The One Plus One by JoJo Moyes

JoJo Moyes is one of my favourite authors, and her writing is so clever and sensitive that I can see why her books are bestsellers in the UK.  However, although I found The One Plus One a riveting story, I didn't like it as much as her other books, because much of it is just sooooo depressing.

The One Plus One raises an interesting moral issue. Does doing the wrong thing always have consequences?  Jess is about to find out after she 'borrows' a large sum of money from Ed Nicholls when she is in a desperate situation.  A divorced cleaner who lives on a housing estate with two children, she struggles to earn money, and she wants to give her brilliant child the chance to win a scholarship to go to a private school.  The family also has to deal with the incredibly nasty and bullying neighbours.

Ed is also in despair.  He got involved with a manipulative go-getting woman, and he's now faced with charges of insider trading.  He could lose everything.

When arrogant Ed and broken-hearted Jess travel to Scotland together so that Tanzie can compete in the Olympiad, they have a lot to learn.  Jess is desperate but she is always optimistic.  Is she right?

This is a moving love story but it also paints a grim picture of modern life. It's worth reading and I recommend it (although it's a bit rough at times), but don't read it if you want to escape!

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