One Plus One – Jojo Moyes (2014)

One Plus One by Jojo Moyes, published in 2014, is a heartfelt novel about an unlikely road trip that changes the lives of its four misfit passengers. Struggling single mother Jess Thomas is determined to give her mathematically gifted daughter, Tanzie, a chance at a prestigious education. When circumstances force them into an impromptu journey with the wealthy yet troubled Ed Nicholls, their collision of worlds leads to an unforgettable adventure filled with humor, love, and self-discovery.

Plot Summary

Ed Nicholls never imagined that a casual conversation could derail his entire life. A successful tech entrepreneur, he had everything—money, prestige, and a thriving company—until a careless slip about an upcoming product launch landed him in the crosshairs of an insider trading investigation. His world unravels in an instant. The board suspends him, his business partner turns his back on him, and the police are circling. Advised to lay low, he retreats to his barely used coastal holiday home, unsure of what comes next.

Jess Thomas has spent years mastering the art of survival. A single mother working multiple jobs, she is the glue holding her fragile family together. Her husband, Marty, walked out two years ago, leaving her with their daughter, Tanzie, and her stepson, Nicky. Money is always tight, but Jess makes do, scrubbing vacation homes by day and bartending by night. When Tanzie is offered a partial scholarship to a prestigious school for her extraordinary math skills, it feels like a miracle. But even with the tuition discount, the costs of uniforms, books, and transport are more than Jess can manage.

There is a way. A math competition in Scotland offers a prize that would cover the first year’s expenses. Tanzie, armed with her brilliance, could win. But getting to Scotland without a car or spare cash presents another impossible challenge. Jess, ever the optimist, decides to take the risk anyway.

Her plan unravels before it even begins. Borrowing Marty’s old, neglected Rolls-Royce—a relic from his failed wedding business—she sets off with Tanzie, Nicky, and their lumbering dog, Norman. The car barely makes it out of town before the police pull them over. No insurance. No road tax. No way forward. Stranded at the roadside, hope dwindling, Jess watches an expensive black Audi pull up alongside them.

Ed is already having the worst few weeks of his life. The last thing he expects is to find his cleaning lady, Jess, marooned on the side of the road with two kids and a giant dog. Perhaps it’s guilt for the way he treated her last time she cleaned his house. Perhaps it’s the weight of his own conscience pressing down on him. Whatever the reason, before he can talk himself out of it, he offers to drive them to Scotland.

It is a terrible idea. The trip should take a day, but nothing about this journey is straightforward. Tanzie gets violently carsick, forcing them to drive at an agonizingly slow pace. Norman, far too large for the car, drools on everything. Nicky barely speaks, plugged into his music, brooding behind layers of black eyeliner. Jess, fiercely independent, refuses any help but is entirely at the mercy of a stranger. And Ed—awkward, out of place, navigating a situation he never intended to be in—finds himself drawn into the chaos of their little world.

Miles pass, towns blur, and something unexpected begins to take shape in the confined space of the car. Tanzie thrives under Ed’s attention as he quizzes her with math problems, pushing her to think bigger, aim higher. Nicky, wary at first, senses something different in Ed—someone who isn’t indifferent, someone who doesn’t expect him to fit into a mold he was never made for. And Jess, always the one to bear the weight of responsibility, begins to relax just enough to see the cracks in Ed’s polished life.

But nothing about their journey is easy. When Nicky is beaten by local bullies during a pit stop, it becomes clear that his world is far harsher than anyone had realized. When a luxury hotel turns them away for looking too shabby, Ed sees, truly sees, what Jess has been up against for years. And when Tanzie’s nerves get the best of her, Jess’s determination wavers. Perhaps this was all a mistake.

Ed, against all logic, finds himself wanting to help. Not just out of kindness, but because he enjoys their company. Their chaos is a stark contrast to his empty, ordered life. He convinces Jess to let him pay for a proper meal, a warm bed, a night where they aren’t struggling to get by. She fights him on it, of course, but for the first time in years, she lets someone else take care of things.

By the time they reach Scotland, everything is different. Tanzie, despite her nerves, takes her place at the competition. The numbers flow through her fingers, elegant, precise. But when the final results are tallied, the prize slips just out of reach.

Jess’s heart sinks. Everything was riding on this.

Defeat is heavy in the car as they turn back home. But somewhere between the slow roads and the long silences, something else has been built—something more important than money or scholarships. Ed, once so distant, is no longer just the stranger who offered a ride. He is part of them now.

But reality is waiting. When they return, Jess learns the truth about Ed’s legal troubles. And Ed, facing the fallout of his actions, must confront the possibility of losing everything.

Jess pulls away. She cannot afford another complication, not now, not ever.

Ed, for the first time in his life, doesn’t want to run.

The world they built in the car seems impossibly far away now, but some things cannot be undone. Ed takes responsibility for his actions. Jess, despite every instinct telling her otherwise, lets herself hope.

When Ed finds a way to pay for Tanzie’s school anonymously, Jess sees through the lie. He doesn’t want gratitude. He doesn’t want to be a savior. He just wants them to have a chance.

And so, against all odds, they do.

Main Characters

• Jess Thomas – A resilient and optimistic single mother juggling multiple jobs to provide for her children. Despite life’s hardships, she remains hopeful and determined to do what’s best for her family.
• Ed Nicholls – A wealthy tech entrepreneur facing legal troubles due to an insider trading scandal. Initially detached and self-absorbed, he undergoes significant growth throughout the journey.
• Tanzie Thomas – Jess’s ten-year-old daughter, a math prodigy with a kind heart and a deep love for numbers. Her intelligence and innocence contrast with the struggles her family faces.
• Nicky – Jess’s teenage stepson, an outsider who faces relentless bullying. His sarcastic wit masks deep insecurities, but throughout the trip, he begins to find his sense of belonging.
• Norman – The family’s oversized, drooling dog who adds comic relief and an unexpected source of comfort to the journey.

Theme

• Family and Unconventional Bonds – The novel explores how love and support don’t always come from traditional family structures. The road trip forges unexpected connections between its misfit travelers.
• Social Class and Privilege – Jess and her children struggle with poverty, while Ed comes from a world of luxury. Their journey highlights the stark contrasts between wealth and hardship.
• Resilience and Hope – Jess’s unwavering optimism despite life’s obstacles is central to the story. The novel emphasizes perseverance and finding joy even in the hardest moments.
• Second Chances – Each character is given an opportunity to rebuild their life—Ed with his legal troubles, Jess with her struggles, and Nicky with his sense of identity and self-worth.

Writing Style and Tone

Jojo Moyes’ writing is engaging, emotional, and effortlessly blends humor with poignant moments. She crafts multi-dimensional characters with authentic voices, allowing readers to connect deeply with their struggles and triumphs. The alternating perspectives between Jess, Ed, and the children create a dynamic narrative, offering insight into each character’s inner world.

The tone is warm, heartfelt, and often bittersweet. Moyes masterfully balances moments of laughter with raw, emotional depth, making One Plus One a compelling story that feels both real and uplifting. Her prose is fluid and immersive, drawing readers into the characters’ lives with ease.