You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Great for a lighter read that's still semi realistic with good writing.
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5 stars.
This is a story is mainly about 'uncoventional', modern families... those that are built rather than bred with "coming of age" stories: one about a teenage boy and another about an adult man who (cliche here) didn't have his priorities straight and didn't realize what he was missing in his personal life.
SUMMARY:
Jess is a woman you know... that single mother working two jobs and barely scraping by, with a deadbeat ex that doesn't help, but despite this hardship, is wonderful and upbeat.
Her kids are the best part of this book and why I kept reading: Jess's stepson (whom she is raising as her own, bless her) is being bullied because he is 'different' than other teen boys (i.e. wears mascara) and her daughter is a math genius, but socially awkward...
The story begins when Tansy is accepted at a special school, but Jess doesn't have the money to pay for it... until she hears about a math competition... the first prize would cover tuiton...
Meanwhile, Ed, a nerdy "startup company" CEO, finds himself in a mess of trouble—he's facing charges for insider trading and might lose his company.
Jess and Ed "meet" when Jess shows up to clean his house. (Ed isn't very nice to her because he's frazzled) then later that night a drunk Ed walks into the bar Jess works at... and she lets him have it! Only for Ed to later find Jess, and her kids, stranded on the side of the road when their car fails. Ed reluctantly agrees to drive them to the math competition... and the stories wave together.
REVIEW:
This book is full of cliched storylines... but these "plots" are repeated for a reason, people like them, even for the 500th time.
About 60% in, this book became so over-the-top-cliche "romance novel" that I was rolling my eyes.
There's always some romance in chick lit but this was a lifetime movie on steroids.
My love for the kids kept me reading and I'm glad I did because as cliche and ridiculous as it was, I still liked the happy ending. Oh, Cinderella.
If you tend to love romance novels, I'll recommend this book. Otherwise it's a pass. It wouldn't make any list I would make.
I loved Me Before You by Moyes so much that I didn't read anything else by her for two years... mostly because all the other novels didn't sound as good. (note: I have this same issue with Emily Griffin) I decided to let go and read this, telling myself even if it was a stinker, it wasn't going to ruin my past experience with MBY.
I don't know that I'll read Moyes again (maybe?!) but I'm in no rush...
AUDIBLE: The narrators did an amazing job but the production was weird. The "voice" of the novel is third-person...the voice from above, but instead of a single narrator, they brought in voices for the characters, which I do love... but it became super awkward... everyone was 'speaking in the third person' it's odd to hear the child's voice for Tansy read "Tansy was confused and uncertain what her mom was thinking."
This is a story is mainly about 'uncoventional', modern families... those that are built rather than bred with "coming of age" stories: one about a teenage boy and another about an adult man who (cliche here) didn't have his priorities straight and didn't realize what he was missing in his personal life.
SUMMARY:
Jess is a woman you know... that single mother working two jobs and barely scraping by, with a deadbeat ex that doesn't help, but despite this hardship, is wonderful and upbeat.
Her kids are the best part of this book and why I kept reading: Jess's stepson (whom she is raising as her own, bless her) is being bullied because he is 'different' than other teen boys (i.e. wears mascara) and her daughter is a math genius, but socially awkward...
The story begins when Tansy is accepted at a special school, but Jess doesn't have the money to pay for it... until she hears about a math competition... the first prize would cover tuiton...
Meanwhile, Ed, a nerdy "startup company" CEO, finds himself in a mess of trouble—he's facing charges for insider trading and might lose his company.
Jess and Ed "meet" when Jess shows up to clean his house. (Ed isn't very nice to her because he's frazzled) then later that night a drunk Ed walks into the bar Jess works at... and she lets him have it! Only for Ed to later find Jess, and her kids, stranded on the side of the road when their car fails. Ed reluctantly agrees to drive them to the math competition... and the stories wave together.
REVIEW:
This book is full of cliched storylines... but these "plots" are repeated for a reason, people like them, even for the 500th time.
About 60% in, this book became so over-the-top-cliche "romance novel" that I was rolling my eyes.
There's always some romance in chick lit but this was a lifetime movie on steroids.
My love for the kids kept me reading and I'm glad I did because as cliche and ridiculous as it was, I still liked the happy ending. Oh, Cinderella.
If you tend to love romance novels, I'll recommend this book. Otherwise it's a pass. It wouldn't make any list I would make.
I loved Me Before You by Moyes so much that I didn't read anything else by her for two years... mostly because all the other novels didn't sound as good. (note: I have this same issue with Emily Griffin) I decided to let go and read this, telling myself even if it was a stinker, it wasn't going to ruin my past experience with MBY.
I don't know that I'll read Moyes again (maybe?!) but I'm in no rush...
AUDIBLE: The narrators did an amazing job but the production was weird. The "voice" of the novel is third-person...the voice from above, but instead of a single narrator, they brought in voices for the characters, which I do love... but it became super awkward... everyone was 'speaking in the third person' it's odd to hear the child's voice for Tansy read "Tansy was confused and uncertain what her mom was thinking."
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5 stars.
I didn't love this as much as some of her other novels, but it was still a fun read. As usual, the author presents a collection of likable, quirky characters who you want to cheer for. I did not love the last chapter tying everything up into a nice, neat package but I understand that is probably what most readers of this book would want so... she had to do it.
I didn't love this as much as some of her other novels, but it was still a fun read. As usual, the author presents a collection of likable, quirky characters who you want to cheer for. I did not love the last chapter tying everything up into a nice, neat package but I understand that is probably what most readers of this book would want so... she had to do it.
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Apparently I'm on a JoJo Moyes kick - and I still have 5 or so more to go before I've covered her complete canon. Her storytelling is so fluid and her characters are engaging and fun--I guess these are what you would call "easy reads" and so far I've enjoyed each one in its own way. This version of the Moyes narrative follows something of a patchwork family: Jess, the hardworking, tirelessly optimistic single mom working multiple jobs to keep her family afloat; Tanzie, her quirky, sweet young daughter who also happens to be something of a math genius; Nicky, her moody (but also sweet) stepson who can't seem to escape the taunts and fists of the small-town bullies; and Norman, the gigantic, slobbery mutt that follows them everywhere. Jess's main mission in life is to raise two smart, compassionate, morally-upright kids, but her attempts at parenting are often overshadowed by her constant financial instability. Regardless of the situation, she always tells her kids that they will "figure it out." The story takes off when Jess attempts to take Tanzie to Abderdeen for a Math Olympiad that could end up offering her the money she needs to attend an elite private school if she can win it all. The trip begins disastrously (a decrepit Rolls Royce and police are involved), but the family's compass shifts directions when Ed Nicholls, a wealthy tech whiz who also happens to be Jess's employer (she cleans his summer beach house), pulls over to lend them a hand. The journey the family (plus Ed) takes to get to Aberdeen and back is expectantly filled with pratfalls, but the humor is balanced out with equal parts of poignancy, fear, sadness, pride, and affection. I knew that One Plus One would be a love story at its heart, but I was impressive with how Moyes made it more about the family than about the couple. What can I say, i'm addicted to her writing. Sure - it's not the most challenging material, but she knows how to hook you right from the start and keep your attention until the last page.
cute, but quite predictable. although this author kind of got me back into reading a few years ago with a student book, I think I'm done with the author for a while.
there were some thought provoking quotes, but my loan expired. lol
there were some thought provoking quotes, but my loan expired. lol
I'm fekkin crying.
I've been saying for a while that I want adult books that are as accessible as young adult, and this is exactly this. I love all of the characters, there isn't any gratuitous Sex, or pointless misunderstandings, or anything.
I've been saying for a while that I want adult books that are as accessible as young adult, and this is exactly this. I love all of the characters, there isn't any gratuitous Sex, or pointless misunderstandings, or anything.