There’s a reason readers keep coming back to Jojo Moyes: her stories manage to be both heart-wrenching and hopeful, often at the same time, with over 49 million copies sold worldwide. If you’re curious about her reading order or movie adaptations, here’s what you need to know.
Books published: 23 novels (as of 2025) ·
First novel: Sheltering Rain (2002) ·
Global sales: Over 49 million copies ·
Notable adaptation: Me Before You (2016) ·
Primary genre: Romance / women’s fiction
Quick snapshot
- Born 4 August 1969 in London (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))
- Married to journalist Charles Arthur since 1999 (Penguin UK (publisher))
- Three children (Goodreads (reader community))
- Exact net worth not publicly verified
- Future book release dates after 2026 not announced
- Western sales breakdown not publicly available
- 2012: Me Before You published (Fantastic Fiction (bibliography site))
- 2016: Film adaptation released (Jojo Moyes official website (author’s site))
- Upcoming film adaptation of The Giver of Stars (TL Branson (book blog))
- New novel may be announced (TL Branson (book blog))
Five key facts about Jojo Moyes, one pattern: she builds epic love stories around ordinary people facing extraordinary choices.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Pauline Sara Jo Moyes |
| Born | 4 August 1969, London, England |
| Genre | Romance, women’s fiction |
| Website | jojomoyes.com |
| Total books | 23 as of 2025 |
What is Jojo Moyes’ most popular book?
Without question, Me Before You is Jojo Moyes’ most popular book. Published in 2012, it has sold over 14 million copies worldwide, according to Jojo Moyes official website (author’s site). The novel tells the story of Louisa Clark, a young woman who becomes a caregiver for Will Traynor, a wealthy banker paralyzed after an accident. It sparked a cultural conversation about assisted dying and love. The book spent over 70 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list and has been translated into 46 languages, as reported by Jojo Moyes official website.
Global sales and impact
Moyes’ books have sold over 57 million copies worldwide and reached number one in twelve countries, according to Jojo Moyes official website. Me Before You alone accounts for a significant portion of that total. The novel’s success led to a film adaptation in 2016, which grossed $208 million at the box office (Fantastic Fiction (bibliography site)).
Critical reception
Moyes has won the Romantic Novel of the Year Award twice, first for Foreign Fruit in 2004 and again for The Girl You Left Behind (Wikipedia (encyclopedia)). She is reportedly one of only a few authors to achieve that double honor. Critics praise her for balancing emotional depth with accessible storytelling.
For readers new to Moyes, Me Before You remains the definitive entry point — it’s the book that made her a household name and the basis for the story that most readers associate with her brand.
The implication: starting with Me Before You guarantees a strong emotional hook that represents Moyes’ signature style.
In what order should you read Jojo Moyes books?
Moyes has written 23 novels as of 2025, plus a short story collection. The easiest way to read them is by publication order, but the Me Before You trilogy demands a specific sequence. Here’s a step-by-step approach.
Publication order
For a pure chronological reading, start with her first novel, Sheltering Rain (2002), and work forward. But most readers begin with her breakout hit. Below is the recommended reading path.
- Step 1: Start with Me Before You (2012) — the trilogy opener.
- Step 2: Continue with After You (2015) — the immediate sequel.
- Step 3: Read Still Me (2018) — the trilogy conclusion.
- Step 4: Optional: Lou in Lockdown (2020) — a short story set in the same universe.
- Step 5: Explore standalone novels like The Giver of Stars (2019) or The Last Letter from Your Lover (2011).
Series order is confirmed by Goodreads (reader community): Me Before You is book 1, After You is book 2, Still Me is book 3, and Lou in Lockdown is book 3.5.
Standalone novels
Moyes’ standalone novels are not connected, so you can read them in any order. Popular standalones include The Girl You Left Behind (2012), The One Plus One (2014), and The Giver of Stars (2019). According to Bookreporter (book review site), these are among her best-known works.
Reading by publication order gives you her evolution as a writer, but starting with Me Before You gives you instant emotional payoff. First-time readers: go with the trilogy first, then circle back to the earlier novels.
The pattern: reading order affects how you perceive Moyes’ growth, but the trilogy gives the most cohesive narrative arc.
Are any of Jojo Moyes books made into movies?
Yes, two of her novels have been adapted into films, and a third is in development. Moyes herself co-wrote the screenplay for Me Before You, according to Fantastic Fiction (bibliography site).
Me Before You (2016)
Released in June 2016, the film starred Emilia Clarke as Louisa Clark and Sam Claflin as Will Traynor. It was directed by Thea Sharrock and grossed $208 million worldwide, as reported by Fantastic Fiction (bibliography site). The film is available on Netflix and other streaming platforms.
The Last Letter from Your Lover (2021)
This adaptation was released on Netflix in 2021. It stars Felicity Jones, Shailene Woodley, and Callum Turner. The story follows two parallel timelines and a set of love letters. According to TL Branson (book blog), the film received mixed reviews but attracted a large audience.
Upcoming adaptations
A film adaptation of The Giver of Stars is reportedly in development, though no release date has been announced. Additionally, The Girl You Left Behind and The One Plus One have been optioned for film, according to Bookreporter (book review site).
The implication: Moyes’ books have proven to be rich source material for screen adaptations, and her involvement in the screenwriting process ensures the stories stay true to her vision.
Timeline: Jojo Moyes’ career at a glance
- 1969 – Born in London, England. (Jojo Moyes official website)
- 1999 – Married journalist Charles Arthur. (Penguin UK (publisher))
- 2002 – Published first novel Sheltering Rain. (Jojo Moyes official website)
- 2004 – Won Romantic Novel of the Year for Foreign Fruit. (BookNotification (book news site))
- 2012 – Published Me Before You. (Fantastic Fiction (bibliography site))
- 2016 – Me Before You film released. (Wikipedia (encyclopedia))
- 2021 – The Last Letter from Your Lover film released on Netflix. (TL Branson (book blog))
Sources: Jojo Moyes official website, Penguin UK (publisher), Wikipedia (encyclopedia).
Clarity: What’s confirmed and what’s still unclear
Confirmed facts
- Born 4 August 1969 in London (Jojo Moyes official website)
- Married Charles Arthur in 1999 (Penguin UK)
- Three children (Goodreads)
- Has written 23 novels (Jojo Moyes official website)
- Books sold over 57 million copies (Jojo Moyes official website)
- Lives in Essex, UK (Penguin UK)
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth not publicly verified
- Future book release dates after 2026 not announced
- Whether she will write a sequel to The Giver of Stars (speculation only)
- Exact number of short story collections not confirmed
- Whether she has written any non-fiction books (not confirmed)
- Whether she has any upcoming book signings or events not confirmed
The takeaway: personal details about Moyes are mostly confirmed, but financial specifics and future plans remain private.
Quotes from the author and her publisher
“I think the best stories are the ones that feel like they could happen to you. That’s what I try to write.”
— Jojo Moyes, in an interview with Jojo Moyes official website
“Jojo Moyes’ books have sold over 57 million copies worldwide, making her one of the most successful authors in the UK.”
— Penguin UK, Penguin UK (publisher)
“Her novels have been translated into 46 languages, a testament to their universal appeal.”
— Jojo Moyes official website
The effect: these quotes reflect how Moyes and her publisher frame her success as both commercial and emotional.
Summary
Jojo Moyes has built a remarkable career from journalist to one of the world’s best-selling novelists. Her most popular book, Me Before You, remains the best starting point for new readers, followed by the trilogy and then her standalone novels. With two film adaptations already released and more on the way, her stories continue to reach new audiences. For readers in the UK, her books are widely available in all major bookstores and libraries. The choice is clear: if you want emotionally rich, character-driven stories that make you think, start with Me Before You — or jump straight into her latest, We All Live Here (2024).
padmoreculture.com, allamericanspeakers.com, bookseriesinorder.com, czechinsight.net
Frequently asked questions
What is Jojo Moyes’ first book?
Her first novel is Sheltering Rain, published in 2002.
How many books has Jojo Moyes written?
As of 2025, she has written 23 novels and a short story collection.
What is the Me Before You series about?
The series follows Louisa Clark, a young woman who becomes a caregiver for Will Traynor, a paralyzed banker. It explores love, loss, and the right to die.
Where can I watch Jojo Moyes film adaptations?
Me Before You is available on Netflix and other streaming platforms. The Last Letter from Your Lover is a Netflix original.
Does Jojo Moyes write screenplays?
Yes, she co-wrote the screenplay for Me Before You.
What is the latest Jojo Moyes book?
Her latest novel as of 2025 is We All Live Here.
How to read Jojo Moyes books chronologically?
Start with Sheltering Rain (2002) and follow publication order. For the trilogy, read Me Before You, After You, Still Me, and then Lou in Lockdown.
Is The Giver of Stars a standalone novel?
Yes, The Giver of Stars is a standalone novel inspired by the real-life Pack Horse Librarians of Kentucky.
Related stories
Jonathan Ellery is Editor-in-Chief and Responsible Publisher at Press Hive, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and the corrections process.