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Rosie
Nick Robertson has become used to his grandmother Rosie's dotty behaviour. At 86, a widow now, she is determined that before life passes her by, she will live a little. Or, preferably, a lot.It wouldn't be so bad if Nick had nothing else to do, but with a job to find, two warring parents to cope with and a love life in terminal decline, he would prefer his grandmother to get on with things quietly. But, Rosie insists, there is no time like the present. Life is to be enjoyed to the full and to hell with the consequences. She'll help Nick find the soulmate he clearly lacks and he can help her make the most of her few remaining years. Alan Titchmarsh's sparkling new novel is a delicious blend of humour and romance, and a resounding affirmation that there is no such thing as the generation gap.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2004
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397 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 148 reviews
November 3, 2023
For my full review, visit me at https://mrsbrownsbooks.wordpress.com/...
You can’t go wrong with this gentle narrative featuring a kind-hearted soul and his eccentric grandmother.
You can’t go wrong with this gentle narrative featuring a kind-hearted soul and his eccentric grandmother.
December 4, 2021
I always enjoy Alan Titchmarsh’s books as they are so pleasant to read. This one was set on the Isle of Wight which I know very well which made reading it more of a pleasure. The story tugged at my emotions at times as the elderly lady Rosie reminded me of my own mum, sassy and determined to live her life her way without interference from family members. The ending unfortunately was sad and I found it hard not to cry. I will certainly be reading more from this author again.
April 28, 2015
She may be 86, but Rosie is not ready to give up on life yet. After being arrested, she goes to stay with her Grandson Nick in his cottage on the Isle of Wight. Following a failed relationship, his life has fallen into a quiet routine, but Rosie insists that life is for living and sets about helping him find love, while Nick helps Rosie solve a family mystery.
It was lovely to see an older character featured in such detail, and the interaction between Rosie and Nick was really heart warming. Alan describes the Isle of Wight beautifully and creates a charming, feel good story, perfect for curling up with. I do so hope I'm a Rosie when I reach that age!
It was lovely to see an older character featured in such detail, and the interaction between Rosie and Nick was really heart warming. Alan describes the Isle of Wight beautifully and creates a charming, feel good story, perfect for curling up with. I do so hope I'm a Rosie when I reach that age!
February 15, 2019
Chewing gum for the brain.
A wet flannel of a book.
A tea and fairy cakes book for dusty (not glamorous) grannies.
A good alternative for insomniacs who don't want to take drugs to sleep
For readers who want to experience what a real coma feels like.
A dull, stilted load of tedium for the non-discerning reader.
In a word: piffle
My first zero rating for a book.
Ps. I found this book. Thought it was lost. Read it and realised it was deliberately thrown away.
September 23, 2019
Light enjoyable read.
December 26, 2009
i really loved this book..
i love rosie...
the book made me wonder how i should be when i grow old even though i have too many evergreen days to cherish...
i even love the place where the story takes place
the first time i saw the book i exepected it to be about some girl of my age...when i got to know that rosie was grandmom i was totally disappointed...but as i went on this rosie seemed to be younger than me!!!
i love rosie...
the book made me wonder how i should be when i grow old even though i have too many evergreen days to cherish...
i even love the place where the story takes place
the first time i saw the book i exepected it to be about some girl of my age...when i got to know that rosie was grandmom i was totally disappointed...but as i went on this rosie seemed to be younger than me!!!
June 1, 2014
Started off thinking this was rather sweet, but the Russian storyline and Nick's immediate acceptance of it all was preposterous. And a lot of the dialogue was rather strange. I suppose you could call it quirky, but not good quirky for me I'm afraid.
July 13, 2022
Enjoyment ★★★☆☆
Concept ★★★☆☆
Writing Style ★★★★☆
Characters ★★★☆☆
Plot ★★☆☆☆
Pacing ★★★★☆
Ending ★★☆☆☆
This book felt like an old Hallmark movie: easily digestible but if you pay close attention to it it doesn't make much sense.
Concept ★★★☆☆
Writing Style ★★★★☆
Characters ★★★☆☆
Plot ★★☆☆☆
Pacing ★★★★☆
Ending ★★☆☆☆
This book felt like an old Hallmark movie: easily digestible but if you pay close attention to it it doesn't make much sense.
January 9, 2018
An absolutely charming story, I was hooked. An incredibly memorable set of people, Victoria was delightful. I never newTitchmarsh did fiction.
January 6, 2020
The protagonist dies at the end as expected, yet this was one of the best feel-good stories I've ever read. The story has a lively plot and a buoyant character Rosie an eighty-five years old lady, who is old by age but a youth at heart. She feels as effervescent as twenty-five years old and lives her life to her heart's content. Her behaviour, however, upsets her daughter in law which makes Rosie stay with her grandson Nick, a middle-aged man. Being an artist, he has his own problems to make a livelihood and is dealing with a breakup. At first, he was quite afraid to have her with him. But as time goes on, he starts enjoying her company and loves spending time with her. While the story involves the Russian Royal legacy, Diamonds and Nick also finds a new love.
June 7, 2021
I'm reading this book at the moment, chapter 7. I'm kinda shocked with all the opposite reviews honestly, some give it 5 stars, some if possible would give it zero( I believe if they could, they would give it negative).
I believe this book can give you some enthusiasm to live your life fully if you need that. If you are already happy and have an exciting life, maybe you find it boring, that the book doesn't have much to offer!
This may change after I finish the book!
I believe this book can give you some enthusiasm to live your life fully if you need that. If you are already happy and have an exciting life, maybe you find it boring, that the book doesn't have much to offer!
This may change after I finish the book!
May 10, 2019
It was a wearying read. A weird parallel narrative about Rosie being an illegitimate Romanov. So much back and forth between Nick and Alex about feelings, confusion, physical attraction. The boring and slow pace looks lively only once, when Victoria runs off. Other than that, the book is not very interesting.
July 6, 2023
Pretty boring predictable. The grandmothers family history rather felt it was just plucked out of the air to fill the book. Fantasty, disjointed and totally unbelievable. His parents likewise never came to life. One of his poorest efforts. Written conversations never flowed or again believable
May 16, 2008
I picked this up because of the author, Alan Titchmarsh. I've always enjoyed his BBC garden show. This was an okay read but I think I prefer his gardening to his fiction.
November 24, 2009
Book started out strong but wasn't good at all by the end.
May 27, 2023
I enjoyed previous novels by this author. Sadly he has slipped into churn mode rather than fewer but great quality work. What a shame.
June 10, 2017
Isle of Wight, 2004.
Nick (39) is a painter,has just separated from his girlfriend.His two sisters, Sophie and Alice, travel the world.His parents, Derek and Anne,are divorced.Derek travels a lot and nobody knows what he does for a living.
One day London police call Nick-they have arrested his grandmother for making a protest at the Russian embassy.Rosie is 87,born in St Petersburg in early 1917 and brought to England.She is a widow living alone.But now Anne,her daughter-in-law, wants to put Rosie in a retiring home.So Rosie ups and comes to Nick.
Rosie is her nickname, her real name being Alice Marie Xenia.Rosie was told her father was an Englishman.At the same time she is sure her mother was...Grand Duchess Tatiana Nikolaevna,the second daughter of the Tsar Nicholas II (the family members were shot to death in July 1918).
Nick meets a fellow painter,Alexandra (Alex), a divorcee with a ten-year-old daughter,Victoria.Rosie catches on the symbolism of the names Nicholas and Alexandra..
Rosie is a delight.She pretends to be much younger for the art dealer Henry,is computer-literate,sharp,independent,opinionated.She dislikes Anne (mutual) and keeps in touch with her son, Derek.
Victoria,Alex's daughter, is precocious.She like Jane Austen's books and finds parallel between her mother and Marianne Dashwood of Sense and Sensitivity.Alex tries to shield her from her ex-husband, who keeps appearing.And Nick finds it hard to believe Rosie's story.
Some real people are mentioned in the book ,like the fake Anastasia (Anna Anderson),the ballerina Mathilda Kshessinska.
The book was pure delight to read !
Nick (39) is a painter,has just separated from his girlfriend.His two sisters, Sophie and Alice, travel the world.His parents, Derek and Anne,are divorced.Derek travels a lot and nobody knows what he does for a living.
One day London police call Nick-they have arrested his grandmother for making a protest at the Russian embassy.Rosie is 87,born in St Petersburg in early 1917 and brought to England.She is a widow living alone.But now Anne,her daughter-in-law, wants to put Rosie in a retiring home.So Rosie ups and comes to Nick.
Rosie is her nickname, her real name being Alice Marie Xenia.Rosie was told her father was an Englishman.At the same time she is sure her mother was...Grand Duchess Tatiana Nikolaevna,the second daughter of the Tsar Nicholas II (the family members were shot to death in July 1918).
Nick meets a fellow painter,Alexandra (Alex), a divorcee with a ten-year-old daughter,Victoria.Rosie catches on the symbolism of the names Nicholas and Alexandra..
Rosie is a delight.She pretends to be much younger for the art dealer Henry,is computer-literate,sharp,independent,opinionated.She dislikes Anne (mutual) and keeps in touch with her son, Derek.
Victoria,Alex's daughter, is precocious.She like Jane Austen's books and finds parallel between her mother and Marianne Dashwood of Sense and Sensitivity.Alex tries to shield her from her ex-husband, who keeps appearing.And Nick finds it hard to believe Rosie's story.
Some real people are mentioned in the book ,like the fake Anastasia (Anna Anderson),the ballerina Mathilda Kshessinska.
The book was pure delight to read !
March 24, 2025
Rosie, a vibrant and spirited woman of eighty years young, and her grandson, Nick, share a close bond as they journey through the ups and downs of daily life. Their relationship is one of reciprocal aid, with each offering support and assistance to the other whenever needed, acting as each other's personal rescue team. The book's undeniable appeal is primarily due to Rosie, the immensely comforting and reassuring central character, whose presence radiates warmth and positivity. Adding to the enjoyment is the introduction of several new and thoroughly engaging characters who weave seamlessly into the narrative, collectively creating a reading experience that is both cozy and profoundly relaxing, perfect for unwinding.
However, a minor detraction from the overall positive impression was the inclusion of a subplot involving the Russian language, which unfortunately felt somewhat disjointed and separate from the main narrative thread. Despite this small disconnect, the rest of the book was truly excellent, filled with heartwarming moments and endearing interactions between the characters.
However, a minor detraction from the overall positive impression was the inclusion of a subplot involving the Russian language, which unfortunately felt somewhat disjointed and separate from the main narrative thread. Despite this small disconnect, the rest of the book was truly excellent, filled with heartwarming moments and endearing interactions between the characters.
March 30, 2020
16/2020📚
Rosie by Alan Titchmarsh
This is my first time reading something written by this author. And I finished this book in one sitting. A novel revolving around one particular character, namely Rosie, who is not your typical octogenarian; mind you. 😜
The story started with one phone call of a police officer to one Nick Robertson, who in time will be introduced as the grandson of this Rosie character. Why did the police call him? The one thing that the police said to Nick “It’s better for us to tell you about your grandmother’s antics in person”
The idea and theme of the novel was really interesting and I was hooked. So I managed to finish the book off in the wee hours of the day. 😆 What made me lower the rating was that I feel a bit sad about the ending. Hmmm.
So all and all, my personal rating for this book: 3.8⭐️/5⭐️
Rosie by Alan Titchmarsh
This is my first time reading something written by this author. And I finished this book in one sitting. A novel revolving around one particular character, namely Rosie, who is not your typical octogenarian; mind you. 😜
The story started with one phone call of a police officer to one Nick Robertson, who in time will be introduced as the grandson of this Rosie character. Why did the police call him? The one thing that the police said to Nick “It’s better for us to tell you about your grandmother’s antics in person”
The idea and theme of the novel was really interesting and I was hooked. So I managed to finish the book off in the wee hours of the day. 😆 What made me lower the rating was that I feel a bit sad about the ending. Hmmm.
So all and all, my personal rating for this book: 3.8⭐️/5⭐️
May 19, 2024
A delightful tale of an elderly lady who believes in living life to the full, even at the grand age of 87,
much to the distress of her daughter, who believes she should be in a care home, and to her son, Nick, who accepts responsibility for her when she comes to live on the Isle of Wight where he makes a living as an artist, making scenes of local beauty that tourists buy as souvenirs. Rosie believes that she is a descendant of the Romanov family who escaped the assassination at Ekaterinberg. She has tried telling her story to staff at the Russian Embassy in London but compromises herself by chaining herself to the railings, having had to be removed by police. Rosie has a vibrant personality and endears herself to Nick's friends and associates, but he worries that she and his father are involved in criminal activity when she passes a large sum of money to him.
much to the distress of her daughter, who believes she should be in a care home, and to her son, Nick, who accepts responsibility for her when she comes to live on the Isle of Wight where he makes a living as an artist, making scenes of local beauty that tourists buy as souvenirs. Rosie believes that she is a descendant of the Romanov family who escaped the assassination at Ekaterinberg. She has tried telling her story to staff at the Russian Embassy in London but compromises herself by chaining herself to the railings, having had to be removed by police. Rosie has a vibrant personality and endears herself to Nick's friends and associates, but he worries that she and his father are involved in criminal activity when she passes a large sum of money to him.
March 13, 2020
Rosie is a grandmother. At 87, she's unlike any grandmother we know. She is full of joy, activities and surprises, which she can spring to her family's embarrassment quite often, especially to her grandson Nick. Bur despite all that Rosie has a special place in Nick's and she endears herself to all his friends in idle of Wight, where Nick stays and paints, when Rosie decides to stay with him.
Rosie is quite sure she belongs to the Romanovs of Russia, though she doesn't have any proof.
It's about Rosie and Nick's life around her and how enjoyable and changed the life of everyone around becomes once Rosie is there. And of course, Rosie's fixation about her royal parentage.
An enjoyable book.
Rosie is quite sure she belongs to the Romanovs of Russia, though she doesn't have any proof.
It's about Rosie and Nick's life around her and how enjoyable and changed the life of everyone around becomes once Rosie is there. And of course, Rosie's fixation about her royal parentage.
An enjoyable book.
January 22, 2023
My first book by Alan Titchmarsh. I live on the Isle of Wight so wanted to read this. An easy, light read. Rosie is 87 and arrested for breach of the peace at the Russian Embassy in London. The police call her artist grandson Nick who lives on the Island and she goes to stay with him. Rosie believes she is of Russian birth and is the child of one of the Royal Romanov family. Rosie certainly lives life to the full. Nick meets fellow artist Alex and her daughter Victoria and wishes to develop a relationship with her. A fun read
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March 1, 2025This was my first outing with Alan Titchmarsh in a fiction setting. I thoroughly enjoyed this cast of characters and the story. It was not to heavy but also had a lovely message about embracing life, regardless of where you are in the journey chronologically. This book centers around Rosie, an octogenarian and her 39 year old recently divorced grandson, who land up living together and the life that ensues. I found this book lively, fun and also heartwarming. If you want a relatively good escapism book, that also packs a little emotional punch...give this a read!
June 8, 2018
This adorable English novel follows an old lady who wants to live life to its fullest every day, beginning the day she is arrested. Rosie is a believable, yet hilarious character. She has crazy ideas of how best to invest money, what constitutes a practical car purchase, and even family. Her brilliant grandson, Nick, is just trying to keep his life in order amidst all the chaos. Three stars for a fun fiction story that reminds us all to live a little while we can.
March 24, 2023
Girlfriend picked this book out for me knowing I'd enjoy it. Quite right too, because it's been a while since I finished a book in a day. This is a book about Rosie, a chaotic 87 year old who rebels against the concept of growing old, written from the perspective of her artsy grandson. She leaves an indelible mark on everyone's lives including the reader's. Titchmarsh reads the audiobook himself and his voice acting is sublime. Would definitely read again.
September 11, 2018
Loved the book What a determined lady who was going to stop living even though her daughter had tried to go in to care.Makes me realise how often we don't do something because of our age Loved the grandson and how he went looking for her past and took the time to listen and not just pass her off Humour was excellent and I loved it . Refreshing
July 22, 2021
Review:
I had forgotten that I had read this book many years back.
I tried hard to remember and what I do remember is that I didn't mind reading it.
Therefore,
This book is okay. Nothing stuck for me. But I guess that's perfectly okay. And it is what it is: a perfectly-okay book. Forgettable, but okay.
I had forgotten that I had read this book many years back.
I tried hard to remember and what I do remember is that I didn't mind reading it.
Therefore,
This book is okay. Nothing stuck for me. But I guess that's perfectly okay. And it is what it is: a perfectly-okay book. Forgettable, but okay.
November 19, 2017
I have surprised myself and my family by reading and finishing this book by Alan Titchmarsh. However, I found it to be an enjoyable book with several storylines to follow, which reached a happy conclusion.
February 19, 2019
Best read of this year (2019)
Wonderfully written. Beautifully planned, evocative images, and great insights into family life and all it's quirks. Very enjoyable and thought provoking.
Wonderfully written. Beautifully planned, evocative images, and great insights into family life and all it's quirks. Very enjoyable and thought provoking.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 148 reviews