The Rosie Effect - Graeme Simsion (2014)

If the Wife Project wasn't complicated enough for Don Tillman, he's about to face his toughest test yet - he's going to be a father. Don's experience with babies is zero so he does what any expectant father should do and studies up. Except, of course, he doesn't stop at books and tutorials, he seeks practical, real-life experience and inevitably gets himself in a spot (or two) of bother. And whilst he goes all out to gain the necessary skills and knowledge, doubts creep in that maybe he's not up to the task. Opening up this second book, the sequel to The Rosie Project, and once again being transported into Don's world and mindset is like meeting up with an old friend you've missed. From the first sentence, Simsion immediately brings Don back to life and settles the reader in for another unique episode. As with its prequel, the novel is fun, entertaining, with some truly memorable anecdotes, but more so than the last book, this one is serious and moving. Whilst Don may struggle with empathy, readers certainly will not. At times, my heart ached for Don, and I must admit I found it difficult to connect with Rosie and her treatment of Don. I had expected to see more of the milestones in the pregnancy, but with Don pursuing his own methods of preparation for fatherhood these are somewhat bypassed. Though I guess if there's one thing to expect with Don Tillman, it's the unexpected. With the birth of Don and Rosie's child taking place in the very last chapter, there's plenty left for Simsion to pursue in a follow-up and I've got my fingers firmly crossed that we'll soon have the privilege of Don's company again. (JC)

Graeme Simsion returns with the much-anticipated sequel to his best-selling novel The Rosie Project. The summary of The Rosie Effect says: "Don Tillman and Rosie Jarman are now married and living in New York. Don has been teaching while Rosie completes her second year at Columbia Medical School. Just as Don is about to announce that Gene, his philandering best friend from Australia, is coming to stay, Rosie drops a bombshell: she's pregnant. In true Tillman style, Don instantly becomes an expert on all things obstetric. But in between immersing himself in a new research study on parenting and implementing the Standardised Meal System (pregnancy version), Don's old weaknesses resurface. And while he strives to get the technicalities right, he gets the emotions all wrong, and risks losing Rosie when she needs him most." The Rosie Effect is out in September 2014.