Love Exposed – ‘Between Us’ by Mhairi McFarlane: Book Review

Between Us is a cleverly-written novel about a woman who suspects her long-term boyfriend and screenwriter has used their private life as inspiration for his new television show.

Acknowledgments:

Thank you to Avon Books and Edelweiss+ for the ARC of this book. The thoughts and opinions expressed here are my own.

From The Publisher:

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…

My Thoughts:

What an entertaining book! The book takes an interesting premise and throws in well-developed characters and a propulsive mystery. This is Mhairi McFarlane at her best!

Roisin and Joe have been together for a decade. They are meeting four of their friends for the weekend at a country house to celebrate an engagement, a birthday and Joe’s about to be shown TV series. These six friends have been in a group for many years and have shared their young adult years together.

The six sit down to watch the premiere episode of Joe’s TV show. Everyone is enjoying it except for Roisin. Although she keeps quiet she can’t quite believe that Joe has taken a secret about Roisin’s family and included it as a storyline on his show. Roisin soon begins to think that perhaps there are other parts of the plot that reflect what has occurred in their own lives.

Without giving anything away, the once-close friendship becomes somewhat chaotic. Joe is flying to Los Angeles to meet with studio executives. Roisin’s mother requests she return home to help run the family’s pub. All the while, Roisin is trying to figure out if Joe’s own life reflects the show’s main character’s penchant for infidelity, or if she’s created this scenario in her head.

The book started off a little slow for me but this quickly turned to excitement. I loved the discussion on social class disparity, trust and the complexity of interpersonal relationships. The characters all have interesting backstories that provide insight into the choices and decisions that are made.

I recommend this book to those readers who enjoy Women’s Fiction or character-driven stories.

Other Books I’ve Reviewed Written By Mhairi McFarlane:

Mad About You

If I Never Met You

This book contributed towards the following challenges: