# Mhairi McFarlane

Mhairi McFarlane is a British writer of romantic comedy fiction whose books have been translated into 16 languages to date

## Biography

Mhairi McFarlane was born in 1976 in Falkirk. She attended school in Nottingham and studied English Language & Literature at Manchester University. She worked as a journalist in Nottingham before becoming a novelist.
During her time as a journalist, she worked primarily on the Nottingham Post, and also contributed articles to The Guardian's TV and radio blog.
She left work at the Nottingham Post in 2007 and got her first book deal in 2011.
She has published ten novels, all with HarperCollins.
She was part of the Writers' room for Series 5 of Slow Horses.
She lives in Sherwood, Nottingham.

## Reception

Her debut novel, You Had Me At Hello, became HarperCollins’ biggest ever selling ebook to that date. Lisa Jewell said, "The funniest, most romantic book I've read since One Day". Marian Keyes said, "Very very witty and funny. Left me in awe ... a total gem". Minnie Driver said, "I loved this book. It made me laugh and reminded me that anything's possible in love - and in everything else for that matter". You Had Me At Hello also won "Best Contemporary Romantic Fiction 2013" of the Romantic Novelist Association.
Of Here's Looking At You, The Sun said, "An absolute blinder of a read". The Irish Times said, "Mhairi McFarlane's characters shine with wit and insight". Jane Fallon said, "Sparkly writing, laugh out loud funny and a story that'll keep you enthralled. What's not to love?".
Of It's Not Me, It's You, Heat said, "Witty, sharp and giggle-inducing ... This is modern and honest romantic fiction at its most accomplished". OK! said, "[McFarlane] has pulled it out of the bag again, crafting an impassioned novel of female self-discovery … Jam-packed with quirky social satire that delights and entertains". The Sunday Mirror said, "A delicious feast of comic romance … Smart and funny".
Of Who's That Girl, John Niven said, "Her best yet. Mhairi is single-handedly dragging romcoms into the 21st century". Jenny Colgan said, "Totally hilarious and wincingly real".
Of Don't You Forget About Me, Marian Keyes said, "I loved it! So funny and warm. A delicious read". Jenny Colgan said, "Hilarious, warm and life affirming". Giovanna Fletcher said, "Beautiful, funny and heartbreaking". Katie Fforde said, "Funny and heartfelt, full of humour and wisdom, I absolutely loved it". The Sunday Mirror said, "Intelligent, edgy and laugh out loud funny - a romantic comedy to love". The Daily Mail said, "Hilarious, clever and beautifully written".
Of If I Never Met You, Marian Keyes said, "Beautiful and touching – I loved it so much!" The Sun said, "Super-smart, super-funny and super-relatable". Lucy Diamond said, "A funny, smart and wonderfully romantic book about faking ... and making it. I loved every page". Woman & Home said, "Mhairi works her magic ... Poignant, witty and smart".
Of Last Night, Beth O'Leary said, "Gorgeously romantic, as well as a story about friendship and grief and loss; I never wanted it to end". Marian Keyes said, "Brilliant on relationships, friendships and emotions… I loved, loved, loved this book". Woman said, "An emotional character driven novel that will take you to places you never expected - McFarlane has done it again!". The Sunday Express said, "Mhairi McFarlane's whip-smart romantic comedy is a compelling tale with real emotional depth, moving seamlessly from witty one-liners to serious issues".
Of Mad About You, Jenny Colgan said, "Gorgeous, funny, life-affirming". Marian Keyes said, "I love, love, love Mhairi … I read this with delight and envy". Katie Fforde said, "Funny, poignant, full of insight … a triumph". Holly Bourne said, "Mhairi consistently writes flawless romantic comedies and Mad About You is no exception".
Between Us was listed as a Sunday Times Best Book of 2023. Marian Keyes said, "I love her books passionately and this is her best yet". Jojo Moyes said, "Everything you want from a rom com and satisfyingly knotty with proper, recognisable characters. She just gets better and better". Emily Henry said, "She's so ridiculously talented ... consider this recommendation my personal gift to you and your life". Louise O'Neill said, "I love Mhairi McFarlane’s books and this was no exception ... it’s clever and engrossing and sharp". Lindsey Kelk said, "No one writes like Mhairi and somehow she gets better with every book. So clever, so heartfelt and so unbelievably funny, Between Us is a perfect book".
Of You Belong With Me, Marian Keyes said, "I wish I'd written it. I loved this book so much".
Other praise for McFarlane and her books includes: "I am absolutely feral for Mhairi McFarlane. Smart, sensitive, extremely funny and always so, so spot on, she is easily one of the best writers working today" (Lindsey Kelk); "Mhairi McFarlane is the absolute queen of romantic comedies that belie a darker core" (Stylist); "The perfect balance of romcom and drama" (Grazia).