The Opposite of Addie: A Novel (Friendship & Secrets) by Julie C. Gardner – Review by Francis O’Sullivan

The Opposite of AddieThe Opposite of Addie by Julie C. Gardner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Opposite of Addie by Julie C. Gardner is a moving novel that explores a variety of relationships and forms of love. At the centre is the relationship between single mother Addie and her daughter Josie, which is in some ways a reflection of Addie’s relationship with her own mother. Then there are the two fathers – Addie’s and Josie’s – who have both missed out on a lot of their daughter’s lives. And there’s Nina – practically a sister to Addie and an Aunt to Josie – reminding us that chosen family can be as important as biological family.
Although there are romantic elements in this book this is not given any more weight than the other relationships. There is plenty of messiness, as characters have to weigh up doing what is right for them and potentially hurting others. Early on, Josie worries that her mum choosing to spend an evening with someone else must mean they are more fun than her. Josie, and the other characters in the book, have to learn how to love and care for multiple people (and themselves) at the same time.
This is an enjoyable read! There’s a bit of mystery and plenty going on. The perspective changes between different characters and they all have a distinct voice as a narrator, which keeps it varied and means the reader gets invested in everyone’s side of the story. For me, it’s a five-star read and I would definitely recommend it, particularly to people who are missing family drama due to lockdowns and travel restrictions.

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