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.

I dove into Cover Story with high expectations – after all, Mhairi McFarlane has never let me down – and once again, she’s delivered a romcom that’s smart, sharp, and surprisingly emotional.

This book is a delightful blend of fake dating hijinks and undercover journalism, with a side of slow-burn chemistry that made me grin like a fool. Bel is clever, flawed, and impossible not to root for, while Connor? Let’s just say the "intern" grew on me faster than a Twitter scandal.

Yes, it’s funny – McFarlane always nails the banter – but what surprised me was how much emotional weight this one carried. There’s a real story beneath the story here: about truth, power, betrayal, and how hard it is to trust someone when your job is to expose lies.

My only (very greedy) complaint? I would’ve loved a bit more of an epilogue. Just a peek into the “after.” But maybe that’s just the fangirl in me.

In short: if you love McFarlane’s signature wit mixed with just the right amount of angst and swoon, you’ll love Cover Story. And if you’ve never read her before – what are you waiting for?

This is such a gorgeous romance novel. Some classic tropes (positive), worked in such a seamless way to bring the story together. Sometimes I can find miscommunication narratives tiring but this felt fresh and realistic, very true to the characters and their life experiences. Will definitely keep an eye out for more of Mhairi McFarlane's work.

I loved this! It was so much more than just a romance—it had depth, mystery, and genuinely compelling characters. The FMC is an investigative journalist, and her current story involves digging into some shady dealings surrounding the mayor. On top of that, she’s dealing with a possible stalker situation, so there’s a constant sense of tension and intrigue. There’s a lot going on, but in the best way—it kept the story moving and kept me hooked the whole time.

And can we talk about the MMC? He was such a genuinely good guy, and honestly, I fell a little bit in love with him myself. His supportiveness, his quiet strength, and the way he interacts with the FMC—just chef’s kiss. Plus, I’m a total sucker for a fake dating trope, and this one was done so well. It felt believable, the chemistry was fantastic, and it added such a fun dynamic to the overall plot.

This book balanced light-hearted moments with real emotional depth, and I appreciated that it didn’t shy away from some heavier themes while still keeping that satisfying romantic arc. Mhairi McFarlane really knows how to write smart, layered characters that you root for, and I’ll definitely be checking out more of her books now.

Big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC—what a treat this one was!

Thanks to HarperCollins and Netgalley for a review copy of this novel. McFarlane’s novels always possess a really clever wit that is laugh-out-loud funny that includes a shake of the head at how spot on it is. This novel has upped on the bar with such wonderfully clever descriptions, metaphors and banter that witty, witty, witty runs through the head. That’s not to say that the story isn’t good- it really is. Page turning with moments that are powerful and the head is nodding instead of shaking side to side. Important issues like sexual harassment in the workplace are seamlessly woven into the narrative not only front and centre but in the background too.

Bel is a journalist and renown podcaster who is now posted to the Manchester office as the investigative reporter. A big title for a poky office whose only other staff, Aaron is the crime reporter and an intern soon to join them. Instead of an intern like the privileged and useless young thing they previously had in the office Connor is older, past thirty and switching careers after years in finance in the city. He is aloof and seemingly posh and both Aaron and Bel take an instant dislike to him. When Bel is approached about a potential story involving a young woman who’d experienced sexual harassment with the mayor everyone in the city loves, Bel is determined that she would investigate this undercover, almost taking on a different persona, socialising with a posh young couple associated with the mayor. Connor stumbles upon Bel undercover and the error forces an impulsive explanation of a fake boyfriend that soon draws him into the investigation. What starts out to Bel as a burdensome liability the relationship and Connor soon emerge as a great asset as the two become increasingly enmeshed in the investigation and risks.

On the surface the novel has a few classic tropes but in McFarlane’s hands the novel is anything but cliché with the deft handling of the characters and dialogue and the smooth handling of the narrative and the issues with it. A great reminder of how sexual harassment exists and unfolds in the workplace deftly handled and also a great read. I thoroughly enjoyed it as I do all of McFarlane’s novels.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.25
4.25 Stars

This was my first Mhairi McFarlane, I definitely see what the hype is about. Her writing was beautiful and real and funny and there were so many quotes I have highlighted. I am from the UK so I understood the language used, so I didn’t have that barrier to overcome, which I am sure helped with my love of the writing, Mhairi never uses the sentences I would expect, in just the best way, every word is so intentional and it makes reading this book so engaging. The writing was funny and flowery in such a lovely way, I will be adding many more Mhairi McFarlane books to my tbr.

When I got into the story, the two main characters were so real, not perfect, but also so easy to root for, I loved how they started out on the wrong foot. I really enjoyed how the fmc held her own, while also having insecurities but was also so dedicated to her job, it was a real breath of fresh air, reading this unique story.

The story itself was so layered, I loved the character growth, how they helped each other through their struggles as they navigated their investigations for the paper. It was the perfect blend of slow-burn, enemies to lovers, close proximity and side plots that kept me reading wanting to find out what was going to happen next!

Thank you to HarperCollins Uk and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Over the moon to get my hands on a highly coveted ARC and delighted to say this is another SMASH. A journo podcast host ends up going undercover with the intern hot on the heels of a front page scandal. LOVED the note from the brother - sweet touch.