Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

Me Before You
Written by Jojo Moyes
Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Published December 31st 2012 by Pamela Dorman Books/Viking
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★★★★★ + tears for days
Lou Clark knows lots of things. She knows how many footsteps there are between the bus stop and home. She knows she likes working in The Buttered Bun tea shop and she knows she might not love her boyfriend Patrick.

What Lou doesn't know is she's about to lose her job or that knowing what's coming is what keeps her sane.

Will Traynor knows his motorcycle accident took away his desire to live. He knows everything feels very small and rather joyless now and he knows exactly how he's going to put a stop to that.

What Will doesn't know is that Lou is about to burst into his world in a riot of colour. And neither of them knows they're going to change the other for all time.
Will Traynor used to be a man of adventures - climbing the highest mountain to jumping from the most jagged cliffs. He lived a life full of meaning - until he didn't. One day, Will's adventurous life was stolen from him in a freak accident which left him paralyzed. From that day onwards, Will lost his desire to live, relinquishing to the idea that with no movement to his limbs that there was no point to living. There was no longer a point to his existence if he could not be free.

Louisa Clark is a peculiar girl. At the ripe age of twenty-six she still lives at home with her parents, grandpa, sister and nephew. She's worked the same job for nearly seven years, unfortunately for her that ends when the cafe is shut down. Louisa is jobless with little no experience to her name. With the stress of having to provide for her low-income family, she's willing to take just about any job that comes her way - including the care and companionship of a disabled man. Little does Lou know, Will is about to change her life forever - and may even she his.

Kynndra's Thoughts

Let it be known that no book has ever made me full on bawl until Me Before You. Some have made me a little misty eyed, some a bit sad - but never the weeping puddle I found myself in at nearly 3 AM on a Monday morning. I loved this book with as much love any bookworm can bestow upon a book. This is one of those books where if someone dislikes it, you can't possibly see eye to eye with that person (but you remain silent because opinions shall be opinions). I don't know where this book has been my entire life, it's been out since 2012 and I'm just hearing about it now.

“You only get one life. It's actually your duty to live it as fully as possible.”

Me Before You was unbelievably human. That's what got to me the most. Everything was so palpable - understandable. I could feel the emotions as if they were my very own. With romance novels involving illness, you usually get a fluffy, ridiculous bullshit lie. Illness is not cute. It is not some sympathy ploy. It is not some card one should play to get another to love them. Me Before You took a stance in a way that showed the ugly, debilitating emotions that follows someone who was robbed of their ability to walk - to even reach for his own glass of water. Jojo Moyes portrayed such things in a way that I envision real life disabled folks feeling too.

It came to my realization while reading how much I, and much of the human population take the mere ability to walk - to even wipe our own bums for granted. The freedom to handle my own body is one thing I will never take for granted again as that seemingly simple ability could honestly change on a dime. Me Before You is an eye opener in so many ways. I was hit from all sides when it came to my feels. It left me feeling raw and shredded afterwards. This will truly be one of those books you'll ponder about time to time. One that you'll push on anyone who desires a impactful read.

Jojo Moyes wrote in such a precarious manner. While the book was slow moving, I found I didn't care. I loved the sensual way Will and Lou's story made me feel. It budded from something small into something beautiful and alive. Never did I want the story to go faster, as I never wanted it to actually end. I would have been happy reading the lives of Lou and Will forever. The characters chemistry was indeed that good. It sounds silly, but I became comfortable and familiar with the characters. Their voices so honest - so authentic. I'll miss those two like dear old friends.

In Conclusion

I've decided not to analize this book. This review is short because it's quite plain and simple: If I could describe any novel I've ever read as perfect, it would be this one. I've liked a lot of books, loved even. But I can without hesitancy say that Me Before You is an irreplaceable favorite. It has touched my life forever, as it has thousands across the world. I think Jojo Moyes brought to life a instant classic, a treasure to the fictional realm. Before the movie comes out in June, please read this book. And, as always - if you need someone to cry about it to, message me. DM me, anywhere at anytime.

I'm still crying over this book tbh. read it you hooligans, cry with me. Also the movie looks like an AMAZING ADAPTION. The gif above. Ugh. The actors portray the characters better than I ever thought was possible.


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43 comments

  1. I can't wait to read this, it sounds so wonderful!! xx

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    1. It truly is wonderful, Ariane. I hope you get around to reading it! c:

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  2. This book inspired poetry when I read it a couple of years ago. Love, love. I cannot wait to see the film!

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    1. Ugh I can totally see it inspiring poetry. It's an absolute gem of a book - and I agree. I cannot wait to see the movie, I just hope it's a good one. It looks promising based on the trailer!

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  3. This is one of my all time favourite books! I love when I read someones review of it and it just connected with them as strongly as it connected with me. Never has a book made me bawl my eyes out either. I remember having to put the book down and take a walk around my house trying to calm myself down because I literally was sobbing to hard to read. I can't wait for the film either, I have a feeling it's going to be a good adaption but I don't think it will emotionally touch me the way the book was able to.

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    1. AGHH. You're exactly right Amy! I too adore when someone loves a book that's one of my favorites. I bawled like a baby, there's no lie about it. It hits you right in the feels. I'm really hoping the movie is able to do the same.

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  4. Okay wow everyone seems to be crying over this book lately! The last time a book gets this much hype is tfios, and I didn't cry, so let's just hope this one will do the magic!

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    1. I didn't cry over TFIOS either, Tasya (I didn't follow the hype with that one honestly). But I PROMISE Me Before You is definitely a tear jerker c':

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  5. I hadn't even heard of it until I saw the trailer recently and I was just "OKAY I HAVE TO WATCH THAT" because Finnick?!?! And Daenerys Targaryen? IN A ROMANCE IN ENGLAND?!? *signs self up*
    Ahem. ;D So sometimes it is really good when books are adapted to movies because it does bring attention to the fact we need to read them, right?!

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    1. LMAO OMG CAIT. AHH I DIDN'T RECOGNIZE LOU AS DAENERYS. My life is a lieee. No but seriously that has blown my mind! Now I'm even more excited and yaaas Sam Claflin is so worth it too. The movie has definitely brought forth many readers so I agree - it's definitely a good thing ;D

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  6. YES, KYNNDRA. I read this last month and it is the most perfect book ever written. HAHA. Crying for days and days, forever and ever. I cannot WAIT for the film.

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    1. TEARS FOR DAYS I TELL YOU. I'm so happy you loved it as much as I did Brit! I will be such a mess when I see the movie but I cannot wait for the film either. I hope it's good (it looks amazing imo!).

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  7. Absolutely loved this review. Aww I really need to reread this before the movie comes out... I think this summer? The movie trailer is getting so many others to read it!! I'm glad this book is getting more hype!

    Alex @ The Book's Buzz

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    1. Aw, thanks Alex! Yes it comes out June if I'm not mistaken. The book deserves all the hype and I'm happy the movie is doing that for it :D

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  8. Woah, beautiful review! I have wanted to read this for SO long. I just recently got a copy, so it will be one of my next reads. I'm so stoked for the film. It looks amazing and I LOVE Sam Claflin; it's great seeing him in more films.

    -Lauren

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    1. Aw shucks, thanks Lauren <3 I'm so excited for you to read it. I can't wait to hear what you think about it! The movie + Sam Claflin looks astoundingly good. He needs so many more parts, he's an amazing actor.

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  9. I read this one recently, and I was surprised by just how much I loved it. So beautiful, and heartbreaking, and human. I'm honestly not sure if I'll read the sequel--I kind don't want it to ruin my opinion of the first one, you know. Lovely review!

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    1. EW WHAT?! THERE'S A SEQUEL? That has honestly broke my heart a little bit. I think how Me Before You ended was perfect - it's what made it amazing. Well, I for one definitely will not be reading that one. I'm happy you also loved the first one though! c:

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  10. I didn't think this was my sort of book but I've seen the preview for the movie and so am now wondering if I should read the book first or just wait for the movie....

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    1. I think either or will be good. But I'll always recommend this book!

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  11. Yes yes yes, I actually agree with all of the things. I read this book last month and oh my god, I didn't know I had so many feelings. I never cry when reading books, but I definitely cried here. It was just so beautiful and HUMAN (great description!) and real and sad and unggg ♥♥♥

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    1. I never cry either, Inge. But what do you know? I too was a sobbing mess when I read this. It was absolutely all the things you said with a double heap of unggg :c

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  12. Jojo writes such real, beautiful, British characters. I loved this book when I read it, but I haven't been able to bring myself to read the sequel. I'm sure I'll watch the film at some point, but I'm not much into bawling in public, so I'll probably wait for the bluray. :)

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    1. I just learned there was a sequel - which I will never read. LMAO omg no kidding. I would probably be embarrassing to go with to that movie. I'll be a disgusting, sobbing wreck. I might have to follow you're suite and wait for its DVD release. We'll have to see xP Jojo definitely write beautiful - and rich characters.

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  13. *stays silent because had lots of issues* BUT OMG I CAN SEE HOW EVERYONE LOVES THIS. And I recently watched another movie with Sam Claflin in it (Love, Rosie) which I quite liked so I'm hoping the movie is good :)

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    1. Ahh! Em it's all good. Your issues w/the book were totally valid and understandable. I really enjoyed Love, Rosie. A really good movie - gives me hope this adaption will be good too! c:

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  14. Okay. Now I really want this one. It sounds like an absolute sobfest, and those are all the rage with me these days.

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  15. Totally agreed. I was really happy that this didn't sugarcoat his situation. It was real. I also liked that she connected with others that had different views as he did. It was just great to show everyone has their own battle.

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    1. I'm so happy the author kept his situation realistic. And you're exactly right - everyone truly does have their own battles.

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  16. Kynndra, I'm so glad you loved this too! <3
    I forgot to mention that in my review, but yeah, we really take such things like being able to feed ourselves, etc. for granted, and I think that's one of the reasons why I loved this book so much- I realised that I shouldn't take things for granted.
    Thanks for sharing - I'm so glad to see someone else felt as emotionally wrecked by this book as I was!

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    1. Ahhh! I love that you garnered that from this book too, Geraldine. It's awesome when a book makes you realise something so huge. I loved it, so happy you did too c:

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  17. I've never honestly heard of this novel, but since you recommended it to me I just had to read your review. And wow, what an emotionally visceral reaction this seems to have evoked from you <33 The fact it actually made you cry though ahhh, few books have made me actually cry before but all of them happen to be some of my top favorite reads.

    And omg yes Kynn! Romanctizing illness (whether mental or physical) in YA drives me absolutely bonkers. It makes me so happy to hear that in this novel the illness is treated in the most respectful and honest way. I'm also glad that the illness is just used to grab sympathy from the readers, I really dislike when readers go that emotionally manipulative route.

    Will and Lou's relationship sounds super cute! And omg WAIT. I just realized now from your review that this is the book the movie is about ahhh. I definitely was planning on seeing this movie with my friends. Now I absolutely must read the book as well.

    Wonderful review Kynn <33

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    1. I hadn't heard of this one till this month actually, Larissa so you're not alone! Gah, this one brought out such strong feels. Everything was wonderful and heartwarming. I just enjoyed it even though it was sad as frick.

      Will and Lou were so good together once they got adjusted to one another. It just fit and I couldn't have asked for two characters to have a better chemistry. Thanks Larissa! c:

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  18. "Me before you was unbelievably human." I LOVE books like this! the more relatable the better (in my opinion at least). Is this book going to be a movie soon? Maybe i'm confusing it with another one by the same author. either way I've heard great things about this one! I'm glad you enjoyed it so much!
    The last book I read this week (Confess by Colleen Hoover) though was a tear jerker as well, so I might have to take some time before i read this one! my heart can't take any more this week! LOL.
    great review! happy reading!
    Emily @ www.rabbitholereviews.com

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    1. I loooove human books. I just enjoy the realistic portrayal of serious situations. Yes! This one is definitely becoming a movie. It'll be out in June I believe. Ha! Oh my, yes you'll probably want to take a break. This one brings out a lot of tears. Thanks so much, Emily!

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  19. Ohhh my gosh. *prepares self for ultimate feels rollercoaster* I'm so scared to read this biggest I'm the biggest cry baby of ever xD I might have to just watch the movie with this one, with a massive tub of ice cream haha. Great review! :)

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    1. Baha! You'll definitely be bawling with this one, Anissa. Without a doubt. There will be tears! Thank you so much c:

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  20. I really, really, really want to read this but I am also unsure. I have had the ending ruined for me and worry I won't love it as much now that I know how it ends. I had the main death ruined for me and worry the book won't give me all the feels now. Do you think it is still worth reading?!?!?

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    1. Boo of that person! Yes I definitely think it's still worth reading!

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  21. Girl I'm doing a mini review on this because there is NO fucking way I can express in words how much I loved this book. It'll be IMPOSSIBLE! Your review summed everything up so perfectly, and honestly, how tf can anyone read the sequel? A world without Will and Lou is not a world I wish to be in. No ma'am lol. Amazing review my Kynn Doll <3

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  22. Jojo Moyes is one of my favorite authors. I love Me Before You, though it’s not my favorite by her. I totally agree with you, in this book you don’t get glassed over version of illness, it’s all very real and very sad. Have you seen the movie? I’ve seen the trailer, and while I love Sam Claflin, I just don’t see him as Will. The down side of reading books is that you don’t enjoy movies anymore…

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  23. This book seems to have gotten really popular lately when the movie trailer was announced, and it definitely sounds like a beautiful, touching and raw and emotional read! I'm looking forward to reading it because it sounds absolutely amazing. Lovely review Kynn!

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