Publishers Weekly
09/12/2016
In this vibrant collection containing one novella and eight short stories, Moyes (Me Before You) once again focuses primarily on heroines who discover their deeper strength and learn about themselves during periods of emotional strife. The stories all deal in some way with romantic entanglements. New passions, old trysts, a Twitter scandal, a heist, and even Louboutin shoes fill up these short but sweet tales. The jewel of the collection is the title novella, “Paris for One,” in which Nell has uncharacteristically splurged on a romantic weekend getaway to Paris for herself and her boyfriend. He fails to arrive, and Nell—a micro-manager who is known to make pro-and-con lists before deciding what sandwich to eat—finds herself suddenly alone in a foreign country. In fewer than 150 pages Moyes creates a fully dynamic and compelling leading woman. In the face of rejection and adversity, Nell begins to learn exactly who she is and what she is capable of. Other stories include a jewelry-store robbery with an amorous twist, the tale of a middle-aged woman who spends a day literally in someone else’s shoes, and a Christmas shopping frenzy that reveals to a harried wife what is really important in life. Bold, humorous, and genuine, the stories in this collection are classic Moyes and will appeal to fans of her novels and newcomers alike. Agent: Sheila Crowley, Curtis Brown Creative. (Nov.)
From the Publisher
Praise for Paris for One and Other Stories:
“Moyes is in fine, cheeky form in this collection of short fiction, deploying the wit and charm that animates Me Before You and her other popular novels. The title novella offers a vicarious jolt of Parisian romance, while shorter stories deliver pithy insights into the joys and woes of marriage, ending with delightful twists.” —People
“An old-fashioned, feel-good love story. . . ["Paris for One" is] as light as a French pastry. It will make you smile and even, maybe, sigh. It’s as if Moyes has booked a vacation and is taking us along. To Paris. Amour! . . . Think of these short fictions as palate cleansers after the sweet, tasty Parisian treat Moyes so deliciously serves up.” –USA Today
“Paris for One and Other Stories. . . [is] dreamy escapism, a book you can curl up with and easily finish over a weekend, with or without a glass of wine.” –Miami Herald
"[A] charming novella. . . [and] a collection of short stories rounds out the work and adds up to an engaging way to spend fall's first chilly afternoon.”—Good Housekeeping
“These stories are a treat—quick, short nibbles of Moyes’ character genius, storytelling charisma, and writing grace, plus a new, intriguing format for the author, with the occasional surprising twist.” —Kirkus Reviews
"Vibrant. . .Bold, humorous and genuine, the stories in this collection are classic Moyes." —Publishers Weekly
Praise for After You:
"Jojo Moyes has a hit with After You.”—USA Today
“Think Elizabeth Bennet after Darcy’s eventual death; Alice after Gertrude; Wilbur after Charlotte. The 'aftermath' is a subject most writers understandably avoid, but Moyes has tackled it and given readers an affecting, even entertaining female adventure tale about a broken heroine who ultimately rouses herself and falls in love again, this time with the possibilities in her own future..” —Maureen Corrigan, Fresh Air, NPR
“The genius of Moyes . . . [is that she] peers deftly into class issues, social mores, and complicated relationships that raise as many questions as they answer. And yet there is always resolution. It’s not always easy, it’s not always perfect, it’s sometimes messy and not completely satisfying. But sometimes it is.” —Bobbi Dumas, NPR.org
“Charming.”— People
“Expect tears and belly laughs from Me Before You’s much anticipated sequel.” —Cosmopolitan
“Moyes is at her most charming here, writing with a sense of humorous affection about family dynamics among working-class Brits. . . a Maeve Binchy for the 21st century.” —Kirkus Reviews
“[A] heart-tugger.” —Good Housekeeping
“Like its predecessor [Me Before You], After You is a comic and breezy novel that also tackles bigger, more difficult subjects, in this case grief and moving on. . . . We all lose what we love at some point, but in her poignant, funny way, Moyes reminds us that even if it’s not always happy, there is an ever after.” —Miami Herald
“Once again, Moyes delivers a heart-wrenching and relatable book about love and loss that will stay with you long after you’ve finished.” —InStyle.com
“Moyes wisely knows that life-changing events don’t always change our lives for the better. . . . After You may not be the sequel you expect, but it is the sequel you needed.” —Entertainment Weekly
“After You is an immersive experience, inviting readers back into the homes of the characters they fell in love with in Me Before You. They’ll experience the mourning that follows a devastating loss, and the glimmers of hope that propel the brokenhearted forward.” —BookPage
“[After You] left me thrilled by the possibilities of fiction to entertain and inform, and astounded by [Moyes’s] deep well of talent and imagination.” —Bask magazine
Praise for Me Before You:
“A hilarious, heartbreaking, riveting novel . . . I will stake my reputation on this book.” —Anne Lamott, People
“When I finished this novel, I didn’t want to review it: I wanted to reread it. . . . An affair to remember.” —The New York Times Book Review
“An unlikely love story . . . To be devoured like candy, between tears.” —O, The Oprah Magazine
“Funny and moving but never predictable.” —USA Today (four stars)
“Masterful . . . a heartbreaker in the best sense . . . Me Before You is achingly hard to read at moments, and yet such a joy.” —New York Daily News
Praise for One Plus One:
“Safety advisory: If you’re planning to read Jojo Moyes’s One Plus One on your summer vacation, slather on plenty of SPF 50. Once you start the book, you probably won’t look up again until you’re the last one left on the beach. . . . [A] wonderful new novel.” —The Washington Post
“Jojo Moyes’ new novel One Plus One adds up to a delightful summer read, where the whole is greater than the sum of its charming parts. . . . Moyes’ observations on modern life are dryly hilarious. . . . You don’t need to be a math whiz to figure out this book is one worth adding to your summer reading list.” —USA Today (four stars)
“Bridget Jones meets Little Miss Sunshine in this witty British romp from bestseller Moyes. . . . Wryly romantic and surprisingly suspenseful.” —People
“Fans of the 2006 summer sleeper hit Little Miss Sunshine will find a lot to love in British author Jojo Moyes’ latest, about a madcap road trip that’s packed to the boot with familial drama, class clashes, and romance.” —Entertainment Weekly (A-)
“No need to worry where this road trip is headed. Just sit back, roll down your window and enjoy being a passenger.” —Cleveland Plain Dealer
Library Journal
09/15/2016
The latest from Moyes (Me Before You) is a collection made up of the title novella plus an additional eight stories. Even those who think they don't like short stories will be charmed by this volume. The tone is light throughout, held together by a general theme of women finding themselves, either through leaving relationships, discovering new ones, or appreciating the ones they have. The title story provides the perfect visit to the world of every romantic movie you've ever watched. As this collection is releasing for the holiday book season, the final story takes place at Christmastime, with a busy woman trying to finish her shopping with the help of a London cabbie. The conclusion is unexpected and witty, with a touch of melancholy, which may just describe the feel of the whole book. VERDICT This brief but entertaining anthology, told with Moyes's patented mix of romance and gentle social commentary, sticks closely to the feel of her previous works, so current fans will be greatly satisfied. Also recommended for genre readers who are looking for something short and sweet. [See Prepub Alert, 5/23/16.]—Melanie Kindrachuk, Stratford P.L., Ont.
NOVEMBER 2016 - AudioFile
Smooth performances by narrators Fiona Hardingham, Susan Duerden, Jayne Entwistle, Olivia Mackenzie-Smith, and Katharine McEwan bring out serendipity’s sweet surprises and sometimes ironic influences in these stories about love and self-discovery. In the title story, 26-year-old Nell’s seemingly doomed weekend in Paris leads to a serendipitous meeting. Nell’s initially anxious tone denotes loneliness and shame, but her tone becomes light and excited as she gains the confidence to experience France with Fabien. In “Holdups,” a straightforward delivery and well-timed pauses bring out the irony as a forthright and predictable hostage named Alice captures the heart of her captor. In “A Bird in the Hand,” listeners are privy to an uneasy reunion between two people that is effectively conveyed through the their strained conversation, which alludes to the irony of the moment when fate swooped in and changed their lives. M.F. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Review
2016-07-27
Moyes (After You, 2015, etc.) explores the lives of unsatisfied women in this collection of short stories and a novella.In the title novella, a young woman named Nell plans a romantic weekend trip to Paris only to find out that her jerk of a boyfriend made a last-minute decision not to accompany her. Although Nell typically plays it safe, she eventually decides to enjoy her time in Paris alone. Her newfound sense of adventure allows her to enjoy the romance and excitement of the city (and a new man). Most of the short stories here follow a similar format: a woman who is unsatisfied with her relationship stumbles into a new situation or makes an out-of-character decision. One woman runs into an old lover at a party, one wears another woman’s shoes and experiences surprising results, and another ends up involved in a bank robbery. Women try out new identities, styles, and relationships and then either make triumphant changes or realize how wonderful their lives really were in the first place. This leads to a series of stories that can feel a bit homogenous, but Moyes’ engaging writing keeps things enjoyable. While there's nothing earth-shattering in this collection, it’s a pleasant and charming read. Me Before You fans searching for the same emotional intensity should probably look elsewhere, but these stories make for a diverting treat while waiting for Moyes to write her next tear-jerker.
