This was my first Mhairi McFarlane book, but it definitely won't be my last! Connor and Bel were an absolute delight as rivals-turned-fake-couple, the supporting characters were enjoyable, the villains were suitably villainous, and there were twists I wasn't expecting. The whole experience has left me giddy and longing for more!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC! Mhari McFarlane is hit or miss for me and unfortunately this was a miss. The enemies to lovers felt very forced

I had mixed feelings about Cover Story. While I appreciated the passion and emotional depth of the protagonist, it took me quite a while to really get into the plot. The early chapters felt a bit slow, and I found myself waiting for the story to truly hook me.

That said, Mhairi McFarlane’s writing is as thoughtful and sharp as ever. There were moments of real insight and emotional authenticity, and I did enjoy how the main character’s complexities unfolded over time. Still, the overall pacing and narrative didn’t fully grab me the way some of her previous books have.

It’s a solid read with some strong character work, but for me, it didn’t leave a lasting impression.

UGGGHHHHHH I loved this story!!! This was such a great intro into the writing of Mhairi and I’m lowkey glad I haven't read the book of theirs I have on my shelf right now! This is very much heavy on the fake dating/ investigative journalism than the romance and as a romance girly, i wasn’t mad! I loved getting to know our MCs and see them grow closer after working together. It’s soooooooo obvious to you as the reader that they are both utterly obsessed with each other but unwilling to admit it to themselves its so cute!! Ugh this book was so good please read!!

Again, beware that this book is light on the romance and heavy on the plot. The main focus is deffo on them being undercover and their jobs but the story is missing nothing with less romance! There was so much build up and tension that it kept me FED throughout the entire book!

Part of what kept this from being a 5 star read was the amount of modern slang like rizz used throughout the book… like are 34 year olds talking like young Gen z on tiktok?

Perfect if you love slow burn, great banter, and characters with messy lives!

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager and the author for an ARC for my honest review :) This book is expected to be released on September 9, 2025

This is my first book by this author and I am a new fan! The writing is smart, witty, laugh out loud funny at times and very heartfelt. This story is about an investigative reporter (Bel) and new to the profession intern reporter who make bad first impressions on each other. They do not necessarily like each other. They are thrown into a situation where they have to work together on an investigative case and peel the onion back on who they are on a deeper level. They grow from dislike to “like” to potentially more.

The plot really kept me invested in this story. I love a good investigative reporter story especially when it’s going against patriarchy and includes taking a bad person down. I didn’t expect to not be able to put this book down to find out what happens (in a rom-com). The setting took a bit for me to get used as an American reading it since some of the lingo, locations and slang was very British. This is not a criticism, but I just had to get used to it.

The love story was slow burn and I didn’t even notice that the romance was not happening for a while because the relationship growth and plot were so good. You do not need spice in a story like this! But on the other hand, the whole story involved romantic elements-- the protectiveness of the MMC, their banter, and the growth from dislike to like was so satisfying in its own right. I also enjoyed some of the side plots with the FMC dealing with a stalking Ex. In my option, it was displayed realistically that a strong FMC is taken out of her comfort zone and responds opposite of her normal personality to the situation.

Ultimately this was top tier banter, excellent plot, romantic and I am crushing hard on this couple! The writing was so smart, being able to be light-hearted but deal with heavy topics. I highly recommend this book (and this author).

I was way more invested in the investigative journalism than the chemistry between Connor and Bel. Liked the parallels between Ant and the mayor.

Never read a Mhairi McFarlane book before and this one was a good one to start with! The tropes were really fun and the banter between the FMC and MMC and the dialogue was soooo good. This wasn't as much as a romance as I thought it would be, but what crumbs we did get I ate them up and luckily I was so invested in the plot. I do think if the mystery plot doesn't intrigue you and you want more than a little bit of romance, this might not be for you, but maybe just try it out! Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book! The journalists undercover fake dating was sooo tropey & cute. It was borderline enemies to lovers in the sense that they didn’t like eachother at allll. You get their background and also tension. SO. good. SUCH. a slow slow slow burn. but it’s sooo worth it.

While I typically love a Mhairi McFarlane book, this one wasn't as high on my list. I did enjoy watching the relationship between the main characters develop, but I found the plot to be too far-fetched and rushed at times. There were of course hallmarks of the banter and detail you always get which were great. Overall a mixed bag but still an "always read" author!

Bel, fresh off podcasting success, is a relatable protagonist, imbued with McFarlane's trademark humor and sharp observations. While initially dismissive of the unconventional intern Connor, her drive to break a big story forces her to partner with him, leading to a brilliantly executed fake relationship. This setup is ripe for comedic gold, and McFarlane doesn't disappoint. The forced intimacy and awkward scenarios are laugh-out-loud funny, yet grounded in genuine character development.
Connor is equally compelling. His backstory, a stark contrast to Bel's upward trajectory, adds depth and complexity to the narrative. His initial hostility towards Bel is understandable, given the patronizing dynamic, and his quiet determination to chase his dream is admirable. As the story unfolds, his vulnerability and hidden depths are revealed, making him a truly endearing character.
McFarlane's strength lies in her ability to create believable and flawed characters. The dialogue is sharp and witty, the internal monologues are insightful, and the emotional rollercoaster is expertly paced. While the plot might seem familiar at first glance, McFarlane's unique voice and the genuine connection between Bel and Connor make "Cover Story" a truly engaging and memorable read.

I just wrapped up Cover Story by Mhairi McFarlane and honestly, I loved it! It’s got that perfect mix of slow-burn romance, sharp banter, and a fun fake-dating setup. Bel’s a journalist, Connor’s the new intern she doesn’t exactly get along with… and somehow they end up pretending to be a couple. Classic setup, but it totally works.

The dialogue is super witty, and the chemistry between the two leads builds in such a satisfying way. There’s just enough emotional depth to keep things grounded, but it still feels like a fun, escapist read.

If you’re into enemies-to-lovers, undercover drama, or smart rom-coms with heart, this one’s definitely worth picking up!

US Release Date: 10.07.25
Genre: Rom-Com
Format Read: E-Book / E-ARC
Tropes:
❥ Slow Burn
❥ Fake Dating
❥ Opposites Attract
❥ Enemies to Lovers


Synopsis:
Bel’s joined the Manchester office of a big national paper from her award-winning podcast. There are three of them– Bel, her relentlessly ambitious colleague Aaron, and a new intern. And when the intern turns out to be a thirty-something man called Connor, he and Bel get off on totally the wrong foot.

Then Bel gets a sniff at a really big story, Connor gets caught in the crossfire, and before they know it, they have to convince everyone they’re a couple – and a couple in love. If they mess up, the biggest story Bel will ever land will disappear, along with justice for its sources.


My Review:
I had such a good time with this one! There is so much heart and humor mixed into this story that it was easy to fall in love with this plot and these characters. I usually feel that with most romances (especially Rom-Coms), the plot is character driven and secondary to the romance, but I found that this book’s plot keeps up with its characters. There is a really good balance between the two, and some heavy hitting social issues that come into play as well.

The characters are wonderful, and I found myself rooting for this romance from the very first page. Bel is a strong, smart and capable female lead, while Connor has a heart of gold hidden behind the walls he keeps up. The romance is slow burning, with just enough to keep you clawing for more. So much wonderful banter and tension. My only complaint was that there isn’t enough time with the two of them together, only a short bit at the end. The side characters are also very entertaining, and lended a lot of humor to the plot.

This was my first book from the author, but it definitely won’t be the last!

A classic Mhairi McFarlane novel, full of her signature British charm. A quick, fun, and effortlessly enjoyable read. The witty dialogue and relatable characters make it hard to put down. Perfect for anyone looking for a lighthearted escape with plenty of heart.

Not my favorite, took awhile to get into. Honestly, I found the main character to be unlikable. While it wasn’t my thing, I think fans of the genre will enjoy.

Thanks to Avon and Harper Voyager | Avon for the gifted copy!

"Something can be not your finest hour without defining you."

Mhairi McFarlane is one of my all-time favorite authors, so of course instead of reading all the ARCs I have coming out soon, I read this one, which comes out in October :)

What I love about Mhairi's books is that there's romance, but there's also just so much REAL LIFE involved. COVER STORY is the story of Bel and Connor, who are an investigative journalist and an intern in the Manchester office of a national paper... and their story felt like a true enemies-to-lovers scenario. These two do NOT like each other when they meet, but throughout the course of the story, become each others' fake dates and confindates. I loved the undercover aspect of the story, the #metoo and gaslighting storylines that drive a lot of the narrative and show how victims can become threats, and the built-up backstories for our characters as well. Mhairi just writes such a well thought-out book that I was thinking about this all the time and NEEDED to know what happened next. Loved it.

"No one is out of your league. There is no league above you."

I really enjoy Mhairi McFarlane’s books. They always center around a deeper topic and the love story is happens more in the background. Her writing is witty and interesting. I really enjoyed Bel and Connor’s love/hate relationship, my only complaint really is that I did hope for a bit more of a payoff to the romance in the end. Overall I really enjoyed it though.

Sadly this was a DNF, for me. Very slow start. Not enough momentum to keep me going. Also, very confusing at times.

4.5⭐️ Now that I have read a few of Mhairi McFarlane’s book I have to say I really enjoy her humor. I more importantly love how she able to add humor to a book about sensitive topics. The witty banter in this was top tier! I could feel the chemistry between the characters. She fell first, he fell harder😍 I’m a huge fan of Connor! Please pick this book up this summer!

Thank you so much NetGalley for the ARC🫶🏻

I love Mhairi McFarlane, and this isn't an exception. It's a bit more romance-forward than her other books, and the FMC doesn't have this life altering transformation, but it's sweet and it's fun. It took me a few chapters to acclimate to the jargony-writing - it gave 1950's newsroom meets Gilmore Girls in northern England, but once my brain caught up, it worked. Recommend.

This was a nice improvement from some of McFarlane's more recent works. I've always been a fan of how she writes her characters, especially our FMCs. Now, as someone who loves spice, I go into a Mhairi McFarlane story knowing that's not what I'm going to get, but being completely fine with that. If anything, she knows how to write excellent chemistry between her characters so I always feel rewarded at the end when cupid arrows hit and it's giving "I've loved you all along". I love when a crush seems palpable on the page. I will say that her writing is lighthearted, but it isn't light. A lot of wit, some cultural references, and overall a lot of lengthy exposition.
Cover Story had everything I love in a romance...fake dating trope, forced proximity, longing stares, light touches, and banter!