Mhairi McFarlane

Mhairi McFarlane has published 13 books across 3 series. The recommended reading order starts with The Perfect Treat (2012).
Mhairi McFarlane is a Scottish author of romantic comedy novels. She earned an English degree from Manchester University and began her writing career in journalism before turning to fiction. McFarlane’s 2012 debut novel, You Had Me At Hello, established her presence in the genre. She aims to bring credibility to romantic comedy and currently lives in Nottingham, England.
Shelf & Shadows
Order of Anthologies
- Tagsshort-storiesDescriptionCurl up with a collection designed for cold winter nights, featuring highly anticipated debuts from Mhairi McFarlane and Liz Trenow alongside stories from Miranda Dickinson and Claudia Carroll. Discover tales of star-crossed lovers navigating heartbreak and hope, a comedy about being careful what you wish for, and a touching story of newlyweds desperate for their first Christmas alone. Explore the power of love and hope in another moving narrative, and find a hilarious look at the truth behind the festive season. Each story offers an exclusive extract of the author's upcoming title, making this collection the ultimate treat.Publication dateSeptember 17, 2012Amazon rating3.5/5Print length124LanguageEnglishPublisherAvon
Order of Standalone Novels
- Tags---DescriptionAnna Alessi, a history expert with a lot of hair and an occasionally filthy mouth, seeks a nice man for intelligent conversation and Mills & Boon moments. Despite the oddballs turning up on her dates, Anna couldn't be happier. As a thirty-something with a job she loves, life has turned out better than she dared dream. However, her years spent as the butt of schoolyard jokes are ones she'd rather forget. So when James Fraser, the architect of Anna's final humiliation at school, walks back into her life, her world is turned upside down. James seems a changed man: polite, mature, funny, even. People can change, right? So why does Anna feel like she's a fool to trust him?Publication dateJune 3, 2014Amazon rating4.1/5Print length448LanguageEnglishPublisherAvon
- Tags---DescriptionDelia Moss thought she knew where she went wrong. Proposing and discovering her boyfriend’s infidelity? Her fault. Life irrevocably changing? Her fault. When he wanted her back as if nothing happened, Delia began to question. Was she truly to blame? She leaves Newcastle for London, seeking space, but a dodgy new job in media PR pulls her into a dangerous game. A devastatingly handsome journalist is sniffing around, threatening her career. Dodgy jobs, eccentric bosses, and a past that won’t let go—Delia must find her old self before her new life crumbles completely.Publication dateMay 19, 2015Amazon rating4.2/5Print length560LanguageEnglishPublisherHarperCollins
- Tags---DescriptionOne thing you do at a wedding: kiss your groom. One thing you do not do: kiss someone else’s. Edie is caught in a compromising position. Ostracized by everyone she knows, shamed online, her boss suggests an extended sabbatical. Her assignment: ghostwrite the autobiography of hot new acting talent, Elliot Owen. All she has to do is keep her head down and get on with the star. Wrong. Banished back to her hometown, Edie faces a celebrity megabrat and the ghosts of her past. Moving back in with her widowed father and sister, she questions the woman she has become. Turning to look at her past is not just painful; it could potentially change her future.Publication dateSeptember 6, 2016Amazon rating4.2/5Print length544LanguageEnglishPublisherHarperCollins
- Tags---DescriptionGeorgina is fired. Then she finds her boyfriend in bed with someone else. Humiliated, she takes a job as a bartender. The pub is run by the guy she loved years ago. He doesn't remember her. He's also grown into a broodingly handsome, successful man. His return throws her rocky present into sharp relief. It also brings a secret from her past to the surface. Only she knows what happened twelve years ago. The memories have chased her ever since. Is it too late for the truth? Or a second chance with the one that got away?Publication dateSeptember 10, 2019Amazon rating4.2/5Print length432LanguageEnglishPublisherWilliam Morrow Paperbacks
- Tags---DescriptionThe office grapevine buzzes with devastating news: Laurie's partner of over a decade has ended their relationship. The humiliation deepens when she learns he is expecting a child with another woman, all while they remain colleagues at the same law firm. The thought of navigating the modern dating world, with its endless swiping, fills her with dread. But a chance encounter in a stalled elevator with Jamie Carter, the office's notorious playboy, sparks a surprising idea. Jamie doesn't believe in love, but he needs a respectable girlfriend to advance his career. Laurie wants to distract from her own heartbreak and give the rumor mill something new to chew on. They strike a deal: a fauxmance, staged for social media with a clear expiration date. As they begin to parade their manufactured couple status, their colleagues watch with a mixture of astonishment and envy. Yet, the line between a staged performance and genuine affection for her charming, handsome fake boyfriend begins to blur.Publication dateMarch 24, 2020Amazon rating4.2/5Print length432LanguageEnglishPublisherWilliam Morrow Paperbacks
- Tags---DescriptionEve, Justin, Susie, and Ed have been friends since they were eighteen. Now in their thirties, the four are still close, their Thursday pub quiz night sacred. Eve is still secretly in love with Ed, unable to move on from what could have been. She knows Ed sometimes thinks about it too. Then one night, in an instant, all their lives change forever. As Eve learns she didn’t know her friends as well as she thought, she also discovers she isn’t the only person keeping secrets. A story about love, friendship, and secrets.Publication dateMay 4, 2021Amazon rating4.3/5Print length416LanguageEnglishPublisherWilliam Morrow Paperbacks
- TagsromanceDescriptionHarriet Hatley, a sought-after wedding photographer, doesn't believe in romance and loathes the idea of marriage. When her long-time partner proposes, she panics, calling off the engagement and finding herself suddenly single and needing a new apartment—fast. She moves in with Cal Clarke, a hopeless romantic reeling from his own wedding disaster. They are opposites, but as strangers become roommates and then friends, it's clear they're both running from something. When Harriet's most guarded secret is revealed, her world implodes. Cal, with his witty humor and gentle advice, becomes an unexpected calm in the storm. With her career, friendships, and reputation at stake, Harriet must confront her past to secure her future. If she dares to stop playing it safe and risk everything, could real love and happiness be waiting?Publication dateAugust 9, 2022Amazon rating4.2/5Print length416LanguageEnglishPublisherAvon
- Tags---DescriptionRoisin and Joe attend a weekend gathering with friends for a triple celebration: a birthday, an engagement, and the launch of Joe's new television show. As the weekend progresses, Roisin senses discord within the group and begins to doubt her own relationship. Then, watching the premiere episode of Joe's drama, she discovers that intimate details she shared are now public. With her social circle fractured and her personal life exposed, Roisin retreats to her family's pub. But her past continues to intrude, bringing the complexities of a dysfunctional family and the unsettling question of what else Joe's show might reveal—lies, infidelity, or other hidden events. Each new episode brings fresh uncertainty. Then, an old friend appears, offering support in unexpected ways.Publication dateApril 13, 2023Amazon rating4.1/5Print length434LanguageEnglishPublisherHARPER COLLINS
- TagsromanceDescriptionEdie Thompson found true love. Elliot Owen, Hollywood royalty, insists he's madly in love with her. It's a romantic comedy premise destined for complications. Edie must learn to live in the limelight, but they're too good together not to try. The press becomes the third person in their relationship. Stories leak, forcing Edie to mistrust those around her. An ocean separates them. Gorgeous co-stars and charismatic colleagues are closer. Her past is raked up by envious people determined to destroy her present. Edie already knows what it feels like to be infamous. Now she'll find out what it's like to be famous. Are she and Elliot a fairytale, or a cautionary fable about getting what you wish for?Publication dateSeptember 3, 2024Amazon rating4.1/5Print length350LanguageEnglishPublisherAvon
- TagsromanceDescriptionBel has landed her dream job at a national newspaper, but her new team is small, and her new intern, Connor, is a hostile stranger. Bel's patronizing attitude clashes with Connor's resentment, making for a terrible start. Connor, who abandoned a seemingly perfect life in London for a lifelong dream of reporting, finds his internship a series of poor decisions. Yet, Bel represents the first real excitement he’s felt in a long time. When Bel stumbles upon a massive story, she must team up with the aloof Connor. To get close to the truth, they have to convince everyone they are a couple madly in love. If their act fails, Bel’s career and justice for her sources will vanish. As they maintain their elaborate deception, Bel and Connor begin to question whether their fake relationship is becoming something more.Publication dateOctober 7, 2025Amazon rating4.2/5Print length384LanguageEnglishPublisherAvon
Order of You Had Me At Hello Books
- TagscrimeDescriptionWhat happens when the one that got away comes back? Rachel and Ben. Ben and Rachel. It was them against the world. Until it all fell apart. Ten years after they said goodbye, Rachel bumps into Ben one rainy day. As they talk, the years melt away. They'd been partners in crime and the best of friends. But life has moved on: Ben is married. Rachel is not. Yet in that split second, Rachel feels the old friendship return. And along with it, the broken heart she's never been able to mend. Hilarious, heartbreaking and everything in between, you'll be hooked from their first 'hello'.Publication dateApril 22, 2014Amazon rating4.1/5Print length464LanguageEnglishPublisherAvonUK
- TagscrimeDescriptionRachel and Ben found their way back to each other. After a rollercoaster ride, they are happily in love, partners in crime. It feels like it was all worth it. But a face from the past reappears. Misunderstandings bloom between them once more. Can they hold on to their happy ever after?Publication dateJanuary 26, 2017Amazon rating3.8/5Print length90LanguageEnglishPublisherHarperCollins
Frequently Asked Questions about Mhairi McFarlane
Readers can start with any of Mhairi McFarlane's standalone novels, as they do not need to be read in a specific order. Her debut novel, You Had Me At Hello, is also a good starting point if readers are interested in her series. For those who prefer to begin with standalones, Here's Looking At You or It's Not Me, It's You are both suitable entry points. McFarlane's novels are designed to be enjoyed independently, offering distinct stories with unique characters and plots. This approach allows readers to dive into her work without feeling the need to follow a strict chronological reading path. Starting with a standalone provides a clear sense of her writing style and the themes she often explores in her romantic comedy fiction. Ultimately, the best starting point depends on individual reader preference.
A good place to start with Mhairi McFarlane is her debut novel, You Had Me At Hello, published in 2012. This book introduced readers to her signature blend of humor and heartfelt emotion, and it also launched a series. Alternatively, readers can begin with any of her standalone novels, such as Here's Looking At You (2014) or It's Not Me, It's You (2015). These standalone works offer a complete story and are not dependent on prior reading. McFarlane's writing is accessible, and each book provides a self-contained narrative. Choosing a standalone allows readers to quickly get a feel for her style and the types of characters and situations she typically creates. The choice between the series opener and a standalone is a matter of personal preference for how a reader likes to engage with an author's bibliography.
No, Mhairi McFarlane's books do not have to be read in order, with the exception of the You Had Me At Hello series. Her standalone novels are independent stories and can be read in any sequence. Each standalone novel features a new cast of characters and a distinct plot, allowing readers to pick up any book and enjoy it without needing background from previous titles. The You Had Me At Hello series, however, follows specific characters and a continuing narrative, so it is best enjoyed in its intended order. McFarlane writes her books so that each offers a complete experience, whether it is part of a series or a standalone work. This flexibility means readers can explore her bibliography in an order that suits them best, starting with whichever title catches their eye.
Mhairi McFarlane writes both standalone novels and series. Her standalone novels, such as It's Not Me, It's You and Don't You Forget About Me, offer complete stories with unique characters and plots that can be enjoyed independently. She also has a series, which began with You Had Me At Hello. The books within the You Had Me At Hello series, including the subsequent After Hello, are interconnected and follow a narrative that progresses from one book to the next. This dual approach allows readers to choose between immersive series experiences or self-contained romantic comedy novels. McFarlane's ability to craft compelling narratives in both formats showcases her versatility as a writer. Readers can select the type of reading experience that best fits their current mood or preference.
Mhairi McFarlane has written a significant number of books, including both standalone novels and entries in her You Had Me At Hello series. Across her bibliography, there are more than ten standalone novels, in addition to the books that make up her series. For example, her standalone works include titles like Here's Looking At You, It's Not Me, It's You, Who's That Girl?, Don't You Forget About Me, and If I Never Met You, among others. The You Had Me At Hello series currently consists of two books. The total count of her published works is substantial, offering readers a wide selection of her romantic comedy novels. She continues to add to her collection of books, providing ongoing opportunities for readers to engage with her storytelling.
The first book Mhairi McFarlane wrote was You Had Me At Hello, published in 2012. This novel marked her debut in the romantic comedy genre and introduced readers to her distinctive writing style, which often blends humor with emotional depth. You Had Me At Hello also initiated a series that has continued with subsequent titles. The book established McFarlane's ability to create relatable characters and engaging storylines that resonate with readers. Its release was a significant moment, setting the stage for her subsequent work and solidifying her place as a notable author in contemporary romantic fiction. The publication of this debut laid the foundation for her career and the body of work that has followed.
The most recent book by Mhairi McFarlane is titled Between Us, published in 2023. This novel continues her tradition of writing romantic comedies that explore complex relationships and personal growth with wit and warmth. Between Us offers readers a new story with engaging characters and the signature emotional resonance that her work is known for. It stands as a testament to her ongoing contribution to the genre. As with her other novels, it can be read as a standalone. Readers looking for her latest work will find a story that is both timely and timeless, reflecting her consistent ability to connect with her audience through relatable narratives and sharp dialogue. This recent publication is a welcome addition to her existing collection of books.
Mhairi McFarlane writes romantic comedy novels. Her books are characterized by their blend of humor, emotional depth, and relatable characters navigating the complexities of relationships and life. She often explores themes of love, friendship, career, and self-discovery within a contemporary setting. While her primary genre is romantic comedy, her novels also incorporate elements of women's fiction, focusing on the experiences and growth of her female protagonists. McFarlane's writing is noted for its sharp wit and insightful observations about human nature, making her stories engaging and resonant for a wide readership. She aims to bring a sense of authenticity and credibility to the genre through her storytelling.
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We verified the reading order for Mhairi McFarlane's books by cross-referencing official publication dates, ISBN databases, and publisher catalogs.
Last verified: July 2026
Shelf & Shadows. (…). “Mhairi McFarlane Books in Order.” Retrieved …, from https://www.shelfandshadows.com/authors/mhairi-mcfarlane




















