A Guardian Book of the Year!

A Spotify Romance Book of the Year!

Winner of the 2026 Romantic Novelists' Association Romantic Comedy Award!

Bel's joined the tiny Manchester office of a national paper from her indie podcast.

Thirty-something Connor is going to back to the start as the new intern.

The latest office news? They can't stand each other.

So of course Bel bumps into Connor when she's working undercover on the biggest scoop of her career. And of course she's forced to improvise, pretending they're a couple. A couple deeply in love.

Two rivals. One fake romance. The headline writes itself...

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐A five-star read!⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'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'⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Mhairi McFarlane has done it again. At this point I think I'd even love reading her shopping lists' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Cover Story is another winner'⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'The characters are so well written and true to life... a joy to read'⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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

'Dry humour, top friendships and a romantic story ... loved it'⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐