Andy Jones’ The Two of Us is a Charming and Unconventional Love Story

In The Two of Us, young ad director Fisher, a lively bachelor living in a so-called up-and-coming part of London, finds himself unexpectedly smitten with enigmatic Ivy, a make-up artist living in swish Wimbledon, a leafy suburb that’s home to grand slam tennis and the upwardly mobile.
It’s certainly lucky that they both freelance, because in the first few weeks of their relationship, let’s just say they don’t get a lot of work done.
We all recognize it—those heady days of lustful obsession that happen early on in a relationship. Yet Fisher believes he’s found the girl of his dreams, even while realizing they are in the volatile heat of a honeymoon period. He’s also experienced enough to know how it can go—basically either way. Their few weeks of frenzy is followed by ominous silence, so when Ivy finally calls to tell Fisher “they need to talk,” he’s convinced he’s doomed to be sent to Dumpsville. But instead…life happens. Ivy does have some news for him. As they say in England, she’s up the junction. Pregnant. Ta-da!
What comes next? Run for the hills? Or can they fall in love for real, and make it work? What are their respective families like? Who is Ivy? How old is she? Really?? Ah.
Fisher and Ivy now have to go though all the realities and realizations following the initial rose-tinted glasses phase, while at the same time reading What to Expect When You’re Expecting.
Author Andy Jones does a great job of conveying Fisher’s frantic thoughts and emotions in this, his debut novel. Jones himself is a father and has experienced the great life transformation that having a baby can bring, and you can tell he’s “been-there-done-that.” While I can’t help feeling that in real life a solo guy like Fisher would likely be a complete deer in the headlights (if he stuck around at all), I love that he’s not That Guy—he’s a brave soul willing to embrace the unexpected, even when confused, unsure, unsettled and, well, shall we say still distracted by the opposite sex.
Included in the mix is Fisher’s best friend from school, El, an irascible rogue suffering from Huntingdon’s disease, a cruel, incurable affliction that slowly robs El of the use of his body and his dignity. There’s a whole thought-provoking process here that is both sad and sensitive.
Jones also weaves a plot that keeps you guessing, with a few red herrings and some interesting asides. Like, the inconvenience of having a birthday that falls on Christmas Day. (This is true of a friend of mine. She’s solved the problem by celebrating the halfway mark with a big party on July 25 every year, presents and all.)
There are laughs along the way but, as we know, love never runs smoothly, with more life-changing moments and road blocks in store for Fisher and Ivy than the problems of constructing IKEA furniture and choosing the right car seat.
The conclusion, despite some subtle telegraphing towards the end, will surprise, sadden and endear. Yes, you will need the tissues, but, like Fisher, don’t be afraid to embrace this story.
The Two of Us is in stores now.