The Giver of Stars: The spellbinding love story from the author of the global phenomenon Me Before You

Description

The brand-new standalone novel from the Number One bestselling author of Me Before You, After You and Still Me. Inspired by a remarkable true story, the unforgettable journey of five extraordinary women living in extraordinary and perilous times. Alice Wright has travelled halfway across the world to escape her stifling life in England. Handsome American businessman Bennett Van Cleve represents a fresh start. But she soon realises that swapping the twitching curtains of suburbia for newlywed life in the wild mountains of Kentucky isn't the answer to her prayers. But maybe meeting Margery O'Hara is. The heart and backbone of the small community of Salt Lick, a woman who isn't afraid of anything or anyone, Margery is on a mission. Enlisting Alice, along with three other women, all from very different backgrounds, to join her, the band of unlikely sisters battle the elements and unforgiving terrain - as well as brave all manner of dangers and social disapproval - to ride hundreds of miles a week to deliver books to isolated families. Transforming the lives of so many is all the impetus they need to take such risks. And for Alice, her new job and blossoming friendships become an unexpected lifeline, providing her with the courage she needs to make some tough decisions about her marriage. Then a body is found in the mountains, rocking the close-knit community and tearing the women apart as one of them becomes the prime suspect. Can they pull together to overcome their greatest challenge yet? A love letter to the power of books and literature and their ability to bring us together and deliver the truth, as well as a tribute to female friendship, The Giver of Stars is the book that Jojo Moyes was born to write.

Jojo Moyes was raised in London. She writes for the Daily Telegraph, Daily Mail, Red and Woman & Home. She's married to Charles Arthur, technology editor of The Guardian. They live with their three children on a farm in Essex, England.

HER BEST NOVEL YET * The Times * Inspiring and wildly romantic * Daily Mail Books of the Year * Utterly enchanting * Mail on Sunday * An entertaining, immersive and moving read. The Giver of Stars is rip-roaring popular fiction . . . but it is also a novel that celebrates education, intellectual curiosity and, above all, books and the knowledge, comfort, company and power that they can bring. Moyes shines a light on a historic footnote to pay tribute to women's work, endurance and female solidarity * The Sunday Times * For years I've been a huge Jojo Moyes fan. It's such a great narrative about personal strength and really captures how books bring communities together, especially for these women who are completely bonded by their love of literature * Reese Witherspoon * A genuinely entertaining book that's a perfect gift for people who need some escape from the everyday and just want to be absorbed in a really cracking story. Set in rural America in the 1930s, it's got a band of feisty characters who are funny and sweet with contemporary resonances to boot * The best books to give this Christmas, Stylist * With characters so real they feel like dear friends and a compelling storyline, this is a beautiful, special novel. I loved it and didn't want it to end! * Liane Moriarty * What a wonderful novel. The Giver of Stars is the most sweeping, dramatic, richly evocative book, full of brilliantly feisty women. I whipped through the pages, utterly agog, pretty much feeling as though I was on a horse in 1930s Kentucky myself * Sophie Kinsella * Epic * David Nicholls, bestselling author of One Day * Timeless, Jojo Moyes' greatest work yet, and one of the most exquisitely-written - and absolutely compulsory - novels about women ever told. Brilliant and perfect and will remind you of why you read; even of why you breathe * Lisa Taddeo, bestselling author of Three Women * Purest joy - even as it cheerfully breaks your heart. A go-get-em adventure about E Roosevelt's horseback librarians, it celebrates female friendship and the power of books * Damian Barr * Both a love letter to reading and a hymn to female friendship, this is a tale packed full of romance, tension, and brilliantly drawn characters. Pure pleasure * Sunday Mirror * I loved this dashing adventure set in 1930s Kentucky, America. Intensely moving and crammed with romance and emotion, this is a full-pack-of-tissues novel. * Sun * Based on a true story of the real Horseback Librarians of Kentucky this was a truly joyous and divine read. The rich, determined, extraordinary characters consumed me. The history, the setting; everything about this glorious book is superb * Nina Potell, Prima * Dipped into this on Saturday and then simply couldn't put it down. Superb characters, great story and sense of place. For me, her best yet. And I wept buckets over Me Before You! * Fanny Blake * Touching on the still-burning issues of control, violence, poverty and racism, Moyes has created a rollicking story that's perfect for long autumn nights. Enjoy . . . * Stylist * Misfit women rule in a beguiling tale of unlikely love. Moyes writes with warmth and intelligence . . . the most appealing thing about The Giver of Stars, however, is her wonderful way with romance. Delightful * The Times * This blisteringly good novel is one to add to your basket quick smart * Fabulous, Sun * Her best yet * Bookseller * Jojo's characterisation is so vivid, and the insight into the gender and race discrimination of the 1930s is truly eye opening * Clare Mackintosh, author of I Let You Go * Her best book yet. It's a romance - but about female friends, the outdoors and the magic of reading * Grazia * Moyes' best yet . . . A stonker of a read. Laced with humour and heartache, it's addictive * Sunday Post * While her novel is set in the midst of the Great Depression, Moyes crafts a tale that's remarkably contemporary. Moyes depicts the courage and resourcefulness of these women in loving detail. A tribute not just to the brave women who brought the light of knowledge in dark times, but also to the rejuvenating bond of women's friendship. * Daily Mail * It's an extraordinary story. This is the best thing she has written since Me Before You. Moyes writes with gusto and compassion * Metro * Based on a true story, this poignant novel is a celebration of strong women and friendship. With a fast-paced plot and intricate characters, fans of Moyes won't be disappointed * Heat * She's done it again! Joyous. I loved this adventure story for girls for its plucky female characters and wonderful writing * Good Housekeeping, Books of the Year * An inspiring, romantic tribute to female friendship and the power of books * Woman's Own * As passionate about challenging gender stereotypes as it is enthralling in narrative sweep * i * Explores the interconnected lives of five women with honesty and hilarity * Cosmopolitan * With strong, memorable female characters and a sprinkling of men who can make a 'heart flutter like a clean sheet on a long line.' The Giver of Stars is a celebration of love, but also of reading, of knowledge, of female friendship . . . inspiring * Washington Post * The Giver of Stars is the story of five extraordinary women and their remarkable journey through the mountains of Kentucky and beyond . . . a classic drama of loyalty, justice, humanity and passion * SheerLuxe * Uplifting. One of Me Before You author Moyes's best novels * The Mail on Sunday * A heart-wrenching love story, a nail-biting legal drama and a beautiful study of female friendship * Daily Mail * Jojo Moyes is on dazzling form * Sunday Express * This big-hearted tale will stay in your head long after you have finished reading it * Independent * Moyes's book delivers evocative descriptions of the Kentucky landscape and rich historical detail. But it is in her compassionate portrayal of well-drawn characters that the novel's greatest strength lies * Hannah Beckerman, Observer * Escapism in the form of adventure and sisterhood. This is a novel with real depth and feeling and touches on worker's rights, racism, environmentalism and education * i * This tribute to female friendship and the joy of books is a compelling read * Woman's Weekly * A captivating tale of love, friendship and self-actualisation * People * Escapism in the form of adventure and sisterhood. A novel with real depth and feeling. Empowering * Press Association * An exploration of people's cruelty and also their kindness -- Ruth Junes * Good Housekeeping * The author of Me Before You pulls off a cracker with this stirring, exciting adventure story inspired by true events, in depression-era Kentucky, women find freedom and friendship by joining a brigade of horseback librarians * Best * Jojo Moyes is back with another page turner. Inspired by a remarkable true story, The Giver of Stars features five incredible women who will prove to be every bit as beloved as Lou Clark, the unforgettable heroine of Me Before You * Stellar * Joyous. Pucky female characters and wonderful writing. This is her best * Good Housekeeping * About five extraordinary women in 1920s Kentucky, who worked on horseback as travelling librarians * Woman & Home * An enthralling read based on a true story * My Weekly Special Series * One to get lost in. Escape with this book and follow the story of five women who are embarking on a powerful journey - and refuse to obey any man's commands! * No. 1 Magazine, Books to cosy up with this winter * A brand-new page-turner . . . based on a true story and tracks five feisty women living in America during the Great Depression * That's Life * Jojo Moyes is back with this tale based on the real-life horseback librarians of Kentucky * Hello! * Took me to the mountains of depression-era Kentucky where brave women librarians risked all to deliver books on horseback * Damian Barr, Big Issue Books of the Year * Celebrates the world of books . . . A fictional yarn about a quintet of extraordinary intrepid women from disparate backgrounds * RTE Guide * From the very first page, I was drawn into the world and the characters that Jojo Moyes has so carefully created * Health & Wellbeing * A fabulous adventure story * Best * Praise for Jojo Moyes * - * Moyes somehow manages to break your heart before restoring your faith in love * Sunday Express * Raw, funny, real and sad, this is storytelling at its best * Marie Claire * Immensely readable and enjoyable * Sunday Times * This truly beautiful story made us laugh, smile and sob like a baby - you simply have to read it * Closer * Wonderfully written and completely engrossing, with exquisitely drawn characters in a brilliantly plotted narrative * Daily Mail * A heart-stopping read. Destined to be the novel that friends press upon each other * Independent on Sunday * Britain's best contemporary female author * Sun on Sunday * The storytelling treads the delicate balance between heartbreak and hope perfectly * Good Housekeeping * A triumph * Heat * A tender, funny and hopeful look at love, grief and life. Bumper box of tissues required * Stylist * Joyful, with a pitch-perfect ending * Daily Express * Julia Whelan is perfect as Alice Wright * The Times, Pick of the Audiobooks * Concentrates on sisterhood and friendship * Scotsman, Best books to give this Christmas * A sweeping story of female friendship with a dash of romance, set in 1930s Kentucky * Daily Express * Her writing is beautiful and whimsical with unique storylines * Liv Arnold, author of Etched in Stone *