Jojo Moyes' words are bullets, and she shoots them straight into your heart. 
 One Plus One 
 is an absolutely exhilarating novel. Equal parts moving, heartbreaking, hopeful and hilarious, it's a smart and memorable story about one untypical family and their journey to happiness. A journey that includes a painfully slow road-trip to Scotland in a car with a rude boss, two kids and one huge, smelly dog. 
 Two people. Two completely different worlds. What do they add up to? 
 Jess' life is as far from easy and privileged as you can imagine. Her husband, depressed because of his steady stream of bad decisions resulting in a complete financial fiasco, went away to spend a couple weeks at his mom's. That was two years ago. With two kids to provide for - one not even her own - and a whole load of other problems (including, but not limited to, bully neighbors, rude employers, and constant lack of money), Jess works her ars off at two jobs. She's one tough gal, she never gives up, always bounces back, no matter what obstacles land in her path. But even this short and feisty Erin Bronkovitch-like woman is not unbeatable. She can't always "sort things out", though God knows she tries her best. 
 Ed is a disaster of a whole different kind, and kind of of his on making. He's not exactly filthy rich, though he's definitely on the other end of the spectrum from Jess. His job is hugely profitable, he works alongside his best friend, his high-end home is regularly cleaned - and guess who is the cleaner? - and the only thing that he seems to be missing in his life, is love. Due to an unfortunate affair, he finds himself in a lot of trouble. Legal trouble. Very serious, potentially life-devastating trouble. 
 When Jess' daughter, Tanzie (the math genius), is presented with an opportunity to attend one of the most prestigious schools in London, Jess is willing to do whatever it takes to make it happen for her. It's a chance they can't afford to miss, even tho they literally can't afford the tuition. The ray of hope materializes itself in the form of a math competition, winning which would leave them with a sum of money big enough to make Tanzie's dream of attending a good school in a safe neighborhood come true. Easy enough? Sure, if only the competition wasn't held all the way up in Scotland and you didn't have to drive at an excruciatingly slow pace to get there. In your boss's car. 
 One Plus One 
 is delightfully charming, unexpectedly romantic and painfully honest. Full of touching scenes, brilliant thoughts and moments of true heartbreak, it's a book as far from mediocre as they come. Easily the most thoughtful and relevant book I've read this year. It's not just a chick lit romance. It's an inspiring and heart-warming family drama. Through her breathtakingly compelling prose and beautifully fleshed out, real characters, Moyes explores some tough subjects, such as bullying, social injustice, poverty, dysfunctional families, solo parenting and all the challenges that come with it, and more. Way, way more. 
 I cried, I laughed, I sobbed, I got angry.. I fell in love with these people and their story. This book was a journey - full of love, hope, second chances and wisdom - and I am sure I'd be re-taking this journey time and time again. 
 An absolutely phenomenal reading experience.