One Plus One - March 2015

[Kristie, Moderator]

Members' choice for additional BOM for March is One Plus One by Jojo Moyes.



Book Summary
One single mom. One chaotic family. One quirky stranger. One irresistible love story from the New York Times bestselling author of Me Before You

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.

[Sarah]

Well, I started today. Chapter 3 (view spoiler)[ Not sure how the two story lines are gonna tie together, but I cannot believe Ed loaned money to Deanna after he already is thinking she seems a little cray cray and he wants to be rid of her. Ed just seems stupid. (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah]

I think Chapter 5 is the shortest chapter I have ever read.

[Kristie, Moderator]

Lol, Sarah. I haven't started this one yet. I started The Secret Keeper and it's taking a lot longer than I expected to get through. This one's next though. :)

[Sarah]

I am liking it so far. I was supposed to read The Secret Keeper too. But something had to give, I have too many books on my plate. What I really need to do is finish up a few I have already started, but I also am trying to stay on track with my planned reads for March.

[Kristie, Moderator]

I have that same problem. I always seem to be a bit behind because I plan too many reads. I'll probably have to skip a couple in March to get caught up.

[B'burg Linda]

I just picked up a copy of this book from the library and would like to join the discussion. I hope to start reading today or tomorrow.

[Sarah]

I will just continue to discuss with myself. It is actually quite humorous at times. So far a really sweet read. I am really hoping for a happy ending. Page 209 (view spoiler)[ I just hate that Ed is saying goodbye to Jess and the kids... and dog, at the maths competition. I know they will surely see each other again, but they make such a great family and team. It is sad to see them have to part from Ed. I am praying for a romantic ending... And I don't read romance. (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah]

Page 235. God, I hate douche bag fathers. (view spoiler)[ Tanzie just ran into her father's arms. She, ofcourse, loves her dad. But I think someday hopefully she will see him for what he is like Nikki does and know her mother is the one who really deserves all her love. I am glad Ed is back with them. They just need to start their own family together - IMO. (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah]

Page 252. Yes. Tippy yeah. (view spoiler)[ I wanted Ed to ask Jess to go with him to his dad's. (hide spoiler)]

[Lynn, Moderator]

Sarah wrote: "I will just continue to discuss with myself. It is actually quite humorous at times. So far a really sweet read. I am really hoping for a happy ending. Page 209 [spoilers removed]"

Totally Sarah, I just kept saying no over in my head at this point. It all felt wrong.

I think I described this book when I read it as an imperfect, perfect little read.
The characters all have flaws and keep making mistakes but such a sweet read.

[Lynn, Moderator]

Sarah wrote: "Page 235. God, I hate douche bag fathers. [spoilers removed]"

Total douche bag!

[B'burg Linda]

Finished. Couldn't put it down. Will come back later (on my computer) to read the spoilers and add to the discussion. An "imperfect, perfect little read" sums it up well.

[Kristie, Moderator]

Sarah - I can't read many of your spoilers yet, because I don't know what page I'm on. I'm in chapter 10 though (about 24%) I already think their dad is a douche bag! And chapter 5 is probably the shortest chapter I have ever read also. I thought it it was great - very succinct, just straight to the point. :)

Right now (view spoiler)[ I'm quite concerned about Ed's decision making skills. His character seems inconsistent to me. One minute he's a hardass, the next a pushover, then he's being sarcastic, blowing people off, caring.... I can't really get a grasp of who he really is. Which is probably true of a lot of people in real life to be fair. (hide spoiler)]

I'm enjoying this one so far.

[Kristie, Moderator]

I'm about 40% in. This is my second Jojo Moyes book. There is something about her writing that I really enjoy. I feel like she makes you connect with the characters some how.

[Dawn]

Loved this book. Of course, I've loved all of Jojo Moyes books. I think Kristie's comment is correct, you really seem to connect with her characters.

[Vickie]

I listened to the audiobook of One Plus One and it was wonderful. I can still hear Tanzie's sweet voice!!

[Kristie, Moderator]

Sarah wrote: "I will just continue to discuss with myself. It is actually quite humorous at times. So far a really sweet read. I am really hoping for a happy ending. Page 209 [spoilers removed]"

I'm sure (view spoiler)[ they will get together at the end. They have to! I think you're right, they make such a good team. (hide spoiler)]

[Kristie, Moderator]

Vickie wrote: "I listened to the audiobook of One Plus One and it was wonderful. I can still hear Tanzie's sweet voice!!"

I'm listening to this one too and I'm so glad I chose to go with the audio.

[Kristie, Moderator]

Finishing today! I'm in the middle of chapter 29 (about 82%) and I woke up in the middle of the night thinking (view spoiler)[ I can't believe I left Tanzie with those Fisher boys!! What happened with the screeching tires?! Is the dog all right?! And how are they going to get Ed to come back? (hide spoiler)] So, yup. I need to finish today. lol

[Lea]

I'm really glad that everyone else seems to be enjoying this one! I've concluded that I must not be the correct demographic to enjoy this book. :-)

[Kristie, Moderator]

Sorry to hear that, Lea. I hate when everyone loves a book and I don't. I feel like I'm missing out somehow. Hopefully, your next book is more to your taste.

[Kristie, Moderator]

Finished!! I thought it was great. I really enjoy Jojo Moyes's writing. I think she is a really good storyteller and she draws me into the story.

[Lea]

I really liked Me Before You by the same author but this wasn't my cup of tea. I understand why others love it, though! I'm not sure if I should read the sequel After You? I'm torn.

[Kristie, Moderator]

I loved Me Before You. I plan to read the sequel, but completely understand why you'd be hesitant. I don't want it to ruin the story!

[Etah]

just finished this book and have to say I really enjoyed it for the most part. Was really drawn in by the plot and characters

[Jennifer]

I loved this book! I read it in August of last year but often think about re-reading it. Jojo Moyes is simply amazing! Here's my full review for One Plus One: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Deb]

Finished! I echo many of you here - I loved this book. I really enjoy Jojo Moynes writing overall - she has a way of tapping into basic human emotions, even when the situation seems like one I would never find myself in. There are still basic elements that we all deal with.

And yes, I agree that the dad is a douchebag! I grew up with a single mom (and three sisters) and it was really hard at times, and it was hard to understand the dynamic with my dad as he married again and we were on Welfare. But things make you stronger too - we learned to be self-reliant, as the kids here did too.

I loved Tansy, really all of them, but I related to Tansy as "the smart one" where her mom is trying to get her all the opportunities that would be good for her. As a kid, you don't realize all the sacrifices your parents may be making, and I could see that with Tansy.

I also agree that it was hard to understand Ed's character at first but (view spoiler)[ I loved the way he was with the kids - helping Nicky get right with himself, and helping Tansy and Norman so selflessly. He turned out to be a decent guy, just misguided at first. Lesson here is that money doesn't make your life! (hide spoiler)]

So glad I read this one!

[Deb]

Sarah wrote: "I think Chapter 5 is the shortest chapter I have ever read."

OMG, so funny! I'm listening to the audiobook and laughed out loud in my car!

[Deb]

Vickie wrote: "I listened to the audiobook of One Plus One and it was wonderful. I can still hear Tanzie's sweet voice!!"

I loved this audiobook! It was great to have four different narrators for the different chapters/points of view. Wonderfully done.