One Last Thing

by Katy Birchall

Megan has a holiday coming up in the south of France with her beloved dad - it's just a shame he will be joining her in an urn, rather than wheeling a suitcase. He has left a long list of wishes for Megan after his death, and the last request was for Megan to scatter his ashes in his favourite place. So here she is.

Little does she know that her estranged mother Dawn also has a holiday planned. To the south of France. At the request of her late ex-husband. Also to scatter his ashes.

The two women haven't spoken for years, ever since Dawn seemingly abandoned their family and cut all ties with her daughter. Forced together after all these years, can the two women repair what has been broken for so long? Is there one last chance for honesty, love and - above all - happiness?

Genres: Chick Lit

331 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 28, 2026

About the author

Katy is the author of several young adult novels including The It Girl series, the Hotel Royale series and Morgan Charmley: Teen Witch. She is the co-author of the middle grade Lightning Girl series and Star Switch with Alesha Dixon, and the Find the Girl teen series with YouTube stars Lucy and Lydia Connell. Katy was proud to be the author of a retelling of Jane Austen's Emma for the Awesomely Austen series, a collection of Austen's novels retold for younger readers. She has also written a non-fiction book, How to be a Princess: Real-Life Fairy Tales for Modern Heroines.

Katy lives in London with her partner, Ben, and her rescue dog, Bono.

The Secret Bridesmaid is her adult fiction debut.

Reviews

[Allyson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Katy Birchall always has a way of making me forget everything else in my life and falling completely into her stories. I felt she encompassed so much about forgiveness, grief, finding yourself even when you feel it’s too late, and mending relationships. I loved the narrative from two different characters being mother and daughter and reading about their hardships and lives and how they end up coming together. This was quick, funny, charming, and heartwarming. It brought the characters and the setting to life in a way that left me nostalgic, hopeful, and eager for a holiday. I enjoyed it immensely and as always look forward to whatever Birchall writes next!

[Sara Oxton · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful five-star read, I will be honest I found this one a little challenging at times mainly because I have a love hate relationship with my mother, so that’s one thing, but do you know what it was lovely to read both sides, and it has made me stop and think a few times and made me reflect, so that’s a winner from me. Its such a well written story, and will make you smile, I have loved stories by this author in the past so know what I was getting in for, and I loved it more than I expected.

[Bookworman · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. Good enough to read the whole thing but probably not a re-read. I did like the main and supporting characters as well as the story line. It just wasn't quite as entertaining as "The Wedding Season" and "The Secret Bridesmaid", both of which I've read multiple times with great enjoyment.

Profanity and sex.