If I Never Met You summary

Unexpected Emotions

In If I Never Met You by Mhairi McFarlane, we meet Laurie, a career-driven lawyer who is deeply in love with her long-term partner, Dan. However, her perfect world comes crashing down when Dan suddenly announces he wants to end their relationship. Laurie is left heartbroken and devastated, especially when she discovers that Dan has already moved on with someone else.

In an attempt to move on, Laurie throws herself into her work, but she finds it difficult to get over Dan. She is constantly reminded of their past and the future they had planned together. Her pain is compounded by the fact that she has to see Dan every day at work, as they both work at the same law firm.

A Plan for a Fake Relationship

Things take an unexpected turn when Laurie's colleague, Jamie, propositions her with an unusual idea. Jamie is known for his womanizing ways, and he's in a bit of a bind. He needs to prove to their colleagues that he's capable of having a serious relationship. On the other hand, Laurie wants to make Dan jealous and show him that she can move on too. Jamie proposes that they enter into a fake relationship for mutual benefit – Laurie can make Dan jealous, and Jamie can improve his image at work.

Initially, Laurie is hesitant about Jamie's proposition. She finds Jamie to be arrogant and self-centered, and she's not sure if she can pull off such a charade. However, she ultimately agrees, realizing that the arrangement could help her regain some control over her life and her image at work.

The Lines Begin to Blur

As Laurie and Jamie start their fake relationship, they begin to spend more time together. They get to know each other better, and Laurie is surprised to find that Jamie is not as shallow as she initially thought. Jamie, too, starts to see Laurie in a new light. He admires her strength and resilience in the face of heartbreak.

As they continue to fake their relationship, the lines between what's real and what's not begin to blur. Laurie starts to develop genuine feelings for Jamie, and she's not sure if Jamie feels the same. Jamie, too, is confused about his feelings for Laurie. He's never been in a real, committed relationship before, and he's not sure if he's capable of loving someone.

Realizing the Truth

As the fake relationship progresses, Laurie and Jamie find themselves in increasingly intimate situations. They go on dates, meet each other's friends and family, and even go on a romantic holiday together. During this time, both Laurie and Jamie realize that their feelings for each other might not be as fake as they initially thought.

However, they're both hesitant to admit their true feelings. Laurie is afraid of getting hurt again, and Jamie is afraid of commitment. It's only when they're forced to confront their feelings in the face of an unexpected event that they finally acknowledge the truth – they're in love with each other.

A Real Happily Ever After

In the end, Laurie and Jamie decide to take a leap of faith and pursue a real relationship. They acknowledge that their love might have started off as a charade, but it's undeniably real now. They're both willing to work through their fears and insecurities to be together.

If I Never Met You by Mhairi McFarlane is a heartwarming and humorous tale of unexpected love and second chances. It shows us that sometimes, the most unlikely of circumstances can lead to the most beautiful of outcomes.