Reviews with content warning for Blood - If I Never Met You

Reviews tagging 'Blood'

If I Never Met You by Mhairi McFarlane

10 reviews

beckyremillard's review

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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? Yes

3.75

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rebeccap's review

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emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow Paperbacks for this advanced reader copy. The opinions expressed are mine alone.

“If I Never Met You” by Mhairi McFarlane is a cute albeit predictable story of a fake romance turning into something real. But, it’s also about self-discovery and realizing your own worth. I did find it a little hard to read at times because I wasn’t familiar with some of the pop culture references and British phrasing. All in all I enjoyed the book and would give it a solid 4 stars.

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hannah_mezz's review

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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? Yes

5.0

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roget's review

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emotional funny 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? Yes

4.25

~~I’m convinced this novel started out as a Dramione fic with a thoroughly fanon Draco (secretly supportive and kind; not canon Draco) but that is neither here nor there.~~

The first 25% of this book is a brutal, ripping betrayal. The piling on of a thousand, horribly unexpected and yet completely believable developments in the end of an 18 year relationship. She’s completely thrown and the absolute breakdown of her trust is gutting to witness and experience.

(I had to process through a long, emotional talk with my partner—that’s how impactful this girl’s breakup is.)

But then, slowly, you start to see the cracks in the former relationship as she does. A breakup that seemed to come from nowhere shifts into seeming something inevitable, given the quality of the relationship, which eventually turns into relief that she got out of it.

You grow to accept and hope better things for her as she does. I cried and laughed multiple times, and the dialogue is often excellent. Superb voice, and a generally incredible read that does not shy from angst in an often-fluffy genre. Hurt-comfort is top notch. Not lighthearted, but a satisfying close.

So poignant, you’d think it was really fantastic fanfiction.

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lisa_m's review

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adventurous funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing 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

4.75

This book was just so so cute! It is the first book I have read by the author but I definitely want to read more of them.

The plot was quite tropey but just in the way I like it. There was fake dating, sleeping in the same bed, kind of rivals to lovers.. But the characters all felt so real. Even though I know these situation would never happen in real life the way they reacted to them never took me out of the story. It was realistic and sweet.

I could really relate to the main character. She wasn't self centred or shallow like so many romance protagonists. She was exactly what so many romance try to write as a heroine but don't succeed. She is witty, beautiful and a great friend. She dealt with some bad stuff but doesn't make it an excuse. I love her journey throughout the book. She found her own self worth and it was really beautiful to read that.
She is a character I would love to be friends with in real life.

I also loved that the secondary characters all had personalities of their own that got explored. Emily was a big part of the story and I really like her. So often the beat friends are just there so the mc can vent to them or give us more info about what's happening or their past. Emily was so much more than that.

So many romance authors make the main character seem quite shallow probably in an attempt to have the reader see themself in their place. Often I just don't get why the love interest falls for her at all. It's always because she is so 'special' but we don't get to see any of that.
I had the exact opposite feeling while reading this book. I totally understand their journey and even though it is romanticised it also seemed so real. I was so mad for her when Dan left her.

I listened to the audiobook which was certainly an experience. I loved the accent but I had to listen to it slower that usual to actually understand anything. (Usually I listen on 2x speed)

The one thing I didn't like was that she told multiple people about their arrangement. She promised not to tell anyone which totally makes sense and then she does anyway. I mean he did too so I guess it's not so bad but I would be mad if that was me. She even told her ex-boyfriend who is probably jealous and could expose them both so easily.
I'm glad though that that wasn't the main conflict.

I also loved that Laurie got the promotion in the end. Since we know she always had a tendency to help her boyfriend get ahead and not herself it's good to see that even though she fell back to old routines she is now rewarded as well. It was a very cathartic ending. :)

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beca_reads's review

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funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

This was such a nice surprise. I picked this up on a whim and I loved it. It took a while to get into the book as the first 100 pages are about Laurie's relationship breakdown, but once Laurie and Jaimie get stuck in the lift the pace picks up a lot. Laurie was such a loveable character, she was flawed, but she was also a strong independent women which I loved. Your definitely not meant to like Jaimie at the beginning but by the end it's hard not to love him. I loved the inclusion of a strong group of supportive friends, and also how the microaggressions where dealt with in relation to Laurie being black.

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peachani's review

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emotional inspiring fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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laurawoods13's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.75

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aliceloyallaleon's review

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funny lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Amazing book. Modern and diverse. I loved how the main character was mixed race and it showed her experience of micro aggression. Also loved how the character was in her mid thirties and a successful woman! Male characters are flawed and I liked how it showed men could be vulnerable too.

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nemaria's review

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emotional lighthearted medium-paced

4.0

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