Having previously read the Rosie Project and Effect I was interested to see where this author went next. I must say I was not disappointed. I think the comparison to sliding doors miss sells the premise as it is not about parallel time lines but rather a story of a man who has a relationship and then spends his life wondering "what if" he had chosen to spend the rest of his life with her rather than walking away due to job commitments. It is difficult to say much about the book without giving the story away as I certainly did not predict the way it would go (and for me this was a real bonus). I will say it contains in places some adult themes!
Overall it is an interesting read and I felt mixed emotions for Adam (the lead character) at first liking him then not then I guess in the end liking him (you may understand once you read it).
This deserves to be as successful as his previous books as I was hooked and read the last half in one sitting to find out what happens.
A highly recommended read for 2017 - roll on his next book.

The book started on a good note but as I kept reading it, I found that it dragged a bit. I just did not connect with the characters and felt it could have been cut short to make it more likeable. I did complete the book but I'm not sure if I would read it again.

I had high hopes for The Best of Adam Sharp, having read and hugely enjoyed The Rosie Project and The Rosie Effect. I'm pleased to say that this novel didn't disappoint - but I will say it's a different kind of book to the other two.

The story is an interesting, enjoyable read which explores relationships and the idea of 'long lost loves'. The main character, Adam Sharp, is quite likeable - though he makes some questionable decisions at times (though at the risk of comparing the two again, I don't think anyone can be as likeable as Don Tillman [from The Rose Project]!)

Adam's relationship - or, in a way, 'non-relationship' - with Angela is tricky, complicated and, ultimately, lost. Though in the present day he's married to Claire, a surprise email from Angela (who is also married, and with kids) shakes everything up...

The story is split into parts, really - there's an explanation of how things got to how they are today, and how Adam's life is, as it stands, and then there's the 'post-email' section, after he receives the email from Angela. The tone of the book felt, to me, poignant and quite sad at times, particularly when Adam reflects on what he's lost. His current day situation doesn't seem too great, though he doesn't seem to be thinking about changing anything until he gets the email from Angela. Sometimes I do feel like he's a bit of an idiot, though, in the way he acts, particularly with his current girlfriend Claire.

I really liked the way relationships, and the way memories can affect how people think about others even years after they happen, are portrayed in this book. It's sad and poignant at times, but it feels quite truthful. There are parts which feel very odd, because Angela's relationship with her husband Charlie seems very strange and out of the ordinary, but you soon learn that this is intentional. It's a really good read, and characters aren't too perfect or one-dimensional; they make mistakes and have their faults. As I mentioned, at times I really disliked some of the characters because of the way they were behaving, and struggled to care a lot about them, but recognised that this is often the case with people - no one is perfect.

This is an engrossing, honest read that's ideal for getting lost in - I definitely did!

Ok, it's by the author of the Rosie Project, so I was expecting a lot. Was I disappointed? Yes and no. I didn't like any of the house in France part, which Ifelt was demeaning to all three characters, but other than that it's really good. This is a book about love, real everyday love versus the fantasy of what might have been. I would call it Adam's coming of age and finally growing up. Many years later than he should have. Apart from the 'french' bit, this was witty and entertaining, so I recommend you read it and judge for yourselves.

At 49 Adam Sharp is content with his life he works part time as an IT consultant has a long term partner Claire and is a leading member of pub quiz team. There's always been one niggle though Angelina?
Back in 1989 Adam aged 26 takes a consultants job where he's travelling the world for 15 months first stop Melbourne Australia.
Celebrating one of his colleagues becoming a father after work they go to a local bar where Adam ends up playing the piano, Shanksy the bar tender repays him by giving him a pot half pint this became a regular occurrence it was on one of those occasions that Adam met Angelina.
Angelina a beautiful talented actress but also married. She was separated from her husband but did want the marriage to work inevitably they fell in love. Will she stay with her husband or will she start a new life with Adam?
I did enjoy this book although if I'm totally honest I got a bit bored in the middle felt it dragged on a bit then it got better.
I received an advanced copy of this book in return for an honest review.

I read 80% of this book on Saturday morning as I really couldn't put it down. I loved 'The Rosie Project' and 'The Rosie Effect' and was concerned that this book wouldn't be as good. Whilst quite different, I really enjoyed it. I think all of us remember our first love, and wonder what they are doing, and wonder what would happen if they came back into our lives. The musical soundtrack of his life is very similar to the musical soundtract of mine and it was lovely to see the list of music at the back of the book - a CD would be even better! Thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it. 5*'s from me.

Having just seen 'La La Land' I thought that this was going to be a similar look back at a long lost love affair accompanied by songs. Indeed it starts off in this vein as Adam is contacted by Angelina, his Australian girlfriend of many years ago. His curiosity is piqued, and his current relationship is floundering, so he starts a series of flirty email exchanges.

Angelina really does sound too good to be true; an intelligent, stunning actress interested in a piano playing consultant. Due to Adam's job their love affair was fated to last only a few weeks. So rather than working through the relationship they were stopped in full flow and both have spent the rest of their lives wondering 'what if'.

Adam accepts an invitation to stay with Angelina and her husband in France. It is at this point that everything changes. Imagine you have been watching 'La La Land', however you nip out to refill your wine glass, as it is dark you are slightly disorientated and find that you have walked back into the wrong screen. In fact you have slipped into 'Fifty Shades Darker'.

What follows is an interesting way to sort out marital issues. I am not sure 'Relate' will be recommending this route, however it seemed to work for Angelina and Adam.

It is an enjoyable read, and very different from the 'Rosie' books.

This was a book of two halves - past and present. It's particularly good, I think, for the older reader as it's something we can relate to - what if........... An interesting read.

If The Rosie Project and The Rosie Effect are too good to be true stories then maybe The Best of Adam Sharp is a sad but true story of well... life.

This is a difficult book for me to review. I loved Graeme's previous books with such an intensity that I knew I'd read anything else he published without hesitation. Not even the blurb from which it is clear there's more than two people in this relationship made me halt.

I finished this book from start to finish in just a couple of days. I really enjoyed the first half of the book about Adam's time in Australia and when he was still passionate about music and playing the piano.

I just wish all the characters could have been stronger. I felt like a lot of the decisions the main characters made were weak. I wish Adam had been stronger and had been able to voice what he really wanted twenty years previously. Then twenty years later I wish he'd been strong enough to not cave so easily at Angela's sudden email communication. I also wish Claire such an independent women for most of the book hadn't been so easily accepting of things towards the end. My favourite character was actually a background character because she did exactly as she pleased and said exactly as she thought without filter. Now she had exactly the kind of strength I like in my characters. I wish we could have seen more of her early on.

I was compelled to keep reading until the end and I'm glad I did. The music mentioned throughout the book and linked to at the end definitely helped move this book along. This one wasn't for me but I'll continue to read Graeme's future books.

Another highly observant and well written account of human relationships from Graeme Simsion. Adam is in an unsatisfying relationship with his life going nowhere when Angelina contacts him. Angelina is the one that got away and Adam is prompted to respond and follow up the contact. The story is told through the use of a thread of songs as the character of Adam is a competent pianist.
I was willing Adam and Angelina to re-kindle their relationship, but the story unfolds in another direction.
I could not put this down and was not disappointed in Simsion's follow up to the Rosie stories.

Adam is pushing 50, and his life is happy enough, but a bit dull. From out of the blue he gets an email from Angelina, the great lost love of his youth, who invites him to live dangerously and. Soon get back in touch. But can you- and should you- ever really go back?

This is a well-written romcom with a bit more of a bite than usual. I didn't find Adam's youthful romance with Angelina very convincing, and at first the later developments annoyed me, but as the story continued it took a slightly unexpected turn, and avoided the clichés I felt were shortly to appear. I didn't think the inclusion of the meaningful songs really worked, and became increasingly irritated by it, but by the end I had warmed to the book as a whole.

Of course, the elephant in the room is that it is nowhere near as good as the "Rosie" books, which had a unique humour and charm and hugely likeable characters, qualities a bit lacking here.

I was half expecting something along the lines of the Rosie Project, which I loved. This wasn't it, probably brought to mind someone like Nick Hornby, but I really enjoyed it. The musical references, were fabulous, particularly as there was a playlist included.
The plot was interesting, and sometimes surprising, if stretching credulity occasionally (but maybe I'm just sheltered). I'd be happy to meet the characters again. Please?

Is there a song in the world for every emotion you feel?

This book certainly suggests that there is, and after completing reading it I am inclined to agree! We all have our own musical soundtrack to our lives.like Adam Sharp.

After speeding through Graeme Simsion's 'The Rosie Project' and its sequel, I was intrigued to see how 'The Best of Adam Sharp' would live up to his highly successful previous books. The book is definitely not what I was expecting, in the way that I thought he would have written the characters in a similar manner or with the same kind of light hearted but really heartfelt story line.

His latest book is more of a serious book reflecting on a situation then could happen to any of us and how our experiences affect our actions throughout life. It also has a strong musical theme throughout the book and songs are often used to demonstrate the emotions the characters are feeling. It even includes a playlist at the back of the book so you can listen along, which I did and really helped me be sucked into the story.

The Best of Adam Sharp isn't such a humorous book as 'The Rosie Project', instead it really makes you reflect back on your first love and what you would do if you had a second chance to make this work. However, it isn't so serious or heavy that you feel weighed down by it. It has the right level of realism and honesty, balanced by fun and lovable characters.

Adam Sharp is a far more serious character than Don Tillman, but with a cleverly created backstory that enables you to fully understand his reactions to different situations in the book, and truly think that these are the right and realistic actions for him. However, although it is serious in a number of ways, Adam's character is warm and you can't help but like him.. His love of music and his personality shine throughout the book, and for me that is what made me read the book so quickly. You just can't help but find him endearing and want him to find what he is ultimately needing.

Even though the book didn't finish how I wanted to, it was accurate and honest to real life and the characters' experiences and personalities.. It is a brilliantly written story that will hold you to the very last page!

When I've seen this title and the author on Netgalley I got so excited as I have loved. LOVED the Rosie Project from him.

Starting The Best of Adam Sharp I was really excited and felt really into it, if you guys know what I mean.
However, I had to realise that this book was not meant for me.
I absolutely loved and adored the first few hundred pages, however, after that it went all downhill for me.
Synopsis found on GoodReads:
On the cusp of turning fifty, Adam Sharp likes his life. He’s happy with his partner Claire, he excels in music trivia at quiz night at the local pub, he looks after his mother, and he does the occasional consulting job in IT.
But he can never quite shake off his nostalgia for what might have been: his blazing affair more than twenty years ago with an intelligent and strong-willed actress named Angelina Brown who taught him for the first time what it means to find—and then lose—love. How different might his life have been if he hadn’t let her walk away?
And then, out of nowhere, from the other side of the world, Angelina gets in touch. What does she want? Does Adam dare to live dangerously?
It sounded really promising getting into the story even though reading the synopsis I felt a bit of uncertainty regarding the topic (I not much like books where they cheat on each other - and it sounded just the type where that would happen). Also, as I love music and this book contains loads of music references and even have a playlist at the end including all the songs mentioned in the book, which, is a lovely touch from the author. Thank you :)

The first few hundred pages -as I mentioned above - was crazy good. I loved it. It was well written, it was easy to read, easy to get into and imagine myself as the characters. I did really feel for them and genuinely felt love towards them. However, the narration felt dry and almost robotic to an extent. throughout the book I had to make sure multiple times to double check where I am and what is happening as the narration got quite confusing at time and I felt lost.
But after that it started to feel like a game, a set up and I felt quite disappointed in how the story all turned out. The story took a catastrophical turn around, okay not catastrophic but quite a big turn around and it just ruined the story for me.
I found that I started to dislike that characters I grow to love in the first few chapters. The one I felt loved for and connected with. Now I was hurt and disappointed by them.
I also really missed the connection throughout the second half of the story, the laugh-out-loud moments and the sighing-loudly-cause-you-forgot-to-breath moments. It just was not that good.

Simion try to tackle the issue in this book couples go through or could go through at some point their relationship. The "what if" phase. Living with someone for twenty odd years can numb you, the spark can dye out etc, life is complicated, people are complicated and more then ever relationships are complicated too.

All together it is an okay book to read, but I just missed that initial spark from the rest of the book that I would expect or want from a good story.

A slightly slower start than The Rosie Project, but the story has the same warmth and compelling main characters. A more grown up love story than many, with some interesting dilemmas and issues. A very good read overall- good writing and plot.

A book a little out of my usual genre but I'm always willing to try something new. I enjoyed the reflective account of Adam's lost love...however a little confused at the turn this book took in the middle, I wasn't sure I had read the synopsis right however overall enjoyed this book

Disappointingly, after loving The Rosie Project and enjoying the sequel, I couldn't get past 12% in this third outing by Simsion. It was just incredibly slow - an almost real time play by play of his meeting a woman for 10% of the book meant I became impatient and started feeling desperate for something to happen other than a seemingly endless conversation about themselves. The music thing felt rather too twee and in the end I gave up and skimmed to the end just to see what had happened. Ultimately, very little it seems. Sorry!

The book gets off to a brilliant start: any book that mentions Bruce Springsteen in the first chapter is going to be a winner with me. The first half of the book continues to be engaging, with genuine characters I cared about, and the music references were well woven into the story.
However, the book took a turn for the worse, (no spoilers here), and the plot became unrealistic. I stopped caring about any of the characters at this point. Then there was a distinctly pornographic scene! Well written, but out of character with the rest of the book, and could offend some readers? I just couldn't imagine real people making the decisions or doing the things these characters did. I was glad to finish it, and would not really recommend it; there are too many better books out there.

Definitely a book of two halves: the first section is what I expected from Simsion - a cute and feel-good romance as nerdy Adam meets soap actress Angelina in Melbourne. Skip forward twenty years and Adam's let himself go, is in a tired relationship with Claire and only comes to life in the pub quiz... until Angelina emails him out of the blue.

The second half of the book, set in France, took me by surprise as Adam goes to stay with Angelina and her husband. I don't want to give away spoilers but it's far racier than I expected!

Ultimately the conclusion didn't really feel plausible to me given what had gone before but this is still a light read with some substance to it - just beware if middle-age sex embarrasses you!

To be posted on Amazon and Goodreads

Having loved previous books by this writer, 'The Rosie Project' and 'The Rosie Effect', I was so happy to get my hands on a copy of 'The Best of Adam Sharp'.

The narrator here is much more worldly than Don Tillman, the charming protagonist of the previous novels. He's a database architect (nope, not sure) by day and sometime pianist by night. The novel begins in 1980s Australia where Adam meets a soap actress, Angelina, a woman that is going to shape his future, but not in the way he expects.

There was much here to like, particularly the dry humour and music references that run through the novel; links to Adam's past, significant people and emotions are all linked to songs that he plays on the piano (which reminded me of the narrator of Nick Hornby's 'High Fidelity' who arranges his music autobiographically). Adam is a likeable character, even if his life choices are sometimes odd, and there were some lovely, funny and bittersweet moments: the date at the English pub with the Henry VIII comedian sticks in my mind. It's also so real; the characters are flawed, make mistakes and bad choices aplenty, yet are sympathetically presented.

My one reservation with the novel was the character of Angelina, who I thought lacked the warmth of other characters. At times, it was difficult to see why she had beguiled so many men, especially in her rather superior ways and treatment of said men. I thought this was the weak link in the novel as it made the actions of Adam and others quite difficult to understand at various points.

Despite my reservations about Angelina, this is a recommended read for anyone who enjoys their comic novels with a touch of humanity and pathos. A sensitively drawn portrait of love and the missed opportunities that shape the people we are.