Mhairi McFarlane

Mad About You is another solid novel from Mhairi McFarlane – not my favourite but still fantastic. I do think that this novel really hasn’t been marketed in the best way. The cover and blurb suggest a story that’s very light hearted and kind of like The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary, but it’s more about the end of relationships, gaslighting, the issues of social media ‘facts’ and a bit of revenge. This isn’t really a romantic comedy, but it does have some light moments.

Harriet is a photographer, specialising in weddings despite having no desire to get married herself. So when her boyfriend surprises her with a ring at a family event, it’s more a shocked, polite yes reply than from the heart. But then Harriet tells Jon that she can’t marry him and they break up, sending her into a house share in her thirties. Cal is nice, but she also knows him as a runaway groom which means he has Problems. Jon causes his own issues, but a bigger problem occurs when Harriet sees her former abusive partner Scott at a wedding. Harriet’s worried that his new fiancé is hiding the abuse and tries to help her, which leads to trial by Facebook. Add in some friends who aren’t being supportive and work issues, and Harriet’s in trouble. Then Harriet and friends plan some revenge…

The story is more about the solidarity of some friendships (and those that flake on you when the going gets tough). It also explores tough questions in relationships such as should you stay when it’s clearly not forever and how to help those experiencing gaslighting and mental abuse. As the story continues, we see Harriet gradually getting stronger and more comfortable with herself, despite some big hiccups and awkward times along the time. The novel explores how it’s okay not to be perfectly put together and to ask for help. The themes can get a bit heavy, but they are always balanced with some light relief from an amusing character or a witty scene. Sure, some of the characters are annoying (Jon, the mummy’s boy ex who clearly has no clue how to function alone) and some are downright evil (Scott, possibly one of the creepiest gaslighters in fiction). The ending is a bit over the top, but it gives the reader some light relief and the opportunity to see justice served in dramatic fashion.

The story is not about the romance either, although it is included. Don’t go looking for this to be all sweet and light, because it’s not that kind of novel. Even the title is kind of misleading – it’s nothing to do with the romance, more about Harriet’s exes. They are mad, just in very different ways. This novel contains sensitive themes that are handled really well. Just be aware that the cute cover hides a serious read.

http://samstillreading.wordpress.com… (meer)

I did not like this one. Long and mostly dull about a woman who turns 30 and is a little bit lost in her life: no great job, no great love, strained relationship with her family. She gets a job she loves but a boy (who she had a secret romance with in high school and who broke her heart) is one of the owners and he.....doesn’t remember her.

They form a bit of a friendship at the bar and she’s still in love with him but there’s not really enough to show me why she loves modern Lucas. He’s nice enough but most of their interactions are about Georgina and other actively terrible men she encounters. She flashes back a tiny bit to how she knew him in high school but we don’t get a ton there either.

There’s a lot going on about her personal growth and that’s all good and we watch her find herself and make some progress in self confidence. All good but I found myself skipping some of it and just wanting the whole thing to be over. Eventually she gets a happily ever after and I really wish that it felt more earned than it did.

As I write this if I didn’t walk into it thinking it was a standard romance I think I’d have liked it a whole lot more.… (meer)