This was a DNF for me unfortunately. I had such a hard time keeping up with who was who and what was happening that I just couldn't continue.

I really enjoyed Who's That Girl, so I was excited when I saw Mhairi was writing a sequel. This book almost seemed like they were just trying to find reasons to break up, because otherwise there isn't much to this book. There was just a lot of fighting and wondering if the other person was being unfaithful. I am glad that I read it, but I don't know that this book really was needed. You could probably read the end of Who's That Girl and then the first few chapters of this book and be happy to know they were together.

Contemporary romance that continues the story Who's That Girl? Celebrity relationship, challenges, witty and emotional, relatable, entertaining. Well written and evenly paced. Satisfying conclusion

Mhairi McFarlane’s You Belong with Me is a radiant, emotionally rich novel that proves once again why she’s a master of contemporary romance. In this follow-up to Who’s That Girl, McFarlane brings us back into the world of Edie Thompson—a woman whose heart is as messy and magnetic as her tomato-soup-stained coat. When Hollywood heartthrob Elliot Owen reappears on her doorstep on Christmas Day, bouquet in hand and love in his eyes, Edie is thrust into a whirlwind of fame, longing, and second chances.

What makes this novel shine is its balance of wit and vulnerability. McFarlane doesn’t just write romance—she writes real people navigating impossible situations with humor, grit, and grace. Edie’s journey from ordinary to infamous to famous is layered with sharp observations about celebrity culture, trust, and the quiet ache of unresolved love. Elliot is more than a charming leading man; he’s complex, flawed, and deeply human.

The supporting cast adds texture and tension, especially as Edie’s boss hires the affable Declan Dunne, whose presence sparks questions Edie isn’t ready to answer. Is her love story with Elliot a fairytale—or a cautionary tale about getting what you wish for?

McFarlane’s prose is crisp, clever, and emotionally resonant. Every scene pulses with authenticity, and the romantic tension is pitch-perfect. You Belong with Me is a triumph—a story that will make you laugh, cry, and believe in the messy, magical power of love.

A must-read for anyone who’s ever wished for a second chance.

I've been emotionally hostage to that Christmas doorstep cliffhanger since 2015. This sequel finally released me from romantic purgatory, and my heart is grateful even if my brain wanted more bite.
McFarlane writes celebrity romance with rare authenticity—no manufactured drama, just love under tabloid scrutiny. Edie's struggle to stay herself while dating Hollywood royalty hit every vulnerable nerve. The friendship dynamics sparkled beautifully.
But here's my truth: this felt like expensive fan service. Gorgeous, predictable fan service that hit familiar beats without surprising me. Sometimes comfort reading is exactly what your soul craves.
Vibes We Are Tracking:
📸 Paparazzi nightmare fuel
✈️ Transatlantic heartache
🎭 Fame's identity crisis

Thank you NetGalley for the ability to read You belong with me!

While I am not a huge romcom lover due to regularly used tropes, this was a light easy read and I am interested to read more from this author. I was confused as this is a sequel but it wasn't too difficult to follow the plot and relationship.

McFarlane is always an auto buy for me… however this was not my cup of tea but I look forward to her next one

This book was sent to me and I didn't know it was the second book in a series which explains why I felt so confused when they kept throwing characters in without explanation of who they were.

Literally was thinking about how it was so interesting that a romance book started with the characters already in the relationship, but nope turns out there is a whole book I skipped.

I feel that I would've enjoyed it way more if I had read the first one, but also I'm not sure I loved the writing style. Maybe I'll pick another of her books in the future and see how I like it because I've heard amazing things.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you to Harper Collins and NetGalley for the copy of this ARC. My review is extremely late because I didn't realize this was part 2 of a duet, so I had to read that first. Once I began reading, it did occur to me that Mhairi McFarlane did take time to do the whole "Here's what you missed on...." throughout the first couple of chapters, so I wouldn't have been lost, but as a character-focused reader, I was grateful to have the backstory.

Elliot is a rising star actor famous for a Game of Thrones style show who meets Edie because she is assigned to ghostwrite his memoir after a massive public embarrassment/shaming having to do with co-workers of hers. They meet in Nottingham, where they both grew up, and their romance blossoms in the first book. Edie lets him go, but the HFN/cliffhanger of "Who's that Girl?" is Elliot showing up at her door on Christmas. This book focuses on them really trying to make this relationship work, complete with their relationship going public and dealing with the media and paparazzi, familial drama, and a new colleague for Edie at the outpost of the ad agency she works for in Nottingham. You can argue that this isn't a romance because they are together for all of the book, but just dealing with all of those things mentioned above. McFarlane's books always weave in "Women's Fiction" themes alongside romance, and this is no different. Her books are like a warm hug to me. Even when characters are going through it, you know they will be okay and transformed to become the best version of themselves. British humor and wit throughout. Colorful cast of characters.

That being said, it is jarring to have there not be a time jump in the book, but this book did get written almost 10 years after the first one. That means while in 2015-2016 the focus was on Twitter and Facebook, now they are discussing WhatsApp, online gambling, and other things that don't quite mesh. I wish they had had a little more continuity. Either rewrite "Who's That Girl?" or make this a book truly set in 2016. Usually, pop culture references, slang, and tech don't bother me, but it was a bit jarring because I read it back to back.

Overall, if you like McFarlane, you'll enjoy this. I wouldn't suggest starting here if you're new to her work; check out a backlist title first and then come to this one!

Such a cute romcom! It read so smoothly and had me smiling the whole way through. I really enjoyed the story and characters—perfect if you want something light, sweet, and feel-good.

I read the prequel to this one a short time ago and I was so glad to see this story picked up EXACTLY where the other one left off. The tension in this one as the MCs worked through their relationships may have caused me an ulcer! The writing is just SO well done...the witty banter, amusing side characters, and unique plot kept me up all night reading.

I went into this book totally blind not realizing it was a sequel to the author’s previous one. That definitely shaped my experience, so fair warning up front!
There were things I really liked, and a few that didn’t quite land for me.

First off, McFarlane’s writing? Top notch. I love how her characters are never just surface-level. You always get more than fluff with her books, and this one was no different. Both Edie and Elliot are layered, flawed, and very human.

But oh my god, watching Edie make mistake after mistake gave me so much anxiety. I kept thinking, “This is going to blow up. This is not going to end well.” There were moments I genuinely wanted to grab her by the shoulders and yell, “JUST TELL HIM ALREADY!” So the writing was VERY effective.

That said, that same tension kind of got in the way of my overall enjoyment. I usually love a good angsty read, but this one didn’t quite hit the spot for me and I think it’s mostly because I hadn’t read the first book. I probably would’ve been invested more in the relationship dynamics if I’d had that backstory.

So here’s my advice: READ THE FIRST BOOK before diving into this one. I have a feeling it’ll make a big difference.

I read this book a while back but I remember the fun heartwarming characters and overall good storyline

One of the many risks in picking a book solely based on its cover is that you will end up with a sequel to a book you never read. My library didn't link to the other book and I didn't bother reading the description, so here we are.

I have now read my second Mhairi McFarlane book and I have to say that what I remember enjoying in her prose continues to be present here. I love that our FMC is in her late thirties and still figuring life out. And I absolutely did laugh out loud in many passages.

Whilst I still had a good time, I highly discourage anyone from reading this book without reading her previous work in this series/duology. Not only do we not get a 'meet-cute' but the couple in question is together throughout the book with the tension being achieved through normal pushes and pulls within a new relationship with a famous person (which I have no expertise on but I'll trust Mhairi).

I was a little disappointed to find out that this was revisiting the couple from the previous book, now with issues- not my favorite trope. Anything McFarlane writes is gold, however!

Love, love, love Mhairi McFarlane’s books. As usual, this is a heartwarming, funny, and affirming story that manages to steer clear of predictability. A feel-good novel.

After multiple attempts, I have decided to soft DNF this for the moment. I am unable to really get into the book and relate to the characters. I’m sorry!

No one weaves two people together quite like Mhairi and to write a sequel typically means to somewhat unweave them. And while she did a fabulous job, I really didn’t like to see my loved ones struggle this much.

Her books typically involve a break down of one relationship and then into another so this sequel felt a bit turbulent at times not knowing what the outcome would be.

Thank you NetGalley for this eARC!!!

I absolutely love second-chance romance, and this book is no exception. It’s the kind of story you can binge in one sitting without a second thought. Though I believe it’s the second installment in a series, I had no trouble following along without reading the first. This celebrity love story felt surprisingly authentic—the emotions, the complexities, and the romance were all so vivid and real. It’s a book that truly makes you feel everything!

I loved it!!

I decided to read the first one again before jumping into this one, and I bought a special copy of this one in England, so review to come.