Yes, yes, yes!

Whenever a new Mhairi McFarlane book appears I just know I’m in for a treat, and true to form You Belong With Me was an absolute joy.

The sequel to the beloved Who’s That Girl, we finally get the answer to the question we’ve all been asking (who was at the door?!) and return to the lives of Edie and Elliot as they navigate their lives together - and apart.

Mhairi’s trademark wit, twists and loveable well-rounded characters are all present here - and best of all, we’ve met most of them before so it’s like catching up with old friends,

I wouldn’t say it’s entirely necessary to read Who’s That Girl before this, as you could technically read it in its own right - but you definitely should read WTG anyway, as it’s wonderful!

All in all - Mhairi never disappoints and I’d recommend this to fans of her previous works, but also to new readers who love romance, comedy and a story they can truly lose themselves in,

You Belong with Me is the sequel to McFarlane's previous novel Who's that girl?, whilst you do not have to have read the previous novel it does help to give a little more back story and to relate to the characters. I read the previous book years ago and as such remember very little except for the ending which I enjoyed, it was one of the first times I had read something in this genre that didn't end the way you expected and as such I was surprised to see that McFarlane wrote a follow up that completely changes that.

You Belong with Me picks up on Christmas day when Elliot turns up at Edie's door asking her for another chance and to give their relationship another go. What follows is a fairly typical story for the genre with a little bit of drama from a new male colleague and some long distance struggles. Not my favourite McFarlane but I will continue to read everything she publishes.

Edie Thompson's Christmas wish comes true when Elliot Owen, the person still in her heart and possibly The One, appears at her door. Despite their past breakup, Edie can't deny the chemistry between them and decides to give their relationship another chance. However, dating Elliot, an actor, comes with its own set of challenges, including distance, media attention, and the involvement of their friends and families. As Edie navigates the complexities of their relationship, she finds solace in the support of her friend Declan Dunne, leading her to question if her relationship with Elliot is truly a fairytale romance or a cautionary tale about the consequences of getting what you wish for. In this captivating tale of love and second chances, Edie must decide if Elliot is truly The One or if she's chasing a fantasy that may not withstand reality.

Loved the first book so it was a real treat to get this surprise sequel and lots of fun to watch the next chapter of Edie and Elliot unfold - gives me a great excuse to persuade people to read Who's That Girl

First things first, I am a HUGE Mhairi McFarlane fan. If I’m ever asked for a book recommendation (which actually happens reasonably often, as I overshare my love of books to everyone!) my first question is always ‘have you read everything by Mhairi McFarlane yet?’ – and yes, I do explain to everyone ‘you say her name Vahree’. All of her books are wonderful, funny, clever, emotional, modern, beautifully written – and all round fabulous. However one did leave me begging for a sequel as you can see by my previous review of ‘Who’s That Girl?‘ – and 8 years later, Mhairi has delivered!

Here’s the blurb for her newest book ‘You Belong With Me’:

“She found The One. But when everyone wants him, can she keep him?
When there’s a ring on her doorbell on Christmas Day, there’s only one person Edie Thompson wants it to be. The person who’s still in her heart. The person who just might be The One.
She and Elliot Owen called it quits once before – but aren’t they too good together not to try? And here he is – offering her everything she dreamed of.
But dating Elliot, an actor, is anything but plain sailing. Being an ocean apart and followed by the press is one thing, but when Edie’s friends and Elliot’s family are drawn in, things get messy. Then her boss hires a friendly face in the form of Declan Dunne, who’s there for her when times are tough, and Edie starts to wonder … are she and Elliot a fairytale come true – or a cautionary fable about getting what you wish for?”

So immediately we find out who was at the door – phew! It’s what we all wanted all those years ago – and now we get to find out how the relationship between Edie and Elliot pans out. The fantastic supporting cast of the first book are all back to help – and sometimes hinder – things, along with new characters like Declan – who is thoroughly lovely as well (and an image of him naked will stay with me for a while!!)

I have to say there were certain times when I wanted to give both Edie and Elliott a good shake and tell them to talk to each other properly – but this did not detract from the storyline, I was still desperate to read on.

As it’s a Mhairi McFarlane book you expect twists and turns, and it did not disappoint. I’ve commented before about her use of modern technology and how it thus feels really real and modern – and yet again that’s fundamental to the storyline at times. The dialogue between the characters is, as ever, clever, witty and laugh out loud funny at times.

‘You Belong With Me’ is out in June 2024 – and I would highly recommend pre ordering now as a lovely gift to your future self! If you haven’t read the prequel ‘Who’s That Girl?’ then:

a. Why not?! and
b. I probably would if I were you – but you wouldn’t HAVE to as this would stand alone – but you might miss some of the historic references

Many thanks to Harper Collins, Net Galley – and of course Mhairi – for my advance review copy.

It's funny how "Who's That Girl" is actually the most recent of her books that I've read—I've devoured all of them! So, I didn't really need a refresher on the plot, but if you ever need a clever summary of a previous book, you could do worse than watching how she does it here.

Edie is just your average person (even though she seems to have gathered more enemies than she deserves), while Elliot is a bona fide film star. Sure, they both hail from Nottingham, but he's gone all Hollywood these days, and their romance in "Who's That Girl" was anything but straightforward—it was complicated, if not downright doomed. And then it ended on a cliffhanger. So, here we are, itching to find out what happened next.

I'm not usually big on sequels—I'm content for a story to conclude where the writer leaves it. But with these characters, I was more than happy to dive back in. They're just so wonderfully crafted. I've gushed endlessly about McFarlane's knack for dialogue, her knack for humor, and her talent for creating friend groups that you'd want to hang out with. Her main characters are relatable, her male leads are charming. Elliot is like a dream, and not just because he's easy on the eyes. He's incredibly considerate—perhaps that's what's so appealing about him, in many ways—and he's hilarious. The relationship is always under threat from distance and the imbalance of normal vs. famous, but Edie and Elliot have undeniable chemistry, and that's because they genuinely enjoy each other's company. I find that utterly charming. Their banter is off the charts.

One of the things I love about romance is when the male characters really "see" the protagonists, allowing readers to revel in that feeling of being truly understood and cared for. I think that might be a rarity in real life, even rarer than steamy sex or romantic gestures. Elliot's ability to express his emotions is swoon-worthy in itself. I'm a sucker for characters who can communicate openly.

Anyway, long story short—I absolutely adored it.

Title: You Belong with Me by Mhairi McFarlane

Release Date: June, 20th, 2024

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Stars

Edie unexpectedly finds true love with Elliot Owen, a charming Hollywood figure who claims to be deeply in love with her. Despite their differences, they decide to navigate the challenges of their relationship together.
However, as they step into the limelight, they face the scrutiny of the press and the intrusion of outside forces. Separated by distance and surrounded by attractive co-stars and colleagues, Edie and Elliot must confront jealousy and mistrust while grappling with their own pasts. As their relationship is put to the test, Edie wonders if their love story will end as a fairytale or a cautionary tale about the consequences of getting what you wish for.


"You Belong with Me" picks up where "Who's That Girl?" left off, resolving the gripping cliffhanger from the previous book. As Edie navigates the aftermath of her Christmas Day encounter, the story delves into the complexities of nurturing a new relationship amid lingering doubts and insecurities. Offering keen insights into the challenges of trust-building and fear-conquering, the novel paints a realistic picture of romance.

With its blend of wit, humour, and heartfelt moments, it seamlessly reintroduces beloved characters while introducing engaging new ones.

Mhairi McFarlane's expert storytelling shines in this sequel, making it a must-read for both fans of the original and newcomers.

However, it's recommended to read "Who's That Girl?" beforehand for a fuller understanding of the storyline and to avoid any potential confusion.


Thank you to The Publisher HarperCollins UK | HarperCollins , The Author Mhairi McFarlane & NetGalley for an advanced reader copy (ARC) in exchange for my honest review.

Hadn’t realised it was a sequel before requesting, and seen that it’s still great as a standalone book but I rushed to read Who’s that girl before starting this. I adored the main character Edie and see her develop over both books was great. You are rooting for her to believe in herself in the first book and it ends on such a cliff hanger and intrigue and that made me rush to read this, and thankful for it to pick up in the scene where the last one was left.

I'm a huge fan of Mhairi's and I've read all of her books, bar two that I haven't got around to yet, one of those being Who's That Girl.... So I had heard about this sequel and forgot it was a sequel and read it as a standalone because of course🙈😂

But you know what? I didn't feel any confusion at all as a reader or that I was missing facts. I did wonder about the real story behind That Wedding but thought it was just that we'd find out the truth later in the book (which we did anyway). I'm actually glad now that I read it this way because after realising my mistake at the end, as part of the acknowledgements, I quickly looked up the book and the ending would have hurt!

Anyway, no surprises but I loved this book! Mhairi's characters are always people that I think to myself I'd love to be friends with. I laughed out loud a few times and ended up really rooting for Edie and Elliot to find a way for their lives to work together, but life throws them so many curveballs. I can't say if it works out or not - you'll just have to read for yourself!

Fraser might have been my favourite character though, I loved him from the very start❤️

Thank you to Netgalley, Harper Collins and the author for the review copy, provided in exchange for an honest opinion.

4.5⭐ but I'm rounding to 5

I WISH we had more than one book a year from Mhairi. I love them all. It was SO GOOD reading what happened next for Edie and Elliot. The characters are always so well drawn and realistic and I end up far too invested. Also, more sequels please!! And more Mhairi!

Thank you for my eARC. It’s always a joy when there’s a new Mhairi McFarlane to read and this was no exception. I loved being back with Edie and Elliot, and loved the way their story continued/unfolded. Mhairi writes the best characters and dialogue and I will always be a massive fan of her writing. The realness perfectly balanced with the magic and serendipity of great contemporary and romantic fiction - Mhairi is consistently impressive.

Right, when’s the next one?

I have been waiting a LONG time for this book. Mhairi McFarlane left us on a cliff hanger back in 2015 with Who's That Girl with the story of Elliot a hot movie star and Edie, the woman charged with ghost writing his autobiography, so excitement levels were high when You Belong with Me, the follow up was announced earlier in the year.

Mhairi has said that Who's That Girl is her favourite of her books, and it shows, because You Belong with Me is everything I hoped it would be. It's choc full of romance, drama, conflict and will-they-won't-they; all the things that make a great romance book. Mhairi also explores the pitfalls of falling in love with a celeb; yes he is hot, but you're not the only one to think so and popping out for a coffee can be a military operation, and how the internet and social media can be more of a curse than a blessing in our celeb obsessed times.

It's warm and witty, filled with complex emotions and hugely satisfying. Thanks Mhairi.

I'm a fan of Mhairi so I was excited to read this latest book. It is a sequel and I'd recommend reading the first book to be able to really enjoy this story. Overall, I enjoyed it but it is a shame it relies so heavily on the original as I think new readers would struggle to really enjoy the story to its best as a standalone.

I was about two chapters into ‘You Belong With Me’ when I felt I was missing some details of the story and that perhaps this was a sequel. A quick google confirmed that this is indeed the sequel to ‘Who’s that girl?’ which is one of McFarlane’s novels I have not yet read. This can be read as a stand-alone story but it definitely did feel like a sequel to me in terms of the character development and back stories - these were all quickly summarised in short punchy descriptions to get the reader up to speed rather than allowed to develop or emerge naturally. In ‘You Belong with Me’, Edie and Elliot are reunited after a break-up - they realise that they love each other too much to let it slip away because their circumstances are difficult. (Elliot is on track to become an A-List movie star and Edie is a homebody). The story follows them navigating their new normal, paparazzi, leaked stories, long-distance and jealousy. The ‘what happens after’ narrative is always difficult in romance stories as it struggles to match the excitement of the ‘will they/won’t they’ dynamic. I think this novel suffered somewhat from that and also from the fact I had not read the first book, was not invested in these characters and the character development was too skimpy for me to establish that connection in this story. In saying that, I think fans of the first book will enjoy a revisit to these characters and I remain a big fan of McFarlane - this just wasn’t my favourite of hers.

If you love a Rom com book this is for you. Lighthearted, nice relaatable characters and lots of tears and laughter!

The sequel to Who's that Girl ? does not disappoint. Although it is a sequel the is enough backstory woven in that it can also stand alone. Mhairi MacFarlane writes relatable characters and has a skill of knowing when to add humour and tenderness. I laughed and cried reading this book. I would highly recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for an ARC in return for an honest review.

This is the hotly anticipated sequel to "Who's That Girl?", that more than eight years ago ended in a frustrating cliffhanger. I can happily report that it picks up exactly where the first book ended, as if no time has passed.

Edie has written a ghost memoir of hot new actor Elliot Owen. They fell in love during long interviews, but then Edie called time on the romance due to Elliot's celebrity status requiring him to film in the US for long periods of time. Edie had just undergone a character development journey and even though she loves him, she wanted to put herself first. Now it's Christmas, Elliot is standing at her door again, and she can't resist.

This has a lot fewer pages than the first book, yet it took me longer to read. It's very slow-paced and a lot feels repetitive - the constant stalkerish articles in the press that at the beginning are made of lies but then get accurate, so Elliot and Edie have to find the mole in their group of family and friends, because it causes so much misery in their relationship.

There is a strong case made for those two having a mature sincere relationship that is unfortunately threatened by outside forces, i.e. Elliot's fame that brings trouble to the door.

"People refuse to treat you normally then accuse you of not being normal enough."

McFarlane has a great turn of phrase, the dialogue (and there is lots of it) is smart and funny and such a delight to read. It is so nice to see how much the couple communicate and work through their problems.

"Nora Ephron films are not a YouTube tutorial."

I enjoyed the story but it seemed a bit more one-dimensional as in the first book, with the supporting characters not getting much to do (except for Elliot's brother Fraser) and the Declan character thrown in just to stir things up a little - he didn't feel important until right at the end. Plus, Jack, the groom that kissed her and made her a pariah in the last book, is rearing his ugly head again. Some men really don't realise when they have become irrelevant! Also, the ending seems rushed, with a very abrupt volte face right at the end. But Elliot and Edie feel like old friends, and it was lovely spending time with them.

There is an utterly funny quote from Gavin & Stacey in the book which I recognised immediately as I absolutely adore that show. And, like with this book, there will be one last G & S episode after a five year absence - a Christmas Day 2024 special. The coincidence is just too delicious for words! I'm guessing people clamored for it like they have with this, because we just couldn't get enough of Elliot and Edie. And this book has been worth it to get closure to their story and get them the HEA they deserve. Thank you, Mhairi!

"It’s all the drama, Mick – I just love it!"

Mhairi McFarlane is one of my all time favourite authors. I have read every single one of her books and this one lived up to my expectations! It was amazing to revisit these characters who have been so expertly created. Each character is so dimensional with complex storylines.

It was amazing to see how Edie and Elliot dealt with the relationships and the difficulties that came along with it. Also, to get an ending and acceptance to what happened to Edie with Jack and Ad Hoc. I’m even more in love with Elliot and Edie is my hero. I adored this book, it was classically Mhairi McFarlane. I will 100% be recommending this in store.

The only thing I wished was that the ending hadn’t felt rushed as Edie and Elliot had fallen out and then in the ending few pages reconciled. I adored the Epilogue though, which very obviously finished with a happy ending. An amazing sequel to my favourite McFarlane book.

I absolutely loved this book. After reading the first book it was lovely to continue finding more about these characters. Really easy to read. Fantastic.

I'll always read a Mhairi McFarlane novel, even though this was a follow-up to one of my least favourite of hers. I'm never a huge fan of when she writes in third-person (I just find her first-person perspectives SO much more convincing) but I did like this, it's a nice and easy read. 3.5 stars probably