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.

Absolutely brilliant! I thoroughly enjoyed it. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy, I will definitely be recommending it.

I just loved this book! I loved the story of this book there was never a dull moment. It had such amazing characters as well.

I would highly recommend reading this book if you love an enemies to lovers book.

I would like to thank HarperCollins and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book early.

I always have fun with a Mhairi Mcfarlane novel, and this is no exception, but this one actually felt a lot more grown up. I think that's because we have multiple pov's in this book, between the FMC and the MMC. I honestly loved this addition (most of the time we only get single povs from the author.) Getting to see into Connor's head as well as Bel's made the characters feel much more real and down to earth, since you see them flaws and all.

I was glad the stalker plot line got wrapped up reasonably quickly, it didn't feel too bogged down in too many storylines. I actually enjoyed the mystery/investigative journalism aspect a lot. I will say I would have taken even more couple-y stuff whilst undercover, just for funsies. Without it this becomes incredibly slow burn, we're talking nothing really happening between them physically until the 80 percent mark.

Overall I think if you enjoy Mhairi's books, you'll love this one just as much. It's got all the trademark humour and the pining and I really think Connor is one of her best heroes.

Fun, fabulous frolic through Manchester. When Bel, an undercover journalist, is forced to work with Connor, the intern, on a massive story, she initially has huge reservations - but it's a brilliant fun backstory for this novel as the two have to muddle their way through their circumstances.

Absolutely brilliant!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

ARC review
Publication date: 8 May 25

This is my first book from this author and the description got me interested in the story.

Thank you HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction for the advance reader copy via Netgalley.
Opinions from this review are completely my own.

Bel works in the Manchester office of a national newspaper with Aaron and they get along.
Connor is a new intern from London and he doesn't like Bel at the beginning.
After Bel starts investigating a big story, he gets involved in it and they have to pretend to be a couple.

Maybe I had other expectations from the book, as it is advertised as a rom-com, but it took me quite a long time to finish it.
I could not get into the story and pace was a bit slow.
The plot is pretty complex, but it got a bit overwhelming.
Bel and Connor's story is a slow burn and they do not seem to have much chemistry.
I liked that there is a dual POV and we learn more about Bel and Connor's past.
The second part was more engaging for me and I liked the investigation and fake dating part of the story.

Cover Story was my first book by Mhairi McFarlane, and I went into it with really high hopes. I’ve heard nothing but great things about her earlier books, and I was excited to finally see what all the fuss was about. Unfortunately... this one just didn’t do it for me.

To be honest, I wanted to DNF it more than once. The writing style just didn’t click for me—it’s a suuuper slow burn, and everything felt so serious. I think I was expecting something with a bit more humor, more banter, some sparks—anything to lighten the mood. But instead, it felt like I was constantly bracing for another heavy conversation.

And speaking of sparks... where were they?? Bel and Connor had zero chemistry in my opinion. I kept waiting for some fun interactions or at least a bit of tension, but nope. Nada. The dynamic felt flat, and I couldn’t really understand why I was supposed to root for them.

Also, I really struggled with Bel as a character. She just came across as cold and kind of mean? Especially toward Connor, who honestly seemed like a decent guy just trying to do his job. I get that characters are supposed to be flawed, but I found her hard to connect with, and it made the whole thing tough to get through.

It’s a shame because the premise actually had a lot of potential. I wanted to like it, but this one just wasn’t for me.

Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is a stone cold banger. Mhairi is at her absolute best with Cover Story. It's a swoon worthy enemies to lovers delicious read, with smart. funny moments that made me snort laugh. Its packed full of zingy, fresh writing from the best in the business.

Thank you so much for this review copy!

I have previously found McFarlane’s work a bit hit and miss - some of her books I’ve LOVED whereas others I’ve found a bit meh. Cover story, however, is firmly in the loved category!! I really enjoyed this book and devoured it quickly finding myself totally drawn into the story and plot.

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!