We All Live Here by Jojo Moyes

The #1 New York Times bestselling author, whose books so many love, brings us a fresh, contemporary story of a woman and her unruly blended family

Lila Kennedy has a lot on her plate. A broken marriage, two wayward daughters, a house that is falling apart, and an elderly stepfather who seems to have quietly moved in. Her career is in freefall and her love life is... complicated. So when her real dad—a man she has barely seen since he ran off to Hollywood thirty-five years ago—suddenly appears on her doorstep, it feels like the final straw. But it turns out even the family you thought you could never forgive might have something to teach about love, and what it actually means to be family.

Hardcover, 450 pages

Published February 11, 2025

 by Pamela Dorman Books

4/5 stars

Jojo Moyes latest book released this past February. It is the story of a newly divorced woman with two daughters and still grieving the recent loss of her mother. Her stepfather has moved in with her to help her cope, and her career is slowly spiraling down the drain . There’s a lot going on in this book, but weaves together nicely.

We All Live Here is a well written story of a woman who seems lost as her life is not turning out the way she expected. They were funny moments, there were cringe worthy moments as Lila struggles to be a mother to teenagers, write her latest book and then to top everything off her estranged father shows up on her doorstep. Coming in at 450 pages it seemed a little longer than necessary, but it was still an interesting read that felt authentic, I felt exhausted myself reading some of the things she was going through. There are a couple different points of view here besides Lila, one being her daughter who is being bullied at school. So yea there is some relevant subject matter going on.

All in all an entertaining read with likeable characters in real life situations.

This book was part of my 2025 reading off my shelf challenge and is book #14. Yeah I read it back in February when it was released.

Someone Else's Shoes by Jojo Moyes

A story of mix-ups, mess-ups and making the most of second chances, this is the new novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Jojo Moyes, author of Me Before You and The Giver of Stars.

Who are you when you are forced to walk in someone else’s shoes?

Nisha Cantor lives the globetrotting life of the seriously wealthy, until her husband announces a divorce and cuts her off. Nisha is determined to hang onto her glamorous life. But in the meantime, she must scramble to cope--she doesn’t even have the shoes she was, until a moment ago, standing in.

That’s because Sam Kemp – in the bleakest point of her life – has accidentally taken Nisha’s gym bag. But Sam hardly has time to worry about a lost gym bag--she’s struggling to keep herself and her family afloat. When she tries on Nisha’s six-inch high Christian Louboutin red crocodile shoes, the resulting jolt of confidence that makes her realize something must change—and that thing is herself.

Full of Jojo Moyes’ signature humor, brilliant storytelling, and warmth, Someone Else’s Shoes is a story about how just one little thing can suddenly change everything.

Hardcover, 438 pages

Published February 7, 2023

by Pamela Dorman Books

4.5/5 stars

This was my February BOTM pick, the premise sounded like fun and the cover was eye catchings.  Though I will say that I went in a little cautious, Jojo Moyes has been a hit or miss author for me.

The situation started innocently enough but quickly evolves into a situation that forces these 2 women, Sam and Nisha, to make some serious changes.  And it all started over a pair of shoes.  I will say that I began this book thinking it would be more a comedic read but that part didn't happen till the last third of the book.  And yes 438 pages is a fair sized story but it was enough to really get to know Sam and Nisha.

Sam has so many things on her plate, I won't name everything but suffice to say stress and anxiety are her middle name.  But for some reason these new shoes make her feel different, in a good way.  But is it enough?

Enter Nisha, the snotty, rich pampered wife gets a rude awakening when she not only has Sam's shoes but her life takes a 180 turn in a matter of seconds.

Someone Else's Shoes was a fun and well written story that kept me entertained.  I did both a read and audio-read, both of which I recommend.  Not only was this a journey for these 2 women but for some great characters as well.  The ending was great, I loved it, definitely didn't see that coming.

All in all a thoroughly enjoyable read.

This book was part of my 2023 Reading Off My Shelf Challenge #28

Audio Review: The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes

From the author of Me Before You, set in Depression-era America, a breathtaking story of five extraordinary women and their remarkable journey through the mountains of Kentucky and beyond.

Alice Wright marries handsome American Bennett Van Cleve hoping to escape her stifling life in England. But small-town Kentucky quickly proves equally claustrophobic, especially living alongside her overbearing father-in-law. So when a call goes out for a team of women to deliver books as part of Eleanor Roosevelt’s new traveling library, Alice signs on enthusiastically.

The leader, and soon Alice’s greatest ally, is Margery, a smart-talking, self-sufficient woman who’s never asked a man’s permission for anything. They will be joined by three other singular women who become known as the Packhorse Librarians of Kentucky.

What happens to them–and to the men they love–becomes an unforgettable drama of loyalty, justice, humanity and passion. These heroic women refuse to be cowed by men or by convention. And though they face all kinds of dangers in a landscape that is at times breathtakingly beautiful, at others brutal, they’re committed to their job: bringing books to people who have never had any, arming them with facts that will change their lives.

Based on a true story rooted in America’s past, The Giver of Stars is unparalleled in its scope and epic in its storytelling. Funny, heartbreaking, enthralling, it is destined to become a modern classic–a richly rewarding novel of women’s friendship, of true love, and of what happens when we reach beyond our grasp for the great beyond.

Hardcover, 388 pages

Published October 8th 2019

 by Pamela Dorman Books

2.5/5 stars

I have only ever read 2 books by Jojo Moyes, both were historical and I was excited to read this one.  Unfortunately I am in the minority in regards to my thoughts of The Giver of Stars.

This was an audio read for me and I'm glad I went that route, sadly it might have been a dnf otherwise. I struggled to connect not just with the charIacters but the story as well.  Maybe my expectations were too high but I was looking forward to more of a historical story but this just felt flat to me. Though I will say the friendship that developed between these women helped me to continue listening.  But it wasn't until the last third or so where I felt the story picked up, it had the suspense, mystery and intrigue that I craved even though that was drawn out somewhat.

I remember when this book was first released, a few months after The Bookwomen of Troublesome Creek (which I loved) was released.  There was talk of similarities between these 2 books.  personally I didn't see any, the characters were totally different as was the tone and plot.

Like I said I know that I am in the minority with my thoughts, others loved it so if you like historical fiction in an area relatively unknown then give this one a try.

This book was part of my 2021 Reading of My Shelf Challenge - audiobook via the library via Overdrive.

2014 in Review - Part 1 - New to me authors

2014 was a wonderful reading year for me, I set a goal of reading 100 books and actually managed to read 132 books. Wow!

To just do a post of my favorites is hard, so I decided to have a couple of theme favorites.  Today I am focusing on 'new to me' authors.  I love discovering new authors, this year I read 62 books by authors I have never read from before.  Some of the themes for these posts will overlap (ie favorites audios might also be 'new to me' authors too and won't show up on this post but will be coming next Saturday)

Here are some of my favorites in no particular order:
(click on the cover will take you to goodreads, click on the title and that will take you to my review)

Edwin: High King of Britain by Edoardo Albert

Book 1 in the Northumbrian Thrones Series.  This is one of the first books I recommend when someone is looking for a good book.  There is so much going on here and I can't wait for book 2 to come out.

 Thornwood House by Anna Romer

I inhaled this book, loved it!

The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes

“Sometimes life is a series of obstacles, a matter of putting one foot in front of the other. Sometimes, she realizes suddenly, it is simply a matter of blind faith.”  

Gracelin O'Malley by Ann Moore

I love a historical saga, stories that I can get lost in, ones that stay with me long after I finish reading.  Stories that tell me a part of history I know next to nothing about. That is exactly what Gracelin O'Malley is.  Ann Moore has written a powerful book that takes the reader back to 1840's Ireland.

Night of a Thousand Stars by Deanna Raybourn

"There was an element of game to it all, like a chess match with an unseen opponent, pitting one's wits against another's. But there would be no civilized handshake at the end of this, no cordial goodbyes. There would be winners and losers, and the the stakes were death."

Lies Told in Silence by M.K. Tod

"No, she thought, war is for history books, not for us to experience firsthand. It's for faraway places known only on maps."

Powerful book! 

Puritan Witch by Penni Jo Renner

Although a quick read I found that it was an emotional read, entranced right from the beginning and hard to put down.

 The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd

"The truth is that every girl must have ambition knocked out of her for her own good. You are unusual only in your determination to fight what is inevitable. You resisted and so it came to this, to be broken like a horse."

 Degrees of Courage by Shari Vester

This book emphasized the importance of family and good friends, of staying true to oneself through the many turmoils endured. Stayed with me long after I finished it.

 Sinful Folk by Ned Hayes

"Everything is gone, everything except my memories of a life where I was loved, where I was someone with a future, instead of someone with only a past."

The Ship of Brides by Jojo Moyes

From the New York Times bestselling author of Me Before You and One Plus One, a post-WWII story of the war brides who crossed the seas by the thousands to face their unknown futures

1946. World War II has ended and all over the world, young women are beginning to fulfill the promises made to the men they wed in wartime.

In Sydney, Australia, four women join 650 other war brides on an extraordinary voyage to England—aboard HMS Victoria, which still carries not just arms and aircraft but a thousand naval officers. Rules are strictly enforced, from the aircraft carrier’s captain down to the lowliest young deckhand. But the men and the brides will find their lives intertwined despite the Navy’s ironclad sanctions. And for Frances Mackenzie, the complicated young woman whose past comes back to haunt her far from home, the journey will change her life in ways she never could have predicted—forever. 

Published May 27th 2014 by Penguin Books (first published 2005)

my copy provided by netgalley for an honest review

****

My second Jojo Moyes book this year, I loved The Girl You Left Behind and was careful not to let my expectations get too high for this one.  I was not disappointed.  This is a part of history that I actually never realized took place and found it not just entertaining but educational as well.

The story begins in current time period but quickly jumps back to 1946. World War II has ended and 650 war brides begin their journey from Sydney, Australia to  be reunited with their husbands in England.    Focusing on 4 women during this voyage it was hard not to connect with then.  Each wife has a different story to tell and the author did a stellar job describing their different backgrounds and how they ended up on board the HMS Victoria (which is an aircraft carrier and full of naval officers).  This is a six week journey which gives the reader more time to get to know them, to discover their fears and apprehension for the future.  When I sat back and thought about it, 650 Australian born women leaving behind family and friends, traveling so far away to begin a new life in a different country.  I think that I would be more than a little apprehensive.  

This is a very involved story that the author brought to life.  Jojo Moyes used actually diary entries and newspaper clippings to enhance the book and give it the authentic feel for that time period.

When I finished the book I thought that a sequel would be nice, as it would be interesting to see how life turned out in England for these War Brides.

The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes

What happened to the girl you left behind?

In 1916, French artist Edouard Lefevre leaves his wife Sophie to fight at the Front. When her town falls into German hands, his portrait of Sophie stirs the heart of the local Kommandant and causes her to risk everything - her family, reputation and life - in the hope of seeing her true love one last time.

Nearly a century later and Sophie's portrait is given to Liv by her young husband shortly before his sudden death. Its beauty speaks of their short life together, but when the painting's dark and passion-torn history is revealed, Liv discovers that the first spark of love she has felt since she lost him is threatened...

In The Girl You Left Behind two young women, separated by a century, are united in their determination to fight for the thing they love most - whatever the cost.

Hardcover, 384 pages

Published August 20th 2013 by Pamela Dorman Books

“Sometimes life is a series of obstacles, a matter of putting one foot in front of the other. Sometimes, she realizes suddenly, it is simply a matter of blind faith.”  

Beginning in German occupied France during WWI we are introduced to Sophie and her sister Helene.  Sophie's story takes up the first part of this book before jumping to present day London where we meet Liv.  Then it weaves back and forth.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it showed the real and raw effects of war and the repercussions through the years. It showed (and I felt) the heartache and sorrow on this little town that at one time I pictured to be quaint and friendly, now its full of gossip, judgement and scandal.

What connects Sophie and Liv is a painting that Sophie's husband Edouard created entitled 'The Girl You Left Behind'.  As the history of the painting unfold Liv's life takes a drastic turn.

I didn't rush through this book, I knew right away I was in for a treat.  When my kindle informed me that only 2 hours were left in this book I thought rather than rush the ending I waited for a couple hours when I was home alone, the dog was walked and a beverage was within reach.  I had no idea how the author was going to resolve the conflicts in a manner that would satisfy this reader.  Also provide an ending that wasn't far fetched or corny.

Well she did it!!!

Definitely an author I will be reading more of.

Thank you netgalley for providing me with a copy for review.