Finding Jo

by Frances Ive

Normally dependable Jo takes a flight to India to get away from her dysfunctional family and possessive boyfriend.
A long train journey up into the Himalayas takes her to her final destination, the serene and peaceful Jasanghari retreat. Discovering new skills and making close friendships, Jo starts to unravel the inner turmoil that drove her to leave without telling a soul.

Unexpected challenges push her evolving peace of mind to the limit and put the quest for happiness in jeopardy.

Finding Jo offers an insight into the misunderstandings, resentment and grievances that build up in close relationships. Can they be healed?

Paperback

First published January 28, 2021

About the author

Almost by chance I have a children's book out - Ebony the Cat - A Quest for Survival, suitable for all ages and especially cat lovers. Ebony tells her own story of being abandoned as a kitten, the rescue trap, and finding a new family.

Finding Jo, a women's contemporary novel, set in the Himalayas. Everyone can imagine wanting to get away from difficult situations so Jo went to a retreat in India to find peace of mind.
Brown Eyes, my second novel is about a marriage crisis and in part the observations and sorrow of the family Labrador.

As a health journalist I have written over 100 articles for national newspapers and consumer magazines in the UK and South Africa too. Non-fiction includes One Step Ahead of Osteoarthritis (2019).

Reviews

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many times during my read of Frances Ive’s Finding Jo, I felt like I was reading a real-life travelogue and not a novel. This is not a bad thing, as it only makes Jo and the rest of the characters feel more dynamic.

At the same time, Ive’s writing puts you smack in the center of every scene. From Jo’s first steps in India as she’s realizing no one is there to meet her, to her purchase of a train ticket and beyond, I could feel the heat and hear the noise of begging children, rickshaw drivers seeking clients, and vendors offering their wares (do not drink the green juice!), and at one point I even checked to make sure my own purse was still on the chair in my mother’s guest room. That’s how vivid the writing is in this novel.

But the dialogue is equally well-crafted. Perhaps it’s the author’s experience as a journalist that has helped her recreate dialogue that gives the essence of different languages without resorting to writing in dialect, or maybe it’s just natural talent, but at no time did I have trouble keeping track of who people were or where they were from.

India is a place of extremes… major cities teeming with people, and then the Himalayas, which are unrelenting and unforgiving. Life, itself, can also be full of extremes. In Finding Jo, highs and lows in both landscape and emotion are represented with care and skill, making a compelling novel that lingers with you long after you’ve finished it.

Goes well with: Chicken tikka masala and garlic naan.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher for sending me this book to read and review. This was the best new novel to read. If you liked Eat, Pray, Love then you will enjoy this. Jo leaves to go to a meditation place in India. She didn't tell any of her family and also her ex boyfriend who still loves her. The book goes along with Jo and her living in India. All of the things that she gets to do and the people she meets while there. But, this book is much more bc it talks about her whole family as well. Once Jo leaves, her mother says outkoud the family secret, and she has the courage to move to Africa. Jo's sister works on herself as well. Her brother even goes to India in order to decide what to do with his own family. All is resolved in the end, or as best as can be. Such a wonderful book that I would recommend to anyone.

[Bookworm86 · Rating 5 out of 5]

 BOOK REVIEW 


Review for 'Finding Jo' by Frances Ive.


Read and reviewed for Frances Ive and Five Press.


Publication date 7th January 2021.


This is the third book I have read by this author. I have previously read 'Ebony The Cat' and 'Brown Eyes' which I would also highly recommend!!


This book consists of 51 chapters. The chapters are short to medium in length so easy to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!!



Well done Frances on yet another absolutely gorgeous, page turning read that I just could not put down!!!


I absolutely adored this unique one of a kind storyline!!! I'm this fantastic book by Frances we go on a journey with Jo and her family after Jo decides she needs to get away from them and find herself. Jo takes us on a journey through Delhi, Shimla, India,  on the iconic Toy Train, up to the Himalayas, into the peaceful Jasanghari retreat and to Bristol. I must admit it isn't something I would normally pick up but I am so glad that I did as I was completely swept away with the words. France's absolutely amazing evocative writing skills really brings absolutely every small detail to life to the point that you can feel yourself relaxing while meditating or practising mindfulness at the retreat, you can taste and smell the stunning variety of dishes being cooked throughout the book, you can feel the emotions that Jo is going through during her journey and so much more!!! I absolutely loved packing my case and going on a journey with Jo to the other side of the world and I was gutted when I came to the end and realised I had to pack my case again and return to rainy Wales. This story is filled with friendship, self discovery, peace, family drama, romance, fulfilment and just absolutely everything you could ask for in a evocative escapism. It read more like a diary or journal than fiction as if Jo was sitting across the room from me telling me her story. I did have mixed feelings about Jo as although I loved her strength and determination I also did find her a bit childish and petty at times. It wasn't just Jo's journey that we discover though as you glide through the pages of this fantastic book. You also go on a journey with Jo's Bristol family including her father Mark and brother Michael who habe been hiding their own secrets, her sister in law Hannah and her mother Maggie who I could not stand but my feelings changed towards and her sister Beth who I thought was abominable for what she did. You get to see their lives change throughout the book when Jo leaves them behind to go on her own journey. While her family is living without her we get to meet a variety of fantastic and memorable characters that Jo meets on the way to or at the Jasanghari retreat including David, Gemma, Rasi, Toni, Deepika, Mira, Alain, Patrick and Tim to name just a few. Some of those she has more feelings for than others and others have more feelings towards her than she feels. There is so much that Jo does at the retreat that you feel that you are standing next to them while she does them including meditation, mindfulness, cooking, yoga and that is as well as the mazing journey you will take on the Toy Train with her and all the sights you will see!!  Frances manages to pack so much into this fantastic beautiful and thought provoking story that will stay with the reader for a long time. This book will take you on an emotional rollercoaster ride where you will go from anger to joy, heartbreak to happiness and everything in between! There was no way I could put this gorgeous book down until I had finished it. Any time I picked it up and even though I kept telling myself just one more chapter I just could not put it down as every time I went to something happened which meant I had to read just one more again until I ended up reading it in one sitting having been glued to my book for a few hours!! I could go on and on about this book but words won't do it justice so I would just highly recommend you grab your copy and go on your unforgettable journey to find Jo today!! This book really is an absolutely gorgeous must read that I would recommend to anyone and everyone and I would love to see it turned into a movie!!


Clear your schedules and get ready to go on a journey to India!! Congratulations Frances on yet another unique page turner! Here is to your next guaranteed success 🥂 


Overall a beautiful, emotional and unique book about one woman's personal journey and how it changes the lives of many. 


321 pages


This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle and £8.99 in paperback via Amazon at time of review which I think is a bargain for this book.


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[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the story of Jo’s thought-provoking journey of self-discovery as she travels to India and the Himalayas to find inner peace, and happiness. She lives behind chaotic relationships and a dramatic lifestyle to give herself some much-needed space, to focus on the things that she needs clarity over.

Thanks to the easy-to-follow writing style, I found this read to be empowering, inspirational and refreshing. I thought this was a very impressive debut by Frances Ive, and I was intrigued from the very beginning to follow Jo on her travels as this storyline drops you straight into it and I was gripped to find out how this would end for her. I can’t wait to see if there is more of Jo’s adventures to come, as I would love to hear more from this character.

The only criticism is it does give off similar vibes as Wild by Cheryl Strayed, but I was a great fan of that memoir, so I personally am not complaining too much. However, I am not sure if this will put other readers off. Despite this, I highly recommend Finding Jo to anyone who is into self-reflection and personal growth.

Thank you Rachels Random Resources and Frances Ive for allocation on this book tour, in exchange for a honest review.

[Linda Bateman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book a couple of months ago and absolutely loved it/got lost in it. It was well written, clear, descriptive and I quickly absorbed all the colour and bustle of India as the story launched on its journey.
It’s an ideal holiday read. I’m in my 60s and I related well to the family and relationship dilemmas that the main character was experiencing and it reminded me of my own searches for truth and understanding as a young, open and independent-minded woman.
Obviously as a health writer Frances Ive has an explorative mind where she has had to research healing by alternative medicine - this must be a new departure for her - but one that she should explore further IMHO - I personally can’t wait to read a sequel to Finding Jo - or at least to read more like this!

[Katherine Hayward Pérez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finding Jo grabbed my attention as the mystery of the title sparked my curiosity. I immediately thought "why does Jo need to be found? where is she and what does she have to find?"

I knew this would be about some kind of journey, literal and internal, and I wanted to find out which it would be.

Jo needs to move on to get away from her dysfunctional family and an ex who still loves her. She needs her own time and space.

Where better to go than the Himalayas?

I was wondering at some points what her family would do, if they would be worried about her and I hoped she would stay safe during her journey. She mets some interesting people and the landscape is breathtaking

After having recently reviewed Surav Dutt's The Winter Song, I was keen to experience another Himalayan adventure.

Jo's is insightful, heart-wrenching and hopeful and I felt her incredibly brave to take the plunge to just go and was glad to accompany her.

I was reminded of the film Eat Pray Love and still need to get the book.

The novel is timely with wanting to get back to traveling and trying to escape a current reality.

Powerful and detailed, this is the first novel I have reviewed by Frances Ive. Thanks to Frances Ive, Rachel's Random Resources for my ARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

4 stars

[Lyn Failes · Rating 5 out of 5]

#bookreview
Finding Jo
@fivewrite
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was such a beautiful book. I’m sure we have all wanted to get away from our lives at some point re-evaluate and assess our lifestyles and situations.
The journey that Jo goes on helps her spiritually and mentally Nd was fantastic to read. I’d love a second book to find out what happens next

[Susan Aldridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title describes the plot of this novel very well – Jo escapes her dysfunctional family and boyfriend for a prolonged stay in a Himalayan retreat centre. Frances Ive does a great job of describing the beauty of the Himalayan setting, the centre and its activities – from meditation to Ayurvedic cooking – and the people Jo meets there. It's no wonder that Jo's stay produces such a profound and positive transformation. What's especially interesting is that her brother, sister-in-law, sister and mother also experience positive changes (and only the brother, Michael, actually visits the retreat). I liked the family scenes back in Bristol too – you can certainly see why Jo wanted to get away from them! There is a very satisfying ending where she returns to Bristol (with a surprise of her own) and sees for herself how the family dynamics have changed for the better.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This contemporary novel is about finding Jo in two senses; Jo herself narrates the main part of the novel as she seeks to discover more about herself in a distant retreat centre in the Himalayas. The other part is the intervening story of various members of her family as they continue to live without her, with at least one deciding to look for her. Jo escapes her possessive boyfriend Rob in an act of desperation as their relationship seems to be going nowhere, and she begins to realise that she cannot just settle for any relationship. Her family is dissatisfied, dysfunctional and demanding of Jo who is the peacemaker, the one who tries to restore some element of harmony.
“Finding Jo” is a well written book which seeks to immerse the reader in Jo’s discoveries of her past, her present and what she actually wants from her future. It describes the setting of the Jasanghari retreat in glowing terms of a paradise, but also with a keen eye for the people she meets there, with all their foibles and attractions. The book is well paced, as it deals with many of the challenges facing both women and men in today’s society from a place and time that is very different. It is an enjoyable book from the point of view of a young woman who knows that she must make choices – and finds an idyllic place to make them in. I was pleased to have the opportunity to read and review this honest and thoughtful book.
The book begins with Jo’s description of landing in India. It is a cultural and temperature shock; the heat even at 5am is overwhelming, the perils of travelling alone, choosing a taxi, ignoring beggars and much else is tricky to cope with. Fortunately, her accommodation turns out to be adequate with a vital shower. Her journey onwards to the cooler retreat centre in the hills is assisted by English speaking people who are travelling alone or in small groups, as it soon becomes apparent that Jo is a friendly character whose situation at home in Britain is the product of those closest to her having their own agendas and assuming that she will make the effort to settle arguments, look after the children and work hard to make family events like Christmas bearable. Her mother drinks to help her cope with her father who seems to annoy her. Her sister Beth is in a difficult relationship but will not act on the advice that Jo thoughtfully offers. Her brother Michael has always been rather distant, while his wife Hannah wants all the glamour and money his work offers. It is only with their children that Jo finds it easy to communicate. When she arrives at the retreat she discovers the attractions and potential answers to be found in a glorious array of scenery and opportunities for counselling, mindfulness sessions and yoga among other classes. Not that it is all plain sailing, as her relationship with two of her fellow guests is confusing, but overall this is an opportunity to reassess everything without pressure.
This is a thoughtful book which is written with a real insight into what people really want from life and relationships. It comments on the emptiness of many people’s lives as they seek what they think is important in terms of money and relationships. The dialogue is well handled, revealing much about the characters with humour and skill. This is a book which is well worth reading and for its inspiration that there may well be more to contemporary life.

[Nicola · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book appealed to me from the outset, as I was intrigued to know where Jo had gone and what she was getting away from. We join Jo in India where she has escaped her family and friends without telling them and gone off on an adventure by herself. Her dysfunctional family and relationship prompted this trip, so I was intrigued to find out more about them too.
Her adventure in India involves her staying in a retreat in the Himalayas. Whilst there she meets several people who become her close friends and experiences some ups and downs in these relationships. The description of India, the treat and the scenery are fantastic and really make you feel like you are there with Jo.

While she is living in the retreat her brother, Michael comes out to visit and then we begin to understand more about her family background and what has happened in the past. Through Jo’s influence and the calming nature of the retreat, her brother begins to learn things about himself too with aim of improving relationships with his own family.

A very interesting and life affirming book, I would recommend!

[JayRaeReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

🏔Have you ever wanted to drop your whole life and just get away? To leave your whole family, boyfriend, and friends behind and go to the Himalayas or somewhere amazing far away? I haven’t… but Jo has.
⠀
🏔From the very beginning I was intrigued by this story. The MC is a dynamic character that undergoes life changing self-growth and discovery. It makes one think about how far a person would go for inner peace. This novel is a far cry from the type of book I would normal read and it was really good!
⠀
🏔The writing was easy to follow and allowed the reader to really immerse themselves into the descriptive scenes. I look forward to seeing the continuation of Jo’s story.

[Renee Hermansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finding Jo is an excellent easy read. Jo needs to get away from her dysfunctional family and her relationship with Rob which isn't going the way she wants. Without telling a soul she takes off to a retreat in India.
Yoga, mediation and cooking healthy food become part of her everyday. She bares her soul to the therapist. While there she finds peace in beautiful surroundings.

I enjoyed this book immensely as it felt like Jo was a real person discovering herself. I took many things within this book and hope to apply them to my life as well. This book makes a lot of sense.

Thanks to Beauty and Lace and Five Press for my copy to read and review.

[Michaela · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is very different from the type of book I would usually read. I really enjoyed it. It was a breath of fresh air.

I enjoyed the dysfunctional relationships within Jo’s family and how she had run away to discover herself and what she wants out of life.

I found her relationship with David very problematic and it concerned me at points that he was too forceful with his advances.

This book is a lovely life affirming journey and I really enjoyed getting to know Jo and her family.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely heart-warming book about finding yourself. I absolutely loved it.

[Kelly Schuknecht · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was a given a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. Here it is…

I liked the idea of this book when I first started it. 30-something Jo is feeling stuck in a bad relationship and surrounded by family members who are unhappy and toxic. She leaves them all behind and jets off to India without telling anyone where she’s going. She sets out on a journey of self discovery and healing.

I’ve never read Eat, Pray, Love, but I’ve seen the movie and was thinking this book would be similar.

Honestly, I expected this book to be a little deeper. Instead, it felt a bit like a teenage love drama—I kind of like this guy, now I like this guy…this guy likes me but there’s another woman involved.

In the end, everything all came together and it was an enjoyable story; I just would have liked a little more soul searching and character depth and less silly love drama.

[Note to the author: I also strongly suggest getting a professionally designed cover for this book. I know we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but the reality is that most people do. And for those of us that do, this cover is not very appealing.]