Review: After You by Jojo Moyes

Title: After You
Series: Me Before You #2
Author: Jojo Moyes
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Publication Date: 23rd September 2015
Pages: 528 
Book Source: Penguin Books Aust 

Synopsis: Louisa Clark is no longer just an ordinary girl living an ordinary life. After the six months spent with Will Traynor, she is struggling without him. And when an extraordinary accident forces Lou to return home to her family, she can't help but feel she's right back where she started.

In a church basement, with the motley crew of the support group Moving On, Lou attempts to kick-start her life again. And when she meets strong, capable Sam Fielding things seem like they are going in the right direction. This is until a figure from Will's past appears out of the blue . . . 

My Thoughts: 

Me Before You was my first read in 2014 and my first Jojo Moyes. I was moved and I loved Jojo Moyes writing. But not everything about Will Traynor sat well with me (don't throw rocks.) I won't rehash it all here, see my review if you're vaguely interested lol.  

Then The One Plus One became a favourite read in 2014 and I got all rah rah #teamjojomoyes

So ... when I found out there'd be a sequel to Me Before You I jumped at the chance to see how Louisa Clark was faring ... after Will. 

Lou is such an endearing character, she's all heart. Yes, she's lost her spark, yes she's just going through the motions, all despite her best intentions, but I found that understandable. Lou is also compassionate, irreverent and brave and things haven't got any easier for her. An accident throws Lou more challenges, but she's a trooper. And out of something pretty awful ... good things come. 

Catching up with Lou's odd family was fun; even though things with Lou's mum take a turn that's a bit left field, I think it added emphasis to the theme of living life and second chances. Lou's sister is still a pain in the ass. I actually found Treena more irritating than teenager Lily.

I enjoyed the interactions at the Moving On Circle ... a quirky bunch of people in this bereavement support group. I found it real. Actually I found it all quite real. Grief can be paralysing. It's often dark and lonely. I think Jojo Moyes stays true to that but with a touch of quirkiness and irreverent humour to lighten the journey. 

After You doesn't have the powerful punch-to-the-guts of Me Before You, why would it, but it's meaningful in a quieter way.   

Family, love and second chances for everyone. I loved it! 

By the looks of GoodReads not everyone is loving this one and some positively loathe it ... each to their own ;)

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