The Rosie Project

Don Tillman, a genetics professor with highly rigid social patterns, designs a detailed questionnaire to find the perfect partner — and then meets Rosie Jarman, who breaks every rule on it. Graeme Simsion's romantic comedy works because Don's first-person voice is genuinely funny without being a punchline; the novel treats his neurodivergent perspective with warmth and respect, and the autism community has responded positively to that portrayal. The romantic arc earns its resolution. The honest caveat is that secondary characters beyond Rosie are thinly drawn, and a small number of readers feel Don occasionally tips into caricature. Mild implied sexual content and social alcohol use are present. For adult and mature teen readers looking for a warm, witty love story with real emotional stakes, this is a charming and worthwhile read.