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Hopeless Romantics
Not yet published
Expected 11 Feb 27Ever wondered if one choice, one weekend and one person can change everything?Wannabe writer Tess has always been accused of being overly romantic by her best friend Carys.
And when they meet cheerful stranger Spencer and his more reserved wingman Ryan on the sleeper train to a wedding, Carys is all-in with the shared champagne while Tess holds back. Yet there’s a jolt of attraction between her and Ryan that Tess can’t ignore – a sense of recognition that feels real.
As the weekend unfolds, with a twist that nobody saw coming, she asks herself – how do you know when it’s your life-changing moment?
And when they meet cheerful stranger Spencer and his more reserved wingman Ryan on the sleeper train to a wedding, Carys is all-in with the shared champagne while Tess holds back. Yet there’s a jolt of attraction between her and Ryan that Tess can’t ignore – a sense of recognition that feels real.
As the weekend unfolds, with a twist that nobody saw coming, she asks herself – how do you know when it’s your life-changing moment?
Kindle Edition
Expected publication February 16, 2027
About the author
Mhairi McFarlane
44 books11.9k followersMhairi was born in Scotland in 1976 and her unnecessarily confusing name is pronounced Vah-Ree.
After some efforts at journalism, she started writing novels. It’s Not Me, It’s You is her third book. She lives in Nottingham, with a man and a cat.
After some efforts at journalism, she started writing novels. It’s Not Me, It’s You is her third book. She lives in Nottingham, with a man and a cat.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 118 reviews
September 21, 2026
i love LOVE! i love second chance romances! i love mutual pining and down bad main characters!
this was more than i could have ever hoped for - i am writing this review at 2am, knowing full well i need to be up for work in under 5 hours time. AND I DO NOT CARE.
this is quite possibly my favourite book of the year so far, and i don’t say that lightly. if you love epic love stories with mutual pining spanning DECADES, you need to pick this up. this was hilarious, heartwarming, somewhat existential, and had some of the most engaging writing i have ever come across (i found myself in awe of this author’s wit and intelligence many times throughout this book). i am now quickly running to my bookshelves to pick up as many mhairi mcfarlane books as humanly possible. i don’t think i can accurately put into words how much i loved these characters and how much this story is going to stick with me.
if you couldn’t already tell, i HIGHLY recommend this book, and i beg you all to read it as soon as it’s available.
this was more than i could have ever hoped for - i am writing this review at 2am, knowing full well i need to be up for work in under 5 hours time. AND I DO NOT CARE.
this is quite possibly my favourite book of the year so far, and i don’t say that lightly. if you love epic love stories with mutual pining spanning DECADES, you need to pick this up. this was hilarious, heartwarming, somewhat existential, and had some of the most engaging writing i have ever come across (i found myself in awe of this author’s wit and intelligence many times throughout this book). i am now quickly running to my bookshelves to pick up as many mhairi mcfarlane books as humanly possible. i don’t think i can accurately put into words how much i loved these characters and how much this story is going to stick with me.
if you couldn’t already tell, i HIGHLY recommend this book, and i beg you all to read it as soon as it’s available.
Want to Read
August 7, 2026°❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ — preread:
i've never read anything by Mhairi before, but haley pham has raved about her so i decided to request this book🤭 so happy to have been accepted!! i have high hopes for this one since it sounds right up my alley <3
thank you netgalley & avon and harper voyager for the arc in exchange for an honest review!
Release date: February 16, 2027
i've never read anything by Mhairi before, but haley pham has raved about her so i decided to request this book🤭 so happy to have been accepted!! i have high hopes for this one since it sounds right up my alley <3
thank you netgalley & avon and harper voyager for the arc in exchange for an honest review!
Release date: February 16, 2027
Want to Read
July 31, 2026
*Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me an arc in exchange for an honest review!*
Got approved of a book again by one of my favourite authors!!!!!!
*KICKS FEET IN THE AIR*
Got approved of a book again by one of my favourite authors!!!!!!
*KICKS FEET IN THE AIR*
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
mhari mcfarlane's back my friends and yes, i enjoyed hopeless romantic 😁while it definitely has the charm, humor, and banter of a rom-com, it's also a thoughtful story about growing up, chasing career ambitions, and figuring out what you really want from life.
one of my fav parts was the opening section set in scotland. the scottish setting added so much atmosphere and warmth to the story, and it was the perfect backdrop for tess and spencer's first meeting. it made the beginning feel especially memorable and helped set up the emotional journey that followed. i found myself wishing there were even more scenes set there.
the banter between the characters was fantastic, and i loved seeing tess and spencer drift in and out of each other's lives over the years. watching them grow from their twenties into their forties made them feel real and relatable. the miscommunication trope did frustrate me at times, especially when it felt like they were getting in their own way, but i was still completely invested in their story and rooting for them to get together.
i also appreciated that the book wasn't solely focused on romance. tess's career journey and self-discovery were just as compelling, and spencer's backstory added emotional depth to his character. by the end, i was fully emotionally invested in both of them.
funny, heartfelt, and beautifully written, hopeless romantic is a lovely blend of romance and personal growth! 💗
a lot of thanks to harpercollinsuk - harperfiction and netgalley for sending me the earc of this book in exchange for my honest opinion!
one of my fav parts was the opening section set in scotland. the scottish setting added so much atmosphere and warmth to the story, and it was the perfect backdrop for tess and spencer's first meeting. it made the beginning feel especially memorable and helped set up the emotional journey that followed. i found myself wishing there were even more scenes set there.
the banter between the characters was fantastic, and i loved seeing tess and spencer drift in and out of each other's lives over the years. watching them grow from their twenties into their forties made them feel real and relatable. the miscommunication trope did frustrate me at times, especially when it felt like they were getting in their own way, but i was still completely invested in their story and rooting for them to get together.
i also appreciated that the book wasn't solely focused on romance. tess's career journey and self-discovery were just as compelling, and spencer's backstory added emotional depth to his character. by the end, i was fully emotionally invested in both of them.
funny, heartfelt, and beautifully written, hopeless romantic is a lovely blend of romance and personal growth! 💗
a lot of thanks to harpercollinsuk - harperfiction and netgalley for sending me the earc of this book in exchange for my honest opinion!
August 16, 2026
**Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher & most of all Mhairi for this ARC!!!***
I wanted this ARC more than I’ve ever hoped for one and it paid off a million times over. Mhairi is my favorite author and this book might be her best yet. Every word is a treat - the relationships and details and feelings are top shelf. I can’t wait to get my hard copy and read it annually. Best book of 2026 so far and I am thrilled for everyone else to experience it in 2027. Tess & Ryan 4eva xoxo
I wanted this ARC more than I’ve ever hoped for one and it paid off a million times over. Mhairi is my favorite author and this book might be her best yet. Every word is a treat - the relationships and details and feelings are top shelf. I can’t wait to get my hard copy and read it annually. Best book of 2026 so far and I am thrilled for everyone else to experience it in 2027. Tess & Ryan 4eva xoxo
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Her best book yet. The granddaughter of Persuasion by Jane Austen, they share so much DNA. A lovely romantic meditation on taking chances, fate, regret, longing, and the very human tragedy of getting in your own way. Mhairi's prose is unmatched in its line for line wit, banter and pathos. I both cried and laughed out loud multiple times, highlighted so many profound bangers. I really appreciate Mhairi's interest in scale - this feels 'bigger' than most of her backlist, more epic. I also think she has a way of incorporating jaw dropping gossipy storylines that make the book as gripping as a thriller. I truly couldn't put it down. I loved it. Tess and Ryan 4ever ❤️❤️
June 25, 2026
I loved it and I didn’t want it to end. I couldn’t put it down and also didn’t want it to be over. Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy.
August 3, 2026
4 ⭐️ EEEEEEEEK IM SO GIDDY!!!! Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy!!
It’s been a while since I’ve read such a good, realistic romance book! As someone who resonates with both Tess and Ryan, this book was such a *needed* reminder to take chances on the things that might scare you the most because you want them the most! I was rooting SO hard for the two of them to find their way to each other, and I just love the feeling this book gave me. This is a story full of love and courage, but also regret and heartbreak & how sometimes the two can go hand in hand. It put a lot of things in perspective about how we can all do more of the things we want to do rather than the things that are expected of us, and these things could end up leading to some of our very best moments and memories. If we wait for the things we want to happen TO us, we will miss out on so much.
Tess and Ryan are two incredibly realistic characters! This is something I really gravitate towards with my romances (as I’ve become rather selective). They’re flawed, like us all, but they’re able to recognize when they’ve made a mistake and really try their best to fix it. This book wasn’t completely full of happy, loving moments but that is what made it so real to me. Life isn’t always perfect, but that doesn’t mean it cannot be good! I also adore our cast of side characters. Spencer and Carys were perfection, and they were such a good representation of healthy friendships. I love how in depth we got to see these platonic relationships, and I loved even more how much they were valued in Tess and Ryan's life. I even love Lachy's presence in the story, too. His storyline was such and interesting side plot, and getting to read about him was so entertaining.
This is such a perfect book for lovers of messy, complicated characters. It’s such a good blend of romance and a bit of literary fiction that I think sooo many people could enjoy this! It kept me hooked and desperately flipping the pages for more. It is funny, witty, and simply amazing while also being painfully real. Pick this up when it releases!!!!
It’s been a while since I’ve read such a good, realistic romance book! As someone who resonates with both Tess and Ryan, this book was such a *needed* reminder to take chances on the things that might scare you the most because you want them the most! I was rooting SO hard for the two of them to find their way to each other, and I just love the feeling this book gave me. This is a story full of love and courage, but also regret and heartbreak & how sometimes the two can go hand in hand. It put a lot of things in perspective about how we can all do more of the things we want to do rather than the things that are expected of us, and these things could end up leading to some of our very best moments and memories. If we wait for the things we want to happen TO us, we will miss out on so much.
Tess and Ryan are two incredibly realistic characters! This is something I really gravitate towards with my romances (as I’ve become rather selective). They’re flawed, like us all, but they’re able to recognize when they’ve made a mistake and really try their best to fix it. This book wasn’t completely full of happy, loving moments but that is what made it so real to me. Life isn’t always perfect, but that doesn’t mean it cannot be good! I also adore our cast of side characters. Spencer and Carys were perfection, and they were such a good representation of healthy friendships. I love how in depth we got to see these platonic relationships, and I loved even more how much they were valued in Tess and Ryan's life. I even love Lachy's presence in the story, too. His storyline was such and interesting side plot, and getting to read about him was so entertaining.
This is such a perfect book for lovers of messy, complicated characters. It’s such a good blend of romance and a bit of literary fiction that I think sooo many people could enjoy this! It kept me hooked and desperately flipping the pages for more. It is funny, witty, and simply amazing while also being painfully real. Pick this up when it releases!!!!
Read
August 18, 2026I am once again victim to British propaganda. Mhairi McFarlane I want to be your friend!!!
That is to say, Hopeless Romantics is a sparkling gem on an already shiny crown. This is a more fabulous version of Love, Rosie (remember that movie??) plus some Before Sunrise and Fantastic Mr. Ripley tossed in.
A lesser author could’ve bungled certain plot points, but luckily we’re in expert hands. My only critique is I wish we had more airtime with the main couple. Also, I obviously want a TV show. I have demands, you see.
Thanks Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for the ARC!
That is to say, Hopeless Romantics is a sparkling gem on an already shiny crown. This is a more fabulous version of Love, Rosie (remember that movie??) plus some Before Sunrise and Fantastic Mr. Ripley tossed in.
A lesser author could’ve bungled certain plot points, but luckily we’re in expert hands. My only critique is I wish we had more airtime with the main couple. Also, I obviously want a TV show. I have demands, you see.
Thanks Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for the ARC!
June 27, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Hopeless Romantics is a beautiful, uplifting love story which has a key message at its heart around taking chances for the life that you want, rather than waiting for life to happen.
It had everything that I adore about her writing—sharp, witty, emotionally intelligent, with characters that feel incredibly real and genuine.
The story details Tess and Ryan who meet on a sleeper train on a journey up to Scotland, with their respective best friends Carys and Spencer. Over the course of the weekend connections are formed, secrets revealed and life changing events take place.
We meet Tess when her confidence is at rock bottom thanks to an incredibly toxic boyfriend and a lacklustre job with the boss from hell. However, throughout the course of the book, she goes on a journey of self-discovery, rebuilding her life and achieving her dreams.
As ever, the supporting characters are also fabulous, with the importance of friendship highlighted throughout.
McFarlane has a gift for exploring relationships, self-discovery, and the messy complexities of life with warmth, wit, and honesty. I always find her writing so engaging, and this was no exception, finishing within in a day.
The dialogue is as clever as ever, especially the conversations - full of wit and humour, however never feeling forced and every character feels fully developed.
I also loved all of the references, plenty of Pride and Prejudice allusions, which perfectly ties into the story, particularly with Ryan’s friendship with Spencer. There were also a few Dirty Dancing, Grease and Labyrinth references which I loved too.
If you’re looking for a romance with depth, humour, and plenty of heart, this is an absolute must-read.
Thank you to NetGalley, Harper Collins and Mhairi Mcfarlane for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
August 24, 2026
I love this book so much! This is exactly what I EAT UP in a romance book - the will they, won’t they story spanning over a longer time period, watching two people weave in and out of each others lives and hope and pray they get it together in the end! This was my first book by this author but it certainly won’t be the last!
Thank you so much to NetGalley for the earc of this one!
Thank you so much to NetGalley for the earc of this one!
August 11, 2026
Ten years after discovering Mhairi McFarlane, I can confirm that I remain exactly as hopelessly romantic about her books as I was in 2016.
And once again, she delivered exactly what I came for: characters who feel like actual people, spit-your-drink-out humor, romance that manages to be both swoony and painfully believable, and that particular Mhairi McFarlane ability to make me laugh out loud one minute and unexpectedly emotional the next.
Speaking of 2016: I absolutely adored that part of this book. The four of them meeting, the chemistry between them, the friendships taking shape, the flirting, the possibilities… I was invested. There was something so wonderfully fresh and full of promise about those chapters that I could have happily spent the entire book there. Give me four people at the beginning of a decade of complicated lives, before they know what’s coming, and I’m sold. McFarlane has such a talent for writing friendships that feel messy and affectionate and utterly lived-in, rather than simply existing to provide the heroine with someone to gossip with.
And Ryan. That man… I loved that, in McFarlane fashion, the hero isn’t simply a walking collection of romantic clichés. He’s funny, awkward, complicated and occasionally infuriating, and the chemistry between him and Tess is exactly the kind that makes you want to fall in love with them.
So why only four stars?
Because, as much as I loved the book, I am allergic to the “if only these people had communicated properly, they could have saved themselves approximately ten years of misery” trope. At some point, I stop feeling deliciously frustrated and start wanting to confiscate everyone’s phones and put them in a room together until they TALK. Especially after one of the best first kisses I’ve read. I mean, he does say, “Whether to admit the extent of my feelings and risk finding out they’re not reciprocated, and then I will want to die and things are going to be weird between us for the rest of this trip. Or carry on trying to drop clues and risk you not realizing. Tess, I’m going for option one.” I get people’s insecurities, but those are the words of a man who communicates, dammit!
It didn’t ruin the story for me, but it did make some of the later angst feel a little manufactured, especially when the characters are otherwise so perceptive and emotionally intelligent.
Still, this is Mhairi McFarlane, so even when I’m rolling my eyes at the characters, I’m completely invested in them. Ten years, and she still has me. Four stars, because even lifelong fangirls are allowed to have standards. ❤️
Huge thanks to NetGalley, Avon and Harper Collins Publishers, and Mhairi McFarlane for this ARC!
And once again, she delivered exactly what I came for: characters who feel like actual people, spit-your-drink-out humor, romance that manages to be both swoony and painfully believable, and that particular Mhairi McFarlane ability to make me laugh out loud one minute and unexpectedly emotional the next.
Speaking of 2016: I absolutely adored that part of this book. The four of them meeting, the chemistry between them, the friendships taking shape, the flirting, the possibilities… I was invested. There was something so wonderfully fresh and full of promise about those chapters that I could have happily spent the entire book there. Give me four people at the beginning of a decade of complicated lives, before they know what’s coming, and I’m sold. McFarlane has such a talent for writing friendships that feel messy and affectionate and utterly lived-in, rather than simply existing to provide the heroine with someone to gossip with.
And Ryan. That man… I loved that, in McFarlane fashion, the hero isn’t simply a walking collection of romantic clichés. He’s funny, awkward, complicated and occasionally infuriating, and the chemistry between him and Tess is exactly the kind that makes you want to fall in love with them.
So why only four stars?
Because, as much as I loved the book, I am allergic to the “if only these people had communicated properly, they could have saved themselves approximately ten years of misery” trope. At some point, I stop feeling deliciously frustrated and start wanting to confiscate everyone’s phones and put them in a room together until they TALK. Especially after one of the best first kisses I’ve read. I mean, he does say, “Whether to admit the extent of my feelings and risk finding out they’re not reciprocated, and then I will want to die and things are going to be weird between us for the rest of this trip. Or carry on trying to drop clues and risk you not realizing. Tess, I’m going for option one.” I get people’s insecurities, but those are the words of a man who communicates, dammit!
It didn’t ruin the story for me, but it did make some of the later angst feel a little manufactured, especially when the characters are otherwise so perceptive and emotionally intelligent.
Still, this is Mhairi McFarlane, so even when I’m rolling my eyes at the characters, I’m completely invested in them. Ten years, and she still has me. Four stars, because even lifelong fangirls are allowed to have standards. ❤️
Huge thanks to NetGalley, Avon and Harper Collins Publishers, and Mhairi McFarlane for this ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Hopeless Romantics by Mhairi McFarlane gave me anxiety, but, like, in a good way?
A few years ago I ready everything by Mhairi McFarlane that I could get my hands on. I love her writing and storytelling and characters. I was so excited to get this ARC because I haven't read anything by her in a while and wanted to remember why I love her books so much.
Hopeless Romantics follows Tess and Ryan over the course of 10 years, after they meet on a train (each with best friend in tow) on a weekend trip to Scotland.
The first half of the story is about this weekend trip - which was quite a trip. It was good groundwork for getting to know all the characters. They were put in situations that showed who they were at the time. Over the second half of the book you get to see how they grow up, the different decisions they make, and how this one weekend away help to change their way of thinking.
The story is in 3rd person, but follows Tess's perspective as she navigates her life. Meeting Ryan on that weekend trip made her think of things differently, why she has trouble forming long lasting romantic relationships, and set her on a course to be successful with her writing. We learn about Ryan's journey more toward the end as he reconnects with Tess, and learn that he, too, was changed by their weekend together. A lot of their interactions and journey are moved forward by their two best friends, Spencer and Carys, who were also on that trip and force our main characters into situations together. As side characters they also go on their own journey, which I loved. And, of course, their is Lachlan. The reason for the trip that changed them all.
I largely love this story. The writing was great. The end really pulled on my heartstrings. Ryan and Tess were so perfect for each other. My anxiety while reading was knowing that it spanned 10 years, and our main characters would not be together that whole time. I think my only criticism was the choice the author made as to why they didn't speak. I wouldn't really call it a miscommunication... it was more totally lack of any communication and both characters lack of self confidence. It truly was a situation where one text could've changed their lives.
Overall though, I really love the story and highly recommend it to anyone looking for something romantic with lots of pining and longing and character growth. It reminded me why I love Mhairi's writing so much!
4.75/5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for this eARC!
A few years ago I ready everything by Mhairi McFarlane that I could get my hands on. I love her writing and storytelling and characters. I was so excited to get this ARC because I haven't read anything by her in a while and wanted to remember why I love her books so much.
Hopeless Romantics follows Tess and Ryan over the course of 10 years, after they meet on a train (each with best friend in tow) on a weekend trip to Scotland.
The first half of the story is about this weekend trip - which was quite a trip. It was good groundwork for getting to know all the characters. They were put in situations that showed who they were at the time. Over the second half of the book you get to see how they grow up, the different decisions they make, and how this one weekend away help to change their way of thinking.
The story is in 3rd person, but follows Tess's perspective as she navigates her life. Meeting Ryan on that weekend trip made her think of things differently, why she has trouble forming long lasting romantic relationships, and set her on a course to be successful with her writing. We learn about Ryan's journey more toward the end as he reconnects with Tess, and learn that he, too, was changed by their weekend together. A lot of their interactions and journey are moved forward by their two best friends, Spencer and Carys, who were also on that trip and force our main characters into situations together. As side characters they also go on their own journey, which I loved. And, of course, their is Lachlan. The reason for the trip that changed them all.
I largely love this story. The writing was great. The end really pulled on my heartstrings. Ryan and Tess were so perfect for each other. My anxiety while reading was knowing that it spanned 10 years, and our main characters would not be together that whole time. I think my only criticism was the choice the author made as to why they didn't speak. I wouldn't really call it a miscommunication... it was more totally lack of any communication and both characters lack of self confidence. It truly was a situation where one text could've changed their lives.
Overall though, I really love the story and highly recommend it to anyone looking for something romantic with lots of pining and longing and character growth. It reminded me why I love Mhairi's writing so much!
4.75/5 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for this eARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I received this book via NetGalley. This did not impact my rating or review.
I got nothing. The first part of this book when Tess and Ryan are in their 20s and meet with their messy/hilarious friends on their way to a wedding was great. And then there was a side story that never really gets resolved. But mostly this book is about how Tess and Ryan fell for each other and then over the course of 10 plus years kept meeting and things never worked out with regards to timing. And I think if the book had stuck to that, I would have loved it. But I am realizing that the book unfortunately just keeps the story on Tess mostly and we hear about her thoughts on Ryan or they email, etc. and there's nothing there. I wanted there to be. And then the ending was just so odd. We in essence get to what you is a HEA (Happily Ever After) but it has to be dragged out with more conversation and I was baffled that McFarlane did it since it just makes you go so should we be rooting for them or nah?
Hopeless Romantics follows Tess and her best friend Carys as they catch a train to a university friend's wedding in Scotland. They end up meeting the only two passengers on the train it seems, Spencer and Ryan. Spencer and Carys get on like a house on fire. But Tess feels resentful of the intrusion. And she's dealing with a fight with her long-term boyfriend Joel too. But despite all of that, Tess and Ryan start to like each other and Tess finds herself ready to move on with her life after a life changing incident. And from there, she's ready for the next thing, but finds out her being ready for Ryan doesn't mean the timing is going to work.
Can I say this upfront? I wish the book had focused on Spencer and Carys since they were more exciting to me than Tess and Ryan. I kept wanting to know more about them both instead of the book info dumps we were getting here and there about them. Tess's life to me felt/read boring. We know she had relationships, but they all apparently are colorless when compared to her time with Ryan. And as I said above, I loved how the foursome met, got along, but I just didn't buy what came after really. It be different if they hadn't both moved on with others and with jobs, etc. And Tess's job as a writer and trying to write a screenplay about what happened in Scotland years earlier was boring. Reading about finding her truth would have met more if maybe there were any lasting lessons about it. I think McFarlane wrote this book one way, but in the end, did a forced HEA that didn't feel earned or real.
I got nothing. The first part of this book when Tess and Ryan are in their 20s and meet with their messy/hilarious friends on their way to a wedding was great. And then there was a side story that never really gets resolved. But mostly this book is about how Tess and Ryan fell for each other and then over the course of 10 plus years kept meeting and things never worked out with regards to timing. And I think if the book had stuck to that, I would have loved it. But I am realizing that the book unfortunately just keeps the story on Tess mostly and we hear about her thoughts on Ryan or they email, etc. and there's nothing there. I wanted there to be. And then the ending was just so odd. We in essence get to what you is a HEA (Happily Ever After) but it has to be dragged out with more conversation and I was baffled that McFarlane did it since it just makes you go so should we be rooting for them or nah?
Hopeless Romantics follows Tess and her best friend Carys as they catch a train to a university friend's wedding in Scotland. They end up meeting the only two passengers on the train it seems, Spencer and Ryan. Spencer and Carys get on like a house on fire. But Tess feels resentful of the intrusion. And she's dealing with a fight with her long-term boyfriend Joel too. But despite all of that, Tess and Ryan start to like each other and Tess finds herself ready to move on with her life after a life changing incident. And from there, she's ready for the next thing, but finds out her being ready for Ryan doesn't mean the timing is going to work.
Can I say this upfront? I wish the book had focused on Spencer and Carys since they were more exciting to me than Tess and Ryan. I kept wanting to know more about them both instead of the book info dumps we were getting here and there about them. Tess's life to me felt/read boring. We know she had relationships, but they all apparently are colorless when compared to her time with Ryan. And as I said above, I loved how the foursome met, got along, but I just didn't buy what came after really. It be different if they hadn't both moved on with others and with jobs, etc. And Tess's job as a writer and trying to write a screenplay about what happened in Scotland years earlier was boring. Reading about finding her truth would have met more if maybe there were any lasting lessons about it. I think McFarlane wrote this book one way, but in the end, did a forced HEA that didn't feel earned or real.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Tess is a writer… well, she wants to be anyway, and she is a complete hopeless romantic (same girl!) Her best friend Carys thinks maybe Tess is too romantic though?
Then they meet Spencer (happy-go-lucky) and his wingman Ryan (who is a bit quieter) whilst travelling on a sleeper train to a wedding. Carys joins in the fun with the champagne drinking, but Tess is a bit more reluctant. Tess can’t deny however, that there is definitely a spark of attraction between her and Ryan.
Is it true that one person, one weekend or just one choice can completely change your life?
The Pros:
1) The romance. No further details as I think it’s a spoiler!
2) The friendships: both between Tess and Carys, and Spencer and Ryan are really sweet and fun. Friendship goals.
3) There are different timelines in the book.
4) I always love when there is a writer in a story
5) The ending
The Cons:
1) There are sadder parts and dark aspects
2) The miscommunication was a bit frustrating at times.
The Quotes:
1) Pepsi, the chocolate Ragdoll, had joined the family five years ago, amid voluble objection from their father. Since then, their dad had made it clear that Pepsi has become dearer to him than either of his children.
2) ‘...but I must advise you, as someone with decades on you, this is what behaving courageously is like. It doesn’t feel good while you are doing it. It feels good later. Cowardice feels easier at the time, and worse later.’
The Summary:
I love a story by Mhairi. She is so eloquent with her words and her writing is on another level. One of my favourite things about Hopeless Romantics is not only the romance (of course) but the friendships. Tess and Carys had such a lovely chemistry as BFFs, as did Spencer and Ryan. I liked how the story was told in different timelines/points of their lives. I was definitely shocked at one incident in the book, but it really shaped the narrative. One thing I did find a bit frustrating at times, was the miscommunication, but the ending was great and I loved seeing how everything wrapped up.
Summed up in a sentence?:
Friends Tess and Carys, Spencer and Ryan, meet on a train to a wedding
I rated the book 4 stars!
Please note as this is an advanced copy, changes before publication may occur.
A big thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for the free ARC. All opinions are my own.
Then they meet Spencer (happy-go-lucky) and his wingman Ryan (who is a bit quieter) whilst travelling on a sleeper train to a wedding. Carys joins in the fun with the champagne drinking, but Tess is a bit more reluctant. Tess can’t deny however, that there is definitely a spark of attraction between her and Ryan.
Is it true that one person, one weekend or just one choice can completely change your life?
The Pros:
1) The romance. No further details as I think it’s a spoiler!
2) The friendships: both between Tess and Carys, and Spencer and Ryan are really sweet and fun. Friendship goals.
3) There are different timelines in the book.
4) I always love when there is a writer in a story
5) The ending
The Cons:
1) There are sadder parts and dark aspects
2) The miscommunication was a bit frustrating at times.
The Quotes:
1) Pepsi, the chocolate Ragdoll, had joined the family five years ago, amid voluble objection from their father. Since then, their dad had made it clear that Pepsi has become dearer to him than either of his children.
2) ‘...but I must advise you, as someone with decades on you, this is what behaving courageously is like. It doesn’t feel good while you are doing it. It feels good later. Cowardice feels easier at the time, and worse later.’
The Summary:
I love a story by Mhairi. She is so eloquent with her words and her writing is on another level. One of my favourite things about Hopeless Romantics is not only the romance (of course) but the friendships. Tess and Carys had such a lovely chemistry as BFFs, as did Spencer and Ryan. I liked how the story was told in different timelines/points of their lives. I was definitely shocked at one incident in the book, but it really shaped the narrative. One thing I did find a bit frustrating at times, was the miscommunication, but the ending was great and I loved seeing how everything wrapped up.
Summed up in a sentence?:
Friends Tess and Carys, Spencer and Ryan, meet on a train to a wedding
I rated the book 4 stars!
Please note as this is an advanced copy, changes before publication may occur.
A big thank you to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for the free ARC. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Thank you Harper Collins for the ARC - it did not bias my review
What a FAB read - why ever did I consider only 4 stars because it's romance? It's a Mhairi McFarlane and even on the scale of Mhairi McFarlane it ought to be a 5 star read.
So, why did I love it so much? I waited an entire day with this review to make sure I wouldn't be writing it based on vibes only, but VIBES definitely is one of the reasons this book gets all the stars.
Two friends, Carys and Tess, board a sleeper train from London to Inverness to attend the lavish old-money wedding of their friend "Lucky", whom they know from uni. Carys takes no hostages, and has all the looks, Tess is more introverted, but they share a sense of humour and are throughout the book, best friends.
I love that. Yay for female friendships that are never on the line.
They meet two guys also heading to said wedding.
I shan't be spoiling too much plot, as another reason I loved this book is the plot, which took turns and explored alleys I had NOT expected, interspersed with some seriously decent thoughts & observations, but after a near traffic accident which kills the upcoming driver, Tess breaks with her (horrible) boyfriend of four years, and quits her job, deciding to live.
The many references to Pride & Prejudice made me keep an eye open for similarities, which was fun, but if you've never heard of Jane Austen and/or have never read P&P this book is still absolutely readable.
Anyway, we follow Tess (and with that, Carys) in the ten years that follow - another kudos because they absolutely stay Tess and Carys, but grow from twenty-somethings to 38 year olds in completely plausible ways. (I really appreciated the fact that Covid-years were casually in the book, not sure if that says anything about me, or another thumbs up to the author - probably just the latter).
It's a proof of McFarlane's writing that her midtwenties- protagonists are as believable and relatable as her nearing-fourty protagonists. Also, I did not know I enjoyed reading about those years creeping towards 40 as much as I did.
(Gosh, if only I could spoil some of the "WTF?!?" plot twists)
Out February 2027
I received an Advance Reader Copy, my review is unprompted, honest, and mine.
What a FAB read - why ever did I consider only 4 stars because it's romance? It's a Mhairi McFarlane and even on the scale of Mhairi McFarlane it ought to be a 5 star read.
So, why did I love it so much? I waited an entire day with this review to make sure I wouldn't be writing it based on vibes only, but VIBES definitely is one of the reasons this book gets all the stars.
Two friends, Carys and Tess, board a sleeper train from London to Inverness to attend the lavish old-money wedding of their friend "Lucky", whom they know from uni. Carys takes no hostages, and has all the looks, Tess is more introverted, but they share a sense of humour and are throughout the book, best friends.
I love that. Yay for female friendships that are never on the line.
They meet two guys also heading to said wedding.
I shan't be spoiling too much plot, as another reason I loved this book is the plot, which took turns and explored alleys I had NOT expected, interspersed with some seriously decent thoughts & observations, but after a near traffic accident which kills the upcoming driver, Tess breaks with her (horrible) boyfriend of four years, and quits her job, deciding to live.
The many references to Pride & Prejudice made me keep an eye open for similarities, which was fun, but if you've never heard of Jane Austen and/or have never read P&P this book is still absolutely readable.
Anyway, we follow Tess (and with that, Carys) in the ten years that follow - another kudos because they absolutely stay Tess and Carys, but grow from twenty-somethings to 38 year olds in completely plausible ways. (I really appreciated the fact that Covid-years were casually in the book, not sure if that says anything about me, or another thumbs up to the author - probably just the latter).
It's a proof of McFarlane's writing that her midtwenties- protagonists are as believable and relatable as her nearing-fourty protagonists. Also, I did not know I enjoyed reading about those years creeping towards 40 as much as I did.
(Gosh, if only I could spoil some of the "WTF?!?" plot twists)
Out February 2027
I received an Advance Reader Copy, my review is unprompted, honest, and mine.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Mhairi McFarlane delivers once again a laugh-out loud funny and yet introspective novel, which is an absolute must read!
Tess and her best friend, Carys, travel north on a sleeper train, where they meet Spencer and the more reserved Ryan. What begins as a chance encounter soon leads to unexpected connections, but a life-changing event in Scotland forces them to confront their lives and futures in ways they never imagined.
One of the things I admire most about McFarlane is her ability to create characters who feel incredibly real. She isn't afraid to write flawed people, and I think that's exactly why they're so easy to connect with. Her characters make mistakes, second-guess themselves but they're also deeply introspective and inherently kind. They feel fully formed, dynamic, and genuinely human.
She also has a remarkable way of writing friendships. The friendship between Tess and Carys, and Ryan and Spencer, feels authentic, messy at times, but unwavering in all the ways that matter.
Tess, in particular, completely won me over. Her feelings of being stuck in life, unfulfilled in both her career and relationship, yet unable to make the changes she knows she needs, felt incredibly relatable. Watching her perspective shift after the life-changing event was both emotional and inspiring. It serves as a reminder that we never really know what life has in store, and that meaningful change only begins when we're willing to take the first step ourselves. At the same time, the story never suggests that deciding to change magically fixes everything. We can't outrun our insecurities or the parts of ourselves we'd rather avoid; eventually, we have to face them.
McFarlane’s wit is another reason I keep coming back to her books. One moment you'll be laughing out loud at a perfectly timed joke, and the next she'll hit you with a line so insightful that you have to pause and sit with it.
She truly is an exceptional writer and an all-time favorite.
Thank you to HarperFiction for providing me with an earc in exchange for an honest review.
Hopeless Romantics is out on February 11th 2027, which still is a while, but this way you have something incredible to look forward to!
Tess and her best friend, Carys, travel north on a sleeper train, where they meet Spencer and the more reserved Ryan. What begins as a chance encounter soon leads to unexpected connections, but a life-changing event in Scotland forces them to confront their lives and futures in ways they never imagined.
One of the things I admire most about McFarlane is her ability to create characters who feel incredibly real. She isn't afraid to write flawed people, and I think that's exactly why they're so easy to connect with. Her characters make mistakes, second-guess themselves but they're also deeply introspective and inherently kind. They feel fully formed, dynamic, and genuinely human.
She also has a remarkable way of writing friendships. The friendship between Tess and Carys, and Ryan and Spencer, feels authentic, messy at times, but unwavering in all the ways that matter.
Tess, in particular, completely won me over. Her feelings of being stuck in life, unfulfilled in both her career and relationship, yet unable to make the changes she knows she needs, felt incredibly relatable. Watching her perspective shift after the life-changing event was both emotional and inspiring. It serves as a reminder that we never really know what life has in store, and that meaningful change only begins when we're willing to take the first step ourselves. At the same time, the story never suggests that deciding to change magically fixes everything. We can't outrun our insecurities or the parts of ourselves we'd rather avoid; eventually, we have to face them.
McFarlane’s wit is another reason I keep coming back to her books. One moment you'll be laughing out loud at a perfectly timed joke, and the next she'll hit you with a line so insightful that you have to pause and sit with it.
She truly is an exceptional writer and an all-time favorite.
Thank you to HarperFiction for providing me with an earc in exchange for an honest review.
Hopeless Romantics is out on February 11th 2027, which still is a while, but this way you have something incredible to look forward to!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
While travelling to a friend's wedding, Tess meets Spencer, and there is an immediate spark. A life-changing event pushes Tess to make some life changes. We follow Tess over the years following trying to make her career dreams come true, while finding herself back in Spencer's orbit throughout the years.
The banter in this book is wonderful; I love all the characters and how they change over the years. You really see the change between them being in their 20s and through to their 40s. I loved the whole first section set in Scotland, setting up the "event" and the fallout of it. The secondary characters were fun too and obviously contrasted the main characters' love story, having their own second-chance romance. I think because we were in Tess' POV, her constant thinking the worst of people (especially Spencer) could get frustrating. The miscommunication is all over this; that may annoy some readers. I did get a little frustrated in moments (the New Year's Eve party especially!), but it's a trope in the genre. I get it!
Tess's journey is mostly around her career and figuring out what she wants from that perspective. I like that she becomes more self-aware to understand the compromises she is unwilling to make as she ages through the book.
The romance takes a back seat for chunks of the book, it becoming more about Tess' self-discovery. The part Spencer talked about seeing her life in "jump cuts" and it hurting him, Mhairi can hurt my heart so well!
Spencer being so passive in his love life and falling into relationships, I really found that interesting in the male lead. Having an abusive relationship, you can see the outcome of that in his behaviour in future relationships, including friendships. He's so thoughtful and considerate, where he may come off rude, but really he's protecting himself. I really felt the final chapter in my heart where he explained his anxiety around not feeling good enough.
This is a wonderfully written book; its romantic parts are lovely, and I was shipping the two main characters throughout! Get it together, both of you :)
The banter in this book is wonderful; I love all the characters and how they change over the years. You really see the change between them being in their 20s and through to their 40s. I loved the whole first section set in Scotland, setting up the "event" and the fallout of it. The secondary characters were fun too and obviously contrasted the main characters' love story, having their own second-chance romance. I think because we were in Tess' POV, her constant thinking the worst of people (especially Spencer) could get frustrating. The miscommunication is all over this; that may annoy some readers. I did get a little frustrated in moments (the New Year's Eve party especially!), but it's a trope in the genre. I get it!
Tess's journey is mostly around her career and figuring out what she wants from that perspective. I like that she becomes more self-aware to understand the compromises she is unwilling to make as she ages through the book.
The romance takes a back seat for chunks of the book, it becoming more about Tess' self-discovery. The part Spencer talked about seeing her life in "jump cuts" and it hurting him, Mhairi can hurt my heart so well!
Spencer being so passive in his love life and falling into relationships, I really found that interesting in the male lead. Having an abusive relationship, you can see the outcome of that in his behaviour in future relationships, including friendships. He's so thoughtful and considerate, where he may come off rude, but really he's protecting himself. I really felt the final chapter in my heart where he explained his anxiety around not feeling good enough.
This is a wonderfully written book; its romantic parts are lovely, and I was shipping the two main characters throughout! Get it together, both of you :)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Tess Crosby and her best friend Carys meet a pair of strangers, Spencer and Ryan, on a sleeper train ride from London to Inverness for a friend's wedding. They show up with a bottle of champagne, one boisterous the other thoughtful, and settle in for the ride. It turns out that they're attending the same wedding and toasts are exchanged to the serendipity. When they arrive in Scotland, they learn that the wedding has been called off, but the groom, Lachy, is still there and still ready to show his mates a good time, until the absolutely unexpected happens, and everyone starts thinking about their lives a little differently.
I never know where a book by Mhairi McFarlane is going, but I can always count on it to deliver keen insights into love, friendship, and human nature. In some ways, it's hard to write a review of a book by Mhairi, because the entire experience is about the journey of the story, and the way she chooses to tell it. Her pacing is different from most other authors I read, and I approach her books knowing to expect the end to feel very different from the beginning. I also always know to hang on to any questions until the end, because she'll always stick the landing.
When I think about the miscommunication trope, especially in a contemporary romance, I think about the frustrations of a couple avoiding communication even though they are together. In the case of Tess and Ryan, the miscommunication is because everything feels too new, too deep, too full of potential to ruin, and then suddenly time and space is between them. It isn't precisely forgivable, but it's messy and realistic. It's easy to see how the one-who-got-away gets away. The way Mhairi approaches her storytelling allows her to deeply analyze how miscommunication impacts a character, and in turn her relationships.
Thank you to Avon for an eARC. Hopeless Romantics is out 2/16/2027.
I never know where a book by Mhairi McFarlane is going, but I can always count on it to deliver keen insights into love, friendship, and human nature. In some ways, it's hard to write a review of a book by Mhairi, because the entire experience is about the journey of the story, and the way she chooses to tell it. Her pacing is different from most other authors I read, and I approach her books knowing to expect the end to feel very different from the beginning. I also always know to hang on to any questions until the end, because she'll always stick the landing.
When I think about the miscommunication trope, especially in a contemporary romance, I think about the frustrations of a couple avoiding communication even though they are together. In the case of Tess and Ryan, the miscommunication is because everything feels too new, too deep, too full of potential to ruin, and then suddenly time and space is between them. It isn't precisely forgivable, but it's messy and realistic. It's easy to see how the one-who-got-away gets away. The way Mhairi approaches her storytelling allows her to deeply analyze how miscommunication impacts a character, and in turn her relationships.
Thank you to Avon for an eARC. Hopeless Romantics is out 2/16/2027.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review the ARC of this book.
4.25 stars
This book. I don’t know where to start with my feelings about it. I hadn’t read any of Mhairi’s books before, though she had been on my “authors to look for” list. I was excited to get approved for this ARC!
First of all, this book is not a rom-com; I’m not sure which boom the other reviewers, who described it this way, actually read. This book is a drama, with a few funny/witty lines; it’s not even a dramedy. I am not a fan, to put it mildly, of the miscommunication trope in books, or in life. This story went beyond miscommunication. It was more lack of communication and I honestly did not have warm feelings for Tess because of it. Ryan shared in that. but since the book was more from her point of view, I’m going to lay the blame at her feet. I felt the middle was too long. Too many years passed in the middle with nothing of our main storyline/romance happening. Although I don’t love dual-POV romances, in this case, I would have liked glimpses of Ryan’s side. In the end, I was left with a knot in my stomach (I guess that’s good when an author makes you feel something) that honestly didn’t completely feel like it resolved. I feel unsettled, thus 4.25 stars and not 5.
I would, however, love to read a story/book about the whole
entire saga, from Spencer and/or Carys’ perspective… Or Lachlan’s!
Mhairi’s writing style, her phrasing, her word choices, all feel like they could be from an older/previous era. You have to slow down to get what some sentences are saying (more commas could help at times). I found myself re-reading sentences, paragraphs, even whole pages, as I felt like I was missing something or misunderstanding. It had a literary vibe to it. At first, I was entranced with this style, but to be honest, it got tedious by the last quarter of the book.
4.25 stars
This book. I don’t know where to start with my feelings about it. I hadn’t read any of Mhairi’s books before, though she had been on my “authors to look for” list. I was excited to get approved for this ARC!
First of all, this book is not a rom-com; I’m not sure which boom the other reviewers, who described it this way, actually read. This book is a drama, with a few funny/witty lines; it’s not even a dramedy. I am not a fan, to put it mildly, of the miscommunication trope in books, or in life. This story went beyond miscommunication. It was more lack of communication and I honestly did not have warm feelings for Tess because of it. Ryan shared in that. but since the book was more from her point of view, I’m going to lay the blame at her feet. I felt the middle was too long. Too many years passed in the middle with nothing of our main storyline/romance happening. Although I don’t love dual-POV romances, in this case, I would have liked glimpses of Ryan’s side. In the end, I was left with a knot in my stomach (I guess that’s good when an author makes you feel something) that honestly didn’t completely feel like it resolved. I feel unsettled, thus 4.25 stars and not 5.
I would, however, love to read a story/book about the whole
entire saga, from Spencer and/or Carys’ perspective… Or Lachlan’s!
Mhairi’s writing style, her phrasing, her word choices, all feel like they could be from an older/previous era. You have to slow down to get what some sentences are saying (more commas could help at times). I found myself re-reading sentences, paragraphs, even whole pages, as I felt like I was missing something or misunderstanding. It had a literary vibe to it. At first, I was entranced with this style, but to be honest, it got tedious by the last quarter of the book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4/5 ⭐
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for this ARC in exchange for an honest and independent review.
Queen Mhairi delivers once again, this time with what may be one of her sweetest and most unabashedly romantic books yet.
I’m going to remain deliberately vague since Hopeless Romantics is still many months away from publication, but it has everything I come to Mhairi for: wit, emotional perceptiveness, complicated people making very human choices, and secondary characters who feel like they have entire lives beyond the page.
This was excruciatingly angsty in the best way, though it occasionally tested my patience. Still, I remained fully invested and desperate for everything to work out.
The Pride and Prejudice references were an absolute delight. As someone who already treats the 1995 miniseries as a regularly scheduled appointment, I did not need Mhairi giving me another excuse to rewatch it, but she has nevertheless succeeded.
This felt a little lighter on the deep exploration of the heroine’s upbringing or past that I often associate with Mhairi’s books. I would happily have spent even more time inside her head and learning about the experiences that shaped her beyond the central relationship, because that introspection is usually one of my favorite parts of Mhairi’s writing. Still, there was plenty of insight and growth here.
And my goodness, was it romantic. Warm, tender, and genuinely sweet, this felt like Mhairi leaning further toward capital-R Romance—and I was very happy to follow her there. There is one line in particular that may be among the loveliest and most romantic things she has ever written.
Not quite an all-time Mhairi favorite for me (Who's That Girl? will always be the greatest in my eyes), but still clever, heartfelt, thoroughly enjoyable, and incredibly easy to love.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for this ARC in exchange for an honest and independent review.
Queen Mhairi delivers once again, this time with what may be one of her sweetest and most unabashedly romantic books yet.
I’m going to remain deliberately vague since Hopeless Romantics is still many months away from publication, but it has everything I come to Mhairi for: wit, emotional perceptiveness, complicated people making very human choices, and secondary characters who feel like they have entire lives beyond the page.
This was excruciatingly angsty in the best way, though it occasionally tested my patience. Still, I remained fully invested and desperate for everything to work out.
The Pride and Prejudice references were an absolute delight. As someone who already treats the 1995 miniseries as a regularly scheduled appointment, I did not need Mhairi giving me another excuse to rewatch it, but she has nevertheless succeeded.
This felt a little lighter on the deep exploration of the heroine’s upbringing or past that I often associate with Mhairi’s books. I would happily have spent even more time inside her head and learning about the experiences that shaped her beyond the central relationship, because that introspection is usually one of my favorite parts of Mhairi’s writing. Still, there was plenty of insight and growth here.
And my goodness, was it romantic. Warm, tender, and genuinely sweet, this felt like Mhairi leaning further toward capital-R Romance—and I was very happy to follow her there. There is one line in particular that may be among the loveliest and most romantic things she has ever written.
Not quite an all-time Mhairi favorite for me (Who's That Girl? will always be the greatest in my eyes), but still clever, heartfelt, thoroughly enjoyable, and incredibly easy to love.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.75 stars
I have to start by saying that Mhairi McFarlane is one of my favourite authors of all-time, with basically every book that I've read from her receiving 5 stars, or close to it.
And while this had all the same witty writing, realistic characters and great humour, it didn't quite work for me.
Let's start with what I did like.
I particularly enjoyed the trip up and back to Scotland, and while I didn't expect what happened on the Scottish road or what Lachy was up to, it was an seismic event from which Tess could revaluate her life. Plus, the banter between the four of them was great.
It was also interesting seeing Tess finally become a writer, as well as the success that she had from turning the trip into a show.
But the main issue for me was that miscommunication is one of my least favourite romance tropes, and that's essentially what this entire book is.
One piece of miscommunication I could probably have dealt with, but it was frustrating seeing Tess and Ryan continue to not communicate how they felt or even to question one another.
Like, I get that you're annoyed that he lied about still being married, but at least listen to the voicemail to get some closure.
And I'm not sure that I liked the last chapter after they'd moved in together either.
I get what it was there to do, but them still having doubts about one another and their relationship, I guess in contrast to how Carys and Spencer were all in, ended it on a bit of a sour note for me, even after their declarations.
It's still definitely worth a read, but it wasn't one of my favourites from Mhairi.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I have to start by saying that Mhairi McFarlane is one of my favourite authors of all-time, with basically every book that I've read from her receiving 5 stars, or close to it.
And while this had all the same witty writing, realistic characters and great humour, it didn't quite work for me.
Let's start with what I did like.
I particularly enjoyed the trip up and back to Scotland, and while I didn't expect what happened on the Scottish road or what Lachy was up to, it was an seismic event from which Tess could revaluate her life. Plus, the banter between the four of them was great.
It was also interesting seeing Tess finally become a writer, as well as the success that she had from turning the trip into a show.
But the main issue for me was that miscommunication is one of my least favourite romance tropes, and that's essentially what this entire book is.
One piece of miscommunication I could probably have dealt with, but it was frustrating seeing Tess and Ryan continue to not communicate how they felt or even to question one another.
Like, I get that you're annoyed that he lied about still being married, but at least listen to the voicemail to get some closure.
And I'm not sure that I liked the last chapter after they'd moved in together either.
I get what it was there to do, but them still having doubts about one another and their relationship, I guess in contrast to how Carys and Spencer were all in, ended it on a bit of a sour note for me, even after their declarations.
It's still definitely worth a read, but it wasn't one of my favourites from Mhairi.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy!!
This book follows our main character, Tess, who goes on a train with her best friend, Carys, and they meet another pair of best friends, Spencer and Ryan. They discover that they're heading to the same wedding and we follow these four on their weekend where they form relationships and go through a tragic incident together. This book follows our main character over the course of a decade, with the first weekend taking up around half of the book. I didn't realize this would be the format and I think it only worked for me because I love McFarlane's writing and storytelling so much. I loved how the first weekend meeting took up around half of the book because that was my favorite section. I absolutely love McFarlane's writing and I love how her books are focused on friendships as equally as the romance. In terms of the conflict, I think Just Last Night is my favorite by her, then Hopeless Romantics, and then Cover Story. This one reminded me a bit of Into The Blue but I enjoyed this one better because I became invested in all of the characters. I will still pick up every book she writes. 4 stars!
This book follows our main character, Tess, who goes on a train with her best friend, Carys, and they meet another pair of best friends, Spencer and Ryan. They discover that they're heading to the same wedding and we follow these four on their weekend where they form relationships and go through a tragic incident together. This book follows our main character over the course of a decade, with the first weekend taking up around half of the book. I didn't realize this would be the format and I think it only worked for me because I love McFarlane's writing and storytelling so much. I loved how the first weekend meeting took up around half of the book because that was my favorite section. I absolutely love McFarlane's writing and I love how her books are focused on friendships as equally as the romance. In terms of the conflict, I think Just Last Night is my favorite by her, then Hopeless Romantics, and then Cover Story. This one reminded me a bit of Into The Blue but I enjoyed this one better because I became invested in all of the characters. I will still pick up every book she writes. 4 stars!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I’m honestly surprised by just how much I adored Hopeless Romantics by Mhairi McFarlane. I went into this one expecting to enjoy it, but I ended up completely invested.
If you’re a sucker (like me) for a forced-proximity trope, add a destination wedding in Scotland, a little London, complicated friendships, and that lingering question of “what if?” about the past; and I’m sold.
Tess and her best friend head to Scotland for a friend’s destination wedding and meet Ryan and his best friend on the same train. What follows is a wild, unforgettable wedding weekend filled with unexpected connections, chemistry, and the kind of moments that make you wonder if some people are meant to cross your path.
But then comes the real question: what happens after the wedding? Was it simply one of those magical weekends that feels bigger because you’re caught up in the drama of the weekend, or do Tess and Ryan actually stay in each other’s lives?
That’s one of the things I loved about Hopeless Romantics. It felt different from a lot of the romances I’ve read. There was romance, of course, but also so much about timing, choices, friendship, growing older, and wondering how our lives might have turned out if we had made different decisions along the way. And I was ALL IN.
Mhairi McFarlane is officially a must-read author for me now, and I definitely recommend giving this one a try when it releases around Valentine’s Day 2027.
My biggest advice? Go in knowing as little as possible. Don’t overthink the premise or look up too much about the story. Just get on the train with Tess and Ryan and enjoy the ride.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for an Advance Readers Copy of Hopeless Romanics!
If you’re a sucker (like me) for a forced-proximity trope, add a destination wedding in Scotland, a little London, complicated friendships, and that lingering question of “what if?” about the past; and I’m sold.
Tess and her best friend head to Scotland for a friend’s destination wedding and meet Ryan and his best friend on the same train. What follows is a wild, unforgettable wedding weekend filled with unexpected connections, chemistry, and the kind of moments that make you wonder if some people are meant to cross your path.
But then comes the real question: what happens after the wedding? Was it simply one of those magical weekends that feels bigger because you’re caught up in the drama of the weekend, or do Tess and Ryan actually stay in each other’s lives?
That’s one of the things I loved about Hopeless Romantics. It felt different from a lot of the romances I’ve read. There was romance, of course, but also so much about timing, choices, friendship, growing older, and wondering how our lives might have turned out if we had made different decisions along the way. And I was ALL IN.
Mhairi McFarlane is officially a must-read author for me now, and I definitely recommend giving this one a try when it releases around Valentine’s Day 2027.
My biggest advice? Go in knowing as little as possible. Don’t overthink the premise or look up too much about the story. Just get on the train with Tess and Ryan and enjoy the ride.
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon and Harper Voyager for an Advance Readers Copy of Hopeless Romanics!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Hopeless Romantics by Mhairi McFarlane
Another brilliant book from Mhairi McFarlane! Hopeless Romantics is such a fun, funny, and unexpectedly emotional read, and I absolutely loved it.
Tess and Ryan’s story begins with a chance meeting on a sleeper train to Scotland, but what follows is so much more complicated than a simple meet-cute. Alongside their relationship, I loved the friendships between Tess, Carys, Ryan, and Spencer. McFarlane has such a talent for creating characters who feel completely believable—messy, flawed, funny, and making choices that you can actually imagine yourself making.
Usually, a story that relies so heavily on miscommunication would test my patience, but somehow McFarlane makes it work. The misunderstandings feel rooted in the characters and their circumstances rather than simply being there to manufacture drama. I found myself simultaneously wanting to shake them, laugh with them, and desperately hoping they would finally figure things out.
I also loved that this story is about more than romance. It explores friendship, timing, missed opportunities, second chances, and all those little decisions that can send our lives in completely unexpected directions. There were plenty of moments that made me laugh, but also some surprisingly emotional ones.
And that ending! I loved the payoff. It was exactly the kind of ending I was hoping for, and getting there made the journey completely worth it.
Warm, witty, romantic, and full of heart, Hopeless Romantics is another winner from Mhairi McFarlane. I couldn't put it down and would happily spend even more time with these characters.
5 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Another brilliant book from Mhairi McFarlane! Hopeless Romantics is such a fun, funny, and unexpectedly emotional read, and I absolutely loved it.
Tess and Ryan’s story begins with a chance meeting on a sleeper train to Scotland, but what follows is so much more complicated than a simple meet-cute. Alongside their relationship, I loved the friendships between Tess, Carys, Ryan, and Spencer. McFarlane has such a talent for creating characters who feel completely believable—messy, flawed, funny, and making choices that you can actually imagine yourself making.
Usually, a story that relies so heavily on miscommunication would test my patience, but somehow McFarlane makes it work. The misunderstandings feel rooted in the characters and their circumstances rather than simply being there to manufacture drama. I found myself simultaneously wanting to shake them, laugh with them, and desperately hoping they would finally figure things out.
I also loved that this story is about more than romance. It explores friendship, timing, missed opportunities, second chances, and all those little decisions that can send our lives in completely unexpected directions. There were plenty of moments that made me laugh, but also some surprisingly emotional ones.
And that ending! I loved the payoff. It was exactly the kind of ending I was hoping for, and getting there made the journey completely worth it.
Warm, witty, romantic, and full of heart, Hopeless Romantics is another winner from Mhairi McFarlane. I couldn't put it down and would happily spend even more time with these characters.
5 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Mhairi McFarlane is one of my favourite authors so I was extremely excited that my first ever ARC to review from NetGalley was Hopeless Romantics. I feel very lucky to be able to read this months ahead of everyone else!
Tess and her best friend Carys board a sleeper train to the wedding of an old university friend, and find themselves sharing the carriage with the exuberant Spencer and his more introverted friend Ryan. Carys wastes no time in getting to know the boys very well, but Tess, who is in a relationship is more cautious and reserved despite an undeniable spark between her and Ryan.
I instantly warmed to all of the characters and found their dynamic natural, realistic and humorous. We can instantly see that Tess and Ryan are made for each other and this is where the rollercoaster ride begins.
There is one hugely significant event near the start of the novel which genuinely made my stomach drop, it was so well written and this marks the turning point for Tess as she make a series of life changing decisions. However, things don't go smoothly and as a reader I found myself willing Tess and Ryan to make different decisions. The whole story felt like something that could really happen and I think will encourage readers to perhaps act more on feelings rather than constantly second guessing both themselves and others using Tess as an example!
I was not disappointed in this book - I feel like the characters are people I now know who live in London and I've lost touch with. I liked the final chapter of the book which gave us an idea of what the future will be for all the characters - whether it's a happy ending or not is what you will need to read the book to find out! HIghly recommended.
***Thank you so much to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the advance copy of this book!***
Tess and her best friend Carys board a sleeper train to the wedding of an old university friend, and find themselves sharing the carriage with the exuberant Spencer and his more introverted friend Ryan. Carys wastes no time in getting to know the boys very well, but Tess, who is in a relationship is more cautious and reserved despite an undeniable spark between her and Ryan.
I instantly warmed to all of the characters and found their dynamic natural, realistic and humorous. We can instantly see that Tess and Ryan are made for each other and this is where the rollercoaster ride begins.
There is one hugely significant event near the start of the novel which genuinely made my stomach drop, it was so well written and this marks the turning point for Tess as she make a series of life changing decisions. However, things don't go smoothly and as a reader I found myself willing Tess and Ryan to make different decisions. The whole story felt like something that could really happen and I think will encourage readers to perhaps act more on feelings rather than constantly second guessing both themselves and others using Tess as an example!
I was not disappointed in this book - I feel like the characters are people I now know who live in London and I've lost touch with. I liked the final chapter of the book which gave us an idea of what the future will be for all the characters - whether it's a happy ending or not is what you will need to read the book to find out! HIghly recommended.
***Thank you so much to NetGalley and Harper Collins for the advance copy of this book!***
September 3, 2026
mhairi mcfarlane writes some of the most unique romance books - they don’t quite fit into any one genre. hopeless romantics felt like a general fiction book with an agonizing, slow burn romance flowing throughout.
some people may be frustrated by the love story because the primary issue is miscommunication. it’s 10 years of buried feelings, missed moments, and assumptions. on one hand, it’s tragic that it took so long for these characters to talk honestly. but on the other, it’s a testament to how beautifully flawed the characters are written. in the end, their love confessions was the best scene in the book as they dissected every lost feeling and misunderstood interaction. (and i’d never really listened to lover, you should’ve come over by jeff buckley but that is the perfect song for the mcs and has been on repeat this week).
possibly mhairi’s greatest strength is her writing. she has such a way of describing a character’s observation of their inner world. here are some of my highlights…
“an inner critic said: you just want to feel better that you could never have him and it carried on with the incendiary. that’s why you’re wasting time with someone you don’t respect: fear of failure with someone you do. she silenced that voice so fast, it was like she’d never heard it.”
“it occurred to her that ryan had hurt her once, but tess was voluntarily hurting herself again and again by making their entwinement both her muse and her torment.” 😩
p.s. it took me way to long to understand the title, but it’s actual perfection. they are literal hopeless romantics…10 years of being in love with someone they thought never loved them back.
thank you so much to netgalley and avon publishers for this e-arc! all opinions are my own.
some people may be frustrated by the love story because the primary issue is miscommunication. it’s 10 years of buried feelings, missed moments, and assumptions. on one hand, it’s tragic that it took so long for these characters to talk honestly. but on the other, it’s a testament to how beautifully flawed the characters are written. in the end, their love confessions was the best scene in the book as they dissected every lost feeling and misunderstood interaction. (and i’d never really listened to lover, you should’ve come over by jeff buckley but that is the perfect song for the mcs and has been on repeat this week).
possibly mhairi’s greatest strength is her writing. she has such a way of describing a character’s observation of their inner world. here are some of my highlights…
“an inner critic said: you just want to feel better that you could never have him and it carried on with the incendiary. that’s why you’re wasting time with someone you don’t respect: fear of failure with someone you do. she silenced that voice so fast, it was like she’d never heard it.”
“it occurred to her that ryan had hurt her once, but tess was voluntarily hurting herself again and again by making their entwinement both her muse and her torment.” 😩
p.s. it took me way to long to understand the title, but it’s actual perfection. they are literal hopeless romantics…10 years of being in love with someone they thought never loved them back.
thank you so much to netgalley and avon publishers for this e-arc! all opinions are my own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
You can count on a Mhairi McFarlane book in several ways. It's going to be funny. It's going to be very relatable. It's going to be layered. It's going to be quite British. And it's usually going to be very, very good. Hopeless Romantics checks all those boxes.
I always enjoy how relatable McFarlane's books are. Even if you haven't been in the situation her characters have, you can imagine that it all could happen to you (or, at least, you'd like it to). McFarlane has a sense of humor that I adore (except some of the British humor I don't really catch), and her jokes and dialogue make me laugh and laugh and it's like someone playing a beautiful instrument of humor where I can almost always hear--and recognize--all the notes. As a reader, I am constantly on her side.
And then, of course, the writing is really good. So that's a recipe for reading many, many pages in each sitting.
Hopeless may play on the miscommunication trope a little too hard (it's essentially the core of the plot here), but gosh, it's fun and tense and hopeful, so I didn't mind as much (remember that beautiful instrument?). She also tends to repeat the same flaws of some of the men in her novels, but again, the quality is so rich, I'm just having a good time.
There aren't many romance authors I'd recommend above McFarlane, and Hopeless Romantics is a good example of that. McFarlane continues to be near the very top of authors who I am always excited to read.
Recommended for all romance readers, all fiction readers really, and those who love understated humor.
Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager for providing an uncorrected DRC via NetGalley.
I always enjoy how relatable McFarlane's books are. Even if you haven't been in the situation her characters have, you can imagine that it all could happen to you (or, at least, you'd like it to). McFarlane has a sense of humor that I adore (except some of the British humor I don't really catch), and her jokes and dialogue make me laugh and laugh and it's like someone playing a beautiful instrument of humor where I can almost always hear--and recognize--all the notes. As a reader, I am constantly on her side.
And then, of course, the writing is really good. So that's a recipe for reading many, many pages in each sitting.
Hopeless may play on the miscommunication trope a little too hard (it's essentially the core of the plot here), but gosh, it's fun and tense and hopeful, so I didn't mind as much (remember that beautiful instrument?). She also tends to repeat the same flaws of some of the men in her novels, but again, the quality is so rich, I'm just having a good time.
There aren't many romance authors I'd recommend above McFarlane, and Hopeless Romantics is a good example of that. McFarlane continues to be near the very top of authors who I am always excited to read.
Recommended for all romance readers, all fiction readers really, and those who love understated humor.
Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager for providing an uncorrected DRC via NetGalley.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Mhairi McFarlane hardly ever disappoints and this one was a treat to read!!
The story turns the title on its head! I thought that was very clever, as it defies your expectations!! It shows you how one could possibly self sabotage their way to being truly happy ;) I wouldn't want to say anything more for fear of spoilers :)
With the usual McFarlane flair, the mastery of human psyche is on full display. It was lovely to absorb it and lose yourself in the characters' worlds. Both Tess and Ryan are rich and nuanced characters and it makes you want to root for them. The "meet cute" was easily one of the best scenes that I've read in a long time. This one will stay with you and will be hard to forget! I loved every scene of how they met and get together the first time around.
Usually, I am skeptical about a romance that spans over the years (in my experience it's a hit or miss), but this one moves at a fast pace and keeps you hooked. The slow burn chemistry is crackling and palpable throughout! I loved all the side characters and their stories are fleshed out quite well.
My only quibble was that Ryan's reasons for not getting back in touch wasn't quite strong (compared to Tess's, who was understandably under the wrong impression after getting off the train). But as they say, when one makes assumptions......
I devoured this one and if you are a McFarlane fan, you will too :) I am so excited to check out her next!!!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
#HopelessRomantics #NetGalley
The story turns the title on its head! I thought that was very clever, as it defies your expectations!! It shows you how one could possibly self sabotage their way to being truly happy ;) I wouldn't want to say anything more for fear of spoilers :)
With the usual McFarlane flair, the mastery of human psyche is on full display. It was lovely to absorb it and lose yourself in the characters' worlds. Both Tess and Ryan are rich and nuanced characters and it makes you want to root for them. The "meet cute" was easily one of the best scenes that I've read in a long time. This one will stay with you and will be hard to forget! I loved every scene of how they met and get together the first time around.
Usually, I am skeptical about a romance that spans over the years (in my experience it's a hit or miss), but this one moves at a fast pace and keeps you hooked. The slow burn chemistry is crackling and palpable throughout! I loved all the side characters and their stories are fleshed out quite well.
My only quibble was that Ryan's reasons for not getting back in touch wasn't quite strong (compared to Tess's, who was understandably under the wrong impression after getting off the train). But as they say, when one makes assumptions......
I devoured this one and if you are a McFarlane fan, you will too :) I am so excited to check out her next!!!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
#HopelessRomantics #NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The best romance I’ve read this year! Stayed up until 4am because I couldn’t stop reading. Mhairi’s writing captures all the emotions and puts them into these beautiful and funny moments that surprise and resonate with you. It is not a basic HEA romance but a rich, complex and heartfelt exploration of discovering who you are and what a true partner looks like. This is a spice free with tension and heart making it a delightful great read!
Tess and Carys are heading to a wedding in Inverness and wind up spending the train ride from London with two lads, Ryan and Spencer, that happen to be attending the same wedding. This weekend trip will become a seminal experience for all of them in a host of different ways with the ripple effects felt for the next decade.
Despite it being a romance there is a lot of heartbreak before your HEA. Tess and Ryan’s fumbles explore the fear and courage it takes to be vulnerable at the start of new love. And Carys and Spencer make a wonderful foil against these two sensitive romantics. The mistakes and lost opportunities due to their insecurities is so relatable. I saw bits and pieces of myself in the struggles all of them have in navigating relationships, jobs, and simply life.
The tension, revelations and emotional turmoil will keep you engaged from page one. I have read multiple Mhairi McFarlane books and this is her best yet.
Thank you to #NetGalley for this eARC. All opinions are my own.
Tess and Carys are heading to a wedding in Inverness and wind up spending the train ride from London with two lads, Ryan and Spencer, that happen to be attending the same wedding. This weekend trip will become a seminal experience for all of them in a host of different ways with the ripple effects felt for the next decade.
Despite it being a romance there is a lot of heartbreak before your HEA. Tess and Ryan’s fumbles explore the fear and courage it takes to be vulnerable at the start of new love. And Carys and Spencer make a wonderful foil against these two sensitive romantics. The mistakes and lost opportunities due to their insecurities is so relatable. I saw bits and pieces of myself in the struggles all of them have in navigating relationships, jobs, and simply life.
The tension, revelations and emotional turmoil will keep you engaged from page one. I have read multiple Mhairi McFarlane books and this is her best yet.
Thank you to #NetGalley for this eARC. All opinions are my own.
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