A heartbreaking story that will have you on the verge of tears.

Louisa Clark is a unique young woman living in a small town, with a steady boyfriend and close family. When she loses her café job she will do anything to acquire work. She takes a caregiver job working for wheel-chair bound Will Traynor, who was in an accident 2 years previously. Will always lived life on the edge, doing anything from extreme sports to world travel. Will has made a decision about his life, but Lou intends to change his mind.

I didn't know what to think about this one going in, however, I fell in love with the book almost immediately. The characters really grab your attention, and make you think about the situation that is unfolding. Will Traynor seems to be one of those high and mighty wealthy men, even after his accident he seems to talk down to Lou. One time during the story I even wanted to reach through the novel and slap him. As the story progresses you start to realize why Will is the way he is, and why he has chosen what to do with his life. I know a lot of people wouldn't agree with what Will's decision is, but I think if I were in that situation I would've made the same choice. I really liked Lou and her crazy way of life, I really connected with her on a more personal level because of her way of life. Lou is always dressing differently, getting treated differently at home compared to her younger sibling and just a generally unique person.

I must say I didn't expect the ending to be like it was, but that it meant in a good way. I loved how Will wanted Lou to live up to her true potential and live her life to the fullest. He never thought about himself only of Lou and what would make her happy. The author Jojo Moyes has a talent that is out of this world, writing a novel like this takes a certain person and she definitely has what it takes. I would recommend this author to anyone and would definitely recommend this book to everyone. One of the best books I've read in a long while. ( )

A carefully constructed tale of a paraplegic man who meets a girl who has been employed to try to prevent him committing suicide for the 6 months he has committed to his parents to staying alive until he can legally go to a euthanasia facility in Switzerland. A reserved and sheltered 26 year old challenges his dark moods and manages to get him doing things beyond his living quarters beside his parents home. Obviously thoroughly researched as to the impacts of paraplegia on the body and the mind. Beautifully developed story of the blossoming of the girl while drawing away dark moods from the man, even if the ultimate outcome was his death. ( )

Great narration by Susan Lyons and a team of others. Moyes does a great job of inspiring empathy for an unpopular perspective. So as not to completely spoil it for you, you'll have to read the book if your curious about what I'm referring to...or another review....or, watch the movie. ;-) ( )

I would not call this a romance novel.
While there is a teeny tiny bit of romance, the story revolves more around the idea of loving and living life to the fullest.
"Wait, Rochelle! Did you just say a book about a couple where one of them decided to pursue assisted suicide is about loving and living life?!?"
Yes.
In short, the recently handicapped man teaches his caregiver to live life to the fullest because you never know when you won't be able to do what you love anymore. Through his prodding and pushing and her subsequent sassing back they fall in love. It's a sweet story and really quite the cautionary tale. But if you're hoping for a happy ending, it doesn't happen. That's where the book looses me a bit. I have strong morals and suicide of any kind is wrong. However, I hope and pray that I NEVER have to know the kind of mental and emotional pain that is displayed in Will Trayner's character. It's unimaginable for me and because of that I could not cast judgment upon someone in that position.
The story is well written and a beautifully painful view of what life could be like in any of the character's lives.
But don't pick this book up for its "romantic" story line.

Full Review: wanderinglectiophile.wordpress.com/2017/10/13/review-me-before-you-by-jojo-moyes/ ( )

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