27. Book Review: One Plus One (2014)

One Plus One: A Novel by Jojo Moyes

Synopsis

Suppose your life sucks. A lot. Your husband has done a vanishing act, your teenage stepson is being bullied, and your math whiz daughter has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that you can’t afford to pay for. That’s Jess’s life in a nutshell—until an unexpected knight in shining armor offers to rescue them. Only Jess’s knight turns out to be Geeky Ed, the obnoxious tech millionaire whose vacation home she happens to clean. But Ed has big problems of his own, and driving the dysfunctional family to the Math Olympiad feels like his first unselfish act in ages . . . maybe ever. 

 One Plus One is Jojo Moyes at her astounding best. You’ll laugh, you’ll weep, and when you flip the last page, you’ll want to start all over again.

Review

I just love Jojo Moyes… I can't deny it. And while the reading is light and border-line "chic-lit" I don't care. I love her books.  Not everything you/I read has to be super literary. This book was no exception, I absolutely devoured it in 26 hours flat.  Two sessions reading at the pool and one super late night session. I couldn't resist! 

This is yet another touching and against all odds love story with absolutely endearing characters. This is one book you absolutely have to pick up for this summer… or any of her other books if you haven't already.

Other books you may like…

Me Before You: A Novel

The Last Letter from Your Lover

The Girl You Left Behind

22. Book Review: The Girl You Left Behind (2014)

The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes

Synopsis

France, 1916: Artist Edouard Lefevre leaves his young wife, Sophie, to fight at the front. When their small town falls to the Germans in the midst of World War I, Edouard’s portrait of Sophie draws the eye of the new Kommandant. As the officer’s dangerous obsession deepens, Sophie will risk everything—her family, her reputation, and her life—to see her husband again. 

 Almost a century later, Sophie’s portrait is given to Liv Halston by her young husband shortly before his sudden death. A chance encounter reveals the painting’s true worth, and a battle begins for who its legitimate owner is—putting Liv’s belief in what is right to the ultimate test. 

 Review

I just love Jojo Moyes. I love the way she tells a tale and the heart with which she tells it.  Each book she writes is so enjoyable and heart wrenching to read.  I loved reading this book on the heels of The Goldfinch as it's story was a bit lighter (although at some points this story was quite heavy) but mostly because it followed the theme of art and what it means to those who behold it. And I have said this before and I'll say it again, she writes a darn good love story.  This book is a great beach read or summer vacation read. It goes quickly but deeply.

Other books you may like…

Suite Francaise

The Secret Keeper: A Novel

16. Book Review: The Last Letter from Your Lover (2014)

The Last Letter from Your Lover: A Novel by Jojo Moyes

Synopsis

A heartbreaking, stay-up-all-night novel from the New York Times bestselling author of Me Before You and One Plus One 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.

Review

If you've ever read one of Jojo Moyes book you all know that she writes one heck of a love story. I absolutely loved Me Before You and was actually a little skeptical that this book could meet my expectations for this author again. But let me say that this book was flawless. Without sappiness or any distaste she weaves a beautiful, tragic and hopeful love story with this book. The story has really great twists and turns… some are a little predictable but most of them are not, which makes this book a definite page turner. This is one of those books that I was so sad to finish and I am already missing the characters. The book has two story lines that intertwine, one in 1960 - which takes up the majority of the book and the other that takes place in 2003. I almost thought she lost me on the modern day story line, but the way she twists and turns the story I was instantly hooked. The 1960's story line is almost a scene straight out of Mad Men… I actually pictured the main character Jennifer as Betty Draper. Read this! (another side note, I also thought it was interesting that this was the second book I have read this year about a woman who lost her memory… must make for a compelling story in my book!)

Other books you may like…
Me Before You: A Novel
The Secret Keeper: A Novel