I absolutely loved this book! While it took me a couple of chapters to get into the story and figure out who the characters were, I’m so glad I stuck with it because I was soon completely hooked.

This novel perfectly balances romance and comedy, making it a fun and heartwarming read. But what really stood out for me was the gripping investigation storyline, which added an extra layer of intrigue and kept me turning the pages. The mix of humour, romance, and mystery made for a thoroughly enjoyable and engaging read.

Overall, this is a fantastic book that offers the perfect blend of laughter, love, and suspense. Highly recommended!

Mhairi McFarlane’s writing is sooo good! Although this was a predictable story with a predictable ending. Boy and girl meet and take an instant dislike to one another and then circumstances throw them together where they really get to know one another and predictably fall in love. Bel is a news reporter in Manchester when Connor starts working for the same paper as an intern. Connor from London. has recently given up his job in the city earning big money but was beginning to feel the pressure and decides he would like to be a reporter. He is in the process of breaking up with his long term girlfriend who has apparently been unfaithful. Bel has also recently been in a long term relationship but she was unfaithful to him with a married man who is now stalking her. Connor ends up getting involved in a case that Bel is working on incognito and ends up being a huge support to her in this investigation. The story is full of twists and turns but also a lot of humour. Mhairi’s writing is punchy and really draws the reader in. I loved this book and feel it is one of her better novels. Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me an ARC of this book.

This was my first read by Mhairi Mcfarlane and I really enjoyed.

I was expecting a romantic read but this book was so much more than that which I loved.

The characters were well written and Bel was a great character, there was plenty of humour but also a serious side.

A great read and I will definitely be reading the authors previous books.

Thanks to Netgalley, Mhairi Mcfarlane and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

So much fun! Cover Story is a wonderful enemies-to-lovers romance about investigative journalism, holding abusive men in power accountable, and overcoming first impressions.

The novel is told from two POVs: Bel and Connor. Bel is a capable, respected journalist reeling after a bad break-up and troubling encounters with a stalker. Connor is an ex-finance bro attempting to start a new career in journalism, running away from mental health difficulties in London and an absolutely awful (if I do say so myself) long-term girlfriend. Bel happens upon an intriguing lead for a story about the exploits of a smarmy, manipulative mayor who preys on young girls. She and Connor go undercover to unveil proof, determined to expose him. Of course, they end up fake dating despite their mutual dislike for one another.

With such a promising plot and McFarlane's wonderful writing, what could go wrong? (Nothing, that's the true answer here.) Cover Story is funny, clever, and, most importantly, deals with important and relevant social issues. I appreciated that the romance didn't overshadow the important passages about mental health, women's safety, and the necessity of justice. Yet, at the same time, the novel is still sincerely thrilling and lively, not depressing.

Moreover, Bel and Connor are such likeable, well-rounded characters. They’re hardworking, have an excellent sense of humour, witty rapport, and a comical ability to misunderstand each other. The other side characters such as Shilpa and Ian are similarly delightful. Also, as a side note, I really enjoyed the Manchester setting. I lived there during lockdown (long story) so it was refreshing to read a novel based in this Northern city instead of London for once.

In conclusion, Cover Story is a must-read. McFarlane's suspenseful, funny, and romantic adventure kept me turning pages, eager to know what happens. This is my first foray into McFarlane's work, and I'm excited to read more from her... I see why she is so beloved.

*Thank you NetGalley for the e-ARC*

I have a deep admiration for Mhairi's books. I found myself unable to put this book down, completely engrossed in the of Connor and Bel. I appreciated the witty exchanges and the tension building between them. It was a true slow burn, and I was thoroughly engaged throughout. I was rooting for them every step of way. Additionally, I loved the story set in Manchester, my hometown.
Overall, it was an absolutely wonderful read.

My thanks to Mhairi, her publishing team and Netgalley for the chance to read this ARC.

I’ve loved every book I read by Mhairi McFarlane, and I’m so happy to say this is no exception.
The romcom trope is well done and subtle. I found the characters likeable and relatable.
I also appreciated that Mhairi tackled an important societal issue in this book.

Thank you to the publisher who provided me with an e-copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Journalist, Bel is on to the biggest story of her career,. By accident ,she has to allow the new ,unapproachable, aloof, intern, Connor to act as her boyfriend. Mhairi Mcfarlane, queen of the romcoms, does it again. Hard to put down, enthralling reading.

I read the synopsis for Mhairi's new book a while ago, but when I got approved, I didn't remind myself of it and went in blind.

Let me start by saying Mhairi is one of my favourite authors, but for the sake of an honest review, I always try to put that to the back of my mind for favourite authors so that I remain unbiased. But there's really no need in this case because each book seems to always become a new favourite, and Cover Story is no exception.

What always really immerses me into these stories is how truly real they feel. The antagonists are not cartoon villains, but genuine people that you would meet in real life, who are complex and use every advantage they have to manipulate and box someone into a corner. Similarly, the protagonist characters themselves always feel so relatable but are still flawed, and it is easy to see how they could find themselves in certain situations and while I may not have been in an exact situation, I can still understand and emphasise. Mhairi's books have a way of making me want to punch the air when tides turn🤭

The story does have romance but that always feels more of an added bonus to the main plot, if this makes sense. The chemistry in this book is so subtle and continues to build without the characters themselves even noticing. Bel and Connor give me modern vibes of Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy - they keep piling on the assumptions of each other and continuously are in a state of denial that the reader can plainly see through😂

A few added bonus parts that I loved (without spoilers):

- The Facetime call with Shilpa!
- The mentions of Maurice🥹
- the warmth and wit that Mhairi always manages to inject into her characters.

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

Amazing just loved this.. so much going on live work and uncertainty at scale! Adored the tensions and risks taken and not taken by the characters. Thanks again 😍

Ugh I just adore Mhiari McFarlane’s writing so much 🥹

I couldn’t put this book down. I was just completely invested in Connor and Bel. I looooved the banter between them & the tension. It’s a proper slow burn & I was here for it 😍 I was rooting for them the whole way through.

Also loved that it’s set in Manchester because I am a true manc 🫶🏼

Just an absolutely wonderful read.

I have really enjoyed Mhairi McFarlane’s other books and Cover Story was no exception. Romantic, humorous and clever this romantic comedy is easy to read and very enjoyable. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this novel

I went into this book expecting a fairly simple rom-com but it's so much more! Yes, there's romance and plenty of comedy but there's also a great plot and a serious story behind all the humour. The dialogue is fantastic, the characters are incredibly realistic and I can't recommend this highly enough.

Cover Story

I absolutely adored this book, I couldnt put it down.
I loved that it was set in Manchester as thats where im from and loved knowing the places they were going. I loved the whole story it was much more than a normal romance. I cannot wait to read more from Mhairi McFarlane i cant believe i havent read any of their books before.

Thanks as always to netgalley, the author and publisher for the fantastic arc

No great surprises in the outcome – but then I didn't come to this expecting major twists. A rom com which absolutely does what it says on the tine and an enjoyable read.

Connor is a thorn in Bel's side- almost scuppering her undercover scoop, inserting himself into her work like and being generally vile (or is he?).
The newsroom is a good setting for a rom com and the characters are well rounded with enough backstory to have you rooting for them to make the right choices. The investigative journalism side lends itself well to giving the story more impact and gravitas than you may normally find among the pages of the genre.
Overall a smashing read!

Sparklingly funny, witty and emotional. Absolutely brilliant.

Mhairi McFarlane is an expert in creating stories that have depth, shine light on mental health and issues of modern society but are also humorous, hopeful and romantic. And this is one of her best!


Where for others there is instant attraction, for Bel Macauley and Connor Adams there is adversary at first sight. They could not be more different from each other, journalism being the only thing they have in common. And because fate works in funny ways, Bel and Connor find themselves being forced to fake-date to secure a big story. Sounds like a recipe for success, right?



The magic of every McFarlane book is her ability to write characters that feel like real people. They are flawed and mess up but they are also inherently good people and simply lovable. And as with every of her books, the romance is almost a side plot but it never leaves you feeling unsatisfied (partly because the friendships in her books are also always beautiful). Balancing the amount of romance vs. plot is an art and Mhairi is THE artist.
The author’s emotional intelligence and sensitivity coupled with her brilliant writing is awe inspiring and genuinely one of a kind. It is quality and entertainment.

Dual POV, enemies-to-lovers, fake-dating coupled with an amazing story, do yourself a favor and pick this one up. It was an absolute joy to read and by the end I could not put the book down.

Getting an earc of this book was a highlight of my year (and I know it’s only March but I stand by that). Thank you so much to NetGalley and HarperCollins for an earc in exchange for an honest review!

Cover Story is out May 8th 2025!

(Review was posted on Goodreads on March 5th, 2025.)

I was obsessed with this!! It was fun, crazy, light hearted and had me captured within the first few pages

I’ve loved her previous books, but this one was just much less funny?

I think the problem is with a writer like this for me, is that I really enjoy the first few (same with Emily Henry) and then I realise that because they’re so successful in the first few, it just becomes a bit formulaic.

Spoilers below:

‘ girl and boy don’t like each other until they do and then neither of them want to admit it so you have to put up with them both fannying about for 400 pages until eventually they do admit it’

This happens with other novels of the genre and isn’t a dealbreaker, but there tends to be a complete lack of subtlety around the appeal of the main female character. I mean it’s great that she’s gorgeous and she doesn’t know it but does every single male character have to be instantly smitten by her?
The Mr Darcy stand-in, the office colleague, her old boss, her ex fiancé, the celebrity target of her investigation, the random ‘handsome Indian photographer’ NPC, the brother who has one dinner with her and immediately realises she will prove irresistible to his sibling? It’s actually not that normal for one woman to have every single man she comes within inches of, be blindsided by the beauty she seems entirely unaware of? Even when she’s never spoken to them before.

And it’s not just romance. The influencer she instantly befriends, the uncle of a grooming victim, the victim herself, her new boss- it just seems a little bit lazy to create a character who is never overlooked or unnoticed by ANYBODY. They must all be dazzled and yet she’s managed to reach her mid 30s without actually causing Timothée Chalamet to have a heart attack, or achieving anything earth-shattering, other than having wealthy parents and a fun podcast.

‘Excuse me, has anyone ever told you – you look like the actor, Aaron Taylor Johnson?'

Well blow me down. She's done it again!

Another gem by Mhairi McFarlane!

I have read every single one of Mhairi's books and I have not found one I didn't like. Cover Story is everything I love in a book. The friendship felt genuine between Connor and Bel and I loved when he came to her protection against horrible Anthony.

The banter between Connor, Bel and Aaron made me chuckle. I love how they didn't seem to do much work in the office and just sat around chatting.

My favourite thing about Mhairi's books are the realistic, flawed characters that I would love to spend the day with. Bel is a strong woman and isn't afraid to stand up for herself and her beliefs. Connor appears standoffish at the start but you soon realise he has a heart and is a good person. As soon as he was described as looking like Aaron I was obsessed with him... what a lucky woman Bel is!

The slow realisation of their feelings for each other had me on the edge of my seat. If I didn't have a life outside of reading I would have finished this in the same day.

5/5 stars ⭐

I wanted to love this book so much, but felt let down by the development. The Manchester descriptions were really well done, to the point I felt the author had physically been there and was giving me a tour. The characters themselves were relatable and likeable, but sadly their dialogue felt rather forced and didn’t hold my interest. Some of the scenes felt very cringy, and not in a comedic way, more of a wow this writing is so bad I feel awkward this is in the book. I feel the book had great promise, was let down by lacklustre dialogue and cringy happenings which made me have to force myself to keep reading, rather than wanting to see what happened next