Wow! This book was brilliant. I was carried along with the story telling and didn't want to put it down - unfortunately I started it on a work day so had to but as soon as possible picked it up again.

Believable characters you can't help but relate to and root for.

When I seen I was approved the new Mhairi Mcfarlane book from netgalley I squealed it made my day. This book is her best yet. The best way to describe it for me is multi layered grown up fiction but so easy to read. I really didn't know at times where this story was going. It was very mysterious and I was hooked. Nobody writes like Mhari Mcfarlane just excellent.

4/5 stars! This was my first read by this author and I really enjoyed it. The premise was exciting and I found myself gasping along Roisin as revelations came to the forefront. I think what I appreciated the most about this story was it really developed the side characters. All of them felt real and 3-dimensional, which I feel is missed often. I enjoyed the story, but found the ending to be a bit of a letdown.

I received an advance review copy for free through NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily

Thank you to HC for my ebook of this. In the least surprising turn of events I absolutely loved this book.
Mhairi writes friendships and romance so so well, and the dialogue is so witty and realistic. I love the settings and it’s so nice to read about somewhere familiar in the UK rather than london.

I love the journey Roisin went on, how the book tackled infidelity, gaslighting and toxic relationships. I love that it was messy and real and could read her books every day.

I couldn’t read it quick enough but I’m so sad it’s finished!

Mhairi McFarlane is one of my favourite authors, so I could not wait to read Between Us. And it did not disappoint.
As per usual, her characters and stories are completely immersive and what you may typically think of women's fiction or romance, is always elevated by her in a masterful way.
I essentially couldn't put this down, even though I knew that I would be sad when it was over.
I enjoyed seeing Roisin grow, as a character, as well as her group of friends.
When they arrive at the weekend away, I did start to wonder whether this would be the main focus of the story but I loved seeing Roisin (and Matt) return to where she had grown up while helping out in the pub and interacting with her mum.
I also adored all of the references, from Charlotte Tilbury lipstick to the & Other Stories dress, that make you feel like you truly know and understand the characters and the world in which they exist. And it made me feel a real kinship to her.
The scenes at the school were great too.
Having the friend group meet while working in Waterstones was also such a nice touch, as a book lover.
And Matt, well it was lovely to just have my heart warmed any time that he was with Roisin, as you could tell that, despite how Joe was trying to depict him, he was genuinely a nice guy.
Speaking of Joe, I liked that as readers we knew something wasn't adding up about his behaviour but you didn't know exactly what he was up to. Having him be a TV writer where it appeared that he'd allowed life to inspire his work, was really interesting too and I was just waiting for him to be found out and called out by Roisin.
As I do with all of Mhairi's books, I will wholeheartedly be recommending Between Us to everyone.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was so thrilled to get an advanced copy of this, Mhairi McFarlane is the best at what she does.
Between Us didn’t disappoint and I think it might be her best ever. All the usual wit and warmth but with a great thriller-esque storyline too and plenty of subterfuge and twists. Of course, an absolutely dreamy love interest and Roisin is so likeable and relatable.

This was a thoughtful read about relationships between a group of friends but most particular between the couple in the group - Roisin and Joe. Told from schoolteacher Roisin’s point of view as she reflects on their relationship with the growing realisation they have grown apart and that Joe is not the man she believed him to be. I found Roisin’s voice difficult to engage with at times as it was understandably quite negative as things fell apart however it was well balanced by her lively friends who added some good lighter moments to it and ultimately this was an uplifting read.

I love Mhairi’s writing, pleased to say this book is no exception, her characters are believable and it’s always a joy to see how they develop

Its always a pleasure to read Mhairi McFarlane, she conjures up wonderful groups of friends and lovers, always with an entertaining twist to them.

In 'Between Us' Roisin and Joe are the long-stay couple of their friendship group; they've been together for 10 years, have supported each other through career changes and are as stable as they come. Except that Joe has started to change- he has suddenly found fame as a successful TV drama writer and its changing him for the worse. Worse, he's starting to bring some of Roisin's deepest secrets into his screen writing, and hadnt warned her first.

Following a group gathering to celebrate birthdays, engagements and Joe's new show, Roisin realises this isnt making her happy any more and realises things need to change. The repercussions from their break up spread throughout the group and more widely into their families. Roisin's mum runs a rundown pub in a small village, so when she says to Roisin she needs help, Roisin sets up camp there rebuilding some relationships

Some lovely moments, a well told story, definitely worth a read

What an absolutely reverting read. I loved it. I’m a big time fan of McFarlane’s stories. I love how imperfect yet fascinating her characters are but more than it’s the writing that pulls me into it, that one can’t help until and unless they’re fully immersed in it; engage with the characters and reach the very end. It’s raw and gritty. I had to take little pauses to absorb and truly savour it. Absolutely marvellous, and undoubtedly one of the best reads of the year already!!