Following the success of her 2012 novel 'Me Before You, now a major motion picture, Jojo Moyes is back with a gripping sequel. 'After You' packs a headrush of emotion into every single page and keeps you guessing until the very end.
'After You' picks up eighteen months after the first heart-wrenching novel ended. Lou Clark no longer lives in the narrow-minded folds of her hometown; she's travelled the world, purchased a flat in London with the money Will, her former quadriplegic love interest, left to her. The main character is a shell of her former self and all she's left with is a dead-end job, few and far between interactions and a heavy sense of grief that's taken over her entire being.
The sequel was always going to be a gloomy one but Moyes still has the knack for making readers laugh when everything is crumbling in the narrative. 'After You' showcases the author's talent for penning heart-pounding twists - the first of which takes place at the end of chapter one with Lou falling off the roof of a building. A short while later we're introduced to 'Ambulance' Sam, 16-year-old Lily and the mismatched strangers at the 'Moving On' therapy group who all have a crucial impact in how the story unfolds, but it's far from what you'll expect.
The absence of Will is felt heavily throughout the novel, although Moyes adds a backstory to his character through his familiar, yet grieving parents. It's an effortlessly enticing plot that you'll want to devour in one sitting and as soon as you put it down you'll want to pick it up and start all over again.
'After You' touches on dark subjects but the main focus is on Lou and her journey of coming to terms with her grief. Loss and the fear of starting over play a role in nearly everybody's lives at some point, so it's not too difficult to identify with either. Standout quotes such as: "You live and you throw yourself into everything and try not to think about the bruises" will have fans and readers crying out for a third book immediately.
Words Lauren Wade
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