Still Me (Me Before You #3) by Jojo Moyes

Hardcover, 400 pages

Published January 30th 2018 by Pamela Dorman Books

ISBN: 0399562451

Goodreads

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author Jojo Moyes, a new book featuring her iconic heroine of Me Before You and After You, Louisa Clark

Louisa Clark arrives in New York ready to start a new life, confident that she can embrace this new adventure and keep her relationship with Ambulance Sam alive across several thousand miles. She steps into the world of the superrich, working for Leonard Gopnik and his much younger second wife, Agnes. Lou is determined to get the most out of the experience and throws herself into her new job and New York life. 

As she begins to mix in New York high society, Lou meets Joshua Ryan, a man who brings with him a whisper of her past. Before long, Lou finds herself torn between Fifth Avenue where she works and the treasure-filled vintage clothing store where she actually feels at home. And when matters come to a head, she has to ask herself: Who is Louisa Clark? And how do you reconcile a heart that lives in two places?

Funny, romantic, and poignant, Still Me follows Lou as she navigates how to stay true to herself, while pushing to live boldly in her brave new world.

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B&N

As an avid fan of the Me Before You series, I was SO excited to see that there was going to be another book in this series! I wasn't expecting there to be another book in this series, but I was more than excited to be reunited with Lou. This book was hilarious, charming, and heart-warming. Fans of this series will not be disappointed by this book! 

What I loved about this book was that it truly focused on Lou and her character development. She was thrown into a lot of new situations in this book, and it was so much fun to watch her navigate those situations. Will would have been proud of Lou and her dedication to living her life to the fullest. 

Lou has always been one of my favorite fictional characters. She makes a lot of mistakes and makes a lot of bad decisions, but that was always what made her so relatable. Lou tried a lot of new things in this book and I loved watching her discover more about herself. She was just as quirky and hilarious as ever in this book! It was so much fun being reunited with her again and watching her go on another journey.

All of JoJo Moyes' books make me want to go on adventures by myself and treat myself. JoJo's characters are always inspiring and the journeys they go on are always heart-warming and satisfying. I just love the way JoJo writes and how effortlessly her words flow from the pages. The witty and hilarious dialogue of this book kept me glued to the pages. 

Overall, this was an entertaining and wonderful addition to this series. This book made me laugh, tear up, and want to jump for joy. 

4 / 5 Fangs

*This ebook was given to me in exchange for an honest review. * 

Paris for One and Other Stories by Jojo Moyes

Hardcover, 336 pages

Published October 18th 2016 by Pamela Dorman Books 

ISBN: 0735221073

Goodreads

From the #1 "New York Times" bestselling author of "Me Before You" and "After You," a sensational collection featuring the title novella and eight other stories. Quintessential Jojo Moyes, "Paris for One and Other Stories" is an irresistibly romantic collection filled with humor and heart. 

Nell is twenty-six and has never been to Paris. She's never even been on a romantic weekend away to anywhere before. Everyone knows travelling abroad isn't really her thing. But when Nell's boyfriend fails to show up for their romantic mini-vacation, she has the opportunity to prove everyone including herself wrong. Alone and in Paris, Nell uncovers a version of herself she never knew existed: independent and intrepid. Could this turn out to be the most adventurous weekend of her life? Funny, charming, and irresistible, "Paris for One"is vintage Moyes as are the other stories that round out the collection."

Paris for One
Between the Tweets
Love in the Afternoon
A Bird in the Hand
Crocodile Shoes
Holdups
Last Year's Coat
Thirteen Days with John C.
The Christmas List

Amazon

B&N

Paris for One and Other Stories was a charming and touching collection of short stories involving troubled relationships. Each story had such a strong and dynamic voice. I felt like each narrator was so distinct and well developed for having such short stories. I loved the way the author wrote the stories and how each story was unique and memorable. I knew I loved JoJo's writing style, but this book just reminded me of how much I truly loved it! I liked some of the stories more than others, but I really enjoyed this collection overall.

Paris for One

This story was actually my favorite of the collection and it was the longest! I loved the two main characters in this story, especially Nell. I saw so much of myself in Nell and I was rooting for her to have the trip of her life. I was invested in this story from the first page and shipped the two main characters SO HARD. I LOVE THEM TOGETHER. The Paris setting added such an enchanting and wonderful element to the story. I seriously adored this story and the adventure the characters went on. I WISH THIS WAS A FULL-LENGTH NOVEL. NOW NEED TO GO TO PARIS AND DISCOVER MYSELF.

Between the Tweets

This was an extremely short story, but I still found it very interesting and addictive! It proved how lies can really hurt your reputation. This might not have been one of my favorite stories, but I still enjoyed it. 

Love in the Afternoon

I found this short story to be a very realistic look into romance in marriages. This story and the characters tugged at my heartstrings and I loved the way it ended.

A Bird in the Hand

This story involved ex-lovers running into each other and discussing some of the regrets they had in regards to their relationship. I found this story to be very well written, but it was not one of my favorite stories in this book. 

Crocodile Shoes

This story took the old saying "one pair of shoes can change your life" to heart! When a woman finds a pair of killer heels, it turned her not so fabulous life upside down! I thought this story was hilarious and oh so charming!

Holdups

While working at a jewelry store, a woman had an interesting encounter with a robber. Even if the events seemed a bit ridiculous, the character interactions were well written! The ending put a smile on my face, even if it seemed crazy.

Last Year's Coat

This was such a realistic and emotional story. I felt like the author touched on such a relevant and relatable topic in regards to struggling to make ends meet. The ending made me feel ALL THE FEELS! ADORABLE!

Thirteen Days with John C.

This story was such an emotional roller coaster! Even though I had a feeling things wouldn't end up well, I was invested in the story and the characters. 

The Christmas List

AHHH! This story was so heartwarming and precious. The character interactions in this story were precious and made for such a memorable novella. 

Overall, Paris for One and Other Stories was a fun, charming, and easy read! I would recommend this book to everyone. 

4 / 5 Fangs

*This ebook was given to me in exchange for an honest review. * 

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

Title: Me Before You 

Series: Me Before You 

Author: Jojo Moyes

Release Date: December 31, 2012

Lou Clark knows lots of things. She knows how many footsteps there are between the bus stop and home. She knows she likes working in The Buttered Bun tea shop and she knows she might not love her boyfriend Patrick.

What Lou doesn't know is she's about to lose her job or that knowing what's coming is what keeps her sane.

Will Traynor knows his motorcycle accident took away his desire to live. He knows everything feels very small and rather joyless now and he knows exactly how he's going to put a stop to that.

What Will doesn't know is that Lou is about to burst into his world in a riot of colour. And neither of them knows they're going to change the other for all time.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

“You are scored on my heart,Clark. You were from the first day you walked in,with your ridiculous clothes and your complete inability to ever hide a single thing you felt.” 

So I'm super late to the party. Right? Everyone has read this book and loves it. I don't blame them, I did too.

It's a story of love, pain, hard choices and I'm glad I finally read it. 

What took me so long? I knew in my gut it was going to be devastating. I usually try to stick with books that make me happy, not a sobbing mess. Worse of all, I read it on the plane.. as you can imagine by the end my tears were unavoidable. I had to make my husband get me tissues from the bathroom because I couldn't stop crying. 

I'm one of those bookies who need to read the book before the movie and since I had seen the trailer for the movie, I knew I was running out of time.

Just in case you are one of those who has not read Me Before You, let me give you the premise.

Lou Clark is a young woman who loses her job and needs to find a new one to help support her family. She ends up as the caregiver for a quadriplegic young man. 

Will Traynor was an ace in business. He had the perfect job, perfect girlfriend but everything changes when he's hit by a motorcycle. After years of being a quadriplegic, he is done with it. He's miserable and has lost any desire to live until he meets Lou. Lou brings color to his darkness. She's sweet, happy and likes to dress in whatever way it pleases her. It takes a while for her to break down his walls and this is when it turns FUBAR.

We all make choices. Some might be right, some might be wrong. I'm not sure the choices made in this book were the wrong ones. The author makes a pretty good description of what Will's life struggles were really like. My heart aches for these two characters.  Honestly, I felt so many emotions through it all. Me Before You is one of those books you shouldn't miss.

Cliffhanger: No

5/5 Fangs

This was such a beautiful, moving, and captivating story. I went into the book thinking it was just a romance book, but it was so much more than that. The romance was more on the back burner compared to all of the other aspects of this book, which I think worked really well for the story. Even though the romance wasn't the main focus of the story, it was wonderfully done. I thought the romance in this book was spectacular. 

I loved all of the characters in this book and their relationships with each other. This book touched on so many types of relationships: friendships, romantic relationships, and family relationships. I loved reading about these relationship and watching them develop. It was simply wonderful.

I flew through this book in one sitting because I needed to know what was going to happen to the characters. The dialogue, plot, messages, characters, and basically everything were so wonderfully written. I really liked JoJo's writing style. It captivated me. 

I was extremely invested in this book and I definitely cried during multiple events. Yes, I cried multiple times. I cried both happy and sad tears. This book tore my heart out and mended it at the same time. As I said, it was beautiful.

I would recommend this book to everyone.

5 / 5 Fangs

I was warned about this book long before I started reading it, but nothing could have prepared me for scar it would leave on my heart. Never in my life could I have prepared myself for the love and grief I would feel reading this story or how I would walk away with a different outlook on life.

Lou gets hired to be a companion of sorts to Will. Lou instantly realizes they couldn't be any more different, but she trudges on even when Will makes it clear he has nothing to say to her. Slowly but surely they not only find things to discuss, but somehow form an unlikely friendship. Soon Louisa is hell bend on showing Will that life is always worth living.

Lou was so witty and an absolute sweetheart! She's so full of sass, and Will can't help but being drawn to her. I laughed so much in spite of the heartbreaking tale because of Lou. I cried when I saw how close Lou and Will had gotten, but wasn't sure if it would change anything in the end. I want love for them, I wanted all the joy in the world for them, and I wanted the next 20, 30, 50 years for them.

This story took my breath away. I got to the point where I knew I would not be the same person after finishing. This love story is absolutely heartbreaking, inspiring, and utterly epic!

5/5 Fangs

The Last Letter from Your Lover by Jojo Moyes

A Brief Encounter for our time, The Last Letter from Your Lover is a sophisticated, spellbinding double love story that spans decades and thrillingly evokes a bygone era. In 1960, Jennifer Stirling wakes in the hospital and remembers nothing—not the car accident that put her there, not her wealthy husband, not even her own name. Searching for clues, she finds an impassioned letter, signed simply "B," from a man for whom she seemed willing to risk everything. In 2003, journalist Ellie Haworth stumbles upon the letter and becomes obsessed with learning the unknown lovers’ fate—hoping it will inspire her own happy ending. Remarkably moving, this is a novel for romantics of every age.

MrsNorthman's Review

A captivating story, full of heartbreak, missed opportunities and undying love. Jojo Moyes is one heck of a storyteller! 

When Jennifer Sterling wakes up in 1960, she can't remember anything about her life. She's been in a horrible car accident, but no one will give her any details. Her husband takes her home and sort of expects her to be back to normal. He's well off, so she doesn't have to work and she has plenty of friends, but something just feels wrong. She barely recognizes herself, but she knows right away she doesn't belong with her husband. 

When she uncovers hidden love letters from the elusive 'B', it confirms to her, what she already knew deep down in her soul. Her heart belongs to someone else. The only problem, she can't remember who he is. We learn of B's identity and how they came to be lovers, as the story switches back and forth from before the accident to after. It's a passionate love affair that's only made more so by his love letters.

"My dearest and only love. I meant what I said. I have come to the conclusion that the only way forward is for one of us to make a bold decision. . . ."

Forty years later, a journalist named Ellie happens to stumble upon one of B's letters and thinks it might just provide the answers she looking for. If she can track down the couple, she might be able to appease her boss with a great story and find clarity in her own situation. She's having an affair with a married man and it's pretty much destroying her. She's constantly putting her life on hold until he can find a few stolen moments to spend with her. Will it be worth it in the end? 

Sometimes when you least expect it, someone will come along and change your entire outlook on life. For both Jennifer and Ellie, that's exactly what happened.

". . .know this at least: that somewhere is this world is a man who loves you, who understands how precious and clever and kind you are. A man who has always loved you and, to his detriment, suspects he always will."

There were so many moments that I just loved and a few that left me devastated. The intensity and emotion between Jennifer and Bear was impossible to ignore and is what really drew me to this story. While I don't condone cheating, the circumstances in the 1960's pretty much made it impossible for a woman to ask for a divorce. Which didn't leave Jennifer with many options. She had to be true to herself and follow her heart.

5/5 Fangs

One Plus One by Jojo Moyes

"Good things happen. Sometimes when you least expect them."

This book played out like a movie in my mind.  The story was entertaining and it flowed so perfectly.  It was impossible not to be touched by this cast of quirky characters and their adventure.

Jess is essentially a single parent and struggling to make ends meet.  Her ten year old daughter, Tanzie, is a math prodigy and wants nothing more than to attend a private school where she can focus on math.  She's offered a partial scholarship, but Jess doesn't have the money to cover the difference.  Ever the eternal optimist, she is determined to get her family to a Maths Olympiad where Tanzie can compete and possibly win enough money to cover the first year of tuition.

The only problem, the Olympiad is in Scotland and they have no way to get there.  They have a busted up Rolls-Royce that doesn't get them very far and barely enough money to eat.  Lucky for them, Ed, the owner of one of the beach houses that Jess cleans, happens to be driving by and sees them on the side of the road.  He reluctantly agrees to drive this lady he barely knows, her two strange kids and their smelly dog all the way to the Olympiad.  Meanwhile, he's dealing with problems of his own.  Potential jail time and a terminally ill father.  Little did Ed know that what was supposed to be a long days drive turns into an adventure spanning several days.  Their trip if full of mishaps and riddled with life lessons.  It's funny and frustrating at times, but ultimately so sweet.  I loved all these characters for some many different reasons.  This is a must read.

"I want to be with you.  I know we've made an unholy mess of it, but I still feel more right with you doing wrong than I usually feel when everything's supposedly right and you're not there."

*Complimentary copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.* 

4/5 Fangs
MrsNorthman