So this is my third Jojo Moyes book this year and while it wasn’t my favorite it was still very good; Moyes is becoming a consistent favorite of mine.
Unlike the other two Moyes books I read this year, One Plus One only has one timeline, there is no big mystery and it’s a pretty straightforward read.
Our story is told by 4 different perspectives: Jess, Nicky, Tanzie and Ed.
Jess is a single mother of two who is constantly optimistic about the future despite working two jobs just to keep afloat. Her husband, Marty, abandoned his family two years ago and has made no attempts to help with finances because he had a mental breakdown. Tanzie is Jess’ ten year old daughter who excels at Math and has the opportunity to go to an elite private school if her mother can come up with the registration fee. Her best friend is her smelly dog, Norman. Nicky is Marty’s son by a previous relationship who was abandoned by his mother when he was eight. He is constantly beaten up by some neighborhood bullies for being different. Ed is a successful software developer who runs into a bit of legal trouble when an ex-girlfriend profits from his company’s IPO. Jess cleans his beachfront house but they’ve never really met prior to the story’s events.
Tanzie is invited to compete in a Math Olympiad in Scotland with a grand prize of 5,000 pounds; determined to give her daughter a brighter future Jess comes up with a half-assed plan to get them to Scotland that is over before she begins. Ed, who recognizes Jess from the bar she works at, steps in and offers to drive Jess and her family to Scotland for the Olympiad. Jess is both hesitant to accept his charity as well as determined to give her daughter a chance for the future.
We all know where this is going. Everything that can go wrong does go wrong and it’s a pretty predictable that our two adults will get physical but does that make it any less of an enjoyable read? Time to look for my next Moyes read.
It’s very important to note the dog, Norman, is OK.
