Last Night at the Disco

Last Night at the Disco by Lisa Borders
10/7/25; 256 pages
Regal House Publishing 

Last Night at the Disco by Lisa Borders is a recommended humorous drama mainly set in the 70s.

In 2019 after singer/songwriter Aura Lockhart's induction of Johnny Engel into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Lynda Boyle, 67, writes a long email attempting to set the record straight about her role in their fame. She's been in hiding for four decades but now she wants to secure what she sees as her rightful place in music history.

In 1977 failed East Village poet Lynda Boyle, 26, is teaching English at a junior high school when she has new student Aura, 14, in her class. When Aura is being bullied, Lynda takes on the role of a mentor and discovers that Aura has musical talent. She brings Aura to an open mic night in the city where she can perform and the two meet musician Johnny Engel. Lynda is sure Aura and Johnny can help her achieve the fame and accolades that she deserves.

This is a well-written novel that is successful in capturing the 70's and it's music, as well as the general mess that are junior high school students. The chapters open with what is going on in 2019 before jumping back in more detail to 1977. Lynda is an unlikable, unreliable narrator who is a completely vain, self-absorbed, delusional narcissist and this is clear right from the start. She is really very loathsome throughout the entire novel. While parts can be humorous, mostly with Lynda extolling her many self described assets, it also feels really repetitive through much of the narrative. 

Last Night at the Disco will appeal to those who enjoy novels about the 70s. Thanks to Regal House Publishing for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.