We All Live Here is another fantastic novel from Jojo Moyes full of relatable characters and situations. Lila’s husband has left her for a younger woman who is now pregnant. Lila has to see her everyday in the playground while collecting her youngest daughter from school. This happened shortly after her book was published. A book that gives advice on how to freshen up a stale marriage. Lila is also managing her bereavement following the sudden death of her mother. Her elderly step dad has moved into her crumbling home and her real dad suddenly appears after being absent for most of her life. Full of the usual humour and more poignant moments, this is a great read for anyone juggling life and it’s ever increasing demands.

This book articulates perfectly the complications and chaos of family life. Fun, moving, but also very astute and wise. Pure joy!

🤍Book review 🤍


We All Live Here
by Jojo Moyes


Very grateful to the publisher for my copy through NetGalley, opinions are my own.

We All Live Here by Jojo Moyes is a heartwarming and entertaining family drama filled with humor, love, and relatable chaos.
The story follows Lila, a recently separated mother navigating life with her two daughters, her stepfather, and the unexpected arrival of her estranged Hollywood actor father, Gene.
Moyes excels at creating well-developed, lovable characters, each dealing with their own struggles.
From teenage rebellion to grief and second chances, the novel explores family relationships in a raw, honest, and often funny way.
The mix of emotions—sadness, laughter, and hope—makes this book truly engaging.
The story feels real, with messy situations, mistakes, and growth, making it easy to connect with the characters.
It’s a feel-good, uplifting read that beautifully captures the ups and downs of a family life.
If you enjoy stories about love, resilience, and imperfect but strong families, this book is a must-read!

We All Live Here is an easy read family drama with a lovely cast of richly developed characters who are relatable and likeable,

If books with dysfunctional families is your thing then you will love this book. It is about grief, love, forgiveness and new beginnings.

Highly recommended!!

This was a great family drama, following Lila and her family after a lot of recent upheaval in their lives.

Covering loss, grief, breakups, abandonment and teenage issues to name a few, this was a believable look at the chaos of family life and how it can come in all shapes and sizes.

With a great cast of characters, I recommend this if you are in the mood for a warm and witty family drama.

I am smiling just thinking about this delightful story of Lila and her unconventional but likeable family. We All Live Here ticked so many boxes for me. Feel good, emotional, funny, and believable. The characters are it's real strength, but the messy, chaos of their lives and the pace of the plot were up there on making this such a readable novel.
As Jojo Moyes has matured, her focus characters have too, and I think that Lila is so well portrayed as a middle-aged single Mum. There is a big audience for this type of tale, and I am here for it. The supporting cast were also entertaining and had a real depth. The teenage kids and the older 'Dads' especially.
I would definitely recommend this book for escapism, relatability and fun. And blimey - it makes me REALLY glad I no longer have to do the school run....

Jojo Moyes is the author of my favourite book Me Before You and I have read all of her books and loved them all they all are so well researched and have such depth to the storylines so I do not hesitate to read each new release of hers.

We All Live Here is her new release and this one is very different from her previous books it was just the kind of light easy read that I needed after reading so many heavily detailed books recently.

This book centres around the Kennedy family as Lila is on the start of navigating life after her recent separation from her husband but there is no chance of her being lonely at home because the house is bedlam with a mix of family members all bringing humour, dramatics, heartache and challenges to the household. Jojo Moyes always excels in character development and this is what shines through in this book as she takes each character and really brings their struggles to the heart of the storyline and skilfully weaves them all together in this chaotic household.

Mistakes are made and feelings are hurt but at the same time lessons are learnt and relationships are made stronger, this is a realistic storyline that doesn't gloss over the actions and emotions after separation and this is dealt with in a brutally honest way which at times you sympathise with and at other points have you chuckling away and fully backing her ruthlessness!

I really enjoyed this book and it was the perfect book at the perfect time, I don't think this one will leave a lasting impression on me like all of her other books not because it wasn't good but because it was just a nice simple read but it didn't have a storyline that I feel will be memorable as it didn't have an impact on me.

Enter Lila’s chaotic home and embrace her extended family . A wonderful cast of characters that come to life on the page. Love, life, friendship , forgiveness , upsets , caring , hurt resound in the telling of this family lifec

Lila is a 42 year old single mother living with her two daughters and stepfather after her mother passed away recently. She has to navigate her new normal after her husband left her for another woman and then one day her estranged Hollywood actor birth father shows up. What else could go wrong?

I thoroughly enjoyed this messy, dysfunctional family that JoJo managed quite masterfully bring to life in this book.
We get to see how not only Lila manages with her grief and new relationships but also how her children are coping with their own awkward feelings.
I also loved how all their different personalities really showed up on-page.
It was funny, sad, lonely, romantic and crazy but most of all up-lifting! I would recommend to anyone wanting a new women’s fiction read.

Another absolutely fabulous tale from Jojo Moyes! I laughed and I cried at this relatable story of family - from broken marriage to family by choice and learning to love again. The characters were all beautifully written and relatable. I loved Celie and the portrayal of teenage friendship and finding yourself. A really great read that I highly recommend.

A thoroughly enjoyable family drama.

I loved the MC Lila and felt so much empathy for her situation. Lila is grieving the sudden loss of her mother, her husband has moved out to be with his mistress and a whole menagerie of characters seem to descend on her house.

The characters were flawed, witty, charming and utterly human. Failing frequently but trying again, ever hopeful.

Thank you so much to Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House and NetGalley for the ARC.

A nice easy read with a motley crew of (mostly) likeable characters and a reminder that families come in all shapes and forms.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

I recently heard the phrase "the sandwich generation" used to describe a generation of people in their 40s who are dividing their time between looking after their children and also their parents: so literally they are the filling in the middle holding things together. This book perfect demonstrates this.
Lila is struggling herself but is holding it together as she supports her daughters and also her fathers. She's not perfect but she is doing the best she can - in sometimes hilarious, sometimes heart-breaking situations. I felt completely for her need to be seen but also to make everything look effortless.
A perfect cast of characters and a story that draws you in and delights to the end.

Wow. Well here it is, my favourite, top book of 2025. It may only be February but I doubt very much there will be any other book this year that will bring me so much unbridled joy reading it. Every page was an absolute pleasure.

This book reminded me a little bit of The One Plus One in that it’s family orientated, but I’ve only read that and Me Before You, out of this authors books to compare with. It’s lots of fun, absorbing, crazy and vibrant and there is never a dull moment in the Kennedy household.

A set of diverse characters bring chaos to the family home in their own special ways. A mixture of generations rubbing along together in often challenging circumstances. Even the dog Truant (what a name) adds a touch of craziness to the family. He’s got to be a Jack Russell, I don’t know if it ever refers to his breed but he reminded me so much of our own loony dog, a dog that will actually bite the hand that feeds him if the fancy takes.

Every single character is a star in their own right. Even aside from those in the Kennedy house, there’s additional characters who add more depth to the plot. The gardener/friend of Bill, Lila’s friend as well as her new love interest. Full of warmth and good humour, this is a fabulous book that will keep you completely engrossed.

5* I jumped at the chance to read the latest book from Jojo Moyes and certainly wasn't disappointed.

Lila's unbelievably complicated life is exhausting, but soon became addictive reading. Every day she collects her youngest daughter from school and is faced with her ex-husband's girlfriend who's also waiting in the playground for her child. Lila's older daughter has become a stroppy teenager: rebellious, argumentative and prone to slamming doors. After Lila's mother dies, her grieving step-father moves in, the dog turns psycho and the family house is in desperate need of repair.

Lila's long absent father arrives from America, claiming all the hotels are full (he's broke) and he wants to stay with her just for one night, this turns into weeks. The house appears to be shrinking, both dads are at each other's throats, and Lila desperately needs peace to write her second book or she won't be paid.

This isn't a lightweight read, it's extended family life multiplied many times over. 'We All Live Here' is skilfully written and hugely entertaining. A well deserved 5*.

With thanks to Penguin Random House and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book, this review is my personal, unbiased opinion.

Fabulous read. A chaotic family house...at the heart of which is Lila. Jo Jo Moyes has created a likeable and relatable character in Lila. She is juggling a writing job, two ' father's, two children, a gardener, a husband who's left her and who's new partner is now pregnant, the clique at the school gates, a love rat....and so it goes on;!!
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, well written with characters that were well drawn and realistic.. I loved the epilogue which pulled all the strands together., a very satisfying read.
I had not previously read anything by this author and I will now definitely be reading the others

Book Review: We All Live Here by Jojo Moyes

Jojo Moyes, known for her heartfelt and nuanced storytelling, delivers yet another captivating novel with We All Live Here. This contemporary tale of family, relationships, and self-discovery is a delightful exploration of the challenges and triumphs that come with blended families, and it’s filled with the wit and warmth that readers have come to love from the author.

At the center of the story is Lila Kennedy, a woman whose life is far from the ideal she once wrote about in a bestselling book on keeping a marriage alive. Lila’s world is thrown into disarray when she discovers her ex-husband is building a life with another woman—and this woman happens to be at the same school pick-up every day. Her life, however, is also filled with a quirky and colorful household that includes her stepdad Bill, her rebellious daughter Celie, her hilarious nine-year-old Violet, and the ever-odd Truant, the dog who bites a famous American actor. It’s a mess, but it’s Lila’s mess.

Then there’s Gene, Lila’s estranged father, who shows up uninvited, stirring up old tensions and bringing a whirlwind of chaos with him. Though he’s never been a role model, his presence shifts the dynamics in the Kennedy household in unexpected ways. Gene, with his carefree spirit and disregard for conventions, becomes a catalyst for change—and as a result, Lila finds herself reassessing her life, her relationships, and, astonishingly, even starting to date again.

Moyes excels at creating richly layered characters who feel authentic and relatable. Lila is a complex and sympathetic protagonist, struggling to hold her family together while navigating the fallout from her past. The chaotic but endearing nature of her family creates a backdrop that is both humorous and poignant. Her daughters, each with their own unique personalities, add both heart and hilarity to the story.

We All Live Here is filled with both laugh-out-loud moments and deeply touching scenes. Moyes’ signature wit shines through, but it’s her ability to balance humor with the deeper, often difficult themes of family dynamics, personal growth, and forgiveness that truly sets this novel apart. The transformation of Lila’s family from a group of individuals barely holding it together to a more cohesive and supportive unit is heartwarming and relatable.

Moyes’ storytelling is rich in depth and emotion, and she tackles the complexities of family life with a refreshing honesty. The book explores the idea that family isn’t just about blood; it’s about connection, forgiveness, and the willingness to embrace change.

For fans of Me Before You and The Giver of Stars, We All Live Here offers another beautiful, character-driven narrative that leaves readers both uplifted and reflective. The way Moyes seamlessly weaves humor and heart into this story is masterful, and it’s the perfect read for anyone looking for a thought-provoking, feel-good novel.

Rating: 5/5
We All Live Here is a triumph, brimming with wit, wisdom, and a cast of lovable characters who will stay with you long after you turn the last page. It’s a celebration of the imperfect, messy, and wonderfully unpredictable nature of family. Jojo Moyes has once again created a book that is impossible to put down and impossible to forget.

This new family story from Jojo Moyes focuses on a low moment in Lila’s life. She’s a mother of two girls whose husband has left her for a younger woman (who also happens to be at school pick-up) and she’s recently lost her own mother. Her stepfather is also grieving and lonely, and seems to have practically moved in. Celie, her sixteen-year-old, is moody and withdrawn, and all of a sudden, Lila’s own absent father turns up out of the blue with a sob story. Her literary agent is pressuring her to deliver a manuscript, the bloody toilet is blocked (again), her bank account is practically empty and the plumber is probably ripping her off.
Nevermind, there’s always the hot new dad she’s just bumped into on the school run…
This is a lovely, character-led story about an extended/extending family told from several of the character’s perspectives, but predominantly Lila’s.
It’s a gentle novel with no surprise twists that’s all about forgiveness and growth. It’s incredibly readable (as you’d expect from Jojo Moyes) very entertaining and skips along at a good pace.
There’s a beautiful heart-wrenching moment in the school play near the end of the novel that brought a tear to my eye.
Five stars from me, with thanks to NetGalley and Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House for the review copy.
We All Live Here publishes on 11 February.

A fabulous book from Jojo Moyes, about modern blended multi generational chaotic family life!
Lila is a writer starting out on her next book, divorced and bringing up her two girls is a struggle, and after the death of her mother, her step dad Bill all but moves in to help out, cooking and cleaning for the family and fixing up what’s broken. When her real dad turns up out of the blue from Hollywood the chaos steps up a notch. Is it time she got to know her real dad?! Her best friend Eleanor has an exciting sex life, is this what Lila wants now?! Oh and there’s a mad dog….
Entertaining and enjoyable, this is a well written easy read. A thoughtful look at the modern world, family dynamics, kindness and generosity of spirit and sensitive to differences.
The characters are recognisable but a little predictable.
For me not her best book but a really good read that lightens the dark days of winter!
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Books for the early read.

Lila wrote a best seller about how to keep a marriage alive after 15yrs. When Lila was promoting her book her husband left her, even worse, he left her for a younger women who is also a mum with a child at Lila's daughter's school so she has to see her everyday.
Lila is now a single parent who has to share her two girls with their father.
She has to share her home with her stepfather since her mother died suddenly. Her 16yr old daughter is having problems at school and the 9yr old , well she's verbally progressive for her age.

I honestly don't know how Lila is remaining on her feet and functioning. The poor women is carrying everyone's problems on her back as well as her own. She is tryng to write a sequel to her book, really because she needs money or she will have to sell her house. Enter her estranged father who also wants to share her house with her after years in America and no contact.
I so enjoyed this book, I think Jojo Moyes threw every family problem at it she could. There were also very funny bits through the story mostly from Lila's youngest child. And very poignant moments as Lila comes to terms with what her husband did and what her future will be.
Love Jojo Moyes and loved this book.