Love. Family. Chaos. Forgiveness. What do you do when you feel like your life is falling apart all around you but you still have to be strong for your children?

We All Live Here by Jojo Moyes is a poignant tale of Lila Kennedy, a mother, whose marriage recently ended, her mother passed away shortly thereafter, and she is left coparenting with a new woman in the picture. School pickups are a mess, she has taken on way too many responsibilities, and she has trouble letting people in. After her mom's death, her stepdad has technically moved in with her to help out (or maybe he is just lonely too?) and now her real father - a playboy actor from America - has shown up to further turn her world upside down. But Lila is stronger than she thinks, and the people in her life are about to remind her about the importance of family - in all forms and shapes.

Moyes sure knows how to create relatable characters that you will fall in love with - each is on a journey of their own and their development is so well done. Family dramas can be messy, but this book shows the layers of love and compassion and understanding that are necessary to make blended families work. The humor was the perfect touch to keep you invested - and I loved the dynamic between Bill and Gene! This book also made me a little happy that I have 3 boys (and not girls!), but man, I really wish I could have said something to the mean school yard moms.

Due to the slow-paced nature of this novel at some points, it took me longer to read than normal. While I was captivated by the story as a whole, some parts simply dragged on and I wasn't fully invested until Gene showed up to shake things up. This was unlike any other book I have read from Moyes (all which I have loved) and it's well worth the read - the reader just needs to trust the journey. 3.8 stars.

Thank you NetGalley for his lovely arc! All opinions are my own.

"Life is long and complicated, Lila, as we all make mistakes. What matters is what we do beyond them."

I fell in love with JoJo Moyes’ new book from the first chapter. In “We All Live Here” Lila is an author who wrote a best selling book about how to make a marriage successful only to be slapped in the face after it was published because her husband left her for another mom at their daughter’s school. Then her mother passes away in a terrible accident leading Lila’s stepfather to move in with her and her two daughters. Add the reemergence of her estranged father, a gardener who is unintentionally involved in all the family drama and a hot new dad at the playground. It’s a full cast of characters but none of them felt unnecessary to the story. Everyone has a part to play and they’re all equally important. It’s a great book about family drama and chaos that keeps you entertained throughout. At first I found myself only reading a few chapters at a time so I could take it slow and enjoy the story but that ended about a quarter of the way through and I found myself finishing the book in two days. Moyes gave each character a distinct personality and carefully weaved everyone together. Nothing felt outlandish in the plot, it was grounded in real life situations. It’s easy to connect with one of more of the characters’ personal struggles. This was such an enjoyable book, I was sad it ended. I’d love a sequel to revisit everyone but then again I thought the book ended perfectly. Maybe a sequel focused on one of the daughters?

Thank you to Penguin Group, Viking Penguin, and Pamela Dorman Books for this ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

A book that has so much drama but it’s written in a fun, lighthearted way. I enjoyed all of the characters and found myself chuckling at parts. I can see this being turned into a movie.

This title with resonate with book clubs. We have one group that consists mainly of middle aged women who had a great discussion about 'Sandwich' by Catherine Newman, and Moyes' new novel will appeal to the same demographic. Thank you!

"We All Live Here" is a charming and heartwarming novel that will stay with you long after you turn the final page. Moyes' masterful storytelling and the endearing characters make this a must-read for anyone who enjoys heartwarming and insightful fiction.

After her divorce, Lila Kennedy is living with her stepfather and two daughters in a house that is in major need of repairs. Her biological dad, who she barely knows, suddenly turns up and as they all try to figure things out together, their family starts to take on a new meaning. I love all JoJo's books and this one is no excpetion!

Jojo Moyes’s latest novel centers on Lila, who is struggling after her husband leaves her for another mother at their children’s school and after her own mother’s sudden death. She also has to write another book to keep their family’s crumbling home together, her stepdad has moved in, and her estranged bio dad suddenly returns. The novel is fun despite some dark topics and keeps the pages turning. The point of view occasionally slips into Lila’s daughter’s or, once, her mother’s, which was indicative of the kind of confusion about what the book wanted to be. But it was still a good, fun read.

Jojo Moyes’ We All Live Here is a beautifully poignant exploration of community, resilience, and the intricacies of human connection. Set in a small, tightly knit town, Moyes captures the complexities of neighbors who are thrown together by circumstance but discover shared humanity in unexpected ways.

The novel thrives on its ensemble cast, each character vividly realized and brimming with personality. Moyes masterfully weaves their individual struggles—ranging from personal loss to financial instability—into a tapestry of shared experiences. The central theme of belonging and the impact of collective action resonate deeply, making it impossible not to root for these flawed yet endearing characters.

We All Live Here
by JoJ0 Moyes
Pub Date: FEb 11, 2025
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
The #1 New York Times bestselling author, whose books so many love, brings us a fresh, contemporary story of a woman and her unruly blended family
This is a must read and beautifully written!
This is a book that will make you laugh, cry, and feel everything in between. Moyes expertly weaves together moments of humor and heartbreak, creating a story that is both deeply moving and genuinely funny. I found myself getting teary-eyed at one particularly touching scene—a testament to Moyes' ability to craft emotionally authentic moments that never feel manipulative or overdone.

I really enjoyed this book and by the end I felt emotionally connected to some of the characters. The pacing was a little slow at times and I felt some plot lines dragged on a little too long. I found the main character really frustrating, but also probably made her feel more real.

JoJo Moyes fans will delight in her latest read that's filled with family shenanigans. What started out as Lila reminiscing about the old days divulges into her new reality. Lila's marriage ended with a scandalous affair and new addition. While grieving for her former life, Lila's mother's untimely death is still festering. Having difficultly dealing with his wife's death, Lila's step-father, Bill moved in creating cleaning commentary and healthy meals that her daughters hate.

When Lila's long-lost father shows up seeking shelter, the rift between Bill and Gene intensifies. Dealing with dueling fathers, a tight book deadline and navigating the pitfalls of being single after decades of marriage, Lila is overwhelmed. Will she be able to come to terms with having them all live there while trying to carve out a new future?

Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for the early edition of #WeAllLiveHere in exchange for an honest review. I'm a fan of the author's work but I have to admit that I struggled with early chapters. I found them challenging and unable to connect with the characters. Gene's arrival brought to life the dialogue and sleepy scenes. From that point on, I was swept away by the story.

Jojo Moyes' "We All Live Here" is a delightful and heartwarming novel that delves into the complexities of family, love, and the unexpected turns life can take. Moyes weaves together a tapestry of relatable characters and humorous situations.

The novel centers around Lila, a woman navigating the challenges of single parenthood after a divorce. As she rebuilds her life, she finds herself surrounded by a colorful cast of characters, including her eccentric stepfather, her self-absorbed ex-husband, and a charming new love interest. Moyes' keen eye for detail and her ability to capture the quirks of human nature bring these characters to life, making them feel like old friends.

One of the strengths of "We All Live Here" is its exploration of the bonds of family and friendship. Moyes delves into the messy, complicated, and ultimately beautiful relationships that shape our lives. She reminds us that even in the midst of chaos and heartbreak, love and connection can prevail.

While the novel is primarily a character-driven story, Moyes also tackles important themes such as grief, forgiveness, and the importance of finding joy in the everyday.

Overall, "We All Live Here" is a delightful read that will leave you feeling warm and fuzzy. It's a perfect choice for anyone who enjoys heartwarming stories with a touch of humor and a lot of heart.

This is the JoJo Moyes I first came to love. It's the story of Lila and her two children and how Lila is recently divorced (about 2 years or so) and she finds out her ex husband, Dan has been seeing one of the other mums from the school pick up and now she's pregnant. That's in the very beginning. But what made this novel more fun is that Lila's stepfather, Bill also lives with Lila and he's a charming character and also we are introduced to Lila's biological father, Gene and he's just a kind of lovable asshat. But there are real tensions here as well. Lila's mother passed away unexpectedly after Dan left Lila so there's some unresolved issues for Lila to deal with. On top of that Lila is a writer and is being pushed to have her chapters done so she can satisfy her agent and also get the advance to pay her bills but the book is supposed to be a follow up book to her first one that was all about how to make more marriage strong (this reminded me a little of how Glennon Doyle had written a book all about saving her marriage and forgiving her husband just to end up leaving him) How can Lila write a follow up book after basically writing a how-to book on saving your marriage? Well, writing all about her newfound self who is all about sexual adventures and getting her swerve back (do people even say that still?).

All of this to say, we read along to see how it all unfolds. Do bill and gene get along in the same house when one of them has abandoned his post in being a father and the other had to pick up the pieces? if you guessed no and think it might be hilarious to see how they interact, you'd be right!
Does Lila meet and fall in love with (or at least have a hard crush on one more men)?

Is there any forgiveness being given because isn't it all about love and forgiveness in the end?

If you are a fan of Jojo's other books you'll most likely love this one too.

Jojo Moyes is a master of character development and the family dynamic, creating evolving characters that completely come alive in her novels. "We all live here," is no exception. The relationship between step-family, biological parents, and the children they share is at best a slippery slope. Throw in the daily chaos of everyday life, work deadlines, and trying to navigate as a single parent after your husband leaves you for a younger woman and you have an enthralling backdrop for a terrific tale. The main character Lila struggles to manage all of this then, when her birth father suddenly steps back into her life after being nearly nonexistent she must decide if he too has a place in her precariously full life. This novel is a great roller coaster ride through the ups and downs of life and how, when, and where we should forgive those who have hurt us along the way.
One note: Many "British" words are used that I was not familiar with. This is fun for me as I can't stand it when I don't know a word's meaning. I literally had to stop and look up the word throughout the novel. I am glad to do this, but will the reader in the American/US market be just as willing, or will this be a distraction? Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this advance reader copy.

Lila is dealing with a lot. She's raising her two daughters... on her own... after her husband left her for a younger woman... in house that is falling apart.. and has a new longterm guest as her stepfather seems to have moved in with her... after the sudden death of her mother. Plus, her writing has hit a brick wall after the explosion of her marriage since her first book focused on rebuilding that marriage. It doesn't help that she runs into her ex-husband's new wife on a regular basis as their children attend the same school. If that wasn't enough, her biological father reappears on the scene after years of minimal communication since leaving Lila and her mom for a career in Hollywood.

My favorite thing about Jojo Moyes is her characters. She writes believable characters with a focus on their development. We All Live Here is no exception. There's a lot happening in this book's plot, but my focus and the heart of the story was on the characters. I loved seeing Lila's growth, and the growth of this family as they come together and redefine what makes a family.

Jojo Moyes always writes a great book. I look forward to each one and so do our patrons. Everyone will love this.

At first I found this book (and Lila's life a little depressing--she is the epitome of the "sandwich" generation, taking care of parents (dads) and kids. But as the reader progresses through the book, as Lila progresses through her "life", as she opens herself to new experiences (and people) a certain lightness shines through that was not there at the beginning. What I especially liked about this book was that none of the characters were perfect (although Jenson came really close) and all the characters had some redeeming qualities (sometimes it was hard to fine, from Celie's mean girl friends to Lila's "crumbing" so called boyfriend. Some of the events were predictable, but there was always a twist that kept the reader on his/her toes. Read and enjoy!

Lila Kennedy is a 42-year-old woman who is recently divorced and has lost her beloved mom. She is doing her best to raise her two daughters in an old house that has some problems, and money is tight. On top of all those personal changes and struggles, Lila is behind on the deadline for her next book, her stepfather has mostly moved into her house, her ex-husband is expecting a new baby with the younger mistress, and her estranged father shows up.

There are several funny and poignant points along her journey as Lila comes to terms with a new definition of family, deals with hurt and forgiveness, and even has a chance at a new romance. Even though I haven’t been in her shoes, I felt I related to her and her struggles. There are some humorous moments with her youngest daughter, Violet, and her new friend, Jensen. There are great lessons about forgiveness, making memories, adaptability, and dealing with busyness.

This heartfelt story should be added to your TBR list. It will be released in February 2025. Thanks to NetGalley and Viking Penguin for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book. The story is well written and tugs at your heart strings. The life of a newly divorced mom trying to keep her life together and provide for her daughters despite everything life throws at her (like a stepdad who insists on making healthy meals only and her long lost dad all of a sudden showing up on her doorstep). Full of compassion.

Jojo Moyes is always a joy to read. We All Live Here is a story about a 42 year old woman who is going through a ton of change in her life, while the responsibilities keep piling up. As a woman in that same demographic, I connected with Lila even more!