The Two of Us

by Andy Jones

A charming, unconventional love story about a couple who embark on a wildly passionate, two-week fling that will change both of their lives forever. If you loved One Day and The Rosie Project , you will fall head-over-heels for The Two of Us.

Anyone can fall in love. But not everyone can stay there.

Fisher and Ivy have been an item for all of nineteen days. Both of them have been in relationships before, and this time around, they know something is different—they are meant to be together. The fact that they know little else about each other is a minor detail.

But over the next year, a time in which their lives are irrevocably altered, Fisher and Ivy discover that falling in love is one thing—and staying there is an entirely different story.

The Two of Us is a charming, honest, laugh-out-loud novel about life, love, and the importance of taking neither one for granted.

Genres: Fiction, Romance, Contemporary, Adult, Chick Lit, Contemporary Romance, Adult Fiction

336 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2015

About the author

Andy Jones lives in London with his wife and two little girls. During the day he works in an advertising agency; at weekends and horribly early in the mornings, he writes fiction.

Reviews

[Andy Marr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Babes, was there any need to use the word 'babes' so often in this book? Huh, Babes?

Babes...?

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't sure at first that I'd enjoy this book, but I was interested to see how it would go being written by a male author from a guy's point of view. It was as a good read. Some parts very funny. Some parts extremely sad. All in all, I'd say Andy Jones did a decent job!

Three stars.

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

When we first meet Ivy and Fisher they have been together for 19 days and are in that honeymoon period – the one where you see your partner through rose coloured spectacles, count down the minutes you spend away from each other, endlessly drop your loved one’s name into every single conversation you have and where you just cannot keep your hands off each other. We have all been there! We follow them over the course of the next year because when Ivy discovers she is pregnant, they are going to have to come back off their honeymoon and start to build a real relationship and future together. Never easy at the best of times, but when you don’t actually know each other very well, there are bound to be hiccups along the way.

The story is told entirely through Fisher’s eyes as we watch him come to terms with the news and move through the next few months. We watch him making decisions about work, where he is going to live. On top of everything he has a friend’s stag night to organise and a best friend El who is suffering from Huntingdons Disease. Because we only saw his side of the story, I have to admit I didn’t really feel that I got to know Ivy properly. I sat with Will through all his anguish and worry about the future and I think I, rather unfairly, sometimes judged Ivy without really knowing her. There were times when, again unfairly, I felt that I didn’t really like her very much and I should have liked her more. We have so much in common and on paper I should have been in her corner as I have definitely walked in her shoes.

There are times when this is a nice light read but there is a lot more to this book than that, as it progresses towards the end there are some incredibly sad and moving moments which really left me blinking back the tears sometimes. On the whole this was a really lovely read that I got totally absorbed in, wanting Fisher to have a good happy ending. Many thanks to the publisher for the review copy.

[Sofia Teixeira · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eu sei, devia voltar ao formato opinião antigo, mas a verdade é que acabei mesmo agora de ler este livro e veio-me o impulso de escrever logo umas linhas sobre o mesmo. Virei a última página e fiquei tão confusa que às tantas parecia que ia chorar a rir, ou rir a chorar, não sei bem, ao mesmo tempo que me apetecia mandar uma quantidade imensa de palavrões cá para fora. Não foi uma leitura tão linear como ao início estava à espera e, embora não tivesse expectativas nenhumas, a verdade é que Nós os Dois foi um livro que, não sendo genial, me tocou verdadeiramente.

Ao início, o enredo parecia um pouco banal, nada de extraordinário, mas à medida que a história avança e nos vamos apercebendo de pequenos pormenores, há qualquer coisa que se começa a agitar dentro de nós. Fisher e Ivy são o casal protagonista, mas depois conhecemos também El e Phill, Esther e Nilo, e embora os últimos dois não tenham o "peso" dos primeiros, são elementos-chave no que toca ao que diferencia este romance de tantos outros. Pelo menos na minha opinião, claro. Temos ainda Joe, colega/chefe de realização de Fisher, e Suzy, que vieram a desempenhar um papel mais importante do que se calhar muitos leitores poderão dar conta.

Esta é a história de um casal que se conhece, que se apaixona automaticamente e fervorosamente, e que vive umas semanas dignas de lua-de-mel. O voltar à vida real traz consigo umas quantas questões, principalmente quando ambos dão conta que as suas vidas estão prestes a mudar... drasticamente! Ainda bem que a sinopse disponibilizada é tão curtinha, aconselho a que não procurem muito mais sobre o livro se estão a pensar lê-lo, porque honestamente o que não está lá é o que realmente importa. E a descoberta, o caminho que percorremos com os protagonistas, tem tanto de fascínio como de assombro, principalmente se formos reconhecendo algumas coisas pelo caminho.

É um romance romântico, sim, mas é tão humano, tão comovente e ao mesmo tempo revoltante, que dei por mim a devorá-lo em, literalmente, três tempos (dias). Embora possa parecer um pouco marginal, tenho de destacar a mestria do autor na teia de El e Phill, na visão que nos é mostrada do ponto de vista de Fisher e na impotência provocada no leitor. Mesmo sendo secundário, El foi dos personagens que mais mexeu comigo. E nessa mesma linha do assistir e não poder intervir, tenho alguma dificuldade em falar de Ivy. Acho que lendo o livro perceberão porquê. Tentei colocar-me no lugar dela página após página e não foi nada fácil. Na última meia centena de páginas tornou-se quase insuportável. Ainda assim, a coisa boa de Nós os Dois é que, tal como na vida real, há sempre esperança de que algo se endireito, algo se concerte dentro de nós e que volte a fazer sentido.

Embora tenha saído em tempo oportuno, perto da altura do Dia dos Namorados, acho que esta é uma obra a ser lida em qualquer altura. Fará recordar várias paixões, as suas diversas fases, mas também terá emoção suficiente para que em certas alturas nos recordemos que esta podia ser a nossa história. Poder-se-ia dizer que este é um romance onde as imperfeições humanas dão uma beleza única à história que conta. Gostei.

[Shahirah Loqman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I initially picked up this book because I thought it was filled with sappy love stories of two people falling in love.

But it's not. It's even better than that. It's the story of how falling in love in the most unconventional of ways and how it makes you love the person you're with even more. The story was practical and realistic, reminds me of Jeffrey Euginides' The Marriage Plot... Only this is a little less depressing.

I learnt how adult relationships are sometimes vulnerable and romance isn't what is always contained in it.

Got some great advice about life from this book too: whatever hurdles comes your way, embrace it.

[Inês · Rating 2 out of 5]

Peguei neste romance porque queria uma coisa leve, que não fosse YA e que me permitisse ler em períodos de pouca concentração e com a duração máxima de dez minutos (o tempo que, ultimamente, me tem sido possível dispensar a leituras de ficção). Mentira! Pequei nele por causa da capa. Mas, em todo o caso, desejei que satisfizesse as anteriores exigências e, nesse sentido, penso que se adequou à função. Não é um livro extremamente lamechas, como muita ficção ligeira tende a tornar-se, e não se arma ao pingarelho.
Porém, a sinopse prometia mais. Julguei que a certa altura conseguisse surpreender-me, ou que esta seria uma história que atravessasse os séculos de vida de um casal, com todos os altos e baixos que isso acarreta, mas não. Para quase 400 páginas, o enredo parece um pouco curto. Não houve verdadeiros momentos de tensão (e eu esperei por eles!), nem sequer posso dizer que tenha visto cumprido aquele que, para mim, é o propósito fundamental dos livros: o de despertar emoções.
Ainda assim, conseguiu manter-me interessada (ou talvez eu desespere por aqueles dez minutinhos de sossego do meu dia). Não o recomendo especialmente, mas adorava que me dessem sugestões de livros que possam acompanhar-me nesta fase :) Por favor!

[Kruimel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ik hield van 'me before you' en van 'us'. En dit hoort in hetzelfde rijtje thuis. Gelachen en gehuild met een boek (vooral dat laatste was lang geleden)

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading the description of this book I thought it would be a nice read involving two people who have got involved quite quickly and all the trials and tribulations that go with it, which yes in a way it is, but then it is also so much more than that.

I'm not really used to reading many books from the male perceptive so it actually made a really pleasant change to see what goes on in a mans head and I think if anything it made this book even more poignant.

I really liked Fisher and Ivy. Ivy is a little bit older than Fisher but I think that makes her more in control of what she wants from life, as much as she loves Fisher she very much puts her own needs and feelings first which I then think she ends up feeling a bit guilty about. To be honest both of them are quite set in their ways and due to this they both end up having a pretty dismal Christmas.

Even though the story very much centres around Fisher and Ivy, I couldn't help but feel that Fishers friend El steals some of the lime light from these two. The friendship between both men filled me with a mixture of happiness and sadness. The banter between the two was so endearing as well as being funny but El is suffering with an incurable disease that is making him a shadow of his former self. This at times made for some tough reading and I thought the author did a wonderful job on writing about such a hard subject.

It is very hard to say to much more about this book without giving stuff way, all I will say is that the story didn't play out any way near the way I had envisioned it in my head from reading the description. I think you need to go into this story with a totally open mind and heart and believe me, this is one book that will grab you by the heart and put you through the ringer yet leaves you smiling.

The Two Of Us is a story all about relationships and making the most of what you get given in this life and making it work. It's far from a tale of romance, flowers and hearts, this delves so much deeper than that so we see the funny side of certain situations but also the heart breaking side of others. Can't recommend highly enough.

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three stars: A book that explores the complications in a relationship.

For Fisher and Ivy, it has been an unforgettable three weeks. They have fallen head over heels, hopelessly in love. Their passion is unbridled until everything changes. Then the wheels fall off, and the two are faced with some big decisions. Can their relationship survive all the hardships and uncertainties that life has to offer? Does their relationship have what it takes to stand the test of time?

What I Liked:
*The Two Of Us is a bit different. You don't often get a contemporary chick lit book written by a man from a male's point of view, so I was curious to read this for that reason alone. It was definitely interesting getting the man's perspective in a relationship.
*The story tackles some big relationship issues. Things are never easy for the couple, and I wondered over and over if they had what it took to see things through. I admired Fisher for his courage and determination, and that he didn't falter in his resolve. I think many a man would have walked away. I liked being inside his head, and understanding his emotions and reactions. I really admired Fisher.
*There is a secondary story line that involves Fisher's life long best friend, El, who is slowly dying from Huntington's disease. It was emotional and sad, but very touching as well. I was surprised at how invested I was in this story line. I thought it added so much depth to the story, and it exposed another side to Fisher's character. The ending of this story line was particularly moving.
*I won't go into the details, but there is a big emotional and sad event at the end that shakes up the relationship again. It was heartbreaking, but I was pleased to see the way the couple worked through it. It gave me hope that they had what it takes to make it work.
*I appreciated that there was a strong focus on family and friendship throughout the book. I liked how close both Fisher and Ivy were to their families. I also enjoyed exploring Fisher's friendships, especially the one with El, and the older couple who lived in the flat below him.
*The book ends with some sadness, but also with hope. I like the way it concluded, and I was pleased that there weren't any undone story lines.
And The Not So Much:
*What held this book back for me was that I could not connect with Ivy. The more I read, the less and less I liked her. She is very frustrating, and I didn't like her negative attitude and the way she kept pushing Fisher away. I wished that she had been more likable. Perhaps, it would have worked better to have her point of view along with Fisher's.
*The romance didn't work for me. The books opens at the end of the three week honeymoon period if you will. The couple has gone through three weeks of sex and bliss as they fell in love. Then things take an unexpected turn as the story takes hold. I never felt the love or the intimacy in the relationship. It is almost all conflict and drama. I couldn't connect emotionally with the romance because of that lack of intimacy, especially because Ivy was always pushing Fisher away when it came to sex. I really wanted some of the light feel good tones when it came out the romance, and I didn't get it.
*Pregnancy is a big focal point of the story, and I didn't like how negative everything was regarding pregnancy. I have had two children so I can speak on this issue. Yes, pregnancy is hard and you are tired, but there is a lot of joy and happiness as well. There is very little of that in the book, instead it focuses on all the negative aspects of pregnancy, the sickness, the tiredness, etc., which took away from the feel good of the story.
*I picked this up hoping for a feel good romance, and I was disappointed that there no sizzle or intimate connections. The romance is filled with drama, and I didn't feel the chemistry. There is lots of conflict, and I hated that Fisher spent the whole time groveling. Ivy's character was unlikable, and the more I read, the less and less I liked her. If you are hoping for a light, fun read, this is not the book for you.

The Two of Us is a book that I couldn't put down as I was drawn into the story. I was hoping for a pleasant, romantic feel good read, and I was disappointed that this book was not that. Instead it is a book that is all about the ups and downs, (mostly the downs) of a relationship. I liked that this was a book written from a male's point of view, and I enjoyed the focus on family and friendship. However in the end, I was not happy with the romance, and I didn't feel any connection with Ivy. I wanted to love this one, but it ended up being just an okay read.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.

[Rea Cobb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have heard so many great things about The Two of Us by Andy Jones and I was excited to delve into his book because I love my romance books which more often than not are written by women so I was looking forward to seeing how Mr Jones compares.

Our main characters are Fisher and Ivy and the book starts off after the pair only having known each other less than 3 weeks, they seem to have had a heady whirlwind romance up until this point but suddenly Ivy has changed, something is a little off but little does Fisher know his relationship with Ivy and his life altogether is about to dramatically change.

This book is told from completely from Fishers point of view which I loved, it is great to read from a male perspective and in particular it was nice to have a down to earth male character who wasn’t trying to play the hard man but actually expressed his thoughts and feelings. Fisher was a character who made me laugh and by the end of the book he really felt like a friend. Whereas Ivy on the other hand I really could not take to and I wondered if as the book progressed if she would slowly grow on
me but she didn’t if anything I disliked her more which only made me love and feel sorry for Fisher all the more.

I loved how because both Ivy and Fisher have only just met we get to know the characters at the same speed as they find out details about each other and by doing this we uncover small parts of each of the characters pasts.

There is a smaller storyline that is weaved in between the main plot and this is the friendship between Fisher and his friend El who is dying of Huntington’s disease and for me I enjoyed reading about this friendship rather than the relationship between Ivy and Fisher. El provided a gentle humour to the book and it is obvious what is going to happen later in the book to El but although I expected it I still found it brought a lump to my throat.

I thought Andy Jones delivered a great storyline at a great pace with a couple of twists which kept my interest piqued. The storyline was realistic and heartfelt it sure brought out a lump in my throat but I didn’t find this to be a weepy read and I think that is thanks to the touches of humour and the loveable characters that keep it more upbeat. Without giving too much away there is a part of this book that Andy managed to write about so tenderly and with such raw feeling but I can't say any more as I don't want to spoil anything! I read this book within a day and it is definitely one I would recommend, I look forward to this author next release.

[Fatima · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recieved 'the two of us' by andy jones (my all time favorite author) from goodreads for free in a Giveaway and im sooooo glad and i feel soooo blessed for that reason. Its worth reading and keeping in your bookshelf. It's a lovely read. It's not a sappy love story or a typical chick lit romance, it's much MUCH better and much more different than any other love book that I've ever read. If I could give it a 4.5 star rating,I would. It's that great. The story is narrated from a male POV and I think that's the key strength of the book. I loved this unconventional love story of ivy and fisher and I recommend it to all. :) a #mustread

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is not a fluffy chick lit romance, it is much deeper and quite moving. It is told from Fisher's point of view, centered around his whirlwind romance with Ivy and through their first year together. Their highs and lows had me laughing and crying. From giggles at silly one liners, to body wracking sobs. The writing style is honest and simple, not overly descriptive or emotional. The characters are not perfect, but I found them likable.

We also meet Fisher's best friend, who has Huntington's disease. I haven't come across Huntington's disease in a novel before and I gained a greater insight into what it would be like to suffer from or live with someone who has Huntington's disease. It is a debilitating degenerative disease.

I received this book free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Book-shelf Shelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of Ivy & Will who met and get together very quickly. Through Will's eyes we are told the story of them meeting and their first year. This story is like no other, it will have you sitting at the edge of your seat, laughing and even crying. Its raw and emotional, it cuts to the core and takes the reader on a journey that will leave you wanting more. Fantastic first book and cant wait to read more of Andy's work.

[Marjan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Echt een schoontje! Het verhaal van een vers koppel dat na een paar weken per ongeluk zwanger raakt en wat een impact dat heeft op het ontwikkelen van hun prille relatie. Niet klef, maar realistisch, een fijn boek.

[hidefan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fisher está loco por Ivy, y, para su suerte, ella siente lo mismo. Han pasado unas semanas increíbles practicando sexo, dejándose llevar por la pasión y embarcándose en una aventura sensual e inigualable. Pero ¿qué pasa cuando ese primer brote de pasión se acaba y vuelven a la vida real? ¿Es esa atracción inicial un inicio para el amor? ¿Sobrevivirá su historia cuando Fisher descubra que Ivy es casi diez años mayor que él y escuche la noticia que ella tiene que darle?

Me llamó la atención este libro porque dentro del género de la comedia romántica no es lo más habitual que el autor sea un hombre y que el punto de vista sea del protagonista masculino. La premisa no tenía mala pinta, pero pronto se ve que no acaba de funcionar ni el apartado de la comedia ni el del romance.

Fisher, como protagonista, es insoportable. Se pasa el libro borracho o con resaca y llorando cada vez que su novia no le presta toda la atención a todas horas. Es yo yo yo yo continuamente y se hace muy desagradable. Tampoco vemos mucho del supuesto amor que sienten Fisher y Ivy, porque están discutiendo o ignorándose continuamente. Y como nos saltamos el inicio de la relación, lo único que queda es esencialmente Fisher auto-convenciéndose de que ella es la mujer de su vida, que quiere estar con ella y que está muy feliz con la situación.

La comedia tampoco destaca. En este caso creo que la traducción tampoco ayuda mucho, hay cosas que las tenía que estar traduciendo mentalmente de vuelta al inglés para entenderlas (por ejemplo cuando El quiere decir la palabra "wanker" y como no le sale hace el gesto con la mano; si se traduce como gili, no tiene mucho sentido. Ah, y hay un momento en el que hablan de comedias británicas clásicas y el traductor pone todos los nombres como las conocemos en España pero luego deja Blackadder tal cual. ¿Por qué?). Pero tampoco creo que en inglés sea mucho más divertido, los símiles que tan graciosos resultan en otras novelas del género aquí son muy planos, y los diálogos se me hicieron acartonados.

Encima hacia el final se vuelve un dramote que te provoca una bajona muy poco bienvenida. No tengo inconveniente en que este tipo de libros tengan drama, pero precisamente lo que me gusta de ellos es cómo se combinan con el humor, como hace magistralmente Marian Keyes que te hace llorar y reír a carcajadas casi al mismo tiempo. Aquí el drama lo sentí un poco forzado, y el hecho de que esté escrito en primera persona del presente me saca mucho de la lectura.

Hay cosas que sí me gustaron, todas las escenas con El están bien, y alguna cosa más. En general es entretenido de leer, no es un libro horrible ni mucho menos, pero en conjunto no me ha terminado de cuajar.

[Zuzana Malá · Rating 3 out of 5]

Příběh krásný, jen se to moc vleklo a celkově to bylo zbytečně dlouhé..

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, honest, addictive, and heart-felt describe this story of the struggles and vulnerabilities found in all relationships. The Two of Us is more than romance and far from sappy; this book and its characters are believable and one that is definitely worth picking up.

Andy Jones has delivered a delightful and touching story that I’m sure many can identify with. The Two of Us is a great recovery book that is fun, light-hearted, and touching, while introducing characters you’ll count as long time friends. A male author writing the male character’s point of view in first person, yet so vividly capturing the female’s persona and emotions make this book exceptional while showcasing the writing skills of Mr. Jones. The writing is fluid and progresses at a fast pace, making this author one that I want to read more of and soon.

Fisher and Ivy have a whirlwind romance in which they hide away and enjoy each other for nineteen days because they know that once the newness of the relationship wears off, it’s possibly downhill from there as they’ll inevitably fall into complacency or break up altogether. They want to enjoy every minute of what they have and of each other, knowing it is something special, until Ivy suddenly loses interest and begins to distance herself from Fisher. Neither of them have a good record when it comes to relationships, and Fisher knows or believes that Ivy is “the one.” The vulnerability of the relationship between Fisher and Ivy shared with the struggles of newly formed couples who are still getting to know one another is believable, adding a touch of realism to the fiction. Fisher is such a lovable character and so three-dimensional and although I wasn’t liking Ivy very much for a while, I found that I loved her and felt such a connection with her once all was revealed and I understood her complexity over the year encompassing her relationship with Fisher.

Many already know that I am not a fan of insta-love in stories, despite my seven-day romance with my husband before deciding to marry – hey, it worked ’til death did us part almost sixteen years later, so insta-love does really exist and if written properly in a story, it is wonderful; Mr. Jones has done just that. While some might consider falling in love after only nineteen days insta-love, this book does not carry that insta-love feeling at all. There is actually a slow build to the characters’ declarations, which allowed me enough time to really connect with Fisher and Ivy and their hearts’ desires. It is as though the characters have known each other for years, even though they know little about one another.

I really love that Mr. Jones did not take this story in one direction but included many facets to the story, including a focus on Huntington’s Disease, its effects, and the bond of friendship, making The Two of Us very much a three-dimensional story in which I easily lost myself. The emotional draw is strong, the perspective of Fisher and Ivy’s relationship as told by Fisher is realistic, and this is actually a book I wanted to re-read immediately because I didn’t and still don’t want to let go; when I awoke from a deep sleep at 1:30 in the morning on a work night wanting to read more, I knew this book was “the one.” Moving, genuine, and addictive with heart-felt scenes that will touch any reader, The Two of Us is one I’m highly recommending to both romance and non-romance readers because everyone who has ever been in a relationship can identify with Ivy and Fisher.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Two of Us by Andy Jones is published by Simon and Schuster in ebook format on 12 February 2015, the paperback version is published on 7 May 2015. The Two of Us follows on from Andy Jone's previous novel; Girl 99, which was published early in 2014.

Although I've not read Girl 99, this really does not matter, for The Two of Us is easily read as a stand-alone story, in fact it wasn't until I'd finished reading it that I discovered that it was a sequel.

The Two of Us is recommended for fans of One Day and The Rosie Project, which for me, was the first difficulty, as I am one of those rare breed who didn't really enjoy either of those books. I will probably be slated for saying this, but I often struggle with romantic comedy stories written by male authors (with the exception of Jonathan Harvey - whose writing I adore). However, I was pleasantly surprised by The Two of Us, it is a heart warming and funny novel that made me laugh, and tugged at my heartstrings in places.

Fisher and Ivy have been together for nineteen days. This is Fisher's story really, narrated by him, seen through his eyes. Those nineteen days have been great; with lots of sex. Fisher was very content, until Ivy seemed to change. The change is huge, and The Two Of Us is the tale of how these two people deal with the consequences.

Fisher is a lad, and has been beautifully portrayed by the author. Sometimes he is annoying, sometimes he says or does something that really made me cross - but he's a guy, written by a guy, and he's pretty realistic. Ivy is a doll, I like her. I didn't always think she made the right decisions and sometimes she made me want to shout. Together, they make an interesting couple.

The Two of Us is a book that both male and female readers will enjoy, probably for different reasons, and I'd really enjoy talking to a male reader about the story, it would be great to get a male perspective, to see if they get anything different from the story than I did.

Warm, funny, characters that are real, including being annoying sometimes. An enjoyable, easy read that is light hearted around the outside, with a strong plot at the centre. I enjoyed this far more than either One Day, or The Rosie Project.

My thanks to Lovereading, Simon & Schuster and Books in the City for providing my review copy.

[Sharon Goodwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three weeks into their relationship, William and Ivy go away for a week. After a visit to William's home, Ivy then becomes distant. William is waiting for the end ... but there is a totally different reason why 41 year old Ivy has pulled back and they find themselves making decisions on where they're going to live and although a future isn't discussed, it's there in their lives.

We get to meet not only their families (Ivy's brother Frank turns up with a suitcase and although William tries to control his resentment, it's not easy) and William's work colleagues but also William's best friend El and his partner Phil. El has Huntington's Disease and there are some poignant scenes in relation to his illness and his life. El's humour does soften the edges but they're still heart-wrenching.

The Two of Us is refreshingly written with a male first person narrative. In the beginning, the excitement and fizzing when you first fall in love is captured perfectly. I loved the honesty (and humour) of William from the start. We see his vulnerability, not just those insecurities in a new relationship, but throughout the story. I felt that through William second guessing Ivy and her choices, I got to know her as well.

It's such an honest look at relationships and intimacy in all its rawness. Sometimes the timing is not right, sometimes William makes a total ass of himself and I did wonder at times whether their relationship would make it through. When the crisis happens (I wasn't expecting it, they had enough to come to terms with already) it is devastating, not only to them but it touches everyone around them. I felt their pain. How do you come back from something like that? The utter desolation and emptiness being expressed by William and Ivy in different ways made me think they would never be able to repair their feelings. I loved William's dad just holding Ivy and Craig's comment at Phil's 45th birthday barbecue helped to start the journey of healing. I so want the future to be great for these two characters!

Recommended you add to your reading lists.

I would like to thank the publishers for providing an uncorrected advanced proof in exchange for an honest review.

[David Pimenta · Rating 3 out of 5]

«Então, diz, como é que os dois pombinhos se conheceram? Na última semana, já nos devem ter perguntado pormenores sobre o nosso romance uma dúzia de vezes. Nas outras ocasiões, fomos contando cada vez mais pálidos cambiantes da verdade: Trabalhamos juntos; Encontro às cegas; Cortei-lhe o cabelo; Clube de leitura. Mas agora, encorajada pelo vinho e a rotina, Ivy debruça-se para a frente e diz, numa voz conspiratória: É terrível; sou a melhor amiga da mulher dele.»

E se não fosse possível, a alguém, parar de se perguntar como terá conhecido a pessoa pela qual se sente atraído/a, e que terá visto apenas duas vezes? O que acontece quando duas semanas de paixão louca entre um homem e uma mulher, com muito sexo à mistura, acabam por ditar o resto das suas vidas? A relação entre dois perfeitos desconhecidos, que só conhecem pormenorizadamente as suas partes íntimas – e que acabam por ficar ligados com uma notícia bombástica -, poderá sobreviver nas semanas seguintes?

Andy Jones, escritor inglês com três romances na sua carreira literária, decidiu responder a estas questões no seu mais recente e mais bem-sucedido livro, “Nós Os Dois” (Suma de Letras Portugal, 2016). Fisher e Ivy, ambos trabalhadores na área da publicidade, conhecem-se e em pouco tempo não resistem à paixão que os consome. Durante duas semanas colocam o trabalho de lado e decidem consumar a sua atracção com sofreguidão e sem inibição. Mas, também em pouco tempo, acabam por dar um passo verdadeiramente importante em qualquer relação: Fisher leva o seu novo amor – a sua namorada para todos os efeitos – para conhecer o pai.

Ainda sem se conhecerem bem, o passo é maior do que esperavam e acaba por afectar a relação de amor tão precoce. Se tudo parecia perdido, tendo em conta os receios de Fisher, há uma notícia bombástica que acaba por juntar dois namorados quase desconhecidos numa relação amorosa. E, à medida que os meses passam, Ivy e Fisher vão perceber que o tempo é sagrado numa relação.

A crítica completa no Deus Me Livro: http://deusmelivro.com/mil-folhas/nos...

[Olga Kowalska (WielkiBuk) · Rating 4 out of 5]

O takiej zwyczajnej, codziennej miłości, bez fajerwerków, bez żaru płomieni literatura często zapomina. Uczucie dwojga dojrzałych ludzi, pozbawione bajkowych złudzeń, wraz ze wzlotami i upadkami, raczej wymyka się poezji, czy sztucznym miłosnym uniesieniom.

Andy Jones opisał taką miłość w niezwykle czuły, wrażliwy sposób, nie pozbawiając jej jednak ciętego, brytyjskiego humoru. Gorzko-słodka historia Fishera i Ivy zaczyna się tak jak wszystkie romanse – od szaleństwa hormonów, tygodni bunkrowania w sypialni i zakwasów, gdy pierwszy żar przeminął. A potem czas ni stąd, ni zowąd przeskakuje i nieoczekiwana przyszłość puka do drzwi. Ivy jest w ciąży i teraz wszystko się dla tej pary odmieni.

„Dwoje do pary” idealna do śmiechu i do wzruszeń też, bo w końcu w miłości, tak jak i w życiu nie wszystko układa się jak byśmy tego oczekiwali.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this unconventional love story of Fisher and Ivy who after only nineteen days together are thrown into a lifetime of emotions and circumstances that would put a strain on any relationship. We met them as they spent their early days in a love-induced a coma that would be shattered as soon as they ventured out and their love is revealed to others in the outside world. The cracks were soon exposed on their first road trip to meet Fisher’s family when they realized they didn’t even know the basics about each other. While they didn’t take the time to know each other they do know that they fit, they belong together no bones about it.

We see their relationship through the highs and lows and the one thing that brings them their greatest joy will also be the one thing that could break them. In The Two of Us, we learn that love is indeed worth it all, that no matter what life hands you there will be rewards in the end. Also, that love doesn’t have a timetable or rules that there is no right way to fall in love. Sometimes we fall fast and deep and with someone, we never thought possible, that despite differences it’s those differences that make us fit together like the greatest puzzle in life.

I laughed and cried and rooted for these two as if I knew them personally. Fisher and Ivy taught me to be open to the impossible and to always to open to love even in the most impossible of possibilities. I highly recommend this read for anyone who has been a fool when it comes to love but especially to those who are guarded when it comes to giving their hearts. You can’t love if you aren’t fully open to all that it brings that means the good and the bad. Trust me the good will always out weight the bad. Life always has a greater plan than anything we could ever imagine, so always be open you never know when or where your soulmate might be.

[Sonia Donelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

http://www.esmeraldaviaggielibri.it/i...

Recensione di Veronica – Innamorarsi è la parte più facile di Andy Jones pubblicato da Newton Compton il 10 maggio.

“Perché se incontrarsi resta una magia, è non perdersi la vera favola”. Lo so, forse non è carino mettere una citazione di un altro autore nella recensione di un libro, ma appena conclusa la lettura di questo romanzo la frase di Massimo Gramellini mi è balenata in mente senza nemmeno doverci pensare. Perché si, il colpo di fulmine è bello, corteggiarsi , cercarsi , viversi lo sono ancora di più, e scoprirsi ogni giorno, camminare l’uno accanto all’altra è una magia quotidiana, ma il difficile, la vera prova, o meglio, la favola , per citare appunto Gramellini, è non perdersi. E’ rimanere insieme nonostante le difficoltà, è tentare di comprendersi l’un l’altro, è il venirsi incontro, assorbire un po’ dell’altro e cedere il un po’ del proprio. Innamorarsi è la parte più facile. Restare insieme è indubbiamente quella più difficile.

William Fisher è un insoddisfatto regista di pubblicità costretto ad accettare tutto quello che il suo amico produttore gli propina, e con tutto intendo dalla pubblicità per le caramelle gommose a quella per i tampax . Vive da solo a Londra ma ha due vicini fantastici, quasi due genitori per lui, e due amici speciali, El e Phil ma El… lui vi strapperà il cuore, vi avviso.
Sul set di una pubblicità però Fisher conosce Ivy che di lavoro fa la truccatrice. Lei è una ragazza semplice e bellissima e per il nostro protagonista è un colpo di fulmine. E’ così attratto da questa donna che finisce a letto con lei ma non si preoccupa del fatto di avere rapporti non protetti.
Stanno insieme da poco meno di tre settimane e una notizia li investe in pieno. Ivy è incinta.
La gravidanza è una cosa enorme. Ti cambia sempre, cambia i tuoi piani, i tuoi progetti. Ti responsabilizza o almeno ti fa capire che devi diventare responsabile, e ti dona qualcuno che è una piccola parte di te e di un’altra persona, qualcuno che nel bene o nel male ti terrà legato all’altro per sempre.
Per i nostri due protagonisti però la cosa è anche più difficile. Come affronti il fatto di aspettare un figlio da una persona che conosci da appena 19 giorni? Fisher e Ivy dovranno imparare più velocemente degli altri a conoscersi, a sopportarsi, a capirsi. Sono obbligati a saltare tutte le tappe della normale vita di coppia, a volte si troveranno a fare il contrario, altre ad accelerare.
All’inizio sembrerà tutto bello, i giri in auto senza meta, la passione sfrenata, le risate, i baci. E poi arriva la sorpresa. Solo che entrambi non hanno ancora realizzato che la vita è una sfida quotidiana, che anche le cose più banali sono importanti, che ad un certo punto non si tratta più solo di sè stessi.
Il punto è che ad avere un figlio solitamente ci arrivi dopo. Dopo l’innamoramento, le litigate, i dispetti, dopo i viaggi, e magari qualche lascia e prendi, banalmente, dopo aver costruito un rapporto basato sulla fiducia. Perché diciamolo, se già a volte fatichiamo a fidarci totalemte dell’altro dopo anni, figuriamoci dopo 21 giorni. E così per esempio Will si ritrova a chiedersi se è realmente un caso il fatto che Ivy sia rimasta incinta, che gli avesse dato “il via libera” quella notte. Lei voleva così tanto dei figli, ed ha già 41anni, otto più di lui …
“ Una o due volte sono arrivato a un passo dal chiedere a Ivy che cosa intendeva quella notte con “via libera”, ma non sembra mai esserci l’occasione adatta per parlarne (ha la nausea, è stanca, c’è un momento di silenzio intimo) e, inoltre, l’implicazione sottesa è cruda e accusatoria.”
I due cominceranno la loro nuova vita insieme, ma non è sempre così semplice. Quali sono le cose che puoi dire q uali no? Quali sono i gusti dell’altro? Cosa potrebbero regalarsi? Chi era la persona con cui stanno vivendo prima di conoscersi? Per non parlare delle festività, perché ora si sta formando una famiglia, e come si decide da chi passare per esempio il natale? E i parenti? Ti ritrovi circondato di persone che non hai avuto il tempo di conoscere…
Quanto riusciranno a costruire insieme i nostri protagonisti, quanto amore provano realmente l’uno per l’altra?
“Papà ha detto che amare qualcuno è come correre più veloce che puoi. Mi sono sentito così quando ho conosciuto Ivy e per le due settimane successive al nostro incontro. Se devo essere sincero con me stesso, però, di recente mi sento come se da un momento all’altro stessi per inciampare e finire di faccia sul pavimento.”
Insomma…questo è senza dubbio un libro da leggere e scoprire pagina dopo pagina.

Il romanzo di Andy Jones ha solo pregi per me. Innanzitutto è scritto da un uomo con un POV solo maschile. In una situazione come questa, posso immaginare cosa pensa e prova una donna, è stato invece interessantissimo vedere come l’ha vissuta un uomo, senza contare che è stato talmente bravo che è riuscito a darmi tanto di Ivy pur non facendola parlare direttamente con il lettore. Di solito sono una fan dei punti di vista alternati, ma in questo caso non ne ho mai sentito l’esigenza. I personaggi sono fantastici, forse perché credibili al 100% e ti mostrano con emozione e ironia tutti i punti di vista di una storia d’amore e della vita di coppia, fatta di momenti meravigliosi ma anche di quelli più difficili.
“Ancora non so cosa ci riserverà il futuro. Stiamo insieme da nove mesi ormai, ma il novanta per cento del romanticismo si è esaurito nelle prime due settimane della nostra relazione ”

Inoltre nel romanzo troviamo tante storie collatarali che ruotano attorno ai nostri protagonisti . C’è El, il migliore amico di Will che è affetto da una grave malattia e vorrebbe che il suo compagno trovasse un’altra persona con cui essere felice. C’è Frank il fratellone di Ivy con un matrimonio in fallimento, c’è il papà di Will che ha perso la moglie in un incidente e c’è Susi a cui Will non è certo indifferente e soprattutto ci sono Will e Ivy e credetemi non sarà tutto rose e fiori.
La trama è costruita alla perfezione ed è in grado di catturare tutta l’attenzione del lettore perché ogni pagina nasconde qualcosa di nuovo, ogni volta accade qualcosa che pensi vada in modo diverso, perché è tutto tremendamente reale. Will è in grado di conquistarti in ogni singola pagina. Con i suoi dubbi, le sue incertezze, ma anche la sua forza e tutta la sua volontà di dimostrare il suo amore.
L’amore è fatto di tante cose: piccoli gesti, compromessi, baci rubati, emozioni, momenti difficili, successi… Will e Ivy l’hanno imparato insieme, Jones ce le racconta in questo romanzo che non potete perdervi.

[marlin1 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fisher and Ivy have had a whirlwind romance. Nineteen days of spending every minute possible with each other but their intimacy comes to an abrupt end when they spontaneously meet Fishers' family. Fisher can't quite understand why this has happened, was it too much too soon? After a standoffish few days, Ivy finally reveals the issue and suddenly the relationship has to be re evaluated.
What I really appreciated in this novel were the ages of Fisher and Ivy, 32 and 41 respectively. It was refreshing to see how adults who are entrenched in their ways and routines have to deal with some consequences. We see how relationships really are work in progress and there is a lot of give and take and miscommunication (in a very realistic way not a 'chick lit' way)

This was written as Fisher's story and I'm sure that is a different perspective than Ivy's would be. There are some lovely interactions of Fisher between his childhood friend El, who is in the last stages of Huntington's Disease, with all his inappropriate behaviour, I found them very touching and also Fisher's relationship with elderly neighbour Esther.

Personally I found this novel very deceptive, it's one that slowly got under my skin and I didn't realise how much I enjoyed it until I turned the last page.

[Burcu · Rating 1 out of 5]

Konusunu ve olay örgüsünü sevemediğim boş diye nitelendirebileceğim bir kitap daha. Başladığım ilk andan itibaren kitabın yazılış amacını ve vermek istediği mesajı anlamak için çok uğraştım ama maalesef ortada ne bir mesaj ne de bir amaç car bana göre.

Adından da kolayca anlaşılacığı gibi konusu ana karakterimiz William'ın Ivy'e aşık olması ve sonrasını konu alıyor kitap. Fakat ben ortada okumaya değer bir konu göremedim. Hikaye o kadar bilindik ve tahmin edilebilirdi ki okurken çok zorlandım, sıkıldım. Klişe bir konu sonucun da bu konudan bir çok kitap ve film bulmak inanın hiç ama hiç zor olmayacaktır. Gerçek hayatta bile sıkça karşılaşabileceğiniz bir konu. Konunun klişe olması dışında olayların ve cümlelerin klişe olması da ben daha da soğuttu kitaptan. Kitap için farklı diyebileceğim tek şey kitabın erkek bakışından anlatılıyor olmasıydı.

Ek olarak yazarın dilini de sevmedim. Evet araya serpiştirilmiş argo kelimeler ve küfürler zaman zaman okuyucuyu güldürebilir ama bunların sürekli olması beni inanılmaz rahatsız etti. Öyle ya da böyle bir sanat eseri sonuç olarak. Bu kadar fazla küfür içeriyor olması benim için itici bir durum.

Tabi karar size kalmış fakat ben beğenmedim ve zaman kaydı olarak görüyorum kitabı o nedenle tavsiye etmiyorum.

[Bookphenomena (Micky) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had the feel of a good Brit film, like those by Richard Curtis. The characters were real, messy and awkward at times. The backdrop of London as a setting for the book worked well with description that took you right there.

This story is narrated exclusively from the male point of view and to me this is the key strength of the book. William and Ivy have an intense, passionate three weeks together before real life kicks in with a bang and a pregnancy. Hearing all this from William's perspective felt fresh and engaging. William was immediately a likeable man, still a bit of single lad, even though he was in his early 30s but he was ready to meet Ivy and be committed. I struggled to make a connection with Ivy but then William was struggling with her lack of emotional connection too. The side characters were a real bonus to this story, especially El; it brought additionally gritty reality. This story takes you on a sometimes witty and sometimes achingly sad journey; I felt it all.

This is a book that would appeal across the genders and most could identify with it. I am interested to read more from Andy Jones.

The publisher provided a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

Reviewed for Jo&IsaLoveBooks Blog.

[Ken · Rating 5 out of 5]

I occasionally download e-books from Sainsbury's and this title was in the book club section that offered as an incentive some bonus nectar points once purchased, so on a whim I decided to give this a go and I'm glad I did!

As it turns out, I'm not exactly the target audience, but within a few chapters id already found myself getting to like Fisher the male character who you follow the story through he's view point. The novel is of him and girlfriend Ivy's start of there relationship together. As you'd expect there is the soft and fluffy romantic side to this tale, but the author Andy Jones uses well is them little fallings out that all couples go through and how Fisher can try and make things right.
I think this book has great human observations, its so true that lads stag nights always seem to get messier on Friday's as an example.
The other character including the couples in-laws also how the plot roll on at an enjoyable speed, practically liked Ivy's brother!
A true page turner that had me wanted to know if the two central characters would reach there first anniversary.

[Bookread2day · Rating 1 out of 5]

If you loved One Day and The Rosie Project, you will fall head- over- heels for The Two Of Us by Andy Jones. I have read The Rosie Project, and I can relate to the same kind humour in The Two Of Us. This funny warm story takes us through Fisher and Ivy who have been an item for a whole nineteen days. People ask them questions like How long have you two been together? and how did you two lovebirds meet? What ever the reason, when Fisher met Ivy there was something about Ivy that immediately made him not want to sleep with Ivy. With Ivy working in film production. What matters most is that they both met. But what matters the most is what happens next. And what happens next I can not reveal. The Two Of Us is a story about life, love and the importance of not taking neither one for granted.

[Sarah Dorward · Rating 5 out of 5]

The most heartwarming, heart wrenching book I've read. Ever. I fell in love with the characters in this book so much that I felt part of their world, and I didn't want it to end. The two of us tells the story of Fisher and Ivy, who are meant for one another but have to face up to more than their fair share of challenges in the early stages of their relationship. It is written with wit, humour, sensitivity and an intelligence that goes far beyond the genre. It's easily in the same league as One day, About a boy and The time travellers wife, and would make an amazing film. Definitely worth a (highly recommended) read. I loved it and hope to read more from this author.

[Rhi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perhaps not the book to read when 23 weeks pregnant. However, because I just didn't really gel with the characters and found the writing to be quite unemotional, I wasn't as affected by the death as much as you would expect. In fact, I kind of found myself getting a bit fed up with Ivy.
Name your baby. Name it something you maybe haven't named your dead baby.
I don't know. Probably closer to 2.5 stars than 3.