Someone Else's Shoes

Jojo Moyes

55 pages 1-hour read

Jojo Moyes

Someone Else's Shoes

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2023

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Character List

Meet the key characters, with insights into their roles, motivations, and relationships—spoiler-free.

Major Characters

Nisha is a wealthy American woman in her forties who relies heavily on her appearance and high-end possessions. Her comfortable lifestyle shatters when her husband abruptly demands a divorce and cuts off her access to all money and assets during a trip to London. Left with only her gym clothes and a bag she accidentally takes from the locker room, she must figure out how to survive without her usual resources. She initially projects arrogance and struggles to accept help from strangers.

Key Relationships

Wife of Carl

Mother of Raymond

Accidental Rival of Sam

Guest and Friend of Jasmine

Friend of Aleks

Former Friend of Juliana

Blocked by Ari

Sam is an overworked mother and printing company salesperson in her forties. She shoulders the burden of supporting her family financially and emotionally while dealing with a depressed husband and a demanding boss. Constantly putting others before herself, she feels practically invisible until a gym mix-up leaves her wearing a pair of custom Christian Louboutin heels. The expensive shoes grant her a sudden burst of confidence that changes her approach to work and life.

Key Relationships

Wife of Phil

Mother of Cat

Best Friend of Andrea

Coworker and Friend of Joel

Employee of Simon

Accidental Rival of Nisha

Business Contact of Miriam Price

Jasmine is a hardworking single mother employed as a hotel housekeeper. Despite living in a cramped apartment and juggling multiple responsibilities, she maintains a generous and pragmatic outlook. She mistakes a stranded Nisha for a new employee, eventually offering her shelter and guidance when she learns of Nisha's destitute situation.

Key Relationships

Mother of Grace

Host and Friend of Nisha

Coworker of Aleks

Phil is Sam's husband, who has spent the last several months paralyzed by depression following the loss of his father and his job. He rarely leaves the house and relies entirely on Sam to manage their lives, creating a heavy strain on their marriage. He eventually begins attending therapy to process his complex grief and confront his passive behavior.

Key Relationships

Husband of Sam

Father of Cat

Patient of Dr. Kovitz

Aleks is a chef at the London hotel who previously moved to the city from Poland. He observes Nisha's obvious distress and quietly begins leaving meals out for her without asking questions. He teaches Nisha that human connections do not have to be transactional, offering genuine kindness and a listening ear.

Key Relationships

Friend of Nisha

Coworker of Jasmine

Carl is Nisha's wealthy, controlling husband who abruptly decides to leave her for his younger assistant. He blocks her bank accounts, denies her access to their hotel penthouse, and leaves her stranded in London with no resources. He is highly fixated on forcing Nisha to return the custom Louboutin heels he recently purchased for her.

Key Relationships

Husband of Nisha

Father of Raymond

Employer of Ari

Supporting Characters

Cat is Sam and Phil's nineteen-year-old daughter. She cares about her parents but frequently leans on her mother for support, unaware of the full extent of Sam's exhaustion. Her observations of her mother's changing behavior add tension to her parents' already strained marriage.

Key Relationships

Daughter of Sam

Daughter of Phil

Andrea is Sam's best friend. She faces significant personal hardships, including a recent cancer diagnosis and unemployment, which threaten her ability to pay her mortgage. Despite her own severe problems, she provides a steady source of emotional support and loyalty for Sam.

Key Relationships

Best Friend of Sam

Critical of Phil

Joel is a salesperson at Uberprint who works closely with Sam. He is encouraging and supportive, helping Sam manage their hostile workplace and inviting her to join his boxing gym to relieve stress. His growing closeness with Sam complicates her personal life.

Key Relationships

Coworker of Sam

Employee of Simon

Simon is the manager at Uberprint. He fosters a toxic and misogynistic work environment, frequently berating Sam while overlooking her successful sales figures. He holds his male employees to entirely different standards.

Key Relationships

Manager of Sam

Manager of Joel

Miriam is a formidable business client who initially intimidates Sam. However, she bonds with Sam over luxury footwear in the restroom, showing a sympathetic side that leads to professional opportunities for Sam outside of Uberprint.

Key Relationships

Client of Sam

Ari is Carl's imposing bodyguard. He follows Carl's strict orders to prevent Nisha from accessing her clothing, passport, or money, actively tracking her movements across London.

Key Relationships

Bodyguard of Carl

Target of Nisha

Raymond is Nisha and Carl's son, who currently attends a boarding school in the United States. He feels neglected by his father and unhappy at his school, prompting Nisha to prioritize getting him back.

Key Relationships

Son of Nisha

Son of Carl

Dr. Kovitz is Phil's therapist. He patiently encourages Phil to confront his underlying trauma regarding his father's death, helping him understand how his depression affects his marriage.

Key Relationships

Therapist of Phil

Grace is Jasmine's daughter. She shares a small bunk bed with her mother in their cramped apartment and must suddenly adjust to a stranger living in their limited space.

Key Relationships

Daughter of Jasmine

Ted is a salesperson at Uberprint who works alongside Sam and Joel. He frequently attends client meetings with Sam and witnesses their manager's harsh treatment.

Key Relationships

Coworker of Sam

Coworker of Joel

Marina is a coworker at Uberprint who encourages Sam to embrace the newfound confidence she gains from wearing her expensive borrowed shoes.

Key Relationships

Coworker of Sam

Juliana is Nisha's former best friend from before her marriage to Carl. Nisha cut ties with her to appease her husband, a decision she regrets when she finds herself stranded without a support system in London.

Key Relationships

Former Friend of Nisha