sydapel's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
To be honest, I find myself Mad About this book. I was having an absolutely great time for 2/3rds of this, even though it was feather light on the romance. "It'll come in full circle at the end, don't worry," I thought. And look, the themes at the heart of this book are really well explored and the friendships feel so strong and well established, you feel everything so deeply. BUT this leaves negative time for the romance between Cal and our main character, so when they do get together it feels so rushed and unearned that it's feels downright unbelievable and really took me out of the story entirely.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Death of parent and Grief
Minor: Sexual content
monalyisha's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.75
I was right when I suspected, a handful of chapters in, that I’d found a new romance author to love. Mhairi McFarlane’s writing is *funny* and emotionally profound — so much so that I almost didn’t realize she hadn’t given us a sex scene! 😅 I’m a little mad about it now, of course…Quips aside, I’m glad to have read this.
I’m going to recommend it (with full disclosure about its content) to a loved one who’s just come out of a 20-year-long marriage to a man who emotionally abused her (and her sons), a fact which she offers up with full transparency, strength, and vulnerability. Good f*cking riddance to him. I’m so grateful that an honest & hope-filled story like this exists.
I’m going to recommend it (with full disclosure about its content) to a loved one who’s just come out of a 20-year-long marriage to a man who emotionally abused her (and her sons), a fact which she offers up with full transparency, strength, and vulnerability. Good f*cking riddance to him. I’m so grateful that an honest & hope-filled story like this exists.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Moderate: Death of parent and Grief
Minor: Infidelity
beckyremillard's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book is not a romance. Although the description, title, and cover indicate that it’s a romance, it is not. The romance is just barely hidden in there and is such a minor part of the story.
Since I went into this looking for a romance, I’m not really a fan. It was a decent story, but not my cup of tea. If you’re looking for a story about friendship, discovering self and then try this book. Looking for a book with a lot of romance, look elsewhere.
Since I went into this looking for a romance, I’m not really a fan. It was a decent story, but not my cup of tea. If you’re looking for a story about friendship, discovering self and
Spoiler
jerk ex-boyfriends kind of getting what’s coming to them (although John didn’t get enough crap for being so manipulative)Spoiler
Seriously, they first kissed at 95%
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Toxic friendship, Grief, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Bullying
Moderate: Infidelity
sabmanosa's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Wow I did not expect this book at all. I thought I was reading a sweet lil romance novel to relax, but instead I got so much more. The story twists and turns in directions I honestly didn’t always see coming until the characters themselves did lol. It was sad, dark, but also very light and funny. I’m obsessed with the way she writes, and the particular words and manner of speaking she employs. It’s so different and refreshing from the typical “chick lit” novels and the way the plot progresses. I feel like each situation actually makes sense and the characters feel like real people making real decisions rather than overblown caricatures to fulfill the plot or move the narrative. It hooked me with the way it was written, then I stayed for the lovable characters and honestly, WILD plot. Would recommend!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Grief and Death of parent
Minor: Cancer
streetmuseums's review against another edition
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Minor: Cancer, Death of parent, and Grief
braggsy's review
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Emotional abuse, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Alcohol, Cancer, Death, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Infidelity
maggies's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Another 5⭐️ read by Mhairi McFarlane. Absolutely loved this one and of course I cried, as usual. Can’t get enough of everything she writes—the perfect blend of clever and heart-wrenchingly relatable. Cal and Harriet forever.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, and Cancer
Minor: Vomit
hannahvalentine's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This book was such a breathe of fresh air! A book tuber I love, Leena Norms, is such a fan of McFarlane and after several months of trying to find one of her books in America I was finally able to snag this. In addition to being fast paced, well written, and featuring characters you might actually meet in real life; Mad About You features an terrifyingly realistic non-violent abusive relationship that demonstrated damage done without resorting to tropes or exaggeration. This is author I'll be reading much more of.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Grief and Domestic abuse
Minor: Death of parent
aliceloyallaleon's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Misogyny, Infidelity, Grief, Gaslighting, Death of parent, and Bullying
mal_bookedatfirstsight's review against another edition
4.0
“Good women are not a rewards system for silly men.”
I have been a huge fan of Mhairi’s work for years! She crafts the character with so many complexities, they feel real. I will say I almost DNFed this book- In the beginning, I struggled to get into it and there were a ton of pop culture/celebrity references. I don’t know if perhaps it was a cultural divide or if I am just THAT unknowledgeable, but I felt like a lot of the sense of humor from these characters was heavily based on them and since I didn’t understand the references, I felt like I lost that connection. It wasn’t until about 20% into the book that I felt hooked!
Was it what I was expecting? No.
Did that make me love it? YES.
Although there is romance sprinkled towards the end, this book is very much Women’s Fiction. Ultimately about a woman named Harriet who is forced to confront her past relationships (not just romantically), to begin anew. This is not a fluffy romcom, despite the cover looking like so, but it delves into heavy topics such as grief and emotional abuse. I enjoyed Harriet as a character, who was constantly just trying her best. I adored Cal, even though I wanted more of him, I felt like he was genuine and an actual stable human lol. BUT I LOVED LORNA (the best friend, ride-or-die, will kick your butt if you mess with her loved ones)! Come on now, we all need a Lorna in our life!!!!
I feel like the John Tucker Must Die moment needs a shoutout/slow cap…. Ladies, ASSEMBLE!
Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager and Netgalley for gifting me this copy in exchange for my honest review.
I have been a huge fan of Mhairi’s work for years! She crafts the character with so many complexities, they feel real. I will say I almost DNFed this book- In the beginning, I struggled to get into it and there were a ton of pop culture/celebrity references. I don’t know if perhaps it was a cultural divide or if I am just THAT unknowledgeable, but I felt like a lot of the sense of humor from these characters was heavily based on them and since I didn’t understand the references, I felt like I lost that connection. It wasn’t until about 20% into the book that I felt hooked!
Was it what I was expecting? No.
Did that make me love it? YES.
Although there is romance sprinkled towards the end, this book is very much Women’s Fiction. Ultimately about a woman named Harriet who is forced to confront her past relationships (not just romantically), to begin anew. This is not a fluffy romcom, despite the cover looking like so, but it delves into heavy topics such as grief and emotional abuse. I enjoyed Harriet as a character, who was constantly just trying her best. I adored Cal, even though I wanted more of him, I felt like he was genuine and an actual stable human lol. BUT I LOVED LORNA (the best friend, ride-or-die, will kick your butt if you mess with her loved ones)! Come on now, we all need a Lorna in our life!!!!
Spoiler
I feel like the John Tucker Must Die moment needs a shoutout/slow cap…. Ladies, ASSEMBLE!
Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager and Netgalley for gifting me this copy in exchange for my honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Grief, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Infidelity