Still Me

Me Before You, Book #3

By Jojo Moyes

ISBN# 9780399562457

Author Website: Jojomoyes(.)com

 

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Daniele

Synopsis:

Louisa Clark arrives in New York ready to start a new life, confident that she can embrace this new adventure and keep her relationship with Ambulance Sam alive across several thousand miles. She steps into the world of the super rich, working for Leonard Gopnik and his much younger second wife, Agnes. Lou is determined to get the most out of the experience and throws herself into her new job and New York life.

As she begins to mix in New York high society, Lou meets Joshua Ryan, a man who brings with him a whisper of her past. Before long, Lou finds herself torn between Fifth Avenue where she works and the treasure-filled vintage clothing store where she actually feels at home. And when matters come to a head, she has to ask herself: Who is Louisa Clark? And how do you reconcile a heart that lives in two places?

Funny, romantic, and poignant, Still Me follows Lou as she navigates how to stay true to herself, while pushing to live boldly in her brave new world. (Goodreads)

 

Review:

Still Me is chick lit at its best, poignant, bittersweet, and funny.  It is hard not to like Louisa Clark.

Louisa Clark is trying to follow Will Traynor’s advice to live boldly by moving to New York City to take a job as socialite Agnes Gopnik’s personal assistant. She is confident that she and her boyfriend Sam can maintain a long distance relationship, but she is quickly caught up in her new life, a far cry from the quiet life she left in England. As expected, things do not go exactly as planned, and Louisa finds herself betrayed by those she trusts the most. Facing hard times, she turns to golden boy Josh, who bears a striking resemblance to Will, and attempts to carry on. Enter new friends and the Gopnik’s neighbor Mrs. De Witt, and Louisa finds the courage to try more new things and be true to herself.

I admit it, this is the first book by Jojo Moyes that I have read, but I did see the film adaptation to Me Before You so I was familiar with the characters and backstory before I started reading. Chick lit is not always my favorite genre, but I greatly enjoy Moyes writing style and the characters.  Louisa is almost too good at heart, and I hated to see her taken advantage of. What a reward for being loyal!  Of course, readers will see what’s coming from a mile away; I know I did, but it is inspirational to watch Louisa bounce back, even if some luck is involved. Mrs. De Witt and her dog Dean Martin are a high point for me. I just adore her crusty exterior. Since I have not read the other books in the trilogy, I did not know Sam well enough to trust him, and Josh was a disappointment. My biggest problem with all of the characters, except Louisa, is that no one is able to express themselves which leads to lies, miscommunication, assumptions, and drama. I admire Louisa’s gumption and willingness to persevere, to be true to herself. There is a lesson for all of us here.

I greatly enjoyed my time with Louisa and will definitely go back and read the other books in the trilogy. Recommended.