If I Never Met You

My first review of 2020, and it's got the year off to a flying start! Laurie and Jamie work in the same office; she has been in a long term relationship with another colleague for eighteen years and is completely shocked when she finds herself dumped. Jamie is regarded as the office lothario and needs to smarten up his image if the powers that be are going to take his ambition seriously. Who better to partner up with than the well-respected Laurie? Will the course of office-romance-on-paper run smoothly? What can possibly go wrong . . . Firstly, let me say I've always enjoyed novels by Mhairi McFarlane, and this one is no exception. Beautifully crafted with original, interesting characters and great situations which kept me focused to the very end. Great entertainment with clear descriptions allowing me to easily imagine both Laurie and Jamie. There is plenty of fun and romance in this novel, although I think it's just a bit early - first day of the year! - to uphold the publisher's claims of 'the funniest romcom of 2020; after all there are another 365 days to go! Definitely worth a plump five stars and a recommendation to all lovers of a good read to add this to your list.

Laurie and Dan have been together 18 years, since they were 18 years old and met at university. Resolutely unmarried and happy about it, until Dan drops the bombshell that he's not happy, he doesn't want to try for a baby as they agreed, in fact he doesn't want the future they've mapped out together, he wants to find himself. Laurie is devastated, even more so when she discovers that Dan hasn't been entirely honest with her. Then Laurie gets stuck in the office lift with Jamie, the office lothario, who proposes a deal, she act as his girlfriend to help him prove to the partners that he is settled and worthy of joining their ranks, he will stop people feeling sorry for her by acting as her fake boyfriend - as one of the prettiest men Laurie has ever seen she knows Jamie can make Dan jealous. Of course, as with all fake relationship romances, soon Laurie starts to see that there is more to Jamie than his reputation as a ladies' man, but can people ever change? Loved it, loved that Jamie wasn't a cardboard cut-out but a sensitive and caring man with friends and a loving family. Loved that being with Jamie helped Laurie to see her own true worth. Loved the family dynamics, I even loved Laurie's friends which is unusual for me. Overall, a charming, funny fake relationship romance that breathes fresh new life into a well-worn trope. I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

A quick and easy read and as I turned the page it was an unexpected surprise to find my home town mentioned. However I was disappointed with the associated throw away derogatory comments made by the author. Anyone who has spent any real time in HB will find it to be a very friendly and welcoming place to visit, grow-up and live. The fact that it is widely known as the LGBTQ capital of the north is a testament to this and it feels that it was a little to easy to make superficial judgements of a town which fit in with the Manchester location without considering what it might actually be like to live there. For me this tainted the book and called into question the authenticity of the author and the story she was telling.