Me Before You by Jojo Moyes {Book Review}
After sharing my review of The Fault in Our Stars by John Green, one of my lovely readers {hi Anne!} recommended this book to me. I hadn’t read anything by Jojo Moyes before so I wasn’t really sure what to expect but I trusted Anne’s recommendation and ordered a copy from Amazon the day after she mentioned it.
I’m usually attracted to fiction books with a realistic storyline that I can relate to on some level and this book fit the bill perfectly. Just to clarify, I don’t classify books like Fifty Shades of Grey in this category. I get why so many women loved the series but I couldn’t make it through the first one without losing interest. There is just no way that whole scenario would ever happen.
Brief Summary
Me Before You is the story of a 26 year old girl {Louisa Clark} whose life lacks a sense of direction and purpose. After losing her job at the local café, she is forced to seek a position as a caretaker for a 35 year old quadriplegic man {Will Traynor} who was once a well traveled, high powered financial executive that was later hit by a car and left paralyzed from the neck down. The beginning of their relationship is a tumultuous one and leaves Louisa yearning to leave her new position but since she is the main supporter of her family, she feels pressured to stay. Over time, their friendship develops and they come to learn things from one another that enrich both of their lives.
My Review {without spoilers}
After finishing this book, I can see why Anne would recommend it based on my review of The Fault in Our Stars. There is a noticeable parallel between the two storylines; they both deal with harsh realities that some of us are unfortunate enough to have to face, intertwined with touching love stories.
Although the very beginning of the book didn’t immediately drawn me in, it didn’t take very long for me to become intrigued by the narration. Moyes does a fantastic job developing her characters and she made me feel like I really knew the people that were relevant to the story.
At first, I thought the storyline might be a little far-fetched but the author really connects you to Louisa emotionally and allows you to lose yourself in the story. As I got deeper into the book, I began to empathize with her love for Will as a person, regardless of his quadriplegia, and the love story became that much more believable to me.
I was also surprised to find that the book left me in suspense as she revealed new layers to each character and their interaction with one another. Usually, I can put a book down in the middle of reading it and not go back for weeks because other things in my life begin to take priority, but that didn’t happen once with this book. I found myself rushing to make it to bed every night with enough time to read because I couldn’t wait to find out what happened next.
Overall, I loved this story and thoroughly enjoyed Jojo Moyes’ style of writing. It was witty, honest, and perfectly designed so that you will come back, wanting more. Similar to dealing with cancer in The Fault in Our Stars, the topic of quadriplegia is a tough one to swallow and it can make for a few sad moments but I personally feel it added depth to the story. Moyes allows you to really think about what it’s like to live as a quadriplegic and connect to the person behind the disability. I felt there were several important messages to take away from the story and I found that they really touched me as a reader. I thought it was a heartfelt and entertaining read and would highly recommend it.
I also plan to check out more of the authors work because I really enjoyed her writing style. Thanks again for the recommendation, Anne!
What are you currently reading?
Thoughts on Fifty Shades?
I love non-fiction books. I just finished a memoir about a lady that gets weight loss surgery and then realized all of her old problems were still there. Now I’m reading a book by Oliver Sacks, about how the brain works. They are both so good!
Haha I loved the Fifty Shades comment…I read them all to see what the fuss was about, but I was definitely cringing through most of it. Worst writing style ever…and don’t even get my started on the ‘Inner Goddess” thing. Le sigh.
This book sounds really interesting! I read The Fault In Our Stars recently and really liked it, so this would likely be right up my alley. Right now, I’m reading ‘Terra’ by Gretchen Powell – happy to support my fellow bloggers!
I’m so glad you’ve liked the book Sarah :). I’ve read another book of Moyes, ‘the girl you left behind’ and liked it aswell..but I wasn’t as good as me before you in my opinion. Still it’s hard to compare because the theme is 100% different.
I read Fifty Shades of Grey too and I think it has enough plot for one short book..not three. I read all three never the less because I had to know how it ends :D.
Hope you are doing fine :), I feel very honored beeing mentioned in a post!
I am doing very well and I hope you are good as well. I am honored to have you featured in a post! :) It was a great recommendation.
Yay! I love book reviews! Just finished reading Mother Mother for From Left to Write book club which btw you should totally join!
Almost finished Wildflower Hill and up next is the newest Sarah Jio novel…I’m a sucker for any of her love stories!
I saw your review from ‘From Left to Write’ and considered joining but I worry about keeping up. However, I have wanted to read one of Sarah Jio’s novels for a while now so maybe this would be a good time to try it!
I COMPLETELY agree with you about 50 shades. It’s not just the fact that it wouldn’t happen, what I also can’t stand is the writing itself, which I just didn’t think was good at all. I also understand why people like it, but it’s not my cup of tea. I haven’t read much fiction lately (I haven’t really read anything but textbooks for the last month or so) but I have to read Marianne Williamson’s Law of Divine Compensation before next Friday because I’m going to hear her speak!
I never got to do recreational reading when I was in school either. There just wasn’t enough time.
That will be fun to go watch the author speak after reading her book. Have fun!
I’ve never read Fifty Shades..I just don’t think I could take them seriously and/or get into them. At all. Very nice book review though. I could actually use a new read….would you recommend The Fault in our Stars or Me Before You moreeeee? I know, I know I’m making you choose, but I really am looking for a new book.
Hmmm. Well, The Fault In Our Stars is a young love story but the author writes with a sarcastic tone that I really enjoyed. Me Before You was more of an adult book but also has a witty humor to it. For me, The Fault in Our Stars was somewhat depressing because it deals with cancer and I’ve lost a few loved ones to it. I enjoyed Me Before You more because it didn’t make me as sad. So I guess it just depends on what you are looking for and what personal triggers you have that depress you. Sorry, I’m not sure I was of any help there. :)
hahahaha you’re so right about 50 shades. i’ve never read them. i read a lot of biographies and books that are actually just compilations of work by a writer. i love those. but this reminds me i need a new book!
Thanks for the review. I’ll have to keep this book in mind. I’ve been having trouble finding a book that grabs me lately, so no current books for me sadly. I couldn’t agree more re: 50 Shades. I read the first one as well just to see what all the hype was about, but wow. Just wow. Her writing style and the plot in general was just an embarrassment.
I am still trucking along through the Game of Thrones book series. I am currently on A Dance with Dragons (the last one that was released) but will need a new book soon! Might have to check this one out! Sad to say that I read all three 50 Shades of Grey books. The writing was pretty awful but I am beyond excited to see Charlie Hunnam play Christian Grey #dontjudgeme
Sounds like an interesting one!
I’m reading Divergent and I love it so far! Well, I’m 75% of the way through it, so I’d say I really do love it.
Fifty Shades was….unlike anything I’d ever read before! The first one pulled me in but I barely made it through the 2nd and the third took me literally months to finish. I won’t go see the movies, but I’ll probably watch the first one when it’s released to dvd. It’s definitely out there…
Ohh. I really want to read this book now! It sounds like my kind of book. Yah, I hated 50 shades, it was so far fetched and also boring in my opinion. The writing just wasn’t that good. I didn’t get the hype – I couldn’t even get through the first book.
I’m torn because your review of this makes me want to read it but at the same time, I’m worried that I will never get into it. I find that I really have to be drawn in from the get go or I will not allot time to make the book a priority. But, I do love the suspense of finding out more and more about a character. Thanks for the review!
Currently reading ’50 Shades Darker’. No, I’m just kidding! I don’t think I would be into books like that, it was the same with the whole Twilight fiasco. I’m currently reading ‘Kafka By The Shore’. You should check it out, or even the author as an whole. He’s becoming really popular and I can’t wait to peruse the rest of his books.
Haha. I actually thought Twilight was written better than 50 Shades. They were just horrible.
I’ll be sure to look into ‘Kafka by the Shore’, thanks!
I am reading Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn and loving it! I was up laaate last night reading because it’s so full of suspense, twists and turns. I highly recommend it. As far as 50 Shades, I’d be far too embarassed to check it out of the library ;)
I’ve never read 50 Shades either for exactly the same reason as you. I’m currently reading Match, a friend recommended it to me as she knows how much I loved Hunger Games as did she and said I needed to read it :)
Looks like a good book! I’m adding it to my list on Good Reads!
There are way too few nonfiction book recommendations out there, so I love a good new book rec! I don’t think I would be into the whole 50 shades thing! I think I would be wayyyy too embarrassed to even check it out of the libarary or read it in a public place! I’m currently reading the Divergent series for my school’s book club! So far it’s great! It’s kind of like the Hunger Games, which I loved, so hopefully it’ll stay interesting!