Still Me (Me Before You #3) by JoJo Moyes

still me

Pages: 388 (Hardcover)

Publisher: Viking, An Imprint of Penguin Random House

Published: January 30, 2018

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Louisa Clark has taken the job as a personal assistant to a NYC rich housewife and she is in for a fast paced learning experience of what it is like to live in NYC. As she starts making friends with everyone from the grouchy next door neighbor in the building to the owners of a local retro clothing shop she starts learning who she really is and starts moving on from the depression that overtook her after Will’s death. When her year is up what will Lou decide: go back home across the pond or stay in NYC?

I was hesitant to start the third book in the series since I was so disappointed in the second but I really wanted to know what happened when she moved to America. Am I ever so glad that I did read this book. It was wonderfully funny and heart wrenching at times as I followed Louisa through her time as a personal assistant. She has a lot more class than I would have had at one point (you will see what I am talking about when you read the book). I got to watch her grow into herself as she started coming out of the depression fog from Will’s death and started making friends and going out on dates. It was great to see her start taking an interest in her quirky clothing again as that is when you really see her come alive. The stripy tights make a great comeback! How can you not love her stripy tights?

My suggestion: only start this book when you have time to read it in one sitting as it was so hard to put down and not think about while working. I kept wanting to know what was going to happen next. If you read Still Me and are hesitant like I was to start Still Me take the plunge I don’t think you will be disappointed.

After You by Jo Jo Moyes

after you.jpg

Pages: 352 (Paperback)

Publisher: Penguin Books

Published: September 29, 2015

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

After You picks up over a year later from where Me Before You ends. Louisa is living in a flat she bought with the money Will left her and working in an airport bar. She is just existing not living. One night after a round of solitary drinking she makes a misstep on her rooftop garden and finds herself looking into the beautiful eyes of a paramedic trying to save her life. This is what begins an awakening in Louisa. As she starts to live again she finds herself involved once again with Will’s family.

Hmmm…after praising Me Before You I have found myself disappointed with After You. The story is great but the telling of the story was s…l…o…w. At times I didn’t want to pick the book back up but I did because I was curious how it would end. The last quarter of the book was very good. I wish all of it could have read as easy as it did.

I’m very hesitant to start Still Me with my current disappointment but I will as I want to see what life has to offer Louisa. Maybe the best way to read this series is to read them back to back and let the emotions from Me Before You carry you along.

Even though I’m disappointed with After You I recommend it if you like dark, twisty emotional reads.