The Recommended Reading Order for Me Before You
When it comes to Jojo Moyes' internationally bestselling series, there is only one way to experience the story: in order of publication. Because the series tracks the profound personal growth, grief, and new beginnings of protagonist Louisa Clark, reading the books out of order will spoil the major plot points and emotional resolution of the previous installments. Fortunately, the chronological order matches the publication timeline exactly.
Here is the recommended reading path for the trilogy:
- Me Before You (2012) - The story begins here, introducing Louisa Clark and Will Traynor.
- After You (2015) - The direct sequel exploring the aftermath of the first book's events and Louisa's journey through grief.
- Still Me (2018) - The final chapter, which follows Louisa as she starts fresh in New York City.
A Closer Look at the Books
1. Me Before You (2012)
The book that started a global phenomenon introduces us to Louisa "Lou" Clark, an eccentric, quirky 26-year-old who has rarely stepped outside her tiny English home village. When she loses her long-time café job, she takes a high-paying position as a companion to Will Traynor, a wealthy, former high-achiever who was left quadriplegic after a tragic motorcycle accident. Will is cynical, depressed, and has given his parents six months before he travels to Switzerland for assisted suicide. Louisa makes it her mission to show Will that life is still worth living, leading to a deep, transformative connection that changes both of their lives forever.
2. After You (2015)
Picking up after the heartbreaking events of the first novel, this sequel deals with the realistic weight of grief and moving on. Louisa is back in England, working a dead-end airport pub job and struggling with the promise she made to "live boldly." After a freak accident on her rooftop terrace, she joins a grief support group and meets Sam, a kind paramedic who understands trauma. The story takes an unexpected turn when Lily, a troubled teenager from Will's past, shows up at Lou's door, forcing Louisa to step into a new role and figure out how to rebuild her life without losing her memories of the past.
3. Still Me (2018)
In the final installment of the trilogy, Louisa Clark arrives in New York City to start a brand-new job as a companion to the second wife of a high-society billionaire. Lou is determined to embrace this new adventure and keep her long-distance relationship with Sam alive. As she navigates the dramatic, wealthy world of Fifth Avenue and meets a man named Joshua who bears an uncanny resemblance to Will, Louisa is forced to ask herself who she really is, what she wants, and how to stay true to her own heart while living in two very different worlds.
The Standalone Dilemma: Should You Stop After Book One?
One of the most common debates among readers is whether to treat Me Before You as a standalone novel. The first book has a highly definitive, emotionally devastating ending. For many readers, the story of Louisa and Will feels complete as it is, and some fear that the sequels might dilute the impact of the original tragedy.
However, Jojo Moyes has stated that she wrote the sequels because she couldn't stop wondering how Louisa would navigate the aftermath of her experiences. If you want to see Louisa grow, find her own independence, and learn to live boldly on her own terms, continuing to After You and Still Me is highly rewarding. If you prefer to leave the story at its emotional peak without exploring the complex, messy realities of grief and recovery, you may choose to read only the first book.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into this series, readers should be prepared for the heavy emotional themes. Me Before You deals directly with physical disability, chronic pain, and the controversial ethics of assisted suicide. It is a tearjerker that balances these heavy themes with Louisa's vibrant fashion sense, humorous dialogue, and warm family dynamics. The subsequent books transition from a romance focus to a story of self-discovery, moving from the cozy, claustrophobic atmosphere of Stortfold, England, to the bustling streets of London and finally the high-society circles of New York City.
No Spin-Offs or Co-Authored Expansions
Readers looking for companion novellas, side-character spin-offs, or co-authored entries will find that the universe of Louisa Clark is compact and strictly self-contained. Jojo Moyes wrote all three novels independently, and there are no auxiliary short stories or spin-off series. To experience this story, you only need the main trilogy. However, fans of the first book can also check out the 2016 film adaptation of Me Before You, which stars Emilia Clarke and Sam Claflin, and featured a screenplay written by Moyes herself.