ShortBookandScribes #BookReview – The Last Marriage of Dot Brightmore by Laura Pearson

Posted on 11th June 2026 By Nicola

The Last Marriage of Dot Brightmore by Laura Pearson is published by Boldwood and is available now. My thanks to the publishers and author for the review copy.

There’s just one thing she’s forgotten…

Dot Brightmore has never been one for lists. But now she’s been given one of her own, by the love of her life, with whom she’s finally been reunited. Dot’s list has just two words on it:

Marry me

The problem is, Dot can’t get married. Because what Dot hasn’t yet told anyone is that she’s still married. To a man she hasn’t seen in years.

But her beloved Mabel isn’t a woman who can be stopped easily. After all, her own last list helped her find Dot again. So now – together and with all the other friends they’ve met along the way – they have to find a way for Dot to answer ‘yes’ to the question on her very first list…

The Last Marriage of Dot Brightmore is a gorgeous, completely heartbreaking, uplifting story, that’s guaranteed to make you smile. Perfect for fans of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine and The Rosie Project.

The Last Marriage of Dot Brightmore is the sequel to The Last List of Mabel Beaumont that I didn’t know I needed but now couldn’t bear to be without. A little trepidation set in: would I love it as much as I loved ‘Mabel’? I needed have worried for ‘Dot’ is just as wonderful a story and exactly the heart-warming experience I hoped it would be.

This book picks up where ‘Mabel’ left off. Mabel and Dot, at 86, have finally got together, having known each other in their youth and then lost touch for decades. Marriage is on the cards but Dot is still married and that’s not all: Mabel knows that there is something else bothering Dot. Out comes the list and on it goes all the things that will hopefully produce a Happy Ever After for this lovely couple with another chance of happiness and some new adventures ahead of them.

Laura Pearson has got this book just right. It made me smile…a lot. The friends that Mabel made in the first book make a reappearance and we, along with Mabel, are introduced to Dot’s family. The characters are portrayed to perfection, full of warmth and support, and I particularly loved Dot and Mabel’s love for each other and their wish to only make the most of whatever time they have left together.

This is a gorgeous, poignant read about second chances and the power of friendship and love, one in which the gentle joys of life are reinforced. I thought it was simply superb.

Laura Pearson is the author of ten novels. The Last List of Mabel Beaumont was a Kindle number one bestseller in the UK and a top ten bestseller in the US. Laura lives in Leicestershire, England, with her husband, their two children, and a cat who likes to lie on her keyboard while she tries to write. Her latest book, The Last Marriage of Dot Brightmore, is out in May.