Review: The Opposite of Maybe by Maddie Dawson

The Opposite of Maybe by Maddie Dawson

Genre: Chick Lit

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A heartfelt, funny, and all-together human novel about
the best mistakes a person can make.

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.

   I am simply not the target audience for this book and that weighed heavily on my enjoyment of this book. Generally, I can enjoy books from different genres than my usual favorites. But that was not the case with The Opposite of Maybe. It wasn't able to draw me in like most chick lit titles. Everything seemed to happen because it needed to for the book and not organically for the characters. If I had to describe The Opposite of Maybe in one word, it'd be predictable.

  The characters weren't particularly likable. They were flawed in all of the right places, but something about this set of characters just grated on my nerves. Maybe I am too used to my beloved Young Adult genre characters to appreciate Rosie, Jonathan, and Co. There was too much back and forth for the love triangle. Yes, a love triangle. Maybe that's why I just couldn't sympathize or connect with Rosie.

  I could see this book being in someone's beach bag or stowed away in a carry-on for a light vacation read. That's really what I think The Opposite of Maybe will succeed at. It fits well in the Chick Lit genre and I think readers of that genre will enjoy it loads more than I have.

**I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review with no compensation.