Review: The Rosie Effect

Summary: The highly anticipated sequel to the New York Times bestselling novel The Rosie Project, starring the same extraordinary couple now living in New York and unexpectedly expecting their first child. Get ready to fall in love all over again.

Don Tillman and Rosie Jarman are back. The Wife Project is complete, and Don and Rosie are happily married and living in New York. But they’re about to face a new challenge because— surprise!—Rosie is pregnant.

Don sets about learning the protocols of becoming a father, but his unusual research style gets him into trouble with the law. Fortunately his best friend Gene is on hand to offer advice: he’s left Claudia and moved in with Don and Rosie.

As Don tries to schedule time for pregnancy research, getting Gene and Claudia to reconcile, servicing the industrial refrigeration unit that occupies half his apartment, helping Dave the Baseball Fan save his business, and staying on the right side of Lydia the social worker, he almost misses the biggest problem of all: he might lose Rosie when she needs him the most.

Graeme Simsion first introduced these unforgettable characters in The Rosie Project, which NPR called “sparkling entertainment along the lines of Where’d You Go Bernadette and When Harry Met Sally.” The San Francisco Chronicle said, “sometimes you just need a smart love story that will make anyone, man or woman, laugh out loud.” If you were swept away by the book that’s captivated a million readers worldwide, you will love The Rosie Effect. -Simon & Schuster

I still remember when I learned that Graeme Simsion was writing a sequel to THE ROSIE PROJECT -- I was absolutely thrilled! Like many readers, I fell in love a little with Don and Rosie and their incredibly entertaining romance. In fact, THE ROSIE PROJECT was one of my favorite books of 2013. (You can read my review here.) I laughed so much at Don, but he also touched me heart. Needless to say, I couldn't wait to see what was next in store for Don and Rosie's relationship.

Well, THE ROSIE EFFECT is that book! It tells the next phase of Don and Rosie's lives, and I am 100% sure that fans of THE ROSIE PROJECT will love this book too. In THE ROSIE EFFECT, Don and Rosie have moved to New York, and (surprise, surprise!) Rosie finds herself pregnant. Don isn't quite sure what to make about the pregnancy, Rosie's new behaviors, and his ability to be a good dad.

So what does Don do? He decides to research the subject like only Don can research. I don't want to give too much away, but I almost peed my pants when Don began his investigation. Suffice it to say, Don becomes a bit overwhelmed with becoming a father as well as a few other interesting tasks he takes on, and his odder than normal behavior begins to threaten his and Rosie's relationship.

I adored THE ROSIE EFFECT, and of course, Don! In this novel, readers will experience the same dry sense of humor mixed with a beautiful love story; and it's just a wonderfully entertaining read. Personally, I was glad to see that Don was still Don -- you know what I mean, and I loved how desperate he was to make things right for Rosie... despite his awkward ways. It was just plain fun to read about these two and wonder if their love could endure.

Don managed to get himself into quite a few messes in this novel. As a result, he began keeping secrets from Rosie. Not because he was being mean-spirited. Rather because he wanted to protect her... and himself a little. I couldn't stop laughing at how Don saw his predicaments, knowing that his wife wouldn't see them the same way. I admit there were quite a few times when I was worried that Don might not be able to recover. Fortunately, I should know that Don is nothing if not determined!

THE ROSIE EFFECT would make a cute book club selection. Despite being a romantic comedy, there are quite a few topics worth discussing. There is a reading guide with sixteen questions and some ideas for enhancing your discussion. Some of the themes you might want to talk about include control, organization, sacrifice, secrets, relationships, marriage, friendships, parenting, and of course love.

Overall, I highly recommend THE ROSIE EFFECT! I sure hope Mr. Simsion is busy at work with his next installment of Don and Rosie's lives!

Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy of this novel.