Title: Don’t You Forget About Me by Mhairi McFarlane
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: Contemporary, Women’s Fiction, Comedy
Length: 430 pages
Book Rating: B+
Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through Edelweiss
Summary:
Internationally bestselling author Mhairi McFarlane delivers a funny, romantic, heartfelt novel perfect for fans of Josie Silver or Sally Thorne, and anyone who loves Bridget Jones!
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?
Review:
Don’t You Forget About Me by Mhairi McFarlane is a humorous, poignant and introspective novel of healing and love.
Thirty-one year old Georgina Horspool has just been fired when she catches her boyfriend, stand-up comedian Robin McNee, in bed with another woman. Her family is less than sympathetic to her plight but her brother-in-law Mark gives her a lead on a short-term bartending gig. Georgina is hired by Devlin McCarthy to work a wake and he ends up offering her a job at his and his brother Lucas’ newly refurbished pub. Because of her history with Lucas, Georgina hesitantly accepts the job and much to her delight, her life is on the upswing. But will Georgina’s tangled past with Lucas be her undoing? Or will she finally face the incident that has held her back all these years?
Georgina has a long string of waitressing, bartending and hostessing jobs under her belt. Due to her financial insecurity and work history, she is well aware her family considers her to be a failure. Fortunately Georgina is surrounded by a supportive and encouraging circle of friends who shore up her flagging confidence. While she is extremely close to Jo, Rav and Clem, Georgina has not revealed what happened to her during sixth form.
Georgina undergoes a great deal of growth in the aftermath of her firing and break up. Despite a year of counseling, she has yet to come to terms with events that occurred before and after entering university. Georgina starts to examine her lackluster love life and her relationship with her family and she is somewhat shocked by what she discovers. But before she can fully heal and move forward, she is heartbroken after an intense discussion with Lucas. What path will Georgina take in the aftermath of his painful revelations?
Don’t You Forget About Me is a charming novel that is quite captivating. Georgina is an absolutely delightful woman who discovers she is much stronger than she thinks. Her journey of self-discovery is occasionally painful yet, in the end, gratifying. Rav, Jo and Clem are endearing characters and their friendship is one of the story’s best features. Lucas is an appealing man but he is a bit enigmatic since he is somewhat aloof and keeps his own counsel. Georgina’s family is very frustrating and their lack of faith in her is somewhat demoralizing. Mhairi McFarlane perfectly balances the heavier topics with light-hearted banter and humor. I positively adored and highly recommend this dazzling novel to readers who enjoy women’s fiction.
