Jojo Moyes is one of the most successful British novelists of the past two decades, known for emotionally charged stories that blend romance with real-life dilemmas. Born Pauline Sara Jo Moyes on 4 August 1969 in Maidstone, Kent, she built a career in journalism before transitioning to fiction, where she found global fame with the *Me Before You* trilogy.
Her books have sold over 57 million copies worldwide and have been translated into 46 languages. Beyond novels, Moyes works as a screenwriter, adapting her own stories for film and television. Her latest novel, We All Live Here, was published in 2025.
She lives on a farm in Essex with her husband, journalist Charles Arthur, and their three children.
Who is Jojo Moyes? – Full Biography and Career Background
Jojo Moyes transitioned from journalism to novel writing starting in 2002.
Her Me Before You trilogy is her most famous work, with film adaptations.
Her latest novel We All Live Here was published in 2025.
She is married to journalist Charles Arthur and has three children.
Her books have sold over 57 million copies worldwide.
She has won the Romantic Novel of the Year Award twice.
She wrote screenplays for film adaptations of her own novels.
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 4 August 1969 |
| Birthplace | Maidstone, Kent, England |
| Occupation | Novelist, screenwriter |
| Spouse | Charles Arthur |
| Children | Three |
| First Novel Year | 2002 |
| Most Famous Work | Me Before You (2012) |
| Latest Novel | We All Live Here (2025) |
Early Life and Varied Jobs
Before entering journalism, Moyes held a range of jobs. She worked as a minicab controller, typed braille statements for blind people at NatWest, and wrote brochures for Club 18-30. These experiences, she has said, gave her a broad view of life that later informed her writing.
Education and Journalism Career
Moyes attended Royal Holloway and Bedford New College at the University of London. In 1992, she won a bursary from The Independent to study postgraduate newspaper journalism at City University. She then worked for The Independent for ten years, including a year in Hong Kong with the South China Morning Post in 1994. She became Assistant News Editor in 1998 and Arts and Media Correspondent in 2002.
Transition to Novelist
Moyes sent her first three manuscripts to publishers and was rejected each time. She decided she would stop writing if her fourth book was also rejected. Instead, publishers began a bidding war for it. Sheltering Rain was published in 2002, and she became a full-time novelist.
After three rejections, Moyes’s fourth manuscript triggered a publishing bidding war, launching her career as a novelist.
All Jojo Moyes Books in Order – Complete Reading List
Moyes has published 17 novels as of 2025, including sequels and short story collections. For readers who want to follow her work chronologically, the table below lists all major titles.
The Me Before You trilogy is often read as a standalone set, but reading her earlier novels provides deeper context for her recurring themes of love, loss, and resilience.
| Order | Title | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sheltering Rain | 2002 | First published novel |
| 2 | Foreign Fruit (aka Windfallen) | 2003 | Won Romantic Novel of the Year Award 2004 |
| 3 | The Peacock Emporium | 2004 | |
| 4 | The Ship of Brides | 2005 | |
| 5 | Silver Bay | 2006 | |
| 6 | Night Music | 2008 | |
| 7 | The Horse Dancer | 2009 | |
| 8 | The Last Letter from Your Lover | 2010 | Adapted to film (2021) |
| 9 | The Girl You Left Behind | 2012 | |
| 10 | Me Before You | 2012 | Over 15 million copies sold; film (2016) |
| 11 | After You | 2015 | Sequel to Me Before You |
| 12 | One Plus One | 2014 | Won Romantic Novel of the Year Award 2015 |
| 13 | The Giver of Stars | 2019 | |
| 14 | Paris for One and Other Stories | 2016 | Short story collection |
| 15 | Still Me | 2018 | Sequel to Me Before You |
| 16 | Someone Else’s Shoes | 2023 | |
| 17 | We All Live Here | 2025 | Latest novel |
The novella Honeymoon in Paris (2015) and the short story Paris for One (2015) are also part of her published work, often included in collections.
New Jojo Moyes Books 2026: What Is We All Live Here?
Moyes’s most recent novel is We All Live Here, published in 2025. Despite some online speculation, there is no confirmed title for a 2026 book in the provided sources. It is possible she has a new novel forthcoming, but no details have been announced.
What Is We All Live Here About?
We All Live Here is Moyes’s 17th novel. Published in 2025, it continues her signature exploration of family dynamics, love, and the complexities of modern life. The book was also adapted into a podcast series, produced by Moyes herself.
What Is the Novella At the Lake?
The query “At the Lake” appears in the search data but is not a confirmed published work by Jojo Moyes in the provided research materials. It may refer to an unpublished project, a short story, or a confusion with another author’s work.
Jojo Moyes Husband and Children: Who Is Jojo Moyes Family?
Moyes is married to Charles Arthur, a journalist. The couple lives on a farm in Essex with their three children. Arthur’s profession mirrors Moyes’s own earlier career in journalism.
Charles Arthur is a technology journalist, widely known for his work covering the tech industry for British newspapers.
Does Jojo Moyes Have Children?
Yes, she has three children. The names and specific details about each child have not been widely publicized, consistent with Moyes’s general approach to keeping her family life private.
What Is Jojo Moyes’s Daughter Doing Now?
One of her daughters is pursuing a career in journalism, following in both her parents’ footsteps. However, the specific media outlet or role has not been publicly confirmed.
Career Timeline: From Journalism to Bestselling Author
- 1969: Born in Maidstone, Kent, England.
- 1990s: Works as a journalist for The Independent and the South China Morning Post.
- 2002: Publishes first novel Sheltering Rain.
- 2012: Publishes Me Before You, which becomes a global bestseller.
- 2016: Me Before You film adaptation starring Sam Claflin and Emilia Clarke is released.
- 2021: The Last Letter from Your Lover film adaptation is released.
- 2025: Publishes We All Live Here, her latest novel.
Clarifications on Common Queries
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Jojo Moyes is married to Charles Arthur. | Exact titles and release dates for works beyond 2025 are not yet confirmed. |
| She has three children. | Details about her daughter’s specific journalism role are not fully public. |
| We All Live Here was published in 2025. | Whether a 2026 novel exists is unconfirmed. |
| She won the Romantic Novel of the Year Award twice. | The full details of all future adaptation projects have not been announced. |
Context and Impact: Why Jojo Moyes Matters
Moyes is credited with reviving the romance genre by writing emotionally complex characters who face real-world challenges. Her novels often explore themes of disability, class, and personal sacrifice, giving them a depth that resonates beyond typical romantic fiction.
Like Roald Dahl Book – Complete Guide to All His Works, her books are read by a wide audience across age groups. The film adaptation of Me Before You significantly expanded her reach, introducing her stories to millions of new readers worldwide.
Her background in journalism is evident in her precise, observant prose. Critics often compare her emotionally rich storytelling to that of authors like Nicholas Sparks, though Moyes’s British sensibility and focus on female perspective distinguish her work. Another fellow British author with a crossover appeal is David Baddiel – Biography, Books, and Key Views.
Sources and Quotes
“Her books have sold over 57 million copies worldwide and been translated into 46 languages.”
“She won the Romantic Novel of the Year Award twice: for Foreign Fruit (2004) and The One Plus One (2015).”
“Moyes has published 17 novels (including sequels) as of 2025.”
What Is Next for Jojo Moyes?
Moyes continues to write and promote her latest novel, We All Live Here. A film adaptation of The Giver of Stars is in development, with Moyes attached as a writer and producer. She also remains active in screenwriting and podcast production, expanding her work across multiple media formats.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jojo Moyes still writing books?
Yes, she is actively writing and releasing new novels. Her latest, We All Live Here, was published in 2025.
What is the best order to read Jojo Moyes books?
Start with her earliest works, but the Me Before You trilogy can be read first as a standalone set.
Has Jojo Moyes won any awards?
Yes, she has won the Romantic Novel of the Year Award multiple times, for Foreign Fruit and The One Plus One.
Are there films based on her books beyond Me Before You?
Yes, The Last Letter from Your Lover was adapted in 2021.
How many books has Jojo Moyes written?
She has published 17 novels as of 2025, including sequels and short story collections.
What is Jojo Moyes’s real name?
Her full name is Pauline Sara Jo Moyes. She writes under the name Jojo Moyes.
Does Jojo Moyes write screenplays?
Yes, she wrote the screenplays for the film adaptations of Me Before You and The Last Letter from Your Lover.
Where does Jojo Moyes live?
She lives on a farm in Essex, England, with her husband and children.
Is We All Live Here a sequel?
We All Live Here is not confirmed as a sequel in the provided sources. It is a standalone novel published in 2025.
What is the Me Before You series about?
The trilogy follows Louisa Clark, a young woman whose life changes after she becomes a caregiver for Will Traynor, a man with a spinal cord injury.
Freddie Harry Cooper Bennett is a staff writer for DailyPressUK.co.uk, covering UK news, politics, business and culture. He works under Editor-in-Chief Jonathan Whitmore and UK Managing Editor Eleanor Grant, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.