Friday, January 20, 2012

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

The Statistical Probability of Love at First SightWho 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. ~From GoodReads


I swore, when I sat to write this review, that I wouldn't do this. I was going to be calm and reasonable and rational. But...that's just not me, not with this book. So, in an effort to not make a total idiot of myself, I'll keep this review short and oh so sweet. Before I get started, I have to get one thing out of my system. Ready? Here goes. SQUEEEEEEEE!!!!! I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!!!!!

Whew. I am so glad I got that out of my system. But in all seriousness, my feelings about Statistical Probability can pretty much be summed up with those frantic words above. Now that I'm somewhat collected, let me tell you why I loved this book.

My initial reading of this book was on a roadtrip with my husband. After showing much affection towards the cover, I finally cracked it open. I read the prologue. I sighed. I read the prologue again. I sighed harder. This cycle repeated itself about five times, with my husband, who I'll lovingly refer to as "Mr. Nonfiction", growing increasingly nervous. After many shifty-eyed glances my way, and seeing that I hadn't  moved past page three, he finally asked what my deal was. That question was all the prodding I needed to burst forth with my swoonage. "Do you understand how beautiful this is?" I asked in a desperate manner. His answer: a blank stare. So, like anyone who has a trapped listener would do, I read The Prologue to Mr. NonFiction. After I finished reading, I leaned back, clutching this beauty to my chest and asked what he thought. To be honest, I expected an eye roll or a snarky comment. But he looked at me, blinked about five times as if he wondered how in the hell he'd gotten into this situationwith his loon of a wife and then replied "Not bad", with a half-smile. That reaction might not mean much to you, but knowing him like I do, it might as well have been an "OMG!".  That was a huge seal of approval coming from him.

The entire book can be summed up by this one line from the prologue:

"Who would have guessed that four minutes could change everything?"

Kind of promising, right? This book read like a beautiful, heart-warming movie. Love, Actually and Serendipity come to mind. The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight was a book about chance, circumstance, fate, and trusting your heart. This book made me happy beyond belief. It will likely end up being the "feel good book of the year". Highly, highly recommended. In fact, I might be willing to throw down a money-back guarantee if you don't love this book.

Favorite Quote (There were too many to choose from!):

"It seems impossible that she could have liked someone like Mitchell when there was someone like this guy in the world, someone tall and lanky, with tousled hair and startling green eyes and a speck of mustard on his chin, like the one small imperfection that makes the whole painting work somehow." (pg 31)

Hardcover, 236 pages
Published January 2nd 2012 by Poppy

You can purchase The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight at:
Barnes & Noble | Amazon | Book Depository

31 comments:

  1. awwww Your little story made me really want to read that prologue! I have been looking forward to this one for awhile and can't wait to get a copy in my hands.

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    1. The prologue is definitely one of the best ive ever read. I hope you get the book soon!

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  2. LOL, at your convo with the husband. Too funny. I get why you would take that response as an OMG because that's pretty much how it is around here. He humors me and lets me blab about books though, he loves me. haha.

    I can't wait to read this.. I know I'm borrowing yours, but I can already tell I'll be getting my own copy for my shelf. I'm such a sap for a love story.. that's what gets me in a book. The love.. and the love at first sight. This is how Brian and I met... *sigh* Not on a plane.. but the whole love at first sight.. it was there. lol. I just knew. :P

    Okay, I must get ready for work now. bleh.

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    1. I cant wait for you yo read this, April! I hope you love it as much as I did. Tell Brian to get ready!

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  3. Aw, that was cute. And reminds me of interactions with my hubby when I start blabbering about books. :) This book definitely sounds promising, but I was already hooked by that cover. I know I'm not supposed to judge based on that alone, but I can't help it. Plus, I just love the quirky title. :)

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    1. Don't feel bad for judging by the cover! Its gorgeous and perfect. Its nice to know I'm not the only one who does this to their husband. I hope you enjoy it!

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  4. Sold!!!! I am adding it to my wish list immediately!!

    Thank you for your review

    ~Sammy

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  5. I've heard absolutely nothing but good things about this one. This is number THREE on my TBR list. I can't wait to dive into it :) Sounds like such a light and fun read.

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    1. Number three?? Move it up! It is a very gun, funny read. It also has some heart-wrenching scenes, as well. I hope you love it!

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  6. Oh man I can't wait to read this now. I was waiting to see your review before I made my mind up.
    I've read the blurb and your teaser and I was thinking "hmmmm....that sounds totally interesting...." Now I know for sure that I want this on my TBR pile. Can't wait to get my hand on this. I'm a HUGE sucker for romance. *swoons*
    The convo with your husband had me grinning. My fiancee does that same thing. He humors me and lets me prattle on about books. Which works out cuz I let him prattle on about his video games. It's a good balance I think. I can't wait to read this!
    Great review book twin!

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    1. If you love contemporary YA, this is a must-read! You'll flip overrun the banter betndween Hadley and Oliver.

      I'm glad I'm not the only.one tha does this to my husband!!

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  7. I just have to say I love, love, love your review!! If I wasn't already beyond excited to read this book, I definitely am now. I am about to burst with excitement for it actually. I have 2 books to go before I read it, and I am so going to devour it in one sitting! I have heard nothing but raving reviews about it, so I have no doubt I will absolutely love it. I understand the whole hubs reaction thing believe me. Mine is not a reader at all, so if he shows any reaction toward something I explain about a book, it's an OMG moment. Lol!

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  8. I cant wait to see whaf you think! You can absolutely read this in one sitting, just wait til your daughter is napping or sleeping.
    I hope you love it!

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  9. Thank you for your review
    i so hope 2 read it soon

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  10. Now high on my TBR list... now I just have to get a copy LOL all the sighs makes me wanna sigh too!! <3

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  11. aww so cute your convo with your husband, it must be one hell of a prologue if that was his reaction!! wow. I love beautiful, heart-warming books... *sigh* and love at first sight, I just melt with that kind of things.

    Me.Wants.Badly this book. And the pretty cover.

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    1. Oh, Ana! It was so lovely. I hope you get it soon. I think I'll give a copy away at Valentine's Day, so come back.
      Thanks for stopping by, doll!

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  12. Okay, I'll give this book a chance, even though it's not a genre I read very much. But, a good book is a good book, right? You make it sound like it'll be time well-spent, so I'm interested...

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    1. That makes me extremely nervous, Cathy! I hope, if you end up reading it, that you like it!

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  13. Yes! A heart-warming movie is exactly what I though it felt like too! I loved this it was so cute! Glad you enjoyed it! :D

    Giselle
    Xpresso Reads

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    1. This book was the "perfect storm" of awesome, for me. I loved everything about it's
      Thanks for stopping by!

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  14. I'm starting this today! Squee!!! :-)

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  15. I just finished! I Loooooved it! So good! I even hugged my book afterwards-haha!

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  16. This one is definitely my next read !! I've finally received it and I've een staring at it for the past few days ... Planning on starting to read it tonight :) ! I'll let you know what I think of it ;)
    Happy reading Andrea :)

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  17. So I already told you how I thought this was the perfect book and how that description doesn't do the story justice but I had to comment on your review. Knowing Mr. Nonfiction like I do, his 'not bad' comment can definitely be taken as high praise so I laughed.

    Also you and I are SO related because we had the EXACT same reactions. To anyone that writes off this book as being some girly YA romance is an idiot. Some of the best storytelling I've ever read. It should be required reading.

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  18. You make me want to start branching out of the realm of YA paranormal! It's been years since I've read mainstream fiction. Thanks for the review. Love the title and cover.

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