
Member Reviews

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.
I have thoroughly enjoyed this book.
It was very well written, The characters I felt were relatable and were a joy to get to know.
There are some parts in the story that were serious, but the majority of it was fun to read.
I highly recommend this book.

This is the sequel to "Who's That Girl?" which I haven't read but I don't think it needs to be read before reading this story, as it covers the basic ins and outs of what happened in the first book. In the first book, Edie gets herself into some trouble and is then given a job ghost writing the autobiography of up and coming British actor, Elliot Owen. They go from enemies to lovers but then break up when Edie gets scared that it could never work between them due to his public status and the distance between them.
This book picks up where the last one leaves off with Elliot turning up at Edie's door on Christmas Day, asking for another chance to make their relationship work because he thinks what they had is worth it. Edie agrees, but Elliot can only stay a couple of days before he has to go back to New York to start working on a new TV series, while Edie has just been given a promotion to run the new Nottingham branch of Ad Hoc where she'll be overseeing a team of one - Declan.
Edie and Declan immediately hit it off and despite everything he's heard about her from her colleagues, he prefers to judge people for themselves. But on his first day he's knocked off his bike on his way to work and ends up with a concussion so spends the night at Edie's house where her sister, Meg, finds him naked in their kitchen in the middle of the night. Though Edie fails to mention any of this to Elliot so when he finds out, it does not go down well.
Elliot can see that Declan is falling in love with Edie and tells her this, which she shrugs off but promises to tell Elliot if Declan declares his feelings for her. Which, of course, he does and Edie fails to tell Elliot about it until he brings it up right before his brothers wedding. When she admits it, he gets upset and decides that the relationship isn't working anymore with him in New York and her in Nottingham and as devastating as it maybe, it would probably be better for them both if they ended things now.
Initially, I thought this book was going to be about Edie and Elliot navigating their new relationship and while there may be some rocky moment, I didn't really expect there to be so much jealousy and deceit between the two. Well, it was mainly Edie who was jealous and deceitful really, Elliot was always open about his feelings and at one point even flew back to Nottingham to spend 2hrs with her after a tabloid story is blown out of proportion. I liked Declan and I really hoped that he wasn't about to become the third wheel in their relationship and that he would just remain a great friend to Edie, but maybe falling for her sister Meg. But no, he had to be in love with Edie as well and that just felt wrong.
Thanks to NetGalley & HarperCollins UK for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

Mhairi McFarlane has done it again! I simply could not put this book down………at the expense of housework, eating, drinking, exercising………actually no, I did go on the exercise bike because I could read while exercising!!
This is a follow up book to ‘Who’s that Girl’ which came out way back in 2015/16. A fact I was unaware of when I started reading the book, but the characters Edie and Elliott, she a ghost writer and he a lower A list actor seemed familiar to me, however, Mhairi McFarlane writes such great characters that you often feel you know them. When I got to the end…….in about two days, I looked up the previous book which apparently according to Goodreads, I’ve read………..I’ve promptly bought it because I don’t remember reading it and I’m thrilled I get another book from this author straight away.
There is something extremely special about the way Mhairi writes, her ability to draw you into the characters, her ability to make you laugh, cry (oh yes I blubbed) and sometimes cringe for the antics described………Declan!! . Her leading lady and leading man are just adorable and I, for one, fell totally. In love with Elliott almost straight away. Edie, is such a normal, yet extraordinary girl, she screws up, she’s not ‘out there’ leading the pack, there’s no description of how she looks, that’s not what’s important about her. She’s smart, has ‘sharp as a tack’ wit and enormous psychological insight into herself and her relationship. She’s kind and thoughtful and I would love to be her! The other characters are well rounded too, Elliott’s brother Fraser and his girlfriend Molly, Declan, Edie’s new workmate in her new office………having been ostracised from her previous office and even her boss is a great character. You feel as if you know them all.
I’m not going to précis the story, you can get that from better writers than me, suffice to say I devoured this book and can’t help feeling there’s still another storyline for Edie and Elliott…………please Mhairi McFarlane!!!! I’d give ten stars if I could!
My thanks, as always go to the author, the publishers and Netgalley - I feel so privileged to be afforded an advance e.copy of this book.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for the ARC of this book. I very much appreciate the opportunity to read this ahead of its release on 20th June.
This book is a sequel to Mhairi’s book Who’s That Girl which was published in 2016. I read that book then too, and with hindsight would have been good to reread before this one because it took me a while to remember what had happened in this one! It very much picks up where the first book leaves off, to the exact scene.
This book is about Edie (a Nottingham based Ad Copywriter) and Elliot (a New York based movie star) and everything that would be entailed with having a relationship with someone who’s life is very different to yours. Elliot is staring in the next big thing with a supermodel-esque costar who the media are fixating on. This causes a lot of tension between Edie and Elliot as they try to establish what their relationship means.
In true Mhairi style, this book was so very well written. It was hilarious and it was relatable. Not relatable in that we’re not in relationships with movie stars, but relatable in how you deal with those emotions which are rife at the start of a relationship when you’re not quite sure how the other one feels and you’re not quite sure how you’re supposed to be feeling.
It’s strange to say but it doesn’t feel like a lot actually happens in the book, but yet they go on a journey! Declan’s character is great, as is Frasers. Right up until the end I wasn’t quite sure how this was going to go, which I also really liked. It’s not just the warm and fuzzies in this, there’s a genuine undertone of how environment and situation can play such a huge part in a relationship.
I really enjoyed this and I definitely recommend it

I got a chapter into this before realising it was a sequel, then realised the first one was on my TBR list so read it before carrying on. I think it definitely helped to read Who's That Girl first. It was an easy read but seemed to drag on a bit. I have enjoyed most of Mhairi Mcfarlane's books but this wasn't my favourite.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

Loved this book. Very sweet and heartwarming!
Thank you for the opportunity to read the ARC, NetGalley!
The book follows movie star Elliott Owen and Edie Thomson and their love story. The book shows the insecurities and bumps that come in every relationship.
Really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend 👌

There’s nothing quite like reading a new Mhairi book, which for me is like getting a text format hug from my favourite romcom author while eating a Wispa Gold (#1 chocolate bar) and drinking a bottle of ice cold posh water that comes in a glass bottle (the height of water-based luxury). Her books are the BEST, and she never misses.
You Belong with Me is the sequel to 2016’s Who’s That Girl?, which is a sentence I never thought I’d say, but one I’m very happy to. Because it’s brilliant. I didn’t even realise I’d been missing Edie and Elliot until I read the first page, and swiftly remembered what good people they are and how much I loved Who’s That Girl? Admittedly I love all of Mhairi’s books, so me saying that counts for nothing. But still. A sequel! About Edie and Elliot! YAY!
Obviously you may want to dive into Who’s That Girl? before reading this one, or you might be a little bit confused but nonetheless charmed and addicted. So I won’t divulge any spoilers other than to say: You Belong with Me picks up very close to where Who’s That Girl? ended, there’s some drama, lots of kissing, Elliot’s messy actor hair is in fine form, and Edie is an absolute belter. Oh, and, as always, it’s very northern funny.
If you’re new to Mhairi McFarlane, please go and read Who’s That Girl, then You Belong with Me, followed by her entire magical backlist. If you’re not new to the Mhairi club, then I’ll say no more because you get it. Edie and Elliot are back. There’s lots of pages about them. Woooo. ENJOY.

Mhairi is a must-read author for me. Her witty style of writing makes for unputdownable romance stories. They always have a slightly serious edge which rounds out her characters, making them worth rooting for. I tore through her back catalogue on honeymoon in 2019, including 'Who's that Girl?' (which I gave a 5 star review in case you were wondering). That book is unique for ending with a cliffhanger, Edie answering the door on Christmas Day to... who? I always knew it was Elliot of course! This sequel picks up where the first book left off. However, Elliot is still eye-wateringly famous and their issues from the first novel have not gone away. Is there any chance for love to prevail here?
This was another really enjoyable story from Mhairi. There were sufficient adorable moments between Elliot and Edie despite the long distance nature of much of their relationship in the story. However the real draw of the book, and most interesting reflection on our celebrity obsessed culture, were the seeds of mistrust sown by the ever present paparazzi, mawkishly hovering looking for a story. It is when Elliot suspects there is a leak in his inner circle that the mistrust really ramps up - as a reader, you really do become suspicious of everyone at one point or another!
Overall, I really enjoyed this one. Sometimes, I got tired of the relentlessness of the obstacles (and may have momentarily rooted for the other corner of the love triangle) but the book comes to a satisfying conclusion and is a worthy addition to Mhairi's body of work. 4 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher who provided an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

You Belong With Me was a book that, to put it bluntly, felt unnecessary. I know the ending of Who’s That Girl was somewhat of a cliffhanger, and sure, I did also want to see the reunion scene on the page, but. A whole book?
This is not to say I didn’t find the experience of reading this broadly enjoyable. I liked having Edie and Elliot back and I thought this was possibly Mhairi McFarlane’s funniest book yet. And I think if I read the two books back to back and treated it as one long book, it’s entirely likely I’d come to a different rating.
The thing is, it felt like there wasn’t enough unmanufactured conflict to make a whole 320 page book of Edie and Elliot round two feel anything more than a repetition of the greatest hits (their individual insecurities, some jealousy from both, the whole fame question) in a somewhat cyclical fashion. It felt especially manufactured when Edie first experiences the media twisting photos to suit a narrative, over which she has a valid reaction, sure, but one that felt very excessive (and also, completely against type, since she had, mere chapters before, talked about shutting down when it came to emotions and conflict). Honestly, towards the end, I was even thinking that maybe they should break up because they clearly weren’t working together.
What’s clear, though, is that Edie and Elliot had something that couples from McFarlane’s more recent books have sort of been missing. It was a strange juxtaposition: to love the characters and to want more of them, but to also not feel that any of it was necessary. So, while I did love reading about them again, I have to admit I came to the conclusion that this, really, is a book that should have been a novella.

Love love love Edie and Elliot! Let me start off by saying that this is a sequel to „Who’s that girl?“ and while I believe you could read this as a standalone, I would highly recommend picking up the prequel. It is soo well written, witty and has an amazing plot, you wouldn’t want to miss out on that or the beginning of their relationship. The more Edie and Elliot the better!
„You Belong With Me“ picks up where „Who’s that girl“ left off and you get to see how those two navigate a long-distance relationship, the little privacy due to fame and the rumour mill while dealing with insecurities and jealousy.
Mhairi McFarlane never disappoints in writing witty dialogues, characters with depth and realistic plots. The feelings and problems Elliot and Eden dealt with throughout the book were definitely frustrating at times but it was frustrating because it was realistic.
McFarlane manages to describe the highs and lows of life and relationships, while still telling romance and keeping it real.
My only wish was that we would have gotten a little more of them when they felt truly secure and settled in the relationship. I simply can’t get enough of those two and just want to see them happy. I couldn’t put the book down, Elliot made me swoon one too many times and Edie is just a lovely and inspiring FMC, she’s my girl. (Plus the side characters are great, too!)
Highly recommend this one!
Thank you to HarperCollins UK and Netgalley for providing me with an earc!
„You Belong With Me“ is out June 20th 2024!
(review was posted on goodreads on June 17th )

Mhairi McFarlane is like of breath of fresh air , always so funny and relatable. We rejoin Eddie and Elliot can they make a go of it despite the press, old enemies and insecurities. With Eddie opening a regional office for Ad hoc in Nottingham she gets a new colleague in the form of Declan chaos ensues when they first meet. Absolutely cracking read to brighten the dullest of days

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for the ARC.
Mhairi McFarlane's 'You Belong with Me' is a follow-up of her 2016 novel 'Who's That Girl,' I haven't read this particular book nevertheless, the sequel was really great! I've read McFarlane's 'Don't You Forget About Me' and I absolutely loved it! There's something about her books that just feels right. It's comfy, witty, and so so soooo charming.
I really liked Edie. I think she's a compelling character who is aware of her needs and wants and doesn't let anyone else dictate how she should live her life. Elliot was fine, a bit annoying sometimes, but I guess that's what actors are supposed to be. Love their chemistry. You just get really absorbed in their romantic development. There are all sorts of conflicts they need to navigate because it is a long-distance relationship.
I can't wait to read more of McFarlane's books! Thank you again!

I was so excited when I heard there was a sequel coming out for Who's that Girl as I absolutely adored it but.....The bloody cliffhanger! To say this book has left me quite satisfied with how the story continued would be an understatement.
I don't want to give any details and what Elliott and Edie went through all i will say is, you're in for a rollercoaster!

I really enjoyed this book, there’s something about Mhairi McFarlene’s books that feel so comfortingly familiar whilst also being fresh and new. I thought the character relationships were well developed and I really enjoyed the dialogue (I think this can often be hard to get right in a book like this).
The story was captivating and I read this book in 1/2 sittings. The only thing I don’t love is the amount of pop culture references. I find they pull me out of the story a little but that’s definitely more a me thing.
Overall a really enjoyable read

As usual in my reviews I will not rehash the plot...
I didn't realise that this book is actually the follow up to an earlier novel - "Who's That Girl". Although it worked OK as a standalone, I think I'd have enjoyed it a bit more if I'd read the previous book, as I didn't understand some of the context.
It's a light easy read, with plenty of humour. I liked the settings - having lived in Nottingham, it was nice to hear good things about the city.
Character-wise, I found Elliot a bit "needy" but that's actors I guess! Really liked Edie, her sister, and Declan (THAT bit made me laugh out loud!).
Recommended if you are looking for a light, humourous read with more than a touch of romance.
Looking forward to reading more from Mharir McFarlane!
My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC. All opinions my own.

The most agonising, tender and absorbing read. It’s a standalone, but I strongly recommend diving into Who’s That Girl first.
The tension in Mhairi’s novels is dialled up to turbo because we already know Edie and Elliot, how they fell for each other and how hard it was for Edie to give him up - essentially because she did not see herself in his world - that she was Just Another Girl, and He Was HIm. Knowing that, I was already invested from page one.
But let’s back up a step. Edie lives in Nottingham, works there, has her own flat. She’s dug in. Elliot is a successful (and famous) actor, lives where the work is - currently in New York. After breaking up in Who’s That Girl, Elliot is back to give it another shot. Has anything changed though?
All Mhairi’s books are messy, untidy and very funny. Everyone’s a little bit blind to what’s in front of them and held to ransom by their own ideas and insecurities. We know this is a romance (no spoilers here) so of course they will end up together - I told myself - but oh the journey is painful. Edie second-guesses herself so much. Elliot is articulate and steadfast but it’s complicated. There’s lots of other stuff going on which keeps things moving. There’s Edie’s sister, Elliot’s family, plenty of work moments for Edie, including new workmate Declan, and the paparazzi always mixing the pot.
It’s a wonderful ride and if you love understated writing, dry humour, and closed door romance this is so so good 💖
Thank you so much NetGalley, Mhairi McFarlane and HarperCollins for the ARC. What a joy this was! Opinions are my own.

"You Belong to Me" is a sparkling gem in the rom-com treasure chest. It is witty, heart-warming, and utterly relatable tale.
Edie Thompson thought she had found her happily ever after with actor Elliot Owen, but when he shows up on Christmas Day with promises of rekindled romance, she faces a whirlwind of paparazzi, family drama, and long-distance woes. As Edie's boss brings the dependable Declan Dunne into the mix, she starts to question whether her love story with Elliot is a dream come true or a cautionary tale about getting what you wish for.
McFarlane masterfully weaves humour and heartache, delivering laughs that sneak up on you and emotional moments that linger long after the page is turned. Edie's encounters with her eclectic family and old friends are both hilarious and poignant, adding depth to her character and the story.
You'll root for Edie as she navigates love, friendship, and finding her place in the world. Along the way, she encounters a cast of characters that are as delightfully unpredictable as a British weather forecast—each adding their unique flair to Edie's journey.
In short, "You Belong to Me" is a deliciously witty read that will leave you grinning like a Cheshire cat. If you’re a fan of clever romance with a side of sharp humour, this book will tick those boxes.

I love Mhairi McFarlane's writing, and after the ending of Who's That Girl, I was delighted that we were getting a follow up book.
Through this book we follow Edie and Elliot. Elliott is Hollywood royalty - a sought after actor and heartthrob and Edie, an ordinary girl from Nottingham.
As a local girl, I really enjoyed all the references to Nottingham, you could tell the author really knew the area and I really liked that. I could picture scenes and it was nice to see Nottingham portrayed in such a positive way.
The characters in this book are great. Elliott is a gorgeous human being, he seemed to really understand Edie and what she needed and he was prepared to keep proving to her how much he loved her throughout the book.
I liked Edie as well - in some ways she has a confidence about what she wants and needs and she wasn't prepared to compromise some of this for Elliott which I appreciated. But on the other hand she seemed to really lack self esteem and I felt a lot of the conflict stemmed from her own worries about not being good enough for Elliott and I really wanted to see her grow more confidence and value herself in their relationship. They make such a good couple though and it was hard to read how much of a struggle it was for them at times.
The banter between these two is so funny and natural which made the book all the more enjoyable. This is a great follow up to Who's That Girl and I can't wait to see what Mhairi McFarlane does next.

Who's that Girl? Was one of my favourite MM books, so when I heard there was a sequal coming out after THAT ending, to say I was excited would be an understatement!
You belong with me did not dissapoint.
Edie is such a relatable woman that you can't help but see yourself in bits of her. She makes mistakes, she knows heartbreak and she loves deeply.
I adore her character. The same can be said for my feelings on Elliot too.
I don't always enjoy sequels tbh, because they rarely live up to the hype of the first book, but You belong with me did. It was funny, with witty dialogue throughout, great character growth and the warm, fuzzy emotions only Mhairi can bring out in me.

Thank you to NetGalley, HarperCollins and the author for the eARC of this book.
I previously read Mhairi McFarlane's book Dont You Forget About Me and loved the writing style so when I saw this book on Netgalley I jumped on it and hoped my request would be confirmed. I am so glad I got to read this book. I wasn't aware going in that there was a previous book with the characters of Edie and Elliot but it didn't take away from my enjoyment of it and if anything I want to find it and read it.
I devoured this book and looked forward to diving back in when I wasn't reading it. The author handles relationship scenarios incredibly well and realistically. Sometimes I find romance books can be a bit too cheesy for me and it takes me out of the enjoyment of it but the two books I have read of Mhairi McFarlane's has confirmed that any book I read I'll be in capable hands. Read the description of this book and jump in. You'll have a great time. I'm just sorry I finished it already.
ps. I have crush on Declan. ha!