Synopses & Reviews
After her grandmother Arlette’s death, Betty is finally ready to begin her life. She had forfeited university, parties, boyfriends, summer jobs—all the usual preoccupations of a woman her age—in order to care for Arlette in their dilapidated, albeit charming home on the English island of Guernsey. Her will included a beneficiary unknown to Betty and her family, a woman named Clara Pickle who presumably could be found at a London address. Now, having landed on a rather shabby street corner in ’90s Soho, Betty is determined to find the mysterious Clara. She’s ready for whatever life has to throw her way. Or so she thinks . . .
In 1920s bohemian London, Arlette De La Mare is starting her new life in a time of postwar change. Beautiful and charismatic, she is soon drawn into the hedonistic world of the Bright Young People. But two years after her arrival in London, tragedy strikes and she flees back to her childhood home and remains there for the rest of her life.
As Betty navigates the ups and downs of city life and begins working as a nanny for a rock star tabloid magnet, her search for Clara leads her to a man—a stranger to Betty, but someone who meant the world to her grandmother. Will the secrets of Arlette’s past help Betty find her own way to happiness in the present?
A rich detective story and a captivating look at London then and now, Before I Met You is an unforgettable novel about two very different women, separated by seventy years, but united by big hearts and even bigger dreams.
Review
"The stories of Lydia, Dean, and Robyn are each engrossing on their own; combined with the over-arching storyline of their father, they make for an irresistible read. Anyone who has ever pondered the nature of family or imagined finding a long-lost sibling will be captivated by The Making of Us."
Review
“Compelling and heartbreaking. . . . I couldn't put it down.” Jojo Moyes, author of The Last Letter From Your Lover
Review
"An engaging tale of choices made and not made, families lost and families gained, this should appeal to fans of Jewell's work as well as such authors as Jodi Picoult."
Review
"Jewell's moving novel immerses readers in the lives of these unique characters through the universal themes of family and a search for belonging. Jewell has written a compelling and entertaining novel."
Review
"Filled with heart and humor, this latest from British bestseller Jewell raises all those big questions about identity, family and fitting in."
Review
"Lisa Jewell's writing is like a big warm hug, and this book is a touching, insightful, and gripping story which I simply couldn't put down."
Review
"Flipping between their perspectives and illuminating their desires, fears, and sometimes clumsy actions, [After the Party] entertainingly marches its characters along the path to finally growing up."
Review
"Jewell's easy prose and storytelling ability make for a pleasant trip. Engaging."
Review
"What a delightful novel! I was truly absorbed by Betty and Arlette.
Review
"Beautiful, moving, and unputdownable."
Review
"What a delightful novel! I was truly absorbed by Betty and Arlette.
Review
"This is another emotional clever read from Jewell, beautifully written and populated with carefully constructed characters you'll be rooting for as you race through it.... I couldn't put it down."
Review
"Lisa Jewell's latest escapist love story is heartbreakingly good."
Review
"GH favourite Lisa Jewell leaves the chick-lit tag firmly behind with Before I Met You, a poignant story about a young woman uncovering her grandmother's bohemian life in 1920s London - and finding her own place in the world in the process."
Review
"Jewell keeps the pace steady, the plot intriguing, and the characters highly relatable. Family dynamics, the search for love and personal meaning, and the simple yet evocative daily motions of each woman keep the pages turning. Sure to be a popular title."
Review
“Unputdownable.”
Review
“Unputdownable.” Examiner.com - " - Pick of the Month October 2013 - "
Synopsis
Jazz Age London, a passionate and forbidden interracial romance, and the unbreakable bond between a bright young woman and her eccentric grandmother come together brilliantly in this gem of a novel from the
New York Times bestselling author of
Then She Was Gone, perfect for fans of
Downton Abbey,
Twenties Girl, and
The Chaperone. After her grandmother Arlette's death, Betty is finally ready to begin her life. She had forfeited university, parties, boyfriends, summer jobs--all the usual preoccupations of a woman her age--in order to care for Arlette in their dilapidated, albeit charming home on the English island of Guernsey. Her will included a beneficiary unknown to Betty and her family, a woman named Clara Pickle who presumably could be found at a London address. Now, having landed on a rather shabby street corner in '90s Soho, Betty is determined to find the mysterious Clara. She's ready for whatever life has to throw her way. Or so she thinks . . .
In 1920s bohemian London, Arlette De La Mare is starting her new life in a time of postwar change. Beautiful and charismatic, she is soon drawn into the hedonistic world of the Bright Young People. But two years after her arrival in London, tragedy strikes and she flees back to her childhood home and remains there for the rest of her life.
As Betty navigates the ups and downs of city life and begins working as a nanny for a rock star tabloid magnet, her search for Clara leads her to a man--a stranger to Betty, but someone who meant the world to her grandmother. Will the secrets of Arlette's past help Betty find her own way to happiness in the present?
A rich detective story and a captivating look at London then and now, Before I Met You is an unforgettable novel about two very different women, separated by seventy years, but united by big hearts and even bigger dreams.
Synopsis
Jazz Age London, a passionate and forbidden interracial romance, and the unbreakable bond between a bright young woman and her eccentric grandmother come together brilliantly in this gem of a novel, perfect for fans of Downton Abbey, Twenties Girl, and The Chaperone.Fresh out of university, Betty is ready to begin a new chapter of her life in London--one she hopes brings new friends, a big career break, and perhaps even true love. Following her dreams in bustling, grungy nineties Soho, she's ready for whatever life has to throw at her. Or so she thinks...
In 1920s bohemian London, Arlette--Betty's grandmother--is starting her new life in a time of post-war change. Beautiful and charismatic, Arlette is soon drawn into the hedonistic world of the Bright Young People. But two years after her arrival in London, tragedy strikes and she flees back to the country for the rest of her life.
As Betty tries to manage the ups and downs of adulthood, she's distracted by a mysterious letter she finds after Arlette's death--a letter written to a man Betty has never heard of but who meant the world to her grandmother. Will the secrets of Arlette's past help Betty navigate her own path to happiness?
A heartwarming detective story and a captivating look at London then and now, Before I Met You is an unforgettable story about two very different women, separated by seventy years, but linked by a shared determination to make their dreams come true.
About the Author
Lisa Jewell was born and raised in north London, where she lives with her husband and two daughters. She is the internationally bestselling author of ten previous novels, including The Making of Us and Before I Met You. Find out more at Facebook.com/LisaJewellOfficial or follow her on Twitter @LisaJewellUK.