Title : The One Plus One
Author : JoJo Moyes
Publication date : 27th February 2014
Publisher : Penguin UK
Purchase eBook: Kindle
Purchase paper book: Amazon
Rating : 5 out of 5 LeeLee’s!
One single mum – With two jobs and two children, Jess Thomas does her best day after day. But it’s hard on your own. And sometimes you take risks you shouldn’t. Because you have to …
One chaotic family – Jess’s gifted, quirky daughter Tanzie is brilliant with numbers, but without a helping hand she’ll never get the chance to shine. And Nicky, Jess’s teenage stepson, can’t fight the bullies alone. Sometimes Jess feels like they’re sinking …
One handsome stranger – Into their lives comes Ed Nicholls, a man whose life is in chaos, and who is running from a deeply uncertain future. But he has time on his hands. He knows what it’s like to be lonely. And he wants to help …
One unexpected love story – The One Plus One is a captivating and unconventional romance about two lost souls meeting in the most unlikely circumstances.
My Thoughts
The last JoJo Moyes novel I read was Me Before You and I loved it so much that I also I became a World Book Night giver for the title, it became my go to book of 2012. Whenever anyone asked me for a book recommendation this was the one, the words had left my mouth before I had the chance to think about it. This was one of those books that had me laughing uncontrollably and also crying like a baby! It was, to me, perfect. So of course I had high expectations when this book arrived, I know the authors work and I know what I like, however in no way was I expecting this to be ‘better’ or compare to the previous as of course it is a completely different novel and that wouldn’t be fair, although I was of course hoping that it would be just as enjoyable in its own right.
Without a doubt I can say that I really enjoyed The One Plus One, following a host of loveable quirky characters that I instantly connected with. The story is split into chapters that focus on events following each particular character one at a time, this sets the scene of what that person is currently going through and allows you to focus on them as singular characters and not just as a whole, I found this to be a brilliant way of introducing everyone and felt I knew more about them than I would have if it was told differently.
Jess is a single parent to maths wiz daughter, Tanzie, and withdrawn teenage stepson, Nicky. They also have a giant slobbering dog named Norman who I adored. Jess and her family struggle a lot financially, especially since her husband Marty left, working two jobs there is only so much Jess can do and cleaning the houses of the wealthy for a living can’t be the best moral booster.
When a life changing opportunity comes up for Tanzie in the form of a scholarship their is nothing Jess won’t do to support her family, with the help of Ed who is one of Jess’ clients, and a wealthy IT tech with a tonne of his own troubles, they set out on a three day car journey that they’ll never forget. Being enclosed in a small space together for a long period of time is enough to test anybody’s patience but ultimately it will either make you or break you.
I loved watching these characters open up gradually through the journey and seeing how their relationship with one another changed from the dysfunctional withdrawn family they start out as to becoming a very tight knit unit who will do anything to help one another achieve their dreams.
Verdict
JoJo Moyes has given us an in-depth tale that captures everyday life in its truest form, it isn’t extravagant or far-fetched and this allows the reader to feel naturally drawn to the characters. This is a book that deals with every day issues that many families across the UK are facing right now, financial struggles, relationship issues, bullies and more.
The one plus one is yet another compelling and heart felt read from JoJo Moyes, it is both exciting and thought-provoking, this is a novel that will have you rooting for the characters from start to finish and ultimately leave you wanting more.
Have you read this one already? Let us know your thoughts!
