Review: The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

SUMMARY FROM GOODREADS:

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. 

MY TAKE
I was looking for a light YA romance read, and this certainly fit the bill.

In The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, Hadley has to go to London to attend her father's wedding. She ends up being late to her flight, and has to take a later flight. While waiting for her flight, she befriends Oliver, who turns out to be on the same flight as her. During the flight to London, they grow closer and there seems to be something more between them. However, their reasons for going to London takes them away from each other. Will they meet again.

This wasn't as light a read as I expected, but it's certainly a quick one. The first half of the book made me think of Before Sunset, which I love. The romance between Oliver and Hadley was sweet. It was a little bit too filled with coincidences, which I found too convenient, however, I decided to chalk it up to a series of occurrences that happened despite the small statistical probability that they would.

I found Oliver to be charming enough, and his sense of humor is very similar to my husband's. However, as a whole, I didn't really feel anything for him as a romantic lead. Granted, the whole book takes place over the span of twenty-four hours so we don't get a chance to truly get to know Oliver. Had there been more time, I think, I would have warmed up to him.

I liked Hadley a lot though. She can be sarcastic, and her comments were on point. I also liked Hadley's mom. anyone who's been screwed over the way she has deserves good things to happen to her. I disliked Hadley's dad, though. While Hadley's memories of her dad shows that her dad wasn't a monster, I have an intense dislike for people who cheat and then rationalize it as falling in love with someone else. Selfish jerk. It's even worse because he had a child. What the heck is that? Disgusting. He should have gone home when he was supposed to. If he had, then maybe he'd have seen that it was just loneliness or something. Argh, I'm still fuming.

This book, despite the title, isn't just about romance. It's about family and forgiveness too. That was a nice touch, and put some depth in what could have been a very typical YA romance novel.

THE GOOD:

1. It's about as family as much as it is about the romance between Hadley and Oliver.
2. Hadley is relateable.
3. It's easy to imagine yourself hanging out with Hadley and Oliver.   

THE BAD:

1. Some of the coincidences felt too convenient. 

FAVORITE QUOTE/S:

“What are you really studying?"
He leans back to look at her. "The statistical probability of love at first sight.” 

READ IT IF:

1. You liked the movie Before Sunset and want to read a modern YA version.
2. Your parents are divorced or about to be divorced and you are angry with one or both of them.
3. You like meet-cutes. 

RATING:


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