Book Review: Just Last Night by Mhairi McFarlane

Just Last Night by Mhairi McFarlane turned out to be as poignant and impactful as I imagined it would be. It’s both heartbreaking and heartwarming, and I loved every part of it. In a span of a few minutes, the lives of four friends changed tragically forever. This is the story of those four friends, before and after that last night.

This book is part of My Winter 2023 Reading List.

My Overview

Over the span of a few months, along with flashbacks to previous years, the story of four friends unfolds in a way that is both heartbreaking and hopeful. Eve, Susie, Ed, and Justin are longtime friends who value trivia night as much as their friendship. When an unexpected event occurs on that last night, the aftermath becomes the catalyst for painful changes and truths they’d never anticipated.

This is a multilayered story about love, friendship, family, and trust. Loss and grief are a big part of this story. As heavy as those themes are, it never felt too dark or overwhelming. As we learn about each of the characters’ secrets and struggles, there’s humor and kindness interspersed throughout. I didn’t expect this story would make me laugh, but at times the characters’ witty remarks did! What I loved most about this story were the characters, their commitment to each other, and the way the themes of loss and grief were handled. What a truly memorable and relatable story that will stay with me for a long time.

My Recommendation

This is my fourth book by this author, and I’ve enjoyed each of them. The writing style, character development, and poignant storylines are what I’ve loved. This story, however, will likely always stand out to me from the rest. Needless to say, I highly recommend this book. If you can, listen to the audiobook, which makes the story more captivating and real.

The other books I’ve read by this author (and recommend) are:

• Mad About You
• If I Never Met You
• Don’t You Forget About Me

What was the last story you read that has stayed with you?