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isbn13_00006222022's review against another edition
2.0
Genre Levels (out of 5 and not in any particular order):
1. Romance - 2
2. Drama - 2
Main Character Enjoyment Level: 2
Plot Rating: 2 (rating reasoning is the same as above)
Likes: n/a
Dislikes: Not so much a dislike but a big rant: how did they fall in love?
Memorable Scene(s): n/a
Memorable Quote(s): n/a
Overall Rating: 2
I had a hard time rating this book simply because I don't really like giving any book anything three stars or under. I feel like that's an insult. But I had to.
This book wasn't bad. It had a good pace, the reading was worthwhile, and it touched on a sensitive subject.
But that's the thing.
As a consumer, let alone a reader, we want what we don't have or get. In this book, we have romance. We have "tragedy." We have angst.
Then we have assisted suicide. But it's about a small portion of the book (but heavy at the end). TBH, I didn't even know such a thing existed until I read this book, so I was mind-blown, and though I understood that Will had a taste of a beautiful life before he became quadriplegic, which is why he wants to end his life, I felt like this book should've been told in his perspective for better impact when assisted suicide became a plot, and especially since it's a sensitive and controversial subject. That way, the readers could explore and witness how his family and loved ones (friends, ex-gf, and Lou) adapt to that decision (if it had taken this turn, it would've been great for slice-of-life). Instead, through this perspective, we get a superficial male main character who wants to commit suicide because he's lost hope in his future due to his disability, which, I believe, added sparks to the fact that he wants to commit suicide. And that's my consumer side. I wanted that perspective because the romance in this story was mediocre.
I couldn't understand or see or connect how in the world Lou fell in love with Will or vice versa. I understood that Will empowers her and wants the best for her because he's gotten a taste of good things and believes that no chance should be wasted and all opportunities should be taken, but with how Will was introduced after the accident, I knew he'd be a jerk, and he had that consistency throughout (thankfully). Then, their somewhat distant relationship took a 180-degree turn after attending his ex-gf's wedding. Before that, Lou had always been doing her job from the perspective of a worker. Yes, she found out about him reaching out to Dignitas and the 6-month thing and then understood his character a bit more, but I felt that she continued to be his caretaker not because of the money anymore but because she felt the need to change his mind because she was like us, the readers--confused and frustrated that he'd "throw his life away."
The two realistic situations I can think of and minutely relate to are Lou and Patrick's relationship and the ending. Though Patrick was childish when it came to Lou's duties to Will, it's also understandable and reasonable (despite it being childish). Their falling-out relationship was, to me, portrayed realistically. As for the ending, I liked that though Will and Lou didn't contact each other for a while up until the very moments before his assisted suicide because of their confrontation about their feelings for each other, Lou put aside her feelings to see him one last time. It's not "romantic-romantic," but it was a sweet and powerful scene to contrast and highlight Will's "selfishness." I quoted "selfishness" because to call out what Will did or any person similar in Will's shoes would do as selfish isn't something we can truly say if we're not them.
Overall, a decent story is my best compliment, I guess.
1. Romance - 2
2. Drama - 2
Main Character Enjoyment Level: 2
Spoiler
This is a neutral rating, but 3 just seemed a bit too high, lol)Plot Rating: 2 (rating reasoning is the same as above)
Likes: n/a
Dislikes: Not so much a dislike but a big rant: how did they fall in love?
Spoiler
I didn't really sense chemistry..."Memorable Scene(s): n/a
Memorable Quote(s): n/a
Overall Rating: 2
I had a hard time rating this book simply because I don't really like giving any book anything three stars or under. I feel like that's an insult. But I had to.
This book wasn't bad. It had a good pace, the reading was worthwhile, and it touched on a sensitive subject.
But that's the thing.
As a consumer, let alone a reader, we want what we don't have or get. In this book, we have romance. We have "tragedy." We have angst.
Spoiler
Then we have assisted suicide. But it's about a small portion of the book (but heavy at the end). TBH, I didn't even know such a thing existed until I read this book, so I was mind-blown, and though I understood that Will had a taste of a beautiful life before he became quadriplegic, which is why he wants to end his life, I felt like this book should've been told in his perspective for better impact when assisted suicide became a plot, and especially since it's a sensitive and controversial subject. That way, the readers could explore and witness how his family and loved ones (friends, ex-gf, and Lou) adapt to that decision (if it had taken this turn, it would've been great for slice-of-life). Instead, through this perspective, we get a superficial male main character who wants to commit suicide because he's lost hope in his future due to his disability, which, I believe, added sparks to the fact that he wants to commit suicide. And that's my consumer side. I wanted that perspective because the romance in this story was mediocre.
I couldn't understand or see or connect how in the world Lou fell in love with Will or vice versa. I understood that Will empowers her and wants the best for her because he's gotten a taste of good things and believes that no chance should be wasted and all opportunities should be taken, but with how Will was introduced after the accident, I knew he'd be a jerk, and he had that consistency throughout (thankfully). Then, their somewhat distant relationship took a 180-degree turn after attending his ex-gf's wedding. Before that, Lou had always been doing her job from the perspective of a worker. Yes, she found out about him reaching out to Dignitas and the 6-month thing and then understood his character a bit more, but I felt that she continued to be his caretaker not because of the money anymore but because she felt the need to change his mind because she was like us, the readers--confused and frustrated that he'd "throw his life away."
The two realistic situations I can think of and minutely relate to are Lou and Patrick's relationship and the ending. Though Patrick was childish when it came to Lou's duties to Will, it's also understandable and reasonable (despite it being childish). Their falling-out relationship was, to me, portrayed realistically. As for the ending, I liked that though Will and Lou didn't contact each other for a while up until the very moments before his assisted suicide because of their confrontation about their feelings for each other, Lou put aside her feelings to see him one last time. It's not "romantic-romantic," but it was a sweet and powerful scene to contrast and highlight Will's "selfishness." I quoted "selfishness" because to call out what Will did or any person similar in Will's shoes would do as selfish isn't something we can truly say if we're not them.
Overall, a decent story is my best compliment, I guess.
toniriotoc_thereader's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide
hotcoca_and_hardcovers's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
carrieleaharris's review against another edition
emotional
sad
5.0
Once you get to a certain point, you can't put it down. Once you get to another point, you can't stop crying. And finally, those silent single tears that fall slowly turn into full-on sobs that wrack you.
Now that I'm thoroughly heartbroken, I think I'll call it a night.
Now that I'm thoroughly heartbroken, I think I'll call it a night.
alliesukus's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
milliepercy's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
gracenextdoor's review against another edition
4.0
When Louisa Clark is let go from her job in the cafe of her small town, she unexpectedly lands a job as a caregiver to Will Traynor. A surly paraplegic who is embittered by the accident that ended the vibrant and exciting life he once lived, Will challenges Louisa in every way. As she works to find her footing in her new job with an impossible charge, Louisa finds her quiet life in the small village changing. The more time she spends with Will, the more she starts wondering about the future, and the possibility that there might be more to life than the one she's been content with.
I've wanted to read this book for ages, and was saving the movie until after I read it. Figuring I'd never get around to it, I watched the movie first...and then promptly went to the library to check it out! I think the movie was actually a very good adaptation of the book, but the book (as always) delves further into the characters than the film. I've read a lot of reviews saying that Louisa is dumb or clueless, but I think that's glossing over who she really is. She's a young woman in her early twenties who grew up in a very small town--she's naive in many ways, but she grows through her experiences. It's exactly because she doesn't "have it all together" that she's so interesting (and funny!) to read.
And if you're expecting this book to be another re-hash cliche in the romance genre, you're wrong. It's the first book I've read by Jojo Moyes, and I was absolutely blown away by her writing. The characters she writes are flawed and real, and the pacing of the book is perfect. I was happily surprised by the turns the story took, and found it a refreshing and quick read. I so enjoyed reading this, and look forward to reading many of her other novels.
I've wanted to read this book for ages, and was saving the movie until after I read it. Figuring I'd never get around to it, I watched the movie first...and then promptly went to the library to check it out! I think the movie was actually a very good adaptation of the book, but the book (as always) delves further into the characters than the film. I've read a lot of reviews saying that Louisa is dumb or clueless, but I think that's glossing over who she really is. She's a young woman in her early twenties who grew up in a very small town--she's naive in many ways, but she grows through her experiences. It's exactly because she doesn't "have it all together" that she's so interesting (and funny!) to read.
And if you're expecting this book to be another re-hash cliche in the romance genre, you're wrong. It's the first book I've read by Jojo Moyes, and I was absolutely blown away by her writing. The characters she writes are flawed and real, and the pacing of the book is perfect. I was happily surprised by the turns the story took, and found it a refreshing and quick read. I so enjoyed reading this, and look forward to reading many of her other novels.
raparigadoslivros's review against another edition
5.0
Louisa Clark é uma jovem de 26 anos com uma vida banal, que nunca saiu da aldeia onde sempre viveu e quando fica desempregada, vê-se obrigada a ir trabalhar para a casa do Will Traynor que vive preso a uma cadeira de rodas, devido a um acidente.
Will era um homem de grandes negócios; gostava de desportos radicais e era um viajante incansável, mas por causa do acidente tornou-se num homem mordaz, temperamental e autoritário. Mas mesmo assim Lou não quer tratá-lo com gentileza e em breve a felicidade e o bem-estar dele vão ser mais importantes do que pensa e quando descobre que Will já têm planos para a sua vida, ela luta para mostrar que mesmo assim vale a pena viver.
Eu dei 5
Will era um homem de grandes negócios; gostava de desportos radicais e era um viajante incansável, mas por causa do acidente tornou-se num homem mordaz, temperamental e autoritário. Mas mesmo assim Lou não quer tratá-lo com gentileza e em breve a felicidade e o bem-estar dele vão ser mais importantes do que pensa e quando descobre que Will já têm planos para a sua vida, ela luta para mostrar que mesmo assim vale a pena viver.
Eu dei 5
lisareads2023's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
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
5.0
ritaralha's review against another edition
4.0
Na realidade não são 4 estrelas mas anda lá perto.
Gosto de livros com temas controversos. Esperava mais no que toca a este assunto da eutanásia.
A história de amor entre os protagonistas é bonita, mas não me encheu as medidas.
Gostei das personagens, da escrita, dos diálogos e principalmente de no fim não haver surpresas.
Lembrei-me bastante do filme The Intouchables (Amigos improváveis – 2011) com as devidas diferenças.
Já nem vou ler [b:Viver Sem Ti|31624654|Viver Sem Ti (Me Before You, #2)|Jojo Moyes|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1471963170l/31624654._SY75_.jpg|44693518]
Gosto de livros com temas controversos. Esperava mais no que toca a este assunto da eutanásia.
A história de amor entre os protagonistas é bonita, mas não me encheu as medidas.
Gostei das personagens, da escrita, dos diálogos e principalmente de no fim não haver surpresas.
Lembrei-me bastante do filme The Intouchables (Amigos improváveis – 2011) com as devidas diferenças.
Já nem vou ler [b:Viver Sem Ti|31624654|Viver Sem Ti (Me Before You, #2)|Jojo Moyes|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1471963170l/31624654._SY75_.jpg|44693518]