I've read and loved Mhairi's books but unfortunately this one wasn't for me. I was expecting her usual clever rom-com but didn't find this one funny at all, and the plot wasn't plausible.

My favourite kind of 'chic lit'. A really enjoyable light read, that has a good amount of substance.

I love Georgina. I am particularly fond of characters that don;t quite have all of their ducks in a row...especially when they are happy enough to get on with it, while family members just want them to settle down, even if it means spending your days in a job that makes you miserable.

Fantastic content from a wonderful author. Mhairi McFarlane is a go-to author for me. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I know it’s not summer anymore (at least not in the southern hemisphere), but for anyone looking for their next beach or weekend couch read — this is it.

There’s something about Mhairi McFarlane’s writing that pulls me right in and doesn’t spit me out until I get to the end. I remember the first time I picked up Who’s That Girl, thinking ‘this will be an easy read, I’m not going to get too emotional surely’. I’m sure you know how the rest panned out.

Don’t You Forget About Me pulled at my heartstrings equally as much, perhaps even more than Who’s That Girl, as I absolutely adored the two main characters, Georgina and Lucas.

Following a double dumping on the same day, Georgina snatches at the next job that she is offered — as a barmaid at a new pub in her home town. Little does she know, the pub is co-owned and run by the boy that she fell in love with in high school — but the issue is, he’s completely wiped her from his memory because of that one fateful night before graduation. Everything is not as it seems and we follow Georgina on her journey in discovering herself as her past comes bubbling to the surface the more time she spends with ex-love Lucas McCarthy.

Mhairi’s characters and storylines are always beautifully fleshed out. And most importantly, they’re always so real. I would believe if she told me that Georgina and Lucas are based on real life people that she came across once upon a time because they really feel this way. It’s like I’m peaking into the lives of these people every time I read a Mhairi novel.

If you’re a fan of well developed characters and realistic storylines, definitely pick up Don’t You Forget About Me when it’s out in March 2019.

Don't You Forget About Me is the story of Georgina, who is sacked from her job at a crappy restaurant, and then finds her boyfriend inside someone else.

I found Georgina to be instantly likeable. She's 30, and people tend to expect you to have your shit together by this point. She's living with a difficult roommate, dropped out of university, has no boyfriend, working in restaurants and bars. Now, I for one have no problem with that (possibly because I relate in the whole bring single, dead end job, kinda thing). But they're things that "others" tend to have a problem one. Case in point: Georgina's family. By the time she's 30, they want her to have her life together.

But Georgina, she's still finding herself. And that is the crux of this story. It's labelled as a romance, and yes there is a romance, but it's more than that. It's Georgina finding who she is and where she belongs in the world, and most importantly, what makes her happy. It's her facing her past and finding a way to give herself a future.

There's just something special about this book that I find hard to put into words. I love the message it gives about loving yourself and being true to yourself. I love that the romance isn't just a case of alpha guy comes swinging in to save the day. I love that in Georgina we have this strong, sassy, awesome character.

The book is littered with amusing little anecdotes, and whilst I didn't find them laugh out loud funny I can see they would have that appeal to others.

The narrative pace is a little slower than I'm used to and I did take a little while to get into the grove of things. I can appreciate that is because it's more internal character driven though, rather than a race to a specific definiation. And in all honesty, it was probably good for me to slow things down for a bit!

This was my first Mhairi McFarlane book, and it definitely won't be my last.

TW: Sexual Assault, Parent Death (prior to current events), PTSD

Bechdel Test: Passes

Accurate portrayal of coping with trauma: Yes
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This is my first book that I’ve read by Mhairi McFarlane, but after finishing this one – it won’t be the last.

The true English slang and mannerisms was incredibly heartwarming and enjoyable to read. My family is from England and so I’ve grown up with this way of talking so it was like reading about a long lost family member. To those that aren’t familiar with this type of speak, it could be quite jarring – however I feel that it suits the characters incredibly well.

Georgina is a woman who has hit the big three-oh with very little materially to show for it, much to the dismay of her stepfather (and seemingly her family for most of the book). She is a sweet, kindhearted woman who takes no bullshit – as is evidenced by her reactions to events throughout the book. This ‘all-in-control’ front that she gives off is a definite protection barrier between herself and feelings in the real world.

Lucas is a dark, serious and laconic Irish boy – who is described and written as a man you would have no questions about falling in love with, either then or now. The slow-burn is real and well worth it.

I know this is a romance book, so the romance should be the thing that I’m gushing about, however this book really is about Georgina falling in love with herself and learning about being kind and accepting of herself. The mental health portrayal within this book was really well done.

There is talk of going to a counsellor and discussing what happened in these sessions and what a benefit they were. There is talk about the real and damaging effects of trauma, sometimes in the most unlikely times. One of her best friends is a counsellor and he gives pearls of wisdom to the group of best friends (which is a fabulous and supportive group of friends!).

“There are always those worse off than you. Your problems are not invalid as a result, or needing to be measured against an internationally recognised pain scale before we decide if your condition is severe enough to treat.”

Going into this book I was expecting a fluffy, cute romance that was quick and easy to read but what I was given was a thoughtful, real, adult experience. There is romance in this book (and it’s a really nice one), but it is so much more!

*thank you to HarperCollins Publishers Australia and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you HarperCollins Publishers Australia amd Netgalley for an ARC of this book in return for my honest review.

This was the first time I had heard of this author and it won’t be the last book of hers that I read. This was an enjoyable, funny feel good romcom which was just what I needed after reading a string of memoirs.

Highly recommended for an enjoyable, easy read.

4.5 Stars

I didn’t know if I would be here for this, BUT I AM SO HERE FOR THIS.
I haven’t read much adult fiction in my time, but this is a great reminder for why I should! With Sophie Kinsella and Graeme Simsion pretty much being my only references, this was right up there with those two amazing humans.
I don’t know what I was expecting when I requested this ARC, but I am unbelievably happy that I did. I was expecting a total romantic-comedy, and although I didn’t really get the comedy, I was in LOVE.
The storytelling was brilliant, with well-thought out characters (shoutout to my favs Clem and Karen 😘) and really well-paced plot. I was a sucker for this story the moment my eyes hit the page.
I look forward to reading everything Mhairi McFarlane has ever written - I definitely see this happening in the near-future.
Another great read that I recommend getting a copy of (and reading!)

Mhairi McFarlane is one of my all time favourite romcom authors and she never dissappoints! Her wit and humour are second to none, her stories (and her heroines) are superbly clever, warm, hilarious, heartfelt and real. And they’ve only grown increasingly so over the years. (The woman herself must be the most magnificent human being!) I *loved* this story. It’s brimming with brilliant insight, some unapologetically hard-hitting home truths, heart-swelling moments and loads of laughs. Just wonderful.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I’ve read and enjoyed three other previous books by Mhairi McFarlane. Here’s looking at you, It’s not me, it’s you and Who’s that girl?
Don’t You Forget about Me is now probably my favourite. It’s got all of the elements of a great story. A story that isn’t about a single moment, but about a lifetime of choices and decisions. Some more tragic than others.
You have the supportive friends and (when it counts) family, who are reflective of the main character.
There are lots of laugh out loud moments along the way, with exes and employment situations, however the main draw is how Lucas and Georgina get to know each other again. Without giving too much away, it feels like how love is supposed to feel; discovering the one person who makes you feel special, the way no one else can.
Thank you so much for the ARC, I rate it 4.5 stars.