I'm a huge chick-lit reader. If you look at my book reviews, you'll see the majority of them are chick-lit. Whilst they all follow the same general pattern, there is always that one that stands out every so often. This was one of those books for me.

Let's start with the characters. They were so well-written, even the supporting characters: Jamie, our resident foxy playboy. When we are first introduced to him, he's pictured as a rake, someone who will flirt, wine and dine and sleep his way to the top. He wants a promotion, and it seems he will do anything to get it, including faking a romance with our heroine. But as we get to know him, we realise that most of this is a sham. Yes he wants the promotion and yes he is willing to fake a relationship to do so, but he's not the total unfeeling cad we are first led to believe he is. He has depth, and he has feelings, he even has a cat!

Our heroine Laurie is one strong lady although at the start we don't see this. Her partner of eighteen years leaves her, eighteen years! That's an entire childhood in time, so it's fully acceptable she falls apart a little. But she has to work with her ex, I couldn't do that after what he did, but she does, and she does it with grace and dignity. But naturally, she is hurt and a little vulnerable, so a fake romance to get back at her ex is justifiable in its flakiness. One thing to note is Laurie is a woman of colour; this is the first chick lit I can recall reading with a heroine who is explicitly ID’d as a WOC. I may have read others and not fully realised it (because usually their race is never explicitly mentioned, or it is and they’re white). In this book, you are fully aware of Laurie's colour as a central dimension of her character. Yes, she's black, but that’s not her only dimension, it’s only one piece of her, but it matters a lot for her point of view. Knowing she is a woman of colour shapes how we perceive Laurie and how other characters perceive her and treat her, which by the way, is never in a negative light.

I loved her relationship with her co-workers she shares an office with, and her friendship with her best friend Emily, who she's known as long as her ex, is the kind of friendship I have with my co-blogger here Lauren. It's strong; it's powerful; it's the kind of friendship when explanations are not necessary when a look or a brief text is enough for the other to understand how you feel. Having a friendship like that myself meant I instantly connected with these characters.

The storyline was naturally predictable being chick-lit but not so much that it took away from the story's enjoyment. Other elements in it added depth to the romance, faux or otherwise and watching these characters come to the conclusion we all knew was going to happen made the story.

The only downside for me was the conclusion of Laurie's relationship with her father and the background there. Without giving away what actually happened, it was too out of the blue for me. There were no hints or clues about what went on, and it was pretty much mentioned and brushed under the carpet. I feel that it should either have been addressed in more depth, although this would contrast with the rest of the book or not have been there which would have been a better option.

Still, this was a delightful book, and I look to read more of Ms McFarlane's work in the future.

I am yet to finish the book and I've already downloaded 3 other books from the same author. This book is endearingly hilarious and serious at the same time. Laurie who is a successful solicitor gets unceremoniously dumped by her long term boyfriend Dan, the only reason given to her was that he had been unhappy for a long time. Laurie had no idea of this and in her mind was preparing herself for the next milestone in life which was to have children with Dan.
Cue breakup and Dan's moved on and in with someone else in a matter of weeks while Laurie is still picking herself up.

Along comes Jamie, Laurie's colleague, a few years younger than her and very much the heart throb. After getting stuck in the lift together Jamie hatches a plan for Laurie to get back at Dan whilst he also benefits by giving his office the illusion that he is responsible and has settled down. He has his heart set on a partnership in the firm.

I'm really enjoying this books style of writing and Mhairi has created the perfect illusion of the story running as a movie in my mind. I would love to watch this as a movie. This is a light read with loveable characters.

Well I've finished the book and it was a lovely read. The ending was just as I wanted it to be and although predictable I still felt the need to carry on because who doesn't want a happy ending. The book did highlight a few things along the way such as male chauvinism even for a successful woman and there were times that I wished Laurie would speak up abit more or defend herself better in the face of male antagonism. But I guess she was still recovering from her breakup. I'm looking forward to reading the authors other books. This is a light hearted happy read. Thank you Netgalley and HarperCollins for this free copy.

So I read this book in 1 sitting!! Absolutely stunning book which I enjoyed so much! Just such a lovely read and i loved watching the characters unfold and the relationships unravel! Can't wait to read more by this author!

I wasn't sure I was going to like this book after the first chapter but I was drawn in and really enjoyed it by the end.
Laurie's partner of over ten years suddenly had a mid life crisis and tells her he needs to leave 'to find himself'. She is devastated and has the additional burden of them working in the same company so has to see him regularly. She finds out that he actually has a new girlfriend and she is pregnant.
Jamie needs a respectable girlfriend to impress the bosses and show he is a reliable character since he has applied for a promotion.
The two of them are going down in the lift one evening when it breaks down. After a couple of hours together, followed by drinks, they hatch a plot to get people to believe they are having a fling and benefit them both. Slow to get going their romance blooms...
This story could have been very light chicklit but Mhairi McFarlane has created well rounded characters who the reader cares about and roots for. Laurie's feelings are put through the wringer time and time again by her husband, by Jamie, by friends, her mother and her father. Family disfunction, near child abuse, death of a sibling, marital intrigue, work place bullying and class snobbery are all issues touched on in the story and yet the main characters bounce back time and time again - to the relief of the reader.
Mhairi McFarlane writes with subtle humour and a wry outlook on the world. I loved the "you wash and I'll dry" description of how couples work at dinner parties and in social settings and there are many more astute phases. There are numerous references to of the moment things - music, movies, tech, clothing, language etc which puts the story firmly in the here and now.
Thoroughly enjoyable...

I went into this thinking this would be a typical romance novel, however, I was wrong.

Yes it’s romance, yes, there are no devastating twists, however, I really warmed to both characters.

Laurie, who has unknowingly become a downtrodden women at home (to her long-term partner), at work (to her misogynist male colleagues) and with her family (the less said about her dad, the better). A brilliant lawyer, she considers herself and her career to be second towards Dan’s and she sees their future together. This vision is shattered when Dan leaves their 18 year relationship for another woman.

Jamie is a work colleague who isn’t part of the office crowd. He has a reputation for being a lothario and his devastatingly good looks don’t undermine this reputation. Standoffish with no friends in the workplace, everything known about him is based on rumour.

When Laurie and Jamie get stuck in a broken down lift at work, they talk and the buds of friendship form. And then Jamie makes her an offer that seems to be the answer to her problems.

I loved the fact that this novel made a lot of the office politics, bitchiness and clickiness, as well as the double-standards of some women and men. Reading the relationship develop between Jamie and Laurie was enhanced by her realisation that Jamie is nothing like everyone thinks he is.

Great book, first I’ve read by this author, but I will seek more of her work out.

Laurie is thirty-six-years-old and has been with her partner for eighteen years when he tells her their relationship is over. Unfortunately, she still has to see him at work, and she finds out that he has a pregnant girlfriend. What else can Laurie do but pretend to date the office playboy?

Jamie needs to appear more serious and professional at work and is determined to be rid of his playboy reputation. Pretending that Laurie is his girlfriend is a great way for Jamie to achieve his goals. Of course, neither Laurie nor Jamie intended for their fake feelings to become real. Can a fake romance become the real deal?

I enjoyed this contemporary romance and think that the main characters are so well-developed. Laurie is smart and funny, and I love her self-discovery throughout the story. She is gutted by the break-up and really has to start over and figure out who she is without her ex. It’s sad and moving and inspiring to see Laurie find herself. Jamie is also well-layered and interesting. He’s generous, ambitious, and pretty sensitive once you get to know him. I like that there is more to both than meets the eye.

The slow-building romance between Laurie and Jamie is fantastic! I love the fake-dating trope, and Laurie and Jamie are fake-dating goals! Jamie treats Laurie so much better than her ex, and their chemistry is off the charts. I love how, as they pretended to date, they grew fond of each other. Their friendship grows into something more, and it was fun to watch.

Another thing that I enjoyed is that, though the story is light and fun and filled with sarcasm and witty banter, there are also some really poignant messages about love, relationships, confidence, and ambition. I’m so thankful to have won If I Never Met You in the Love in Lockdown Giveaway hosted by Avon and Harper Collins Publishers and can’t wait to read more by Mhairi McFarlane!

I am a big fan of the author, and this book was very enjoyable. I loved the two main characters, and love the way you get to know the supporting cast too, they are integral to the storyline. The book was interesting, modern and captivating.

Mhairi McFarlane does it again! Her fun contemporary romances are the perfect escape while still feeling fresh and smart. If I Never Met You is the perfect escapist fiction!

Eighteen years of being together, working together at the same law firm; their future planned out until Dan turns Laurie's life upside down.
A great easy read about the ups and downs of a couple, work gossip and searching for the future.

First book I have read by Mhairi and it took me a little while to get into it. That said, it certainly had some will they, won't they moments and by halfway through I couldn't put it down. Will certainly read some more of her books.

My favourite book of the year...

Laurie is a typical settled lady in love with her trusty, longterm, not good enough for her man...

Jamie is a typical jack the lad, player type, who we all hate to love and love to hate all at once.

When Laurie is left by her long term partner, she and Jamie come up with a plan to get them both what they want..

Twists and turns along the way, their relationship goes from showmance to pure and perfect romance.

You spend the second half of the book willing them to make it work!

I loved this book!!

I love Mhairi Mcfarlane's books. She manages to capture the pain of breakups and the mundanity of life going on as if nothing happened. Yet her heroines are feisty, and they do get their happy ending. A must read for me.

Really enjoyable read although the beginning felt a little slow. I get it was probably important to show a reader Laurie's previous relationship, it just felt little dragged out. However after it picked up I coudlnt put the book down. Loved Jamie and Laurie's relationship, how they bounced of each other yet complimented each other at the same time.

This was just the feel-good, light-hearted, intensely tropey rom-com I've been yearning for recently.

Laurie has just been brutally and devastatingly dumped by her long term partner Dan. In an attempt to make him jealous and have him come crawling back, herself and co-worker Jamie come up with a mutually beneficial plan to pretend they're dating. I'm sure we can all guess where this is going...

This was a truly fun, incredibly witty story which I found difficult to put down. Jamie is an honest to god sweetheart - I love him. Laurie is a fiercely strong character doing her best to get on in a bad situation. There was a lot of back story for our main characters in such a short time, but it blended in well and really gave our protagonists some depth. Even Laurie's relationship with her mother, which was only briefly touched upon, came a long way over the course of the novel.

The writing style was easy to follow and made for a very quick read. I'd love to check out more from the author if this is the standard they have to offer.

Massive thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the review copy!

I really enjoyed this. Love Mhairi's writing style, as always.

Loved the dynamic between Laurie and Jamie and also Laurie and her best friend.
I also enjoyed that this book wasn't solely based on Laurie and Jamie's fake relationship, other issue's were involved in the story including racism and sexism (especially in the work place).

I did find that the story seemed to dip into the YA area when arguments happened or things became a bit difficult for characters.

But other than that, I had a good time with the book. :)

Once again a great read from a fab author. Great characters and storyline. Funny and sad at times. Couldn’t put it down but I was so gutted when it had finished it!

I went into this expecting it to be a fun and lighthearted rom-com, which was totally off. It's definitely romantic, and sometimes the humour was there, but it was more about self-discovery for the main character. It was enjoyable, and had all the best romance tropes, but it just wasn't exactly what I wanted. But that's no fault of the book, it's just what I was in the mood for at the time.

I chose this book because I'm a fan of Sophie Kinsella and I heard that Mhairi's books were similar. This book was definitely on a par with Sophie Kinsella's. I loved it and will be seeking out more of Mhairi's work! She rights wittily, with an engaging, easy-to-read style and characters you can't help but care about. Perfect escapism for these uncertain times!

I listened to this as an audiobook. It was very easy to listen to, the narrator was good at the voices and accents, I just wasn't a fan of the main character, but I have a feeling it was more from the accent used than the voice from the author. There was some good themes of self-belief, knowing your friends, being an adult and having fun.

But there were a few problematic issues within the book.

- the whole premise of lying. Yes it made her feel good but there were so many games played it made my head spin.
- child abuse. This was storyline was produced so suddenly and there was no follow through - she tells her mum and that was it. It was written as if it was a plot device so the two main characters can 'understand' and 'comfort' each other. This was just after Jamie revealed his father has cancer, it was meet his family, meet her family
- mixed-race main character was great but be mindful that it was written by a white author
- the second characters, her friends, were very 2D, they had very limited depth to them and just revolved around the main character's plot.

However, the romance was a gradual build, not insta-love and the message about Laurie was clear, she didn't need a man to succeed, she had friends, her mum, and was successful in her job.

If you're looking for 'women's fiction' I would recommend Holly Bourne or Beth O'Leary.

an entertaining and amusing romcom with engaging characters. The problem for me though was the lack of quality control - its chock full of typos and syntax errors which really spoiled the book for me.