I enjoyed this book even though there wasn't much of a plot thanks to Jojo Moyes' great writing. The tale of a woman and the odd lot of characters that make up her family and household. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

It took me a little while to get into this story, but once I did, I couldn’t put it down. The family dynamics were incredibly written and believable. I enjoy a book where the characters are fully developed and I feel like it was done beautifully

This book was such a delight. Jojo Moyes has a real talent for taking difficult life circumstances and writing them to be bearable, humorous and intriguing. Our main character Lila was a mess but quite endearing. The full cast of characters were each well developed, interesting and likable. I loved Lila’s journey of growth, and witnessing the immense love she has for her family.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are mine alone.

Jojo Moyes has done it again! She really knows how to tell stories that touch the heart. Lila Kennedy’s journey—dealing with single motherhood, work challenges, and the surprising return of her estranged dad—is so relatable and engaging. Moyes blends humor and emotion perfectly, making it a fun read from start to finish. While some parts of the plot might be a bit predictable, and a few storylines could use more depth, the warmth, laughter, and heartfelt themes of forgiveness make it a truly worthwhile experience. It’s a beautiful tale about resilience and second chances. Huge thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

My ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. A story of an extended family and the mistakes and ways they hurt each other across the years and generations and how they ultimately redeem themselves to heal.

An author who wrote about her successful marriage relationship who finds herself unable to write a follow-up book now that she is single due to her husband's affair, started while he was pitching in to help more with their children while she was writing. is humorous and heartbreaking. Throw in the writer's recently deceased mom, her deeply sad stepdad and the unexpected reappearance of her biological father and she's got her hands quite full!

As I suspected, Jojo Moyes does not disappoint with this book. Like a lot of readers, I first read the "Me Before You" trilogy when it was published. I loved the characters she created and when I saw this book was available, I definitely got into the story and look forward to recommending it to readers.

Divorced Lila Kennedy’s definition of family includes her recently widowed Step-father, Angsty teenager daughters and Eccentric biological father who randomly showed up after decades. As Lila is trying to navigate her new sense of normality, she begins to realize she isn’t the superwoman she can be. What will have to give in order to give her daughters the best life possible.

We All Live Here by Jojo Moyes is a realistic fiction novel that will have you laughing and crying throughout the story. Lila is a divorced mother of two who has recently lost her mother and as a result has her stepfather living with her and the girls. In an unexpected turn of events, Lila's biological father shows up needing a place to stay after Lila hasn't seen him in over a decade. In addition to all the family members at the house, Lila is also struggling to write her next book in order to help pay the bills. All of these events combine into a realistic look at how family can be a blessing and a mess at the same time.

I started five books and gave up - picked up Jojo Moyes and couldn’t stop reading. A hopeful story about a forty something divorced woman trying to get back on her feet and enjoy life again. Infused with British style humor, Jojo’s novels are just delightful.

Shortly after Lila's first book about fixing her stale marriage published, Dan left her for his mistress down the street. Then her mother dies and her stepfather moves in to help with her two girls. To say her life is full of drama is an understatement. And now her estranged father knocks on her door looking for a place to stay!
This is a character driven story without much plot, but as you get to know everyone in this unconventional family you can't wait to see what craziness happens next. Lila is kind of a doormat in the beginning but when she's finally had enough she becomes a strong woman not afraid to stand up for herself. I liked Gene's confident quirky character and how he subtly influenced everyone in the house. But my favorite character had to be Jensen, supportive and strong and always there when she needed him. Such a great family drama!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I started and stopped the first two chapters of this book over a dozen times. Once I made it a few chapters in, I was hooked.

Lila is 42, divorced, and living with her two daughters and step-father in a crumbling older home that she adores. Her ex-husband left her for another mother at her younger daughter’s school. When her estranged father arrives on her doorstep, charming but broke, Lila has to deal with him and the mutual feud between him and her stepfather. At the same time she is trying to write another book to follow the book she wrote about building a successful marriage but that requires dating again. Hilarity ensues over and over again.

Once I got into this, I fell into it hard. Lila is a delightfully flawed character. Her children are hilarious. Bill and Gene were my favorites. Give it a chance and get past the slog of the first two chapters.

Thank you to Net Galley, Penguin Group Viking, and Pamela Dorman Books for the DRC. All opinions are my own.

We All Live Here is a very Jojo Moyes book, and also feels very like the grown up sister to all the British "chick lit" books of the mid-aughts. This is what happened when middle age hit and real life oozed in with all its complications- divorce, dating in midlife, blending families, changing family and personal dynamics. It's very character driven and there are decent swaths where it feels like not so much happens (over 450 pages was excessive), but it has a big, warmhearted quality that makes this very cozy despite the more emotionally challenging bits.

I can’t tell if this is a me issue, because I am someone who enjoys family dramas but have been reading for escapism lately, and this isn’t an escapist read by any means. The book felt extremely slow to start and then I wasn’t really looking forward to picking it up— felt like a bit of a slog to me. But that could just be my current mental state.

I think if you enjoy her writing and enjoy family dramas, you’ll probably enjoy this one more than I did.

WE ALL LIVE HERE by Jojo Moyes (The Giver of Stars) was a LibraryReads Hall of Fame selection for February 2025, but I was disappointed. I expected a light and rather happy read filled with humor, romance, and some self-reflection, like earlier works by Moyes (see Someone Else's Shoes or One Plus One, for example). Her latest, however, was filled with a dysfunctional family whose issues kept expanding with each new addition. At the center of the novel was single Mom, Lila. Her husband, Dan has left her for a younger woman – and, yes, they are having a baby. Then, there are the other children: a disgruntled teenager, Celie, and her younger sister, Violet. A character who deserved more empathy was their step-grandfather, Bill; he had been part of the family for thirty-five years, raising Lila from age seven and even now preparing meals and taking care of the family. Instead, Lila’s biological father, an often-drunk ne’er-do-well (yet another stereotype?) suddenly appears and moves in. Their house is falling apart, too, and so is Lila's work life. Poor Lila needed to say "Enough!" Sadly, she did not and that was the most disappointing part.

Jojo Moyes can do no wrong!

This one had major emotions and all the feels and Jojo handled this with grace! I felt it all, while also able to laugh. Ugh I loved it!

I love the family dramas that Jojo Moyes creates. Lila Kennedy is dealing with A LOT. Her cheating ex-husband, her her career sort of imploding, her wayward daughters, her home falling apart and her grieving stepfather who seems to have quietly moved in. And then Lila really hits her limit when her biological father shows up unannounced after spending 35 years away in Hollywood.
There's a lot of love and forgiveness, laughter and family secrets in this story. It's a lovely ride and Lila couldn't be more relatable. There's even some romance thrown in and loads of life lessons. This story is one of Moyes' best.

*Special thanks to NetGalley and Pamela Dorman Books for this digital e-arc.*

Another great book by a wonderful author. It had a bit of sad, sweet, hopeful and humor all rolled into one. It was an enjoyable book as we followed Lila, who is a down-on-her-luck author and a recent divorcee. She is also trying to deal with her two children, an ex-husband, his pregnant new girlfriend (that she must see daily at school pick up)as well as two possible new beaus. Also did I mention her stepfather and her father are both suddenly living with her?
I enjoyed following her trials, tribulations, disappointments, and victories throughout the book.
Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy!

This novel was a longer one of Jojo Moyes's but it kept my attention the entire time and might just be one of my favorites of hers!

I don’t think anyone does better character development. I found myself so invested in every single character in this story, well except for one and when you read this you’ll know who I’m talking about. I loved that you get primarily Lila’s point of view but also some other chapters sprinkled in from other characters' POV too. This is less plot and more character led but I absolutely loved that.

Lila has two children and is coping with divorce. She got the family home and before she knows it both her fathers move in for a bit and I just LOVED this whole dynamic. I really enjoy family dramas but this one wasn’t so much a drama as a mix of drama and comedy, so dramedy? There’s school pick up drama, past issues arise, and Lila is also trying to write her next book. All of this really keeps you turning the pages!

I loved the themes explored, mainly what it’s like finding yourself after you thought your life was going to end up one way and now it’s completely different and also the power and strength in a blended family. This story ended just the way I’d hoped and I can’t wait for you to read it!

Definitely for fans of realistic and vulnerable leading ladies that have no idea how special they really are. Think Kate Winslet in The Holiday!

4.5 stars

We All Live Here is charming and heartwarming in every way possible. Lila is a single mother who is trying to get everything right in her life, but constantly hitting walls. The story is told mainly from her perspective, but we also get glimpses into what her teenage daughter Celie is going through.

While the book is long, it is also engaging the entire time and I thought about it even when I wasn't reading. It had a Maddie Dawson feel for me. I saw some things coming before they happened, but there were also a lot of surprise moments and unexpected situations that kept the story fresh and interesting. I definitely laughed from various parts, as well as some of the dialogue.

This is a genuine story and I am excited for it to be out in the world so that everyone has a chance to experience it!

(Trigger warnings at the bottom of this post.)

Movie casting suggestions:
Lila: Hayley Atwell
Celie: Isabella Sermon
Bill: Bill Nighy
Gene: Christopher McDonald
Jensen: Ed Speleers
Gabriel: Theo James
Penelope: Jenny Agutter
Eleanor: Natasia Demetriou
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TW: Death of mother/grandmother (off page), medical situation, parental abandonment, infidelity, mean girl behavior

Sandy M’s review of We All Live Here by Jojo Moyes
Women’s Fiction published by Pamela Dorman Books 11 Feb 25

Families – who among us doesn’t have issues with ours? Lila has her ups and downs with hers every time she blinks, all in a house that is falling down around her, just like her life, if you ask her about it all. Her days are mostly downs when you add everything together, from divorce to teenagers and long-lost, suddenly found fathers.

Not long after her self-help book about repairing marriage is a hit, her husband leaves her for the proverbial younger woman. That derails her next book, which then turns into a work of getting back on track, especially in the romance department. Her stepfather is gradually moving himself into her home, much to the dismay of her daughters who can’t take many more meals that include lentils. Then her biological father – who she hasn’t seen in decades – shows up, having not changed one whit and still riding high on his hit TV show from years before. And there’s plenty of other problems that rear their ugly heads as the entire family moves day by day into their new lives and relationships.

In the beginning I had a difficult time liking all of the characters. I feel for Gene, Lila’s aging actor father, just because of the way she treats him. Yes, maybe he deserves it, but, in the long run, you have only one father and why not get his side of everything. Of course, you have to feel for Lila when she gets news from her ex that twists the knife in the gut. Daughters who think they know everything, like most kids their age do, don’t help, especially now that Lila is a single mother herself. The romance she hopes for doesn’t end up being the one she wants, but she goes through the usual “you can’t see what’s right in front of you” for a while. So once all these “issues” are out in the open and you begin to see the change in family, love, and forgiveness, these characters pull at your emotions, all the way from anger to amazement, then laughter, and so much more.

Ms. Moyes always makes a reader think, and this story is no exception. Be sure to meet Lila and her family as soon as you can. Maybe then you’ll see your houseful in a different light.

Grade: B+