The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith
Poppy, January 2, 2012
236 pages
Book Source: ARC from the publisher
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.
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.
--Summary from Goodreads.com
Judging by the cover...: Smart, simple, and cute. People might actually believe you're not reading a teen romance novel.
Favorite Elements:
- Phobia Besties - Hadley and I share three phobias. 1. We are both claustrophobic, though hers is much worse than mine. 2. Dentists are panic inducing enough BEFORE they stick sharp metal objects in your mouth and then tell you to relax in vain. 3. Mayonnaise. It's a healthy fear; imagine all of those calories I save!
- Gorgeous Boy - Oliver (all boys from Britain should be named this) is a seat mate to totally flip your claustrophobic lid for. Plus, he comes equipped with a sexy accent. Sa-woon!
- All Things English - Trainers! Adverts! Loo! Lift! Am I British yet? No? Well, I'll keep trying.
The main reason this didn't get on the A List is because of its length. Don't get me wrong, this short novel will draw in reluctant reasons, but the potential is there for a much longer story. With that aside, it's a non-stop flight to first love that avoids turbulence and lands smoothly, and early at that. At the end, you'll find yourself cheering for the pilot and wishing you could make the return trip the same way.
Recommendation: Teen girls will get the most out of this. Thankfully it's a romance novel that I would give to a twelve or eleven year-old girl. There's just enough kissing to qualify it as a romance, without any of those pesky sex conversations.
Similar Reads: Anna and the French Kiss and Lola and the Boy Next Door by Stephanie Perkins; Amy and Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson; Instructions for a Broken Heart by Kim Culbertson.
