2025 Reading Challenge discussion

Just completed the book. I loved it! I started reading with no expectations and was intrigued after the first chapter, enamored after the 13th chapter, and totally in love by the end. The book has all the hallmarks of a great indie romantic film, complete with oddball characters and social awkwardness. Definitely worth reading! 5 stars

I liked the book. I could relate to several of the characters. I could relate to Don because I have had problems in social situations. I could relate to Rosie especially her relationship with her "step"father. I could not stand Gene. I thought he was vulgar and can't stand men who cheat on their wives.

I found this a really engaging and entertaining read!

Audrey, I agree - Gene was awful, too smooth and smarmy for words. And his "study" - talk about a trumped up excuse for his unfaithfulness!

But apart from him, I thought it was great!

My review is here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I probably would not have read this book if it hadn't been picked for the group read this month. This group was absolutely worth joining if for no other reason (and there are other reasons) than I read this book. It was a fun and enjoyable read from cover to cover. I was certainly not a fan of Gene's behavior, but a book would be pretty boring without at least one character to dislike.

I liked it. I'd also have to agree with Megan, this would make a great indie film.

I loved this book. I chose to do the audiobook and I found myself laughing out loud several times.

Tammie, I agree. I probably would not have read this book and as a new-ish Good Reads user it's definitely why I joined this group.

That being said. I really liked the book. (view spoiler)[ Don and Rosie are likable characters and even though I didn't want them together, I'm glad they do end up married.

Gene is the worst. I know real women like Claudia and I'll never understand but her quote about hoping that people see their own flaws and loving them for who they are resonated greatly. I also really appreciated that Don is only mildly able to give us a clear picture of Gene aside from his infidelity. The true crumby traits come out through others.

I will admit that while the ending of the Father Project was predictable, I was kind of hoping for some serious drama with the living candidates. I guess that would not have really fit though... Haha

My only question - Why did Phil punch Gene in the end? (hide spoiler)]

I wouldn't have read this book either if it wasn't chosen as the group read. I am more of a horror/thriller person. With that said I really enjoyed this book. I was rooting for Don and Rosie from their first awkward encounter in his office. Gene was an ass to his wife but he really cared for Don and was trying to give him good advice even if it was seldom useful. I would love a follow up like the wedding project or something.

Dearly loved this book, it was sweet. I loved Don and relate well to awkward social situations. I was rooting for the two of them to get together.

I'm going to go against the grain here and say that I couldn't stand Don. I can't believe that someone so "intelligent" can miss social cues so completely. (But it was kind of understandable when it was clear that he too had Asperger's as well.) The "well, you're not an academic, so clearly you can't be intelligent" mentality he was given really drove me up the wall. He was incredibly smarmy and pretentious throughout the entire novel.

Rosie and Claudia were refreshing (I really wanted more of Claudia), and I found Gene to be thoroughly boring and predictable. I was kinda hoping there would be a messy conflict at some point, just liven the book up.

I get the misfittedness, I get the social isolation thing. I just really couldn't stand the implementation. It wasn't completely unreadable, but the plot was immensely shallow (Is it actually advertised as a romance novel? I'm not sure.) and it really dragged around the last half of the novel. I was relieved when it was finally over.

I'm going to go against the grain here and say that I couldn't stand Don. I can't believe that someone so "intelligent" can miss social

Don't feel bad, I've read many a book that others have raved about that when I've finished I've wondered what I missed. That's why there are so many books out there:)
Most recent for me are Tiger's Curse (hated both the main characters) and The Picture of Dorian Gray (really looked forward to it and it never seemed to focus on Dorian Gray)

On the whole, I can only give this novel 3/5 stars, as it just didn't impress me.

The story was enjoyable, but somewhat predictable, and the voice in my head when I read Don was permanently stuck on Sheldon Cooper. The character was not original enough for me to notice a remarkable difference between the two, except that Don is not so unwilling to change. This may be a personal failing in that I have seen too much of the Big Bang Theory, but from reading comments and other reviews, I am not alone in this.

It was a quick read, and I finished it in two days- it did grab my attention, and I wanted to find out what happened next. The things that happened next, however, were always the things I thought would happen.

A couple of positive aspects about the book included the protagonist, Don, and other characters including Claudia and Rosie and then there was the scary scene with the psychiatrist.

At some point I began to feel very protective of Don as he set himself up for rejection to pursue love (or compatibility...) and I was terribly annoyed at the snafu with the parakeet woman. His friendship with his neighbor is also quite touching, and serves to emphasize Don's kindheartedness.

All in all, it was a bit like watching a television program and then not being sure why I sat through the whole thing. Slightly endearing and entirely predictable- it left something to be desired.

this is not a book I would have chosen for myself. I struggled at the beginning because I didn't warm to any of the characters. that was until the reunion and the cocktails. I loved that Don seemed to flourish in this social setting when he struggles with social interaction.
I enjoyed the section where Rosie and Don were in New York and felt for Don when his first proposal was refused after all the effort and changes he made.
it was an ok read and would give it a 3/5

I was very leery starting the book, since Don is such a one dimensional character. I really didn't think I'd enjoy it. I found him quite obnoxious.

Once he met Rosie and began the journey of "The Father Project", I became interested.

While I thought it was a little predictable, I did appreciate the assessment of human behavior and its impact on human behavior.

Ashley wrote: "On the whole, I can only give this novel 3/5 stars, as it just didn't impress me."

I have to agree. I really enjoyed reading the whole book (I became very attached to Don while he went thru his "journey") but the ending seemed rushed. I came away feeling disappointed...

I should add that I'm usually not a huge fan of romantic love stories, especially those with a forced "happy" ending. Therefore, my opinion should not deter those who do enjoy this genre.

I finished this book this morning. I loved this book. I loved the characters. Agree with some of the added comments about the end being rushed, but at least we get a sequel out of it. It wasn't the typical love story that you can predict not only how it will happen, but the rhythm of it. I think it's a love story for people who are tired of reading the same things over and over again also that it's not the full story. I loved the character development in it and the growth on both sides.

Rose wrote: "I'm going to go against the grain here and say that I couldn't stand Don. I can't believe that someone so "intelligent" can miss social cues so completely. (But it was kind of understandable when i..."

I completely agree with your review of this book and thought I was the only one

For me the book started out very funny and I was laughing out loud. By the end of the book I felt more sad than anything. I am not sure that Don every understood what was going on around him and that became frustrating. As many others have mentioned I too felt as though the author hurried at the end to bring the Rosie and Don together.
I would say 3/5 because it made me laugh.

I loved this book. It was so obvious that Don had Asperger's. I kept envisioning him as "rain main." It was a cute & funny story. It reminded me never to pre-judge anyone before you know everything about them (as told by them).

I enjoyed the story. Thought Don was Sheldon Cooper in disguise, lol. In one word, Quirky!

Loved the beginning of this book. It was laugh-out-loud funny. In fact, I read the whole book in one sitting. I only gave it 4 stars though because the ending was, I felt a little sappy. Even so, I really felt it was an enjoyable read.