Review: The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes

The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes

Publisher: Penguin

Pages: 384

Format: book

Buy the Book: Amazon

Goodreads:  What happened to the girl you left behind?

In 1916 French artist Edouard Lefevre leaves his wife Sophie to fight at the Front. When her town falls into German hands, his portrait of Sophie stirs the heart of the local Kommandant and causes her to risk everything - her family, reputation and life - in the hope of seeing her true love one last time.

Nearly a century later and Sophie's portrait is given to Liv by her young husband shortly before his sudden death. Its beauty speaks of their short life together, but when the painting's dark and passion-torn history is revealed, Liv discovers that the first spark of love she has felt since she lost him is threatened...


Kritters Thoughts:  A book with fantastic twists and turns that could keep any reader guessing until the very end!  Liv has been holding on to a painting given by her late husband who died way too young and it is the one thing that helps keep the happy memories of their marriage alive.  While at the same time, the subject of this painting - Sophie is fighting to keep the memories of her husband who is off to war alive, whether he is alive or not.  

Usually when there are two stories going on at one time, one in the past and one in the present, the chapters alternate, although in this book, you get a few chapters in one story and then a few in the other - I LOVED this.  I think the reader would have been lost and confused and not as fully engaged in each story if it had switched around so much.  

Although there was a hefty cast of characters between the two stories, Moyes made it so easy to remember and become attached to each story and each cast of characters.  I wasn't sure how I wanted the court case to end, but I couldn't wait to find out how Sophie's story would eventually fully intersect with Liv's.

I reviewed the novella prequel yesterday and I would say it was definitely great to read about each of these couples before embarking on this part of their journey.  So first read the novella and then curl up with this book, you won't want to put it down!

Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel

Disclosure of Material Connection:  I received one copy of this book free of charge from Penguin.  I was not required to write a positive review in exchange for receipt of the book; rather, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.