Title: Me Before You
Author: Jojo Moyes
Rating: ★★★★★

This book was an emotional roller coaster. I won’t lie: I was wary about reading it. I tend to stay away from books that have a lot of hype, especially when they’re about to be made into movies, because I always end up feeling underwhelmed when I read them. I added it to me TBR list anyway, since the synopsis was interesting and the plot seemed different and unique enough that I figured I might end up enjoying it, but I honestly wasn’t really planning to read it anytime soon. It was going to be a “filler” book-something to pass the time between releases of books I’ve been waiting to read-and not something I was expecting a whole lot out of. As with The Dark Days Club, I was once again sorely mistaken.

Me Before You was one of the best books I’ve read so far this year. I laughed. I cried. I cursed. I made obnoxious noises of disbelief and anger (that ending, that ending). The relationship between Lou and Will was so honest and beautiful and I loved seeing it grow over the events of the novel. Lou’s feelings towards him changed so gradually that, like her, I didn’t notice how they had shifted from feelings of friendship to deeper romantic love until it was all consuming.

“I know it’s not how you would have chosen it, but I know I can make you happy. And all I can say is that you make me…you make me into someone I couldn’t even imagine. You make me happy, even when you’re awful. I would rather be with you-even the you that you seem to think is diminished-than with anyone else in the world.”

The writing itself was wonderful and compelling. A lot of what was written and the reactions and choices made by the characters were completely realistic and natural. The blend between the humor and the emotional and the serious issues in the book was balanced nicely and no doubt one of the reasons I enjoyed it so very much. I’m glad I took the chance on this book, because this is a story I will not be forgetting anytime soon.