Me Before You (Me Before You #1) by Jojo Moyes- Restarting May 3rd 2021

[Luckyreadingreviews]

Prologue - (view spoiler)[Pouting is sort of/kind of cute. Only use it when things don't go your way. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 1 - (view spoiler)[This girl likes numbers or something, what wit knowing how many steps from your house to your job. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 2 - (view spoiler)[ Does Mrs. Traynor have to be kind of snobbish? (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 3 - (view spoiler)[ I love Nathan for where comes from. Why? Because Im from New Zealand, Auckland (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 3 - (view spoiler)[ Will instantly hates Louisa, Why? I think she is a very entertaining character, I like her very much (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 4 - (view spoiler)[I guess it was big of Alicia and Rupert to tell Will, But i thought Rupert was an idiot for saying what he said they way he said it. Needs a good punch to the throat (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 4 - (view spoiler)[ Patrick is a fitness freak (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 5 - (view spoiler)[Mrs. Traynor scares me sometimes I swear (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 6 - (view spoiler)[ Lou cannot sing at all she shouldn't quit her day time job just yet (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 12 - (view spoiler)[ She looks absolutely amazing in the dress. Im really trying to picture in my head now and I think she looks great (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 13 - (view spoiler)[Lou's parents are wonderful when they are not worrying about money. The way the welcomed Will was amazing. But many her reaction to Will's gift was something else and I bet no-one expected her to have that kind of reaction to the gift. cause I sure didn't (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 15 - (view spoiler)[I like how he is slowly changing her life and making her become a new person before our eyes all because of him. I am really amazed with the progression of there friendship and Im really amazed at how well the book really is. We are going to shed some more tears guys. (hide spoiler)]

[Sharon]

Chapter 25: (view spoiler)[ I knew he wasn't going to change his mind because he really doesn't have anything to live for. However, I love how Louisa kept trying for those few months and got to see the real him. He changed her life, and that the best thing a person can do for someone else. (hide spoiler)]

[Sharon]

Ending Thoughts: (view spoiler)[ I cried liked a baby. That letter was the best thing Will did for Louisa. I think he showed her how to live, and in return, she showed him what it means to be yourself. I love Will even though he made this decision, and Louisa for sticking by him. I thought their journey in this book was hard yet beautiful. (hide spoiler)]

[Brooke]

26%
(view spoiler)[ crushing my soul right here. 6mth sister. you gotta step up your game! (hide spoiler)]

[Brooke]

51%
(view spoiler)[ you love her... he cares so much for her. i just want to cry. the chemistry is so good! (hide spoiler)]

[Brooke]

Tattoo!
(view spoiler)[ OMGEEE I forgot about the tattoos! Best Before! They better put that in the movie or i will write a bad review! (hide spoiler)]

[Brooke]

Ending Thoughts
(view spoiler)[ Sigh. This book will forever crush my soul. I knew what was coming and i still was upset! such a cute read! love it. (hide spoiler)]

[Michaela]

Me and Yannie are starting today!

[Michaela]

Jumping right in on this - chapter 17
(view spoiler)[
Even though I am biffurcated between agreeing with Will that he can't stand his life anymore and thinking that he should fight till the end I still love him heaps! I am just in love with his character! The way he and Louisa have changed throughout the first half of the book is amazing! Luisa has made him think in a different way, see things that he wasn't paying attention to before.. this is pure love!
One thing I can not understand is why Lu keeps on staying with that Patrick guy, it's not like everyone can't see that she is so in love with Will, she basically can't see or think of anything else.. Will is good for her and she is good for him.. Why is it always so hard in life?
(hide spoiler)]
I am in love already! ♡

[Queenie]

Chapter 17
(view spoiler)[I really enjoy reading this book, I absolutely adore Lou, I like the fact that she enjoys living simply, she says she's "an ordinary girl, leading an ordinary life", she doesn't wanna change for anyone and that's great. I really like the chemistry between Lou and Will, I could really see the evolution in their relationship (If I can say). I think Will realized that his life might still be worth living while getting to know Lou, he probably didn't think that he could still get attached to people and even enjoy going out for picnics or concerts, Lou made him realized that him being paraplegic didn't mean that his life had to stop.
I totaly agree with you Mickey, I really don't understand why she's still with Patrick. I mean he was so rude to Will at her birthday dinner, he only wanted her to move in with him because he was jealous of her spending week-ends at Will's place and because they've been together for 7 years so that seemed like the right thing to do and he only seem to care about his running... He doesn't even put an effort in their relationship, he just taking it for granted!
She shares things with Will -like the pair of tights with black & yellow stripes- that she doesn't share with her BF, he didn't even understand the all Bee tights thing. And now that she shared her story about what happened in the maze with Will, their relationship are just gonna get even stronger. I'm so glad she trusted Will enough to tell him, and his words "No. They were responsible" were just the right thing to say <3. (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah Elizabeth]

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Date Changed. Restarting June 29th 2016. Happy Reading ☺

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[Helen 2.0]

I'm in :)

[cam ♥]

Me too! ❤

[cam ♥]

Finally had some free time to read! ❤
Chapter 1: (view spoiler)[I think it's cute that Lou's fashion sense is so original! I'm expecting more unconventional wears soon! Hahaha! Anyway, I feel really bad for Lou! She lost the only job she loves and it's really irritating that her dad points out how unqualified she is for better job opportunities! Everyone's relying on her, so they should somehow make her feel confident and motivated, not make her feel more miserable! Oh, especially that guy Patrick! I wanted to smack his face... WITH A CHAIR!!! When he said "You can pay me back when you're back on your feet.", I was like, DUMP HIM ALREADY, LOU!!! At least Syed was a little funny about his job offers for her, especially as a pole dancer and an adult chat line supervisor! Hahaha! (hide spoiler)]

[cam ♥]

Chapter 3: (view spoiler)[I can't blame Will for behaving like an ass most of the time. Being quadriplegic would probably make me behave like that too. I just hope Lou won't give up on him! (hide spoiler)]

[cam ♥]

Chapter 4: (view spoiler)[Ouch! I can hear Will's heart breaking when he heard the news from Alicia and Rupert! On the other hand, I don't see any affection between Lou and Patrick! Please break up soon? PRETTY PLEASE? (hide spoiler)]

[cam ♥]

Chapter 5: (view spoiler)[Now what's the deal with Mrs. Traynor? Hmm... well, at least Will became a little lighter on Lou. He even asked her to watch a film with him! SO SMOOTH OF YOU, LOU, FOR DROPPING FOOD ON HIS LAP! Lol! But for the record, I'm starting to really understand Will's actions. (hide spoiler)]

[Helen 2.0]

I started just now so you're ahead of me :) I was reading another book outside and it slowly got too dark

[Helen 2.0]

Chapters 1-5: (view spoiler)[ Watching Will warm up to Lou has been great so far! The best part is the realistic characters. They're all relatable. Even though obviously I don't know what someone like Will goes through every day, I understand his reactions, they feel natural. He's angry and closed himself away as a defense against the pity and helplessness he has to deal with. I think he opens up to Lou because she treats him like a regular person, not an unpredictable, broken victim.

I'm always skeptical about first person narration - I think it limits the story and forces the reader to see things the narrator's way. I like to make my own opinion without the main character coloring it too much.
However, in this case I think first person narration works all right because it's clear what Lou feels about the stuff she's narrating, so I can look around her bias to form my own conclusions. For example, even though Lou hated Will in the beginning I still liked him without her opinion interfering there :) (hide spoiler)]

[Helen 2.0]

Cam wrote: "Finally had some free time to read! ❤
Chapter 1: [spoilers removed]"

Cam wrote: "Chapter 4: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I know right, there is ZERO chemistry between Lou and Patrick. I think they're just meant to break up asap. That "you can pay me back" part actually made me gape at my Kindle - how did Lou put up with this snob for seven years? She could do so much better!
I think her family's funny though. I get that good old European tough love from my family too lol! Besides I like that Lou can take a joke at her expense. She really needs that skill when working with Will. (hide spoiler)]

[Helen 2.0]

Cam wrote: "Chapter 5: [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ You think she might have dropped food on his lap just to, you know, test for a reaction down there? LOL (hide spoiler)]

[cam ♥]

Helen 2.0 wrote: "Cam wrote: "Finally had some free time to read! ❤
Chapter 1: [spoilers removed]"

Cam wrote: "Chapter 4: [spoilers removed]"

I know right, there is ZERO chemistry between Lou and Patrick. I thin..."

(view spoiler)[RIGHT? I can't even imagine myself keeping a relationship like theirs for such a long time! Maybe they lost the "spark" along the way or maybe it started when he became the Running Man? WELL, WHO CARES? We have Will! lol

True. It's great that she's not too sensitive! I hope she won't lose her patience with Will! He can be very rude at times! (hide spoiler)]

[cam ♥]

Helen 2.0 wrote: "Cam wrote: "Chapter 5: [spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[OH MY GOD! You're probably right! She WAS a little curious about that! I read that part again and thought about what you said. Better! LOL (hide spoiler)]

[cam ♥]

Chapter 6: (view spoiler)[THAT MOLAHONKEY SONG IS BAD... REALLY BAD. Hahaha! Out of all the children's songs, why the hell did her Dad pick that one?

Woah... the Traynors have infidelity issues...tsk tsk. (hide spoiler)]

[cam ♥]

Is it just me or the chapters are really long?

Chapter 7: (view spoiler)[WILL DEFINITELY LIKES LOU! Maybe not so much, but it's a good start!!! He's definitely worried whenever Lou's not in the mood to talk and the shaving part? LOU IS STARTING TO LIKE HIM TOO!!! No one would think shaving is "intimate" unless you like that person!! Hahaha!

Not really shocked about Will wanting to end his life. I hope he realizes that life has so much to offer even when he's quadriplegic. :( (hide spoiler)]

[cam ♥]

Chapter 9: (view spoiler)[TREENA IS A GENIUS! This is going to be fun!!! *starting to imagine Lou and Will going out on dates* Haha! (hide spoiler)]

[Helen 2.0]

You're right, these chapters are long. We're reading over 100 pages a day even though it's only 5 chapters.
I had fun reading today because a huge thunderstorm (lightning, flooding, hail, the works) hit us this evening and I sat on the covered porch with my dog and read while the whole world came down around us! That was exciting.

Chapters 5-10: (view spoiler)[I had no idea that euthanasia was legal in Great Britain. I ought to have known that because I once had to debate the moral ramifications of euthanasia for a class I was taking - oops! I agree with you that it's understandable Will would choose it. The life he has now doesn't even really qualify as living; he's more or less just existing in the house. BUT, did he want to die so badly that he methodically ripped open his wrists on a rusty nail? I didn't expect that.

The chemistry between Lou and Will definitely there, but for now it's pretty understated. I like that neither of them has romantic feelings just yet. They're building up a relationship from less than nothing, where neither of them was especially willing have any relationship from the beginning. Lou's quest to save Will shows she cares for him, and the shaving scene shows that she feels an attraction too. That's the start of something great there! (hide spoiler)]

[Helen 2.0]

Chapters 10-15: (view spoiler)[ I can so relate to Lou fighting with her sister! My brother and I were at each other's throats 24/7 when we still lived together. I really love how realistic Lou is!

I'm conflicted about the whole euthanasia issue. I'm all for free choice and I think people should be allowed to die peacefully if there's no other option for them. But I don't want Will to die :'( *sob*
(hide spoiler)]

[Helen 2.0]

Chapter 17: (view spoiler)[ I can't believe Will's mom got mad at Lou for having a personal life outside of Will!
I mean she has a tiny bit of a point - Lou chose a really bad time Will-wise to move in with Patrick.
But Mrs Traynor has no right to forbid Lou from having a life apart from work. Lou has done everything she can to help Will.

Also, Will's reaction to Lou and Patrick totally proves he's got a thing for her. (hide spoiler)]

[Helen 2.0]

Chapters 17-20 (view spoiler)[ I guess we needed a viewpoint apart from Lou and Will (in this case Nathan) to demonstrate how obviously Lou & Will are falling in love.

I really really really hope Will agrees to Lou's trip idea in California. Also I'm glad things are basically over between her and Patrick. About time. (hide spoiler)]

[cam ♥]

Helen 2.0 wrote: "Chapters 10-15: I can so relate to Lou fighting with her sister! My brother and I were at each other's throats 24/7 when we still lived together. I really love how realistic Lou is!

I'm conflict..."

I'm a little behind right now, but I'll catch up soon!

Chapters 11-15: (view spoiler)[I can totally relate with that too! My brother and I are the best of buds; we joke around a lot and we have fun a lot! But when we argue, it's like the World War all over again! LOL!

I love how Lou is so determined to change Will's mind. Her plans can get really out of hand (that horse racing scene was a big fail but that concert was by far the best one!) Nevertheless, she never loses hope that Will will find a reason to want to live again.

I DON'T WANT WILL TO DIE TOO. Please, Jojo Moyes, don't do that to us. Ughh... Even though there was a small chance he will die in the middle of the book, I was still a bit panicky when Will was rushed to the hospital because of that bloody infection! (hide spoiler)]

[Helen 2.0]

CAM ♔ wrote: "Helen 2.0 wrote: "Chapters 10-15: I can so relate to Lou fighting with her sister! My brother and I were at each other's throats 24/7 when we still lived together. I really love how realistic Lou i..."

(view spoiler)[ My mom cried like a baby when she finished the book but wouldn't tell me anything about the ending. I REALLY HOPE THAT DOESNT MEAN WILL'S GONNA DIE (hide spoiler)]

[cam ♥]

Helen 2.0 wrote: "CAM ♔ wrote: "Helen 2.0 wrote: "Chapters 10-15: I can so relate to Lou fighting with her sister! My brother and I were at each other's throats 24/7 when we still lived together. I really love how r..."

(view spoiler)[THAT'S NOT A GOOD SIGN!!! Oh myyyy. I'm loving it so much already. I hope it doesn't end with a heartbreak (hide spoiler)]

[cam ♥]

Chapter 16-20: (view spoiler)[I felt bad for Lou that her past kept haunting her. I was so glad that Will was there for her. Indeed, handling bad memories are easier said than done.

After all that happened, I'm glad they had a great time at the wedding! I was like, "SUCK IT ALICIA!" throughout that part! And when Will said "You are pretty much the only thing that makes me want to get up in the morning." and when he finally agreed going somewhere with Lou? I WAS SO HAPPY THAT I SQUEALED LIKE A PIG! LOL! (hide spoiler)]

[cam ♥]

Chapters 21-25:(view spoiler)[Hey! How's Chapters 21-25 going for you? I just finished the 24th and I can't even get myself to read the next. I was all smiles when the Mauritius adventure finally happened, especially when Lou confessed to Will, but whatever came after that? It made my balloon of hope deflate into nonexistence! I'll read the next chapters tomorrow. I'm expecting the worst right now. Oh, Helen... this is definitely not a good sign! :( (hide spoiler)]

[Helen 2.0]

Lagging behind a bit...

Chapter 22: (view spoiler)[ I was absolutely sure that pneumonia was going to kill him. Damn you Jojo Moyes for freaking me out like that. (hide spoiler)]

[Helen 2.0]

Done. (view spoiler)[ I cried like a baby. I couldn't help it. The scene with Will and Lou lying on the bed was heartbreaking.


The ending wasn't all sad though. I'm glad that Lou finally found the motivation to live her life the way she was meant to, with Will enabling her to study and follow her passions. I hope she becomes a world-class seamstress or fashion designer.

I can't believe Lou's mom reacted the way she did to Will's choice and Lou going to Switzerland. She was totally blind to how difficult it was for Lou to watch Will die. Josie was acting like Lou wanted Will to die. So insensitive.

(hide spoiler)]

[Helen 2.0]

It was great reading this with you Cam :D

Apparently there's a sequel? How is that even possible?


By the way, what do you think the title Me Before You was referring to?
(view spoiler)[ My original theory was that it was referring to Will dying before Lou. He's putting his needs before her grief, him before her.
Then again, Will never narrates so we never hear from him in first person. That makes me think he's not the "Me" in the title, but rather the "You".
Any thoughts?
(hide spoiler)]

[cam ♥]

Finished!

(view spoiler)[Okay, I admit. The ending was very predictable. But it was still heartbreaking! I just don't like the part that it's greatly depressing for those who are actually going through the same medical condition. It has its ups and downs. But, it was still a great read! How's it going for you, love? (hide spoiler)]

[cam ♥]

Helen 2.0 wrote: "It was great reading this with you Cam :D

Apparently there's a sequel? How is that even possible?


By the way, what do you think the title Me Before You was referrin..."

Oh, my first buddy read has ended. It was awesome to have you for this one! Thank you so much!

(view spoiler)[That's an interesting thought you have there! I was actually curious about what it meant, but maybe the title is still narrated by Lou and she was referring to what she was before Will. I mean, she didn't change entirely, not until the last few chapters and maybe "After You" would show what she became after he was gone. Hmm... well, I just hope that having a sequel doesn't mean that Will will be resurrected because that would be REALLY STUPID. LOL! (hide spoiler)]

[Helen 2.0]

CAM ♔ wrote: "Helen 2.0 wrote: "It was great reading this with you Cam :D

Apparently there's a sequel? How is that even possible?


By the way, what do you think the title Me Befor..."

Oh that's an interesting theory! I like that.
I think After You is about Will's daughter....?

[T.J.]

I just noticed that you are reading this book. I need to read it for my book club. Just starting now...

[T.J.]

Chapter 7 (30%)
(view spoiler)[
Oh, I am not ready to have a POV change... At 30%? I was enjoying the story as it was from Lu's POV. Hmmm... well, let's see...
(hide spoiler)]

[T.J.]

Helen 2.0 wrote: "Chapters 1-5:"
(view spoiler)[

Helen 2.0 wrote: "Watching Will warm up to Lou has been great so far! The best part is the realistic characters. They're all relatable. Even though obviously I don't know what someone like Will goes through every day, I understand his reactions, they feel natural. He's angry and closed himself away as a defense against the pity and helplessness he has to deal with. I think he opens up to Lou because she treats him like a regular person, not an unpredictable, broken victim.

Totally agree. I can feel for Will and I can understand his bitterness. I can't imagine what he is going through -- so young, and previously so active. I remember in the first chapter his vacation plans were all centered around "action." And now...

Lou is interesting, a bit insecure, but fun and amusing. I like watching Will warm to her...


Helen 2.0 wrote: "I'm always skeptical about first person narration - I think it limits the story and forces the reader to see things the narrator's way. I like to make my own opinion without the main character coloring it too much.
However, in this case I think first person narration works all right because it's clear what Lou feels about the stuff she's narrating, so I can look around her bias to form my own conclusions. For example, even though Lou hated Will in the beginning I still liked him without her opinion interfering there :)"

I totally agree with you here. I am also skeptical about first person, but I think Lou pull it off, until... the POV switches in Chapter 8, of which I don't see much point.
(hide spoiler)]

[T.J.]

Chapter 8
(view spoiler)[
Okay, I don't see any point of having a chapter from Camilla's POV. She didn't tell us anything we don't already know, except perhaps that she was a loving mother once (maybe still is). But it's awkward and interrupts the flow of the story. Moreover, there is no sign to tell us that the POV has changed back to Lou in the next chapter -- it took me a moment to realize this and I had to go back.
(hide spoiler)]

[T.J.]

Chapter 10 (38%)
(view spoiler)[
If something doesn't happen soon, I'm going to scream. I'm tired of the bickering between Lou and her sister. My time is too valuable...
(hide spoiler)]

[T.J.]

Chapter 11 (44%)
(view spoiler)[
At least Will has enough fight in him to be mad about people making decisions for him. That's a good sign, I think.
(hide spoiler)]

[T.J.]

Chapter 13 (52%)
(view spoiler)[
Okay. I have to say I never cared much for Patrick, but I can add now, that I really don't like him. What a jerk.

I hope that Patrick soon has actual reason to be jealous of Lou and Will... ;)

Will and Lou have a wonderful dynamic -- of course I am rooting for them!

Will has come out of his shell quite a bit to be such a charmer to Lou's family -- that gives me hope.
(hide spoiler)]

[T.J.]

CAM ♔ wrote: "Chapter 9: [spoilers removed]"
(view spoiler)[
CAM ♔ wrote: "TREENA IS A GENIUS! This is going to be fun!!! *starting to imagine Lou and Will going out on dates* Haha!"

I was kind of hoping that Lou came up with this idea herself. It seems Lou has more of a stake in convincing Will to live as she has already befriended him (Treena doesn't even know him). Why does she need Treena to give her this idea? Maybe she's too busy feeling depressed and betrayed because she is emotionally involved?
(hide spoiler)]

[T.J.]

Helen 2.0 wrote: "Chapters 5-10:"
(view spoiler)[

Helen 2.0 wrote: "Chapters 5-10: I had no idea that euthanasia was legal in Great Britain. I ought to have known that because I once had to debate the moral ramifications of euthanasia for a class I was taking - oops! I agree with you that it's understandable Will would choose it. The life he has now doesn't even really qualify as living; he's more or less just existing in the house. "

I had no idea that euthanasia was legal in GB either. I also understand that Will would consider this -- I don't know how I would react. I would hope that my human relationships would be enough to get me through and keep me wanting to live (even without an active life).

(hide spoiler)]