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Opposites Attack: A Novel
Alyce flew 4,000 miles to learn French, sophistication, and inspire jealousy in her ex-boyfriend. Enter the très different, exasperating Jean-Luc.
Fleeing to a total immersion language school in the idyllic South of France, Alyce puts love and her failed career on hold to do an extreme makeover on herself. While she struggles to learn French and attain some degree of chic, she attracts the attention of several locals, with disastrous results. Tension escalates to a new level when she’s forced to stay at the guest cottage of the enigmatic author Jean-Luc. She finds herself strangely attracted to him, though he seems to despise her and they communicate mostly through bickering. Soon, Alyce must choose between what she thought she wanted and something totally different. Set against the alluring background of the Mediterranean with recipes inspired by Provence, Opposites Attack is a fast-paced romantic comedy with a French twist.
Fleeing to a total immersion language school in the idyllic South of France, Alyce puts love and her failed career on hold to do an extreme makeover on herself. While she struggles to learn French and attain some degree of chic, she attracts the attention of several locals, with disastrous results. Tension escalates to a new level when she’s forced to stay at the guest cottage of the enigmatic author Jean-Luc. She finds herself strangely attracted to him, though he seems to despise her and they communicate mostly through bickering. Soon, Alyce must choose between what she thought she wanted and something totally different. Set against the alluring background of the Mediterranean with recipes inspired by Provence, Opposites Attack is a fast-paced romantic comedy with a French twist.
344 pages, Paperback
First published April 22, 2013
56 people are currently reading
1699 people want to read
About the author
Jo Maeder
5 books60 followersJo Maeder had a long radio and voiceover career in South Florida and New York City. Her memoir WHEN I MARRIED MY MOTHER about moving to the Bible Belt to care for her estranged mother was a bestseller and continues to help others deal with the decline of a loved one, no matter what their relationship. She lives in North Carolina with her mathematician husband. You can find her on social media and through JoMaeder.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
July 18, 2013
Got to 11% and couldn't finish it, too juvenile, both the writer and the main character.
May 29, 2014
Opposites Attack by Jo Maeder is a romance novel I got from Amazon just because I liked the cover. I didn’t even read the synopsis. Now that I’ve read it and loved it, I’m thinking about ordering the paperback. It looks lovely and the book is fun too. It deserves a spot on my bookshelf!
This books is about a girl supposedly going to France to learn the language. The blunders she makes are hilarious! I study languages and French is one of them. I do understand her confusion and such. French can be really tricky sometimes. I used to make silly mistakes too. It’s funny reading about someone else doing the same. As she makes progress the story develops. The pace is perfect.
I love how the author explains all the aspects of learning a new language. Part of this process is also learning about the culture where said language is spoken. I’m sure many people think they know a lot about France. But just because you know about fashion, cheese, wine and the Eiffel Tower doesn’t mean you know the French culture. There’s more to it than that and this book shows that perfectly.
The book includes fabulous recipes. Just reading/thinking about them makes my mouth water. Yuuuum…I would really appreciate some French delicacy right now.
To sum up: this was definitely a very fun book to read. You have to check it out. It’s written in such a different perspective from everything else I’ve read lately. There should really be more books with this kind of setting. You know what I’m talking about. I think.
Rating - 5 stars. There wasn’t really anything I disliked about this book. This is a rare occasion. It should go down in history.
Who would I recommend it to - Everyone
This books is about a girl supposedly going to France to learn the language. The blunders she makes are hilarious! I study languages and French is one of them. I do understand her confusion and such. French can be really tricky sometimes. I used to make silly mistakes too. It’s funny reading about someone else doing the same. As she makes progress the story develops. The pace is perfect.
I love how the author explains all the aspects of learning a new language. Part of this process is also learning about the culture where said language is spoken. I’m sure many people think they know a lot about France. But just because you know about fashion, cheese, wine and the Eiffel Tower doesn’t mean you know the French culture. There’s more to it than that and this book shows that perfectly.
The book includes fabulous recipes. Just reading/thinking about them makes my mouth water. Yuuuum…I would really appreciate some French delicacy right now.
To sum up: this was definitely a very fun book to read. You have to check it out. It’s written in such a different perspective from everything else I’ve read lately. There should really be more books with this kind of setting. You know what I’m talking about. I think.
Rating - 5 stars. There wasn’t really anything I disliked about this book. This is a rare occasion. It should go down in history.
Who would I recommend it to - Everyone
May 25, 2013
I love this author! She has such a way with words that can, at times, be poetic. I discovered her writing with the book "When I Married My Mother". As soon as I finished that book,I downloaded this one. I decided to hold off on reading it until I read something else. I am so glad that I waited so that this book could stand alone in my mind, from the Married My Mother book. I will most certainly continue to read this author.
March 4, 2015
A thoroughly satisfying, delicious and amusing 3.5 star chick lit!
The ingredients are plain and simple: an adventurous, outgoing heroine who feels like a long-time friend; a charismatic hero you'd love to invite over for dinner & drinks and enjoy a summer evening with a small group of close friends; a small village setting as ideal as in our imaginations; the humor of clumsy situations, silly scenes, surprisingly insightful observations, and brow-furrowing side characters that make you slowly shake your head. Combine these in a time-honored recipe of predictable chick lit (because don't we want the boy and the girl to get together in the end?!?!), but throw in unexpected nuances to surprise the palate!
The only drawbacks to the book, knocking it from a four-star (my highest rating for an easy-to-read chick-lit) to a smidgen less, are a few bumpy transitions between scenes; distracting interruptions to an otherwise smooth read. The flow through time periodically jarred me like an unexpected pothole in the road. There we little to no markers to note the passage of time - no dates on the email headers, no reference to a day of the week or the beginning of a new month. This left me uncertain as to the overall rhythm of the book.
A few small examples: there is a moment when Alyce thought about calling her father for advice and in the very next paragraph, without a double space to denote passage of time or location, the reader is in the middle of her conversation with her father.
Later in the book, Jean-Luc is looking out an office window at a mother and son arguing in the parking lot when an idea comes to him and then, in the next sentence, he is in the parking lot next to the other two without the author moving him from inside the office to the outside parking lot.
By the end, you realize the entire story takes place over a three-month period and yet days and weeks were obscured such that one cannot to sort out if one to two days or one to two weeks has passed from chapter to chapter. How much time was Alyce with each host before being reassigned? For so long, Alyce was having difficulty picking up French, even after Jean-Luc and Isabella try to force her hand with full-immersion, then she is alone with Jean-Luc she's fluent in one weekend? one week? I don't know. Distractions like these forced me to read the certain passages several times to fill in the missing action or missing information not provided by the author.
All in all, if you enjoy reading authors such as Jennifer Crusie, Sophia Kinsella or Mary Kay Andrews, you will probably like Opposites Attack. If you have been to or wish to go to the Mediterranean, you would probably like Opposites Attack. If you enjoy long evenings spent with good friends, good conversation, good food and good wine, you will probably like Opposites Attack.
Thank you to author Jo Maeder and to Goodreads Giveaway for allowing me to read this ARC! Not only that, but to have the autographed copy in my hands the day after I won it! That's impressive.
The ingredients are plain and simple: an adventurous, outgoing heroine who feels like a long-time friend; a charismatic hero you'd love to invite over for dinner & drinks and enjoy a summer evening with a small group of close friends; a small village setting as ideal as in our imaginations; the humor of clumsy situations, silly scenes, surprisingly insightful observations, and brow-furrowing side characters that make you slowly shake your head. Combine these in a time-honored recipe of predictable chick lit (because don't we want the boy and the girl to get together in the end?!?!), but throw in unexpected nuances to surprise the palate!
The only drawbacks to the book, knocking it from a four-star (my highest rating for an easy-to-read chick-lit) to a smidgen less, are a few bumpy transitions between scenes; distracting interruptions to an otherwise smooth read. The flow through time periodically jarred me like an unexpected pothole in the road. There we little to no markers to note the passage of time - no dates on the email headers, no reference to a day of the week or the beginning of a new month. This left me uncertain as to the overall rhythm of the book.
A few small examples: there is a moment when Alyce thought about calling her father for advice and in the very next paragraph, without a double space to denote passage of time or location, the reader is in the middle of her conversation with her father.
Later in the book, Jean-Luc is looking out an office window at a mother and son arguing in the parking lot when an idea comes to him and then, in the next sentence, he is in the parking lot next to the other two without the author moving him from inside the office to the outside parking lot.
By the end, you realize the entire story takes place over a three-month period and yet days and weeks were obscured such that one cannot to sort out if one to two days or one to two weeks has passed from chapter to chapter. How much time was Alyce with each host before being reassigned? For so long, Alyce was having difficulty picking up French, even after Jean-Luc and Isabella try to force her hand with full-immersion, then she is alone with Jean-Luc she's fluent in one weekend? one week? I don't know. Distractions like these forced me to read the certain passages several times to fill in the missing action or missing information not provided by the author.
All in all, if you enjoy reading authors such as Jennifer Crusie, Sophia Kinsella or Mary Kay Andrews, you will probably like Opposites Attack. If you have been to or wish to go to the Mediterranean, you would probably like Opposites Attack. If you enjoy long evenings spent with good friends, good conversation, good food and good wine, you will probably like Opposites Attack.
Thank you to author Jo Maeder and to Goodreads Giveaway for allowing me to read this ARC! Not only that, but to have the autographed copy in my hands the day after I won it! That's impressive.
July 3, 2013
Il s'agit d'un livre charmant.
Okay, so I cheated.
My high school and college French is mostly spent except for the odd word or phrase that I recall, but that is no impediment to enjoying Greensboro author Jo Maeder’s new novel.
But, Google translate has helped me convey (I hope correctly) that Opposites Attack is a charming book. A young, American woman goes to France to learn the language and get over a love affair that hasn’t taken the turn she hoped. Eventually, she discovers that the Francophile lurking underneath her all-American skin may be more dominant than she has suspected.
Opposites Attack is just the sort of love story filled with food and funny bits that is perfect for a rainy summer afternoon (we’ve had a surplus of those lately) or staying up into the wee hours to finish it (as I did last night).
It’s frothy and sweet like a luscious chocolate mousse. Did I mention that I like chocolate mousse?
Okay, so I cheated.
My high school and college French is mostly spent except for the odd word or phrase that I recall, but that is no impediment to enjoying Greensboro author Jo Maeder’s new novel.
But, Google translate has helped me convey (I hope correctly) that Opposites Attack is a charming book. A young, American woman goes to France to learn the language and get over a love affair that hasn’t taken the turn she hoped. Eventually, she discovers that the Francophile lurking underneath her all-American skin may be more dominant than she has suspected.
Opposites Attack is just the sort of love story filled with food and funny bits that is perfect for a rainy summer afternoon (we’ve had a surplus of those lately) or staying up into the wee hours to finish it (as I did last night).
It’s frothy and sweet like a luscious chocolate mousse. Did I mention that I like chocolate mousse?
May 25, 2013
This book is an enchanting tale of an American woman taking the full immersion plunge in France. The cast of characters and delicious story left me wanting more. I felt like I was an eyewitness to a growing love affair and thoroughly enjoyed the “mishaps” that befell the main character, Alyce. I felt like I could almost taste the delicious food described in the book. This book is a perfect relaxing summer read, although I couldn't put it down and read it in a day.
July 9, 2013
I was looking for a book that was interesting, was set in a different locale, and was just plain different from the usual Regency chick lit I've been stuck on. I accidentally stumbled on this novel which exceeded my expectations. Not only did I have "La Vie En Rose" running through my head for days, heard myself speaking with French accent in my head, I started craving brie and baguettes. (I think I gained five pounds just reading the meal descriptions). Enjoyable and refreshing read.
February 7, 2017
I received a free copy of the book from the author.
I wasn't sure what to expect when I first started to read the book but it definitely surprised me.
It's been ages since I read a book about France and it's equally long since I last spoke French. To be honest, after reading this book I miss both things.
I liked the characters as well as the plot, it was an interesting and funny read. I would like to read more by the author.
I wasn't sure what to expect when I first started to read the book but it definitely surprised me.
It's been ages since I read a book about France and it's equally long since I last spoke French. To be honest, after reading this book I miss both things.
I liked the characters as well as the plot, it was an interesting and funny read. I would like to read more by the author.
September 26, 2013
Jo Maeder is one of my favorite authors. I loved her memoir, I Married My Mother and now I love her novel, Opposites Attack. It's a lovely, romantic romp set in a lovely, romantic setting. Maeder gets it just right, balancing romance, fun, a foreign setting, fish out of water protagonist, and a love triangle that will keep you turning page after page to see who wins out.
June 14, 2015
A quick read. Loved the setting (Provence) and surprisingly for a chick lit. there were no sex scenes and they weren't missed! In fact, I found it quite refreshing! I felt parts of the book lacked details but it's the perfect light summer reading book.
June 25, 2017
Loved this read, it kept you wanting to find out more.
August 25, 2018
La vie en Rose
This was a fun read about taking chances and trying something new, even if it doesn't turn out the way you expect.
This was a fun read about taking chances and trying something new, even if it doesn't turn out the way you expect.
February 18, 2023
Enjoyable but unbelievable and drowning in cliches.
July 11, 2014
I couldn’t wait for this book to arrive! The plot and ideas for the main characters sounded very interesting and one of the main reasons for my interest in this book, was that it’s different to the usually books I read.
I wasn’t expecting it to have great humour and most of the time, 95%, it really worked to either lighten up the mood or to just enlighten the characters personalities. I even laughed out loud at particular points, so humour in this book is definitely an aspect that I loved. It was only sometimes that I felt some of the lines correlating to humour did not quite work to its full advantage. It almost felt awkward like I would have to read through that particular line/paragraph again to make sure I didn’t miss a particular point. However, overall? The humour side of the book was great. It was one of the few aspects that made me not want to put it down.
Another aspect that I really loved, which I always enjoy when I discover that the book contains, is the way the author provides descriptive outlooks on every aspect of Alyce’s life. From the first page I was hooked purely on the writing style alone, and that’s definitely one of the major aspects of a great novel. Throughout Alyce’s journey within France we get to experience everything in detail from the scenery, to the people, to her thoughts and even to what goes in everything that she eats. Jean-Luc loves his food and from how often he describes what goes into a recipe to how it is prepared, at a particular point I was convinced that he was a chef. I love watching the Food channel myself so I did not mind this at all. But, but. It did turn into something that I was sort of tired to read about. I mean, I know that the way he teaches her how to cook proper food is part of the formation in their relationship, I completely understand that. However, at certain points describing what and how a recipe is made does not really fit in well with the rest of the atmosphere that they author was describing. That is just another small detail that lowered my, well, my addiction in reading the book as much and as fast as I could. It just sometimes slowed down the pace or it didn’t quite fit into a scenario as if did not necessarily need a description of the wine, dessert or any type of main course to be included.
Alyce was a likeable character and I could greatly relate to her in terms of going to College as I am a student myself. But also in feeling vulnerable in not being able to speak the mother language in the country that she finds herself in, that part I could completely understand. I had to learn Greek from scratch and who knows how it happened but I can completely understand the struggles that go with it. I liked reading every aspect of her getting the pronunciation wrong, the corrections, mistaken words...it all made me go back to my times in Greece. She also seemed a strong female character and she knew what she wanted, but what’s even better is that she actually stands up for what she thinks it’s best for her.
Jean-Luc on the other hand...for some reason I couldn’t really turn to like his character. From the first time that he was introduced I sort of felt he was detached from the other characters – if that makes sense? I really did try to like him and towards the end of the book I did build a soft spot for him, in terms of how he changed his mind about Alyce. But other than that i just felt he was too opinionated most of the time. I love it when a parson has their own opinion – without a doubt – but not to the point that they think everything they mention, discover, talk about, know...is correct and that it overrules everyone else’s thoughts/opinions. I liked the fact that he was an author though, and that he had a writer’s block for a significant about of time as I do can understand that type of situation. With that, I did give him leniency in having a reason for being the way that he is. Still though, I could not turn on the switch in liking him, I just couldn't.
I enjoyed reading this book a great deal, I loved being immersed into the French culture and I absolutely loved the humour and most of the characters (including Nelson...). Though, most of the time I felt a little confused with how much was happening at certain points within the book. There was too much information from too many different characters that made it almost, almost hard to keep up with the story. The writing style (humour, Alyce’s points of view and the way everything around them was described) should be applauded because I couldn’t get enough of it. It was just those few small other aspects that made me give this book 3/5.
So, if you are looking for a light, fun and enjoyable summer read you should definitely give “Opposites Attach” a shot. Though I did read this book during winter as it’s freezing here, but I still really liked reading it, it was addictive and for the most part – aside from a few minor dislikes – a great story. Thank you Jo Maeder for creating such a lovable story!
I wasn’t expecting it to have great humour and most of the time, 95%, it really worked to either lighten up the mood or to just enlighten the characters personalities. I even laughed out loud at particular points, so humour in this book is definitely an aspect that I loved. It was only sometimes that I felt some of the lines correlating to humour did not quite work to its full advantage. It almost felt awkward like I would have to read through that particular line/paragraph again to make sure I didn’t miss a particular point. However, overall? The humour side of the book was great. It was one of the few aspects that made me not want to put it down.
Another aspect that I really loved, which I always enjoy when I discover that the book contains, is the way the author provides descriptive outlooks on every aspect of Alyce’s life. From the first page I was hooked purely on the writing style alone, and that’s definitely one of the major aspects of a great novel. Throughout Alyce’s journey within France we get to experience everything in detail from the scenery, to the people, to her thoughts and even to what goes in everything that she eats. Jean-Luc loves his food and from how often he describes what goes into a recipe to how it is prepared, at a particular point I was convinced that he was a chef. I love watching the Food channel myself so I did not mind this at all. But, but. It did turn into something that I was sort of tired to read about. I mean, I know that the way he teaches her how to cook proper food is part of the formation in their relationship, I completely understand that. However, at certain points describing what and how a recipe is made does not really fit in well with the rest of the atmosphere that they author was describing. That is just another small detail that lowered my, well, my addiction in reading the book as much and as fast as I could. It just sometimes slowed down the pace or it didn’t quite fit into a scenario as if did not necessarily need a description of the wine, dessert or any type of main course to be included.
Alyce was a likeable character and I could greatly relate to her in terms of going to College as I am a student myself. But also in feeling vulnerable in not being able to speak the mother language in the country that she finds herself in, that part I could completely understand. I had to learn Greek from scratch and who knows how it happened but I can completely understand the struggles that go with it. I liked reading every aspect of her getting the pronunciation wrong, the corrections, mistaken words...it all made me go back to my times in Greece. She also seemed a strong female character and she knew what she wanted, but what’s even better is that she actually stands up for what she thinks it’s best for her.
Jean-Luc on the other hand...for some reason I couldn’t really turn to like his character. From the first time that he was introduced I sort of felt he was detached from the other characters – if that makes sense? I really did try to like him and towards the end of the book I did build a soft spot for him, in terms of how he changed his mind about Alyce. But other than that i just felt he was too opinionated most of the time. I love it when a parson has their own opinion – without a doubt – but not to the point that they think everything they mention, discover, talk about, know...is correct and that it overrules everyone else’s thoughts/opinions. I liked the fact that he was an author though, and that he had a writer’s block for a significant about of time as I do can understand that type of situation. With that, I did give him leniency in having a reason for being the way that he is. Still though, I could not turn on the switch in liking him, I just couldn't.
I enjoyed reading this book a great deal, I loved being immersed into the French culture and I absolutely loved the humour and most of the characters (including Nelson...). Though, most of the time I felt a little confused with how much was happening at certain points within the book. There was too much information from too many different characters that made it almost, almost hard to keep up with the story. The writing style (humour, Alyce’s points of view and the way everything around them was described) should be applauded because I couldn’t get enough of it. It was just those few small other aspects that made me give this book 3/5.
So, if you are looking for a light, fun and enjoyable summer read you should definitely give “Opposites Attach” a shot. Though I did read this book during winter as it’s freezing here, but I still really liked reading it, it was addictive and for the most part – aside from a few minor dislikes – a great story. Thank you Jo Maeder for creating such a lovable story!
October 12, 2014
This book is a tasty summer treat that will whisk you all the way to Provence where you will want to stay forever.
American Alyce is searching for change in her life. She takes herself to Provence and enrols in an intensive language course to immerse herself in French culture and more importantly, she hopes her absence from his life will be enough to have her boyfriend Nelson crossing the Atlantic with a huge ring for her finger. In her mind she will have gained that mystical French ‘je ne sais quo’ and they will live happily ever after.
However, Alyce has problems. French isn’t as easy to learn as she first thought. She has hilarious issues with her host families and boyfriend Nelson, when he does make an appearance has quite a bit of baggage. Alyce finds herself living in the guest cottage of troubled, sultry author Jean-Luc – American hater, in debt, suffering from writer’s block and with an inability to rid himself of elegant hanger-ons. They are an unlikely pairing but Alyce and her antics awaken something in him. He finds himself duty bound to educate her American palate in the delights of French cuisine. Each dish he illustrates is deliciously described within the novel and in more detail (with added spice) at the end of the book.
I thought it was good fun, with good food and good company. It was a quick and easy read that had me putty in Jean-Luc’s hands and missing the antics of Alyce once I’d finished the book.
American Alyce is searching for change in her life. She takes herself to Provence and enrols in an intensive language course to immerse herself in French culture and more importantly, she hopes her absence from his life will be enough to have her boyfriend Nelson crossing the Atlantic with a huge ring for her finger. In her mind she will have gained that mystical French ‘je ne sais quo’ and they will live happily ever after.
However, Alyce has problems. French isn’t as easy to learn as she first thought. She has hilarious issues with her host families and boyfriend Nelson, when he does make an appearance has quite a bit of baggage. Alyce finds herself living in the guest cottage of troubled, sultry author Jean-Luc – American hater, in debt, suffering from writer’s block and with an inability to rid himself of elegant hanger-ons. They are an unlikely pairing but Alyce and her antics awaken something in him. He finds himself duty bound to educate her American palate in the delights of French cuisine. Each dish he illustrates is deliciously described within the novel and in more detail (with added spice) at the end of the book.
I thought it was good fun, with good food and good company. It was a quick and easy read that had me putty in Jean-Luc’s hands and missing the antics of Alyce once I’d finished the book.
July 18, 2013
A fictionalized tale of real life events, this story introduces reader to a whole new world. Without any prior knowledge of language or lifestyles, young American Alyce has decided to move to France and totally immerse herself in the culture. She enrolls in an all-French school and has quite a few mishaps, while adjusting to the new routine. Along the way, she meets Jean-Luc and instantly the two clash.
Opposites Attack is a fun, light-hearted tale. Organized like a journal, the chapters are short and easy-to-read. Unpredictable plot will keep readers guessing and reading into the late hours of the night, in order to finish the book in one sitting. Alyce appears immature at times, but some of her misfortunes will leave readers chuckling. Jean-Luc, on the other hand, will cause a love-hate debate amongst readers. Plus, most everyone enjoys an amusing romance filled with French cuisine.
Notes:
This review was originally written for My Sister's Books.
This review was originally posted on Ariesgrl Book Reviews.
Opposites Attack is a fun, light-hearted tale. Organized like a journal, the chapters are short and easy-to-read. Unpredictable plot will keep readers guessing and reading into the late hours of the night, in order to finish the book in one sitting. Alyce appears immature at times, but some of her misfortunes will leave readers chuckling. Jean-Luc, on the other hand, will cause a love-hate debate amongst readers. Plus, most everyone enjoys an amusing romance filled with French cuisine.
Notes:
This review was originally written for My Sister's Books.
This review was originally posted on Ariesgrl Book Reviews.
May 11, 2015
The story started very very slowly and only got really interesting in the second half. At first I was actually looking for the plot, not understanding what exactly this was all about, especially as there were no explanations to references of the past, as if the reader was expected to know what had happened.
It was not a great story, it tried to be funny and actually succeeded most of the time - not hilariously funny, but it did get smiles out of me, especially the dialogues between Alyss and Jean-Luc, as well as some of Alyss' mishaps, although I think there were a tiny bit exaggereated. Nelson's character, and those of his family, were way too exaggerated for my taste.
Without trying to give a spoiler, the end was too abrupt - the story could have been shortened somewhere in the middle, but the development/end between the two main protagonists deserved more time!
Loved the way the recipes were presented at the end of the book though.
All in all, not too bad and quite enjoyable on the whole.
It was not a great story, it tried to be funny and actually succeeded most of the time - not hilariously funny, but it did get smiles out of me, especially the dialogues between Alyss and Jean-Luc, as well as some of Alyss' mishaps, although I think there were a tiny bit exaggereated. Nelson's character, and those of his family, were way too exaggerated for my taste.
Without trying to give a spoiler, the end was too abrupt - the story could have been shortened somewhere in the middle, but the development/end between the two main protagonists deserved more time!
Loved the way the recipes were presented at the end of the book though.
All in all, not too bad and quite enjoyable on the whole.
July 6, 2015
LOVED LOVED LOVED LOVED LOVED this book. It was a lighthearted romp of a summer read with surprisingly well developed characters; even the "supporting cast" characters are well developed and knowable. The story has many surprising plot twists that keep you engrossed in the story from beginning to end.Also, if you can read this book and not get hungry, you aren't paying attention. Arm yourself with a snack. Brie on fresh sourdough bread, fresh blackberries, and a few really good chocolates worked for me.
When you are done enjoying this confection of a read, do yourself a huge favour and read Ms. Maeder's memoir "When I Married My Mother" a must read for every woman who loves and is loved by a beautiful, mysterious, sometimes exasperating independent mother. You will laugh, cry, and want to go out for appletinis with this skilled author whose sweetness, humour, and intelligence shines through every line.
When you are done enjoying this confection of a read, do yourself a huge favour and read Ms. Maeder's memoir "When I Married My Mother" a must read for every woman who loves and is loved by a beautiful, mysterious, sometimes exasperating independent mother. You will laugh, cry, and want to go out for appletinis with this skilled author whose sweetness, humour, and intelligence shines through every line.
October 15, 2014
Yoo-hoo, Hollywood! This one's ready-made for a movie! And I will be first in line to see it. Jo Maeder's book is pure romantic, sensuous, fun. I don't like romance novels but I so enjoyed Maeder's memoir "When I Married My Mother" that I decided to overcome my aversion to the genre and buy this book. I'm so glad I did, because otherwise I would have missed out on this witty adventure - as well as a lot of great (described) meals featuring the cuisine of Provence. The characters are well-drawn, far better than in typical romance novels, and you become so fond of them that it hurts to put the book down in the end. While the ending isn't hard to guess, the plotting is far from formulaic, yielding surprises and comic set pieces right up to the conclusion. I'm ready with fork, knife, and bib for the next one from Maeder.
July 18, 2013
This book might, honestly, be my first foray into chick lit. I know I'm behind, far behind, but at least I'm here.
That being said, I love anything French so I really wanted to love this book. I'm kind of... in like with this book.
Alyce, the main character, is a naive twit. That may sound blunt, but it's true. She's got a heavily romanticized worldview and yet completely misses the forest for the trees. Or however you say that in French.
What I loved about this book is Jean-Luc. He and the other cast of French supporting characters make the story. I like them better, far better, than the Americans. I'd read a book about each of them.
But maybe all this really is what chick lit is. I plan to keep reading the genre to find out.
That being said, I love anything French so I really wanted to love this book. I'm kind of... in like with this book.
Alyce, the main character, is a naive twit. That may sound blunt, but it's true. She's got a heavily romanticized worldview and yet completely misses the forest for the trees. Or however you say that in French.
What I loved about this book is Jean-Luc. He and the other cast of French supporting characters make the story. I like them better, far better, than the Americans. I'd read a book about each of them.
But maybe all this really is what chick lit is. I plan to keep reading the genre to find out.
June 22, 2014
I absolutely loved When I Married My Mother (especially now that I am my own Mom's caretaker) so when I heard Jo Maeder had released a new book, Opposites Attack I immediately downloaded it. I thought I would read it when I was not watching a movie on a transatlantic flight. Well, needless to say I watched nothing at all but kept my nose in her book. It was such fun to get to know the characters and I could almost taste the food and enjoy the company!
By the time I finished the book, I was in Rwanda and wanting to change all my plans and hop back on a plane for France!
Too bad she hasn't released another book to keep me enthralled for the long trip back!
By the time I finished the book, I was in Rwanda and wanting to change all my plans and hop back on a plane for France!
Too bad she hasn't released another book to keep me enthralled for the long trip back!
July 21, 2013
This book goes to prove that what you may want or think you need isn't necessarily so. The primary character, Alyce, has runaway to France to ease her breaking heart hoping her boyfriend will follow. While learning the language and customs, Alcye makes many startling realizations about herself, her boyfriend, Nelson, and the oh, so sexy French artist, Jean-Luc. Ooh,la,la!!! Get ready to submerge yourself in the ways of the French!!
I received a free copy of this book from a Goodreads.com give-a-way for my review.
I received a free copy of this book from a Goodreads.com give-a-way for my review.
September 25, 2013
Hi, I'm new to Goodreads and just finished reading Jo Maeder's Opposites Attack after having read her touching memoir When I Married My Mother.
Everything about it was irresistible! I couldn't put it down and didn't want it to end. The characters were so real and many of the food scenes sounded scrumptiously delicious. The author's humor really shined. I feel like I have met these characters at some points in my life.
I saw another review here about abrupt transitions and have no idea what the reviewer was talking about. I thought the book had good flow.
Everything about it was irresistible! I couldn't put it down and didn't want it to end. The characters were so real and many of the food scenes sounded scrumptiously delicious. The author's humor really shined. I feel like I have met these characters at some points in my life.
I saw another review here about abrupt transitions and have no idea what the reviewer was talking about. I thought the book had good flow.
February 14, 2015
I really loved this book. The hook was the setting (Provence in France). Alyce (A-leese in French) heads to a total immersion school to learn French and escape a love gone bad in New York. She drove me crazy in the beginning, kicked out her living situations (including a convent) for bad behaviors. Eventually she ends up living in the guest cottage of a famous author, Jean-Luc, the brother of the woman who runs the school. Their relationship dynamics fuel the story in a series of delightful twists from hate to love. It was unpredictable and such fun. Totally recommended!
February 8, 2015
fun. fun. fun
Lots of fun. Kinda slow at the start. so stick with it. It's well worth the characters a really fun lots of variety in the in the characters I really enjoyed this book look forward to more quest the recipes will make me real happy can imagine a world war but being an American in America I don't think that's a problem thank you very much for a good read a pleasurable time
Lots of fun. Kinda slow at the start. so stick with it. It's well worth the characters a really fun lots of variety in the in the characters I really enjoyed this book look forward to more quest the recipes will make me real happy can imagine a world war but being an American in America I don't think that's a problem thank you very much for a good read a pleasurable time
July 11, 2015
Delightful story!!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was funny, touching and I truly felt like I was transported to France. I would highly recommend to those who love a good romantic comedy with a lot of amazing recipes thrown in! The heroine, Alyse, was so funny and charming that you couldn't help but love her and route for her to finally get what she truly deserves. Great read!
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was funny, touching and I truly felt like I was transported to France. I would highly recommend to those who love a good romantic comedy with a lot of amazing recipes thrown in! The heroine, Alyse, was so funny and charming that you couldn't help but love her and route for her to finally get what she truly deserves. Great read!
July 27, 2013
This was good - a lot of humor and wel-rounded characters. However, half way through the book I wanted to take "Al-ees" and smack her and say, YOU'RE MAKING A MISTAKE. ha... but I guess she figured it out (91% of the way through the book...). I also liked the "total immersion" into the French culture as well. Educational, humorous, and a light, fun read.
July 16, 2016
This is a wonderful adventure! I am so glad that I found it. I stayed up way too late reading it, but I just couldn't put it down. Alyce (al-ees) is an hilariously funny character. I want to be her! If only my first trip to France had been as interesting... If you love funny, adventurous women, Provence, France and good food and wine, grab this one and read it. You will be glad you did!
August 21, 2013
Just a nice summer read. Specially the beginning of the book is quiet funny and I had to laugh out loud several times. I love the way how Jo Maeder writes about the French culture and the wonderful French cuisine. I read it as a Kindle version - unfortunately lots of spelling and grammatical errors :(
May 30, 2014
Gah! This book was all. over. the. place. I really did not care for the writing style, which was choppy, confusing and tried way too hard to be light and cute. I was roughly 75% through before I came to care even remotely about any of the numerous characters (caricatures, more like), and then only enough to want to see the story through to the end. Sorry, not my cup of tea.
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