Kismetology - Jaimie Admans

‘Mac here knows her stuff when it comes to kismetology.’

This enjoyable contemporary novel deals with matters of the heart in an entertaining and humourous way. Mackenzie Atkinson moved three doors down the road from her mother Eleanor’s house to live with her partner Dan. As she might perhaps have suspected, this has resulted in her mother being a regular visitor to her home, made a problem by the fact that her mother doesn't hesitate to interfere in all aspects of Mackenzie's life, in particular her love life, and often comments, usually unfavourably, about Dan, even if he is in the same room! Mackenzie decides that what would help an awful lot is if her mother were less lonely and had her own romantic interest, and she sets out to help her find a perfect match.

The twist comes in that, rather than send her mother out into the world on blind dates with complete strangers, Mackenzie decides that she will do the advertising and sourcing of potential suitors and that she will even meet any prospective partners before her mother does and vet them first, only lining up dates with her mother if the men are up to scratch. Cue many episodes of Mackenzie meeting often very unsuitable and sometimes downright awful candidates! Finding a balanced, mature gentleman proves much more difficult than first anticipated. The story kept me engaged as I wondered who, if anyone, Mackenzie's mother would like, and whether Mackenzie's own love life would survive the whole experience intact too.

I really enjoyed this romantic, funny novel, and the storytelling and the editing impressed me. Mackenzie has a likeable personality and is an engaging lead character who carries the story throughout. Her reactions to the various different men she meets on the dates are brilliant. As well as trying to help her mother, Mackenzie begins to consider her own situation and wonders if she could improve it, in particular in terms of work but also love. Eleanor is an interesting character, usually accompanied by pampered pooch Baby. Despite the antagonism between mother and daughter at times, it comes across that Mackenzie genuinely cares about her mother and wants to see her happy. The only small thing I would mention is that sometimes the thing that Mackenzie had made her mind up to do was repeated several times in her thoughts; I think this was just to reiterate her determination to do what she had planned, but occasionally I thought the idea had been described and didn't need repeating again, or arguing about with Dan again. 

I thought this was a light, entertaining and funny read and many will sympathise with Mackenzie's situation. I looked forward to reading a bit more every time I picked up my ereader and the story always kept me interested and often made me smile. Jaimie Admans writes really well and with heart about love, relationships and families and has crafted a promising debut novel. Also I think the book cover is really pretty and attractive. 

Thanks very much to the author for kindly sending an ebook copy of this novel for me to read and give an honest review. 

You can find the author on twitter @be_the_spark and visit her website here.

The Rosie Project - Graeme Simsion

Don Tillman is a professor of genetics who has never successfully dated a woman. He is set up to think more about facts and figures than feelings and emotions and therefore a romantic relationship doesn’t seem to be on the horizon anytime soon for him. Then he happens on the idea of compiling a questionnaire in order to find the perfect woman for him. Naturally he designs this scientifically, and specifies all the things that he isn’t looking for too, such as he doesn’t want to be with a woman who drinks or smokes or arrives late. He thinks that a woman with all the attributes he desires will be the one for him, he just has to find her now.

Then he meets Rosie Jarman, who seems to be the opposite of everything he has asked for on paper. Yet she is clever, funny and entrancing. Rosie has her own quest; she is looking for her natural father, something that a genetics expert like Don might be just able to help her with.

I absolutely loved this wonderful book! It genuinely moved me, and made me laugh, smile and cry. The two main characters are so endearing; I was rooting for Don and Rosie throughout. Don’s mindset and the way he is ‘wired’ mean that there are many amusing situations which arise due to his misunderstanding of the emotions behind words and events. This is a sensitive, warm-hearted story of someone who is different yet wants what we all want – someone to share their life with. It is beautiful to observe how Rosie impacts on Don’s life and opens his eyes to a world beyond the one he has always known.

The Rosie Project is a beautifully written, tender and funny portrayal of the eternal search for love.

Published by Michael Joseph, an imprint of Penguin, on April 11th 2013

Reviewed for lovereading.co.uk