Between Us

A Novel

By: Mhairi McFarlane

Narrated by: Mira Dovreni

Length: 9 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

International bestseller Mhairi McFarlane delivers a witty, clever, emotional new novel about a woman whose life unravels spectacularly after her screenwriter boyfriend uses their relationship as inspiration for his new television show.

When Roisin and Joe join their friends for a weekend at a country house, it’s a triple celebration—a birthday, an engagement, and the launch of Joe’s shiny new TV show. But as the weekend unfolds, tensions come to light in the group and Roisin begins to question her own relationship. And as they watch the first episode of Joe’s drama, she realizes that the private things she told him—which should have stayed between them—are right there on the screen.

With her friend group in chaos and her messy love life on display for the whole world to see, Roisin returns home to avoid the unwanted attention and help run her family’s pub. But drama still follows, in the form of her dysfunctional family and the looming question: what other parts of her now-ex’s show are inspired by real events? Lies? Infidelity? Every week, as a new episode airs, she wonders what other secrets will be revealed.

Yet the most unexpected twist of all is an old friend, who is suddenly there for Roisin in ways she never knew she needed…

©2023 Mhairi McFarlane (P)2023 HarperCollins Publishers

Another wonderful book from McFarlane

Between Us is smart, poignant, funny, & I couldn’t wait to get back to listening. McFarlane writes about complicated relationships in a beautiful way and gives us complex characters to love and cheer for.

Another Wonderful Listen

Mhairi’s books always hit me right in the guts and this one was no different. Seeing parts of my own relationships made me weep in a way that is cathartic. Had a good therapy sessions after this one discussing parallels between life and art from this one. Absolutely adored the spot on Taylor lyrics/references just like previous books and references to popular lyrics of the time. Thank you for this one!

A fun listen

This is a fun book with some witty one liners. A bit of mystery is involved. Narrator did a great job bringing characters to life.

Hope is possible!

I liked the narrator yet as American is my native language I needed to slow it down and repeat some to figure out some of the English ? Cockney ? slang. I found this and the story very enjoyable and challenging at the same time. Emotional intelligence is part of maturity or not as well as taught. The story was full of the well developed characters learning to navigate theirs as well as teaching the readers a bit of insight. I enjoyed this book and will listen again.

New Twist on WRITE WHAT YOU KNOW

Was not expecting a Happy Beginning at the end. McFarlane always makes me “soul search”. This book did not disappoint.

Rough start

It took me a bit to get into this one, and I almost stopped listening, but I’m so glad I didn’t! I really loved this story!

God, she’s just such a good writer!

MM is my favorite author. Full stop. Her protagonists are brave and instantly relatable women who are hell-bent on finding the truth about themselves and others. There are so many thoughtful insights and witty turns of phrase that I read her books twice in a row, and specifically set aside time to read them without any other distractions. This book is no different. No spoilers except, thank God, there is a cat!

It was Fine

It was ok not great and not terrible, the characters were a little bit flat.

wonderful characters

the narrator spoke way too fast and I found that I had to slow the pace down quite a bit. I loved every bit of this story. It's like mcfarlane has mastered the art of expressing complex emotion so perfectly.

Just okay

I had to turn the speed down on this narrator just to understand what she was saying. The first 30 chapters of this story was a house party with a friend group, nothing happened. Unlike most romance books this story is about several characters and their interaction. I found they were all written very shallow and immature. This book could have been half the time. So much added info. that did not add to the overall story.