First read: 2022
4.5 stars
Warning: not necessarily the best book if you're looking to relax. Mhairi McFarlane's books typically have a more serious topic that is explored alongside the romance, but I think this focused more on the serious topic than most of her other books. Somehow McFarlane manages, as ever, to explore that darker topic in a way that's not deep, but is nevertheless insightful. It's balanced by a solid romance, and a bit of a mad-cap solution to the MC's problems, which is staple McFarlane as well. Knowing people that are excruciatingly similar to a few of these characters made this a heavy/cathartic read for me personally, so it was worth it. But I genuinely don't think this is the book for you if you're searching for a light-hearted, escapist romance. 

2023 re-read: 
I felt the pacing issues more on a re-read than I did the first time around. I understand the point of the slow build, but it did feel like the first half dragged and the second half was a roller coaster of things happening and people talking about familial and relational traumas/issues. Still very much enjoyed it. 

I repeat: THIS SHOULD NOT BE CATEGORIZED AS A ROMANCE. This is contemporary fiction with a romantic plot and a happy ending. 😂