Book Review: Me Before You

Oh my, “Me Before You” was such a sweet story. I loved every minute of it. It had been on my TBR (to-be-read) list for a while, but it wasn’t until I saw the movie trailer that I stopped everything and got the (audio)book.

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.

Speaking of the trailer… watch it here!

How could you not want to read the book after watching that?! (Well, unless you hate love stories YOU COLD-HEARTED BRUTE)

The story is mostly told through the point of view of Louisa Clark. She winds up as the caretaker of William Traynor, a quadriplegic, despite being unskilled and lacking acceptable decorum. She comes to find out that her role in William’s life is not as straightforward as she once believed after overhearing a conversation between his mother and sister.

The book delves into William’s daily frustrations and emotional struggles with his plight, and Louisa takes it upon herself to pull William out of his depression and show him the brightness and goodness in life. Unbeknownst to Louisa, William uses her demonstrations to show her that she, too, can strive to get more out of life. The story becomes a sentimental tale of living life as fully as possible.

Me Before You focuses on a very controversial subject, which is well-handled by Jojo Moyes. As a reader you become invested in the story in a deeper, more visceral way, as the subject is one that is incredibly relevant today.

As cliché as it is to say, you will feel the full spectrum of emotions while reading this book. You will laugh, cry, feel scared, feel dread, smile, and empathize. You will feel all the feels and you will love it!

Have you read this book? What did you think about it? Especially about the various perspectives on William’s decision? Have you read the sequel (After You)? I can’t decide if I should read it.

A.S. Thornton

A. S. Thornton has evolved from book blogger (at “the bandar blog”) to author with a particular fondness for writing forbidden love in ancient deserts. Thornton’s debut, DAUGHTER OF THE SALT KING is available now wherever books are sold.