“Don’t You Forget About Me is one of those books I couldn’t put down. Crackling with energy and wit, I lost count of how many times I laughed out loud. Mhairi McFarlane’s voice is as clear as a bell—she makes you laugh, but she also makes you feel. I adore her!” — Sally Thorne
Internationally bestselling author Mhairi McFarlane delivers a funny, romantic, heartfelt novel perfect for fans of … romantic, heartfelt novel perfect for fans of Josie Silver or Sally Thorne, and anyone who loves Bridget Jones or Fleabag!
You always remember your first love… don’t you?
If there’s anything worse than being fired from the worst restaurant in town, it’s coming home early to find your boyfriend in bed with someone else. Reeling from the humiliation of a double dumping in one day, Georgina takes the next job that comes her way—bartender in a newly opened pub. There’s only one problem: it’s run by the guy she fell in love with years ago. And—make that two problems—he doesn’t remember her. At all. But she has fabulous friends and her signature hot pink fur coat… what more could a girl really need?
Lucas McCarthy has not only grown into a broodingly handsome man, but he’s also turned into an actual grown-up, with a thriving business and a dog along the way. Crossing paths with him again throws Georgina’s rocky present into sharp relief—and brings a secret from her past bubbling to the surface. Only she knows what happened twelve years ago, and why she’s allowed the memories to chase her ever since. But maybe it’s not too late for the truth… or a second chance with the one that got away?
more
Big emotional read, I loved this novel. The ending, especially, was swooning. The story was gripping, Georgina’s journey on self awareness inspiring, and the romance just so sweet and cute and coated in that first-love magic Mhairi can recreate so well. She is one of my favorite writers.
Still, as it seems to be the case with many of my favorite romcom authors lately, this book was littered with serious, sad, and dramatic subplots. And it’s not the first time Mhairi touches more grave topics, but this book was next-level weighty. The death of her father for one, but more the thing in Georgina’s past that she has to face. It’s not a topic one expects in a romcom with a beautiful, colorful cover, especially for hoe graphicly and dauntingly the event is described.
So a great book, but not all cheers and laughter.
Oh, I adored this book. Gave me all the feels and made me want to ditch everything else to keep reading. It really goes to town on certain types of boys/men and the damage they wreak in their entitlement, and what it might take for their victims to fully reclaim themselves. But there are lovely men here, too. Beautifully constructed for suspense and satisfaction. Loved it. It is very British — I had to google a few references — but you’ll be able to cope, unless perhaps you’re also in recovery from alcoholism, in which case the rampant drinking may be a bit problematic. It’s a subtle leitmotif, nothing heavy, but I also love the way it both incisively critiques Wuthering Heights and honors it (though I’d lean toward the blistering critique side, personally).
This is the kind of romance (adult) that makes you seek out more rom-coms, love second-chance romances (if you didn’t already), and really believe in the power of healing, truth, and hope. The story will definitely stick with me for some time to come.
Now excuse me while I nurse my book-hangover.
I think I’ve found one of my new favorite sub-genres–therapy disguised as witty, British contemporary romance. This book was full of deep, true, gutsy insights. The character growth is hard-won and real and oh so satisfying. The romance had me grinning like an idiot.
The funniest, most romantic book I’ve read since One Day.
I love McFarlane’s writing, and her utterly fresh take on romance. She’s so talented, and never fails to entertain!
I really enjoyed reading this book. The main character, Georgina, had an attitude that was easy to like. I just wanted her life to work out! The mystery surrounding Lucas and what happened to them in the past kept me guessing, and though the reveal happened in quite a public way, it was gripping to read with a satisfying ending.
This is my first Mhairi McFarlane and I’ll be looking out for her from now on. LOVED her voice, loved the heroine and how her issues couldn’t be summed up as ‘clumsy’ or ‘not realising how beautiful she is’. She took responsibility for herself at the end, and the journey was so sweet.
Very very witty and funny. Left me in awe… a total gem.
After stumbling on this book, I don’t even remember where, I read it in two days and then immediately decided I need to read EVERYTHING Mhairi McFarlane had ever written. Her romances are slow burn and full of her loveable and complex characters dealing with their own baggage on their road to love.
A.M.A.Z.I.N.G. This book made me blubber-cry with joy. That ending! Can someone please hurry up and turn it into a film so I can watch it twenty-thousand billion trillion times? I’ve just finished reading it and…Oh. My. God. I’m exhausted but in the best possible way. Big sigh. Time to start from the beginning again…
Absolutely loved it! Can’t believe this is her debut novel. Loved the pace and vibe. Michael is just to die for. Perfect chick lit with a lot of steam!
Don’t go into this book expecting a romance novel, this isn’t one. This is a romcom with a side of emotion. Georgina wasn’t someone that I could relate to, but I did love the correlation between this couple and the book they studied in school, wuthering heights. It was so fitting for them and it set up the story very well. I was pretty sure I knew the twist early On, but really enjoyed getting there. Would I have liked more development between Lucas and George? Yes. For sure. But we didn’t have his perspective so it made sense. I liked Lucas and his brooding, but I wish he would have talked to Georgina was earlier about their issues instead of ignore them. In the end, he redeemed himself. I understand how people have issues with this book, but I think it is their expectations that aren’t being met because they go into it thinking it will be something it isn’t. The book was a romcom but did definitely have some issues that had me tearing up.
5+ Stars!!
A Top 2020 Read
Holy Cow!! This author writes some of the best heroines. Granted, I’ve only read two of MacFarlane’s books and the heroines were wholly different, but also equally strong and amazing. I loved their voices, their authenticity, and their resolve.
In this book, Georgina was a powerhouse of self-respect even when often undermined by her family, an unethical boss, and a narcissistic ex. That, while also navigating past hurts and misunderstandings when her first love unexpectedly reenters her life.
This story also had a sweet second-chance romance along with little flashbacks of a blossoming romance and its demise. Yet, ultimately this was about Georgina admitting the truth of the past, the effects on her present, and reclaiming her future. It had a powerful and brutally honest ending and I’ve never related to a heroine more than this. It broke my heart in it’s authenticity. Like the author’s previous book, she focuses on the heroine’s strong and supportive friend base that helps to shape Georgina’s multi-layered character.
Predictably, I loved this whole book, but the last 5 chapters were stunning! They brought tears to my eyes, made me laugh out loud, and idiotically smile in equal measure. Mhairi MacFarlane has officially made my list of top favorite authors.
I was immediately pulled into the story from the prologue and it was because I was drawn to the characters. Being in Georgina’s head is an interesting place to be and I was amused and touched and found myself often laughing and nodding my head in agreement, as well as crying – my heart aching in recognition of truths life has taught me too.
The relationship between the sisters reminded me a great deal of the one between the sisters on Fleabag.
Also – it doesn’t hurt that dark eyed, dark haired brooding Irish Lucas is my catnip. 😉
I feel like I was unable to really give this book a chance because (a) I had just finished Mhairi McFarlane’s truly excellent If I Never Met you, so all I could do was compare the two books, (b) I had been reading a lot more serious/thought-provoking books and really just wanted a happy rom com, and this isn’t really that. While this book as an HEA and is filled with adorable moments and humor, it takes a LONG time (i.e. the entire book) to get to the HEA and there’s a good chunk of a variety of serious issues addressed before then (trigger warnings re sexual assault, rape, cheating, stalking). So this book just wasn’t really what I was in the mood for–I thought it’d be lighter than it was. I also found the characters less relatable than those in If I Never Met You, which featured a strong, career-focused woman in a man’s world, and this didn’t have that. Setting aside my own personal misgivings, this book was still really good and I’d definitely recommend it. McFarlane is an excellent writer who knows how to create realistic characters and worlds with engaging text. I binged this whole book in one sitting–it’s that readable. So give it a go, but maybe not right after If I Never Met You…
I’ve only read a handful of ‘Chick Lit’ books, and I’m determined to read more of them shortly. I enjoy romance books, but I also enjoy a book that focuses on a female protagonist’s story. Don’t You Forget About Me by Mhairi McFarlane was an enjoyable read or, in my case, a great listen since I borrowed the audiobook on Scribd. I do have a copy of the book in paperback, so I followed it along when listening to the book. I did notice the book I bought was written for USA readers, and the audiobook was narrated for UK readers. I wish I could have a copy of the UK version. I loved the narrator that was used for the book and could listen to her all day long. I also loved how she narrated the UK version.
Georgina has hit rock bottom in the book after getting fired at her waitress job, all because her boss didn’t like how she handled a customer. She ends up at her next job as a barmaid, and the owner/boss of the bar happens to be the boy she fell in love with in school, Lucas McCarthy. He doesn’t remember her, though, and doesn’t want to hire her, but his brother talks him into it. Here it is her she’s at dead-end jobs since she left school and Lucas has made something of himself. Georgina’s family is sick of her having those dead-end jobs and want her to make something of herself. Georgina is hoping to write, though, and proves she can write at a contest. Her past is about to come forward that she didn’t want to be revealed since it involves why she doesn’t have a relationship with Lucas now. The truth has to come out, though. Georgina is also dealing with an ex-boyfriend who she caught with another woman after she was fired. He won’t leave her alone.
I loved reading Georgina’s story and her journey to growing. There is quite a bit of British humor in this book, and I loved every bit of it. It reminded me of the British comedies I watch with my husband. My husband was born in Scotland and grew up watching UK television. This book is emotional at the very end when the truth of what happened to Georgina. I was mad at Lucas on how handled everything at first until he learned the truth too. You can tell immediately that these two loved each other in the beginning. Readers get a glimpse of their past together and how they met in person.
I enjoyed reading my first book by Mhairi McFarlane, and I look forward to reading more from her. I love finding new authors. Overall, this book gets 4-stars from me, and I recommend it to readers that love Women’s Fiction and Chick Lit.
I barely have words for this book and the things it made me feel … and I’m a writer! Seriously, if you want cracking wit, gorgeous characters and the most romantic HAPPILY EVER AFTER I’ve ever read then this book is for you. This comes with my TOP SEAL OF APPROVAL. I know the ebook is pricey, but you will not be sorry. I promise.
The first half of the book was hard for me to get into, but the ending was adorable.
In honor of Valentine’s Day, I read this romance novel about a high school romance that burned out in spectacular fashion. Sadly, the breakup was understood but never discussed. Now, fast forward 12 years, and Georgina has just walked in on her boyfriend unannounced, and finds him having sex with his assistance. This is after she has just been fired from her waitressing job.
Fortunately, Georgina’s brother-in-law sets her up to work a wake for a client of his. The client, Devlin, likes Georgina’s work and offers her a job in his bar. His brother walks in, and it just happens to be the love from high school, Lucas. Lucas doesn’t seem to recognize Georgina, and she is heartbroken about it. However, she decides to confront him about it, and he says she looks familiar.
Through a series of author events (Georgina wants to be a writer) at the bar, Georgina bares her soul and Lucas watches intently.
It is a typical romance with love, loss, and misunderstanding. The final chapter is extremely romantic, and probably a bit over the top, but I loved it. I think everyone would love to have someone speak to them that way.
#DontYouForgetAboutMe #MhairiMcFarlane