Love, Rosie (edition 2006)

An epistolary novel (including emails) with the time-honored plot of a guy and a girl who are "just good friends" or are they? Well-written and enjoyable, partly because of the Irish setting. ( )

Love, Rosie: This book is a fun, fast, emotional read. By page 50, I'd laughed out loud more times than I could count, and cried too. The letters/emails/IM format makes it a breeze to read and allows the reader quick insight and attachment with the characters.

I might loan this book out, but I'll never give it away.

I think I have said quite a bit about this book on here already. I will start off by saying, the more I read from Ahern, the more I enjoy. I like the type of humor she infuses her books with (maybe it's because she is Irish?). They are light, easy to read, and move quickly. There was no exception with this book. The whole thing is written with different types of correspondence. Yes, this has been done before, but this felt different as it amalgamated letters, emails, postcards, instant messages, and even birthday cards. Yet the story still felt rich and full. I loved both Rosie and Alex. Sometimes wanted to give them a head-smack because of their choices, but that was only because I knew more then either of them did. From their point of view, it was the right choice, so I never felt frustrated. I felt like I even got to know their families. It kind of amazes me how much I DID get to know about their lives from only reading their correspondence. Looking back though, I realize that I don't know much about the setting (either Boston or Dublin). Was it the authors choice to be vague, or was it just not the best way to convey this? Or maybe it is not strong in my memory. (It was almost a month ago I read this). Maybe those details have just faded. The theme of unrequited love is not a new one, but I like the twist she put on this, being a long distance love, and being unrequited by different main characters at different times. The book takes place over a large chunk of their lifetimes. It doesn't start at the beginning (I believe they are 7) and neither die, but I believe they are in their 50's. I wonder if ones perception of this book would be different if you read it as a 10 year old, 30 year old, 50 year old. Last but not least, I enjoyed the 'echo' feeling of this book. Many thing that happen once, are echoed further along in the book. It gives a nice continuity, and a new perspective. Some with the same results, some with a 'path not taken' feel. As I said earlier, I really like this author, and will definitely be reading more of her works. In fact, writing this review makes me want to go track one down now. =D ( )

Thoroughly enjoyed this as a first time reader of Ahern. Was sucked in from the first page and although I found it lost its way a little in the middle still enjoyed it immensely. ( )

Just a wonderful story, funny, heartwarming, romantic, tender with a unique narration style. I admit it does drag out a little but I finsihed with a sentimentality and warm fuzzy feeling. Definately a story for the romantic! ( )