Love, Rosie by Cecelia Ahern
Read: based on some recommendation, way back in the day. It’s been on my Bookins request list for ages and it finally came. (Hyperion, 464 pages)
Rating: 7 out of 10 (finished 4/1/10)
Synopsis: Ahern’s engaging follow-up to PS, I Love You is the tale of two best friends who are meant to be together. Rosie and Alex have been best friends since childhood, so when Alex’s family moves from Dublin to Boston, Rosie decides she’ll venture to the States for college after she graduates from high school. But those dreams are dashed when the night of her final high-school dance leaves Rosie pregnant. She decides to stay in Dublin and keep the baby. When Rosie comes over to visit Alex during his last year at Harvard, she finds herself falling for him–just as he announces his engagement to a fellow student. Thus begins a back-and-forth that goes on for years, as Rosie raises her daughter and pursues her dream job while Alex builds a life for himself in Boston. The book’s length is indicative of the many obstacles in the couple’s path, but readers will enjoy the breezy epistolary style and likable characters.
Overall Impression: Let’s first of all make a grumblecakes face in the general direction of Cecelia Ahern, who was 24 when she started publishing her best-selling books (see: PS I Love You). Plus she’s freaking adorable, and Irish, and daughter of the former Most Important Leader of Ireland. Come on, now. That ain’t fair. Spread the love, Cecelia.
Anywho, this novel, written in a series of emails, IMs, chat rooms, and letters, reminds me of Meg Cabot’s “Boy” series of books. It was sort of like eating cotton candy. The novel, at 450+ pages, looks big and delicious, but because it’s these strings of messages, it’s as light as air. I gobbled it up one evening in one big, pink bite. The characters were likeable and realistic, which I think must have been hard to do in a series of IMs. The relationship between the two main characters, which spans 50 years, was well thought out — I didn’t spend the whole book thinking, “WHY OH WHY aren’t these two people together?” Instead, their reasons for being apart seemed realistic — sometimes the timing just sucks. I’ve been reading heavier books lately, so this one just sort of wafted by, smelling like cherries.
Pros: Great when your brain needs something sweet.
Cons: Even now, half a month later, I’m having trouble remembering the details.
Other books I’ve read by Cecelia Ahern: none
Other blogger reviews: none (have you reviewed this? I’ll link your review here!)
Interesting review! It was interesting to know that the book is structured as a series of emails, IMs and letters. I haven’t read any of Cecilia Ahern’s books but have seen the movie version of ‘P.S. I love you’ and liked it. If the movie is anything to go by, her depiction of Ireland in her books must be interesting. Have you read any books by Marian Keyes, who is also Irish?
I’ve read a ton by Marian Keyes. Actually I met her at a book signing. She’s tiny! And Irish! And I sort of wanted to put her in my pocket. :)
I did really like this book. Next time you need something mindless try Holly’s Inbox by Holly Denham (actually by some other guy writing as Holly), all in emails and very fun!
Thanks for the rec! Now on my reading list. :)