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jannaruth's review against another edition
4.0
Occasionally I'm looking for a good drama novel to read outside of my usual genre. I really liked these two and will probably read the third one, as the second ending leaves a bit wanting for more.
I'm always looking for stories that depict disabilities in a skillful, natural way and bring more awareness to the struggles but also the normalcy of it. Me Before You (Love that title!) does that and more. It really brings out the heartbreaking struggle and the devastation that comes with it.
After You is set one and a half year later and what I liked most was the very real depiction of grief, quite another struggle yet similar. I just found the second novel not eventful for quite a long stretch. In the end it was almost untypically dramatic but it works for the character development, so I guess it's okay.
I do really have high hopes for the final installment now where I hope Lou will finally come into herself. It's been two books, so time for her to find her true self :)
I'm always looking for stories that depict disabilities in a skillful, natural way and bring more awareness to the struggles but also the normalcy of it. Me Before You (Love that title!) does that and more. It really brings out the heartbreaking struggle and the devastation that comes with it.
After You is set one and a half year later and what I liked most was the very real depiction of grief, quite another struggle yet similar. I just found the second novel not eventful for quite a long stretch. In the end it was almost untypically dramatic but it works for the character development, so I guess it's okay.
I do really have high hopes for the final installment now where I hope Lou will finally come into herself. It's been two books, so time for her to find her true self :)
sacahill's review against another edition
4.0
Had me holding on!
One of those books you don’t want to put down! One that continues in your dreams and makes you rethink your whole life!
One of those books you don’t want to put down! One that continues in your dreams and makes you rethink your whole life!
jadechloe6's review
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
hanhaanhan's review
Online library loan, began to kickstart my reading, however loan expired and I don't feel I'll return to it.
si0bhan's review
4.0
I was tentative prior to reading these books. The first because it’s not really my usual and because of the hype, the second because I’d enjoyed the first much more than I’d expected and was unsure as to whether I would enjoy the sequel.
Fortunately, I was pleasantly surprised by both. They’re both great reads, similar yet beautifully different. The first is heart-breaking in its beauty, the second a much lighter read that takes the characters to new places. Throughout the two books, such a range of emotions will be experienced, giving you everything you could hope for and then some.
Overall, much better than I’d expected. I’m glad I gave them both a read.
Fortunately, I was pleasantly surprised by both. They’re both great reads, similar yet beautifully different. The first is heart-breaking in its beauty, the second a much lighter read that takes the characters to new places. Throughout the two books, such a range of emotions will be experienced, giving you everything you could hope for and then some.
Overall, much better than I’d expected. I’m glad I gave them both a read.
eunicealexcy's review
5.0
I know this review is a bit late since I've finished reading this several weeks ago but I just feel that I really have to make a review for this one.
This heart breaking and gut-wrenching book made me realize the things about assisted suicide. I know it's a controversial topic and I'm pretty that even though I had my doubts at the beginning, my heart was leaning to disagreeing with assisted suicides.
You can just imagine the emotions I was experiencing as the novel is coming to its climax and conclusion. Will this book leave my heart broken and my eyes puffy and my mind restless or will this book give the characters the happy ending they deserve and still make me cry and overwhelmed.
As I started to read the novel, I was already judging and deciding for myself that no matter what, killing yourself isn't the answer, no matter how hard life gets. But later on, I was starting to understand Will's side if he didn't want to live anymore and his mother's agony in allowing him to do so.
But as Lou enters the scene, Will's life becomes more colorful and it was making me hopeful that Lou could change Will's mind.
This heart breaking and gut-wrenching book made me realize the things about assisted suicide. I know it's a controversial topic and I'm pretty that even though I had my doubts at the beginning, my heart was leaning to disagreeing with assisted suicides.
I disagree that people say Me Before You is not a love story. despite the weight of the topic it tries to tackle, I was pretty sure that it is, indeed, a love story between Lou and Will.
You can just imagine the emotions I was experiencing as the novel is coming to its climax and conclusion. Will this book leave my heart broken and my eyes puffy and my mind restless or will this book give the characters the happy ending they deserve and still make me cry and overwhelmed.
As I started to read the novel, I was already judging and deciding for myself that no matter what, killing yourself isn't the answer, no matter how hard life gets. But later on, I was starting to understand Will's side if he didn't want to live anymore and his mother's agony in allowing him to do so.
But as Lou enters the scene, Will's life becomes more colorful and it was making me hopeful that Lou could change Will's mind.
I was crying even after the few minutes reading the novel and it was the embarrassing kind of crying good thing no one was around.
This is definitely a good read, the bucket of tears were worth it.
kellyhager's review
5.0
Lou (short for Louisa) has just gotten fired from her job---which, technically, isn't her fault because the cafe's closing. But since she lives with her parents and is one of two breadwinners in the family (her dad works but is terrified of being fired himself; her mom stays home to take care of her elderly father, Louisa's grandfather, and her sister takes care of her young son), she needs to find another job. Preferably tomorrow.
Enter Will. Will's a quadriplegic and he has an aide for the medical stuff but his mom wants to hire a social aide, someone to keep him company. It pays ridiculously well and it's only for six months, so Lou can keep looking for another job.
Despite a rocky beginning, Lou and Will end up really hitting it off...and then she learns that the reason the job's so short-term is because Will wants to kill himself. He's agreed to give his parents a brief extension, but is pretty adamant that his mind won't change.
Except unfortunately, Lou's in love with him now. Is that enough? And if she really loves him, is it her responsibility to try and change his mind or to honor his wishes?
I can't even describe how much I loved this book. It's clever and funny and will kick you right in the feelings. (I stole this from someone on Twitter. If it is you, please leave a comment, because I want to give you credit but my memory is feeble.)
I think it's also one of those books that will cause you to examine where you stand on euthanasia. I'm strongly in support of it, but at the same time, it's impossible to ignore the pain that it can cause those left behind. And there's also a difference between choosing to die because you have a terminal illness and you'd rather not die in pain or without dignity and wanting to die because your life is different than it used to be. (Or is there? Shouldn't we be allowed to choose for ourselves when to end our lives?)
Highly recommended.
Enter Will. Will's a quadriplegic and he has an aide for the medical stuff but his mom wants to hire a social aide, someone to keep him company. It pays ridiculously well and it's only for six months, so Lou can keep looking for another job.
Despite a rocky beginning, Lou and Will end up really hitting it off...and then she learns that the reason the job's so short-term is because Will wants to kill himself. He's agreed to give his parents a brief extension, but is pretty adamant that his mind won't change.
Except unfortunately, Lou's in love with him now. Is that enough? And if she really loves him, is it her responsibility to try and change his mind or to honor his wishes?
I can't even describe how much I loved this book. It's clever and funny and will kick you right in the feelings. (I stole this from someone on Twitter. If it is you, please leave a comment, because I want to give you credit but my memory is feeble.)
I think it's also one of those books that will cause you to examine where you stand on euthanasia. I'm strongly in support of it, but at the same time, it's impossible to ignore the pain that it can cause those left behind. And there's also a difference between choosing to die because you have a terminal illness and you'd rather not die in pain or without dignity and wanting to die because your life is different than it used to be. (Or is there? Shouldn't we be allowed to choose for ourselves when to end our lives?)
Highly recommended.
e_bibliophile's review
3.0
[b:After You|25996406|After You (Me Before You, #2)|Jojo Moyes|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1438082050s/25996406.jpg|44693518] is the sequel of [a:Jojo Moyes|281810|Jojo Moyes|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1400624880p2/281810.jpg]'s Me Before You, I started reading it right after I've drained all my tears. This book is good (as in not so great) and can manage to stand on its own independently. Most of the characters have significantly developed that you start missing the quirky traits that made you fall in love with the old names.
The author's sense of humor and irony are still present. It's just that at certain points I couldn't help not comparing it to Me Before You. Me Before You was so excellent that it's hard to beat and you keep expecting the best from the sequel but you get disappointed somehow. Sometimes it felt contrived and not as spontaneous as its prequel.
I know fate works in crazy mysterious ways but when it comes to fictional stories you might get picky and roll your eyes at things that you find them hard to buy. I can't elaborate more without spoiling some parts for those who haven't read Me Before You yet (which you MUST do before watching the movie adaptation).
katekat's review
1.0
I know people love this book but I hated it. I couldn't get past the fact that it was basically saying that if you are disabled your life isn't worth living. I read the whole book and even though I think the author is talented I find her message to be terrible.