Review: The Statistical Probability of Love At First Sight

The Statistical Probability of Love At First Sight


Author: Jennifer E. Smith

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.


Published 2 January 2012

*

I don't know what to say.

But, you all know when I state that in such explicit terms, it most often means that I am stunned and bursting at seams to share.

Stunned, simply because I didn't expect to be touched so deeply. Stunned, simply because I wasn't anticipating such a sweet true and honest romance. Stunned, simply because the book taught me to believe in love, regardless of the statistical probability behind it all.

I spent the first half of the book with a quirky smile. Witty and down-to-earth conversations between Hadley and Oliver dominated those chapters, and the easy banter about family and life, fears and hopes kept my spirits up. But it was just enough good humour as I slowly plunged into the teenage angst of a divorced child.

Hadley felt suddenly cold all over, wondering when her father had become the kind of man to call the bathroom a ‘loo,’ to whisper to foreign women on hotel phones, to take his daughter on a ski trip as if it meant something, as if it were a promise, and then return to his new life like it had never even happened.

Looking back on, there were several times when I almost put the book down. But thank my lucky stars that I didn't. Because I was put on emotional roller-coaster ride for the next half of the book.

Yeah, just like Piratica I, I couldn't put the book down.

Hadley and Oliver's hasty kiss at the check-out counters. Hadley and Oliver's rushed farewell as they left for two different checkout lines for foreigners and locals. Hadley nervously and hopefully waiting outside the terminal. Hadley pacing away thinking that she would never see him again.

Oh, but she did.

How she went white when she heard that it was a funeral that Oliver was attending. How she followed her heart for once and went to where her heart belonged against all that she was brought up to believe in. How she saw Oliver and thought all was worth it. And how she despairingly left for the second time, thinking that it was the last.

Oh, but it wasn't.

How Oliver came, breathless and panting at the wedding. How Oliver chose to chase something that was worthwhile in his life despite all sense and reason. How Oliver quirkily told her the statistical probability of love at first sight.

What can I say? This couple had my heart on my sleeves.

Ultimately, this book did not teach me about the workings of fate or the probability of true love. It only showed me the irrationality of love and the humor of fate. There's no definite formula behind it all.

It told me to believe in love, not just to wait for it. Because true love finds you when you're least expecting it. And that's enough.


Source: Purchased

(4 stars for the first part of the book & 5 stars for the second part. Do the Math~)

xoxo,

Sel