If I Never Met You

A Novel

By: Mhairi McFarlane

Narrated by: Sara Novak

Length: 11 hrs and 16 mins

Publisher's summary

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

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....

©2020 Mhairi McFarlane (P)2020 HarperCollins Publishers

Delightful & left me smiling.

Such a delightful listen! Sara Novak is a wonderful narrator. This book reads like the intro to rom com movie —I could visualize it so well I kept stopping to see if it was on video so I could watch it again after. Well done. I’d listen to it again.

Sara Novak is great

Mhairi has great characters, but tends to have triggering and traumatic events pop up like nightmares, and could benefit from trauma warnings.

One of my favorites

I love the evolution of these characters, and how they learn so much from each other. This author does a great job developing complicated, human characteristics.

Lovely journey of discovery.

I loved this book. The narrator did a fabulous job at bringing the characters to life. The main character Laurie is sweet, smart and strong. The story isn't just about a breakup in the beginning and love at the end but more of a journey of discovery of who Laurie is and how her perception of the people around her and what she thinks she knew of them may not be reality at all which then leads her to discovering who she really is.

The characters were amazing not just the two main Jamie and Laurie but her office mates, friends, family all had their own distinct personality and the way the book was written made it easy to see them in your mind, so much so that at times I caught myself looking over at my phone or Echo show like they were on screen.

I did have that desire for more at the end but with every great book thats going to happen or else it wouldn't be a good book. I am hoping for three things with this book to happen: 1. There will be a follow up in some way either a book or a tie in within another book by this author, 2. A movie of some sort be it Netflix or Theater just something because this book just screams "I NEED TO BE SEEN NOT JUST READ!" and 3. If it is made into a film, it is left as is and not changed or edited or shredded down into just mere glimpses of what once was a fabulously written book.

great story

The setting for the characters mind set and feelings were really well done to start out the book. I found it vary easy to identify and relate to the main character. Additionally the growth and development the characters took a realistic time frame. However, towards the end things started to get messy and hard to follow just to much happening in a short time but still a really cute story though that's why I say 4 not 5.

Love the setting!

Loving that this author’s books are mostly set away from London, in Manchester - with the more interesting accents. I really enjoyed Laurie’s progression in this book, and my heart unexpectedly broke for Jamie. Very nicely done story with enough twists to keep it out of a lot of the cliches of the genre.

Great Characters, but

I enjoy a predictable rom com, and this was not...it was better. I really related to Laurie and Jamie's characters. I also really enjoyed the proverbial popularity contest at the work setting getting the FU, but I could use only 5 chapters of "whoa is me" from Laurie instead of 10, and the narrarator was funny, but jarring to listen to. All this said, worth a listen.

Couldn’t stop listening! Fun, intelligent Rom-Com

Loved the character of Laurie, a witty, capable, grounded, and successful lawyer, coping with an unexpected ended romance. A broken elevator brings a solution with page-turning consequences! Recommended, though her accent sometimes makes it hard to understand. Fun book that also touches on some deeper issues.

Knew what I was in for with Mhairi McFarlane...

If you're expecting a light-hearted rom com, this is not it. McFarlane writes novels that dwell in the heartbreak of grief, loss, betrayal, self doubt. Her novels are thoughtful, intelligent, and honest. She celebrates feminism, respect, friendships, chosen families, and the healing power of forgiveness and understanding.

This novel was also a joy to read in its real depiction of diverse characters, especially noting constant microaggressions toward the main character. Acknowledging her experiences made her life full and real.

I think that's part of why I keep coming back to this author. Part of the story will blow my heart up, scatter it to pieces. But as she wraps it up, she sews the pieces together and inflates them into a hot air balloon. :-P I enjoy the ride and forgive her for any tears.

P.S. Her novels always have amazing narrators and Sara Novak is no exception. Great listen!

Charming & laugh out loud fun

Charming & laugh out loud fun. This is a great escape in dark times. Love that there’s a woman of color as the heroine.