Book Review – The Rosie Project

Happy August everyone! We are in the midst of summer! Are you still looking for a good summer read? If so I would highly suggest The Rosie Project. This book was adorable! I read it last summer and I was hooked right off the bat. Here’s what the synopsis off Goodreads says.

Don Tillman, professor of genetics, has never been on a second date. He is a man who can count all his friends on the fingers of one hand, whose lifelong difficulty with social rituals has convinced him that he is simply not wired for romance. So when an acquaintance informs him that he would make a “wonderful” husband, his first reaction is shock. Yet he must concede to the statistical probability that there is someone for everyone, and he embarks upon The Wife Project. In the orderly, evidence-based manner with which he approaches all things, Don sets out to find the perfect partner. She will be punctual and logical—most definitely not a barmaid, a smoker, a drinker, or a late-arriver.
Yet Rosie Jarman is all these things. She is also beguiling, fiery, intelligent—and on a quest of her own. She is looking for her biological father, a search that a certain DNA expert might be able to help her with. Don’s Wife Project takes a back burner to the Father Project and an unlikely relationship blooms, forcing the scientifically minded geneticist to confront the spontaneous whirlwind that is Rosie—and the realization that love is not always what looks good on paper.

So here we have Don Tillman, he is a genetics professor, a man who abides by the rules and has absolutely no time for romance! Until, a neighbour plants the seed inside his head that he would make a ‘wonderful’ husband. The book is from his POV and I knew from the start I would like this unique character. He was really funny and witty and when you find out more about him you’ll just want to hug him! You know who he reminded me of? Atticus Finch. I definitely felt the same vibe from Don as I did from Atticus. So if that’s one of your favourite characters (he definitely is mine, I mean I named our cat after him) then you’ll find yourself rooting for Don Tillman as he navigates life to find himself the “perfect” wife.

Enter Rosie. Rosie is a firecracker! She was an interesting character to witness through Don’s POV and I found her a fresh of breath air. Frequently in chick-lit books the female characters can be a bit… shallow and daft. Rosie was neither of those adjectives. I think a lot of people who dislike stereotypes about women in their early 20s will really like Rosie. She is one of the best romantic comedy heroines I’ve ever come across. I love the message she puts out there – she will not change for anyone nor will she force others to change for her.

The plot was fast paced and I really really wanted to see where the story went. The adventures Rosie & Don go on are hilarious! This book is not your typical romance, nor is it your typical chick-lit but IT WORKS! The entire time I read this one I kept thinking “wow this book gives society the right message”. In the text itself Don says “being weird is acceptable”, is that not the perfect quote or what?! I was all smiles reading this one and I knew I had a gem in my hands when I finished it and really really wanted a sequel.

Page count – 295 pages
Rating –      4 Oakley stars from me!