cover story by mhairi mcfarlane
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

thank you @netgalley for this ARC, i am incredibly grateful! this is my first book by this author and i definitely want to read more of her work. however, i don’t think this book was necessarily for me. i loved the setting and description as well as character design! the story was just a little too slow burn for me. simultaneously, it felt kind of like there was a lot going on at once. i would love to read more of her books though so if anyone has recommendations pls lmk! 🫶

I really like this author and really wanted to like this book. But unfortunately, it had both too much and not enough going on for me.

First, it’s not a romcom, despite being marketed that way. There is no flirting or romantic tension in sight for, truly, 85% of the book. And then, a G rated, rushed wrap up with no on-page relationship.

The main plot line felt like the undercover story - which was interesting! And satisfying. Fuck the patriarchy. But it dominated most of the story.

There was also a 3rd-ish plot line with a stalker ex that felt… unnecessary? Somewhat of a plot device for character bonding but overall didn’t add much for me and instead added to the “so much going on and yet nothing at all” feeling for me.

The bummer is that there is so much potential between the 2 main characters - what little we got from at the end had a lot of promise! But a 1-2 chapter arc just didn’t do it for me.

Don’t take my word for it! Maybe this book is for you! And will definitely keep reading this author in the future. Xx

3.5/4⭐️This was a cute one!! I was hoping for a little bit more romance, but overall it was a very funny, endearing story. Loved the characters. Loved the banter. Just wanted more Connor+Bel!

Ahhhh this was so so good! But quite different than Mhairi’s other books in that the first half wasn’t the demise of a previous relationship. We jump right into the life of Bel, single investigative reporter, and the surprisingly old (34) & handsome new intern - Connor- who used to be a finance bro, but who left finance bc it was too stressful.

I really liked both Bel and Connor, and Mhairi’s wittiness makes everything enjoyable. Plus some enjoyable sleuthing (trigger warning — Bel & Connor are journalists investigating a series of sexual assaults), and a dual POV which I don’t think Mhairi has ever done before?? Making Connor even more relatable. 🥰

Another great book by Mhairi McFarlane!

Bel works for in a small branch office of a large newspaper. Connor, having made a drastic career change from finance to journalism, finds himself interning at the same office, at the age of 34. Bel and Connor do not immediately hit it off. Quite the opposite actually. They immediately assume the other cannot stand them, and for a long while, they both really don’t enjoy each other’s presence at all.

When Bel goes undercover for a big story, Connor ends up being in the wrong place at the wrong time resulting in him being a part of Bel’s facade, playing the part of her boyfriend. They have to work together to pull this story off. As they spend more time with each other, their assumptions begin to crumble. Watching their relationship evolve is the highlight of the book. They both judged a book by its cover (see what I did there 😉) and were wrong.

Cover Story is a slow-burn rom-com told in dual POV. As always, Mhairi had me laughing. Her female leads are always so witty and such a joy to read.

I only ever have one complaint when I finish one of Mhairi’s books…I want more the moment I’m done!

Thank you Avon and Harper Voyager | Avon and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

What can I say? Mhairi McFarlane knows how to write characters and it was no different with Cover Story. I love how she creates these characters that feel so real and that you root for. I really enjoyed the dialogue in Cover Story. Overall, a very entertaining and enjoyable read and I cannot wait to read more from McFarlane.

3.75 stars!
This book was good, enjoyable. The plot fell kind of flat for me but I really enjoyed Mhairis writing!

3.75/5 Stars!

This felt like I was watching a British Rom com and it had all the right stuff. The phrases and slang that I had to look up because what on earth is a handset? And why did I not know that meant a mobile phone? Maybe I am just simply uncultured. But this was a fun ride. I liked the dry humor and banter between the characters. It didn’t feel forced or that the author was trying too hard to do the whole “enemies to lovers” thing. Their miscommunication and mutual dislike for each actually felt genuine and like something that is a very real thing that happens between people who are sometimes way too similar.
I have read McFarlane’s book Just Last Night I really really like that one so I had no doubts about going into this one. The writing is great and flows really well. It was more on a lit fic than your typical rom com.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4. This is my second Mhairi McFarlance novel and I think she's going to be a go-to comfort author for me going forward. The dialogue in Cover Story is excellent and the chemistry between the characters develops organically and without a lot of the over-reliance on tropes that plagues so many of today's rom coms. That said, this story didn't hit it out of the park for me because it was heavy on the reporting intrigue in a way that I didn't find terribly interesting and a little too light on the romance for my taste. I also prefer a little more pining - these characters seemed to only catch feelings at the very end of the story despite their interest in each other being completely obvious to everyone around them.

It’s time for me to admit that no one makes me feel the way Mhairi McFarlane makes me feel.

I absolutely ADORED this book. McFarlane just has a talent for writing characters who feel well rounded, with real flaws and real struggles. Despite the rather silly premise (fake dating undercover reporters), both Bel and Connor seemed so grounded. The characters feel like real people (who just happen to be incredibly witty). I couldn’t get enough.

Connor was such a lovely grumpy hero. Kudos to McFarlane for giving him mental health struggles and not shying away from the realities of that. I love how both Bel and Connor were realistic about their own and each other’s flaws.

No spice, but as always with this author, I didn’t miss it because the banter and chemistry was so good!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc!

while i enjoyed a lot of the topics (grief, mental health, etc) that the book touched on and felt moved by the way it was handled in the book, this is a 3/5 for me. i couldn't fully connect with the fmc but i was rooting for her. this had some strong moments and great character-driven writing.

When Connor, the new intern at a Manchester newspaper, accidentally crosses paths with his investigative journalist coworker, Bel in the middle of her undercover work, Bel has to ask for his participation in the cover story.

This story hits so many tropes without those feeling contrived to retain interest: workplace rivals, fake dating, forced proximity, only one bed, protective partner, friends to lovers. As a bonus: The third act (fourth act) miscommunication is exclusive to the subject of their relationship, not outside drama, of which this book had plenty.

The chemistry between the love interests is so well developed. I stan Bel and Connor! Their collaboration on the cover story alongside their genuine care for each other really wins you over. Just enough yearning to make things interesting.

If you want a full spicy rating, it’s pretty much restrained to attraction and conversation in this book, with minimal physical encounters, no open or closed doors.

TW: Stalkers, emotionally manipulative partners

This was a really fun and cute romance with funny and relatable characters. I really enjoyed the banter and the pace of the book.

This one took me a while to get into—not because the premise wasn’t strong (journalists, fake dating, secret investigation... yes please), but because the voice is very British contemporary, and it took a bit to understand the vernacular. Bel and Connor are thrown together in a very awkward, very entertaining way: she’s an award-winning podcaster turned journalist, he’s a thirty something intern with a mysterious past and a chip on his shoulder. Their first impression of each other? Not great. But when Bel’s undercover work requires a cover story—one that includes a fake boyfriend—Connor becomes her accidental partner-in-crime.

There’s a slow-burn vibe to their chemistry that works well here. Admittedly it's not very swoon-worthy and while I usually want more romance earlier, it honestly made sense for these two characters. What really stood out were the heavier themes woven throughout the book. It tackles abuse of power, trauma, and journalistic integrity.

My major critiques: pacing, pacing, pacing. Plus, the investigation? Let’s just say, it was a bit elementary for the stakes involved.

Thanks to NetGalley, Avon, and Harper for the eARC!

This novel held my interest throughout but didn’t quite leave a lasting impression. It tackles important themes like mental health, loss, and resilience with sincerity, and the bond between Bel and Shilpa felt genuine and uplifting. Connor, the male protagonist, was a strong point with meaningful growth. I enjoyed the multiple subplots but some of them did drag and could've been wrapped up faster. The romantic thread only emerges near the very end, feeling rushed and lacking depth, especially due to the frustrating miscommunication that drags out unnecessarily. It’s hard to believe two adults could spend so much time convinced the other dislikes them. Overall, it’s an easy, somewhat entertaining read with moments of emotional honesty, but some storylines slow the pace, and the ending feels abrupt.

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for providing an ARC in exchange for my review.

This was very cute! Bel and Connor are journalists who get off on the wrong foot and end up pretending to be a couple for a story, so we’ve got Fake Dating and also Enemies to Lovers, with bonus There’s Only One Bed. The investigation for their story was intriguing too. My main complaint is the way the chapters cut off mid scene, which was jarring.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the arc!

I have read and loved all of Mhairi McFarlane's books, and Cover Story is no exception! In this book, we meet Bel and Connor, reporters assigned to the Manchester office of a national newspaper. They get off on the wrong foot when Connor joins the office of two, but that starts to change when Connor accidentally runs into Bel while she's working undercover on a big story. Bel impulsively introduces Connor as her boyfriend, and things take off from there.

The author does a remarkable job of combining the witty banter suitable for a rom com with a deeper story--sexual abuse and harassment by men in power. While rooting for Bel and Connor to get together, I was also rooting for the abusive men in the story to get their comeuppance.

I devoured the book in one sitting, and my only regret is that I now have a long wait for the next one.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I received "Cover Story" by Mhairi McFarlane for free in exchange for my honest review through Net Galley. I have read a few books by this author, and they are always great with a good love story. I highly recommend this book.

I like this author but found this story a little scattered and struggled to follow the characters. I wasn’t able to connect with the story

Mhairi McFarlane is probably my favorite contemporary romance author and this story checked the boxes for all the reasons why. Flawed but lovable characters? check. Enough plot to provide good momentum? check. Dreamy MMC? check!!!! Deliciously snarky British humor? check, of course.
I loved the investigation plot but that this book never tipped too far into mystery to let me forget it was a romcom. Bel and Connor's chemistry and enemies(ish) to lovers trajectory was delightful.
I was giggling my way through the end of this one, and highly recommend!