Mad About You: A Novel

by Mhairi McFarlane

Overview

"[She] writes with a singular wit, charm, and emotional complexity, every word just right, every page brimming with delicious tension." — Emily Henry, #1 New York Times bestselling author of People We Meet on Vacation

International bestseller Mhairi McFarlane delivers a sharp, emotional new novel about a woman who calls off her engagement to "the perfect man" and moves in with a charming stranger who makes her question everything about her life, her past, and the secrets she's kept for far too long...

Harriet Hatley is the most in-demand wedding photographer in town, but she doesn’t believe in romance, loathes the idea of marriage, and thinks chocolate fountains are an abomination. Which is why, when her long-time partner proposes, she panics. Suddenly Harriet is single… and living down the hall from her ex. She needs a new apartment, like, yesterday.

Enter Cal Clarke, a hopeless romantic who just experienced his own wedding-related disaster. Harriet and Cal are like chalk and cheese, but as they go from strangers to roommates to friends, it becomes clear they’re both running from something. When Harriet’s most heavily guarded secret comes to light, her world implodes. And Cal, with his witty humor and gentle advice, is a surprising source of calm at the center of the storm.

With her career, friendships, and reputation on the line, Harriet must finally face her past in order to take control of her future. Because if she’s willing to stop playing it safe and risk everything to share her truth, real love and happiness may be waiting on the other side...

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780063117945
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	08/09/2022
Pages:	416
Sales rank:	75,801
Product dimensions:	5.20(w) x 7.90(h) x 1.20(d)

About the Author

Sunday Times bestselling author Mhairi McFarlane was born in Scotland, and her unnecessarily confusing name is pronounced Vah-Ree. After some efforts at journalism, she started writing fiction and her first book, You Had Me At Hello, was an instant success. She's now written ten novels, and she lives in Nottingham with a man and a cat.

Editorial Reviews

06/27/2022

McFarlane (after If I Never Met You) delivers a well-developed work of women’s fiction with a romantic endcap. Wedding planner Harriet Hatley is adrift. Her two closest friends are her only family, and her current relationship is more comfortable than passionate. When her boyfriend stages a public proposal despite Harriet’s frequent avowals that she’s not interested in marriage, it’s a clear sign that their relationship’s not working. She needs to move out and move on. She finds a flatmate in her polar opposite, the handsome and recently heartbroken Cal Clarke. What follows is the story of a woman reviewing her romantic history and learning that confronting her past is the best way to build a happy future. The romance that slowly emerges between Harriet and Cal takes a backseat to Harriet’s personal growth. Still, McFarlane’s dry wit and Briticism-laden prose will appeal to her many fans, and her heroine charms. Readers who don’t mind the minimal focus on the love connection will be enchanted. (Aug.)

Publishers Weekly

"Mhairi McFarlane writes with a singular wit, charm, and emotional complexity, every word just right, every page brimming with delicious tension." — Emily Henry, #1 New York Times bestselling author of People We Meet on Vacation

“Mhairi McFarlane’s voice is as clear as a bell—she makes you laugh, but she also makes you feel. I adore her!” — Sally Thorne, USA Today bestselling author of The Hating Game and Second First Impressions

"Witty, moving and original. I will read anything Mhairi writes, she is the master of thought-provoking romantic fiction and I adore the characters she creates." — Sophie Cousens, bestselling author of Just Haven't Met You Yet

"McFarlane is one of my all-time favorite writers now." — Emily Henry

"Gorgeous, funny, life-affirming." — Jenny Colgan

“McFarlane has a charming voice, one distinctly British in its wry humor, whimsical turn of phrase, and vibrant sense of setting... the novel itself is a dizzy delight, bursting with rom-com tropes... McFarlane’s irresistible voice that balances pathos and humor in equal measure, leaves us wanting more.” — Entertainment Weekly

“McFarlane’s romances are always worth the journey. With incredible warmth, humor and humanity, they stir such deep empathy and engagement that you won’t just watch the characters’ cathartic experiences; you’ll feel them.”  — BookPage 

“McFarlane's gift is writing romantic comedy that depicts a recognizable world... without dimming the luster of shining moments of humor, love, and connection.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"Honestly, I cannot remember the last book I loved as much... What a luminous, heart-achingly beautiful love letter to friendship. Knockout!"  — Josie Silver, New York Times bestselling author of The Two Lives of Lydia Bird

"[JUST LAST NIGHT] manages to be both genuinely heartbreaking and hilarious - that's how good Mhairi McFarlane is. It's a gorgeously romantic novel, as well as a story about friendship and grief and loss; I never wanted it to end." — Beth O’Leary, bestselling author of The Switch

"It's a long time since I loved any book as much. [Mhairi's] so BRILLIANT on relationships, friendships and emotions. Her characters are nuanced, convincing and loveable. She deserves massive praise and recognition. I loved loved loved this book." — Marian Keyes, bestselling author of Grown Ups

"I adored it! It was so funny, so sad in parts, and just so sharp and heartwarming. Mhairi at her absolute finest with an exquisite balance of light and shade." — Lia Louis, author of Eight Perfect Hours

"Despite its heavy themes of coping with past abuse and loss, McFarlane's latest, following Just Last Night (2021), is a mostly lighthearted romp through friendship, love, and starting over. Readers of Marian Keyes will be drawn to this British charmer." — Booklist (starred review)

"Her books are so emotionally intelligent and insightful."  — Tahereh Mafi

"A well-developed work of women’s fiction with a romantic endcap... McFarlane’s dry wit and Briticism-laden prose will appeal to her many fans, and her heroine charms." — Publishers Weekly

"Cal and Harriet’s dynamic is super charming and refreshingly real. Their romance is one you could picture actually happening, and you’ll feel like rooting for them. Despite their great, developing relationship, the real highlight of this book is the character growth, which includes contending with a past toxic and traumatic relationship." — Book Riot

"Mad About You offers sweetness and sass and a lesson that's worthy of a film script." — USA Today

“Strong friendships, self-discovery and women supporting each other form the emotional core of a story that reminds readers that no one can know the interior of someone else's relationship.” — Shelf Awareness

"International bestseller Mhairi McFarlane's empowering and hopeful romance Mad About You is sure to charm readers." — Popsugar

From the Publisher

McFarlane has a charming voice, one distinctly British in its wry humor, whimsical turn of phrase, and vibrant sense of setting... the novel itself is a dizzy delight, bursting with rom-com tropes... McFarlane’s irresistible voice that balances pathos and humor in equal measure, leaves us wanting more.

Entertainment Weekly

"Gorgeous, funny, life-affirming."

Jenny Colgan

"[JUST LAST NIGHT] manages to be both genuinely heartbreaking and hilarious - that's how good Mhairi McFarlane is. It's a gorgeously romantic novel, as well as a story about friendship and grief and loss; I never wanted it to end."

Beth O’Leary

"Honestly, I cannot remember the last book I loved as much... What a luminous, heart-achingly beautiful love letter to friendship. Knockout!" 

Josie Silver

McFarlane’s romances are always worth the journey. With incredible warmth, humor and humanity, they stir such deep empathy and engagement that you won’t just watch the characters’ cathartic experiences; you’ll feel them.” 

BookPage 

Mhairi McFarlane’s voice is as clear as a bell—she makes you laugh, but she also makes you feel. I adore her!

Sally Thorne

"Witty, moving and original. I will read anything Mhairi writes, she is the master of thought-provoking romantic fiction and I adore the characters she creates."

Sophie Cousens

"Mhairi McFarlane writes with a singular wit, charm, and emotional complexity, every word just right, every page brimming with delicious tension."

Emily Henry

"It's a long time since I loved any book as much. [Mhairi's] so BRILLIANT on relationships, friendships and emotions. Her characters are nuanced, convincing and loveable. She deserves massive praise and recognition. I loved loved loved this book."

Marian Keyes