McFarlane (Don’t You Forget About Me) brings a welcome dose of reality to the fake office romance trope with flawed, honest, but still endearing protagonists. After Laurie’s boyfriend of 18 Continue reading » And because I just finished it I’m so tempted to say it’s the best of her books. (I should reread the others for an honest comparison - otherwise it’s the giddy buzz talking.) There were certainly aspects here where she outshone even herself. The beginning of this story was nearly flawless. It brought more emotion than I’d anticipated. It feels as if Ms McFarlane has honed herself to a shiny edge. And this story moves forward gracefully and easily - like a silvery little stream or river. Something natural and lovely. Before adding this book to my tbr-list, I was already familiar with this author, as I have read 'Don't You Forget About Me' (yes, the main reason I read that book was because of the title) about 3 years ago and I enjoyed it. But in this book's case, it was actually the synopsis that captured my interest and made me want to read it. This was my third book by Mhairi McFarlane, so I thought I was ready for an emotional but fun rom-com, but I wasn't prepared to cry so much, feel such despair, anger and grief! Last Night was significantly darker and grittier than her last book ( If I Never Met You). It was at times painfully hard to read, and was also more about friendships, rather than a steamy rom-com. Overall, I love this book. It transports you, takes you away from the now (massive thank you) and gives you some thoughtful but fun hours in lovely company.

Last Night Quotes by Mhairi McFarlane - Goodreads Just Last Night Quotes by Mhairi McFarlane - Goodreads

And Matt, well it was lovely to just have my heart warmed any time that he was with Roisin, as you could tell that, despite how Joe was trying to depict him, he was genuinely a nice guy. The worst thing about this book is that it took me only three hours to read it. After waiting over a year to get my paws on a new Mhairi McFarlane treasure, you would think I would try to make this one last—savoring it, stretching it out over a few days, at the very least—knowing full well that I wouldn't be getting another one for at least another year. But nope. I'm just not wired that way. And trust me, you won't be able to put Just Last Night down either. This is Mhairi at her very best. Eve, Justin, Susie, and Ed have been friends since they were teenagers. Now in their thirties, the four are as close as ever, Thursday night bar trivia is sacred, and Eve is still secretly in love with Ed. Maybe she should have moved on by now, but she can’t stop thinking about what could have been. And she knows Ed still thinks about it, too. I don't want to spoil anything, so I'll just say it's Eve growing after a personal loss, and reconsidering truths she's believed for 16 years. And it's a lovely journey. Thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy.It's not a typical romance but rather focuses on friendship and empowerment although I enjoyed the romance (it started quite late in the book) very much. Mhairi McFarlane had me at hello and I will definitely look her other books up. again, the cover and tagline are misleading. they scream second chance romance, but this is not that. this is about how a tragic accident shakes the foundation of a strong friend group, not only because of the loss, but because of a secret it unearths. its about grief, people showing their true colours, acceptance and forgiveness, and finding the strength to move on. life is very much the focus of this story, not romance. The flow, as I said, was not good. As other reviewers rightfully noted, this is the slowest book ever. It takes almost to the 40 percent mark for Roisin and her long-time boyfriend, Joe to even have a conversation about the state of their relationship. The weekend away took til the 40 percent mark! That could have been cut in half. And even then, things don't get resolved until the 77 percent mark, and even then we get a twist/reveal at the 84 percent mark. I always assumed you liked that.’‘What?’‘That he’s a Mean Boy.’ He looked at her with an awkward expression….Joe was mean – and Roisin ‘liked it’? She supposed she had. She thought he was clever. What did it say about Roisin, that she had chosen mean? How did you explain having fallen in love with someone who wasn’t nice?

Mhairi McFarlane - Book Series In Order Mhairi McFarlane - Book Series In Order

But I don't think I have ever been reduced to tears by any of her previous novels - and I have read every one of them! Every expression of loss and bereavement in Just Last Night came across as painfully authentic. I was moved time and again by each new experience without Susie that would send daggers of grief through Eve's heart. But when some of Susie's darkest secrets are revealed, Eve's rage knows no bounds. "Emotional roller coaster" is too mild a description for what Eve goes through: Eve is now angry AND grieving the loss of her best friend. So I obviously thought "Omg friends to lovers with maybe an unrequited crush but now we find out both love each other"The problem for me in Between Us is that I think Roisin’s experience with Joe doesn’t really provide a natural segue straight into a new romance. While I came to like Matt, and understood the basis for their connection, for me their burgeoning relationship didn’t have the sense of inevitability that is present between the couples in McFarlane’s previous novels, and the balance between the romance and angst wasn’t there.

Just Last Night – HarperCollins Just Last Night – HarperCollins

A cute book! Just Last Night follow Eve, a woman in her thirties, whose closest friends include her best friend Suzie, her longtime secret crush Ed, and the caring jokester in the group Justin. One night a tragic event occurs that forces Eve to confront difficult truths about her friend group. In the process, she learns more about the dynamic between her and Ed, as well as how she feels about what – and who – she wants in her life.My Best Friend’s Wedding might’ve been a funny film but relieving its plot doesn’t feel funny in the slightest. Impromptu Goodreads Gal Pals group read - Take 4...maybe not planning ahead will be our magic sauce 🤗 Only McFarlane handles it so deftly that I was completely engrossed the entire way. I loved getting to know the friends. I loved the hints that Eve was a bit too naïve in her acceptance of at least some of them. And I loved that there were problematic aspects of almost all those relationship dynamics but without weakening the reality or strength of them. This is so powerfully done that McFarlane earns all her kudos, I think. Since this is told in the first person, via Eve, you do get to see her character developed, but you also get to see some changes to others like Ed and even Fin.