We reacquaint ourselves with Don Tillman who ten months and ten days into his marriage with Rosie is about to receive some life changing news…
The Rosie Effect – the blurb
Forty-one-year-old geneticist Don Tillman had never had a second date before he met Rosie.
Now, living in New York City, they have survived ten months and ten days of marriage, even if Don has had to sacrifice standardised meals and embrace unscheduled sex.
But then Rosie drops the mother of all bombshells. And Don must prepare for the biggest challenge of his previously ordered life – at the same time as dodging deportation, prosecution and professional disgrace.
Is Don Tillman ready to become the man he always dreamed of being?
Or will he revert to his old ways and risk losing Rosie for ever?
Hello again
It’s been some 6 years since I read The Rosie Project, the first in the now trilogy of books about Don Tillman – an Australian geneticist who likes order, research and spreadsheets. Second time around Don is not only a husband but about to become a father (no spoiler it’s revealed VERY early on and is the premise for the whole book). The Rosie Effect then follows Don as he adjusts to his impending new role and the impact it has on his relationship with Rosie.
As it had been so long between reading the two books, a few of the finer details had escaped me. Whilst it didn’t matter too much as I could pick up the main thread I do recommend you read The Rosie Project prior to this one to get a full sense of Don and Rosie.
Rose tinted glasses?
I remember looking back on the Project with a sense of fondness, both for the book and for Don. So why had taken me so long to get round to reading the Effect? I don’t know but often when I picked the book up I just didn’t fancy reading it. This continued for the first few chapters. I found it a little predictable, cringe worthy and the whole idea a bit of a farce (I’m thinking the playground scene). I’m in a bit of a rut with my reading at the moment (I’m blaming lock down), I just cant seem to get into any book I read. With this in mind I gave myself a shake and continued reading. I liked Don, I liked Project, I would like Effect.
Rosie who?
One of the things I liked about the Project was the fact the book was told from Don’s perspective and not Rosie’s. However I found Rosie strangely absent in this book. She was constantly in her room studying. I didn’t understand her actions when faced with Don’s handling of the situation. This is the woman who ‘gets’ Don, so why didn’t she think he would have issues? The lack of communication between them seemed strange compared to the Project as did Rosie.
I did like the ‘boys club’ a brilliant little ensemble of characters that could easily make a TV show. They really were the saving grace of the book. The ending was a bit sweet for my taste, yet it left me with a sense of …fondness. Similar to how the Project left me feeling. I will therefore read The Rosie Result (book three in the trilogy and currently on my TBR pile). I can’t however guarantee how long it will take me to get to it!
The book is gentile, heart warming and sweet. If that’s what you’re looking for at the moment then it’s the perfect book. You could also try The Cactus by Sarah Haywood a standalone book with an English female version of Don.