One Plus One
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is the second novel I’ve read by Jojo Moyes, and it certainly won’t be my last.
One Plus One follows the story of truly endearing characters. Jess is trying to better her family as a single mom to Tanzie, a math prodigy, and Nicky, her stepson who is struggling to fit in. Through a series of events, they end up driving across the country with Ed, a business man whom Jess cleans for. Through the trip, the four characters learn to relate to each other in a new way and bring out the best in each other.
This isn’t your typical romance; it focuses a lot on the themes of family, survival, and identity. Both Jess and Ed are looking for something in life; although they do find it in each other to an extent, the more accurate description is that they find it through each other. Each leads the other to a better life and to being a stronger person, something that true love should do.
I loved that the novel flipped between four perspectives. I also truly enjoyed the humor incorporated into the novel. I found myself laughing out loud at times, especially at the crazy things that happened with the family’s dog Norman. There were also very deep, tender moments. I was satisfied with the ending as well. I love the feeling of hope that this novel instills.
At first, I couldn’t find myself invested in Ed. I found him to be smug and even a bit repulsive–but I feel like that was the point. As he lets his walls come down and learns to be selfless, we start to see new layers to his character. Just as Jess starts to view him differently, the reader does as well. I think this development of character heightened the plot and themes of the work.
Once I started reading this novel, I found msyelf hooked. I read over two hundred pages today! If you want a novel that will explore romance and family in a unique way, pick up this book. You won’t be disappointed.
