Reviewed by Maggie: October 12, 2012
Published March 1, 2003 by University of Queensland Press
Goodreads • Buy at Amazon Marketplace • Fishpond
Rebecca Sparrow is my ambassador of quan. After finishing her books, I just want to yell, "I love everybody!"
The Girl Most Likely is actually Rebecca Sparrow's first book, and not the sequel to The Year Nick McGowan Came to Stay as I previously thought. Normally, I'm a stickler for reading books in the order they were published, but I'm glad I read Nick McGowan first. I loved seeing the teenage Rachel, the ambitious, hopeful, poised for success Rachel, before meeting the 27-year-old, down on her luck version. This version, after finding herself broke and broken up with, is returning from whence she came -- her parents' house.
New Adult, quarter life crisis, whatever you want to call it, this book covers that transitional period of time. After being so solid in her personal and professional life, the girl who achieved her most likely to succeed status is now faltering. After vegging out in front of the TV with Fruit Loops, Rachel decides to go back to the basics: simple, achievable goals, like learning a particular piano piece. It's while doing this that the cutest, creepiest meet-cute occurs. The former piano playing part of me squealed at this meet-cute. However, the Criminal Minds watching part of me immediately thought, "CRIMINAL MINDS SITUATION." Fortunately, there was no unsub.
What I love about Rebecca Sparrow's books is that she writes about the moments that make life funny, happy, mortifying, crushing, and ultimately, worthwhile and unique. Rachel's life is laugh out loud ridiculous at times, and can't leave the bed disappointing at others. Thanks to Zoe Budd, the ridiculous far outweighs the disappointment. Nick McGowan fans will crack up at who Zoe grew up to be because OF COURSE. She even pulls out her classic "You're going to have sex with him!" line. I love her. I love Rachel. And I love this book! See? I just can't help myself. It's the quan!
Rating: 4/5 stars.
Extra! Extra! I first came across this book on the Anna Scott Jots post on Brisbane. Did you know Brisbane is also called (brace yourself) BrisVegas?? When you're done laughing, check out Anna's other recs. Of Girl Most Likely, Anna says: "...a great, very funny depiction of a woman having a mid-20s crisis and not knowing what the blooming heck to do about it. With sexy neighbour thrown in for good measure. What's not to love?"
Maggie ever since you reviewed The Year Nick McGowan Came to Stay, it's been constantly popping up on my feed, and I have to admit I still haven't got a copy yet, but now you review this fabolous sounding book too! I honestly can't thank you and Anna for putting these on my radar! They sound freaking hilarious! :)
ReplyDeleteI've been wanting to read this for awhile - so you think it's better to read in chronological order rather than published order?
ReplyDeleteI'm happy I read TYNMCTS first, too, but now I am so keen to find out what happens to Rach and Zoe (YAY!) later in life ;D
ReplyDeleteOkay, I give up! *throws hands in air* How can a meet-cute possibly be a Criminal Minds situation if there isn't an unsub nearby? It confuses me. I don't like being confused. I think I'll have to read the book to find out.
ReplyDeleteI wanted you to pick Nick McGowan for me in our challenge. *sigh* I didn't know this was about a 27-year old. I've never heard of an author writing a YA story and then revisiting it for an adult book but I really like that idea...like, a ton. I just had to google what "ambassador of quan" was--every time you said it this weekend, I was like *cue awkward laugh*. I'd rather pretend to be cool than just ask, it seems...
ReplyDeleteI'm so relieved you loved this one. When you told me you ordered it on my rec, I got a wee bit nervous, but brow-mopping all around now :)
ReplyDeleteAm now a bit pissed off that I no longer live in a city where I can pop to the library and pick up a copy of this to re-read. Oh, well, I now have Nick McGowan to keep me company:) Thanks chick x