And even though I've said I'm only going to post reviews of books I want to, I've still got a heap to do, so it's best I start with them! This is my review of After You!
After You (Me Before You #2), by JoJo Moyes
Title: After You
Author: JoJo Moyes
Genre: Contemporary
Release date: 23rd September, 2015
Pages: 407
Blurb: "Lou Clark has
lots of questions.
Like how it is she's ended up working in an airport bar,
watching other people jet off to new places.
Or why the flat she's owned for half a year still doesn't feel like home.
Whether her family can ever forgive her for what she did
eighteen months ago.
And will she ever get over the love of her life.
What Lou does know for certain is that something has to change.
Then, one night, it does.
But does the stranger on her doorstep hold the answers Lou is
searching for- or just more questions?
Close the door and life continues: simple, ordered, safe.
Open it and she risks everything.
But Lou once made a promise to live. And if she's going to
keep it, she has to invite them in..."
My Thoughts
Me Before You created the romance between quadriplegic Will, and his carer, Lou Clark.
After You takes place eighteen months after, and the first chapter ends with Lou Clark falling from the top of a building.
The fact that the end of that chapter was a surprise was an understatement.
But eighteen months later, some things have changed for Lou. She lives by herself, she isn't the happiest working in a bar watching other people live their lives and jet off to exciting places.
And her family haven't been the kindest since what happened at the end of the first book.
But then she meets Lily, a teenage girl claiming to be the daughter that Will never knew he had. And she wants to know more about the father she didn't know.
So Lou invites her in, cautious about this strange girl, but wanting to help her.
And this starts a whirlwind of chaos, but ultimately starts a journey that pushes Lou to learn to live again, to find joy in what she has, and feels the push to give for what she wants.
Now, this book, with any other writer, might make this book seem gloomy and depressing. But we saw it in Me Before You, and it was evident in the sequel. JoJo has an ability to make us smile, make us laugh and see the good in things even in the most depressing scenes, and I think that was the reason that I enjoyed the story so much, that ability to balance the light with the heavy.
Also, compared to the first book, there's an air of change, of trying something new. And in the eighteen months since the end of the first book, some of the characters we met then are changing, also. Lou's parents have changed, her mum has discovered feminism, and it has caused a rift between her and Lou's father. Will's parents have separated, having drifted apart. They play a more serious, but vital role when it comes to Lily and her connection to the family. Will lingers in every spot for these scenes.
Along with some of the old characters, there is a new romantic interest thrown into the equation. He is present from the second chapter, the paramedic that helps her from falling from the roof at the end of chapter one, and he's there for Lou all the way from her journey from the darkness that seemed to cloud everything Lou did, all the way through, to when she sees the value in life and happiness. The romance between the two of them is sweet and caring, and they work well as a team.
Overall, this was a wonderful way to wrap up the story of Lou. As much as I liked the ending to the first book, it was nice to find out the ending of everyone.
Do I recommend this? It depends on whether you were okay with the ending of the first book.
But I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it is perfect for anyone who wants a book with interesting characters and a good plot.
So that is my review for After You! I hope you enjoyed it and I will see you all tomorrow!
Byeeeee!
-Abi xxxxx
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