Book Review: The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight

by Jennifer E Smith

Published by Poppy January 2nd 2012

236 pages

Reviewed from finished copy provided by the publisher

Summary

Who would have guessed that four minutes could change everything?

Today should be one of the worst days of seventeen-year-old Hadley Sullivan's life. She's stuck at JFK, late to her father's second wedding, which is taking place in London and involves a soon to be step-mother that Hadley's never even met. Then she meets the perfect boy in the airport's cramped waiting area. His name is Oliver, he's British, and he's in seat 18C. Hadley's in 18A. 

Twists of fate and quirks of timing play out in this thoughtful novel about family connections, second chances and first loves. Set over a 24-hour-period, Hadley and Oliver's story will make you believe that true love finds you when you're least expecting it.

My Thoughts:

     It is such a good feeling  when you read about 10-20 pages into a book and you just know it's going to be great. That was the case with The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight. Hadley's still dealing with the break up of her parent's marriage, while on her way to her father's second wedding.  Forced to go, feeling trapped, a series of events lead her to miss her flight...and in steps Oliver. Handsome, British, (just think of the accent) and scheduled to be on Hadley's next flight. They share  an immediate connection, feel at ease, seem to understand each other and are destined to help each other more than they know. 

  

There were lovely phrases and moments along the way that I just had to mark:

"In the end, it's not the changes that will break your heart, it's the tug of familiarity"

"it doesn't matter that you once stood in front of all those people and said that you would. The important part is that you had someone to stick by you all the time. Even when everything sucked"

"No one is useless in this world", it reads "who lightens the burden of it for anyone else"

The story itself covers just over 24 hrs in their lives, but the characters are well developed and despite the short amount of time spent with them, I felt like I knew them well. An enjoyable contemporary read, it reminded me a bit of Dash and Lily's Book of Dares. Recommended. 

For more info check out the publishers webpage.