The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith
Published: 24 May 2012 (Headline)
Pages: 240
Amazon: paperback|Kindle
Waterstone's: paperback|e-book
Book Depository: paperback
Source: Bought from Waterstone's.
Plot Summary: (from Waterstone's)
Who would have guessed that four minutes could change everything? Imagine if she hadn't forgotten the book. Or if there hadn't been traffic on the expressway. Or if she hadn't fumbled the coins for the toll. What if she'd run just that little bit faster and caught the flight she was supposed to be on. Would it have been something else - the weather over the Atlantic or a fault with the plane? Hadley isn't sure if she believes in destiny or fate but, on what is potentially the worst day of each of their lives, it's the quirks of timing and chance events that mean Hadley meets Oliver...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.
My Review:
I picked up this book whilst I was on holiday in London which seemed pretty appropriate! This book is all about Hadley, who misses her flight to London by minutes and ends up meeting Oliver at the gate whilst waiting for a later flight. She should be on her way to her dad's wedding, an event she's dreading, but suddenly she finds herself enjoying the company of her new British companion.
The book takes place over the space of 24 hours which was one of the things I loved about it. Despite the short time frame, the story manages to fit in a whole load of drama to keep it pacy and interesting. I felt for Hadley and the situation she'd ended up in. She's torn between her parents and dreading meeting her soon-to-be step-mother, is having to overcome the culture barrier between the UK and the US and then she meets Oliver and has all sorts of boy problems to deal with!
The relationship between Hadley and Oliver is cute without being over the top. The humour and banter between them made me love the time they spent together and Oliver was a really interesting character in his own right. I like how the title sort of sums up the complete improbability of the two of them meeting. The fact it almost doesn't take itself too seriously made it more believable. I liked the elements of fate and chance, and that everything doesn't always go smoothly for the two of them.
It's a perfect holiday read with most of the book taking place on an aeroplane and the rest of it taking place in London, a city unfamiliar to Hadley. I read this on the train home from London which added to the experience! As a Brit, I loved the author's view of London and the humour playing off the differences between America and the UK.
If you're still looking for something to read on holiday or you love contemporary young adult romances then this book is a must. Funny, cute and wonderful writing, it'll have you glued to the pages!
Rating: 4*
What to read next: The Rock Star's Daughter by Caitlyn Duffy.
Books like this: 13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson, The Fault in Our Stars by John Green.
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