Book Review: “The Opposite of Maybe” by Maddie Dawson
“The Opposite of Maybe” by Maddie Dawson (2014)
Genre: Adult, Romance, Contemporary, Fiction
Page Length: 400 pages (paperback edition)
Synopsis:
Jonathan and Rosie have been together so long they finish each other’s sentences—so when he (finally) proposes and asks her to move across the country with him, everyone is happily surprised.
But when things suddenly unravel, Rosie sends Jonathan packing and moves back home with Soapie, the irascible, opinionated grandmother who raised her. Only now she has to figure out how to fire Soapie’s very unsuitable caregiver, a gardener named Tony who lets her drink martinis, smoke, and cheat at Scrabble.
It’s a temporary break, of course—until Rosie realizes she’s accidentally pregnant at 44, completely unequipped for motherhood, and worse, may be falling in love with the sentimental, troubled Tony, whose life is even more muddled than hers.
It’s not until Rosie learns the truth about her mother’s tragic story that she wonders if sometimes you have to let go of your fears, trusting that the big-hearted, messy life that awaits you may just be the one you were meant to live. (description from Goodreads)
SPOILERS WARNING!!!!!
Review:
The Opposite of Maybe is an interesting story not only about a woman who has mid-life crisis, but it also is a story about the choices we make in our life and how those choices affect us.
First of all, why did it take FIFTEEN YEARS of being in a relationship with Jonathan to realize that they weren’t a good match?!!! I almost yelled at the book, and thought “seriously Rosie?!” There were so many red flags in their relationship, some including:
- Jonathan states that they should postpone our wedding, (yes, that’s right a wedding), so I can meet up with this guy on the west coast and discuss business about tea cups.
- Rosie tells him she’s pregnant, and Jonathan responds that he doesn’t want to be a part of “this”, but then changes his mind when she’s more than halfway through the pregnancy, that he wants to be involved.
- Jonathan decides at the last-minute, he needs money for the baby, but is slightly burdened that he has to sell his precious National Geographic magazine collection (oh boo hoo Jonathan)
Now Rosie, doesn’t exactly have a clean slate either, but there are far more strikes against Jonathan (at least in my opinion)
I strongly wanted Rosie to end up with Tony a quarter way into reading the novel despite his own personal dramas going on in his life. But at this point, every character is dealing with some major life obstacle that they are trying to break though and workout on their on. I admire Tony, for staying so optimistic and even though he was going through his own drama he went out his way to help Soapie and Rosie.
Rosie does grow throughout the novel, especially as she comes to a realization that she hasn’t really lived her own life and just has been following others and doing what they want. She learns that she needs to stop holding back her feelings, speak her mind, and live life to the fullest.
Despite all my earlier ranting, I loved this story and the characters (I was just mad that they were acting stupid). Especially the endearing relationship between Rosie and her grandmother, Soapie, who is so full of life. Though they butt heads, they look out for each other.
Final Verdict:
4 out of 5 stars!
