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A review by baizil_nut
Someone Else's Shoes by Jojo Moyes
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Charming book about overcoming challenges, female friendship, and literally walking a mile in someone else’s shoes.
I think the supporting characters could have done with some more fleshing out. For example, I like how Phil had his own short chapter from his perspective, and I think Jasmine, Grace and Ray would have benefitted from similar treatment. As it was those three characters didn’t fully make sense to me e.g. Jasmine, a black single mother working two jobs to support teenager daughter Grace, just let a wealthy white divorcee (and apparently other down on their luck strangers) sleep in Grace’s room with barely any questions asked… If I was Grace I would feel so unsafe in that situation. Then Ray being gay & suicidal felt like it was just used as a plot point to soften main character Nisha, without really exploring Ray’s perspective or situation. And thenSam’s daughter Cat felt like a throwaway character to me- although funny that her mum is called Sam- was that consciously, subconsciously, or just coincidentally inspired by the Nickelodeon TV show called Sam & Cat? 😆
Overall a heartwarming story, just a couple of little gripes.
I think the supporting characters could have done with some more fleshing out. For example, I like how Phil had his own short chapter from his perspective, and I think Jasmine, Grace and Ray would have benefitted from similar treatment. As it was those three characters didn’t fully make sense to me e.g. Jasmine, a black single mother working two jobs to support teenager daughter Grace, just let a wealthy white divorcee (and apparently other down on their luck strangers) sleep in Grace’s room with barely any questions asked… If I was Grace I would feel so unsafe in that situation. Then Ray being gay & suicidal felt like it was just used as a plot point to soften main character Nisha, without really exploring Ray’s perspective or situation. And thenSam’s daughter Cat felt like a throwaway character to me- although funny that her mum is called Sam- was that consciously, subconsciously, or just coincidentally inspired by the Nickelodeon TV show called Sam & Cat? 😆
Overall a heartwarming story, just a couple of little gripes.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny and Suicide attempt