Authors: Jennifer E. Smith
Publication (dd/mm/yyyy): 02/02/2012
Publisher: Hachette: Headline [RRP $22.99]
Source: For review (thanks to publisher!)
Precautions:Violence | Sexual Content | Profanity
Precautions:
Pages: 216
My Rating:
 |
| Good read |
Summary:
Who would have guessed that four minutes could change everything?
Today should be one of the worst days of Hadley's life. . .
Her father is getting married in London to a woman she's never even met, and she's just missed her flight.
Hadley has never believed in destiny or fate before. . .
But, stuck at the airport in New York, today is also the day she meets Oliver. He's British. He's cute. And he's on her new flight.
Set over twenty-four hours, Hadley and Oliver's story will make you believe that true love finds you when you're least expecting it.
My thoughts:
~ Final thoughts ~
Smith manages to compose two likeable main characters whose instant attraction for each other is very, very sweet. You'll be rooting for the two to get together by the end of these 24 hours! Frustrating was the third-person present perspective, but once you get into the story, this detail isn't a dealbreaker. This book is all about the ifs. I can easily see this book being a movie--in fact, it has great resonances to many chick-flicks out there. If you enjoy a good, heartfelt rom-com, you'd better give this one a try!
As a fan of contemporary YA, I was extremely excited that some 2012 contemporary titles have been getting attention, 'The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight' (TSPoLaFS) included. Smith manages to compose two likeable main characters whose instant attraction for each other is very, very sweet. What happens afterward is a bit far-fetched, but hopeless romantics won't mind the wild goose chase that follows the flight. You'll be rooting for the two to get together by the end of these 24 hours! Readers looking for something light and quick and easy to read will enjoy this. It was a bit touch and go for me, as in I'd read a chapter or two and then go do something else, but that's just the reading mood I've been in lately.
MY SYNOPSIS
Hadley's missed her flight by just four minutes. Those four minutes will change everything--when she meets a dashing British guy by the name of Oliver, who will be sitting next to her on the plane, she has no idea how he will affect her. Because she's on her way to a wedding in London. Her father's. Who hasn't seen her in a year and cheated on her mother when he went on a business trip. But there are people worse off, and maybe it's not too late to make ammends. And what happens after Oliver's and Hadley's plane lands . . . where does that leave them?
Short: Smith manages to compose two likeable main characters whose instant attraction for each other is very, very sweet. You'll be rooting for the two to get together by the end of these 24 hours! Frustrating was the third-person present perspective, but once you get into the story, this detail isn't a dealbreaker. This book is all about the ifs. I can easily see this book being a movie--in fact, it has great resonances to many chick-flicks out there. If you enjoy a good, heartfelt rom-com, you'd better give this one a try!
MY THOUGHTS
TSPoLAFS is written in third person present, with focus on Hadley's thoughts and actions. This writing style frustrated me, as I just could not wrap my head around it, and I ended up mentally changing from 3rd person to 1st. It just didn't feel natural to me, but once you get into the story, this detail isn't a dealbreaker. Dialogue plays a big part in this book, and it's a good thing that it was well-written and engaging. The exchanges shared between Hadley and Oliver (some are in my favourite quotes section!) are funny and realistically drawn. Matching this is the conversations that Hadley has with her mother and, eventually, her father as she comes to terms with the finality of his new marriage.
The characters are developed well, considering that this book is only set over a 24-hour period. I would have liked more, but with what time we're given (and considering the length of the book), the insight we receive into Hadley's life and those around her is adequate.
Hadley can be a bit of a pain, but she never crossed the line to annoying, for me. Her situation seemed realistic, and the way she deals with her problems fleshed out her character. On the other hand, Oliver's just a great character. Not only does he have very likeable characteristics--he also has a troublesome past that gives him some depth. I won't spoil anything, but his past brings out a whole different side of him, a more vulnerable side. A more pained side. And that's good because good characters have flaws and scars. Even so, this book is not a heavy one by any means.
The ending is a bit fluffy and too happy for my liking, no loose thread in sight. Again, hopeless romantics and younger readers will probably revel in the fact that everything is resolved so cleanly.
I love the importance that time and coincidences and fate have on Hadley's life. This book is all about the ifs. I can easily see this book being a movie--in fact, it has some resonances to chick-flicks out there. If you enjoy a good rom-com, you'd better give this one a try!
Quotes:
First lines
"There are so many ways it could have all turned out differently.
Imagine if she hadn't forgotten the book. She wouldn't have had to run back into the house while Mom waited outside with the car runninh, the engine setting loose a cloud of exhaust in the late-day heat.
Or before that, even: imagine if she hadn't waited to try on her dress, so that she might have noticed earlier that the straps were too long, and Mom wouldn't have had to haul out her old sewing kit, turning the kitchen into an operating table as she attempted to save the poor lifeless swathe of purple silk at the very last minute." (prologue)
Favourites
"In the end, it's not the changes that will break your heart; it's that tug of familiarity." (p. 19)
"'What are you really studying?'
'It's top secret,' he tells her, his face utterly serious.
'And you seem nice, so I don't want to have to kill you.'
'Gee, thanks,' she says." (pp. 41-42)
"'You,' he says, laughing in spite of himself, 'are mad as a hatter.'
'Wait a second,' Hadley says, looking at him with mock horror. 'Is that a reference to a . . . <i>cartoon</i>?
'No, genius. It's a reference to a famous work by Lewis Carroll. But once again, I can see how that American education is working for you.'" (p. 56)
Trailers:
Yes, there are TWO. One in Hadley's perspective, the other in Oliver's.
I prefer Oliver's. The voice for Hadley seems far too old and screechy for my liking.
Buy:
* cheapest Australian e-store price
AUSTRALIAN RESIDENTS
AUSTRALIAN RESIDENTS
INTERNATIONAL READERS
All links from Booko, because I'm too lazy to search each individual store anymore.
Extras:
Up to date with the author!
Website | Twitter
Other THE STATISTICAL PROBABILITY OF LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT reviews
Eleusinian Mysteries: 5 golden apples {link} The Tales Compendium: 4 stars {link} Book Nerd Reviews: 4 stars {link} YA Reads: 3.5 stars {link}365 Days of Reading: 5 stars {link}
Wondrous Reads: 9/10 {link}
One More Page: 4 stars {link}
The Story Siren {link}
Total Bookaholic: 3/5 {link}
I have received this review copy in return for an honest review.
Challenge: ---
