Note, the format of my Short and Sweet reviews differs in that they simply comprise the book blurb and a short response (hence, the short and sweet).
After You is the sequel to JoJo Moyes’ much-loved Me Before You. I thought I’d read Me Before You … turns out I had not, so I was thrown in the deep end initially. Reading the blurb below, I had no idea what Lou needed forgiveness for and what had happened to the love of her life. I ended up having to turn to Goodreads for a crash course, which is not my usual mode of action. The good thing is, I will probably go back and read Me Before You because I enjoyed After You so much. Here’s the blurb:
Lou Clark has lots of questions. Like how it is she’s ended up working in an airport bar, spending every shift watching other people jet off to new places. Or why the flat she’s owned for a year still doesn’t feel like home. Whether her close-knit family can forgive her for what she did eighteen months ago. And will she ever get over the love of her life.
What Lou does know for certain is that something has to change. Then, one night, it does. But does the stranger on her doorstep hold the answers Lou is searching for – or just more questions? Close the door and life continues: simple, ordered, safe. Open it and she risks everything. But Lou once made a promise to live. And if she’s going to keep it, she has to invite them in. . .
Warm, funny and charming, After You is one of those books that leaves you feeling satisfied and mellow (no, it wasn’t the wine I may have sipped while reading at one point). Moyes tackles the aftermath of a tragedy, and grief, with the insight, warmth and wit she’s become known for, delivering readers a want-to-read-again tale of a broken woman who learns to live again. I wiped away tears of laughter and sadness as Lou picks up the pieces of her life, with the help of her lovable family, good friends, a troubled teen named Lily, sexy Ambulance Sam, and a very entertaining Moving On self-help group. The self-help group’s discussions about love, sex and internet dating had me giggling time and time again. Lou’s relationship with Lily (a beautifully drawn character) as she discovers the joys of being in charge of a teenager, was affirming and heart-warming.
I love Moyes’ writing – there’s not been a book of hers I haven’t loved. I will be chasing up Me Before You because even though I now know what will happen, I want to see how Moyes ties it all together. By all means, cuddle up with After You (but don’t make my mistake of not reading Me Before You first). Be warned – you may end up binge reading.
Available from good bookstores (RRP $32.99). My copy was courtesy of Penguin Books Australia.
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0 Responses
I really want to read this one – I was doubtful that it would ruin Me Before You but it sounds as though it will be right up my street – thanks for a succinct review!
I enjoyed it very much as well. It’s interesting to hear that it works on its own even without having read Me Before You — I wouldn’t have expected that!
I was a bit concerned, Lisa, once I realised I hadn’t read Me Before You. Obviously, it would be better to – it would make a richer reading experience, but I was able to fill in the blanks.