Book Review: Cover Story, Mhairi McFarlane

I rated this book 4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

*A huge thanks to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for sharing an advanced readers copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.*

I’m having a hard time putting into words how I personally feel about this book. I can tell that McFarlane is an excellent writer, but sometimes I felt as if the British terminology and current topics were going right over my head. In the end, those tidbits didn’t mean much to the book, but for me they took away from the experience. I gave this book 4 stars still though because even with those removed moments within the writing/story that I just couldn’t quite understand, the characters and plot were still amazing.

⚫️Disclaimer!

Coming into this book with the expectation that it was a romance was probably the wrong move. Think of it more as a literally fiction with a bit of mystery and a subplot of romance along the way.

Also, please check trigger warnings if needed because there are some sensitive topics discussed within the book.

Here’s what I liked most about this book:

🥵The slow burn

The final 20% of this book was by far my favorite because the journalism mystery wrapped up and what we were left with was the tail-end of the romance. I LOVED when all of the banter, get-to-know-you moments, and chemistry these two characters had throughout the entire story finally pulled together to create the final act.

The slow burn felt so realistic to a relationship in the real world. McFarlane used tropes like fake dating, one bed, enemies to lovers, in a modern way that didn’t feel cheesy or over done. Everything felt well-timed and logical which actually made you believe the love that the main characters felt in the end towards one another.

💭Hard topics handled realistically

This book discusses some very important topics and themes along the lines of stalking, depression, abuse of power, and revenge porn. It’s all done well and with respect towards the characters working through these hard things. If I’m being honest, I really admired the way that McFarlane handled these sensitive topics in regards to the story and characters, but I felt like often times there was just too much going on. Shoving in all of these difficulties that the characters were facing (while realistic to life) created many plot lines that took the book in multiple directions. I suppose you could view this as good or bad depending on what you’re looking for in a story.

In conclusion…

I have absolutely no notes on the characters, plot, or story itself. The writing is funny, sharp, although sometimes over my head. I loved the banter, slow burn, and mystery/undercover journalism plot line. I can respect and appreciate something without fully understanding it because of cultural differences. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in a realistic slow burn romance who is comfortable reading about sensitive topics in a real world way.