*Note: Sequel to Me Before You
When Louisa Clark had to say good bye to Will Trayner… her life changed forever. After all, how does one return to a life that no linger feels satisfying? Where the air is almost un-breathable? For three years Louisa has gone through the motions of creating a pretty much solitude life.
When a freak accident causes Louisa to move back in with her parents she feels what little control she was clinging to slip away. As she heals, Louisa knows things need to change. After promising her dad to attend the Moving On support group, Louisa meets Sam, a paramedic who’s very job seems to lay between life and death. As Louisa becomes more comfortable sharing in the group, she wonders if it is possible to have feelings for someone else.
Then, a young girl comes to Louisa’s home one day – and her very existence turns everything upside down once again.
“You’re going to feel uncomfortable in your new world for a bit. But I hope you feel a bit exhilarated too. Live boldly. Push yourself. Don’t settle. Just live well. Just live. Love, Will.”
When my book club read Me Before You in February of 2014, it lead to quite an interesting discussion and strong opinions on both sides of the story. In a nutshell, while we didn’t overall like everything about the book – we did enjoy what the book brought to the table.
In most reads that leave an ending somewhat open, we, as readers are given the liberty to decide what happened next to our beloved characters…. occasionally… we will be lucky enough to have the author chime in on what did happen… and in this case that is what we are allowed to discover in After You.
When I first heard that there would be this follow up book I was so excited. I wondered where Louisa would wind up and how she would go on with her life now having had the incredible experience she just had. In this sense, Author Jo Jo Moyes does not disappoint. In fact, we are taken on yet another roller coaster ride as Moyes churns out events that are not the norm- and for that I am grateful.
As a follow up read, After You is satisfying. I did not find it to be the discussion worthy journey that Me Before You was; and I do not believe I will recommend this to our book club to read and discuss together, however –
if you have read Me Before You and enjoyed it, After You is like an after dinner mint… just a little something nice to complete the meal.
I enjoyed After You on audio and found narrator Anna Acton to be the perfect voice for such a listen.
- Audible Audio Edition
- Listening Length: 11 hours and 6 minutes
- Program Type: Audiobook
- Version: Unabridged
- Publisher: Penguin Audio
- Audible.com Release Date: September 29, 2015
Book Journey 
I agree with you, but much more so. I loved Me Before You and gave it a 4/4. I have 10 pages left in After You and like it almost as much. I’m leaning toward a 3.75/4. I have laughed a lot and cried more. I can’t believe how emotionally invested I am in every character, including the Moving On Circle people. I really just like everything about it.
Great review, Sheila. I plan to read it but it might be a while. Nice to read the comment from The Book Sage as well.
I hope to read this one soon…thanks for sharing.
I just ordered this one. It should be here tomorrow. I’m excited.
Yes, doesn’t have the same reading book club feel to it, but like you I enjoyed reading it. Good that the audio version worked well.
I’d like to read this book, Sheila. Thanks for sharing your thoughts about the audio version.
I got to Me before you only two weeks ago. I have been trying for over an year to get to her books – there were always geographical problems. I enjoyed it very much (disliked the cover)! Now I have to go look for this one.
I loved Me Before You and hope to read this soon. Great review, Sheila.
I hated Me Before You, and thought it was cheap, well-written propaganda for assisted suicide. So I don’t think I’ll be reading the follow-up, even though Ms. Moyes tells a good story. Does she continue to propagandize in favor of suicide?
I think I could be among the few who haven’t read JoJo Moyes at all yet. Think I need to give the first one a bash
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Sheila. I have this on my ‘ToRead’ list.
I have yet to read any more JoJo but really think I will love all her books.
I agree. This is the perfect followup to the first book but doesn’t have a book club quality.
Having enjoyed and gotten so much out of Me Before You I must admit to part of me not wanting to read the second instalment should it prove to be a bit of a let down.
Great review, I loved your comparing After you to an after dinner mint. As I gave up chocolate mid-May perhaps I was right all along and this isn’t a read for me.