Julie's Review: The Theory of Opposites

Summary:  What happens when you think you have it all, and then suddenly it’s taken away? Willa Chandler-Golden's father changed the world with his self-help bestseller, Is It Really Your Choice? Why Your Entire Life May Be Out of Your Control. Millions of devoted fans now find solace in his notion that everything happens for a reason. Though Willa isn’t entirely convinced of her father’s theories, she readily admits that the universe has delivered her a solid life: a reliable husband, a fast-paced career. Sure there are hiccups – negative pregnancy tests, embattled siblings - but this is what the universe has brought, and life, if she doesn’t think about it too much, is wonderful. Then her (evidently not-so-reliable) husband proposes this: A two-month break. Two months to see if they can't live their lives without each other. And before Willa can sort out destiny and fate and what it all means, she’s axed from her job, her 12 year-old nephew Nicky moves in, her ex-boyfriend finds her on Facebook, and her best friend Vanessa lands a gig writing for Dare You!, the hottest new reality TV show. And then Vanessa lures Willa into dares of her own - dares that run counter to her father’s theories of fate, dares that might change everything…but only if Willa is brave enough to stop listening to the universe and instead aim for the stars. ~allisonwinn.com

Review: The Theory of Opposites is a fantastic book about finding out who it is you want to become. Do you want to be a bystander in your own life or do you want to get out there and live it? What does it take for Willa (a.k.a William) to get off the "couch" of her life? Basically her life gets flipped upside down or is it right side up on her. Her husband, Shawn and her do everything together. I mean heck they even have an app that they share coordinating all of their to dos. 

Willa is surrounded by quite the cast of characters but her family is the hilarious. I adored Raina, Ollie and Minnie, her mom. Her dad was an interesting character but I can't say that I found him funny or even liked him. He was a bit full of himself and has missed out on life by prescribing to his theory that there is no free will. Your life path is already charted and you are only a pawn in it. Willa's best friend, Vanessa, sets out to prove that you have control of your life of your destiny, using Willa as her guinea pig. Vanessa has the best intentions when it comes to Willa. She wants Willa to quit being a bystander in her life.

Willa is a great heroine because she is extremely relatable. Who hasn't had a minor or major setback in life and wondered what next? Where do I go from here? The transformation that she goes through its significant and transforming.

Ms. Scotch keeps you guessing until the end which path Willa will chose to go down. Will she even take an active role in her life? Will the "Dare You" truly make Willa test herself?

The real lesson in the book is that we all have a choice or choice and we need to own them. We have control of our lives. We have free will.

If you are looking for a novel that touches your soul and might cause you to think about your life path differently, then pick up The Theory of Opposites.

Final Take: 4.5/5 

Note: Stayed tuned later this week for a Q&A with Allison!


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