Enemies to lovers and fake dating combine in a brand new rom-com perfect for fans of Emily Henry

A Guardian Book of the Year ** A Spotify Romance Book of the Year** Winner of the 2026 RNA Romantic Comedy Award

Then Bel gets a sniff at a really big story, Connor gets caught in the melee, and before they know it they have to convince people they''re a couple - and a couple in love. If they mess up, Bel''s cover is blown and the biggest story she''ll ever have landed will disappear, along with justice for its sources. But as time goes on, who''s double crossing whom - and which feelings are real? It''s Mr & Mrs Smith meets The Hating Game - and sparks will fly...

Autorentext

Sunday Times bestselling author Mhairi McFarlane was born in Scotland in 1976 and her unnecessarily confusing name is pronounced Vah-Ree. After some efforts at journalism, she started writing fiction and her debut, You Had Me at Hello, was an instant success. She's since sold over 4.5 million copies of her books worldwide. She lives in Nottingham with a man and, sadly for the time being, no cat.

Klappentext

A GuardianBook of the Year ** A Spotify Romance Book of the Year** Winner of the 2026 RNA Romantic Comedy Award

Bel's joined the tiny Manchester office of a national paper from her indie podcast.

Thirty-something Connor is going to back to the start as the new intern.

The latest office news? They can't stand each other.

So of course Bel bumps into Connor when she's working undercover on the biggest scoop of her career. And of course she's forced to improvise, pretending they're a couple. A couple deeply in love.

Two rivals. One fake romance. The headline writes itself...

A five-star read!

'This book is an absolute joy from start to finish. The chemistry between Bel and Connor is electric, and it's impossible not to get sucked into their witty back-and-forth'

'Mhairi McFarlane has done it again. At this point I think I'd even love reading her shopping lists'

'Cover Story is another winner'

'The characters are so well written and true to life... a joy to read'

'Funny and gripping and, crucially, emotionally convincing. McFarlane's characters always feel like real people and this book is no exception'

'Dry humour, top friendships and a romantic story ... loved it'