Don’t You Forget About Me by Mhairi McFarlane // Book Review

I can’t think of this book’s title without thinking about the song written by Simple Minds. However, the song and the book have nothing in common aside from its title. I picked up this book from Netgalley a few months back when I still had a Netgalley account and requesting books like a fiend.

But after finishing a fantasy trilogy with pretty heavy themes, I wanted to read something lighter to cleanse the palate and since Don’t You Forget About Me was coming out, I figured I’ll give it a shot.

Friends, this book was exactly what I was looking for. Let’s talk some more about it.

Don’t You Forget About Me is about Georgina Horspool, a 30-year-old waitress who just got let go from yet another service position for showing a small amount of empathy towards a customer. And if matters couldn’t get worse, she heads to her boyfriend’s house only to catch him getting it on with another woman. Desperate for some money to make rent, Georgina takes a job as a bartender for a wake only to see her first love from high school, Lucas. Funnily, Lucas just doesn’t remember her! As you can tell, the hilarity of that ensues.

The story itself read like Bridget Jones’s Diary. It wasn’t exactly a romance even though there were a few romantic themes, but with Georgie’s group of friends and the guys that she’s involved with definitely gave the same Bridget Jones vibes. It also helps that it takes place in the UK and uses a lot of idioms. I had to look up a few words because they were foreign to me.

But language aside, I really liked this story. It’s a slow burning life story of a young woman coming to terms with what’s happened to her in the past, what’s happening in her present, and if she’ll be okay for the future. And while it was a slow burn, it was filled with so many amazing one-liners specifically around her therapy and her basically thinking through her past and feelings. It’s incredible to see the nuance of her brain and how she thinks because it’s how all of us think sometimes.

I didn’t anticipate this book to be so thought-provoking and challenging for Georgina. I thought this would be another easy love story, but as the themes started to reveal themselves you get the sense that this is much bigger than the cute book cover and the clever title. And when you finally see Lucas remember Georgina, it’s like the icing on top of the cake.

Even the ending surprised me in its direction. I wasn’t expecting the last 50 pages to go the way it did and even Lucas and Georgina’s eventual joining was a surprise and it really made my heart flutter for them.

Overall, a really great story with a funny author and some serious themes. It’s definitely one you want to read if you need something light, but don’t expect it all to be fluff. I look forward to reading other books by Mhairi McFarlane in the future!

• 4/5 Stars
• Find my review on Goodreads
• Find Don’t You Forget About Me on Amazon

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley for free in exchange for an honest review. My opinions have not been influenced by the publisher or the author.