Monday, April 2, 2012

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

30 comments:

  1. So cliche! He's in 18C, she's in 18A, and the person sitting sitting in 18B just happened to move away? Lameeeeee. But it was a sweet book (: Nice review.

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    1. Nah, the person didn't move away, go read and you'll know! Don't be so cynical... But thanks for the sweet comment! :)

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  2. Oh my gosh I totally feel like reading this book now! And I definitely will (; (after blocks though, and sel please be so kind as to lend me your book! XD) nice review hwaiting!(:

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  3. Hey :) Thanks for your awesome comment on my blog.. and the follow too! Followed back :) Great review! Sounds like the type of book I would like... I'm gonna add it to my TBR pile. Thanks :)

    -The Teen Book Guru

    www.teenbookguru.com

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    1. Well, thanks for dropping by... and following too! :)

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  4. Hey Sel!
    I love your blog!
    I'm a new follower!!! :D

    Stop by my blog sometime! :)
    jbkantt.blogspot.com

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    1. Oh, thank you! Sure, I will drop by asap :)

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  5. I normally stick pretty exclusively to paranormal/fantasy books myself, but after reading how deeply this book touched you I'm thinking I'll have to check it out. Thanks for the review!

    P.S. I'm a new follower, nice blog you have here. :)

    -Linny
    http://linnyslit.blogspot.com/

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    1. Welcome! I love writing reviews that make others compelled to read the book, so glad that you understood my love for this book!
      Thank you for your lovely comment :)

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    2. I feel the same way! It's always a great feeling when you convince someone to read a book that you loved. Your welcome and thank you for stopping by my blog as well. :)

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    3. True! You're welcome too :)

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  6. Another new follower here. (: Loving this review and your whole blog. ^^
    I've been meaning to read this book for quite awhile now, but these days I'm more into dystopian/fantasy/paranormal YA books, not so into contemporary. Might do an exception for this one!

    Aleksandra @ Divine Secrets of a Little Bookworm

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    1. Oh, I sure hope you do! I love dystopian and paranormal YA too, but it never hurts to try something nice from contemporary once in a while ;)
      Thanks for dropping by and following too!

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  7. always love an airport/plane romance, so i might just give it a go. nice work with the reviews here.

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    1. Thanks! This is my first time reading an airport romance, and I'm more than satisfied. Any good ones to recommend?

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  8. Awesome review Sel!
    It sounds like a great book ... I love a good romance!
    Now it looks like I'll have to go read it!!! :D

    (BTW, I responded to your comment on my blog) :)

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  9. Found you on the blog hop get connected tuesday and I have followed you on Google + and Facebook. I am still new to blogging

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    1. Thanks :)
      Do you have a blog? I'd love to take a look.

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  10. Whee I feel like reading too lend me the book Sel! :)

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    1. Kay! I'm living in boarding school now, will pass the book to you after WSC :)

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  11. Thanks for this review! I've seen this book mentioned a lot over the last week, but hadn't read any reviews of it. So I'm thrilled to finally find one, and find out that it's a *rave* review! I entered a bunch of giveaways to win this book (and a few other contemporary romance books) so *fingers crossed*. I'd definitely love an opportunity to pick this one up!

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    1. Hope you get it! *fingers crossed for you* :D

      Well, glad you saw my review since this is one book not to be missed!

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  12. I know, this book was really good <3 I love the romance between the two main characters!!! :D

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    1. <3 If only a hot British boy can sit next to me on the plane *dreamy sigh*

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  13. Sounds like an amazing read, would love to check it out!

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    1. Yes! Go! It is amazing, the absolutely mind-blowingly perfect summer read :)

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  14. This is one of my favorite reads of 2012, because of the element of possibility. You don't need to be in high school, or in boarding school to experience something like this. It doesn't even have to be in an airport! You could be sitting with someone in a bus or train.

    It can happen to anybody.

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    1. I do agree :) That is why love is an everlasting theme in all novels regardless of the genre. It's because love can happen anywhere anytime to anybody ;)

      That's why we read about it too.

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Wishing you lots of good books to come along your way!

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