If I Never Met You - by Mhairi McFarlane (Paperback)

About the Book

When her partner of over a decade suddenly ends things, Laurie is left reeling--not only because they work at the same law firm and she has to see him every day. Her once perfect life is in shambles and the thought of dating again in the age of Tinder is nothing short of horrifying. When news of her ex's pregnant girlfriend hits the office grapevine, taking the humiliation lying down is not an option. Then a chance encounter in a broken-down elevator with the office playboy opens up a new possibility. Jamie Carter doesn't believe in love, but he needs a respectable, steady girlfriend to impress their bosses. Laurie wants a hot new man to give the rumor mill something else to talk about. It's the perfect proposition: a fauxmance played out on social media, with strategically staged photographs and a specific end date in mind. With the plan hatched, Laurie and Jamie begin to flaunt their new couple status, to the astonishment--and jealousy--of their friends and colleagues. But there's a fine line between pretending to be in love and actually falling for your charming, handsome fake boyfriend...

Book Synopsis

Bestselling author Mhairi McFarlane returns with another heartfelt romantic comedy perfect for fans of Josie Silver, Sophie Kinsella, or Sally Thorne.

One of Shondaland's 5 Must-Read Books for March and a Best Romance of 2020 by Amazon, OprahMag, Insider, Buzzfeed, Bustle, Cosmo, PopSugar, and BookPage.

If faking love is this easy... how do you know when it's real?

When her partner of over a decade suddenly ends things, Laurie is left reeling--not only because they work at the same law firm and she has to see him every day. Her once perfect life is in shambles and the thought of dating again in the age of Tinder is nothing short of horrifying. When news of her ex's pregnant girlfriend hits the office grapevine, taking the humiliation lying down is not an option. Then a chance encounter in a broken-down elevator with the office playboy opens up a new possibility.

Jamie Carter doesn't believe in love, but he needs a respectable, steady girlfriend to impress their bosses. Laurie wants a hot new man to give the rumor mill something else to talk about. It's the perfect proposition: a fauxmance played out on social media, with strategically staged photographs and a specific end date in mind. With the plan hatched, Laurie and Jamie begin to flaunt their new couple status, to the astonishment--and jealousy--of their friends and colleagues. But there's a fine line between pretending to be in love and actually falling for your charming, handsome fake boyfriend...

Review Quotes

McFarlane's gift is writing romantic comedy that depicts a recognizable world... without dimming the luster of shining moments of humor, love, and connection... a very funny, very romantic story with deep emotional impact. --Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

The best romance novel protagonists make you feel empowered and better about yourself and the world than you did before you started reading. If I Never Met You's Laurie is that kind of protagonist.--Cosmopolitan (Best Romance Novels of 2020)


McFarlane brings a welcome dose of reality to the fake office romance trope with flawed, honest, but still endearing protagonists... McFarlane's arch humor and earnest characters make this familiar plot feel fresh, fun, and genuinely moving. This is a delightful rom-com full of sass, sparkle, and heart. --Publishers Weekly

McFarlane has a charming voice, one distinctly British in its wry humor, whimsical turn of phrase, and vibrant sense of setting... the novel itself is a dizzy delight, bursting with rom-com tropes... If I Never Met You is quippy and warm, an escape in almost every sense of the word, and McFarlane's irresistible voice that balances pathos and humor in equal measure, leaves us wanting more."--Entertainment Weekly

Readers who swarm to contemporary romance authors like Christina Lauren and Tessa Bailey... will enjoy this title. --Booklist

Readers will certainly fall for Laurie and Jamie's shenanigans in McFarlane's latest.--Library Journal

"Mhairi McFarlane's voice is as clear as a bell--she makes you laugh, but she also makes you feel. I adore her!"--Sally Thorne, USA Today bestselling author of The Hating Game and 99 Percent Mine