That Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith is such a sweet, charming and romantic story that I can fully believe in its cross-over appeal. These characters are teenagers, but everyone with a heart can relate to their feelings of grief and confusion and also of first love. I fell for both Hadley and Oliver almost immediately. There's something so wonderful and likeable about them both. I'm a sucker for stories involving travel and can also relate very personally to a trans-atlantic relationship, so this book was a perfect fit for me!
Hadley is on her way to London to attend the wedding of her father to his new girlfriend, whom Hadley has never met. She's not particularly happy being part of this special ceremony as the relationship because the relationship between her and her father has been pretty rocky since he left to teach in England a few years back. The thing is, she misses her flight. By four minutes. And those four minutes, whilst inconsequential in so many other ways, change everything for Hadley.
She's now on the next flight to London, which will barely get Hadley to the wedding on time. But now she's sitting next to Oliver, the cute and adorable and funny guy, who is going through issues of his own. And before she knows it, the journey to London that Hadley has been dreading has now transformed into a 7 hour trip getting to know this incredible guy. And over the course of the story, as she becomes more excited and nervous about what this thing is between her and Oliver, she's better able to come to terms with her father's new relationship and also the problems Hadley has been having with her mother.
I absolutely loved this book. It's sweet and romantic and sad and beautiful all at once. This story is told with so much emotion, I felt like I was experiencing everything that Hadley and Oliver were going through - from the good, sweet stuff of new beginnings, to the problems and confusion of their lives aside from each other. It made me smile and laugh but it also brought me to tears. I love that wonderful mix of emotion. I really recommend this book!
I love the sound of this book, it really appeals to the part of me that hopes love at first sight is real :)
ReplyDeleteIt such a wonderful book, I really loved it!
DeleteN and I were in London the other day and we saw this thing happen. This man was sitting opposite me on the tube, and he got up to let this other woman sit down. And somehow the two of them got to talking. Turns out they had LOADS in common and were nattering away for ages. You could totally tell the two were way into each other. But then one of them got off the tube and NEITHER ONE OF THEM ASKED FOR THE OTHER PERSON'S NUMBER.
I was sad for them. And it reminded me of this book. Meeting someone while travelling could totally happen.
I loved reading your review - thank you! I love your reply above, too. What a great story! There used to be a free magazine in Boston where the personals were full of things like: "You held the door open for me on the T. You were wearing a red shirt and you smiled. I'd love to see you again."
ReplyDeleteIt was my favourite part of the magazine! Sigh. :)
This is seriously one of the most charming books I've read in ages! YAY for this book.
DeleteThat section of that magazine sounds WONDERFUL! What a brilliant feature. I'd love to read something like that on a regular basis. That just makes me ridiculously happy.
Brilliant review, Michelle! There has been so much buzz around this book, I really need to just pick it up and read already. It sounds so good! I'm loving the sound of all the emotion in it, sounds right up my street!
ReplyDeleteIt really is a wonderful book Jo, I recommend it. Plus it's teeny tiny, so you can tear through it pretty quickly!
DeleteI quite liked this one when I read it a few months ago, and that was a lot to do with the main characters.
ReplyDeleteOh I'm glad you did :) I really liked both Hadley and Oliver..
DeleteI read fair amount of great stuff about this one and really looking forward to reading it!
ReplyDeleteLOVED your tube story! Sounds like the beginning of a Meg Ryan movie. God, people on the tube barely even make eye contact, let alone strike up a conversation. Maybe they'll meet again one day...
I really, really hope that they do! I was so amazed when they even started talking. Because you're so right, people go out of their way to NOT make contact or anything. To start a conversation was BIG. But maybe that was already too big of a thing to do and neither one of them could take that next step by asking for a number.
DeleteI'm hoping they meet again. So it's easier the second time around to fall into talking.
OMG this sounds so amazing! I want it!!!
ReplyDeleteI sincerely hope you mange to read this book and that you love it as much as I did! :)
DeleteI loved this one too, so beautiful and easy to read! I loved all the emotion that was packed into such a small space too!! :)
ReplyDeleteYes! I thought that was brilliant too, how much was fit into one teeny book. Amazing.
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