Between Us
A Novel
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4.3 • 59 Ratings
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- $11.99
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
"The whole time I'm reading a Mhairi McFarlane novel, I feel like a fist is squeezing my heart… she is so ridiculously talented." – Emily Henry
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…
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
McFarlane's latest (after Mad About You) is an immensely readable deep dive into the durability of friendships and the slow death of a romantic relationship, rounded out with a love story that feels almost like an afterthought. High school teacher Roisin Walters's 10-year relationship has been fizzling out for some time, but she had no intention to break up with her TV writer boyfriend, Joe, during a weekend getaway with their core friend group. To make matters worse, when the crew sits down to watch Joe's new show together, Roisin is shocked to see their fraught relationship reflected on screen—and in the show, the character based on Joe is unfaithful, leading Roisin to wonder just how much art imitates life. The question of whether Joe's betrayals include infidelity is central to the story, but the larger plot revolves around the current state of a friend group that has become a family, as all are affected by the breakup. A budding attraction between Roisin and her friend Matt brings some feels, but it doesn't arrive until well after the halfway mark and will leave readers looking for a traditional romance somewhat underwhelmed. Still, it's a thoughtful and often enjoyable exploration of human relationships.
Customer Reviews
Such human insights…
Honestly, the deeply-satisfying nature of Mhairi McFarlane’s work comes from her profound EQ… there are moments I read and reread and quote and reread again, because her stories are so *human*, and so wise. Her stories and her characters are so complex, because *life* is that complex… and she *attends.* The romance and the comedy, the drama and tragedy and growth… they all feel *real,* so I care about the characters, and the outcome. Hollywood, please learn from this writer. This story… had less romance, but more character richness, somehow. I foresee many rereads. Closure, self-honesty, growth, epiphany, and the damage done by lies and manipulation… the themes were well-explored, and beautifully handled. Did I mention that I love the fact that each novel’s characters are entirely unique in their thinking? I’m sad I now have to wait for Ms. McFarlane’s next work of art.