Bel joined the Manchester office of a big national paper for her award-winning podcast. There's only three of them - Bel, her relentlessly ambitious colleague Arron and the new intern. And when the intern turns out to be a thirty-something man called Connor, she gets off on totally the wrong foot.

Cover Story follows Bel - an investigative journalist and podcaster, and Connor - the new intern, are colleagues at a Manchester newspaper. She's working undercover, trying to get evidence on the claims that were made against the Mayor.

This is quite an emotional read. I loved the author's writing style and the humour that's thrown in. There were mentions of gaslighting, suicide, depression and stalking which might upset some readers. This is a multilayered story that held my attention throughout.

Published 8th May 2025

I would like to thank #NetGalley #HarperCollinsUK #HarperFiction and the author #MhairiMcFarlane for my ARC of #CoverStory in exchange for an honest review.

Mhairi never misses and I will die on that hill. Another quick read with all the things you could want in a book

Cover Story epitomises same-but-different. It's the same as Mhairi McFarlane's other romantic comedies, in that it's exceptionally well-written, with characters I believe in and think about long after finishing the last page. It's different in that it's tropier than I've found McFarlane's books before - which is no bad thing. and especially when one of those tropes is enemies to lovers, which readers cannot get enough of.

This book had me fighting sleep at 3am, whispering “just one more chapter” like a liar.

Bel and Connor? Pure slow-burn enemies-to-lovers magic. She’s a badass journalist with trust issues and a grudge, he’s an intern with attitude and hidden depth....and when they’re shoved into a fake relationship for an undercover story? Cue the tension so thick you could cut it with a press pass.

Yes, it’s witty (McFarlane doesn’t miss when it comes to banter), but what I didn’t expect was the emotional sucker punch. This isn't just fake dating fluff...it dives into power, trauma, ethics, and trying to stay afloat when life’s kicking you in the teeth. But somehow it still makes you laugh and swoon.

Only complaint? I wanted more at the end. Just a smidge more closure. But maybe that’s just the hopeless romantic in me screaming for a bonus chapter.

If you like your romance with brains, bite, and brilliant writing, grab this one. Trust me. You’ll end up rooting for them like your Wi-Fi depends on it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

#coverstory #netgalley

Mhari doesn’t disappoint. This is a storyline which delivers the usual humour, great characterisation, strong friendships and the romantic element. All done in a well paced and credible way. Moreover, the book deals with serious and important issues of abuse of power, exploitation and burnout. The humour and the tension sit well balanced to deliver a really terrific read. Four and a half stars

This is absolutely Mhairi back on top form. Dry humour, top friendships and a romantic story, it is completely up my street and I loved it - 5 stars!

I love a fake dating trope so I was very excited by this one and it did not disappoint. I absolutely loved the chemistry!

I love Mhairi's work and this was no different. Loved the premise of the office setup and the news desk. The characters and supporting characters were well created making this morning fun.

It is a slow burn that makes you root. It is told in multiple perspectives and some of the relationship challenges make it real and relatable. Loved the fake dating and workplace tropes. A fun and lighthearted read!

Thank you HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction and NetGalley for this e-arc in exchange of my unbiased review.

Mhairi McFarlane has done it again! Her stories have that wonderful messy Britishness with plenty of wit, layers and lots of plot. This one is set in industrial Manchester.

Connor is in his mid 30s and just changed career from big city finance to journalism. He's gorgeous, but has a lot hidden - he has stayed too long in a relationship which is now hard to leave, and he's out of a depressive episode but the effects are lingering. Meantime investigative journalist Isabel (Bel) is also working in Manchester. She has an unhappy -ex and a stalker. Their adventure starts when Connor joins her tiny newspaper outpost for a 12 week internship.

Bel has a journalistic opportunity land in her lap about the untouchable and very popular mayor of Manchester who has been playing away with young female staff. Bel goes undercover and it's on from there with fast paced drama, office meddling, hilarious side characters, some angsty plot points and soooooo much banter. From their first meeting Bel and Connor make so many assumptions and wilfully misunderstand each other. Bel describes Connor as having the personality of a microwave, and that's not the worst of it. Their attraction takes time to develop and they are so convinced of the other's indifference that it's a miracle they get together - luckily they do!

I love how author Mhairi is a keen observer of life - from pop culture references, to word plays, the language is sharp and so very clever:
'He doesn't need the ego boost of anyone fancying him. A self saucing pudding if ever I met one.'

'Looking good as you age is genetics and sunblock. But they don't tell you that, because they can't charge you anything for the first, or much for the second.'

It won't matter if you miss the side gags (I probably got half of them) but they put the shine on this terrific but slowest of closed door slow burn romances.

Thanks so much Mhairi McFarlane, and Harper Collins for the ARC. I can't wait to buy my copy of Cover Story.

This book is an absolute joy from start to finish. The chemistry between Bel and Connor is electric, and it’s impossible not to get sucked into their witty back-and-forth. I love how their fake romance feels like it could fall apart at any moment, only for it to grow stronger as they’re forced to spend more time together. The tension between them is addicting, and you can’t help but root for them to figure it all out. What I really adore about this story is how it captures the awkwardness and sweetness of new relationships, especially when they’re built on something unexpected. The writing is sharp, funny, and full of heart, making each page fly by. I love the setting too; it adds an element of surprise and excitement to their interactions. This book is everything I love in a romance: slow-burn tension, quirky characters, and a good dose of humor. It made me smile, laugh out loud, and even feel all the butterflies you want from a good romcom. Definitely one to read if you’re craving something light but with plenty of depth.

Bel works in the scabby northern office of a national newspaper with Aaron, they aren't looking forward to the arrival of their next intern after a series of unwilling visitors from London. Connor arrives and fulfils their expectations of someone who thinks they are above working in their cramped overheated room. However, when Bel and Connor find themselves in a situation whilst she is on an investigation, they have to make the best of it and fake the hell out of being a loving couple. Another gem from Mhairi McFarlane always a pleasure to read her work.

This has all the components of a great love story: office rivals, enemies to respect to lovers, friends and family that love them together and exes who hate the thought of them together. This is then coupled with the shared professional goal of uncovering a sex scandal about the city mayor which makes for a great entertaining read.

Mhairi knocks it out of the park - again. This is probably my favourite book of hers: fake-dating, enemies to lovers, dual POV. What's not to love? Her characters are always so well-rounded and the lovers in Cover Story are no exception. You never question why they end up fake-dating (FMC is an investigative journalist) so everything feels real and logical. Not always the case in the fake-dating trope! Of course, it's funny and wise and swoony, but can we also take a moment to appreciate how well she writes. A lesser writer might make some comment about heavy rain irritating the main character but MM gives us this gem: "The low, forbidding grey sky threw down water in quantities that felt personal."

Like all her books, Cover Story deserves to fly. Romcom perfection!

This is my first book by Mhairi McFarlane and I went in it blind!! This book is fun and angsty but also caries appropriate emotional depth. The whole co-worker dynamic who hit it off on a wrong foot had me enjoy this book to the fullest. Though they might not have liked each other quite well but now they have to act as a couple for Bel to get into it with a story she is chasing.

This book might look fun on the surface, dealt with a lot of serious topics and I enjoyed the book.

When Bel, a seasoned journalist with a sharp eye for a story, finds herself paired with charming-but-irritating intern Connor in a very public fake relationship, sparks fly—in all the wrong (and eventually right) ways. Forced to pretend they’re madly in love for the sake of a career-defining scoop, their sizzling tension and snarky banter become impossible to ignore. This is a love story that proves even the biggest headlines can’t compete with the chaos of falling for your rival.

DNF @ 42%

I've heard great things about this author's books and I will definitely give some of their other books a go, but this one was just not for me. I felt I couldn't connect with this characters and it just felt a little messy. I thought with it being set in the north, I might be able to associate with the characters a little but I felt they were quick surface level and we didn't get much from them.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

This was a brilliant book!
As soon as I saw it listed I was hoping I would be accepted! Thank you for the ARC copy of this I really appreciate it!

This was a good, lighthearted and easy read! Bel as the FMC was witty, strong and someone you’d want to be friends with! Connor sounded like a dream man - tall, dark, handsome with good morals! This book does highlight the importance of not judging someone before getting to know them, as everyone can be struggling with something. The characters were all really well written and I love how it changed between Bel’s POV and Connor’s! Another great book by Mhairi!

I ended up giving up on this book half way through.
I've enjoyed books by the author before but I just couldn't get invested here.
In one way it felt like a lot was happening but in a too much kind of way that it overlooked any relationship I was supposed to be wanting.

Full disclosure: I’ve been a fan of this author ever since You Had Me At Hello was published and once again she does not disappoint. Bel and Connor are thrown together first as colleagues in the Manchester outpost of a national newspaper, and then in a fake relationship when Bel’s undercover op takes an unexpected turn. The dual point of view is used to great effect to show how their actual relationship develops (especially when the same scene is shown from both sides so that we see their wildly different interpretations), and their progress from mutual disdain through reluctant alliance to genuine connection is filled with moments of humour, mild chaos, and proper emotional depth. There are some serious themes mixed in with the delivered-as-standard sharp banter and cultural references: mental health, harassment, and journalistic ethics all contribute to the multi-layered meaning of the book’s title, and the result is a truly satisfying read all round.