I really enjoyed this new novel from Mhairi McFarlane. She’s not only provided a captivating narrative, she has tackled some serious issues and raising awareness for them.

McFarlane’s writing is aging like fine wine, each book is just getting better and better

Bel is an undercover journalist, recently moved to a small office in Manchester where she works with a colleague, Aaron. An intern, Connor, slightly older than the usual interns, comes to join the team, and he ends up entwined in her professional life and possibly more.
I'll admit that it took me a little while to get into the story, but after the first few chapters, I was right in there.
Told with a dual POV, we learn about Bel and Connor, their pasts, and their current situations.
Yes, there is romance, but not conventional, and there is the exposé that both characters find themselves investigating, with a sleazy mayor.
Both characters are a bit damaged from past relationships, and it's great to read how they move from disinterested colleagues, to friends, to, potentially, more.
Well written, with a more serious storyline attached to the developing romance, Another brilliant book by Mhairi McFarlane.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for an ARC.

Mhairi McFarlane is one of my favourite authors, a must-read as soon as she writes anything new. 'Cover Story' was worth the wait, using some of my favourite tropes (fake dating with a sprinkle of enemies to lovers) but utilising a fresh new take.

Bel is an undercover investigative journalist in Manchester. The new intern Connor is not her kind of person and they decide to keep each other at arm's length for the duration of his stay at the northern paper. However, unfortunate timing on Connor's part means he is drawn into Bel's latest investigation into political corruption as her fake boyfriend.

McFarlane has balanced the seriousness of the investigation with the blossoming romance beautifully here. I raced through this novel and am now faced with the long wait for the next one! 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher who provided an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you so much for this review copy! I thoroughly enjoy all of Mhairi Mcfarlanes novels and this was no exception!

Bel, now Investigations Editor at a national newspaper’s Manchester office following on from her indie podcast. Connor, ex-finance making his way into journalism, is the new intern on a three month placement before returning to the London HQ. From the outset, they don't gel, both carrying their own assumptions about the other, resulting in a workplace dynamic that’s more chilly than charming.

Everything changes when Connor unexpectedly stumbles upon Bel working undercover. Thinking on her feet, she pretends they’re a couple. From there, well, what could possibly go wrong?

Told in dual POV, this story gives equal weight to both characters, and it works brilliantly. Bel and Connor feel authentic, flawed, funny, and easy to root for. There’s a healthy dose of humour sprinkled throughout the “Manc-alorian” line had me laughing out loud.

The romance, very slow burn, doesn’t overshadow the plot. The investigative journalism thread is equally compelling and both characters' personal journeys bring extra depth.

Overall, this was a quick, witty, entertaining and enjoyable read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the ARC.

As always another hit from Mhairi McFarlane! I will admit this one took me a while to get invested but once I was there I was hooked!

Bel's joined a Manchester newspaper from her podcast. Connor joins as an intern but they can't stand each other. Bel comes across a story that could rock Manchester. Connor inadvertently gets involved. Different to what I normally read but loved it

Such a treat as always, very grateful to NetGalley and HC for a go on this.

Lots of fun as ever, with some very amusing dialogue and two slightly stressful subplots. Oh - and a really great example of taking a trope and making it work super hard. Fake relationship is always entertaining, and this is effective because the characters are great.
Bel doesn't take to the new intern at work and Connor thinks his new temporary colleagues are a cliquey nightmare. He's had to move to Manchester for three months and his girlfriend is pissed off he's left his job in finance to learn to be a journalist. At his age! Helping Bel on a top secret investigative story would be good experience but pretending to be her boyfriend is not so much fun when she clearly loathes him. Etc.
I loved it.

"Cover Story" is a modern, amusing romance set in Manchester, in the world of investigative journalism. The story being chased in this case is that of a charismatic but sleazy mayor. The book is full of interesting characters and situations, and keeps the reader gripped.

Thanks to Net Galley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this book.

4.6⭐️

This is the first of Mhairi’s books I’ve read, and based on this experience, I’ll definitely be checking out her others!

This rivals-to-lovers, fake dating story has everything I could want. The banter was fantastic, and although I’m not normally a fan of miscommunication (or the initial judginess shown by both Bel and Connor), it was very well written in this case. I also enjoyed the side stories that led to their fake dating, including what happens with the (sadly too realistic) toadstool who thinks Bel is running away from the love she feels for him (barf).

Overall, I really enjoyed this very easy read and will be checking out Mhairi’s back catalogue sooner rather than later!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC of this book.
It started off a little slow but after a few chapters the pace improved and this proved to be another great book by Mhairi McFarlane! I love an enemies to lovers story, and this delivered that with a touch of suspense too!!
Would recommend as a summer chilled romance read!

Bel is a reporter, she recently relocated to work at a paper that only has three employees including her, every few months a new intern comes to help along the way,this time the intern is a thirty year old man who is making a career change.

Connor and Bel clash from the very first moment and don't see eye to eye, the best would be to keep their distance but one unexpected story comes to Bel that leads her to work undercover in order to find the truth. When Connor arrives at the wrong place and time, she pretends that he is her boyfriend in order to keep her cover.

The book follows along the story while Bel and Connor work together in order to find out if the tip she got leads to the truth. I enjoyed the mystery but the romance was just not there. The plot is ninety percent about their work and every day problems and past troubles than it's about their romance. I would have loved to see them explore their relationship more and see all the in between leading to that.



<i> * I received an ARC and this is my honest opinion.</i>

Unputdownable book which, for me, had everything. It is a story about two people who initially meet at work and find they detest each other, despite the fact that to the reader they are completely right for each other. As journalists they slowly uncover a huge story about a man in power who has been taking advantage of young women and getting away with it. The story of the two reporters going undercover and at the same time finding each other is brilliantly captured and the plot is well constructed with fun, serious notes and a genuine warmth that brings the characters alive.

Hugely enjoyable and one I would highly recommend.

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

Connor has changed his career to newspaper intern where he meets Bel. They end up working 'undercover' together and this is where their relationship starts to unfold.
A really great romance novel. Mhairi McFarlane never disappoints.

I have loved every single one of Mhairi’s books & Cover Story was no different. City boy Connor Adams rocks up in Manchester as an intern at a local paper, where he is set to work with Bel Macauley, and her sidekick Aaron. Bel is a podcaster and is in charge of investigations at the paper - and is less than impressed when city boy Connor arrives and looks down his nose at him. Connor, Bel and Aaron try their best to play nice but can’t help rubbing each other up the wrong way,
I loved that the setting of Manchester almost took on a character of its own alongside Bel & Connor. Mhairi seems to nail realistic banter in her books that other authors don’t seem to - this makes it funny, relatable and real.
So many themes are covered in this book - undercover reporting, enemies, feminism, patriarchy, fake dating, break ups. All sorts.
As always a great read & I’m very grateful to have been sent an ARC. One of my favourite authors with a brilliant book.

Bel & Connor ❤️

🇬🇧Bel’s a well-known podcaster from York, now living in Manchester and writing for the newspaper. It’s just her and her colleague Aaron, and an intern. After the last one left, Bel and Aaron aren’t expecting much when 30-something former banker Connor arrives.

🇬🇧They aren’t too welcoming and Connor can sense the vibe. Coming from his previous work situation, suffering depression and with his relationship with his long term girlfriend hanging by a thread, he’s determined to make the most of the placement while counting down the days until he can go back to London.

🇬🇧When Connor stumbles on Bel doing some undercover sleuthing, things change and she folds him into the story she’s working on.

✏️I really enjoy the Britishness of Mhairi McFarlane’s writing and this slow burn, press going after the baddie, story won’t disappoint if that’s your cup of tea. Manchester is a welcome change from the usual London setting, giving both Connor and Bel a certain anonymity in town to be able to chase down their target. There is a lot going on in this story, emotion, hurtful relationships, hidden feelings, supportive family and friends.

This was a cute, lighthearted romance that I really enjoyed. It was in turns funny and swoony and perfect for a beach read.

While this one wasn’t quite the right fit for me, I can see its appeal for readers who enjoy lighthearted, rivals-to-lovers romcoms. The premise is fun and timely and fans of fake-dating tropes may find plenty to enjoy here..

Thank you to the publisher for my advance copy of this book.

As ever with Mhairi McFarlane, you’re in for a treat, and one with substance as well as the sweet toppings. Cover story has everything you need in a rom-com; the laughs, the talking points, the sass and the swoon. Another fab read from Mhairi!

Cover Story was brilliant! Connor was so swoony, Bel was so glam and cool, and their story was so engaging and entertaining. I rarely cry at books, but I did with this one - while also laughing at the same time! Mhairi McF did it again - her books are always 5 star reads and Cover Story is no exception. Highly recommended!