So much drama. I did enjoy the book and I'm glad for the ending. Mostly women's fiction with a little romance.

I again, love supporting less-known authors. This one includes close proximity and almost strangers to lovers tropes. I love that the book focused a lot on Harriet and her obstacles that she is presently tackling in her life. The romance was sweet, but I felt that there could have been even more character development.

The cover of this book is very misleading because it looks very romcom-y but it’s most definitely a story of women empowering and supporting eachother. I really really liked it, I loved Harriet & the romcom parts were super cute

Wow what an emotional love story. Its about past trauma's and learning to let go. It's about strength and becoming who you want to be.
Put this one on your list. Its a great read

It was a great story about relationships and I enjoyed the plot and cast of characters. Some predictable things but overall wonderful.

4.5 stars.

As someone who is nearing a year and a half of freedom from my own “Scott” I found myself relating to MC in many ways and watching justice be served was cathartic. Mhairi’s writing was beautiful as always. The only thing that prevents this from being 5 stars was I didn’t know that a lot of elements surrounding her former fiancé needed to be in there. I think there were other ways to get her into being a roommate and a lot of space was wasted on the ex including the reveal that I won’t spoil. Other than that, I adored this book.

Mhairi does it again! Women’s fiction with a ton of depth and a little romance. Loved the female friendship in this one. I love this author and will buy everything she writes!

I really want to love this book, but unfortunately, it just wasn’t it for me. It didn’t really feel like a romance, maybe I missed where it’s not supposed to be one? I just really struggled connecting with the characters. I struggled to remain interested.

I had mixed feelings about this book while reading. I loved the story and relationship growth between Harriet & Cal but there were so many different sub-stories as well that took away from their relationship in my opinion. We were exposed to Harriet's imploding relationship with her ex-boyfriend/fiancé and then we learn about her other previous abusive relationship and the fall out from that. I feel like having the two sub stories of both exes was too much and it would have been much cleaner if there was only one ex relationship explored.

First book from this author and loved her smart voice. The characters are genuine and the story was thought provoking. I will be picking up more from this author.

I tried hard to get into this book but the main character was all over the place & had roo much going on that it was dragging on and confusing

I will get on any emotional rollercoaster that Mhairi wants to take me on.
This book was great in so many ways, Mhairi really has a talent to deal with tough issues in a witty and smart way without going into too many details. This novel is sharp, funny and emotional, and I loved every single second of it 💜
As a victim of emotional and physical abuse, this book brought back some memories but, BUT girl takes the power back! It’s all about that right? Loved it.

TW: emotional abuse

This was difficult to read. Approach with care.

Critically misclassified as a romance. Romance story line is introduced in chapter 53 of 55 and feels desperately out of place.

Mhairi McFarlane is a talented reader. This one did not work for me, but I would absolutely recommend "Don't You Forget About Me."

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

Let me start by saying, I am a huge fan of Mhairi McFarlane, and she has done it again with Mad About You! Her stories have more soul and depth than your typical contemporary romance, and they are always refreshing! The hero and heroine are both likable, and you are rooting for them to be together in the end. Thank you Mhairi for another great story, and thank you Avon and Harper Voyager for this advance copy!

Although this wasn’t my favorite Mhari McFarlane novel, MAD ABOUT YOU was still enjoyable in its own right. I connected with Harriet and liked the strangers to roommates to friends to eventual lovers romance even though that was not the main focus of the book. The only thing that bothered me was Jon, who was obnoxious and frustrating, and although I know that was how he was meant to be written, it was a little too much for me at times.

Thank you to @netgalley and @avonbooks for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. And thank you to @thechicklitbookclub for organizing the buddy read and zoom call with the author @mhairimcf .

I love Mhairi’s books because, while I consider it romance and chicklit, the books are more about learning who you are and how strong you can be. The romance is always secondary. This book is no different for Hattie, who is turned down a marriage proposal because she photographs brides…she isn’t a bride. Hattie moves out on John and finds a room to rent from Cal. Cal who becomes her biggest supporter by the end of the book. I just love all the feel good these book bring.

4 Stars

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This book shouts comfort read!
I love McFarlane’s books since ever but this one topped everything.
This book gave me so many different feelings and it never got boring. I got to know so much about the characters past and characteristics that it felt like I had known them since ever.
The plot made the book so outstanding and I especially loved Cal and Harriet because they were so relatable.

Thanks netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a wordy book and it took a little discipline on my part to finish it, but it turned out to be a great ending and I really enjoyed it!