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jess_justmaybeperfect's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is a closed door, contemporary, single POV, with a 3rd act break up, a combo I’ve never given 5 stars too. I’m frankly blown away by how much I loved it. Set in Manchester, England, it’s the story of Laurie and Jamie who make a fake dating agreement to piss her ex off and help him get a promotion. Slowly they become great friends and start to fall in love. This book has 1 Very Bad Dad™️, many other very good parents, heartbreak, mistakes, lies and truths, best friends, frightening and tragic memories, devoted caretaking, house plants, cats, AND ITS SO SWEET AND ROMANTIC, GAH!!
Content Warnings
Minor: Pregnancy, Cancer, Child death, Sexual assault, Child abuse, Infidelity, and Pedophilia
ssomani's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Really enjoyed this book — super cute fate dating to lovers story. Swooned so hard at the confession scene.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity
Minor: Racism
sparkinspace's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A really good fake dating romance. Exactly what I wanted when I searched for a good romance. Some parts made me gasp and giggle which is always a good sign when it comes to a feel good book.
No explicit sex either! :)
No explicit sex either! :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Moderate: Pregnancy and Child death
Minor: Cancer, Car accident, and Misogyny
k_winchester's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I really liked this!! ❤
In the beginning, I was a bit surprised where it started, only because I definitely expected when I picked it up for it start well after post breakup based on the premise. And while reading the first quarter or so, I did keep thinking okay but when do we get to the "good stuff" (ie the fake dating). That all being said, by the time I reached the last few chapters, everything came full circle SO nicely and I took back my feelings on the beginning. 😂
I really loved the way this grew - how the characters came together was so satisfying and so believable - almost slow burn. I found myself thinking about the characters a lot when I wasn't reading it, and I absolutely LOVED the utter Britishness of it.
I will say this is technically is 4.5 stars from me only because I wanted more humor and shenanigans to come with the fake dating trope, but I loved the realness of Laurie all around - her heartbreak, reasons for getting it the scheme, reasons for being mistrustful, her growth outside of Dan, friendship and relationship with Jamie, lady friendships, dynamics with her parents, her snark, all of it. 👌👌👌
(PS: 2)
In the beginning, I was a bit surprised where it started, only because I definitely expected when I picked it up for it start well after post breakup based on the premise. And while reading the first quarter or so, I did keep thinking okay but when do we get to the "good stuff" (ie the fake dating). That all being said, by the time I reached the last few chapters, everything came full circle SO nicely and I took back my feelings on the beginning. 😂
I really loved the way this grew - how the characters came together was so satisfying and so believable - almost slow burn. I found myself thinking about the characters a lot when I wasn't reading it, and I absolutely LOVED the utter Britishness of it.
I will say this is technically is 4.5 stars from me only because I wanted more humor and shenanigans to come with the fake dating trope, but I loved the realness of Laurie all around - her heartbreak, reasons for getting it the scheme, reasons for being mistrustful, her growth outside of Dan, friendship and relationship with Jamie, lady friendships, dynamics with her parents, her snark, all of it. 👌👌👌
(PS: 2)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Moderate: Sexism, Toxic relationship, Misogyny, and Pregnancy
Minor: Pedophilia
streetmuseums's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
2.0
this was a solid 3* read until like the last 40 fucking pages it was so fucking dumb i resent having paid £3 for this fucking book
also begging mcfarlane to stop doing weird abuse plot twists
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Infidelity
Minor: Pedophilia
usingatelescope's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Moderate: Pedophilia, Child abuse, Sexism, Child death, and Pregnancy
pagesand_polish's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity
Minor: Racism, Child abuse, and Pedophilia
catsandmetaphors's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
This was the fourth novel I read by Mhairi McFarlane and it was undoubtedly my favourite. I always turn to McFarlane's books when I need a nice, gut-wrenching palate cleanse after reading too many fluffy rom-coms in a row, and this one had the intended effect, as expected.
Fake dating with eventual real feelings, one bed trope, but add amazingly written friendships, complicated familial relationships, and the issues a biracial woman faces in modern-day Britain. The latter was admittedly somewhat underutilised.
Fake dating with eventual real feelings, one bed trope, but add amazingly written friendships, complicated familial relationships, and the issues a biracial woman faces in modern-day Britain. The latter was admittedly somewhat underutilised.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Moderate: Child death, Cancer, and Pregnancy
greengables302's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Racism, Sexism, Gaslighting, and Infidelity
ablaine's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This is a case of, “I’m not mad. I’m just disappointed.” I went into this reading so hopeful, and just felt let down by the book overall.
I appreciate that McFarlane attempted to diversify her leading lady oeuvre as I acknowledge that I can’t speak to how well she did at portraying a Black woman’s experience in England. What I found difficult about the character was how uneven the development felt. I understand the importance of containing multitudes etc., but McFarlane seemed to paint her as both a domineering force with ambition while also being a sheltered wallflower. Her voice in the beginning was so clear but it became murkier as the story went on.
The romance seemed to primarily revolve around swapping traumatic childhood stories, which is fine, but not for me. I also didn’t buy the journey from polar opposites to people who thought, felted and acted the same.
The themes were all over the place, including an attempt at highlighting the enduring strength of female friendships. Sadly, it felt like an afterthought.
The ending felt so rushed and out of character for all parties involved, that I was truly baffled after having spent so many hours with them.
I appreciate that McFarlane attempted to diversify her leading lady oeuvre as I acknowledge that I can’t speak to how well she did at portraying a Black woman’s experience in England. What I found difficult about the character was how uneven the development felt. I understand the importance of containing multitudes etc., but McFarlane seemed to paint her as both a domineering force with ambition while also being a sheltered wallflower. Her voice in the beginning was so clear but it became murkier as the story went on.
The romance seemed to primarily revolve around swapping traumatic childhood stories, which is fine, but not for me. I also didn’t buy the journey from polar opposites to people who thought, felted and acted the same.
The themes were all over the place, including an attempt at highlighting the enduring strength of female friendships. Sadly, it felt like an afterthought.
The ending felt so rushed and out of character for all parties involved, that I was truly baffled after having spent so many hours with them.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity, Racism, Terminal illness, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Child abuse, Child death, and Pedophilia