rosie-project

“Humans often fail to see what is close to them and obvious to others.”

Ahead of the release of The Rosie Effect due out later this week I have decided to give you the review of the first novel in the series. This little jem I picked up after brilliant reviews and an amusing blurb is not something I regret… read on to find out why.

Don Tillman PhD is a man of science and order. One day he decides to begin a new project for himself, something society will most certainly approve of – The Wife Project. After asking for the assistance of colleague and one of two friends Gene who knows a lot about women (enough to be in an open marriage), Don is sure that if he finds a compatible date he will finally be able to conquer the second date! It’s scientific of course!

Candidates must be:

  • A non-smoker
  • Punctual
  • Logical
  • Intelligent
  • A non- drinker
  • A meat eater

Rosie Jarman is none of these things, a kind of wild child who works as a bar maid she tells Don exactly what she thinks of his Wife Project and angrily declares him sexist. After offering to help Rosie with a project herself, to find her biological father Don starts to spend more time with the mysterious Rosie and her unscheduled ways. Out of all this a strange friendship emerges and both Rosie and Don learn something about themselves as well as each other.

What I find incredible is that Simison has managed to take Aspergers and create a character who doesn’t know he has it to educate us all. He’s sweet and although at times can seem rude he is a genuinely nice person with a rather different view of the world. For fans of the amazingly popular The Big Bang Theory another review has described this as ‘Sheldon’s quest for love’, although nothing to do with the show this may give you an idea of the hilarity that is in store. The novel is fun but also has undertones of seriousness and warm hearted humour. The novel flows easily and the characters are easy to love and understand, it’s also showing normal people how to embrace those who are different to us.

I give this novel five stars *****. When I found out that there was to be a second novel and more Don Tillman adventures I actually cheered. Although I can’t spoil the ending for you (it’s too good), I will tell you all that it’s worth reading and not always what you expect. I can’t wait for more adventures from Don and Rosie and neither should you!

 

Review by Chloe Metzger