Another great read from Mhairi McFarlane.

Last night tells the story of four thirty something friends who have known each other from school. Together they have been through many ups and downs that life has thrown at them.

Suddenly a night out ends in tragedy and in the aftermath a few revelations make them question if they ever really knew each other at all.

A wonderful story of friendship, loss, healing and love.

Last Night by Mhari McFarlane is by far the book I’ve enjoyed most this year. I’m usually immersed in crime and mystery reading and this just transported me to a place and a life that felt authentic. The characters totally captivated me. I liked them all, even Hester (but just a little).
Mhari’s writing is fantastic. She is witty, insightful and just captures personalities succinctly and mercilessly. I don’t want to give any spoilers so am going to forgo outlining the plot other than to say you’ll meet best friends and travel a bit of a rollercoaster with them, finding out along the way that we have blind spots about ourselves and others and there are depths of hang ups and insecurities and trauma that aren’t readily apparent but which influence our perceptions of others and of ourselves. Eve’s journey to greater self awareness is only possible through better understanding of her friends and significant others in her life.
This is a truly lovely read and I miss Eve, Ed, Justin, Susie and Finlay already (ok Hester not so much). This is my definite favourite type of book and reminds me of Maeve Binchey and her fantastic stories of girls forging friendships and making their way to adulthood though various routes. I’m desperate for more......Five stars all the way

“Last night” is the second book written by Mhairi McFarlane that I read, after “If I never met you”. I really liked her writing in that one, so I decided to give this one a go and I wasn’t disappointed. McFarlane can deliver a great page turner, a book that can not be put down, even when one never expected it!

Eve, Justin Susie and Ed have been friends ever since they were teenagers. It’s a friendship that goes on for years and they know each other very well. They don’t keep any secrets from one another, or so some of them think. Throughout the years they have established a routine and Thursday night bar trivia is the very base of it. It’s usually the four of them competing with a specific other group mostly, but in many occasions, Ed’s girlfriend joins them as well. Eve and Susie that are best friends since primary school, don’t really like Ed’s girlfriend, Hester, but they don’t share this information with him. Especially since Eve is still in love with Ed after so many years.

Now, on the age of thirty four, the four of them love spending their Thursday nights at The Gladstone, just like every Thursday. Only this one Thursday seems to be so different than the others! By the end of the night, everything will change in their lives, especially in Eve’s life, as she will find herself in a position she never expected. The day after will mark a new era in her life, one where she will find herself wondering how well she really knows her friends and how many more secrets are hidden in their small group.

Two things happen that night. Ed and Hester get engaged out of the blue. Yes, they were in a long term relationship but this marriage proposal was a bit unorthodox and certainly not expected by both parties. And the second incident is one that will break their little group apart and bring them down with grief. It will get the best of Eve. It will leave her devastated. But she has to keep living with herself and her memories and a box full of letters and diaries she swore she would not open and read. But when she is requested to give that box to someone that barely deserves having it, she will find herself reading at least one of those letters only to have her world shuttered once more.

This book is so much different than “If I never met you”. It is full of emotions! It is about friendship, relationships and grief. But it is also about forgiving, making changes, understanding one’s feelings and moving on when it’s actually time to do so! I really liked Eve’s journey throughout all this turmoil she had to go through. It really matured her and helped her see things from a different angle. She was then able to make some decisions with respect to her life. To really understand what she wants in life and finally let herself be her and lead her own way.

“Last Night” is already out there, so go and get your copy!

Thank you to NetGalley & HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction for an advance copy of this book. The views expressed are my personal and honest opinion.

Eve Harris, aging Goth (well, she’s 34) has been in love with Ed Cooper for sixteen years but he’s with Hester who no one in their tight knit group especially likes. Her life is stalled from job to love until one night when their lives are shattered.

As a writer Mhairi McFarlane had me at hello but for me this is her best book yet. Although this book deals extremely well with difficult events being somewhat darker in tone than her other novels, her lively, engaging writing style and humour are never far below the surface. I love the way it’s written with witty Eve talking to the reader which makes you feel her emotional turmoil more deeply. All the characters are well developed but I particularly like Eve as she very individual, clever, funny, you just know she’d be great company at the pub, she’s loyal and kind. The friendship of Susie, Eve, Ed and Justin is something to envy. Their dialogue is smart, laugh out loud, sardonic and ironic with some sadness at times. There are several jaw droppers as Eve goes on an emotional journey of self discovery taking the reader through a range of emotions. I really like the 180 we do on Susie's brother Finlay who is nothing like you imagine as he reveals his secrets and we come understand family rifts. There’s a lovely feline character going by the grand name of Roger Piecrust Harris and a chihuahua/Yorkie cross called Leonard! I greatly enjoy the ‘Trip’ to Nottingham and the suburb I was born in near the famous cricket ground and the journey to Edinburgh with Fin and Eve is probably the closest I’ll get to ‘Auld Reekie’ this year so big thanks for that!! I really like the pop culture and film references which keep appearing throughout and add a fun element to the storytelling.

A surprising story that didn't go where I expected it to. Starts with a group of friends but events turn the story into a serious look at friendships and relationships. Some unexpected outcomes along the way,I enjoyed it more as it went along.

Loved this, absolutely gobbled it up. It’s funny, thoughtful, surprising and the characters seem real. Deals with unrequited love, sudden loss, abuse and self esteem but in a way that makes for a right good read.

*SPOILERS*


I have read a couple of McFarlane books before and really enjoyed them. So I was excited to pick up another book. Safe to assume my expectations were high and this didn’t disappoint.

I expected a quick easy read and thats exactly what I got. I flew through this in two days.

One thing I find with McFarlane’s writing is you become captivated. Once you start you just lose all sense of time and next thing you know you are half way through the book and hours have passed. You just want to know how the story ends.

Going into this I didn’t know much. This is a author pick up. So I was surprised at what the big thing that changes everything is. I assumed something else.

Eve I felt was a little nieve when it came to Ed. It took way too long for her to truly see what he was like.

The way Eve felt about Ed made me feel a little sorry for her. Especially with how long she had those feelings for. I also side eyed Ed from the beginning, something just didn’t sit right with me. The whole nice guy thing makes me question him.

But the way this was written made me think it was their love story. Which worried me because I did not want her to end up with him.

Hester was horrible but she was definitely written that way. You aren’t supposed to like her. For so much of the book as I mentioned before I thought this was Eve and Eds love story. So Hester was seen as someone in the way of that.

Fin however. The first impressions were he was a dick. But once I started learning more about him I sort of understood him and his behaviour more.

Although I’m not sure about his chemistry with Eve. But I think the main issue is the pacing of the story. Its a fast book to read. However you spend the first maybe ¾ focusing on Eve and Ed then Fin part really kicks up towards the end. Instead of seeing it gradually earlier on.

I think that’s why I couldn’t give this five stars. I really enjoyed the book. It was, despite some topics discussed, a lighter read. I just would have liked more of Eve and Fin growing closer

Another absolutely gorgeous and beautiful book from a truly talented author. I have been completely unable and unwilling to put this one down.

I have devoured this book from cover to cover in just one sitting. I have loved the characters that have filled the pages and been taken on a real journey with them.

Throughout this one, we meet four friends who go back a long way. However, do they know each other as well as they think? Throughout this we have secrets unfolding, hearts broken and tensions building between the characters. I have loved how relatable they have been. That’s definitely added a bonus for me.

My emotions have been on a rollercoaster throughout this book. I’ve had moments where I’ve laughed out loud and moments where I’ve felt tears. This shows how talented an author McFarlane is to be able to stir such emotions.

This has been the perfect read to curl up with at the end of a busy term. It has definitely captured me and I already cannot wait to see what else Mhairi has in store for us.

A most definite five star read and one that I highly recommend. This is a book which should be on everyone’s TBR.

I was very excited for this one, I am a huge fan of Mhairi Mcfarlanes books and this was just as great as her previous work. Honestly it took me a long time to read it, it took me a while to get sucked in but when I was, about halfway through, I raced through the rest of it. It was a different kind of romance, focusing on friendship and grief and also a depiction of dementia. I really loved the main character Eve, she was real and relatable and kindhearted and her friendship with Susie was so lovely. But when she finds out Susie has been keeping something big from her, she doesn’t know what to do, as suddenly she can’t turn to Susie for an explanation. I found the concept interesting and the dementia aspect eye opening and my heart absolutely broke when we find out more about Fin and that he’s not the monsters he’s been made out to be. Highly recommend this one, although be aware of grief, dementia and abuse, if that is triggering for you.

At first I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect with this book but fairly quickly I was hooked. This is a brilliant story of friendships, secrets and truths. Absolutely loved it

I'm a huge Mhairi McFarlane fan and have read and loved all her other books. This was good but terribly sad as well. I actually cried! It's not quite the feel good book I was hoping for the nevertheless Mhairi is still one of my favourites, she writes in such an easy-to-enjoy style, is witty and I loved the turnaround in the Ed story. I was hooked until the end.

Mhairi McCartney writes books that reach deep into your soul. This was no exception and it was particularly poignant for me as I grapple with the stages of grief myself.
The boom centres around 4 friends who have been together since college and in Eve and Suzie's case, since primary school! They have been together through thick and thin and then disaster strikes and the demographics of their group shift significantly.
This book challenged my initial hopes and wishes and my perceptipns of the characters throughout. I loved the author's references to popular culture throughout too. All in all a brilliant read that addressed some sensitive issues delicately. Thank you netgalley, another 5 star advance read!

Last Night is a heart-breaking but monumentally uplifting story about loss, forgiveness, and friendship. It’s only my second McFarlane read, but I’m already planning to pick up the rest of her work.

Eve, Justin, Susie and Ed have been best friends since school and have continued their unbreakable bond into their 30s. Every Thursday, they gather together in the local pub for quiz night, and every day, Eve battles still being secretly in love with Ed. But on one tragic night, the lives of this band of best friends changes forever, and with ripples sent through the group, Eve quickly realises her secret was just one amongst many.

McFarlane’s writing is full of longing and emotion from the first page. I was truly gripped when reading Last Night and never wanted it to end! Eve is the narrator and the entire series of events is told for her point of view. She’s likeable, has her faults and crutches, and her growth takes centre stage in the book. Additionally, the narrative and the personalities of the characters feel multi-dimensional, which I think is testament to McFarlane’s skill when it comes to character building and development.

It’s difficult to write a review for this book without giving too much of the plot away. But the direction takes much different turn to what I was expecting. Despite this, it is truly a delight to read, and feels like one of the most balanced contemporary fiction books I’ve read in a lot time. There’s sweet romance and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, but thought-proving realisations and intense emotion too. I particularly liked the way grief, dementia, and family estrangement are portrayed in Last Night. They’re explored with a comforting realism that brings the characters and their challenges to life. Despite its depth, McFarlane’s trademark humour and wit brings an authentic levity to the narrative’s darker events.

Last Night is a bit of a slow-burner, but so engaging you don’t even realise it. I loved reading a book with a genuine friendship too. The closeness and secrets entwined in the relationship made every conversation feel like candid banter between friends. And it’s certainly a story I’ll remember. McFarlane takes the reader on a rollercoaster of emotions in this poignantly pleasant read.

Mhairi McFarlane has been one of my auto-buy authors ever since I read my first book by her, If I Never Met You. She has a real knack for creating relatable, likeable characters and worlds and this of course was no different in Last Night. A bit of a darker, deeper tale than my previous encounters with her writing, but it had all of the things that I love about her in it and was filled with wit and charm too to counteract the sadder scenes. Most importantly, she creates relationships that actually have a bit of spark to them. It makes sense that her love interests have chemistry. This didn’t disappoint.

Wow! This book was not what I expected being it only being the second I have read from Mhairi McFarlane. I m so impressed, I loved it with all my heart.

It was a really different take on a book, one I have never come across before, making it even more enjoyable. At first, I have mixed feelings about Fin but oh dear god do I love him now!!

it just proves that people love the image of themselves sol much more than anything else in some parts of their lives even when it comes to their children,

Thank you for giving me this book as an ARC!!

Eve and her childhood best friend Suzie have been in a friendship group with Ed and Justin since Sixth form. Now 34 and still living in Nottingham, they form a regular pub quiz team. Eve has loved Ed since they were teenagers but he's with Hester. One night tragedy strikes and plunges Eve into grief.

Cleverly written with witty dialogue. Emotional and ultimately satisfying too. I picked it up and put it down so many times though. For me it just didn't flow easily.

Reading one of Mhairis books is like having a cheat meal when your on a diet then being gutted when it's finished and you know it's going to be ages before you get another. Loved this book so much , I laughed , cried , loved and got angry. The words had me from the first page and I truly couldn't recommend this book and all her others more !.

This was my first Mhairi McFarlane but it most definitely will not be my last. This book packs quite an emotional punch and there were quite a few tears shed over this story full of loss, love and friendship.

Eve Harris, 34-year-old goth, has been in love with her best friend Ed for years. But not only is he with someone else, he’s also one part of a tight-knit friendship group, one which Eve has no intention of destroying. So she keeps her secret quiet, not realising that her three other friends have secrets of their own. It takes a devastating event to bring those secrets to light, and it will take a lot of tears and determination, for their friendship to survive the fallout.

This is, overall, a story of grief. It’s also one about friendship, and the bond between Eve and her friends Susie, Ed and Justin, is clear right from the first page. There are a lot of inside jokes, and plenty of backstory that cements their relationships, some of which McFarlane explores in flashbacks. All the friends have their own delightful personalities, which really shine through in their witty and often times very humorous dialogue to one another.

I would not call this a rom-com, although I think its often been labelled as such. It’s definitely more about Eve’s journey, of coming to terms with her loss and how that will shape her future, and her thoughts on those around her. Her life and relationships take a complete 180 from the beginning of the novel. There is a romance, and there were plenty of very sweet scenes between the couple. I really don’t want to say anymore because I don’t want to spoil anything! There are a lot of twists and turns this book takes and they journey to the end is a very riveting and satisfying one.

Last Night is a truly emotional story, one that deals with grief and healing, and how to move on. It’s definitely one that will stay with me and I’m very much looking forward to delving into McFarlane’s backlog now!

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. But in an instant, their lives are changed forever. In the aftermath, Eve's world upended. As stunning secrets were revealed, she wonders if she really knew her friends. Then someone from her past comes back into her life, Eve's future veers in a surprising new direction.

A story of four friends who met when they were teenagers and are now in their thirties. They go to bar trivia every Thursday night, until something tragic happens and their lives spiral in different directions. It made Eve wonder if she had ever really known her friends. The story is told from Eve's perspective. A story of friendship, loss, regrets and secrets. I did feel there were a few loose ends that needed tied up, but apart from that, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book.

I would like to thank #NetGalley, #HarperCollinsUK #HarperFiction and the author #MhairiMaFarlane for my ARC of #LastNight in exchange for an honest review.

An enjoyable read. I loved how it came at the same scenario from different people's perspectives and this book showed that how you are feeling can warp how a situation makes you feel. This book made me feel sad and happy in equal measure.