One Plus One is the story of a single mom of three – a mathematical wunderkind daughter, the son of her estranged husband and his ex, and a stinky, lovable dog – and her fight to give her children a better life. When her daughter is offered a spot at a prestigious school with a generous scholarship, she must find a way to afford the rest. A math competition is announced, and the top prize is enough money to pay the school fees. The only problem? The competition is in another town and their only form of transportation is spotty, at best. Chaos ensues, yet in the midst of the mayhem buds a beautiful relationship that has the potential to change everything.
One Plus One was pure entertainment. When I read a book with character development and an engaging plot, I often have to give myself a brief period upon completion to grieve. This is one of those books. It seems like I’ve read quite a few fiction books lately that don’t give the characters the attention they deserve. So many authors, it seems, are trying to follow the formula that so many recent successes have used, not realizing that the main difference between their own novel and the ones that rise to the top lies in creating, investing in, and evolving the characters. Thankfully, Moyes provided me with a breath of fresh air.
If you’ve read and enjoyed Moyes’ more well-known Me Before You, you will like this one, as well. Though, be prepared for a much lighter experience. And if you haven’t yet read Me Before You, do yourself a favor and pick that one up as well!
