Review: The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight - Jennifer Smith

Release Date: January 2, 2012
Publisher: Poppy/Little Brown
Page Length: 236 Pages
Rated: YA 14+

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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. Having missed her flight, she's stuck at JFK airport and late to her father's second wedding, which is taking place in London and involves a soon-to-be stepmother 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 sitting in her row.

A long night on the plane passes in the blink of an eye, and Hadley and Oliver lose track of each other in the airport chaos upon arrival. Can fate intervene to bring them together once more?

Quirks of timing play out in this romantic and cinematic novel about family connections, second chances, and first loves. Set over a twenty-four-hour-period, Hadley and Oliver's story will make you believe that true love finds you when you're least expecting it.

I saw everyone rave about this book,but still sat here saying "that just isn't for me". But I still bought it and it say on my shelf glaring at me. So when Angela from Reading Angel started her page count contest, and posted her April TBR list I formed my own list and this book made it. As I followed my list and approached this book I seriously thought about skipping over it, but I decided just to try to get thought it. Low and behold 4 pages in and I couldn't put this book down. 

Hadley reminded me a lot of myself when it came to her feelings on her father so it was easy for me to relate to her desire to be any where but where she was, doing anything but what she was about to do. As she goes on remembering things about her old life while trying to come to terms with the changes she faces I felt for her. It's not easy to have your whole world changed and at times you can feel so helpless. 

Then we meet Oliver, and the ease at which the two start talking and eat dinner together although they are perfect strangers can't help but make you smile. There banter throughout the flight and the silly things like the duck on the napkin just warm your heart. They make it all look so effortless. When the time come for them to go there separate ways at the airport my heart broke a little.

Once Hadley makes it to her fathers wedding you can again feel her reluctance, she isn't sure she belongs here, and she is just so angry at her father for so many reasons. Slowly though as you go through the ceremony, to the pictures you can see how her conversations with Oliver on the plane make her think that maybe it isn't so bad.

When Hadley realizes why Oliver is really in London she does something so fantastic yet unusual that you can't help but hope it works out for her. In the end of that I feel that I did, although it is clear that Hadley doesn't. But I think this was an important part in Hadley opening up to her father and letting him back in.

I just about balled as Hadley made peace with her father and for her new life. I was so relieved, I wanted her to be happy, and while she no longer has the traditional family she can still be happy. She let go of her anger and started to understand why her father made the choices he made. Watching them clear the air and find a place of love, happiness, and acceptance.

When Oliver made and equally as crazy move as Hadley did earlier I was so excited. The only thing missing from her happily ever after was him. I am not even sure I have the words to describe how I felt in the last few pages of this book. This was an emotional ride that I enjoyed so much. I give this book 5 huge stars, and beg anyone who hasn't read this yet to please do so.