I was disappointed in this book because I have been a fan of Jojo Moyes for a long time. For me, the sequel detracted from Me Before You, which is a well-written, stand-alone novel with engaging characters. After You is a weak attempt to recreate what should have been left alone. The characters in After You are cliché-ridden and one-dimensional with implausible situations such as Louisa sharing marijuana with the teenager when the girl moves in with her. I hope that Ms. Moyes will now turn her talented hand to writing a book worthy of her time and ours.
Sequel to Me Before You. It's been awhile since her boyfriend Will died and Louisa has moved to London, joined a support group to help her to move on, and working a dead end job wearing an Irish folk costume. In her effort to escape her memories, she goes to the roof of her apartment and accidentally falls off - surviving. Her life struggles include her injuries, her effort to get on with life after Will, and his unknown daughter showing up on her doorstep. Lilly is a troubled teen and lends new complications to Louisa's life. Meeting a very special man - is Louisa ready to move on with love, take on a dream job, and leave her family? Good read - took a while to get into compared to Me Before You.
I just can't believe how so much happened in this book. This story had so much pain going on that I had to stop reading it for a full three days before I could pick it back up. I still love Louisa Clark, but because of things ended in the first place you can see why she had such a hard time moving on in her life. Nothing was right in the world after Will. How relateable her story was amazing. This story perfectly captures the essence of how difficult it is to move on when you love someone as much as Louisa loved Will. You can see how some people may not find the will to live again and become the way they do. Will was a wonderful man, but you can't help but hate him a little when you see the devastation he left behind.
I love how Louisa was still the determined woman she always was but guarded because of her loss. Her determination to help those she felt connected and loved was what made Louisa such a wonderful person. The story was harsh in it's truth and reality and yet uplifting in a small degree in the end. You just can't help but wish Louisa well and want the best for her. I loved this book, but make sure when you start that you understand that this book isn't hearts and flowers, but truth and heartache. Have a box of tissue and remember that in the end all turns out well.
I love how Louisa was still the determined woman she always was but guarded because of her loss. Her determination to help those she felt connected and loved was what made Louisa such a wonderful person. The story was harsh in it's truth and reality and yet uplifting in a small degree in the end. You just can't help but wish Louisa well and want the best for her. I loved this book, but make sure when you start that you understand that this book isn't hearts and flowers, but truth and heartache. Have a box of tissue and remember that in the end all turns out well.
