Author Jojo Moyes: Me Before You, Rejection & Starting Again In Her 40s

Author Jojo Moyes: Me Before You, Rejection & Starting Again In Her 40s

From Begin Again with Davina McCall by Begin Again

June 4, 2026 · 1h 16m

About this episode

Jojo Moyes discusses her journey of rejection and reinvention in midlife with Davina McCall.

What if success is not the end of the story, but the beginning of becoming yourself? In this episode of Begin Again, bestselling author Jojo Moyes joins Davina to talk about rejection, reinvention, and the story behind becoming one of the world’s most loved writers in midlife. Jojo opens up about the years before Me Before You, when books were rejected, sales were low, and she wondered whether she would have to find a new career. Then everything changed. Her work went on to sell millions around the world, but success brought new challenges: emotional responsibility, pressure, and the painful realisation that she had no boundaries. Davina and Jojo also explore childhood loneliness, becoming fiercely independent, learning to ask for help, and the cost of always saying yes. They discuss why achieving the life you once dreamed of does not protect you from having to begin again. Jojo speaks honestly about divorce, and how even when it is messy and complicated, handling it with kindness can bring a clarity you never expected. They talk about identity, midlife loneliness, dating again and motherhood. How ambition and trusting yourself are the secrets to protecting your peace after years…

People in this episode

Host: Davina McCall

Guest: Jojo Moyes

Topics covered

  • rejection
  • reinvention
  • midlife
  • identity
  • emotional responsibility
  • kindness

Keywords

  • Jojo Moyes
  • rejection
  • Me Before You
  • midlife
  • reinvention
  • kindness
  • identity

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Me Before You

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