Last month, while editing a client's manuscript, I realized she'd accidentally labeled her love interest as "James" in chapter two and "Jason" in chapter five—and didn't even notice. I joked that sometimes what you think you know about someone in your workplace is completely wrong. That observation perfectly mirrors the heart of this book, where assumptions shatter and feelings deepen unexpectedly when fake dating becomes dangerously real.
Plot Summary
If I Never Met You by Mhairi McFarlane is a women's fiction romance about Laurie, a 36-year-old woman blindsided when her partner of eighteen years ends their relationship to "find himself." Reeling and desperate to save face at her law firm, Laurie strikes an unlikely deal with Jamie, the charming office heartthrob who wants a steady girlfriend to impress the firm's partners for a promotion. Their fake-dating scheme, played out on social media with carefully staged photographs, is supposed to be strictly business. But as they spend time together, their pretend relationship begins to feel very real—and both must navigate the terrifying question of whether their chemistry is genuine.
Why I Love This Book
I love how If I Never Met You prioritizes emotional depth and character growth over shallow romance. McFarlane takes time to let Laurie grieve her breakup, rediscover herself, and grow stronger. The fake-dating trope is executed beautifully—their banter is witty, their friendship is genuine, and when romantic feelings emerge, they feel earned rather than forced. Jamie surprised me; he's more than the one-dimensional "office heartthrob" he initially appears to be. The British humor threads through perfectly, and the supporting cast (especially Emily) adds richness to the narrative. This book understands that sometimes the best romances come after you've taken time to understand yourself.
Who Will Like This Book
If you love fake-dating tropes, women's fiction with substance, slow-burn romance, witty British humor, or stories about rediscovering yourself after heartbreak, you'll adore this. It's perfect for readers looking for romance that doesn't rush emotional development. The book leans contemporary and emotional rather than dark or steamy. Fair warning: the breakup with Dan is handled with realistic pain and grief, which adds emotional weight but may hit hard if you've experienced similar situations.
⚠️ Trigger warning: breakup/heartbreak, emotional infidelity (ex's new pregnancy), workplace conflict, brief mentions of self-esteem issues, subtle class dynamics.
Tagged As
women's fiction, contemporary romance, fake dating, slow burn, British humor, self-discovery, workplace romance, breakup recovery, banter-heavy, character-driven, emotional journey, HEA, workplace comedyemotional, witty, first book, indie.
Steam Level
🌶️🌶️ Mild to Moderate
If I Never Met You features some steamy moments, but the romance is intentionally secondary to Laurie's emotional arc. The physical intimacy builds gradually and feels natural, never overshadowing the emotional connection or character development that makes the story compelling.
