Author: Mhairi McFarlane
Narrator: Sara Novak
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Publication Date: March 2020
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Buy the Book: Amazon | BN | Audible
Description: If faking love is this easy... how do you know when it’s real?
When her partner of over a decade suddenly ends things, Laurie is left reeling—not only because they work at the same law firm and she has to see him every day. Her once perfect life is in shambles and the thought of dating again in the age of Tinder is nothing short of horrifying. When news of her ex’s pregnant girlfriend hits the office grapevine, taking the humiliation lying down is not an option. Then a chance encounter in a broken-down elevator with the office playboy opens up a new possibility.
Jamie Carter doesn’t believe in love, but he needs a respectable, steady girlfriend to impress their bosses. Laurie wants a hot new man to give the rumor mill something else to talk about. It’s the perfect proposition: a fauxmance played out on social media, with strategically staged photographs and a specific end date in mind. With the plan hatched, Laurie and Jamie begin to flaunt their new couple status, to the astonishment—and jealousy—of their friends and colleagues. But there’s a fine line between pretending to be in love and actually falling for your charming, handsome fake boyfriend...
My Thoughts: Although I completely understood and empathized with Laurie’s situation, I’m not a fan of the fake-dating trope. When a relationship is built on a lie, it sets a troubling precedent, no matter how justified the participants may feel.
I’m also wary of workplace romances—not because dating a boss or coworker is inherently wrong, but because private lives can quickly become office gossip. Laurie and Jamie face intense scrutiny from their colleagues, even after their relationship becomes genuine. If the relationship ends, the workplace can become a battleground, creating awkwardness, discomfort, and an unwelcome loss of privacy.
What makes the story compelling is how convincingly the fake relationship develops, even though the eventual outcome is easy to anticipate. I enjoyed Laurie and Jamie’s chemistry, the ease with which they connect, and the support they offer each other when painful events from their pasts come to light.
McFarlane also blends romantic comedy with sensitive subjects and emotional upheaval remarkably well. This is only the second book I’ve read by her, but it left me eager to explore more of her work.
My Final Verdict: Despite my reservations about the fake-dating and workplace-romance tropes, If I Never Met You won me over with its engaging chemistry, emotional depth, and thoughtful balance of humor and heavier themes. The destination may be predictable, but the journey feels sincere, entertaining, and ultimately satisfying. I would recommend it to readers who enjoy character-driven contemporary romance with wit and heart.
Thank you to the publisher, HarperCollins Publishers, who provided an advance reader copy of this book via NetGalley.
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