Me Before You

Do not let the cover of this book lead you to believe that this is a fluffy love story. Me Before You is anything but that. This is a deeply moving book that is not just a story but a commentary on the topic of euthanasia.

Louisa Clark has lived her life by just getting by. She hasn't done anything particularly exciting and she doesn't have any extraordinary amount of self confidence that will lead her to strive to try new things. She is content working at a coffee shop and living at her parents' house in the same town that she grew up in and has spent her entire life.

Will Traynor, on the other hand, has spent his life living it to its fullest. He has traveled, had a successful career, and had his pick of girlfriends. But his life is turned around when he suffers an irreversible spinal injury that leaves him paralyzed from the neck down.

Will's mother Camilla is struggling to help her son. He has become completely depressed and she doesn't know what else she can do for him. He already has a carer that comes to the house daily to help Will with his medical needs and all the daily routines that he can no longer do by himself. But Camilla wants Will to have someone to keep him company as well, which leads her to hire Louisa who has recently lost her job at the coffee shop when it closed down.

Lou begins spending time with Will and feels completely out of place. Between his temper and her timidity, they make an awkward pair. But Lou begins to find her place and Will accepts her and starts to come out of his shell. Just as Lou and Will start finding a rhythm together, Lou overhears a conversation between Camilla and her sister. Will has given his mother 6 months, but then he wants to take his life. Devastated and angry, Louisa then forms a plan to help Will see how great his life can be and look past what he has lost. She is determined to will him to keep living and throws her heart into making Will happy. She believes that if she can show him how great his life can still be, he will change his mind about ending his life.

Moyes strings together an eloquent tale of compassion and love. Will and Lou connect in a way that neither of them has connected with someone else before, and Moyes writes their interactions and dialogue with such ease it's impossible not to like their characters. Lou creates a new world for Will in six months, taking him on new adventures and showing him he still has a life to live. In turn, Will helps Lou open herself up to possibilities beyond the tiny town and life she has confined herself to. Will tells her that it is her duty to live her life to its fullest. Lou falls in love with Will and tells him so on their final trip. The six months are up and it is a question of what decision Will is going to make after spending the last six months with Lou.

This is a non traditional and emotional love story that is more about appreciating life and living it to its fullest. Me Before You is a fantastic novel and I will definitely be reading more of Jojo Moyes' books!