September book of the month: THE ONE PLUS ONE by Jojo Moyes. Read and join Jojo for webchat on 30 September, 9-10pm

[NataliaMumsnet]

Jojo Moyes' Me Before You was a phenomena with over 3 million copies sold worldwide. Fans are in for a treat this summer with her latest novel The One Plus One which follows the story of a relentlessly determined and supportive single parent, Jess. Described as 'a heartbreaking, laugh-out-loud, thought-provoking, emotional rollercoaster' by The Sunday Express, Moyes' story tells of an unexpected love story that develops amid the ups and downs of a hectic family life.

Jojo Moyes is a novelist and a journalist. She worked at the Independent for ten years before leaving to write full time. Her previous novels have all been critically acclaimed and include Me Before You, The Girl You Left Behind, The Ship of Brides, Foreign Fruit, and The Last Letter from Your Lover. She lives in Essex with her husband and their three children. Jojo will be joining us for a webchat on 30 September to chat about The One Plus One so post your questions in advance or join us on the night.

We have 50 copies of Jojo's book to giveaway. Apply here for a free copy. If you're one of the lucky 50 we will inform you next Tuesday (29 July). If you don't access a free copy, order it up online to read over the summer and join us for book club in September.

Happy reading!

I'm sorry but I really didn't like this much, I didn't like the main characters and found them unbelievable and had little sympathy for any of them, especially Jess. To believe her husband had upped and left for two years yet he was 'ill', in reality living with another woman. And hadn't pursued this? She comes across as stupid, not naive. Only in the later stages it transpires he lives miles away in Carlisle to be close to his mother but him and Jess met at school, 'darn sarf'? I often travelled from there to Aberdeen and back myself and it is the most boring drive in history but for Ed to keep making diversions of 40+ miles away just because? He also doesn't strike me as someone who would put up with a car full of mess and noise let alone her (Jess) habit of feet on the dashboard like she owns the place.

Also, the blog would have left the son up for way more online bullying than he was getting at school already. He didn't have any friends so where did he get his 'stash'?

I bought this based on 'Me before You' but sorry, thought this was a random, hurried mess.

I was fortunate enough to receive a copy from Mumsnet and decided to add it to my holiday reading and with the luxury of time I read it really quickly! The wonderful thing about Jojo's writing is that she manages to write about ordinary people who have ordinary lives but she makes them interesting and extremely readable! I know other readers have picked holes in parts of the book but I really enjoyed getting to know the characters and how their relationships changed and developed on their road trip. Ed and Jess' relationship got off to a bad start but as they say there is often a fine line between love and hate! I also loved the fact that the children were a bit different - not your stereotypical perfect children - each struggling to fit in. And a special mention has to go to the lovely Norman (the dog!) All in all I loved the humour, the dialogue, the romance and the drama!

Thanks again Mumsnet for the free copy and I look forward to hearing all about Jojo's next book!

I received this from mumsnet. I loved me before you but this book was a huge let down. It felt like cliched chick lit. The plot was unbelievable and I skim read towards the DNS as it was way too long. V disappointed.

I read The one plus one yesterday and although I liked it it didn't even come close to Me Before You which I absolutely loved.

Will def be reading more of Jojos books though x

I didn't realise this was book of the month, but read it this weekend by chance.
I enjoyed it as a read to pass the time on a long train journey but couldn't quite suspend disbelief that ed wouldn't have just put the lot of them on a train or plane rather than putting himself out to drive that distance, roughing it along the way.
The journey lasted way too long and took up too much of the book imo, I was feeling a bit bored and a tad queasy at the thought of it all.
I liked Jess and her quirky family but her decisions were questionable to say the least and I couldn't take any of it remotely seriously. Lots of fun though and I'd read more by jojo moyes

I hate to admit defeat but I just can't see how to log in, or register for tomorrow's webchat with Jojo Moyles. Please can someone tell me what I need to do? Thanks!

Hi all, I bought this book as a treat to myself for when my daughter started pre school & for finishing my masters course. I'm yet to finish it but am loving it so far :)

@EmilyRobson

I hate to admit defeat but I just can't see how to log in, or register for tomorrow's webchat with Jojo Moyles. Please can someone tell me what I need to do? Thanks!

Hi Emily - the webchat will take place on this discussion thread. So you just need to login (which it looks like you've already done) and Jojo will be posting on this thread between 9 and 10 pm this evening. Do join us!

I think I may have tested in the wrong place. Trying again!

I am so excited about this webchat!

Hi Jojo, how do you get your inspiration for your novels?

Hi there - I posted comments a few weeks ago, having stumbled across this thread by chance, but I didn't frame this as a question, so here goes:

Both Jess and Ed have aspects of bleakness in their lives but almost complementary situations: Whilst Ed has none of the money worries, at least in the period covered by the book, he is pretty much lacking in social contact. Jess on the other hand, although suffering from serious money worries, has a lovely pair of kids and is shown to be much more emotionally engaged than Ed. I wonder if your intention was to have the reader conclude that whilst Ed is seemingly rescuing Jess, they are both in fact rescuing each other?

Compliments to you for a very absorbing read.

We’re delighted to welcome author Jojo Moyes to Mumsnet bookclub this evening. A couple of years ago the talk boards were AWASH with mumsnetters nationwide sobbing their way through the tear-jerker that was Me Before You. This summer we’ve been reading her latest novel, The One Plus One – another heart-warming novel about an unlikely coupling of a financially strapped single mother and geeky millionaire. Jojo is joining us to answer your questions about The One Plus One and all her other novels. Welcome to Mumsnet Jojo Moyes

@RachelMumsnet

We?re delighted to welcome author Jojo Moyes to Mumsnet bookclub this evening. A couple of years ago the talk boards were AWASH with mumsnetters nationwide sobbing their way through the tear-jerker that was Me Before You. This summer we?ve been reading her latest novel, The One Plus One ? another heart-warming novel about an unlikely coupling of a financially strapped single mother and geeky millionaire. Jojo is joining us to answer your questions about The One Plus One and all her other novels. Welcome to Mumsnet Jojo Moyes

Thanks Rachel - and thanks for having me, Mumsnetters. I'll get going!

@toothlessoldhag

Hi there - I posted comments a few weeks ago, having stumbled across this thread by chance, but I didn't frame this as a question, so here goes:

Both Jess and Ed have aspects of bleakness in their lives but almost complementary situations: Whilst Ed has none of the money worries, at least in the period covered by the book, he is pretty much lacking in social contact. Jess on the other hand, although suffering from serious money worries, has a lovely pair of kids and is shown to be much more emotionally engaged than Ed. I wonder if your intention was to have the reader conclude that whilst Ed is seemingly rescuing Jess, they are both in fact rescuing each other?

Compliments to you for a very absorbing read.

Hello ToothlessOldHag (that doesn't feel weird to write AT ALL) - thank you, firstly, and yes. That was absolutely my intention, in the (slightly suspect) words of Pretty Woman, she should rescue him right back. I didn't want him to save her financially, and I wanted him to be less practical than she is. And yes, more emotionally literate. I like my female characters to be resourceful!

@MrsWickens

I am so excited about this webchat!

Hi Jojo, how do you get your inspiration for your novels?

Hello Mrs Wickens! Inspiration comes from all sorts of places: news reports, anecdotes, things I see on television, pieces of music. I'm fascinated by the human condition, and what makes us make the mistakes we do (which is my slightly grand way of saying I'm incredibly nosy, and likely to eavesdrop on you in a cafe)

Brilliant! It's great to know my reading was how you intended it.

(Dancing quiet jig of pride at conversing with real, live published author)

@carlywurly

I didn't realise this was book of the month, but read it this weekend by chance. I enjoyed it as a read to pass the time on a long train journey but couldn't quite suspend disbelief that ed wouldn't have just put the lot of them on a train or plane rather than putting himself out to drive that distance, roughing it along the way. The journey lasted way too long and took up too much of the book imo, I was feeling a bit bored and a tad queasy at the thought of it all. I liked Jess and her quirky family but her decisions were questionable to say the least and I couldn't take any of it remotely seriously. Lots of fun though and I'd read more by jojo moyes

Hi Carlywurly
The reason Ed agrees to head off with them is because he's also running away from himself; from the life that is suddenly without structure, and from having to think about how he's sabotaged his own career. I totally get that you found you couldn't suspend disbelief; however, the older I get the more bizarre I find the situations people get themselves into, so I am unapologetic about stretching my fictional scenarios! I'm glad you thought it was fun though - thanks for reading.

Hi Jojo

After the enormous success of your novel Me Before You, did you find it difficult to sit down and write another novel knowing that it would be compared to Me Before You and might not be as successful?

I'm from Brazil and The One Plus One didn't come here yet but I'm very anxious to read it. I read Me Before You, The Last Letter From You Lover and The Girl You Left Behind and are definitely my favorite books.

Hi Jojo, I've read all your novels and was lucky enough to get agree copy of The One Plus One from Mumsnet and I really loved it. I LOVED the road trip up to Scotland - such a great place for the romance to take-off. Was that based on personal experience? Also I wondered whether the seaside town is based on a real place?

@Stupidhead

I'm sorry but I really didn't like this much, I didn't like the main characters and found them unbelievable and had little sympathy for any of them, especially Jess. To believe her husband had upped and left for two years yet he was 'ill', in reality living with another woman. And hadn't pursued this? She comes across as stupid, not naive. Only in the later stages it transpires he lives miles away in Carlisle to be close to his mother but him and Jess met at school, 'darn sarf'? I often travelled from there to Aberdeen and back myself and it is the most boring drive in history but for Ed to keep making diversions of 40+ miles away just because? He also doesn't strike me as someone who would put up with a car full of mess and noise let alone her (Jess) habit of feet on the dashboard like she owns the place.

Also, the blog would have left the son up for way more online bullying than he was getting at school already. He didn't have any friends so where did he get his 'stash'?

I bought this based on 'Me before You' but sorry, thought this was a random, hurried mess.

Hi Stupidhead - I'm not sure whether this was a question or just something you wanted to say, but in this case I'll just accept that you can't please everyone…!

Thank you for answering my question. I did really enjoy that Ed and Jess both had their struggles that were equally hard and it wasn't a case of the handsome millionaire swooping in to rescue the struggling single mum with delinquent children.

Do you have plans to come to Brazil?

Hi Jo Jo
Book covers must be one of the most important sales tools, however, I would never have read Me Before You if a friend had not bought it for me. From a first glance at the novel it would appear to be very much of the "chick lit genre" which I try to avoid. However, the book was a complete surprise to me, and has stayed with me.

How important a role do you think the cover of a book has in attracting someone to read your story?
Also with the popularity of books, do you think this is still relevant?
Thank you

@webwoman05

I was fortunate enough to receive a copy from Mumsnet and decided to add it to my holiday reading and with the luxury of time I read it really quickly! The wonderful thing about Jojo's writing is that she manages to write about ordinary people who have ordinary lives but she makes them interesting and extremely readable! I know other readers have picked holes in parts of the book but I really enjoyed getting to know the characters and how their relationships changed and developed on their road trip. Ed and Jess' relationship got off to a bad start but as they say there is often a fine line between love and hate! I also loved the fact that the children were a bit different - not your stereotypical perfect children - each struggling to fit in. And a special mention has to go to the lovely Norman (the dog!) All in all I loved the humour, the dialogue, the romance and the drama!

Thanks again Mumsnet for the free copy and I look forward to hearing all about Jojo's next book!

Hi Webwoman05 - thanks for your lovely comments. I like writing about ordinary people in extraordinary situations, the 'what if…' scenarios. And I'm glad you liked the fact that the children were a bit different. I think it's something most mothers struggle with at some point - will my child fit in? How do I enable them to be who they need to be, when society might be telling them something different? As for Norman, that dog ran away with the book. The emails I get from readers are pretty much 70% Norman-based...