The Lonely Hearts Trivia Night | By Lauren Farnsworth

My thoughts

Narrative and Plot

Told from multiple points of view, The Lonely Hearts Trivia Night explores the theme of finding community while feeling isolated in the busy modern world. This theme is relatable and sets you up to root for the characters.

The plot unfolds slowly as the main characters participate in a pub quiz contest. The quiz means something different to each of them, allowing us a glimpse into their lives and what has shaped them.

Characters and Conflicts

Bryony, Harry, Jaimie, and Donna are the central characters of the story. Since they are introduced one after another, the beginning can feel a bit overwhelming. However, once you become familiar with the characters and their individual journeys, the narrative captures your attention.

I’m not well-versed in trivia or American pop culture, but I found myself invested in the quiz aspect of the story, rooting for the team to win. As this is a character-driven narrative, it needed individuals with distinct personalities, and the story successfully accomplishes that.

The book also addresses mental health topics that I am not deeply familiar with, but from a layman’s perspective, it seems to handle these issues with the tenderness they deserve.

Conclusion

Overall, this was a heartwarming, feel-good read that tackles delicate subjects while maintaining a light tone. You can’t help but hope that these lonely hearts come together to find camaraderie and friendship in one another. Although the story takes its time, it eventually gets to where it needs to be.

About the Author

Disclaimer : I received an e-ARC of the book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.