Me Before You (Me Before You, #1) in Reads With Friends

May 18, 2015 Emily W. rated it really liked it

4.5 stars

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Jul 25, 2014 Jane rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2016-tbd-list

This isn't an easy book to review.
It was entertaining, laugh out loud funny, and so laughable, but it was so much more.
This is one of those books that you get out of it what you are meant to get out of it at the time you read it. So at a later date, when you come back, you might take from it something else.

For me, this book was heart breaking and thought provoking.
I had to sleep on this book after finishing it. And after an entire day to sort through my thoughts, I'm ready to give my two cents ...more

5 likes · Like · see review

May 23, 2015 Mared Owen rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary

I suspected that I wouldn't be any different to everyone else who has read this book. And I hate contributing to any kind of hype, usually. But I loved this book so much that I cannot help but add to that pool of praise.

What struck me straight away was how compellingly Jojo Moyes writes. Really, if I had had the luxury, I would have finished it in a day. And also how she made me care for all of the characters, for their relationships, for their lives and their stories. It's obvious how this end ...more

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Apr 09, 2015 Rose (The_Calm_Reader) added it · review of another edition

An amazingly beautiful story!

Jojo Moyes has forever etched this story and these two characters, Will and Louisa, in my heart. I feel I can't even properly review this right now. My heart, I can't even. Just read this. You won't regret it. Definitely my favorite read of 2016! This book will not leave my thoughts or my heart for a long time to come. ...more

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Sep 18, 2016 nai rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: library-books

I started this book because I wanted something different. Something unique. Most of the books I've read these past few months have all been predictable and I wanted something that would be an emotional roller coaster. Something that would make me laugh but also ball my eyes out. Jojo Moyes did just that with Me Before You. Five out five stars. ...more

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Dec 08, 2014 Anita Reads rated it really liked it

Shelves: chick-lit, contemporary, read-2015

Wow - What a book.
It definitely makes one think.
I really liked the book. The writing style was simple and easy. The topic, however, was very dark and heavy.
The reason it doesn't get 5 stars from me, is because it at times was a little slow.

Now off to find something light and breezy. ...more

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May 24, 2015 Chelsey Hunt rated it it was amazing

Maybe the best book I have read so far in 2015, unlike anything I have read before, this book ripped my heart apart. What a beautiful story

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Oct 16, 2014 Michaela rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: all-time-favorites, reviewed, own-it, why-did-you-have-to-die, read-in-2016, 2016-reading-challenge, contemporary-romance

Read my review on my blog!

Louisa Clark is a twenty-something girl who has just lost her job. Despite having potential to live a full and exciting life, she instead settles for any job that will come her way, if only to provide for her parents and sister, who are all unemployed and, like Lou, have never left the sleepy little town they’ve lived in all their lives. In an act of desperation, Lou agrees to take a job as a caretaker for Will Traynor, the quadriplegic son of a local wealthy family. Be Read my review on my blog!

Louisa Clark is a twenty-something girl who has just lost her job. Despite having potential to live a full and exciting life, she instead settles for any job that will come her way, if only to provide for her parents and sister, who are all unemployed and, like Lou, have never left the sleepy little town they’ve lived in all their lives. In an act of desperation, Lou agrees to take a job as a caretaker for Will Traynor, the quadriplegic son of a local wealthy family. Before his injury, Will was a successful businessman who was essentially ‘living the dream’ of most millennials. Lou has no idea what to expect from her new position, or from Will himself. As she gets to know Will and his family, she discovers a secret about him that completely changes her outlook not only on her job, but her whole life.

Me Before You definitely lived up to the hype and I think that Jojo Moyes is a gifted author in that she writes real life very well. This is a novel about everyday people who face realistic struggles and it was refreshing to read. Apart from that, Lou is a very relatable character. I could see a lot of myself in her (although I will say I’m perhaps a bit more ambitious than her) and it was nice to read about a female character that was normal without having her normal-ness rubbed in your face every few pages.

I can’t help but love Will. The subtleties of his character were so well thought-out and I couldn’t help but smile a little every time Lou broke down another piece of his shell. He is a mysterious character, and even as we learn more about him it’s still a bit of a guessing game as to what he may be thinking. If Jojo Moyes were ever interested, she could probably make a lot of money with an adaptation of this novel from Will’s point of view – although I don’t think this story deserves anything as gimmicky as that. Nonetheless, Will’s emotions and cognition are very fascinating and it was rewarding to see him gradually reach out to Lou as their relationship blossomed.

Me Before You is marketed as a romance novel, but in truth there is very little romance in the story. I would say it’s more about a romance with life and the little things that make you happy, but also the romance of pursuing your wildest dreams with no regrets.

***SPOILERS BELOW***

There has been a bit of controversy surrounding this book about Will’s choice to partake in assisted suicide. Many people are saying that this book only offers the idea that disability simply makes life not worth living, even if you are surrounded by people who love you and fun events and wonderful things. I have to disagree. We see multiple times in Lou’s conversations with Will that he simply does not want to live anymore because he feels like he is always haunted by his past, pre-accident successful self, and I believe his feelings are valid. I think in this case it is important to remember that literature simply presents a perspective, and we as readers may not always agree with it. Lou certainly doesn’t agree with Will’s perspective in the beginning but she realizes through her research that many members of the disabled community have different opinions that are rooted in their own personal experiences. Moyes’ story is just one example of a potential experience that someone may have. I think that this novel presents a fair and unbiased examination of assisted suicide with multiple viewpoints. The ideas illustrated are not universal, and anyone who has ever read a book and engaged in a thoughtful discourse with a book should know that ideas and opinions are rarely (if ever) universal; this is what makes literature and reading so interesting because it provides us with a chance to learn about these different perspectives.

Rant aside, I really enjoyed this book and I think it came to me at a good time in my life. Regardless of what people may think of the subject matter, the underlying message to ‘live boldly’ is probably the greatest thing you can take away from this story. I believe this message will stay with me for quite some time.

Five stars and a definite future re-read!
...more

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Jul 02, 2015 Allison rated it liked it

Shelves: library-or-libby-read, read-pre-2023

Despite all of the glowing reviews and expectations for this book to make me cry for hours on end, I ended up just not ever fully finding myself immersed in it.

I don't have any real problems with the plot or the characters or anything like that. I did enjoy the slow growth of Lou and Will's relationship and I absolutely adored Nathan. I thought that Lou's family was nice, if not a little bit annoying with how much they kind of look down upon her at all times (despite relying on her quite heavily ...more

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Aug 05, 2015 Natalie Thompson rated it it was amazing

What a magical heartbreakingly but amazing read... This story is going to sit with me for a long time. It's so touching.. I laughed a lot but I also cried a lot. Definitely would recommend this book to everyone and anyone. Can't wait for the companion book that comes out soon ...more

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Jun 13, 2015 Mom2triplets04 rated it really liked it

Shelves: books-i-own-read, romance

This book took me all summer to read. It is a very sad love story. Unfortunately I was spoiled before reading it so it took me a long time to finish it. I did not cry but did come close at one point. Glad it's off my tbr. ...more

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Jan 17, 2014 Shannon rated it really liked it

This is not a book I ever would have chosen for myself, but I'm so glad it was this month's book club pick because it's not one that should be missed. It really makes you consider life and what it means to be alive. I was so emotional while reading this one. I laughed a lot and I cried a few times. I couldn't help but wonder if I'm living my life the way I should be. The fact that a fiction book can drive me to philosophize and look inward shows that this is truly a special book.

The characters ...more

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Sep 30, 2015 Debbie Colon rated it it was amazing

OMG this book is one of those books that you lose sleep over. I literally lost sleep last night because I fell asleep while reading it. When I realized I'd fallen asleep in the middle of the night I couldn't stop thinking about what had I missed lol. Got up today and brewed some bustelo and got to reading the last few chapters. I cried like a a baby towards the end. Although you know what's coming because its clear right from the start it still tugs at your heart. Great read recommend to everyon ...more

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