Mhairi McFarlane’s Mad About You is a wonderful character-driven story that follows Harriet Hatley, a wedding photographer who finds herself in need of a place to stay after rejecting her boyfriend’s marriage proposal. She ends up renting a space with Cal, a runaway groom in need of a roommate. But how can Harriet like a person who would do something like that? Both are avoiding their pasts, but could facing them help them find a future together?

Harriet is such a fantastic protagonist and is so layered and dynamic. She’s smart and funny and a loyal friend, but she is also burdened by her past. Harriet goes on a tremendously emotional journey throughout the book as she learns to be vulnerable, love herself, and let others love her. She also has to deal with things that happened to her in the past, especially when someone from her past resurfaces. I think her character and the situations she finds herself in are very relatable and realistic, and I was so invested in her story and hoping for her to find happiness. Cal is also a fantastic character. He’s so kind and funny, yet he is burdened by the past as well. When Harriet’s past comes back to haunt her, Cal is super supportive and is always there for her. Their relationship is fleshed out well, and I love their slow-building love story. The romance isn’t the main focus of the story, but it’s a lovely part of it. Harriet’s long-time friendship with Lorna is another highlight of the book. These women are so supportive of each other, and they have such a strong bond. And Lorna is fantastic! She’s the kind of best friend everyone needs! Cal has a similar friendship with Sam, and they are so fun together. These healthy and supportive relationships stand in sharp contrast to some of the other toxic relationships Harriet and Sam have experienced.

I always enjoy reading Mhairi McFarlane’s books. They’re smart, fun, and poignant, and this book is no exception. It’s funny and sweet, and it also has a lot of depth. The story addresses serious topics like abuse, infidelity, toxic relationships, loss, and the negative impact of social media, but it maintains a hopeful and positive tone with the strong and uplifting friendships and the possibility of romance.

I loved 'Last Night' for the fabulous writing, dry humour and great characters. But this one felt more serious in tone and definitely not as witty. I also found main character, Harriet, kind of annoying and self-indulgent agreeing with her former best mate Roxy that she brings a lot of the drama on herself and "has a way of making herself the victim, even when she's at fault". At one point Harriet herself even acknowledges that ex-boyfriend "Jon had legitimate complaints" yet still feels he should take responsibility for his actions, also despite his moving on supposedly 'making no difference to her'. Disappointing although I did obviously have extremely high expectations going into this having loved the author's previous book so much.

Review of Mad about You by Mhairi McFarlane

Who doesn't love a good Mhairi McFarlane story? This one certainly doesn't dissappoint. A wonderful tale that had me gripped from the start. I really enjoyed the story and as always very well writted. Five stars

An enjoyable story about ‘growing up’ even when you’re already an adult, proving that we keep learning throughout life, I really enjoyed this story and how the author dealt with issues such as friendship, narcissism, toxic people and relationships, finding what it is that you want in life and being true to yourself. 5 stars!

This one was unfortunately underwhelming - I’ll start by saying this is my first book by Mhairi McFarlane, and she has a huge fan base and I’ve heard rave reviews of her, so I may started with a bad choice or I just don’t jive with her writing style (which is fine!).

It follows Harriet, a 35-year-old wedding photographer, as she calls off her engagement and moves into a spare room of a house with the landlord, Cal, who happens to be young, attractive, kind, etc. etc. One of my biggest problems I think is that I didn’t really like Harriet as a person. A lot of her reactions to things are rash and based off of assumptions. Miscommunication tropes aren’t my thing. I also went in thinking this was a rom com, and it wasn’t and it really clear it wasn’t gonna be until like 80% in, so that was confusing.

This one wasn’t for me, but I’m not against trying more from this author in hopes that this was a fluke! Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy and the chance to read this ahead of publication in exchange for my honest review.

This latest offering from Mhairi McFarlane is another gem of a romantic comedy and her fans will be delighted with the wit, humour and great characters that we are accustomed to.

In this book we meet Harriet, a wedding photographer who has escaped a toxic relationship and who at the start of the book living with safe, wealthy Jon. When Jon proposes to Harriet in front of his family Harriet realises this is not for her.

Harriet moves out and takes on a house share with Cal, who happens to be the groom that wasn’t at a wedding she was employed at.

As Harriet and Cal circle each other the more serious side story of her toxic ex is covered and a plan is conceived to bring down Simon.

Great writing, very funny, covering lots of modern day topics and just a good read. Highly recommended.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

A fun read about relationships, friendships, and how they can go so badly wrong! I enjoyed the characters and found the book to be an entertaining read.

Not quite the romcom I was expecting but still a really good read. This covers screwed up relationships, gaslighting and emotional abuse but it all comes good in the end.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

I love a Mhairi McFarlane book because you know it’s going to be a great, funny read. She can make you scream with laughter but also understands the darker dynamic of some families.

Harriet is a wedding photographer who is never going to get married and to say she is unlucky in love might be an understatement but surely her luck has to change. When Sam and his friend Cal come into her life things begin to change not always for the better but often with unforeseen consequences.

Always a recommendation for me as nothing beats her for a great read

The letter Harriet writes to her ex's current girlfriend brought on such a visceral and gutteral reaction in me, as I have been in a similar relationship, that I couldn't continue this book.

Incredibly well written, and highlights toxis relationships brilliantly, but hit me too close to home for me to enjoy it.

I love the way Mhairi McFarlane writes and draws you into the world of her characters and how you can enjoy not just the main character or couple but their friends and family also. This isn't a light romance and is barely a romance at all really. the love is side effect of one woman getting her sh#t together. Taking back her life and standing up for herself. It is refreshing to see that friendships can breakdown but also start anew when you are mid thirties and it is also very 'girl power' in the way Mhairi found a way for the women to get their justice. I really enjoyed this book and could not put it down. I stayed up way too late to finish it and then felt very sad that there wasnt anymore for me to read.

This book broke my heart, made me laugh and made me swoon. I love Mhairi's style of writing and humour. She has such a way with words and her style does remind me of Marian Keyes. This book reminded me of everything that is so wrong with social media...but everything that can be so right about it too. I loved Harriet and Cal's relationship. Its not just a romantic read, it's about finding yourself, coming back from trauma, heartache and pain and love, not just the romantic kind but the friendship kind too. There's a reason that Mhairi is so popular, and this book proves why.

"My loving you isn't luck."

First, let me just say I hate to rate a Mhairi McFarlane book 3 stars, as I think she's a fantastic writer. However, Mad About You wasn't what I expected. The synopsis and title suggest you're about to read a romance, but this was in fact a contemporary women's fiction novel focusing on heavier topics like gaslighting, emotional abuse, cheating and loss.

It begins slow, with wedding photographer Harrier breaking up with her boyfriend after his spontaneous proposal. She then moves in with Cal, who's the book's bright light. But instead of focusing on their blossoming friendship and relationship, another ex enters the scene and we learn more about Harriet's past.

Now, there were definitely things to like about Mad About You. For instance, Harriet's character development and her relationship with Cal. I appreciated how honest and vulnerable she was with him even when he was a stranger. Their relationship was built on trust from the beginning and honestly, if the book's focus was on their love story I would have rated it higher. Cal was a delightfully charming hero and hopeless romantic who deserved to be more than a side character.

I also liked that Mad About You was still written in McFarlane's signature candid style. The more emotional moments were perfectly juxtaposed with lighthearted and humorous ones. Harriet was surrounded by a formidable cast of females too.

But overall, Mad About You just didn't meet my expectations. I also thought there were some plot points that added unnecessary drama, as there was definitely already enough of that!

Thank you to Harper Collins UK and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for this honest review.

Having now read the last four of Mhairi McFarlane's books, I can truly appreciate her growth as a writer. Just Last Night was comparatively dark, the romance was tied up too quickly in If I Never Met You, and Don't You Forget about Me is less emotionally complex than these other titles. Mad about You has a great balance of light/dark with just a touch of romance. McFarlane's stories always try to incorporate all the messiness in life - from flawed heroines to messy friendships and emotionally damaging relationships. I usually fly through her books, but I needed to take breaks while reading Mad about You. Having been in an emotionally abusive relationship before, certain parts struck a bit too close to home. That being said, all my favourite elements of McFarlane's books remain in her newest story: strong female friendships, a focus on characters' emotional growth, and a willingness to embrace the messy/sad/upsetting elements of life. My single biggest frustration with McFarlane's books has nothing to do with her writing, but with her publisher. Her books are *never* marketed correctly. They are packaged as romantic comedies while they're NOT. Her books are much better categorised as "women's fiction" that are much darker and more complex than a simple HEA story. Her publishers do her (and her readers) a disservice in not acknowledging that.

A thoroughly enjoyable read with some very likeable (& equally unlikeable) characters. The main character, Harriet hasn't had an easy life and has made some questionable choices but for these reasons, as the reader you really root for her and want the best possible ending. Loved it.

I’m a big fan of Mhairi McFarlane (having read a fair few of her books: If I Never Met You , Don’t You Forget About Me and Last Night ) so I was made up when I received an E-ARC of her latest book, Mad About You.

The book follows Harriet Hatley before and after breaking up with her long-term boyfriend. Much like McFarlane’s previous protagonists, Harriet feels relatable and I loved her development and sense of humour (plus her fashion sense, too!).

Mad About You is, in a way, a love story. It’s a falling out of love story, it’s a finding new love story and finding love with yourself after trauma. McFarlane is an autobuy/read author for me and her latest book only reaffirmed this.

Harriett Hatley already has doubts about her relationship but when her boyfriend ambushes a marriage proposal on her, she decides to make the break and moves into a house share with stranger.
The story develops into Facebook trolling, new relationships, friendships and a lot of laughs.
Mhari McFarlane is one of my favourite authors and this book didn't disappoint.

Mhairi McFarlane’s stories are the perfect blend of humour and romance, often tackling serious issues. This story is slightly different in that the romance part takes more of a back seat.

Hatty is pretty anti marriage, so when she receives an unwanted marriage proposal from her boyfriend this leads to her realisation that she is not happy in the relationship and breaks up with him. Needing to find alternative accommodation fast, she lodges with Cal, who himself has similar views about marriage having had cold feet and not going through with at his own wedding. This makes thing rather awkward for Hattie and Cal as she was hired as the wedding photographer. There are a few misunderstandings but they slowly work their way through these.

This story very much deals with toxic relationships, emotional abuse and narcissistic personalities, but does so with a lightness of touch that makes you cheer Hattie on.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my review.

Mad About You is so good. You can’t really go wrong with Mhairi McFarlane, she always makes me laugh and usually makes me squeeze out a tiny tear as well. This one is all about Harriet who’s had a bit of a rough time but when her boyfriend who is perfectly nice on paper asks her to marry him in front of his entire over bearing family she realises she has to get out. And get out fast so when her friend finds her a house share that seems too good to be true Harriet has no choice but to accept. She finds herself living with Cal who also ran away from his perfect on paper partner. This one is all about psychological abuse with some #metoo thrown in. There are a couple of times it goes a bit essay format but that’s kind of the nature of the beast as psychological abuse is really difficult to pin down. McFarlane also writes brilliant breaks ups, she pares relationships right down to the bone it’s wonderful and traumatic and usually spot on. So it’s a good job she’s funny too.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #HarperCollinsUK for providing me with an eARC in return for a fair review.

Harriet is a wedding photographer, but the book starts with the news that on her latest job the Groom has done a runner!

A short segue later & we see Harriet being pressured with a public marriage proposal from her boyfriend Jon. This is unwelcome, and serves as a catalyst to end the relationship, a bit awks as Harriet lives with Jon! Harriet finds herself lodging in a houseshare, with the handsome Cal.

This novel deals with some of the darker issues around relationships, gaslighting, emotional abuse and coercive control, cheating, and online trolling. Not necessarily what you would expect from a book marketed as a RomCom! Mhairi McFarlane is a wonderful writer and manages to tell a story which gives due weight to these serious topics and also has fun with the wider story.

The importance of friendships, female friendships in particular is explored quite a bit in this novel. Harriet's best friend Lorna is great! The romance is a slow burn, and if I'm honest a side plot that could have been left out & wouldn't have detracted from the main story.