Love and Other Puzzles by Kimberley Allsop, Can be read in a few days depending on your speed, Adult Romance
What do you do when you feel like you’re in a rut? Or when you feel like life is too regimented and too predictable? Rory’s approach is, to say the least, unorthodox. A lover of crosswords, she decides to let the New York Times crossword lead the way. For one week, Rory chooses three puzzle clues a day. The answers to those clues are then used as a sign of what she should do next. Needless to say, her life quickly becomes not only unpredictable, but also somehow more of a hot mess than it already was. For a few days anyway.
This book is basically every good cheesy romcom in written form. There’s a classic meet cute. There’s a moody jerk of a boyfriend. There’s a woman who can’t seem to get her career or her life together. There’s the supportive best friend and hot mess of a mother. Pretty much every trope you can think of is in this book, but in the best way possible. Allsop even throws in several references to classic romcom movies that add to the fun of the story.
This was such a fun read. Yes, the premise is ridiculous. Yes, there are moments when you want to reach through the page and tell Rory to maybe bring back her former analytical self just a little bit. And yes, the ending of the book is as equally ridiculous as the original decision to use crossword clues to guide one’s life and it’s far too neat and easy. But, again, it’s a classic romcom in written form. On the other hand, you also can’t walk away from watching the predictable trainwreck unfold. Plus, you laugh. A lot.
(P.S. This is technically an adult book because of the age of the characters, but I think older teens will enjoy it, too. Plus, it might be nice for them to know you don’t have to have life figured out in your 20s.)
The Rita Reads 