The Theory of Opposites
Pages: 312
Publication Date: November 12, 2013
In the chaos that is Willa Chandler-Golden's family she knew the one thing she could depend upon was her husband, Shawn. In the five years they have been married they have settled into a reliable routine that includes eggs on Sunday and never fighting. They do everything together and are so predictable in their actions that Willa's family have given them nickname "Shilla" because it is hard to tell where one separates and the other begins. In a very short amount of Willa's world is rocked and it starts with her father, the famous self-help guru loses the Nobel prize, she loses her job, and Shawn tells her that he wants a "break". Oh, and her ex-boyfriend sends her a long overdue apology via Facebook message.
Willa's best friend, Vanessa, decides to help Willa gain clarity with everything by writing their own book that will basically be the exact opposite of her famous father's theory. The project challenges Willa to step way out of her comfort zone and do things she never would have dreamed doing prior to Shawn's request for a "break". Like jumping off the Brooklyn Bridge, going to a baseball game and catching a home-run ball - barehanded and then there is Theo, the ex-boyfriend. Will the break bring Willa and Shawn closer together or will it break them apart forever?
The Theory of Opposites was laugh out loud funny in so many parts, but I also found my eyes leaking a few times, too. Willa handed the first few days of the "break" much, much better than I would have done. I would have definitely lost my shit. A married man wants a "break" and writes out a list of "rules" for the break that includes sleeping with other people? I DON'T THINK SO! I really liked Willa and ultimately I just wanted her to be happy, so I wavered between wanting her to end up with Shawn or Theo. In the end, I was pleased with the way it ended, but it did shock me the way it came about and truly was surprised with her decision. I must also comment on the utter train-wreck that is Willa's family, starting with her parents who were on their own "break" and the way they announced their "break" really gave me the first clue that her family was nuts. And nuts in a way that makes your family look normal. Did I mention that Willa has a yoga guru brother who is indicted because of a pyramid scheme? Nuts I tell you. It is no wonder that Willa clings to the routine of her marriage.
Bottom line,
The Theory of Opposites is a fun book. It has it's moments of both joy and sorrow and is full of "what if's" and "life is short" moments. And even more "girl power" moments. Which for that reason alone would make this book a great selection for a book club.
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