Reviews

The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes

andrearbooks's review against another edition

4.0

The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes is first of all a book that's been in my book queue for a ridiculous amount of time. In preparation for the upcoming book sale, I'm trying to read the books I've had the longest. That said, I should have read this sooner as it's such a compelling story. This is the second Jojo Moyes I've read that has a historical mystery layer, and she does a really great job of building these stories and connecting them to a present day happening! This story began in Paris during World War I. Sophie's artist husband Edouard is at war, and she is back at home. She is forced to prepare and serve meals (while she and the French residents are on rations) to the German troops in the area. The Kommandant takes a particular liking to a painting Edouard has done of her, but for Sophie this is a lasting connection to her husband she desperately wants to see again. In the present day, the painting resurfaces on Liv's mantle. She knows little of its history, but she has always connected with the women in the painting. As (bad) luck then has it, it is revealed to Liv what this painting actually is, and this sets in motion quite the chain of events. This was such a compelling read of both Sophie and Liv's stories. There was such emotion in each as they navigated love, relationships, and trying to figure out what the "right" thing to do in tough circumstances was. It had an ending that was particularly powerful as the stories came together. This one was an interesting premise in both past and present, and it kept me reading to figure out what was going to happen to the painting, but more than that, it was what would happen to Liv and Sophie.

iaia's review

emotional informative inspiring mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

enrolou no meio, mas valeu uma madrugada acordada, um coração quente e algumas lágrimas de tão belo.

carolineboz's review against another edition

3.0

The historical fiction was so intriguing, but the greed of the modern day character detracted from it. This could be categorized as a less overwhelming story in the same vein as The Nightingale.

mrswadey83's review against another edition

5.0

Brilliant

I never leave reviews.. but this story was written so beautifully. The best book I’ve read this year by far

kbaird's review

5.0

This has been my favorite Jojo book to read so far. It combines the lives of a French woman living during the first war and a modern day woman. They are both in love with a painting; the painting is of the French woman painted by her husband. The story weaves in and out of the past and present regarding these women and that painting. The French woman is found out to have gotten mixed up in something with a German guard who loves the painting as well. Liv, the woman in the present, is gifted this painting by her late husband before he passes away. Liv falls for an art tracker who is coincidentally, tracking her painting back to the painter's family. Liv is wrought with emotions as to what to do about the painting. The family wants it back but she doesn't want to give her up. The sees herself in the strong woman who is painted in that portrait. She decides to go to court to fight for her painting and starts to figure out what happened to Sophie, the girl that was left behind. Sophie's history is stretched out throughout the book so you don't know what exactly happened the her until the very end. Liv is being racked through the mud with the papers as her trial goes forward. Everyone believes that the painting was stolen and should be returned to its original family. Liv and her husband at the time, bought the painting in good faith and don't believe it was stolen. Liv becomes the subject of much hate as the case goes forward and more details about what might have happened to Sophie to take the painting away from her are revealed. Liv believes the painting was given freely and knows that she will prevail in the case. She travels back to Sophie's hometown in France looking for answers and doesn't get any. She starts to think she will fail and lose her beloved painting. The painting has become a part of Liv and she doesn't know what she would do if she lost it. The case is believed to be over when Liv's knight in shining armor arrives with last minute evidence to both clear Sophie's name and let Liv keep her painting.

This story kept me entertained throughout. I didn't think I would enjoy it as much as I did. Jojo has yet again surprised me with a meaningful and epic story spanning almost 100 years. The fate of poor Sophie and what actually happened to her painting will leave you wanting more. I couldn't put this book down!

anniinha's review against another edition

emotional informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

miranda_is_currently_reading's review

3.0

Part One, set in the early 1900s, was beautiful and intriguing.
Part Two, set in London in 2006, was cliche and poorly written.

bookishbeagle's review against another edition

3.0

The first part of this book deserves five gold stars. That being said, I wish the book was entirely written on the first part (minus the present day boredom). My heart feels for Sophie. Her bravery, her love for Edouard and her utter determination to do whatever it takes to unite with her husband, touched my soul deeply.

mikrokosm0s's review against another edition

3.0

3.5

stairclimber's review

4.0

Wow! I picked up this book because I loved Me Before You. I was disappointed with the first 100 pages, but then I could not put it down. The author did a great job weaving in two time periods, WW2 and present day with a single piece of lost art. Both stories were extraordinary. I did not predict the ending which added to the enjoyment of this book.

I highly recommend this book.