Graeme Simsion

The Rosie Project

Briar's Reviews

The Rosie Project is a sweet, contemporary romance book that will knock your socks off!

I've been hearing about this book in my little circle for years. Everyone was raving about it but I never picked it up (or found it where I frequent, for that matter). I was hesitant to pick it up since it was a beloved best seller and I wasn't sure if I would like. Boy, was I wrong!

This book is sweet and very quirky. We follow Don Tillman, a professor who has Asperger's but is not aware of this fact. It is clear that almost everyone else seems to recognize his quirkiness, but he does not. He is getting frustrated because he can't keep a woman! He can get them to go out and spend time with him, but then nothing. Suddenly, a brilliant idea comes to him - The Wife Project. He makes a brilliant questionnaire that he passes to hundreds of women to try to find his perfect wife. And then in walks Rosie. She's NOTHING like what he wants, and is actually the complete opposite! On top of that, she's trying to figure out who her Father is, so it helps that Don has studied genetics. So, do opposites attract? I guess you'll have to read to find out!

My positives:
1. Rosie is the type of female romantic lead I want in a book. She felt very real - she has flaws, she has quirks (yay red hair!), she has wants and needs and goals and isn't perfect. She doesn't want to fix Don's Asperger's or any of his weird quirks. This woman exists in his bubble and enjoys his company, and him for who he is. 

2. Don also felt very real, and peeking into the way his mind worked was one of the major pluses for me. He had reason for everything and liked things a certain way. Don also grew as a character over the novel and didn't just sit in a stand-still. His development was excellent. Also, no one tries to fix him. I'll keep saying this over and over - I have to respect this.

3. The cover is pretty.

4. Gene and Claudia are very intriguing characters and I would love to follow them in a spin-off. I've seen characters like them before but I still wanted to hear more from them. How do their lives work? Are we certain Claudia doesn't know about Gene's antics? 

5. There's drama, romance and comedy all packed up into one book. There are times where I feel strongly for Don, and then there's times I'm laughing at his wild antics. I fell in love with Rosie and Don's relationships and felt for them. It was truly beautiful.

6. The quote about wanting to spend the rest of your life with someone as soon as possible WAS SO ROMANTIC OH MY GOSH.

My negatives:
1. The first half of the book moved fast and kept me totally entranced and addicted. The second half of the book slowed down and I began to lost interest. I don't know what exactly changed, but there was an obvious change in the style. 

2. I've yet to meet a real scientist who sounds as hot as Don. I'm glad this is a fictional book.

3. Gene wanting to have sex with one of every nationality... Eek. Me Too vibes guys! 

Overall, I found this book to be enjoyable and I binged it in a day. It is totally worth the read if you love unique romantic comedies! I can totally see this book becoming a movie and I hope it does. This book was totally charming and sweet.

Four out of five stars.

Erwin Lemuel Oliva

The most entertaining novel I have read in years. It is also one of my fastest reads. The story was that good. I thought I was watching a rom-com. Written as a screenplay initially, the Rosie Project was a big surprise. Every chapter kept me wanting for more. It is funny and found some scenes hilarious. Don is a lovable character. Now, I have to read the next set of books.