If I Never Met You

A Novel

By: Mhairi McFarlane

Narrated by: Sara Novak

Bestselling 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...

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.

Great character development, excellent narration, and funny!

I chose this book because I had listening to another by the same author and really enjoyed it. When I first read the description of this book, I was worried about the “fake boyfriend” plot line being a tired one, as it appears in so many books nowadays. But the author’s storytelling is so compelling that it sucks you right into the plot very quickly. Her character development is detailed and in depth, and the narrator does an incredible job differentiating between all of the characters that appear in the book, using lively accents and changing up her pattern of speaking accordingly. This book is also hilarious — there were many lines that had me laughing out loud while listening, and that’s thanks to the witty writing and the excellent narration.

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!

New fan of this author

This is the 2nd novel I’ve read by McFarlane and I just really like her style. Fun to listen to, realistic, but also more than a superficial rom com. Heavy things happen to her characters. I’m American and I have to say I love listening to the British narrators of these two books (Don’t You Forget About Me was the other so far). When I find myself looking for reasons to listen to a book besides in my car, I’m hooked. Thank you!

how sad most of the book is while having a HEA

I would have to say the ending is the best part of the book. I do appreciate the main character finding herself and showing strength and that the author chose to show how women are often trained to promote others before self.