Bel is a reporter, she recently relocated to work at a paper that only has three employees including her, every few months a new intern comes to help along the way,this time the intern is a thirty year old man who is making a career change.

Connor and Bel clash from the very first moment and don't see eye to eye, the best would be to keep their distance but one unexpected story comes to Bel that leads her to work undercover in order to find the truth. When Connor arrives at the wrong place and time, she pretends that he is her boyfriend in order to keep her cover.

The book follows along the story while Bel and Connor work together in order to find out if the tip she got leads to the truth. I enjoyed the mystery but the romance was just not there. The plot is ninety percent about their work and every day problems and past troubles than it's about their romance. I would have loved to see them explore their relationship more and see all the in between leading to that.



<i> * I received an ARC and this is my honest opinion.</i>

Unputdownable book which, for me, had everything. It is a story about two people who initially meet at work and find they detest each other, despite the fact that to the reader they are completely right for each other. As journalists they slowly uncover a huge story about a man in power who has been taking advantage of young women and getting away with it. The story of the two reporters going undercover and at the same time finding each other is brilliantly captured and the plot is well constructed with fun, serious notes and a genuine warmth that brings the characters alive.

Hugely enjoyable and one I would highly recommend.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Connor has changed his career to newspaper intern where he meets Bel. They end up working 'undercover' together and this is where their relationship starts to unfold.
A really great romance novel. Mhairi McFarlane never disappoints.

I have loved every single one of Mhairi’s books & Cover Story was no different. City boy Connor Adams rocks up in Manchester as an intern at a local paper, where he is set to work with Bel Macauley, and her sidekick Aaron. Bel is a podcaster and is in charge of investigations at the paper - and is less than impressed when city boy Connor arrives and looks down his nose at him. Connor, Bel and Aaron try their best to play nice but can’t help rubbing each other up the wrong way,
I loved that the setting of Manchester almost took on a character of its own alongside Bel & Connor. Mhairi seems to nail realistic banter in her books that other authors don’t seem to - this makes it funny, relatable and real.
So many themes are covered in this book - undercover reporting, enemies, feminism, patriarchy, fake dating, break ups. All sorts.
As always a great read & I’m very grateful to have been sent an ARC. One of my favourite authors with a brilliant book.

Bel & Connor ❤️

🇬🇧Bel’s a well-known podcaster from York, now living in Manchester and writing for the newspaper. It’s just her and her colleague Aaron, and an intern. After the last one left, Bel and Aaron aren’t expecting much when 30-something former banker Connor arrives.

🇬🇧They aren’t too welcoming and Connor can sense the vibe. Coming from his previous work situation, suffering depression and with his relationship with his long term girlfriend hanging by a thread, he’s determined to make the most of the placement while counting down the days until he can go back to London.

🇬🇧When Connor stumbles on Bel doing some undercover sleuthing, things change and she folds him into the story she’s working on.

✏️I really enjoy the Britishness of Mhairi McFarlane’s writing and this slow burn, press going after the baddie, story won’t disappoint if that’s your cup of tea. Manchester is a welcome change from the usual London setting, giving both Connor and Bel a certain anonymity in town to be able to chase down their target. There is a lot going on in this story, emotion, hurtful relationships, hidden feelings, supportive family and friends.

This was a cute, lighthearted romance that I really enjoyed. It was in turns funny and swoony and perfect for a beach read.

While this one wasn’t quite the right fit for me, I can see its appeal for readers who enjoy lighthearted, rivals-to-lovers romcoms. The premise is fun and timely and fans of fake-dating tropes may find plenty to enjoy here..

Thank you to the publisher for my advance copy of this book.

As ever with Mhairi McFarlane, you’re in for a treat, and one with substance as well as the sweet toppings. Cover story has everything you need in a rom-com; the laughs, the talking points, the sass and the swoon. Another fab read from Mhairi!

Cover Story was brilliant! Connor was so swoony, Bel was so glam and cool, and their story was so engaging and entertaining. I rarely cry at books, but I did with this one - while also laughing at the same time! Mhairi McF did it again - her books are always 5 star reads and Cover Story is no exception. Highly recommended!

Mhairi Macfarlane writes such beautiful, deep characters. I loved this story, the setting, the 2 main characters and the storyline kept me hooked, and the suspense of the newspaper article was interesting. Always a very satisfying read, thank you.

This was the slowest slow burn to ever slow burn (in a standalone). Like the relationship only starts at the end. I don't think I've read a book like that in ages, and this was my first Mhairi McFarlane book, so I'm not sure if that's her usual or not. But it was very well done.

I've got to say that I didn't think she could make Connor likeable to me, because when he meets Bel he decides she's too pretty and therefore none of her accolades are deserved. I had no desire to see a woman fall in love with a man like that. And sure Bel and Aaron were a little cliquey when he got there, but nothing that deserved the way he treated her. At least in my opinion, and mostly in Bel's too.

But the benefit of such a slow burn book is making sure everything is slowly uncovered, explained, and worked throigh, before the characters get together. So while I'm still not a fan that that was his first reaction, I still like him a lot more overall.

The story the two of them worked on was a fun change for me as the reasoning for the fake dating. I had hoped though, that she would've drawn more parallels between the story she was working on and her story with Ant. That still felt unresolved to me at the end.

This was a fun read and I didn't even realise how much time had gone by, or that I'd finished it in one go. But if your expecting to read about a romantic relationship, this is not it. It's all tension and silly adults, building up to the relationship. And I kind if wished we got to see more of them as a couple because honestly as it is, I'm not sure I see them working out.

Thank-you NetGalley and Harper Collins UK, for allowing me to read this ARC. All opinions are my own.

An enemies to lovers rom com (fake relationship thrown in for good measure!) full of drama, and chemistry between our two leads.
Journalist Bel is on to a massive story - one that would literally shake the entire local community. She's undercover when new intern, Connor, stumbles in and has to play her latest boyfriend.
There is a lot taking place in this one - definitely action packed with content. I enjoyed the overall, even if I wasn't that keen on all of the characters.

This was my first Mhairi McFarlane book. I liked the story idea and the workplace romance/ fake dating tropes. I found the writing a bit hard to get into and I didn't feel there was as much chemistry between Bel and Adam as I would have liked. I will check out other books by this author.

If you check out this book’s Goodreads page, the first thing you’ll see is: “The unputdownable, brilliant new novel from the Queen of Romcom.” And honestly? I couldn’t agree more. Mhairi IS the queen, she’s quickly become one of my favorite authors.
This is her latest novel, releasing on May 8th in the UK and October 7th in the US.
The story follows Bel, a journalist working in the Manchester office of a national newspaper. The office is tiny, just her, one colleague, and a rotating intern every three months. But what are the odds that this time’s intern is a thirty-something man named Connor? Not just any man, but a ridiculously handsome one, who also happens to be judgmental as hell from the get-go. Naturally, Bel throws up her defenses.
Then, she stumbles upon a huge lead, a story so big it could change everything. But when she goes undercover and Connor gets unexpectedly dragged into the situation, she’s forced to pretend they’re a couple to avoid blowing her cover. What starts as a survival tactic quickly turns into something more as they begin to truly see each other, because, as it turns out, everyone has a backstory that explains the way they act. We actually get dual POV so the reader is in the know of a lot of the miscommunication.
Mhairi’s books are always witty, funny, and achingly real, and Cover Story is no exception. The characters feel like real people, with depth, flaws, and complexities. The slow burn is exactly what it should be: slow, believable, and so well-earned that when it finally pays off, it hits. The banter? Absolutely top-tier. This book will have you laughing, swooning, and rooting for the characters with your whole heart.
That said, Cover Story isn’t all lighthearted fun, it also tackles heavier themes like burnout, stalking, blackmail, and mentions of suicide, so be sure to check the trigger warnings.
At its core, this is a romcom, but the love story doesn’t dominate the plot, it’s woven seamlessly into the narrative, making it feel even more authentic and impactful. It’s funny, sharp, and full of heart, a book that, much like life itself, is messy, complicated, and completely wonderful.

Thank you netgalley, HarperCollinsUK and Mhairi for this e-arc.

I respectfully DNF @ 26%

The characters, plot & setting are promising, but the writing was just not working for me.
Two chapters in and I already felt a certain type of way, especially with Bel's chapters, but I thought I just need to get used to it. However, now a quarter into the book, I can't really say it got better.
I can see the humour and the direction the author went with though and usually I really like this sort of books, but I guess this one is just not for me.

Cover Story by Mhairi McFarlane

3.5 STARS

A fun, easy read but not quite as strong as some of her previous books. Cover Story follows Bel, an investigative reporter and Adam, an ex-banker turned intern, at a newspapers outpost in Manchester.

The trademark humour is present throughout and the characters are well-presented and multidimensional. The story itself was an intriguing premise but something just falls short. The ending felt rushed and overall, the book felt slightly too long. For me, the relationship between Bel and Adam didn't quite work somehow.

Overall, a good read but not one of McFarlane's standout works.

Cover Story follows Bel and Connor - colleagues at a newspaper in Manchester, she’s an investigative journalist & podcaster and he’s the office’s newest intern. She’s working undercover trying to get evidence on claims made against the Mayor when he gets caught in the crosshairs and ends up having the play the role of her boyfriend. As usually occurs with fake dating, the feelings start to become real - is their relationship just a ‘cover story’ or can they become something real?

I loved Bel! She was so dedicated to her job, following in her Aunt’s footsteps and wanting to bring justice through the power of the media. Her character had such depth - from the guilt with how her last relationship ended, to her stalker ‘ex’ and her issues from childhood. I just really loved how she was portrayed and her personality!

Connor was such a lovable MMC. He started off as kind of standoffish - where we learn about his relationship and work life struggles and how that’s impacting his sense of self. I really enjoyed how he came out of his shell throughout the book - from his defensive stance at the start to more relaxed and himself by the end. He had such good one liners in this - he was actually hilarious. Also a moment for Maurice 😭

Their relationship was antagonistic from the start - a perfect formula for chemistry. I loved how Connor protected and defended Bel multiple times throughout this. It was definitely a she falls first, he falls harder!

Overall I loved the Manchester setting - it was so refreshing to move away from the typical London scene. The book was even self aware of this fact, with multiple comparisons made between the two!

I was also a massive fan of the writing style as dual POV is always a winner for me - especially when we can see the same scene from both the main characters perspectives and how things have been perceived differently!

The undercover reporting was so fun - fake dating with a purpose, and made for a really engaging and interesting read! I think the marketing on this one is apt - the Haring Game meets Mr and Mrs Smith. Overall I would highly recommend!

ARC copy provided by Harper Collins & NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Cover Story by Mhairi McFarlane ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Bel is a journalist working with Aaron then Connor the intern turns up. Here starts a tale of mixups, relationships. I do enjoy this authors writing of great character driven plots. Thank you to netgalley and HarperCollins for this advance copy published 8th May 2025.

Mhairi McFarlane’s Cover Story is a compelling blend of romance, wit, and emotional depth, centering around Bel, a successful journalist and podcaster navigating life in Manchester. At its heart, the novel is an enemies-to-lovers tale between Bel and Connor, the ambitious new intern who disrupts her well-ordered world.

While the romance unfolds with McFarlane’s signature charm and humor, Cover Story goes beyond the typical rom-com formula, tackling weightier themes such as suicide, depression, stalking, and unhealthy drinking habits with sensitivity and nuance. These deeper elements add richness to the story, making it more than just a love story—it’s a reflection on trauma, resilience, and personal growth.

The novel does have a somewhat slow start, taking its time to establish Bel’s world and emotional struggles. However, once the story finds its rhythm about halfway through, it becomes an engaging and rewarding read. McFarlane’s sharp dialogue, relatable characters, and perfectly timed humor keep the pages turning, delivering both laugh-out-loud moments and thought-provoking insights.

Fans of McFarlane’s previous novels will not be disappointed—this is another well-crafted, emotionally layered romance that balances lighthearted banter with real-life challenges. A must-read for those who enjoy romance with depth and substance.

Thank you to NetGalley for the Arc in return for an honest, unbiased review

An utterly absorbing modern fairytale :) Love, skullduggery (in a sinister stalking way), sensation and navigating exes is a cocktail that makes for a thoroughly enjoyable read. Loved the characters (except the obvious ones) who weaved the various threads to make this great read.

Thank you Netgalley