Me Before You was my favorite book in 2015, and one of my favorites of all time. I wasn't sure I wanted to read about Louisa after Will's death. I am glad I did though. This book wasn't the "page-turner" that Me Before You was, and it didn't leave me bawling my eyes out at 3:00am, but it was appropriately good.
Louisa drove me a little crazy at times - especially when she turned down the New York job! That was the most frustrating part of the story for me because I really, really wanted her to move on with her life and get out of the ridiculous work situation with Richard and that awful uniform! It's not that I wanted her to leave Lily or Sam, but I kept waiting for her to do something - one thing! - for herself. I could not believe that she asked Richard for her job back either! I think I would have worked anywhere but there. I guess the point was, jobs were hard to come by, and Louisa needed to figure things out in her own time. Thank goodness she did!
This book was satisfying to me for a couple of reasons: Louisa found love again - and to a really good man - and she followed through with moving on with her life, despite her love for Sam. I would have been disappointed in Sam if he had tried to make her stay, or feel guilty for going. I would have been disappointed in Louisa if she decided to stay because of Sam and/or Lily. Louisa made the best possible decision for herself.
I am glad that the author fleshed out Lily's story for us. I am glad there were reasons that Lily stole from her mother and Louisa. I didn't want her to be just a lying thief! I felt bad for her - one error in judgment really affected her life negatively. She really didn't have anyone that she trusted enough to share her story. I understood why she didn't tell Louisa, because it would have been humiliating, but I am really glad she did in the end.
Sam was awesome! I completely didn't predict the true connection between Sam and Jake. That was a twist that I didn't see coming. I thought maybe Jake was just lying about his father "shagging" everyone in sight and then crying about it. I mean, he was a teenager who had lost his mother. I was relieved by the truth though about Sam!
Will this be the end of the story for Louisa, Sam, Lily and company...? Who knows! The ending was satisfying to me (because I know that Louisa will come back for Sam after she has fulfilled her commitment to her new employer - as well as to Will and herself), so I would be fine either way!
Wendy's Rating: ****
I am glad you liked it! It was an adequate follow up because it dodn't try to compete with the first book. It gave everyone closure.
ReplyDeleteWell, kind of.... ;) We really don't know for sure if Louisa comes back for Sam, but I like to think that she does!
ReplyDeleteWell, there is never closure in books because there is always a character that is still moving on. So, I guess this book had as much closure as anyone could expect.
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