Still Me

Moyes’s beloved Lou Clark returns (following Me Before You and After You) in a crowd-pleasing work that follows the irresistible Lou as she travels from her home in England to New York City. Lou has been hired by the ultrawealthy Leonard Gopnik to be an assistant and companion to his much younger wife, Agnes. As Lou adjusts to being apart from her paramedic boyfriend, Sam, she becomes accustomed to the mercurial moods of Agnes and the dreary fashion of her new staff uniform, in direct contrast to her own quirky vintage wardrobe. She attends social events with Agnes to help her weather the vicious gossip from the New York society duennas, who are friends of the previous Mrs. Gopnik, and Lou and Agnes start to become something like friends. Lou is a magnetic protagonist whose humorous yet touching interactions with ever-friendly porter Ashok and acerbic neighbor Mrs. De Witt highlight her humanity and desire to fully live her life. As Lou is exposed to the lifestyle of the very rich, she maintains her integrity and discovers that the trappings of wealth cannot guarantee real happiness. Moyes’s many fans and newcomers alike will be satisfied by the humor, riveting story, and realistic and well-developed characters. (Jan.)