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Also by Mhairi McFarlane:

Hopeless Romantics, November 2026
Trade Paperback
Cover Story, September 2025
Paperback / e-Book
It’s Not Me, It’s You, July 2025
Paperback
You Belong with Me, September 2024
Paperback / e-Book
Between Us, August 2023
Paperback / e-Book / audiobook
Mad About You, August 2022
Paperback / e-Book / audiobook
Just Last Night, May 2021
Paperback / e-Book
If I Never Met You, April 2020
Paperback / e-Book
Don't You Forget About Me, September 2019
Paperback / e-Book
Who's That Girl, September 2016
Trade Size / e-Book
It's Not Me It's You, May 2015
Paperback
Here's Looking At You, June 2014
Paperback / e-Book

COVER STORY
By: Mhairi McFarlane

A Hilarious Romantic Comedy of Fake Dating, Workplace Rivalries, and Unlikely Partnerships in the Cutthroat World of Journalism

Avon
September 2025
On Sale: September 10, 2025
Featuring: Aaron; Connor
384 pages
ISBN: 0063292572
EAN: 9780063292574
Kindle: B0DSG1GR1N
Paperback / e-Book
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Romance Comedy | Women's Fiction Friendship

Mr. & Mrs. Smith meets The Hating Game in this heartfelt, witty, and utterly unputdownable enemies-to-lovers romance from international bestseller Mhairi McFarlane, about two journalists who must fake a relationship in order to land a huge story.

Bel has just landed a job at the Manchester office of a big national newspaper, coming off the success of her latest award-winning podcast. The team is small, consisting of Bel, her ambitious colleague Aaron, and the new intern. But when the intern turns out to be a thirtysomething man called Connor, she’s not impressed. She’s patronizing, he’s hostile: it’s a terrible start.

Connor’s life is in a state of collapse. He’s left his seemingly perfect life in London—a well-paying job, great apartment, and beautiful girlfriend—for a chance to pursue a lifelong dream of becoming a reporter. After a bad first impression with Bel, his internship begins to feel like another in a series of poor decisions. But if Connor were honest with himself, she’s the first bit of excitement he’s felt in a very long time.

When Bel suddenly finds herself at the heels of a huge story, she’s determined to see it through— even if it means involving the inscrutable and aloof Connor. Before they know it, they must convince people they’re not just a couple, but a couple madly in love. If they mess up, Bel’s cover is blown and the biggest story she’ll ever have landed will disappear, along with justice for its sources.

But as time goes on, Bel and Connor start to wonder if their cover story is just an act, or if their feelings are real…