Jojo Moyes returns with Someone Else’s Shoes, a story that proves sometimes the most unexpected circumstances can lead to the most profound transformations. Building on the foundation that made her novels like Me Before You and The Giver of Stars international bestsellers, Moyes delivers another emotionally resonant tale that examines what happens when two women’s lives collide in the most unlikely way.
The premise is deceptively simple: a mix-up at a London gym leads to an accidental bag swap that changes everything for both Nisha Cantor and Sam Kemp. Yet beneath this seemingly straightforward plot lies a sophisticated exploration of identity, resilience, and the courage required to rebuild your life when everything falls apart.
The Tale of Two Women at Breaking Points
Nisha Cantor: From Privilege to Survival
Nisha Cantor embodies the archetype of the discarded trophy wife, but Moyes avoids easy stereotypes by crafting a character who is both infuriating and sympathetic. When her wealthy husband Carl announces their divorce and cuts off her access to everything—credit cards, apartments, even basic necessities—Nisha finds herself literally stripped of her identity. The Christian Louboutin red crocodile shoes that go missing aren’t just footwear; they’re a symbol of everything she’s lost and, more critically, they contain hidden diamonds that represent her only bargaining chip for a fair divorce settlement.
Moyes excels at showing Nisha’s transformation from entitled socialite to determined survivor. Working as a hotel cleaner, Nisha discovers strengths she never knew she possessed while grappling with the reality that her previous relationships were transactional rather than genuine. Her gradual acceptance of help from new friends—particularly the warm-hearted Jasmine—becomes a masterclass in character development.
Sam Kemp: Finding Strength in Crisis
Sam represents the everywoman pushed to her limits. Struggling with unemployment, a failing marriage to Phil, and her best friend Andrea’s cancer battle, Sam’s life feels like a series of mounting pressures with no relief valve. When she accidentally takes Nisha’s gym bag and tries on those six-inch Louboutins, something shifts. The shoes become a catalyst for Sam to recognize that she’s been sleepwalking through her own life.
The author skillfully portrays Sam’s journey from passive acceptance to active agency. Her growing confidence—symbolized by wearing the powerful shoes—leads to small acts of rebellion that eventually become larger assertions of self-worth. Sam’s evolution feels authentic because Moyes doesn’t rush the process; instead, she shows how change happens incrementally, often when we’re not even aware of it.
The Supporting Cast That Elevates the Story
Moyes populates her narrative with richly drawn secondary characters who feel like real people rather than plot devices:
- Andrea, Sam’s cancer-surviving best friend, provides both comic relief and emotional weight. Her pragmatic approach to her illness and unwavering loyalty to Sam creates some of the novel’s most touching moments.
- Jasmine, the hotel housekeeper who becomes Nisha’s unlikely friend, represents genuine warmth and community support. Her willingness to help recover the stolen shoes becomes a turning point in Nisha’s understanding of true friendship.
- Aleks, the quiet hotel chef who captures Nisha’s heart, offers a study in gentle masculinity that contrasts sharply with Carl’s emotional manipulation.
- Phil, Sam’s husband, could have been written as a simple obstacle, but Moyes gives him depth and his own emotional journey as he grapples with depression following his father’s death and his job loss.
Themes That Resonate Beyond the Page
The Power of Female Friendship
One of the novel’s greatest strengths lies in its portrayal of women supporting each other across class and cultural divides. The friendship that develops between Nisha, Sam, Jasmine, and Andrea feels earned rather than forced. Their elaborate scheme to recover the shoes from the unsympathetic woman who bought them becomes both hilarious caper and meaningful bonding experience.
Identity Beyond External Validation
Both protagonists must confront the question of who they are when stripped of their defining external circumstances. Nisha without her wealth and status, Sam without her role as the supportive wife and friend—both must discover their core selves. Moyes suggests that true identity emerges not from what we possess or our relationships to others, but from our actions when faced with adversity.
The Complexity of Modern Marriage
The novel offers a nuanced view of marriage in crisis. Sam and Phil’s relationship struggles feel realistic—they’re not dealing with dramatic betrayals but the slow erosion that comes from grief, unemployment, and the simple failure to communicate. Their eventual reconciliation requires both parties to acknowledge their roles in the breakdown.
Moyes’ Signature Style in Full Display
The author’s writing style has evolved since her earlier works, showing greater confidence in balancing humor with pathos. Her dialogue crackles with authenticity, particularly in the banter between the four women as they plan their shoe-retrieval mission. Moyes has always excelled at creating emotional moments that feel genuine rather than manipulative, and this skill is particularly evident in scenes between Sam and Andrea.
The pacing occasionally falters in the middle sections, where the shoe recovery plot threatens to overshadow the deeper character development. However, Moyes recovers admirably in the final act, bringing together the various plot threads with satisfying resolution.
Areas Where the Novel Stumbles
Predictable Plot Points
While the character development surprises and delights, some plot elements feel overly familiar. The wealthy husband hiding assets, the cancer subplot, and even the magical transformation through clothing have all been explored extensively in contemporary women’s fiction. Moyes’ execution is skilled, but the fundamental story beats follow a predictable pattern.
Convenient Coincidences
The novel relies heavily on fortunate coincidences—from the initial bag swap to the resolution of Nisha’s divorce settlement. While these moments serve the plot’s needs, they occasionally strain believability and reduce the impact of the characters’ agency in solving their own problems.
Uneven Tonal Balance
The shifts between light-hearted caper comedy and serious examinations of divorce, illness, and unemployment don’t always blend seamlessly. Some readers may find the contrast jarring, particularly when humorous moments immediately follow emotional revelations.
Moyes in Literary Context
Someone Else’s Shoes fits comfortably within Moyes’ established body of work while showing continued growth as a storyteller. Like Me Before You, We All Live Here, and Night Music, it examines how relationships can transform us, but with greater optimism about human resilience. The novel shares DNA with The Giver of Stars in its celebration of female friendship and community support.
The book also positions itself within the broader landscape of contemporary women’s fiction, alongside authors like:
- Liane Moriarty – for its blend of humor and serious themes
- Taylor Jenkins Reid – for its examination of identity and reinvention
- Kate Morton – for its intricate plotting and character development
- Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman – for its portrayal of transformation through unlikely friendships
For Readers Who Loved This Book
If Someone Else’s Shoes resonated with you, consider these similar reads:
- The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
- Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
- The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
- Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
- The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
- Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
Final Verdict: A Satisfying Journey of Transformation
Someone Else’s Shoes succeeds as both entertainment and emotional journey. While it doesn’t break significant new ground in women’s fiction, it executes familiar themes with skill and heart. Moyes understands that readers often seek comfort alongside insight, and she delivers both in generous measure.
The novel works best when focusing on the authentic relationships between its characters rather than the mechanics of its plot. The friendship between the four women feels lived-in and real, their individual struggles resonate with contemporary concerns, and their eventual triumphs feel earned rather than gifted.
For established Jojo Moyes fans, this novel will satisfy expectations while offering enough fresh elements to maintain interest. For newcomers to her work, it provides an excellent introduction to her ability to blend accessible storytelling with genuine emotional depth.
The shoes may be returned by the novel’s end, but the real transformation—the discovery that we’re stronger than we think and that help often comes from unexpected sources—lingers long after the final page. In a world that often feels fragmented and uncertain, Someone Else’s Shoes offers the reassuring reminder that sometimes walking in someone else’s shoes teaches us exactly where we need to stand.
