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Hopeless Romantics
Not yet published
Expected 16 Feb 27One decade, four friends—and infinite missed chances at love… A heartfelt, tender, and gorgeously written romance from international bestseller Mhairi McFarlane.
When Tess and her best friend Carys get the Caledonian Sleeper train to a friend’s wedding in Scotland, over a bottle of warm champagne and four plastic glasses they hit it off with confident alpha Spencer, and Ryan, his funny, wry sidekick.
Tess and Ryan unlock a shared wavelength, shared sense of humor and shared worldview that carries them into a weekend with a shocking twist, meaning that everyone and everything is changed forever.
They fall in a kind of insta-love–this isn’t their moment. It can’t be.
And yet every time, over the decade that follows, that their paths cross again, the stars never quite align. From big birthdays to more weddings, life’s significant events entwine their lives. But will that moment for Tess and Ryan ever arrive?
Funny, poignant, and romantic, this is a love story of friendship, missed chances, and soulmates.
Tropes
• Right person, wrong time
• Multiple Timelines
• Second Chance
• Slow Burn
• Friends to Lovers
When Tess and her best friend Carys get the Caledonian Sleeper train to a friend’s wedding in Scotland, over a bottle of warm champagne and four plastic glasses they hit it off with confident alpha Spencer, and Ryan, his funny, wry sidekick.
Tess and Ryan unlock a shared wavelength, shared sense of humor and shared worldview that carries them into a weekend with a shocking twist, meaning that everyone and everything is changed forever.
They fall in a kind of insta-love–this isn’t their moment. It can’t be.
And yet every time, over the decade that follows, that their paths cross again, the stars never quite align. From big birthdays to more weddings, life’s significant events entwine their lives. But will that moment for Tess and Ryan ever arrive?
Funny, poignant, and romantic, this is a love story of friendship, missed chances, and soulmates.
Tropes
• Right person, wrong time
• Multiple Timelines
• Second Chance
• Slow Burn
• Friends to Lovers
Kindle Edition
Expected publication February 16, 2027
About the author
Mhairi McFarlane
45 books11.8k 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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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*
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!!!!
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 29, 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.
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
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
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.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
It’s midnight, I’ve just finished and only just stopped sobbing. Full review to come!
___
An absolute masterclass in the rom-com genre! Hopeless Romantics kept me up until midnight laughing, crying, and completely losing sleep—the swollen eyes this morning were entirely worth it. The story follows best friends Tess and Carys on a trip to Scotland for a wedding, where a chance encounter with Spencer and Ryan changes everything. Mhairi McFarlane has an incredible gift for sharp wit and observational humour that had me laughing out loud on almost every page. But what truly stole my heart was how deeply authentic the characters felt. Having lived through my own "Carys era" before transitioning into my "Tess era," I felt so seen by their choices, mistakes, and growth. It is rare for a book to feel this hilariously funny while remaining so grounded and real. If you love Emily Henry or Sophie McCartney, or if you can't resist a "second chance" or "the one that got away" trope, make sure to add this to your TBR before its release in February 2027!
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for providing me with an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
___
An absolute masterclass in the rom-com genre! Hopeless Romantics kept me up until midnight laughing, crying, and completely losing sleep—the swollen eyes this morning were entirely worth it. The story follows best friends Tess and Carys on a trip to Scotland for a wedding, where a chance encounter with Spencer and Ryan changes everything. Mhairi McFarlane has an incredible gift for sharp wit and observational humour that had me laughing out loud on almost every page. But what truly stole my heart was how deeply authentic the characters felt. Having lived through my own "Carys era" before transitioning into my "Tess era," I felt so seen by their choices, mistakes, and growth. It is rare for a book to feel this hilariously funny while remaining so grounded and real. If you love Emily Henry or Sophie McCartney, or if you can't resist a "second chance" or "the one that got away" trope, make sure to add this to your TBR before its release in February 2027!
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for providing me with an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
July 18, 2026
3.5 stars ⭐️
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
This was a fun story, with a lot of romance novels you can see what’s going to happen a mile off and this had some unexpected twists and turns which was refreshing.
This book was obviously just one gigantic miscommunication, which can be fine but it ended up leaning mostly toward actually frustrating rather than exciting.
The big reveal seemed to stutter a little at the end for me; there were more layers of miscommunication even after they’d moved in together which made it feel less impactful for me. I can see how it adds to the “reality” of the characters and their story - in real life after a ten year build up there would most probably be awkward moments as you adjust but I’m not sure that’s necessarily what I want from essentially the epilogue after the big happily ever after.
I found myself sometimes really liking the characters and then other times struggling with them a bit, a lot of the conversation seems made up of witty one liners and it gets a bit tiresome after a while.
I did enjoy the writing overall and the story was interesting and fun to read, I’d love to read more by this author!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
This was a fun story, with a lot of romance novels you can see what’s going to happen a mile off and this had some unexpected twists and turns which was refreshing.
This book was obviously just one gigantic miscommunication, which can be fine but it ended up leaning mostly toward actually frustrating rather than exciting.
The big reveal seemed to stutter a little at the end for me; there were more layers of miscommunication even after they’d moved in together which made it feel less impactful for me. I can see how it adds to the “reality” of the characters and their story - in real life after a ten year build up there would most probably be awkward moments as you adjust but I’m not sure that’s necessarily what I want from essentially the epilogue after the big happily ever after.
I found myself sometimes really liking the characters and then other times struggling with them a bit, a lot of the conversation seems made up of witty one liners and it gets a bit tiresome after a while.
I did enjoy the writing overall and the story was interesting and fun to read, I’d love to read more by this author!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Tess and her best friend Carys are on the sleeper train from Euston to Inverness to attend the wedding of a college friend. On the train they befriend two guys, Spencer and Ryan. Spencer and Carys are two peas in a pod and hit it off immediately whereas Tess and Ryan are more reserved. Little do they realise that this weekend will change all of their lives in different ways, Tess in particular will make radical changes.
I don't want to say any more because the entire book is about the repercussions of what did and didn't happen that weekend, for better or worse.
I spent the entire book thinking it was written by a completely different author who is American and I kept thinking how odd this feels like it was written by a Brit! In addition, I am annoyed with myself because I have nine unread ARCs which have already been published and I chose an ARC of a book that won't be published for another seven months!
Anyway. I really enjoyed this, all of the characters were likeable and three dimensional, the plot was good, although I think I could see where it was going from the start, and kept me engrossed.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.
I don't want to say any more because the entire book is about the repercussions of what did and didn't happen that weekend, for better or worse.
I spent the entire book thinking it was written by a completely different author who is American and I kept thinking how odd this feels like it was written by a Brit! In addition, I am annoyed with myself because I have nine unread ARCs which have already been published and I chose an ARC of a book that won't be published for another seven months!
Anyway. I really enjoyed this, all of the characters were likeable and three dimensional, the plot was good, although I think I could see where it was going from the start, and kept me engrossed.
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.
August 5, 2026
Thank you so much to NetGalley, Avon and Harper Voyager, and Mhairi McFarlane for an ARC of this book!
I have been slowly working my way through Miss Mhairi’s backlist since falling in love with Just Last Night last year and not a single one has disappointed! I think it’s so key in reading her books to understand that her books are more than just romance (not that romance on its own lacks literary value, it’s literally one of my favorite genres) and the underlying plots are SO. GOOD! I would never spoil, but I will say the Lachlan plotline had my jaw on the FLOOR!
I read this book on the beach and literally was laughing out loud at certain points AND had to share how intriguing the plot was with my family. This story follows Tess over the course of 10 years depicting her romantic, familial, friendship, and career journeys. I think (don’t quote me on this because I’m not all the way through her backlist) that this is the first time Mhairi has written a saga-type book that follows characters over the course of many years, and let me just say it WORKED!
I absolutely adored this book and cannot wait to see what she does next!
I have been slowly working my way through Miss Mhairi’s backlist since falling in love with Just Last Night last year and not a single one has disappointed! I think it’s so key in reading her books to understand that her books are more than just romance (not that romance on its own lacks literary value, it’s literally one of my favorite genres) and the underlying plots are SO. GOOD! I would never spoil, but I will say the Lachlan plotline had my jaw on the FLOOR!
I read this book on the beach and literally was laughing out loud at certain points AND had to share how intriguing the plot was with my family. This story follows Tess over the course of 10 years depicting her romantic, familial, friendship, and career journeys. I think (don’t quote me on this because I’m not all the way through her backlist) that this is the first time Mhairi has written a saga-type book that follows characters over the course of many years, and let me just say it WORKED!
I absolutely adored this book and cannot wait to see what she does next!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Review of advanced copy from Netgalley.
Wow. This was my first Mhairi McFarlane novel and I loved it, prepare for it to be my personality for the next few months as I catch up.
Tess, our eponymous Hopeless Romantic, goes on a weekend away to Scotland, and it changes the trajectory of her life. But not in the way we or she expects. Pre-weekend her boyfriend, job and life were unsatisfactory, post-weekend she is a changed woman, but as we check in on her life years on, something is still amiss.
Hopeless Romantics is a beautiful love story, with a few mad twists; but it paints the awkwardness of baring one's soul (especially if you're afflicted with Britishness) so honestly that it was simultaneously charming and frustrating to read. These are scream at the TV moments and they were brilliantly captured without drawing the story out too long.
Recommend to anyone who wants to read a different take on a romance novel, it was reminiscent of a grown up One Day in the best ways.
Thanks again to Harper Collins UK and Netgalley for this ARC.
Wow. This was my first Mhairi McFarlane novel and I loved it, prepare for it to be my personality for the next few months as I catch up.
Tess, our eponymous Hopeless Romantic, goes on a weekend away to Scotland, and it changes the trajectory of her life. But not in the way we or she expects. Pre-weekend her boyfriend, job and life were unsatisfactory, post-weekend she is a changed woman, but as we check in on her life years on, something is still amiss.
Hopeless Romantics is a beautiful love story, with a few mad twists; but it paints the awkwardness of baring one's soul (especially if you're afflicted with Britishness) so honestly that it was simultaneously charming and frustrating to read. These are scream at the TV moments and they were brilliantly captured without drawing the story out too long.
Recommend to anyone who wants to read a different take on a romance novel, it was reminiscent of a grown up One Day in the best ways.
Thanks again to Harper Collins UK and Netgalley for this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to netgalley for granting me an e-arc of this book to read and review.
I have heard of this author several times before, but this is my first time picking up one of her books. Honestly, It was different than I expected, The genres said it was new adult, but the main character was 29 to 39 throughout out the book, and the language and slang was all very British. The imperfections and flaws of the characters were well done, I think, with how the main character's flaws would show up again and again, without her realizing it, even when she was trying to work on it, and the way her and the mmc felt that they understood and saw each other better than anyone else they'd met, and yet even between them, there was so much miscommunication and uncertainty and enigmatism.
Overall, I am curious about a couple of this author's other work, and I liked this one, I cared about the characters and wanted to keep reading for them, and even when the story was a little slow and slice of life sometimes, I wanted to see what would happen next, needed to see a happy resolution.
I have heard of this author several times before, but this is my first time picking up one of her books. Honestly, It was different than I expected, The genres said it was new adult, but the main character was 29 to 39 throughout out the book, and the language and slang was all very British. The imperfections and flaws of the characters were well done, I think, with how the main character's flaws would show up again and again, without her realizing it, even when she was trying to work on it, and the way her and the mmc felt that they understood and saw each other better than anyone else they'd met, and yet even between them, there was so much miscommunication and uncertainty and enigmatism.
Overall, I am curious about a couple of this author's other work, and I liked this one, I cared about the characters and wanted to keep reading for them, and even when the story was a little slow and slice of life sometimes, I wanted to see what would happen next, needed to see a happy resolution.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I loved this book, just as I’ve loved every book Mhairi McFarlane has ever written. The tale starts with two friends meeting two strangers on a sleeper train up to Scotland. The strangers just happen to be going to the same wedding and all four get on famously, two becoming more than just friends. It then transpires that the groom has failed to tell them that the wedding is off but they can have a weekend at the posh hotel venue, already paid for by the bride’s family. This is the standard, will they, won’t they……….when will they boy meets girl story and a couple of times I thought we had got to the end of the story but no, not quite. Without a doubt, Mhairi McFarlane is a good writer and has a great sense of humour, her books always do make me ‘laugh out loud’.. The characters are always likeable and this book is no exception.
My thanks go to the author, the publishers and to NetGalley for an advance reader copy of this book.
My thanks go to the author, the publishers and to NetGalley for an advance reader copy of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks NetGalley for this eARC.
I'm a very loyal Mhairi McFarlane fan, so it was very exciting to read her next book so early.
As always, the characters are flawed and relateable throughout and the relationship between Tess and Ryan is a fairly slow burn, which I like.
It did take me a whole to get into this one, whoch is unusual for me. I found the train scenes at the start a little unengaging personally - although I have heard other people say the opposite so that is definitely down to preference. I also found the characters not instantly likeable (Spencer and Carys made me cringe a little but I eventually liked them).
One thing you can always rely on Mhairi McFarlane for is a great plot twist, things definitely took a turn I wasn't expecting, which made it more fun to read.
I was definitely rooting for Tess and Ryan, and liked seeing their relationship build in different times. Although I'm not a huge fan of the miscommunication trope.
I'm a very loyal Mhairi McFarlane fan, so it was very exciting to read her next book so early.
As always, the characters are flawed and relateable throughout and the relationship between Tess and Ryan is a fairly slow burn, which I like.
It did take me a whole to get into this one, whoch is unusual for me. I found the train scenes at the start a little unengaging personally - although I have heard other people say the opposite so that is definitely down to preference. I also found the characters not instantly likeable (Spencer and Carys made me cringe a little but I eventually liked them).
One thing you can always rely on Mhairi McFarlane for is a great plot twist, things definitely took a turn I wasn't expecting, which made it more fun to read.
I was definitely rooting for Tess and Ryan, and liked seeing their relationship build in different times. Although I'm not a huge fan of the miscommunication trope.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5 stars.
In 2016, Tess and best friend Carys meet Ryan and Spencer on the sleeper train from London to Scotland for mutual friend Lachy’s wedding. When a life-changing moment, and a twist in their lives that shocks the group, make Tess question her life choices so far, her connection to Ryan becomes impossible to ignore.
But when the weekend is over, Tess has to work out what’s real and what’s important.
I love a story that spans a long time period and this was done so brilliantly! Over the course of 10 years in the story, I really grew to care about Tess, her emotions and happiness. I very strongly related to her! And I adored her chemistry with Ryan.
It was both a dreamy and epic love story, and a very grounded real-life story. There was humour, beautiful friendship, mystery, and of course, (hopeless) romance!
It did feel quite long… but it was such a fabulous story with amazing characters - and I may have had a small cry at one point!
In 2016, Tess and best friend Carys meet Ryan and Spencer on the sleeper train from London to Scotland for mutual friend Lachy’s wedding. When a life-changing moment, and a twist in their lives that shocks the group, make Tess question her life choices so far, her connection to Ryan becomes impossible to ignore.
But when the weekend is over, Tess has to work out what’s real and what’s important.
I love a story that spans a long time period and this was done so brilliantly! Over the course of 10 years in the story, I really grew to care about Tess, her emotions and happiness. I very strongly related to her! And I adored her chemistry with Ryan.
It was both a dreamy and epic love story, and a very grounded real-life story. There was humour, beautiful friendship, mystery, and of course, (hopeless) romance!
It did feel quite long… but it was such a fabulous story with amazing characters - and I may have had a small cry at one point!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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?
I loved, loved, loved this and couldn't put it down. It's funny, romantic and sad all at the same time with a great plot and dialogue so good that I had to re-read parts to appreciate the 'back and forth' all over again. I didn't want it to end.
My thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for an advance copy in return for an honest review.
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?
I loved, loved, loved this and couldn't put it down. It's funny, romantic and sad all at the same time with a great plot and dialogue so good that I had to re-read parts to appreciate the 'back and forth' all over again. I didn't want it to end.
My thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for an advance copy in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Overall, this was an enjoyable and thoughtful read with a strong character arc, even though I wanted a little more from the romance.
I really enjoyed Tess’s journey and seeing how much she evolved throughout the book. I also appreciated that the story wasn’t focused solely on the romance, as it gave the main character space to grow and made the book feel more layered.
The chemistry between Tess and Ryan was definitely there, but I would have loved to see more of their emotional connection. So much of their relationship was built around one weekend followed by years apart, and I think the romance would have felt even stronger if we had seen them getting to know each other more during those years.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed Tess’s journey and seeing how much she evolved throughout the book. I also appreciated that the story wasn’t focused solely on the romance, as it gave the main character space to grow and made the book feel more layered.
The chemistry between Tess and Ryan was definitely there, but I would have loved to see more of their emotional connection. So much of their relationship was built around one weekend followed by years apart, and I think the romance would have felt even stronger if we had seen them getting to know each other more during those years.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
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 5, 2026
I received a copy of this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was actually so cute. I will say, the fact that the entire conflict is a miscommunication trope really grinds my gears. It is my biggest pet peeve when the characters in a book cannot just have a simple conversation. It would make more sense if they were teenagers, but the fact that the conversation isn’t had until they’re nearly 40? Insanity.
Overall, super cute and enjoyable. I loved the characters, especially Carys and I loved the setting. I would have liked more time with the hands on of Tess developing her show, and maybe a longer time showing Tess after the events of the big confession. One chapter seemed painfully lacking when I had waited so long for the payoff.
This was actually so cute. I will say, the fact that the entire conflict is a miscommunication trope really grinds my gears. It is my biggest pet peeve when the characters in a book cannot just have a simple conversation. It would make more sense if they were teenagers, but the fact that the conversation isn’t had until they’re nearly 40? Insanity.
Overall, super cute and enjoyable. I loved the characters, especially Carys and I loved the setting. I would have liked more time with the hands on of Tess developing her show, and maybe a longer time showing Tess after the events of the big confession. One chapter seemed painfully lacking when I had waited so long for the payoff.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Its been a while since I've read of one of this authors novels and all I can say is, Mhairi McFarlane I've missed you.
This was a great read from start to finish, I loved the friendship between Tess and Cerys, I loved the complicated relationships and most of all I loved the humour. McFarlane has a gift for writing relatable characters, great storylines and mixing hard hitting emotion with insightful moments and laugh out loud humour. Read cover to cover in one go, its a good one add it to your reading list.
My thanks to HarperCollins UK and NetGalley for the early read, all opinions are my own
This was a great read from start to finish, I loved the friendship between Tess and Cerys, I loved the complicated relationships and most of all I loved the humour. McFarlane has a gift for writing relatable characters, great storylines and mixing hard hitting emotion with insightful moments and laugh out loud humour. Read cover to cover in one go, its a good one add it to your reading list.
My thanks to HarperCollins UK and NetGalley for the early read, all opinions are my own
August 1, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollinsUK for providing me with an ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
“Hopeless Romantics” is a heartfelt and witty book, a perfect summer beach read for those who enjoy a bit more literary/character driven romance novels!
Persuasion is my favourite Jan Austen novel and the parallels of this book to it were really fun—although at times frustrating due to the extreme amount of miscommunication between the main characters.
I would recommend this book to fans of Emily Henry. This was my first book by Mhairi McFarlane and I’m looking forward to reading more!
“Hopeless Romantics” is a heartfelt and witty book, a perfect summer beach read for those who enjoy a bit more literary/character driven romance novels!
Persuasion is my favourite Jan Austen novel and the parallels of this book to it were really fun—although at times frustrating due to the extreme amount of miscommunication between the main characters.
I would recommend this book to fans of Emily Henry. This was my first book by Mhairi McFarlane and I’m looking forward to reading more!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Another great rom com from Mhairi McFarlane. I've loved all her novels, and this one is no exception. As usual, I raced through reading it, then felt bereft when I'd finished. The story is told from Tess's point of view and is full of witty banter. I won't say anything about the plot because it didn't pan out how I was expecting - in a good way. The characters were appealing - I would be happy to have Carys as a friend. If you're already a Mhairi fan, you'll enjoy this one. And if you've never read her books before, this is a good place to start.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I always look forward to a new Mhairi Mcfarlane book and this didn't disappoint! I love a second chance romance and this was that, but also much more than that.
I liked the theme about how small decisions and seemingly unimportant moments can completely change your life. The four main characters were so vividly written, and I was really rooting for a good ending for all of them.
The miscommunication trope is usually my least favourite, but I could forgive it here, somehow it worked in the context of the story.
I liked the theme about how small decisions and seemingly unimportant moments can completely change your life. The four main characters were so vividly written, and I was really rooting for a good ending for all of them.
The miscommunication trope is usually my least favourite, but I could forgive it here, somehow it worked in the context of the story.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Two sets of friends bump into one another on a train journey from London to Scotland and realise they’re en route to the same wedding. They spend some time together and their interactions are witty, engaging and enjoyable. Relationships are formed which set the path for all of their futures, although there are many bumps along the way. I loved the characters of Tess and Carys and really enjoyed the friendship and dynamics between them. An enjoyable read with lots of humour and, of course, romance.
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