Reviews tagging 'Dementia'

Last Night by Mhairi McFarlane

60 reviews

jenn_reads's review against another edition

emotional funny reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I'm not sure what I was expecting, but although this was much heavier than I thought it was going to be it was very good. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Dementia, Grief, Death, and Car accident

Moderate: Child abuse

Minor: Death of parent, Panic attacks/disorders, and Infidelity

Pedestrian struck by car

lujisa's review against another edition

emotional inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Death, Dementia, Grief, Car accident, Child abuse, and Chronic illness

paytonreads's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

this book had so much going on that was tied together so eloquently. the discussion of grief and set up for the romance in the book was important and well done. i loved that the book wasn’t about the romance but that it was just part of the twist of the book,  and more importantly, the growth and development of the main character’s story. how we deal with loss and our natural reaction after losing a loved one is something that is hard to put in words, but mhairi mcfarlane did a wonderful job

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Car accident, Dementia, Child abuse, and Panic attacks/disorders

landawn's review against another edition

emotional funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Dementia

Moderate: Death and Car accident

Minor: Child abuse, Infidelity, and Sexual content

krisrow's review against another edition

emotional funny

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Car accident, Death, Dementia, Grief, Infidelity, and Panic attacks/disorders

Moderate: Child abuse

thalea's review against another edition

dark funny hopeful sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Car accident

Moderate: Dementia

jenawesomesbookshelf's review against another edition

emotional funny medium-paced

3.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Dementia, and Domestic abuse

alitrevisan105's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

This book was perfect. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Car accident, and Dementia

Minor: Child abuse

bookaholics_anonymous's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Car accident, Death, and Child abuse

Moderate: Dementia

camillatd's review against another edition

emotional hopeful sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Let me start off by saying that this is not a lighthearted romance. Mhairi McFarlane does deal with heavier themes in her work than some of her peers, especially so in this book. Just Last Night deals with grief, friendship, healing, and love in unexpected places. I ended up having very mixed feelings about this book, mainly because of the pacing. The first half (maybe even the first two thirds) is mainly a heavy, sad meditation on grief, betrayal, and friendship. I found it hard to get through, but I trusted in Mhairi McFarlane to make it worthwhile.

I'm glad I stuck it out, because I loved the final third of the book.

I was initially worried that Eve would end up with her one-that-got-away, Ed, kind of like in McFarlane's You Had Me At Hello. But of course, once Finlay entered the scene, I knew what direction the book would take. The Byronic hero trope, while sometimes overdone, was actually executed quite well here, and the Mr. Darcy-esque unraveling of Finlay's layers  endeared me to his character. Most of all, I was really, really glad that Eve became acquainted with her self worth and ended up finding what she deserved.

As ever, McFarlane's treatment of the nuances in relationships (of all kinds) took center stage in this book. The themes of loss, forgiveness, and healing were handled beautifully. If you're looking for a light, fluffy read, probably skip this one. But if you can stomach a story of tragedy, recovery, and ultimately, love, then this will deliver.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Car accident, Death, Grief, Dementia, and Child abuse

Moderate: Toxic friendship