The book has a slow start and I had a hard time connecting to the characters but once it picked up, I found myself thoroughly enjoying it.
I also felt that this one was a bit too long and overwritten at times but overall I think a lot of readers will enjoy this one. We All Live Here is a humorous and intimate look at the challenges of a divorced middle-aged woman navigating children, parents, dating, and reduced income. I loved this premise but only liked this book as I didn't really connect with the characters. This has more of a romcom/beach read feel, and it is perfect for that. It is entertaining but not a story that will stay with me.

**Many thanks to NetGalley, Penguin - Viking, and Jojo Moyes for an ARC of this book!**

Lila Kennedy hasn't had much of a spring in her step lately...and the wear and tear on her bruised and battered heart is starting to show. After all, her husband left her for a younger woman, the moms at her daughters' school make her feel alone, AND she feels said daughters slipping away from her too. Even her plumbing problems at home are getting out of control, and to make matters worse, her stepfather has sidled his way into her home as a roommate without really asking...and his quirky habits are just the icing on this Disaster Cake. Lila is at her wits' end, feeling adrift in this new life she didn't ask to live, but at least her PAST is in the past, right?

This is of course, where she is absolutely WRONG. Her biological dad cut and run on the family many years ago to pursue a career in Hollywood, and although it has taken her a lot of time and tears, Lila figures he is out of her life for good. When he shows up on her doorstep, however, Lila knows this is uncharted territory...should she really give her father a chance? And in the meantime, Lila's career demands that she write about happy marriages and what makes them last...but how can she do THAT with any level of sincerity in the wake of her painful and unexpected divorce? And when she decides to pursue a couple of new romantic connections...and to 'borrow' from her real life experiences JUST a little bit...will her impulsive behavior come back to bite her? Or could her willingness to open her heart to family and even a potential new partner be the tonic she needs to soothe her weary soul?

Okay, I'll admit it: I'm one of those readers who found Moyes through Me Before You and subsequently decided, based on THAT book alone, that she would be an auto-read author for me for all eternity. (Well, at least until she stopped writing I suppose!) There's certainly a strong chance that the title that cemented her as a leader in the world of contemporary, character-driven romantic fiction will continue to stand the test of time, drawing in new readers both from the written words and the stunning film adaptation of the same name that captured our hearts (and if you're like me, made you cry like none other!)

But despite this past crowning achievement and Moyes' overall consistent ability over the years to write easily accessible characters, relatable situations, and realistic dialogue, this book sort of reminded me of a double pan balance scale, where my feelings kept dipping up and down as metaphorical coins were added, alternating between the pans of 'enjoyment' and 'boredom.'...and after some reflection, I think I've figured out why.

For starters, Lila was a very frustrating character for me to get behind fully. As sorry as I felt for her at times, her lack of agency was more than a bit disheartening, especially for a woman of her age. She has two practically grown daughters, and yet still seems beholden to their whims rather than asserting herself as the head of household now that her husband has sort of 'moved on' with a new family. Lila spend a lot of the narrative feeling like more of a pushover than I would have liked and this is part of what holds her back as a character in general. When her romantic options began to pop up, this frustration only multiplied - the red flags were EVERYWHERE, and Moyes made them pretty obvious to the reader from the jump (not to mention what the better options were) and YET we had to watch her stumble over and over again. When the opening chapters put so much emphasis on how a broken toilet or stalled plumbing seemed to be the breaking point for Lila...I KNEW that wasn't a good sign: just open up YouTube and OWN it, girl!

The dynamics between Lila and her biological father were interesting, and yet, I felt like even this complicated relationship was forced to take a backseat for much of the book, just because there was SO many other plot threads going on. I also think this is a book that would have benefited from only having ONE narrator: Lila. We are treated to a few random chapters from Celie (one of Lila's daughters) throughout, but with no real rhyme, reason, or rationale behind it...and unfortunately, this extra bit of time and perspective wasn't really ENOUGH to make me incredibly invested in Celie's plot either: it felt more like filler and filler with no discernible 'stakes' for her character either. I think Lila's journey alone was PLENTY to keep us busy and we either needed to hear a LOT more from Celie...or nothing at all. Even having Lila's father or one of her beaus as a narrator would have been more interesting, because at least we are more invested in the outcome of these relationships and there was more possibility more at stake there, rather than the unconditional love between this mom and daughter.

But as usual, Moyes managed to tip those double balance scales to the side of enjoyment with a truly beautiful denouement, complete with an act of selfless love reminiscent of Me Before You (minus the tragic and tearful bits!) All of the plot threads converged at this point, making even the book's somewhat excessive 400+ pages seem worth it...and it was THIS careful and meticulous plotting that bumped up my rating and solidified this read as a concrete addition to the Moyes' oeuvre. It was only then that I felt a pang thinking about these characters and how I'd miss them, and how this book has only intensified my need to go on a convertible ride with the top down, middle of summer, with the PERFECT song vibrating through the steering wheel...(and after you read this one, I PROMISE you'll feel the same!)

And though I know this book's title technically refers to the home that Lila & Co share, I think it also points to a deeper truth: because we all live HERE, on one Earth...no matter where we go, we are ALWAYS in some way, already home.

4 stars, rounded up from 3.5

Lila is a divorced mother of two girls. Her own mother died not too long ago and for some reason, her stepfather has moved into her house. She’s unsure why he has left his home to live with them, but since he does help with the girls, he’s allowed to stay. Lila’s life is in turmoil as she deals with her loss, her ex-husband’s new family, problems with work and emotional stagnation. Adding to the chaos is the unexpected arrival of Lila’s real father. He had abandoned her mother and her when Lila was a young child and having been absent for decades, he’s not welcomed with open arms. How dare he present himself as if he’s just been on a vacation and expects to welcomed into the fold? It’s beyond Lila’s comprehension, but she has so many other things going on. At the moment she can’t manage the emotional upheaval to confront her father, so she lets him stay – for a day (at least he says it’s only for a day.)

Lila is an author who’s suffering from writer’s block. She’s being pressured by her publisher to write a new novel after the huge success of her first book. That first book was about her happy marriage which turned out to be a farce. Now she’s stuck facing the nubile, young pregnant wife of her former husband every day, as they both wait outside the school to pick up their children. To Lila, this is a daily torture.

Things do start to look up when she meets a kindly widower who has a child at the same school. He and a young landscaper have brought out in Lila a sexual awareness that she thought was dead. But with tensions between her father and stepfather escalating, her uncertainties about acting on her attraction to two men, and her inability to come up with a premise for a book, she’s simply a mess. And even when things seem to turn in her favor, calamity hits and she must deal with the consequences.

Moyes creates characters who are relatable, authentic and considerate. Her books are unputdownable and really hold the reader’s interest. Lila is flawed, but we can cut her some slack because of the unusual circumstances she finds herself in. She’s by no means the perfect mother, self-assured partner, or completely capable superwoman. But just as we watch her come to grips with her mistakes, we find the relationships between her stepdad and her father, her children and their grandfather and even between herself and others, are all beginning to evolve. This is a book about moving forward – maybe in a sloppy way, but moving nonetheless.

We All Live Here by Jojo Moyes was a heartfelt, thought-provoking read. The characters felt real, and their struggles with community, belonging, and personal growth hit home for me. While the pacing was a bit slow at times, the emotional depth made it an enjoyable and rewarding story overall.

*We All Live Here* by Jojo Moyes is a heartfelt and engaging novel that showcases her exceptional storytelling prowess. The story follows Lila Kennedy, who is juggling a broken marriage, two rebellious daughters, a deteriorating house, and an elderly stepfather who has quietly moved in. Her life becomes even more complicated when her estranged father, absent for thirty-five years, suddenly reappears. citeturn0search1

Moyes masterfully weaves themes of family, forgiveness, and resilience, creating a narrative that is both poignant and humorous. The characters are richly developed and relatable, drawing readers into their complex lives. The novel has been praised for its warmth and wit, with Marian Keyes calling it "the best book she has ever written... mature, compassionate, wise." citeturn0search0

As a long-time fan of Jojo Moyes, I can confidently say that *We All Live Here* is among her best works. It's a touching exploration of modern family dynamics that will resonate with many readers. Highly recommended for anyone seeking a compelling and emotionally satisfying read.

This is my third Jojo Moyes book, and once again, I'm impressed by her ability to develop deeply engaging characters. While I didn't connect with Lila as strongly as I have with some of her other lead characters, I still appreciated her depth and the way she evolved throughout the story. Although the plot doesn't feature any major twists, it was a heartwarming read that left me with a cozy, fuzzy feeling about love and family. A big thank you to NetGalley and Pamela Dorman Publishers for providing me with an advanced copy!

This is my first Jojo Moyes book. I struggled finishing this book. It was a complicated story that was hard for me to follow. It is about a story inter twined with her step father and it not only was complicated to read but I felt like it was hard for me to keep interest.

I'm not sure why but this is the first Jojo Moyes book I just could not finish! I tried 2 times and the story just did not catch me. The character development was good as always but I never clicked with Lila. I have read other reviews that say the end of the book picks up but I just could not get past about half way through to find out. I will not give up on Jojo Moyes and will read her next book for sure I just hope I like it more then this one.

We All Live Here is well-crafted story featuring a realistic multi-generational family. Jo Jo Moyes is adept at inserting gentle humor and absurdity into serious topics and creating believable multi-faceted characters. We All Live Here deftly portrays the juggling act a newly divorced woman ideals with in navigating a new life for herself. Lila considers meeting men and dating, and writing a second successful book about where she finds herself in life. Everyday existence seems to always be complicated by money issues, plumbing and car issues, and dealing with her ex-husband who has definitely "moved on". Her attention and energy is divided in numerous ways between two growing daughters (one a sulky teenager), her grieving but helpful step-father, and then her estranged actor father enters the not-so-rosy picture. This story will be very relatable for many readers.

WE ALL LIVE HERE is exactly the book I needed to read right now. With her signature eloquence and fabulously unique characters, the author has gifted her readers with another witty and heartfelt story about complicated family relationships.

Here is the thing. When you want humor, all the feels, and candid reality, Moyes is the author to go to. In these pages, we meet Lila, a divorced mom surrounded by her two girls, an ex-husband, the ex-husband’s newly pregnant partner, her stepfather, her biological father, a wonderfully unique bestie, an agent pushing her to deliver her next bestseller, two potential love interests, and a grouping of school moms that are as gossipy as you can imagine. I know it sounds like a lot, but told through two main perspectives—Lila and her daughter Celie—it all works seamlessly. Yes. It is messy. Yes. Some moments are overwhelming to our characters. And yet. There are laugh-out-loud scenes and interactions, which balance it all out perfectly.

In my opinion, Moyes can do no wrong. Every book I have read by this author instantly pulls me in with the people she brings to life and the way they navigate through their particular set of circumstances. When I dive into the worlds she creates, I know I will experience all the emotions, but more importantly, I will meet characters that stay with me long after I read the last page. WE ALL LIVE HERE takes complex family dynamics and makes it compelling as well as entertaining. I loved this book.

I meant to read this months ago, but—surprise, surprise—life got in the way. And since I’m the biggest mood reader, I kept waiting for the perfect time to dive in… which, of course, never came. Then my library hold for the audiobook finally came through, and I figured, okay, let’s do this. Turns out, it was exactly what I needed. The narration was fantastic—so well done that I found myself sneaking in listening time whenever I could. Dishes? Listening. Commute? Listening. Basically, I was glued to this book.

I have an undeniable soft spot for big, messy families (as long as I don’t have to personally deal with the drama), and We All Live Here absolutely delivered on that front. Lila’s family situation? A disaster. But an entertaining disaster. And as chaotic as it was, it made for such an enjoyable and emotional read. I also love a good story about finding another chance at love—there’s something so satisfying about characters getting to rewrite their romantic stories, especially when it’s tangled up in complicated family dynamics. But what really stood out to me was how the novel beautifully wove together the different generations. Seeing the older and younger family members reconnect, rebuild, and understand each other was probably the most charming and uplifting part of the book.

The story mainly follows Lila, the mom, and Celie, her teenage daughter, with their POVs sprinkled throughout. Their perspectives give small but meaningful glimpses into their thoughts, worries, and hopes, allowing for a closer look at their struggles—Lila as she navigates her complicated past and present, and Celie as she deals with the chaos of growing up. It’s not a deeply introspective novel, but the shifting viewpoints add warmth and insight, making the mother-daughter dynamic feel even more real.

If you’re already a fan of Jojo Moyes, you’ll absolutely recognize her signature style—engaging storytelling, well-drawn characters, and an emotional depth that pulls you right in. It’s character-driven, heartfelt, and full of moments that feel so real.

All in all, an audiobook well worth the listen.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC publication for an honest review.

This would make a great TV show/movie! So many quirky, complicated characters with great character development and emotional depth.

This is one of those books where you really have to read it to get a full appreciation of it. The story centers around Lila, divorced, single mother, living in a broken-down house, living a broken-down life with her newly widowed stepfather. She is an author whose first book on marriage was a great success when days after its release her husband left her for another woman. Adding fuel to the fire, her ex's(pregnant) mistress goes to the same daily school pick up for her son as Lila's daughters. I can't tell you how unbelievably livid I was for that whole situation with the ex-husband and how he threw over his "old family" for a new one! GRRRRRR!! Then Lila's estranged biological, famous, deadbeat father shows up. And her publisher is pushing for a sexy new book as a divorced woman getting back out on the scene and living her best life.

This is very much a book about relationships with all the complicated dynamics filled with immense character growth While there are comic relief moments there is a lot of inner turmoil, emotional angst, self-reflection, learning life lessons, simply living, and letting go...even the characters that are so in the wrong most of the time had a way of getting wiggle room when a different perspective is shown and somehow gaining some forgiveness.

Giving more characters a voice in this book added so much emotional depth to this book!

4 stars

By the end of We All Live Here I felt like this crazy, lovable, dysfunctional family was part of my family too! Lila has lost so much but through out her story she gains so much and realizes it too. I really fell in love with all the characters... even ol Gene and Bill, the two grandpas. I found them to be so annoying at first but by the end I had tears in my eyes. The ending was just so satisfying and I felt my time in this book was well spent.

I enjoyed how each character got their own chapters. It was wonderful seeing things from their perspectives.

I read/listened to the audio version and feel like this would make a wonderful movie.

Many thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Publication date: 11 February 2025

A complicated look at the dynamics of blended families. I got lost in this one and finished it in under 24 hours. Jojo Moyes has a way of writing real characters.

Lila is 42, freshly divorced, & grieving the death of her mother. Already struggling with her 2 daughters, she finds herself suddenly also living with her stepfather of 35 years and her bio dad she barely has a relationship with. A story about love, family, the mistakes we make, & how we learn & grow from them. A thoroughly satisfying ending.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishing company for this Advanced Readers Copy of We All Live Here by Jojo Moyes!

Jojo Moyes is one of my go-to to authors and she never disappoints!!!!!!! I have loved every one of her books and eagerly await her next one!!!!!!!!

Always love to see a book about a woman in her forties.

Jojo Moyes knows her way around a heartwarming scene but this book had pretty predictable beats. The Sad Sack part - where the woman is worn down and excusing all sorts of terrible behavior from the men in her life - lasts a full 45% of the book, some 30% more than I wanted.

I recently read Marian Keyes' My Favourite Mistake, aimed at a similar demographic, and I much preferred that to this book.

It was a joy to get to know and grow with these characters! There was a lot of heart and realness in these pages. Jojo Moyes really captures a the uniqueness of family and had me engaged in every character’s story.

I really enjoyed the idea of celebrating a family that was atypical. Two elderly men and a gardener are not what you would consider a normal family, but it was really wonderful to see them all come together and support each other and two young girls in different ways. The older men provided a lot of comic relief and reminded me of watching Grumpy Old Men. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a light read with lovable characters.