Title: Don’t You Forget About Me
Author: Mhairi McFarlane
Published: September 10th 2019, William Morrow
Status: Read September 2019 courtesy William Morrow/Edelweiss
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My Thoughts:
This is probably the first time I’ve chosen to read a book because I can’t read the title without wanting to burst into song. The Breakfast Club was my favourite movie as a teen, and ‘Don’t You Forget About Me’ by Simple Minds plays during the film’s closing moments, as John Bender (ie. Judd Nelson) punches the air.
Mhairi McFarlane’s book doesn’t really have any connection to the movie, though the story does begin in highschool as Georgina falls in love with her classmate, Lucas, only for the relationship to end abruptly. Nearly twelve years later Georgina is having a tough week. First she is fired from her waitressing job, and next finds her boyfriend in bed with his personal assistant, then when she is offered a great new job, she discovers that the co-owner of the business is none other than Lucas, who seems not to recognise her.
While marketed as a romcom, and I don’t dispute that Don’t You Forget About Me is both romantic and funny, the term doesn’t give McFarlane the credit she deserves for the serious issues she explores in this novel. I really enjoyed the humour that moves between the dry and somewhat slapstick, but the story also packs quite an emotional wallop that I didn’t expect. Key is McFarlane’s examination of Georgina’s experiences at the hands of men behaving badly.
I really liked Georgina and found her to be authentic and relatable. She is funny, though she often uses humour as a defence, and strong, even if she doesn’t recognise it. While she doesn’t get much emotional support from her family, (gotta love her Nan though), her friends are wonderful. But there is no denying that Georgina is stuck, and needs to find a way to move forward.
Witty, heartfelt, and moving, I enjoyed Don’t You Forget About Me. Don’t ‘walk on by’ this one.
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And because I can’t resist- enjoy
Sep 11, 2019 @ 04:09:39
Oh this sound is a blast from the past! Glad you enjoyed the book so much and thank you for a lovely review:)
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Sep 11, 2019 @ 20:05:54
I’ve been seeing this one around a lot and, like you, every time I see the cover I think of the song. I enjoy a good rom-com that is also able to weave in more serious themes and it sounds like McFarlane does a good job of that.
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Sep 12, 2019 @ 08:28:08
I liked this book. I went 4/5, but I feel like it leaned more women’s lit, than romance. Like you said, there were a lot of real issues explored. I agree, that it was funny, but the romantic element was such a minor part, though that speech at the end was phenomenal. And, yes! I could NOT stop singing the song.
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Sep 12, 2019 @ 08:59:38
I so had to laugh at your reason for picking up this book because I immediately started singing the title in my head before even reading that you did the same thing. Glad you liked it!
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Sep 12, 2019 @ 19:27:20
I absolutely love Mhairi McFarlane and I agree that this one definitely takes a turn for the much more serious.
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