Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

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After scanning through several reviews* I observed a running theme with statements from readers of Me Before You: "this is not a romance, this isn't chick lit, the valentine's-esque cover of the book is a false alarm," etc. All of which were high praises in this context and peaked my interest.  So after being on the fence, I was sufficiently left with the desire to actually read it. I still didn't know a. what the story was actually about. b. how impacting said story would be.

When the owner of local coffee shop, The Buttered Bun, decides to close up shop Louisa Clark's previously play-it-safe lifestyle is left in the balance.  So begins her hunt for a new job and an incredible journey for Lou, her new employer and the reader.

That's all I can say about the plot. Sharing any more would ruin this suspenseful,  thought-provoking, tearjerker of a heartfelt novel. Well, it would have for me if I'd known any more of this storyline's path anyway. Moyes covers a lot of ground in this novel.  Her characters, physical and emotional, flaws are melancholy yet inspiring.  She elegantly delves into a topic riddled with controversy, allowing the reader to truly examine both seemingly hopeless options at hand.  Dramatic, but without Hollywood glamour, this novel is a challenging story that will make you question your moral understanding of life. As other reviewers have previously nailed on the head, this is not a romance. But it is a story about love and the human spirit.  5/5 stars

*My potential reading choices are chosen by a quick, decisive process that I've honed to a science over the years. I skim and glaze over book jackets, reviews, and advanced praise to gather just enough info to decide if I'm interested in a book or not... If I know too much about the plot I'm immediately deterred to read it, so less is more when it comes to my enjoyment of a book.