Me Before You

This was by far one of the most touching stories I've ever read. I adored the characters and felt such a range of emotions. The suffering and sadness is palpable, but the love is conveyed just as strongly. I was recommending it to others before I was even finished reading it. Me Before You was my first Moyes book but I'll definitely be reading her others.

My first review for one of my favourite books that not only have I read this year but ever - Have read a few of Jojo Moyes and this is by far my favourite - It made me laugh and cry. I have since recommended it to friends who have enjoyed it as much as me. A book that everyone should have on their top ten.

Would have given it 5 stars but not sure how to go about it. Sorry!

Absolutely loved this this book. i finished reading it a couple of months ago and have read many books since and if I were asked to recommend a book from the ones I have read it would have to be this one. I became so engrossed in the story and really cared about the characters. The story affected me quite deeply, in particular, Will's circumstances and I felt myself totally empathising with him. I don't often read books twice, but this maybe one that I will reread in the future.

I have just finished this book, a fantastic read, you get encaptured by the story, characters, I also liked the way jojo wrote the story from the others view of things. I laughed, I cried & I couldn't put it down. Definitely one to read. Will be buying more of her books. Highly recommend.

A brillant book that made me cry, laugh and think all at the same time. I will definately read more of her books. Read it with an open mind, it is such a wonderful love story.

I have just read this after reading The Girl You Left Behind. What an author without being maudling both books hit an emotional spot. But this one made me think seriously about my own situation ( I am disabled) in a different way. I am sorry I can't write anymore but I would recommend this book to anyone and not just for the story.

I probably would never have picked up this novel had it not been highly recommended to me - admitting that I normally prefer a good thriller over most blurbs containing the phrase “a love story”. However, I am really glad that I did, because the story grabbed me after the first few pages and drew me into its spell until the very end.

The story is told mainly in the first person through the eyes of Louisa Clarke, a spunky and very likeable woman in her late twenties who has recently lost her job in a café. Living in a working class household with her parents, elderly grandfather, younger sister and nephew, money is always tight, and Louisa’s newly unemployed state sends the whole family into a panic. Undaunted by the fact that her employment prospects as an unqualified worker are very poor, Louisa sets off with her usual positive spirit and humour to hunt for a job. After several failed attempts at different positions and now desperate for an income, she reluctantly takes on the position as carer for a young quadraplegic man from a wealthy family background, Will Traynor. As an unlikely friendship between these two very different people slowly develops, it will challenge both their beliefs and boundaries and in effect change their lives in ways neither of them would ever have expected.

I found Louisa’s voice refreshing and engaging, and could picture her vividly in my mind, wearing her bumble-bee socks and bright green shoes. It was impossible not to like Lou, and her positive outlook on life and humour offset the more serious undertones of the novel. Seen through Lou’s eyes, the issue of euthanasia became a wake-up call rather than a cold and remote headline in some newspaper: “Hey, this could happen to me or to someone I love.” Humanised in such a way it challenged any pre-determined views I had on the subject, despite having been exposed to this issue in real life before. And whilst I did not really like the few chapters in the novel where the voice briefly changed from Lou to other characters in the book, Will’s mother’s perspective really touched me. What if Will was my son and I was helpless in the face of his suffering?

I felt that Moyes tackled the issues in this story with great sensitivity and understanding – whilst they will not reflect everyone’s point of view they will challenge the reader to critically examine any pre-formed prejudices and gain a deeper understanding of human nature and the tough choices we may have to face. If anything, the book reminded me not to be a judge, but to always strive for empathy – we can never fully comprehend what another person goes through.

There were a few points in the story which did not really work for me, like the event in Lou’s late teenage years which made her abandon her plans for the future – to me this seemed artificial and unnecessary and didn’t fit with her personality. I also thought that Will’s sister Georgina was a little bit short-changed in the story, and could have added a bit more to the whole euthanasia debate. However, I am nit-picking now … I loved this book and will fully recommend it just as it was recommended to me.

Strangely, I was given this book when I was working as a carer by a lady who was in a wheelchair. Because I moved jobs, I have not seen her since I read it. I would love to talk to her about it....

However, I think it is a mistake to see this book as just about choice of life (or not) for someone who is paraplegic - rather it is encouraging everyone to choose to live life to the full, without compromise.

Fantastic book, would recommend. I loved the characters and loved the way they interacted, felt so natural. This book deals with serious issues and might even change your point of view on the subject. I found some of it hard to read through crying so much, i read it in one night i couldnt put it down at all i was up till 4am reading this. Will be reading again very soon as i want to soak it all up.

one of the best books I have ever had the pleasure to read, no other book has engulfed me the way this does and it was a truly emotional rollercoaster! absolutely incredible

oh my what a lot of tears!! such a lovely and heartfelt story.

I dare anyone not to cry at any one point while reading this novel. It was simply an excellent read.