Book review: Love, Rosie

So I noticed that most of the books I read lately deal with depression or some other forms of psychological disorder and that it was affecting me more than it should. (I get affected way too much by fictional characters, I think.) I decided to stop reading Sylvia Plath's The Bell Jar halfway through and look for a more "cheerful" book to read in the meantime.

Since the Love, Rosie movie is coming up soon and I absolutely adore Lily Collins and Sam Claflin, I thought I'd give it a go. The only other book of Cecelia Ahern that I have read is The Book of Tomorrow and I must admit that was quite a hit with me. Meanwhile, I have seen [and cried buckets over] PS I Love You but I actually haven't read the book yet. 

Published nine years ago in the UK as Where Rainbows End and then printed as Love, Rosie in the US, the book tells the story of Alex and Rosie, their entanglements, and all the many ways fate played with them. They have been best friends since they were five and discovered they're in love not soon after, but as with other friendships with the same dilemma, they are both scared to lose what they currently have. Besides, Alex had to move to another country and Rosie got pregnant just before she was supposed to follow. What now?

I wish I read this book sooner.

Written in epistolary structure, readers follow what happens to them through a series of letters, emails, IMs, and newspaper clippings shared and sent among them and their family and friends, making the story feel even more personal; it was so conversational that it felt like I was one of the intended recipients and I should send a response about what's been happening with my life! The format worked and the novel wouldn't have been as effective if not told this way.

I have to be honest: the book can get frustrating at times especially when you just want them to 'fess up and end up with each other yet it seems like something always gets in the way, but I LOVED it, I really really loved it. It's funny, witty, endearing, and filled with a set of charming and believable characters and the missed connections just makes you appreciate what happens in the end.

I found the way Alex deliberately spells 'know' as 'no' freakishly adorable, and the way Rosie's daughter Katie adopted the same practice in her letters is a nice touch

I also got giddy when my country was given attention as one of the countries Rosie's parents visited on their cruise

Rosie goes through a lot and [understandably so] almost surrenders to despair lots of times, but her character is so strong. I loved rooting for her and I loved that she has friends and family rooting for her. There are no real villains in this story, aside from fate maybe. Fate indeed works in mysterious ways.

I wish I read this book sooner. Still, I'm glad it only took me nine years to finally get to it.

via

I've seen the trailers over and over and I am looking forward to watching the movie. From the trailers, I have a feeling there will be some drastic differences from what happens in the novel. Still, I hope they don't make it into another silly and mindless rom-com because we already have more than enough of that. It will be such a waste of actors if that happens.

More than Alex and Rosie's love story, I loved reading Love, Rosie because not only did it make me appreciate my friendships even more, I also identified with Rosie so much; particularly whenever she wonders and asks her sister Stephanie when she can expect to feel she has grown up. It's true what she said: When you were a kid you wished you were a teenager so you could be wiser. When you became a teenager you discovered you're none the wiser and wished you were an adult because maybe then, you could make sense of life. But then you grow up, and you realize that even adults don't really have a clue.

Read the book if you like stories with missed connections, destiny, and best friends transitioning to being lovers. Love, Rosie is perfect when paired with a rainy afternoon and a cup of hot chocolate.

Have you read this book already? What did you think about it?