Great book! This is the first book that I have read by Jojo Moyes, but it will not be my last. Highly recommend!

We All Live Here by Jojo Moyes was exactly the kind of read I needed; a refreshing break from my usual true crime books. Moyes has a way of crafting stories that feel deeply personal yet universally relatable, and this one was no exception.

The novel follows a single mom trying to navigate her "new normal," and I was completely drawn into her journey of resilience, self-discovery, and the complexities of family relationships. One of the themes that really stood out to me was the idea of letting go of past trauma while trying to reconnect with family; recognizing that they, too, are figuring out life as they go. It was a touching reminder that no one has all the answers, and sometimes healing comes from understanding each other’s imperfections.

Jojo Moyes never disappoints, and I was so excited when I saw she had a new book out. Her writing is as beautiful as ever, capturing emotions in a way that lingers long after you turn the last page. If you're looking for a heartfelt, engaging read with characters that feel real, We All Live Here is definitely worth picking up!

Lila’s life is not what she pictured for herself at forty-two. Her husband left her for the neighbor down the street, her stepfather has moved in after her mother died in a tragic accident. Lila’s house is constantly in need of repair, and her biological father, Gene, an eccentric, attention-seeking actor, has just shown up needing a place to stay. As if all of that isn’t enough, Lila sees the woman her husband left her for everyday at her daughter’s school pickup.

I was outraged for Lila and completely rooted for her! At the same time, she wasn’t perfect either. She made mistakes, as most of us do. There’s a romance with some bumps and I hoped it’d all work out!

We also have the POV of Lila’s sixteen-year-old daughter, Celie, who is going through some tough times, too. I loved that Gene, Lila’s MIA bio-dad, form a bond, and he helps with some of her trials. Gene definitely had a lot to answer for, but I couldn’t help but have a soft spot for him, especially when we get some that last insight.

We All Live Here portrayed a slice of messy, relatable life, and I felt all the emotions acutely! I was angry, I laughed and cried, but the story left me in such a wonderful place of joy and hope! A definite recommend!

Solid 3.5 Stars
Jojo is one of my favorite authors! I've read all of her books and enjoyed each and every one of them. We All Live Here is a good read, not her best novel, but it was still an enjoyable read.
With that being said, I used this novel as a pallet cleanser between two fantasy reads. It was a nice shift of gears, held my attention with the quirky characters and I loved the family drama. There is nothing like reading about 'family drama' to make your own 'family drama'... seem normal!
We All Live Here is about the all the complexities of everyday life, joys and difficulties of blended families, grief, mistakes and learning to love again.
"Life is long and complicated, Lila, as we all make mistakes. What matters is what we do beyond them."
This novel follows 42 year old protagonist, Lila, as she navigates the challenges as a recently divorced and mother of 2 young children, as she overcomes a block within her writing career.
It also addresses the real struggles of middle-age women dealing with grief over a lost mother, supporting an aging step-father (Bill), and overcoming the childhood trauma of abandonment when her biological father, (Gene), returns to her life. As if Lila doesn't have enough on her plate, enter in dating interests, Jensen and Gabriel.

While this novel seems light on the surface, there is depth to it as it touches on forgiveness, making amends, and moving on.

It took a while for the story to really get going, but once it does, you won't want to put it down.
As always in a Jojo novel the ending is well worth sticking it out!

Many many Thanks to NetGalley, Penguin Group Viking/Pamela Dorman Books for approving my request to read the advance read copy in exchange for an honest review.
I will be highly recommending this book and pushing library patron hold/requests.

Jojo Moyes' We All Live Here is a heartwarming and humorous exploration of family, resilience, and the complexities of relationships. The novel revolves around Lila Kennedy, a recently divorced writer and single mother, as she navigates career struggles, raises two daughters, and deals with her stepfather moving in. Just when she thinks life can't get more complicated, her estranged father, a washed-up actor, reappears. Moyes crafts a believable and funny world with distinct characters, such as Lila's lentil-loving stepfather and egocentric biological father, interacting with each other. While there aren't many surprises in the story, Moyes' signature wit and warmth shine through, making it a poignant and enjoyable read. The story explores themes of forgiveness, identity, and the complicated love that binds families together.

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!