A review by frtps
After You by Jojo Moyes

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

2.75

1 - 2 DNF 2-3 Entertaining 3 - 4 Literary merit 5 Life-changing

Louisa is an endearing, funny character, wearing her heart on her sleeve as she struggles to get back on her feet. But somewhere in the second half of the book I felt that the story turned into an everywoman tale of families, teenagers, romance, jobs and for me it lost a certain charm and became just a little ordinary. The last few chapters I kept expecting that the story was over, before yet another chapter with yet another loose end tied up. Look, the book's heart is in the right place, and I appreciate that readers wanted to find out how Louisa ended up after the first book, and this story is as good an answer as any: everything worked out OK. But it lacked the bite of the first book.