by Jojo Moyes
Reading level: Ages 18 and up
Hardcover: 384 pages
Publisher: Pamela Dorman Books (December 31, 2012)
Language: English
Mark on Goodreads
Buy the Book: Amazon
They had nothing in common until love gave them everything to lose
Louisa Clark is an ordinary girl living an exceedingly ordinary life—steady boyfriend, close family—who has never been farther afield than their tiny village. She takes a badly needed job working for ex–Master of the Universe Will Traynor, who is wheelchair bound after an accident. Will has always lived a huge life—big deals, extreme sports, worldwide travel—and now he’s pretty sure he cannot live the way he is.
Will is acerbic, moody, bossy—but Lou refuses to treat him with kid gloves, and soon his happiness means more to her than she expected. When she learns that Will has shocking plans of his own, she sets out to show him that life is still worth living.
A Love Story for this generation, Me Before You brings to life two people who couldn’t have less in common—a heartbreakingly romantic novel that asks, What do you do when making the person you love happy also means breaking your own heart?
It didn't take long for me to get caught up in the lives of Lou and Will. Louisa Clark is a 27 year old single girl who lives in a small town in England with her parents, younger sister and nephew, and granddad. She has just lost her job at a small cafe and is desperate to find work to help her parents. When she is offered a job caring for a quadriplegic young man, she can't turn down the money. Will Traynor was a man with a life that most men would envy. He was good-looking, had a great job, traveled to exotic places, experienced wonderful adventures and dated beautiful women. Will was all these things before he was hit by a motorcycle and became a quadriplegic. When Lou meets Will for the first time he is withdrawn and bitter. She determines to prove to him that life is worth living regardless of his physical condition.
This is an amazing, inspirational, and hearbreaking book. It addresses issues that most people don't have to deal with on a daily basis. When you put yourself in Lou and Will's situation, you are forced to question your own beliefs. All of the characters in the book are realistic people that I liked a lot. The premise of the book is the difference that one person can make in another's life. This goes beyond Lou helping Will. He also plays a major role in helping Lou see the possibilities of her life. The story is one of those that you can't stop reading but you don't want it to end. I would recommend this book to older teens and all adults.
Instead of chess pieces, I give this one 5 Kleenex boxes!
Content:
*Me Before You is an NEW ADULT book, but for those who might be interested (content rating by our YA standards, not by adult book standards. In other words, "Heavy" isn't necessarily heavy for adult books, but would be for YA):
- Sexual Content: Heavy
- Profanity: Heavy
- Violence: Mild
- Other Notables: Drinking and smoking weed
I just picked up this weekend and I've heard so many great things about. I'll be sure to have my kleenex ready!
ReplyDeleteI would love to hear what you think of this book! Drop me a line and let me know how many kleenex you went through.
Delete"New Adult" it seems so broad, but I can't wait to read it. Maybe I will win in your giveaway. Great review.
ReplyDeleteI had not heard of "New Adult" until Andye gave me this book to read. I'm still not sure that I understand it but I really like this book!
DeleteLovely review! I've been eyeing this one!
ReplyDeleteThanks! Give it a try....
DeleteJaneth, thanks so much for this amazing review. I absolutely LOVED ME BEFORE YOU! It's one of those books you don't forget. I read it back in June. Unforgettable characters, fantastic setting, jaw-dropping ending. I felt the same way as you - I didn't want the book to end.
ReplyDeleteIt is always good to get someone else's perspective. I'm so glad that you liked it as much as I did.
DeleteNice review! :) I would love to read this book.
ReplyDeleteSo... Crying is being a new-old thing for me lately.. It feels really good when I do, but I'd be willing to just sit in a warm, sunny spot by the window, and read this, so I feel better.
ReplyDeleteVery nice review about the characters.
ReplyDeleteI kinda feel my heart breaking a little, even though I haven't read it yet. If it deserves Kleenex boxes rather than chess pieces, then it's got to be a bawl your eyes out book!
ReplyDeleteGreat review and this is definitely something I want to pick up. My son's teacher who he really loves, was just in a horrible accident over Christmas break and is now paralyzed. It's heartbreaking to see how much her life has changed and she is only in her 20's. I'm in my 30's and I can look back at everything I have accomplished over the years and it makes me sad to think, that maybe she wont be able to experience all that I have. I will definitely keep tissue with me as I am reading this! Thanks for the great review
ReplyDeleteWow! I am so sorry to hear about your son's teacher. It is just impossible to imagine that sort of tragedy. This book will really speak to you. I would love to hear what you think of it when you've finished.
DeleteI think I am going to have to pick this book up
ReplyDeleteI'm always looking for new things to read! Thanks for the suggestion--this book sounds pretty good, and your review on it is so well written!
ReplyDelete