The One Plus One

By: Jojo Moyes

Narrated by: Elizabeth Bower, Ben Elliot, Nicola Stanton, Steven France

Length: 13 hrs and 5 mins

Publisher's Summary

Penguin presents the unabridged, downloadable audiobook edition of Jojo Moyes’s The One Plus One, read by Elizabeth Bower, Ben Elliot, Nicola Stanton, and Steven France. The One Plus One is the beautiful, poignant, and utterly compelling new novel by the internationally best-selling author Jojo Moyes.

One single mum. With two jobs and two children, Jess Thomas does her best day after day. But it’s hard on your own. And sometimes you take risks you shouldn’t. Because you have to....

One chaotic family. Jess’ gifted, quirky daughter Tanzie is brilliant with numbers, but without a helping hand she’ll never get the chance to shine. And Nicky, Jess’ teenage stepson, can’t fight the bullies alone. Sometimes Jess feels like they’re sinking....

One handsome stranger. Into their lives comes Ed Nicholls, a man whose life is in chaos, and who is running from a deeply uncertain future. But he has time on his hands. He knows what it’s like to be lonely. And he wants to help....

One unexpected love story. The One Plus One is a captivating and unconventional romance from Jojo Moyes about two lost souls meeting in the most unlikely circumstances.

Jojo Moyes is a novelist and a journalist. She worked at the Independent for 10 years before leaving to write full time. Her previous novels have all been critically acclaimed and include The Ship of Brides, Foreign Fruit, The Last Letter From Your Lover, winner of Spring 2012’s most popular Richard, and Judy Book Club title Me Before You and most recently The Girl you Left Behind. She lives in Essex with her husband and their three children.

©2014 Jojo Moyes (P)2014 Penguin Books Limited

Critic Reviews

Praise for Jojo Moyes:

“Majestic, utterly compelling, tremendous. A heart-stopping read” (Independent on Sunday)
“Truly beautiful. Made us laugh, smile and sob like a baby - you simply have to read it” (Closer)
“A triumph. Packs such an emotional punch, you’ll need a box of tissues” (Elle)

Wonderful. Excellent Narration

This is my first book ever by Jojo Moyes and I believe it was a good introduction. I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook. I mainly listen to audiobooks while walking, this book had me talking out loud to the characters, smiling at the world and discreetly wiping away some tears.

This is probably the first time I have listened to a book with four narrators, the book tells the story from the point of view of four characters- Jess, Nicky, Tanzie and Ed. After a few moments of discomfort these narrators became the characters, and I am sure that they totally enhanced this book for me. I give them all top marks for bringing these characters alive in my imagination.

Jess is an amazing woman, she has a husband who has deserted any sense of responsibility and disappeared, she has little money but works hard to support her small mismatched family. Money problems dog her much of the way, at one point she makes an error of judgement, however the way she handles that had me applauding her. She is a great mother and Nicky and Tanzie are very fortunate to have her.

I also loved how the children Nicky and Tanzie were very much part of this story with their challenges of growing up and being their true selves. Norman the dog completes the family, and does he come to the party when it really matters - you bet! Big and slobbery but well loved and included in the family.

Ed is almost against his will in the beginning sucked up into this family when he joins them to help them take a step to help Tanzie achieve a dream. They take a car journey together across country which turns out to be no picnic but all the same things happen! Loved the way Ed helped Nicky and Tanzie.

A heart warming emotional read, where honesty, family, personal growth and change and small kindnesses stand out.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Heart warming story

Who was your favorite character and why?

I loved all of them but my Favorite would be Nikki

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I had a few but I don't want to give anything that happens in the book away. I did laugh and cry though

Any additional comments?

This is my second Jojo Moyers book and I wasn't disappointed! I listened to "Me before you" and this one was just as good. You sort of knew what was going to happen but that didn't matter! It was just lovely and I can't wait to get stuck into another one of her books

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Predictable but sweet

This is a "true romance" with a twist. The characters are a little out of the ordinary, especially the little girl who is brilliant at maths. The story isn't entirely believable but you want it to be true because it's a sweet situation. You know from the beginning that the woman and man who can't stand each other at the start will get together in the end but the process of getting there is a little different from your average romance. Overall an enjoyable piece of escapism.
The use of different narrators to read as the different characters was initially a little distracting but worked overall. The narrators were fairly good.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Delightful....

I have never read a Jojo Moyes book before, I'm not sure why, but I suppose I haven't stumbled across one.. But now I have.. I will read more of her books. This was one of the most delightful books that I have read in a long time.
The fact that the narration was done from 4 different character's perspectives and drew the story into real life. The narrators were believable, not forced and honestly good.
I loved Jess, Ed, Nicky and Tansy.. They were all delightfully real, with their own flaws that related a story of tanacity, never gicing up and looking at the positive.
And of course there was Norman, I'm a complete sucker for a dog in a story.. And this is a DOG.. a big, black, hairy, floppy, drooling, disobedieent dog.
have a listen.. you wont waste yor money... ENJOY!!

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Jo jo moyes

I always enjoy her books and this one certainly hasn’t disappointed
Absolutely terrific as an audio book
I would highly recommend

Very good book!

I really enjoyed the book !! It was easy listening. I could not put it down!

I loved this book

I am a huge Jo Jo Moyes fan and this book does not disappoint. I love the realness of all of the characters (with a extra soft spot for Norman who reminds me of my boy). There were bits that made me laugh out loud (to the bemusement of passersby's on my walk) and others that made me cry and randomly hug my family.
The narration is easy on the ear, compelling and whilst I was so looking forward to the ending, (I was rooting for each of the characters for different reasons), I am sad it's over. I feel like I know this family and I am going to miss them.

Sheer enjoyment

This is a fun sensitive and enjoyable story, even though it is not as enjoyable and touching as her Me Before You book. i really enjoyable reading Jojo Moyes..

Poor Single Mum and wealthy guy

If you could sum up The One Plus One in three words, what would they be?

class conflicts, hope

What does the narrators bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

A lively presentation with differing voices for the characters

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, I listened to it in its entirety on an aeroplane flight

Any additional comments?

It is a simple, but touching story which is easy to read.

When you really need a good book

This is a lovely book! I loved it from the start, snd the way the different characters are given life through the voices of the readers is great. Perfect casting! And the story makes you feel good!

A compelling, uplifting listen

I absolutely loved this book and although the listener knows from the beginning where it is going this did not detract from my enjoyment. The multiple narrators really brought the story and characters to life and added to the listening experience. This is so much more than your average chick lit and I was so involved with all of the characters and their stories that I felt rather bereft when it was over! I am a huge fan of Jojo Moyes earlier novels but found 'Me Before You' a disappointing listen - primarily due to the appalling narration. This was a welcome return to form and a compelling, uplifting listen.

26 of 26 people found this review helpful

I LAUGHED, CRIED, FEARED, HOPED ABOVE ALL ENJOYED!

This is the second JoJo Moyles booked I have listened to and unlike the first book I listened to - Me Before You - in this book you absolutely knew what was going to happen almost from the beginning of the book. This did not detract from my enjoyment of the book at all. The interest was in the detail that led to the end result. I loved the way that each chapter was narrated by one of the main characters in the book. This was great for an audible book as it made it very easy to follow. The story was like a good old fashioned romantic movie, road movie and good triumphs over bad movie. If you want a book to take your mind off your everyday trials and tribulations download this one.

22 of 22 people found this review helpful

Five stars plus one

Whenever I read a Jojo Moyes book I feel like I am being introduced to real people. This story is no exception. People like Jess, Ed, Nicki, Tanzi and of course Norman the dog are all around us and you could almost imagine, when reading the synopsis, that this is a non-story. This is absolutely not true. Jojo Moyes has brilliantly woven a vivid tale of people who make mistakes, act incredibly stupidly and in constant danger of losing it all. This is all against a backdrop of life in modern Britain with its social divides, the evils and benefits of social media, white collar v. blue collar crime, how education is failing our talented children and so on. Oh and I almost forgot...it has a poignant love story thrown in.

This is one of the best narrated books I have listened to. Quite often in audio books young children sound sickly sweet and teenagers sound flat and dull. Tanzi and Nicki are refreshingly bright and eccentric and most of all I really looked forward to hearing their parts of the story.

This story is funny, sad and occasionally maddening but most of all it is incredibly uplifting. If you are looking for something to make you feel good about the world and maybe even your own family, you should read this.

13 of 13 people found this review helpful

Nice change from my usual darker fare

To be honest, I haven't listened to much outside my usual shortlist of favourite writers and genres. However I read JM's "Me Before You" on holiday last year, and once I'd finished sobbing (very embarrassing poolside), recommended to everyone I knew. So I was quite motivated to give this a go, and was glad I did. The story didn't have quite the emotional impact of MBY, thank goodness, but was nicely written, and the performers were all quite appealing. Although the story in some ways was quite predictable, it had nice twists to the tale, and kept me engaged throughout.

10 of 10 people found this review helpful

Fabulous!

What did you like most about The One Plus One?

Great story. Well drawn characters that were easy to care about. Hard to put down.

Which character – as performed by the narrators – was your favourite?

I liked them all very much, but Nicky was my favourite.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It made me both laugh and cry.

Any additional comments?

This was a great listen and would no doubt be a great read. The story has so much depth (after Me Before You and this book, I will now expect that from Jojo Moyes). It was easy to really care what happened and the ending was just right.

10 of 10 people found this review helpful

A very enjoyable listen

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would, it was fun, engaging and very sweet. The characters felt believable too.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The One Plus One?

I don't want to spoil anything by answering this one, sorry!

What about the narrators’s performance did you like?

Jess's narrator was excellent, clear, warm and very well acted, particularly in the audiobook's funnier moments. Tamsie's narrator sounded realistically young but this didn't effect the reading negatively. It was still easily understood.

10 of 10 people found this review helpful

Couldn't put it down....

What made the experience of listening to The One Plus One the most enjoyable?

I enjoyed the story and the character speakers.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The One Plus One?

Howard was a star... in more ways than one. What a dog!

Which character – as performed by the narrators – was your favourite?

Jess was so loving, positive and believable.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Ed's kindness to Jess' family.

Any additional comments?

I really couldn't "put this book down". I listened at every opportunity. Housework was no longer a chore!

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

Far-fetched but enjoyable romp

I’d downloaded this book before I’d listened to the Horse Dancer (by the same author) which I didn’t enjoy, so wondered if I’d made a mistake. Thankfully, I had not. Like the Horse Dancer the book is dominated by a journey filled with numerous set-backs but this time made more entertaining by humour and the perseverance of likeable people rather than quarrelling unpleasant caricatures.

There’s quite a bit of social realism, as the main character is a single mother who has to watch every penny, but ultimately it is a feel-good romance that was fun to listen to. Not as powerfully moving as You Before Me or The Girl he Left Behind but enjoyable escapism without being overly sentimental.

The multiple narrators made it like listening to a play with life-like characters.

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

Hard to put down

If you could sum up The One Plus One in three words, what would they be?

Funny dilemmas of poverty yet uplifting

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When all fell apart yet heroine kept on trucking

Any additional comments?

Everyone should read & think themselves there

5 of 5 people found this review helpful

READ THIS!

Ladies if you enjoy a good well written story this is the one! I do love Jojo Moyes but this will really blow your socks off.
In a nutshell it is about a modern family on an unexpected road trip I don't want to give away anything but get the hankies out I laughed till I thought I'd wet myself but i also couldn't stop crying it plays with your emotions till you're literally wrung out!
The story and narration are fab it is pure chick lit but boy I loved it go Jojo Moyes!

14 of 16 people found this review helpful