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July 21, 2014

Review: One Plus One by Jojo Moyes - Road trip anyone?

One Plus One
Title: One Plus One 

Author: Jojo Moyes 
Publisher: Penguin Canada 
Publication date: July 1, 2014
Genre(s): Chick Lit 
Source: Publisher
Format: Finished Copy 
Pages: 384
Suppose your life sucks. A lot. Your husband has done a vanishing act, your teenage stepson is being bullied and your math whiz daughter has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that you can’t afford to pay for. That’s Jess’s life in a nutshell—until an unexpected knight-in-shining-armor offers to rescue them. Only Jess’s knight turns out to be Geeky Ed, the obnoxious tech millionaire whose vacation home she happens to clean. But Ed has big problems of his own, and driving the dysfunctional family to the Math Olympiad feels like his first unselfish act in ages . . . maybe ever.
One Plus One was fabulous, a perfect book with a well written plot line. I don't think I've ever read a chick lit road trip book. This is my first try at Jojo Moyes's writing and it is definitely not my last. The plot was refreshing and definitely unique in the way that the romance was presented as well as the issues the characters face and the relationship between them. It was told from multiple POVs that included the main protagonist, Jess, the love interest, tech millionaire Ed, Jess's math genius daughter and bullied step son. 
Jess is trying to make ends meet with working two jobs and trying to keep her family afloat. Her husband left her two years ago and hasn't helped with child support because of his "illness" which is apparently depression? anyways, that's not where Jesse's problems end. Her step son is being bullied and beaten up on a weekly basis and her young daughter just got the best opportunity of her life, to go to a private school with a 90% scholarship. However the 10% is still too much money for Jess. The struggle she goes through, trying to figure out a way to make it work, the desperate feeling she experiences is very sad. I really felt sad for Jess, she really was a good mom. She wants the best for both her children, even though one of them isn't even her biological son and was dumped on her, something people that she meets always find confusing. Still, she treats them both equally and with so much love, it makes me teary eyed thinking about it. 
Ed however, is in deep trouble. He did something stupid and is now being investigated and banned from getting near his company or touching any work related material. One night Ed was driving, trying to occupy his time before he goes full on crazy when he sees Jess and her kids on the side of the road, car not working, and police talking to them. Next thing we know, Ed is driving the whole family to Scotland. What's hilarious is that Tanzie, Jess's daughter, will throw up if she's in a car that's at a speed higher than 40 mile/hr. Also, another someone worth mentioning was the family dog. Even though he doesn't speak (obviously) he had a very big presence in this book and I loved him! The road trip was all kinds of hilarious scenes but witnessing all the people getting closer together, forming connections, trust, and leaning on each other really made me teary eyed multiple times. The relationship between Ed and the kids was especially sweet. 
One Plus One was more about the people, their issues, and how leaning on each other and trusting each other and opening up your heart to them is sometimes what is missing in your life. Of course a romance in a chick lit is inevitable but I felt that Jojo Moyes focused more on each individual. Not that the romance wasn't good, because it was really well done. I Truly loved her writing and her storytelling style. I already own Me Before You and I am excited to pick it up. I'm definitely going to make it a goal of mine to go through her bibliography and read all her books. 

6 comments:

  1. I have always wanted to read a Jojo Moyes book. This one sounds perfect and I am glad you liked it so much. I might just have to read this one very soon. I actually have never read a road trip book before, but they always sound very interesting.
    -Chioma @ Blue Books and Butterflies

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  2. You've really hit the nail on the head with what I've come to love about Moyes books. It's all about the different relationships and learning about yourself. Dealing with what life throws at them. She knows how to maximum your emotions. God, I love her. I need to pick this one up ASAP. And you HAVE to let me know as soon as you get to Me Before You. It is one of my favourite books.
    Great review!
    Brittany @ This is the Story of My(Reading) Life

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  3. Yay for family dog, lol :D Amazing review sweetie. <3 I'm glad you loved this book so much. It isn't a book for me, not yet, but maybe someday :) Thank you for sharing. <3

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  4. Ooh, this sounds so good! I haven't read a Jojo Moyes yet, but a few friends recommended her books to me.

    I feel like I'm going to love this one! Great review!

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  5. Sounds like a great read! I'll definitely add this to my TBR. I've only read one of Jojo Moyes, Me Before You. You should read it too! :)

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  6. I might get an audio copy of this after reading your review, Juhina. This sounds fabulous and everything I love in a book! :)

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