Funny and gripping and, crucially, emotionally convincing. McFarlane's characters always feel like real people and this book is no exception. Loved it.

I've always enjoyed Mhairi McFarlane's off-beat style of writing. The banter involved always lends originality to the story and depth and maturity to the characters. In this instance, It was Bel and Connor. At the beginning, they didn't hate each other per se, but they weren't exactly friends either. Bel is an investigative journalist and Connor, having left a job in finance, is now an intern. It is only by coincidence that Connor is roped into Bel's investigation by becoming her fake boyfriend.

There were several sub plots which dealt with issues such as stalking and the breakdown of previous relationships. The side characters were interesting, especially Bel's best friend, Shilpa. I loved the fact that the story was set in Manchester and all the bars and restaurants are actual places and not fictitious. Also, I will now be using the phrase, "Back to Button Moon in your bean can," frequently.

Told in dual perspectives, Cover Story is a book that will keep you invested in the characters and thoroughly entertained.

Unusually for a Mhairi McFarlane book, it took me a while to get into Cover Story. I found the early chapters a bit confusing and I struggled to like the characters. It was slow to get going for me. But once the sting started, I was intrigued, and before long I was completely sunk. Unashamedly making full use of the enemies to lovers and fake dating tropes, not to mention will-they-won’t-they and forced proximity, this romance had all the feels. Connor made an adorable hero, entirely worthy of Bel’s love. He helped her be the best and bravest version of herself, and return she did the same for him. Just gorgeous.
I also appreciated the serious points about toxic masculinity, stalking, and male mental health. There was so much in this book about what a healthy relationship should be like.
I’ll be first in the queue for McFarlane’s next book. Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this one in exchange for an honest review.

Mhairi McFarlane has quickly become a must buy author for me. She has a great way of writing relatable and believable characters that you absolutely root for and the romance is just perfectly executed and this novel was no different.

Connor has decided he no longer wants to work in the cutthroat environment of the financial sector and to the dismay of his current gf Jenny he decides to go fro his dreams and do an internship to become a journalist. He lands a role in a paper where Bel and Aaron work. They don't have good first impression of each other, Connor feels Bel looks down on him for his change of career at 34, Bel feels Connor looks down on her for her wealth and lifestyle choices. When Bel goes undercover to report on the Mayor abusing his power over much younger women Connor unwittingly becomes involved. They're now forced to pretend to be a couple and through this they find that maybe they were wrong about their assumptions of each other.

Really enjoyable and as I said I love Mhairis writing style. I'm docking a star just because it was a very slow burn and I didn't root for either character as much as I have in other books by Mhairi. I would still recommend though as its highly entertaining. Thank you to Netgalley, Mhairi and Harper Collins for the ARC of this book.

2.5 stars

I’ve read a lot of Mhairi McFarlane books and usually really enjoy her work; she has written some of my favourites. This one, however, felt different somehow compared to her other books, and it didn’t work for me.

The pacing was quite slow, especially in the beginning, and while I don’t mind that generally it was hard to get through here. This might have to do with the fact that there was so much going on in this book that it felt a bit overwhelming and messy to me, and also with the disappointing romance between Bel and Connor. While I did like them on their own, I didn’t really feel the spark between them. That made it difficult for me to root for them, so I just didn’t really care about them. And since I was mainly here for the romance, that's a problem.

Also I found it a bit weird and (very) unbelievable that everybody Bel encountered was just immediately smitten with her for some reason. Like she was an okay character, but in no way 'special' enough to elicit that kind of behaviour.

I’m a bit sad the romance didn’t work for me because I enjoyed the investigation storyline. That could have been so good with the fake dating..

I’ll definitely read her next book, but this one was a miss for me, unfortunately.

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.