by Maddie Dawson
Genres: Women's Fiction
Source: Blogging for Books
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
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.
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.
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Katherine
I’ve seen this one but from the cover I always thought it was YA and never looked closer at it. I love rediscovery type books so I’m seriously tempted by this one. Thanks for sharing and correcting my mistake!
kimbacaffeinate
No the main character is in her 40’s. This was well done Katherine and I confident you would like it.
Braine Talk Supe
Don’t wait til you’re 88, start being wild now!
kimbacaffeinate
hehehe..I already do but I am hoping at 88 I can get away with more!
Faye D'Social Potato
Haha, being crazy at eighty-eight! That’s hilarious! I had a grandma who’s exactly like that 🙂 Before she got killed in a bus accident, she was the life of the party – she would do all these crazy things just for laughs, and it was so enlightening to see her living out her life the way she wants it, and bring happiness and entertainment to others in the same breath. Ahh, I miss her 🙁
kimbacaffeinate
I say live everyday to the fullest Faye.
Jeann
I’m so glad you were able to connect with Maddie well here Kimba, that sounds like you really enjoyed it. Lovely review as always!
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Jenea, I liked her and her journey.
Ana
I love books that take the character on a journey of discovering themselves, and this one sounds pretty good. I’ll have to keep my eyes open for it. 🙂 Great review!
kimbacaffeinate
I hope you get to try it Ana 🙂
Andrea
You had me at chick lit, Kim! Thanks for bringing The Opposite of Maybe to my attention!
kimbacaffeinate
This was a fun read Andrea 🙂
Lola
That grandmother sounds like an entertaining one. I don’t like that prosposing thing thing but the story sounds like a nice read. Great review!
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Lola, this was a good one
Christy
Aw… I’m kind of already in love with this book now. I definitely need to read it.
kimbacaffeinate
It was delightful Christy and yep I can see you liking this one
brandileigh2003
Well, just from description I would think not for me, but I do loved a good flawed character that you can really feel for and want to watch grow
kimbacaffeinate
I think these characters have issues that would draw you in Brandi..thanks 🙂
Kay
A book where I can get caught up in in the characters’ lives always sounds like a good choice to me. I’ve seen this one at the library many times but never grabbed a copy. I think I will have to change that. 🙂 Great review as always.
kimbacaffeinate
Go grab it Kay it is well done.
Amir
Grandmother Sophie sounds like she’s a hoot! I haven’t read chick-lit in forever and although it’s not a genre that I particularly enjoy, when done well it can be heartwarming, funny and will leave you with a smile on your face when done. This book sounds like exactly that! Lovely review Kimba! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
I love to mix this genre in and this one was well done with characters you connect with.
Maddie Dawson
Wow, thank you for all your wonderful comments and reviews! What a great group you are, and how fun to read books all together and then share your views. Anyway, I am so grateful to you for picking my book and for all the nice things you said. The grandmother was my favorite character too…and even though I had difficulties with Jonathan and his rigidity, I know a lot of people like him who really prefer to be alone in their lives and can’t move on with change. So in that way, I loved him for who he was. I was glad when Rosie realized her life wasn’t stuck to his in any big way. Sometimes we find out what we’re meant to do in the most interesting ways!! Thanks again so much! xo Maddie
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Maddie, I understood Jonathan even if I didn’t personally like him. I loved the growth in Rosie. 🙂
ShootingStarsMag
Aw, sounds lovely! i really adore character-driven novels.
kimbacaffeinate
thanks Lauren, this was delightful
Melissa (Books and Things)
I want to read this for the character Sophie! I know a 90 yr old who I want to emulate if I make it to that age. 🙂 This sounds like a good read!
kimbacaffeinate
This was a good one Melissa, and yep I plan to make my children want to pull their hair out.
Heidi
It has been awhile since I read a good chick lit book. I like the sound of Sophie the eighty eight year old grandma. I think this is one I would really enjoy! Happy weekend
kimbacaffeinate
You would totally enjoy this one Heidi..it blends humor, love and life well
kindlemom1
I am glad this was such a lovely read for you Kim, it sounds really good!
kimbacaffeinate
Thanks Ali..the characters were delightful and I became caught up in their lives.
Candace
I do love sassy grandmothers! This sounds like a wonderful read!
kimbacaffeinate
hehe…Me too Candace!
Debbie Haupt
Oh Wow this sounds incredible and amazingly similar to my own daughter’s story w/o the pregnancy.
Thanks Kimba it’s going on my pile 🙂
Happy Weekend!
kimbacaffeinate
Enjoy Debbie!
Paij Slater
What a great review! I’m going to be a sassy, hopefully super fun Grandma!!!! Being old doesn’t mean you have to be boring ;).
kimbacaffeinate
Exactly my plan darling!
Rita
I have this one on my kindle, but unread still. I intend to get to it hopefully in near future, so I only skimmed your review. I like some chick-lit and this one sounds like fun. Thanks for the reminder to pick it up– so many of my books get forgotten when something new and shiny comes in the mail 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Well worth the read Rita..the characters were interesting
Mary
There’s just nothing wrong with a comfortable life and it’s difficult when all the changes come at once. Grandmother Sophie sounds like my kind of octogenarian.
kimbacaffeinate
Sophie was a blast, and yep I like my quite comfortable life 🙂
Laurel-Rain Snow
I enjoyed this one, too! The grandmother is my favorite kind of character…and I, too, LOATHED Jonathan…LOL.
Thanks for your review.
kimbacaffeinate
Yeah..i thought he was selfish, but loved the other characters.
Nick
I like the sound of the sass grandmother! Haha!
This isn’t personally my kind of book, but I’m glad you liked the themes presented in the book, Kim! 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
The characters are mid-life and so probably not something you would relate too, but it was well done
Carmel
I couldn’t imagine having to undergo so many major life changes all at once! We just got married, and #1 wanted to list the house too—I was like HELL NO! Grandmother Sophie sounds like a fun character, and lots of FEELS while reading is always a good thing. Happy Friday, Kimberly!
kimbacaffeinate
Sophie was a blast, and yeah big changes all at once are hard.
Stephanie Faris
The cover certainly looks fun and interesting but the premise sounds like not much is happening. It must be a character-driven book!
kimbacaffeinate
Yes, it focuses on the protagonist and those in her close circle and all of the changes she faces. A lot happens, but it is character driven.
Melliane
I like a good chick lit I confess, it’s always a genre fun to try. I didn’t know this one though and even if you had a good time, I don’t know… not really sure it’s really for me. thanks for introducing me to this one.
kimbacaffeinate
These characters are older Melliane, but well done
Wendy Darling
Chick lit/women’s fiction can be so, so good when it’s done well–and this one seems to hit all the right notes! I’m intrigued that she stayed with him all that time and then realized that she didn’t want him after all when he proposed. (Or at least needed a break to figure out what she wanted.)
kimbacaffeinate
I love this type of novel that revolves around several characters. Thanks Wendy
heidi
I like books with flawed characters. So it sounds like a good read to me.
kimbacaffeinate
This was fun read Heidi and I enjoyed my time with these characters.
blodeuedd
I hope I am like that too when I am 80 😉
kimbacaffeinate
Of this I have no doubt 🙂
Jillyn
I hadn’t been familiar with this one before, but it sounds like a good read. I’m glad you enjoyed it. I know it isn’t the way to judge a book, but I love that cover too. 🙂
kimbacaffeinate
Jillyn..I cannot tell a lie..the cover is what drew me to this 🙂
Jillyn
I hadn’t been familiar with this one before, but it sounds like a good read. I’m glad you enjoyed it. I know it isn’t the way to judge a book, but I love that cover too.
Cyn
Heehee, sassy grandma! I love those (: This sounds like an in interesting read and definitely a journey of self-discovery. Heartwarming is always good! Lovely review, Kim!
kimbacaffeinate
It was an the cast was colorful