Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

Will was a smart, successful, handsome twenty something limited by nothing.  He was a man who got exactly what he wanted, whether it be in business, travels, and even girlfriends.  That all changed after a brutal accident that gave him a new vision of life, through the eyes of a quadriplegic.  His whole world had changed in a matter of seconds and he coped the only way he knew how, by secluding himself into a state of depression.  That is......until he met her.

Louisa is perfectly content with her life.  She works at the local coffee shop, has a steady boyfriend, and a close family.  What more could she need?  Her perfect bubble begins to burst when she is let go from her job and forced to look elsewhere.  Her qualifications are lack luster as she was not college bound like her sister.  No, too much has happened since before the "incident" which changed her course of life and setting her on a safer route.  Now she's left with no job, still living with her parents, and beginning to feel like she'll never get out of this rut.  That all changed when she met him.

You see, Louisa did find a job and ended up serving as a care giver to Will.  This was not a love at  first sight greeting.  Will was at his lowest point and did everything he could to shut others out.  In fact, Louisa was pretty much certain Will hated her.  As time went on, and many hours spent together, Louisa and Will developed something.  Neither noticed it as it was happening, but it was real and it was growing moment by moment.  Then Louisa discoveries Will's secret.  He plans to attend an assisted suicide center in 6 months.  That's all he promised his parents was 6 months more of his life, until he just could't do it anymore.

After recovering from her devastation from the news of Will's plan, Louisa is determined to give him purpose again.  She goes into full plan mode and creates a list of adventures for Will to go on.  At first he begrudginly participates, not knowing the real reason behind all this, and eventually really begins to enjoy himself.  But will this be enough?  Will Louisa be able to make him want to continue his life here, or will he continue with his plan?  Most importantly, will their love for one another make him want to stay?

I can't count how many times I laughed and cried while reading this book.  It's definitely a good love story, but so much more than that.  It shows just how much we all take for granted and makes you wonder how would you go on if it was all taken away.  The more you learn about each character, the more enthralled you become while reading.  Will isn't the only one evolving.  Louisa went through something horrendous before meeting Will and learns from him how to grow from the pain, and continue truly living.  My female friends, this is a true must read.