Recommended Read!
“This book leaves you with a clear message about accepting yourself and your strengths without bashing you around the head with it.”
~ Under the Covers
Georgina isn’t having a great day. She’s been fired from the worst Italian restaurant in Sheffield only to walk in on her boyfriend having sex with his assistant. Puzzled by her lack of heart break and in need of cash, she quickly snatches up the next job she is offered. Only to realise that her new role as bar maid is in a pub owned by the her long lost, and secret, love Lucas. But, her love for Lucas isn’t the only secret she is keeping and seeing him again brings old feelings and memories to the surface.
This book took me by surprise. Although, I wasn’t sure what I expected when I picked Don’t You Forget About Me up; I have never read Mhairi McFarlane before and on top of that it’s a women’s fiction novel – not a genre I tend to read a lot of. But I do know I wasn’t expecting to love this book as much as I did. Don’t you love it when a book ambushes you like that? For me, it’s one of the delights of being a bookworm.
Don’t You Forget About Me did a great job of mixing Georgina’s journey of self-discover with a big dose of humour. The pain of seeing Lucas again brings in sharp relief her life of serially underachieving. But rather then being depressing, Georgina’s voice smooths the edges with her brilliant sense of humour. This is also a book set in the UK and is a great example of British humour. So, if you ever want a taste of the dry self-depreciating wit that often marks British comedy, this is the perfect book.
But, although this book was funny, that didn’t take away from the emotional impact. Especially at the end where there’s one particular scene that I defy anyone to read and not cry at least a little. McFarlane has skilfully built Georgina’s journey of self-discovery with warmth, humour and a very light touch. This book leaves you with a clear message about accepting yourself and your strengths without bashing you around the head with it.
This is a women’s fiction novel though, not a contemporary romance, although there is a love story in here the main focus is Georgina and her life. So, I would advise you go into this book not expecting to see a full romance bloom; that way lies disappointment. However, the romance did have a satisfying conclusion; you just won’t see Georgina and Lucas on the page in the same way you would a contemporary romance.
I really enjoyed this book, it was my first time reading Mhairi McFarlane but I guarantee it’s not going to be my last.
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[about-author author=”Mhairi McFarlane”]
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Great review. New to me author, too….will give this a go!
Thanks for the review Suzanne
I’ve read mixed reviews on this and from the majority that I’ve seen, I don’t think I’ll enjoy the characters.
Thanks for the review.