This is my second Mhairi McFarlane book. I received BETWEEN US as an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The illustrated cover teases a romantic comedy, but don't be fooled--this is much more along the lines of a women's fiction novel, with the focus on the main character's personal journey.
The long-term relationship between teacher Roisin and screenwriter Joe cooled over the last year as his career took off. Their group of friends reunites for a house party to celebrate an engagement, a birthday, and the premiere of Joe's new TV series. Roisin was already on the fence about staying with Joe, but when the group watches the pilot of Joe's sexy new show, Roisin is unpleasantly surprised to discover that Joe used their relationship and private details of Roisin's life as inspiration. Roisin ends things with Joe because she can no longer trust him or the relationship she thought they had.
Throughout BETWEEN US, other members of Roisin's friend group deal with unrequited love, money disparity issues, wedding planning drama, and growing apart. While this book does have some excellent qualities with strong female friendships, cohesive writing, and (ultimately, at the very end) a happily ever after, the tone throughout the majority of the book is stressful and anxious as Roisin understands herself better and untangles herself from toxic/untruthful/manipulative relationships with her family, friends, and lovers.
"The whole time I'm reading a Mhairi McFarlane novel, I feel like a fist is squeezing my heart… she is so ridiculously talented." – Emily Henry
International bestseller Mhairi McFarlane delivers a witty, clever, emotional new novel about a woman whose life unravels spectacularly after her screenwriter boyfriend uses their relationship as inspiration for his new television show.
When Roisin and Joe join their friends for a weekend at a country house, it’s a triple celebration—a birthday, an engagement, and the launch of Joe’s shiny new TV show. But as the weekend unfolds, tensions come to light in the group and Roisin begins to question her own relationship. And as they watch the first episode of Joe’s drama, she realizes that the private things she told him—which should have stayed between them—are right there on the screen.
With her friend group in chaos and her messy love life on display for the whole world to see, Roisin returns home to avoid the unwanted attention and help run her family’s pub. But drama still follows, in the form of her dysfunctional family and the looming question: what other parts of her now-ex’s show are inspired by real events? Lies? Infidelity? Every week, as a new episode airs, she wonders what other secrets will be revealed.
Yet the most unexpected twist of all is an old friend, who is suddenly there for Roisin in ways she never knew she needed…
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