More of women's fiction than a romance. Requested based on Emily Henry's quote. Started off slow but it was enjoyable. Thank you Net Galley and Mhairi McFarlane!

This started out kind of slow for my taste, but it picked up fairly soon in. I loved the supporting characters, especially Harriet’s and Cal’s best friends, and I appreciated the friendship between Harriet and Cal.

I was definitely surprised by some of the reveals (except one, though I was surprised by the reaction) which kept the book engaging beyond the romantic portion. I love romance, but McFarlane didn’t spend much of the focus of this book on romance, and I was okay with that; there were several issues that took precedence and I appreciate McFarlane not glossing over them.

I would recommend this book, especially for book clubs because there’s a lot to discuss, and to anyone who enjoys romcoms and awkward meet cutes.

Mhairi always finds a way into my soul. After reading her last book I knew she was an auto buy author for me. Mad About You didn’t disappoint. While it took me a little longer to get into the story for this book I was still just as moved by the plot and loved getting to know these characters!

⚠️ TW: Toxic relationships, emotional abuse, & gaslighting

Got to start this morning with @thechicklitbookclub and @mhairimcf discussing her latest book: Mad About You😍

What I love about @mhairimcf’s books are that they’re never about the romance, but are about the growth a person can go through. This book is about going through trials and tribulations, abusive pasts, letting go, and moving forward to the next stage in life. It’s about learning about yourself and better understanding what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger and that sometimes those trials gives you what you need to go on. I loved this book about strength, resilience, and uplifting others when they need it the most. I cannot wait to check out her other books 💙

P.S. She loved Arlo so extra points for her 🤣!
#thechicklitbookclub #romancebooks

Mad About You
By: Mhari McFarlane
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/4 stars

This was my first ever audiobook! So it took some getting used to as it's going out of my comfort zone with reading. I felt like I was cheating somehow! Although I did have a digital copy as well that I followed along with at times. I love the narrators accent 🙂.

Harriet Hatley knows what she wants. She is a wedding photographer but personally is not interested in her own wedding, or romance for that matter. She is currently in a relationship with John Barraclough, a wealthy and successful man. When he proposes to her in front of his family, she says, "yes", while internally screaming, "NO!". So she breaks up with him later that evening.

Harriet then moves in with Cal Clarke, as he has an in suite bedroom available to rent. Harriet finds herself with 2 ex boyfriends, John and Scott, trying to destroy her life. What starts out as a questionable friendship with Cal, turns into him being her biggest supporter. This book truly ends with karma and the saying that, "what goes around, comes around."

Thank you @netgalley @harpervoyagerus and @avonbooks for this ARC for my honest review 🙂

*3.5 Stars*

This is most definitely not a romance novel. There is a romance subplot, but this is women’s fiction, starring Harriett a popular wedding photographer who has recently called it quits with her longtime boyfriend following his proposal. Next she runs into an old boyfriend at a wedding she is working at and this event unravels a dark past. Ultimately this story is about women finding their voice to speak their truth and women helping women.

Trigger warning: relationship abuse, emotional abuse, gaslighting

Sincere thanks to NetGalley and Avon for an advanced reader copy.

I wanted to love this book, I really did. But it's not really a romance--it focuses SO much on Harriet's previous relationships and getting revenge on her ex than it does on building a believable romance between Harriet and Cal. I liked it, but I didn't LOVE it.

I love Mhairi McFarlane, and this was no exception. Funny, charming, with characters who are working through realistic issues in realistic and satisfying ways. Cal and Harriet were a delight and the resolution of Harriet's experience with her abuser was deeply, deeply satisfying.

DNF.
Given that it talked about smoking and sex (of which involved cheating) all before the first chapter is even over, it’s definitely not my type of book.

Book Review 🤍
Mad About You by Mhairi Mcfarlane

Summary: Harriet is a wedding photographer, however she loathes the idea of marriage. When her partner proposes she ends up single. Now she needs a new place to live. Cal Clarke, is looking for a new roommate and just experienced his own wedding drama. They end up roommates to friends surprisingly despite their differences. They are both running from their past and now they are both forced to deal with it.

This read has lots of turns that had me gasping out loud and pumping my fist at others. If you need a book about a journey of self and working through your trauma to get to the other side, this is it.

Mhairi I think does such an amazing job at writing loveable quirky characters and are emotionally intelligent. I absolutely loved the ending of this one.

This gem was released in August, pick your copy up now! Thank you NetGalley, Avon Books, and Harper Voyager US for the opportunity to read this novel by one of my favorite authors 🤍

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

#netgalley #madaboutyou #earc #leavesandfiction #womensfiction #booksta #bookreviews #bibliophile
#bookrecommendations #fictionlover #bookstagrammer #booksbooksbooks

There was just something about this book that didn’t quite grab me like I expected it would! I listened to it on audiobook, and that could be a contributor, but it was a cute and enjoyable book nonetheless (once I figured out what all the English words meant!)

I liked the main character, Harriet. She was relatable in her relationship struggles and history. Knowing all of her past bad luck made you love her new male interest even more! I wish that we would’ve gotten to see more of their romantic relationship develop. I feel like we got to see them become friends really well, and then all of the sudden they kiss annnnd what? I dunno I just didn’t feel the chemistry building between them and wanted more of that! I was cheering them on the whole time.

The whole plot is cute, and I love the entanglements of old relationships, traitorous best friends, changing opinions and the development of new friendships/relationships.

This was a fun book to read, and I really enjoyed being able to read it. Thank you Net Galley and Mhairi McFarlane!

This wasn’t just about romance, it tackled lots of other topics like abusive pasts, growing up, and moving on. From what I’ve heard, this is common with this author which I think would be perfect for people who are looking for a little romance but not a full blown romance novel. There’s balance and it kind of feels like you’re reading through, enjoying the rest of it, excited to get a glimpse at Harriet and Cal.

Mhairi McFarlane books always make me laugh and this one is no different! Such a great enemy to friends to lovers. As a photographer myself I found Harriet so relatable!

Rating: 4/5
Warnings: emotional abuse (in past), toxic relationships, death of a parent

Thank you to Avon and NetGalley for access to this advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

I have read nearly all of McFalane’s previous work, I absolutely adore it and went in knowing that this was not a romance but women’s fiction. (please stop marking these books as romance, it takes away from the beautiful story the author is trying to tell)

I know this book was at it’s core a well written and good book, but I really struggled to read it. I found myself taking pause at the storyline, wanting to stop these characters or cry with them. All this to say, the author did a fantastic job about telling the story of someone walking away from an abusive relationship and navigating them reentering their lives to cause even more havoc. I adored Harriet’s journey and personal growth arc and felt all her feelings while she navigated all aspects of her life. So much was packed into this book, and I thought the ending was the perfect tie to this story.

Do I wish we had more of the relationship? Yes, always.

Thank you NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager, and Mhairi McFarlane for this advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

I adored this book, showing it's okay to walk away from a relationship when it just doesn't feel right. Even more so, Mhairi McFarlane did a fantastic job telling the story of walking away from an abusive relationship. Having had personal experience dealing with an abuser who put me through a lot of the same situations that Harriet had to endure, I was able to connect to her character easily. I experienced a lot of the same emotions Harriet did and found myself getting choked up a few times. But I also found myself laughing and swooning along with Harriet as well as she navigates living with Cal. This was my first Mhairi McFarlane novel and I will be immediately looking for more from her!

This book is so much more then roommates to lovers, it is about abusive relationships and knowing when you need to get out. Having that circle of friends to support you and maybe save other women in the process. Also, realizing there are good men and women out there, you just have to look in front of you.

Harriet Hatley calls off her engagement on the outside seems like the perfect man, but she realizes he is not the perfect man for her. After this she looks at her other relationships to find out how she ended up here. With nowhere else to go she rents a room from Cal Clarke, who is also having his own romance issues.

They quickly become friends and open up to each other about what happen to make Hatley end her engagement and Cal to run out on his wedding.

What surprise them more than anything that they both just want the same thing, but can they put the past demons behind them once and for all?

This story is about realizing what love should look like and having that circle of friend to rally around you. Also, the power of social media and its effects on people.

Grab the hot tea and cozy place this book will inspire you.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for copy of this book for my honest review.

I absolutely LOVED this! If you love British humor and Bridget Jones’s Diary then I can’t recommend this enough. Told entirely in Harriet’s POV, we go from her breakup with her fiancé to having her livelihood blown to bits by her abusive ex-boyfriend to one of the most satisfying endings I’ve ever read.

Harriet’s growth in this story was superb. I could totally feel the angst of all the uncomfortable and devastating things she went through. Despite all that she went through, she found her voice at the perfect time. I love how her support system in Lorna, Cal, Sam and Nina helped her to come out of her shell and to face her past head on. Lorna was my personal favorite. She was a true ride or die friend and she 100% came through for Harriet in a big way.

This definitely reads more as women’s fiction, but the romance that it did have was equally satisfying. It was clear that Cal and Harriet had chemistry from the start despite their awkward beginnings. Because the romance between them wasn’t the focus, they became friends and really got to know each other. I loved that I could totally sense things changing between them by the way they interacted. Their unassuming romance was the icing on the cake to the other showstopper moment. I honestly can’t recommend this enough. It’s hilarious, angsty and swoony — the complete package!

Thank you to Avon Books and NetGalley for an advanced copy. My thoughts are my own.

Harriet, wedding photographer, has seen people escape from undesirable partners. She herself has escaped from two, just barely. This is an interesting book dealing with breakups and some of the serious reasons behind them.

An indictment too of social media used to spread false information about people and destroy careers and relationships.

I found the book topics of modern love and courtship both timely and universal for contemporary times.

Was expecting more of a rom-com, but wasn't really what the book was. Loved the authors writing style, but I don't believe the book was for me.

I will definitely be trying out more from this author.

I unfortunately had to DNF this book. After reading some of the story, I found that it just wasn't for me. I had a hard time keeping interested in the story. Though I feel that I'm in the minority as I've heard great things about Mad About You by Mhairi McFarlane. Out of respect for the author, I will not be rating or reviewing this book on Goodreads.