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

Published: January 2, 2012 by Poppy
Received: borrowed from a friend ;-)

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 18B. 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. {taken from goodreads.com}

Go to your calendar, right now, and mark January 2nd as the day to buy this book!  I'm going to be totally upfront and honest, you will want this book - trust me.  This is probably one of the best surprises I've read in awhile.  Yes, I was intrigued to read it when I first heard about it.  I think everyone has been.  But I didn't realize just how GOOD it would be.  I devoured this book in less than 24 hours, which is ironic because the entire story takes place in exactly 24 hours.  It's a fast paced, well thought out storyline that kept me turning the pages.  The ridiculously long title is probably the best aspect of the story.  And you won't know it until the very last page, which makes it even better.

Hadley misses her flight to London by 4 minutes.  It's those 4 minutes that change her life forever, but she doesn't realize it until much later.  While waiting to board the next flight, she encounters a tall, charming British young man by the name of Oliver.  He comes to her rescue (in more ways than one) and the two strangers slowly open up to one another in the airport terminal.  If things couldn't be more ironic, the pair end up sitting side by side on the flight to London.  Their lengthy conversations continue, mainly focusing on Hadley and why she is making the trip across the pond.  She's the guest of honor for her father's wedding.  A marriage that she is not in favor of, because it solidifies the end of one chapter of her life, and the beginning of something she's not quite ready to face.  The rising anxiety is quickly kept at bay by Oliver's knack to ask outlandish questions and give interesting stories to keep Hadley's mind off her fears of being in confined spaces.  As their plane stretches out across the ocean, so does the obvious connection between Hadley and Oliver.

When the two not-so-quite strangers anymore find themselves at customs in the London airport, they are forced to say a quick goodbye.  Hadley suddenly realizes she's not ready to let go of Oliver.  She also realizes that she knows nothing about his reasons for coming to London, where he'll be staying, and for how long.  The entire plane ride was focused on her troubles with her father's wedding, and her ill feelings about their distant relationship over the last year.  In a blink of an eye Oliver is gone and Hadley is left standing in the airport, realizing she may have just missed out on one of the best moments of her life.

This book took me by surprise, as I said before.  I was not expecting the depth of emotion that it possessed.  Hadley's relationship with her father and their past played a heavy role through out the story.  It sets the back drop for Hadley growing close to Oliver, a complete stranger that she feels compelled to tell anything to.  I love the idea of the "what ifs" in life.  What if Hadley had made her original flight?  What if Hadley decided to never even go to her father's wedding?  If none of that happened, then Oliver never would have happened.  The writing moves the story along at a steady pace.  Since it's set during 24 hours, you're constantly watching the clock, knowing it will end soon - but how? 

I know for a fact this will be a huge hit among the YA contemporary fans.  It's definitely left a lasting impression in my heart.  I read this book as if I was watching a movie.  Each scene playing out as two people on the big screen.  I visualized Hadley's urgency, as well as her hesitations so vividly.  I have a soft spot for British boys in YA lit as well.  There's just something about that accent (even though I do a terrible version of it in my head).  I loved Oliver's personality.  He was so content on helping Hadley, making things easier, better for her.  Yet he had his own personal demons he was battling with too.

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight is a must read for 2012.  Mark your calendars.  Request an early copy.  Do what you need to do.  You don't want to miss out on this book, it was most definitely love at first sight for me.