Friday, March 16, 2012

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

***

From Hatchette Book Group:

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.

With a title like this, I was expecting a lot more fluff out of Statistical Probability.  It's not really fluffy.  Truth be told, Statistical Probability is heart wrenching - following Hadley while she tries to deal with her anger over her Dad cheating on her Mom and leaving them to live in another country, confusion from meeting this boy to whom she feels an immediate and intense connection and the dread of seeing her Dad marry the "other woman" - like I said, heart-wrenching. 

The relationship between Hadley and Oliver is sweet and feels genuine.  Oliver is the type of guy you should always hope to run across in an airport!  Hadley is a little crazy, but understandably so.  Most surprisingly, this story is less about love at first sight and more about love and learning to deal with the surprises and disappointments that come with loving someone, even a parent.  Are there some things you simply cannot forgive, and is that okay?  I don't have the answers, but Statistical Probability made me ask the questions. 

Statistical Probability is the kind of story that stays with you, long after you finish it. 

~Shel

1 comment:

  1. I've seen this cover many times over, but never actually read anything about it. I think it's about time I add the book to my TBR list!

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