Cover Story - by Mhairi McFarlane (Paperback)

About the Book

"Bel has just landed a job at the Manchester office of a big national newspaper, coming off the success of her latest award-winning podcast. The team is small, consisting of Bel, her ambitious colleague Aaron, and the new intern. But when the intern turns out to be a thirtysomething man called Connor, she's not impressed. She's patronizing, he's hostile--it's a terrible start. Connor's life is in a state of collapse. He's left his seemingly perfect life in London--a well-paying job, great apartment, and beautiful girlfriend--for a chance to pursue a lifelong dream of becoming a reporter. After a bad first impression with Bel, his internship begins to feel like another in a series of poor decisions. But if Connor were honest with himself, she's the first bit of excitement he's felt in a very long time. When Bel suddenly finds herself at the heels of a huge story, she's determined to see it through--even if it means involving the inscrutable and aloof Connor. Before they know it, they must convince people they're not just a couple, but a couple madly in love. If they mess up, Bel's cover is blown and the biggest story she'll ever have landed will disappear, along with justice for its sources. But as time goes on, Bel and Connor start to wonder if their cover story is just an act, or if their feelings are real"--

Book Synopsis

Mr. & Mrs. Smith meets The Hating Game in this heartfelt, witty, and utterly unputdownable enemies-to-lovers romance from international bestseller Mhairi McFarlane, about two journalists who must fake a relationship in order to land a huge story.

Bel has just landed a job at the Manchester office of a big national newspaper, coming off the success of her latest award-winning podcast. The team is small, consisting of Bel, her ambitious colleague Aaron, and the new intern. But when the intern turns out to be a thirtysomething man called Connor, she's not impressed. She's patronizing, he's hostile: it's a terrible start.

Connor's life is in a state of collapse. He's left his seemingly perfect life in London--a well-paying job, great apartment, and beautiful girlfriend--for a chance to pursue a lifelong dream of becoming a reporter. After a bad first impression with Bel, his internship begins to feel like another in a series of poor decisions. But if Connor were honest with himself, she's the first bit of excitement he's felt in a very long time.

When Bel suddenly finds herself at the heels of a huge story, she's determined to see it through-- even if it means involving the inscrutable and aloof Connor. Before they know it, they must convince people they're not just a couple, but a couple madly in love. If they mess up, Bel's cover is blown and the biggest story she'll ever have landed will disappear, along with justice for its sources.

But as time goes on, Bel and Connor start to wonder if their cover story is just an act, or if their feelings are real...

Review Quotes

"Scottish rom-com savant Mhairi McFarlane writes funny, sprightly love stories that land punchlines as adeptly as they explore more emotional, serious issues. Her latest follows two journalists who get off on the wrong foot, but soon find themselves faking a relationship to land a huge story." -- BookPage

"In her latest marvelously entertaining romance, McFarlane (Between Us, 2023) makes effective use of a workplace enemies-to-lovers situation between her relatably messy protagonists to create plenty of snarky banter and simmering sexual chemistry. McFarlane adds real-world details and depth to all this rom-com wonderfulness with her thoughtful exploration of darker life issues, such as predatory politicians, stalking exes, and depression." -- Booklist

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

"Bridget Jones, you've got some competition." -- Marie Claire

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