The rom-com revamped: If I Never Met You by Mhairi McFarlane

A funny and surprisingly authentic romantic comedy. If you have a cold case of winter blues, cosy up with this cheeky (lilac) number.

Quick plot teaser: Laurie has been with Dan for eighteen years, but then he dumps her. It would be manageable if they didn't also work together and had become the newest addition to the rumour mill at their law firm. But, then Laurie gets stuck in the lift with the charismatic and ambitious Jamie, who wants to step up through the ranks and become a partner, and what better way to show he's done away with his philandering than with the firm's recently single golden girl. It's a win-win. Laurie gets revenge on Dan and Jamie gets his promotion. Nobody can get hurt if they're both just faking it. Right? (Uhh, wrong ofc!)

If you love awkward encounters with those "couples friends", family drama that involves the absentee father getting married, and, of course, inviting Laurie after god knows how long, and workplace shenanigans with a handsome colleague, nosy co-workers and jealous ex, then buy a copy of this.

Into the analysis: Although the story begins a little slow, after a few pages of McFarlane's razor dialogue and biting humour, I was invested. Likewise, the romance isn't some eyes-meeting-across-the-room-and-the-whole-world-fades-away bulls**t (though I have to confess I do enjoy these from time to time on very, VERY blue days), instead Laurie and Jamie's relationship builds up and is actually healthy and supportive, which is actually really nice.

If I Never Met You is refreshing, not only because it's the first romance I've read with a minority character and tackles real issues associated with being "other", but it makes it so natural and normal. It doesn't overshadow the romance but is still an important aspect. This is also like the massive emphasis on age and timing that seems to characterise women's lives and when they're "past their prime"- blah, blah, blah. McFarlane completely destroys this myth.

Overall, a great read. I love McFarlane's style of writing, like YES! Lipgloss is jammy! (That's probably my favourite description ever). Anyway, If I Never Met You is deliciously romantic, sensitive and funny. It's decently thick and comes in a lilac jacket which looks great on the bookshelf, so it gets bonus points for aesthetics which is everything in this insta-age.