Book: The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith, Poppy, January 2 2012
Genre/Format: Young Adult Contemporary, Own Hardcover, 236 pages
Rating: 5 / 5 Stars
Hadley is dragging her heels to get to JFK for her flight to Heathrow for her father’s wedding, an event she’s dreading. She ends up missing her flight by four minutes, and meets Oliver, a charming boy who also happens to be going home to London and seated in the very same row on the plane. This chance encounter serves as a catalyst for change in Hadley’s life and shows how love, fate and destiny can change your life in a moment’s time.
Statistical is a sweet, feel-good romance / family drama that shows 24-hours in the life of seventeen year old Hadley. Hadley resents having to attend her father’s wedding, and how he broke up their family to take up with a younger woman. The flight with Oliver is a nice diversion from these problems, and their easy conversation and instant connection makes a difficult flight much more enjoyable. Oliver is dealing with his own family drama, and it seemed the two found each other just at the right time.
The scenes on the plane were very cute, and Hadley and Oliver likable with apparent chemistry. Their connection does happen quickly, but feels natural and not un-realistic. The whole set-up felt very cinematic and like I was reading the book equivalent of a romantic comedy. Oliver is nice, funny, smart and attentive and a strong love interest. One thing I was surprised about is what a small part of the book is spent actually on the plane. But, once they land they each have to deal with their family commitments for the heavier part of the story.
The story didn’t go the way I expected, and I liked how it was messy like real life, and not all fluffy romance. The point of the trip is the wedding, and Hadley has to face her problems and make nice with her dad who seems so unrecognizable to her now. On the trip, Hadley reminisces about the time her family was together, and with Oliver’s help, tries to come to terms with the new changes in their lives.
Statistical is a cute, romantic story with substance. It’s short and sweet, and the 24-hour time frame inspired me to read it over one sitting. This charming and engaging contemporary is one that fans of Stephanie Perkins should enjoy and was a treat to read.
Other Reviews of the book:
i like your review 🙂 It is a charming little book isn’t it.
It is very sweet, yes! I enjoyed your review too – you made a lot of great points about the book 🙂
I agree that The Statistical Probability of Love does feel cinematic in scope. I felt as though I was reading a romantic comedy and while some may take that for a negative, I see it as praise because I love to watch romcoms.
And, hello can we just talk about how fantastic Hadley and Oliver’s connection is? I LOVED their banter and the fact that she is attracted based on conversation with him.
Oh yeah, I love romcoms. Totally meant it as a compliment!
The banter was great between them, and those scenes were my favorite of the book.
I thought this book was soo great because it kind of surprised me. I had HEARD that it was awesome and I was thinking that it would be cute and sweet and swoony. And it was. But it also had way more depth to it, with Hadley working things out with her dad. That whole wedding was emotional!
Like you said, I wasn’t expecting it to be so much about how messy life is, and that was one of the best parts.
Great review, Lucy! 🙂
Thanks, Amy! You’re right – the wedding was emotional. I think a lot of people can relate to that situation and I appreciated the way it was handled.
I keep seeing positive reviews of this. I initially dismissed it as not for me but I feel like I’m going to have to re-think that since so many people have good things to say about it!
I hope you enjoy it if you get the chance to read it. The reviews have mostly been very positive and I think it’s a good, romantic choice. I’m a sucker for books that take place over 24 hours, and I was sad that this book ended so quickly.
I just recently got this book in the mail and I’m really looking forward to reading it soon! All the reviews I’ve read have been very positive. Great review 🙂
Glad you own a copy- hope you enjoy it, Amber! Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on it.
I started this book this morning and finished this afternoon! I loved it!! The story and characters are wonderful. 5 star rating for me too! 🙂
I’m so glad you liked it too! It is an addictive read, isn’t it? Thanks for stopping by to tell me! 🙂
Hadley & Oliver were so cute, I wish there was more of them together. The book was quite different from what I expected, like it was a lot more about Hadley and her family… but yah, I definitely enjoyed it. =)
I NEED to read this book. I’ve been waiting on it since May 2011. ARG it looks so good. I think I’ve seen 1/50 negative reviews.
Definitely on my TBR list-I LOVE charming! 🙂
Shannon
http://www.extremereadingandwriting.wordpress.com
[…] The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith […]
ahhh…this sounds like a good one. My heart needs a good Perkins-type read. I’ll have to pick it up.
Great review! It sounds like my kind of story, which is mostly rom coms anyway. I’m contemplating reading this next, and after your review, decision made. Thank you, Lucy!
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[…] about books that take place in one day that ups the stakes and creates intriguing dramatic tension. The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight is a good example and combines a lot of my favorite settings – road trip (airplane), foreign […]