In this novel, Jojo Moyes makes a very improbable situation believable and engaging. Jess works as a cleaner and lives in a very poor neighborhood near some white trash type neighbors. She struggles on two meager paychecks to provide for the children, Tanzie and Nicky, and the dog, Norman. Ed is adept at computer coding and has launched a financially successful business. His money, lifestyle, and happiness is put at risk by his fumblings in the emotional arena. Ed is one of Jess's moderately wealthy cleaning clients, and that is initially how their paths, stemming from two very different worlds, intersect. This unlikely cast of characters forms an initially awkward bond.
I found myself caring strongly about each of the main characters, wanting to reach out and hug every one without exception to make their troubles go away. This novel made me laugh, it tugged at my heartstrings, and yet, at several points, it downright outraged me.
The book reminded me of the 2002 Disney movie Lilo and Stitch in which a Hawaiian girl adopts an unusual, destructive pet who is actually a notorious extra-terrestrial fugitive from the law. The great line from Lilo and Stitch is, "Ohana" means "family." "Family" means "no one gets left behind."
This same heartwarming sentiment is expressed for the very hodgepodge collection of unique, but very identifiable, souls in One Plus One. There are two phrases repeated in this book. They are, "Do the right thing," and "You've got to find your tribe." This novel does an excellent portrayal of striving toward both those worthy goals in everyone's life.
Thank you for recommending this book! I very much enjoyed it, as did the members of my Book Club. I finished reading it one week after we met for book club to discuss it, but the discussion just made me want to keep reading! I definitely want to read more of her books now.
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