I’m so happy that Kay started the Blogger Book Club! I really wanted to join a book club, but because
It was a bad idea to start reading this on the bus, because I arrived at my stop and had to go to work. Not a great idea to read it during my lunch break, because that too ended and I had to return to my desk. This is a book I should have started on a Saturday morning when I had no plans, or during funemployment, because once I started reading, I did.not.want.to.stop.
The story was completely enthralling, and the characters were both sympathetic and maddening – they were so real.
Now, I know what the naysayers are harping about – Lou shouldn’t have needed a man to change her life, why did love change her, etc etc. But I think this story would have been just as compelling and believable if Will had been a 10-year old kid or an elderly lady. (Lou just needed someone to believe in her, to encourage her, and to tell her she was valuable. Yes, it would have been great if Lou were self-motivated, but some of us need a shove nudge. And if she were a confident, driven young woman, there wouldn’t have been a story anyway.
But Will as a handsome, rich playboy (not a tragic child or wise elder) and the added tension of romance between him and Lou made the story so much more compelling. Would he? wouldn’t he? But he did, and the very controversial topic of euthanasia was handled so delicately that I hardly realized what a political and ethical hot potato it is.
No, we didn’t get our romantic, happy ending, but Lou got a fresh start in life (thanks to the big fat inheritance Will left her) and the knowledge that she made a difference in someone’s life, as short as their time together was.
One small quibble with the book – Lou’s parents fretted that they didn’t have a downstairs bathroom when Will came for a visit, but on the bus ride with her mother’s old friend, Lou thought this woman knew everything about everyone, like when Dad tiled the downstairs bath. Editing!!
I highly recommend this book. It’s a quick and entertaining read, but it’s something that really will stay with you. I have already put a few other books by Jojo Moyes on hold at the library.
What’s the last great book you read?
i liked the book so much and am happy we picked it for our first blogger book club read! You’re right, it’s not your typical love story and I loved that! It was original but still stirred up the classic feelings of love!
Don’t feel bad. You haven’t had the energy to get a book club going and I haven’t had the time to read a book in I don’t know how long! Sounds like a good book! I hope all goes well with the group! xoxo