Review: Here's Looking At You by Mhairi McFarlane

Rating: ★★★★
Date published: June 3rd, 2014
Publisher: Avon
Synopsis: The next hysterical romantic (mis)adventure from the internationally bestselling Mhairi McFarlane, author of You Had Me at Hello

What if the last person you wanted to see was the person you needed?

Here's Looking At You is, in essence, an ugly duckling tale. Our heroine Anna returns to school after fifteen years for a reunion. School doesn't hold happy memories for her, as being a roly poly Italian (known as the Italian Galleon), and always armed with a Tupperware full of pungent Mediterranean food, she was bullied incessantly throughout her years there.

Now in her 30s, Anna wants to put the past behind her once and for all and face up to the bullies who made her life hell. But she is much-changed from the girl she once was - all curves and because I'm worth it hair - and no one recognizes her when she arrives. Losing her cool, she backs out on her plan for revenge and slinks off, hoping never to be reminded of her years at school again.

But fate gets in the way, and after the reunion her path keeps crossing with James - major hunk and Anna's major crush back at school. But alas, as a crony to the bullies, Anna to this day believes that his beautiful exterior hides an ugly interior. As they continue to cross paths a love/hate relationship ensues until eventually something shifts, and they both start to discover what the person underneath is really like…

Full of laugh out loud humor, Here's Looking At You is a novel about facing your demons and being happy with who you really are.

What I Thought:

I'd heard so many good things about Mhairi McFarlane's books that I finally read one, even though I already owned both in paperback with the European covers.  Of course, there was something about this book, especially the fact that the hero and heroine hadn't gotten along as teen, and then they meet again as adults.

I loved Anna.  She reminds me of myself not physically but mentally.  She's gotten over her past but the insecurities of the past haven't left her completely.  Well when I think of it like that, Anna could be anyone.  Not everyone is able to overcome the issues they have.  I didn't like younger James, but the adult was definitely likable.  There's nothing like heart break to make you see things differently.  

The main point that I took from this book was that we can change, and most people usually do.  It's easier to hold on to old hurts but when you get to know someone you may realize what you thought was false.  I enjoyed seeing Anna's thoughts and feelings toward James change.  Of course there was lots of laughter and some tears along the way.

Now that I've read a book by Mhairi I can see what all the hype was about.  I think I'll be picking up her debut as soon as I have the time.  I also think I'm going to continue to buy the European covers.  They're so much prettier, and the James on the American cover doesn't look like the handsome heartbreaking bully I expected or envisioned in my mind.  If you get a chance to pick up this book, then please do!  I'll report back after reading the other book, You Had Me At Hello.

Purchase Links:

Amazon US Amazon UK Barnes & Noble Kobo Google Play iBooks

About the Author

Mhairi was born in Scotland in 1976 and has been explaining how to pronounce her name ever since. (With a 'V', not an 'M'. Yes, that's us crazy Celts for you).

She is based in Nottingham where she used to be a local journalist. Now she's a freelance writer and sometime-blogger, which we all know is code for pissing about on Twitter.

She likes drinking wine, eating food and obtaining clothes; all the impressive hobbies. Her best anecdotes involve dislocating her elbow tripping over a briefcase and a very bad flight to New York. She lives with a man and a cat.

Follow Mhairi on Twitter @MhairiMcF.

Buy You Had Me at Hello: http://www.amazon.co.uk/You-Had-Me-At...

* A copy was provided by the publisher in return for an honest review.  All opinions are my own and I was not compensated in any manner.*