#35 [2021/CBR13] Who's that Girl? by Mhairi McFarlane

I finished Just Last Night, but I apparently didn't have my fill of Mhairi McFarlane, so I immediately picked up Who's That Girl? (2016) in order to appreciate a little more of her writing. Like all of her books I've read, I enjoyed this one as well. McFarlane writes complex, emotional, fun, and entertaining romance novels. She includes some dark topics in realistic ways that make her characters feel more real and relatable. I plan on reading all of her books eventually.

Edie is attending the wedding of two coworkers. It's a beautiful wedding, but not all fun and games for Edie because she's had a bit of a crush on the groom, Jack. Jack has singled her out at work, they've had deep, interesting discussions, and they text all the time. But Edie is a grown up and behaving herself appropriately. Unfortunately, near the end of the reception, Jack finds her alone outside. He's drunk and he kisses her--just in time for them to be caught in the act.

Edie is horrified, and with revengeful bridesmaids banging down her door, she escapes as quickly as she can. The wedding is ruined and everyone blames Edie. Jack seems happy to let the blame fall on her, and he stays quiet about what really happened. Her workplace has suddenly become hostile territory, and she's ready to quit. Her boss is sympathetic and offers her the chance to travel to Nottingham (where she grew up) in order to ghostwrite an autobiography of the hot, new British acting sensation, Elliot Owen. Apparently Elliot Owen is very difficult to work with, and he has already gone through a couple of ghostwriters.

Edie is not excited about going back home because it means she has to deal with the delicate family dynamics of her widowed father and do-nothing, very sensitive younger sister. There's a reason she high-tailed it out of Nottingham as soon as she was able. It doesn't help that an anonymous person is hounding her online because of the whole wedding thing. Edie is able to meet up with her two best friends from her school days, which is a great help.

After a bit of a rough start with Elliot Owen, the two are able to get along and get to work. Edie spends some time on set with their incredibly demanding director, and sees firsthand what being a big star is really about. She also discovers how the internet's interest in her expands exponentially when she is linked with Elliot. Both Edie and Elliot learn some things about their families and grow. In the end, Edie is able to see how manipulative Jack was and is towards her and put him in his place. She also discovers the identity of the anonymous internet troll who had been attacking her.

I obviously enjoyed reading this book. However, I read this a relatively long time ago (just catching up on reviews now), and it's interesting that I don't remember the romantic sections all that well. I certainly remember a couple of scenes, but I probably remember Edie interacting with her family better.