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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
adventurous
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I liked it! It's a refreshing romcom that features a neurodivergent character who tells the story with a very interesting thought process. It was very enjoyable to read Don's trail of thought about every single thing, big or small.
The plot was interesting enough that I kept reading for hours.
The plot was interesting enough that I kept reading for hours.
Being a person on the spectrum who shares a handful of characteristics with Don, I didn't mind his eccentricities even when I thought they could have been more nuanced. Additionally, I really liked Rosie (and I have my own "Gene" friends trying to teach me the ways of "conventional people"). None of the character work bothered me as much as one other thing. This book was moving along fine until the very end.
My big problem was that the pacing, which I thought was great throughout the entire story, was flung out the window in the final 20%. In the end, it wrapped up faster than the fastest rom-com ending known to man. And that was disappointing, because I felt like I had whiplash reading how it was all shaking out.
Aside from this one major complaint, I had a fine time reading it. It read extremely fast, and it was a light read I threw in as a palette cleanser before getting back to some heavier themes/reads. I suppose I don't regret it, but I'm glad I only borrowed it from the library.
My big problem was that the pacing, which I thought was great throughout the entire story, was flung out the window in the final 20%. In the end, it wrapped up faster than the fastest rom-com ending known to man. And that was disappointing, because I felt like I had whiplash reading how it was all shaking out.
Aside from this one major complaint, I had a fine time reading it. It read extremely fast, and it was a light read I threw in as a palette cleanser before getting back to some heavier themes/reads. I suppose I don't regret it, but I'm glad I only borrowed it from the library.
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Full review on YouTube: https://youtu.be/uc9R-uw8xDQ
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It is hard to believe that the author is not on the spectrum but perhaps he is highly empathetic. Don Tillman is an undiagnosed autistic. A decade ago he may have been described as having Asperger's Syndrome. Sadly while diagnoses are increasing the clinical diagnostics are largely based on the male child.
Little of that information is relevant or included in the story, but it is the lens that I read it through. I absolutely understand the confusion that many people have that because a person may not be emotional they don't have emotions. Emotional people may protect themselves by turning their emotions off through various strategies. Focus on logic is a popular choice. Adherence to personal rules and routines to gain control of otherwise chaotic conditions is another.
Don has decided on a partner for his life and intends to choose such based on a comprehensive list that will determine compatibility. Oddly enough for a deeply intelligent individual he is about to learn for the first time that the best things don't go according to plan.
Little of that information is relevant or included in the story, but it is the lens that I read it through. I absolutely understand the confusion that many people have that because a person may not be emotional they don't have emotions. Emotional people may protect themselves by turning their emotions off through various strategies. Focus on logic is a popular choice. Adherence to personal rules and routines to gain control of otherwise chaotic conditions is another.
Don has decided on a partner for his life and intends to choose such based on a comprehensive list that will determine compatibility. Oddly enough for a deeply intelligent individual he is about to learn for the first time that the best things don't go according to plan.
Funny, easy read. Doesn't require the reader to be too emotionally or mentally involved so it's perfect for a commute. Lovely story line. Really looking forward to the next one!
Maybe a 2.5 rating
Don is a professor and has aspergers. Don starts the wife project to find a wife. Meets Rosie, who he helps find her father. Don rules her out for the wife project, but ends up liking her. They get married. Rosie finds out who her father is. Funny book - liked the main character.
Don is a professor and has aspergers. Don starts the wife project to find a wife. Meets Rosie, who he helps find her father. Don rules her out for the wife project, but ends up liking her. They get married. Rosie finds out who her father is. Funny book - liked the main character.
funny
lighthearted
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Overall, I liked it a lot. It was a charming, sweet story and I found Don and Rosie to be very likable.
The portrayal of autism gave me mixed feelings. At times Don seemed to come across as a caricature of an autistic person. However, near the end, it seems like being in love with Rosie has suddenly made his autistic traits way less pronounced (e.g. ditching rigid routines and becoming way more perceptive).
If you accept that his charater is not a perfect representation of a person on the autism spectrum and start seeing him as a multifaceted individual, his characterisation becomes way more enjoyable.
The portrayal of autism gave me mixed feelings. At times Don seemed to come across as a caricature of an autistic person. However, near the end, it seems like being in love with Rosie has suddenly made his autistic traits way less pronounced (e.g. ditching rigid routines and becoming way more perceptive).
If you accept that his charater is not a perfect representation of a person on the autism spectrum and start seeing him as a multifaceted individual, his characterisation becomes way more enjoyable.