The Opposite of Maybe: A Novel

by Maddie Dawson

A heartfelt and exceptionally 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. 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 meant to be 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 Tony, whose life is even more muddled than hers. When Soapie reveals a long-hidden secret, Rosie wonders if she has to let go of her fears, and trust that the big-hearted, messy life that awaits her just may be the one she was meant to live.

Praise for The Opposite of Maybe

“Dawson’s charmingly eccentric cast of characters is at turns lovable and infuriating, ensuring a quick read helmed by a memorable, complex heroine.”—Publishers Weekly

“Delightfully witty . . . A messy, funny, surprising story of second chances.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Dawson keeps readers turning the pages to find out who Rosie will choose in the end.”—Booklist

• ISBN10: 0770437680
• ISBN13: 9780770437688
• Publish Date: 8 April 2014 (first published 1 January 2014)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Crown Publishing Group (NY)
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 400
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9780770437688

Reviews

[kimbacaffeinate]

The Opposite of Maybe by Maddie Dawson is a chick-lit novel that explores one woman’s journey of self-discovery through trial, error, hope, loss and love.

Dawson introduces us to Rosie a middle-aged woman who loves her job-teaching children and her life with her live in lover Jonathan. They have been together as they watched their friends get married and begin families. Theirs is a comfortable life until things get complicated. Jonathan has been offered an opportunity clear across the country and suddenly he is proposing. Rosie is dealing with her sassy, opinionated grandmother and needs to get her settled before moving. Suddenly unsure she is about to face her biggest challenge. The tale that unfolds takes us into Grandmother Sophie’s house and introduces a wonderful cast of characters that will warm your heart.

Rosie was a likable and flawed character. As Dawson peels back her layers and allows Rosie to fumble,  and grow she soon discovers that the key to happiness might just be complicated and messy. I loathed Jonathan, and adored Sophie. I plan to be wild and crazy like her when I am eighty-eight. Tony has this incredibly huge heart, and I wanted to embrace him. Secondary characters added a community feel and gave us a greater understanding of the central characters.

Warm, touching, hilarious and heart-warming The Opposite of Maybe was a novel that I enjoyed reading. Dawson beautifully balanced my emotions and I found myself caught up in the characters lives.

Copy received from Blogging for Books in exchange for unbiased review.This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Book Reviewer

[ellieroth]

*I've received an ARC of this in exchange of a honest review*

El Extraño Gato del Cuento


Este libro lo leí casi al final del 2013, Noviembre o Diciembre, no recuerdo bien. Es de esos libros que debes pensar bien que poner, porque tiene muchos matices del cual hablar, este libro particularmente me hizo sentir mucho, pero curiosamente no se convirtió en mi favorito.

Para empezar cuando vi la portada pensé que era un libro juvenil muy sencillo, además el título es muy curioso The Opposite of Maybe (Lo opuesto de quizás, según mi traducción principiante), la verdad es que no es un libro juvenil fácil para pasar una tarde, todo lo contrario. La escritora usa muy pocos diálogos en el libro, algo que por lo general hace que yo deje un libro, porque tiendo aburrirme, pero los diálogos son tan precisos y la narración es muy buena también. Si les soy sincera, no recuerdo mucho del libro, son solo las sensaciones que recuerdo al leer de las que les estoy hablando.

Lo que me gustó del libro es como los personajes van madurando, como no todo es blanco o negro, o que quizá queda en una novela romántica más, las relaciones se desarrollan de manera lenta e incluso podría decirse de forma bastante agria.

The Opposite fo Maybe al final pierde encanto gracias a lo mismo que me iba gustando al principio, los párrafos demasiado largos y la escasez de diálogos, se volvió demasiado tedioso seguir conectándome con la historia.

Maddie Dawnson reto a mis sentimientos con este libro, muchas de las cosas que suceden en sus páginas son del tipo por el cuál termino renegando, pero la manera de llevarlo, a un ritmo creíble hizo que el libro me gustara.


Reseña Completa: El Extraño Gato del Cuento

Quería darle cinco estrellas, porque el libro es muy bueno, pero, los últimos capítulos son un poco pesados.