The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight Review

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith may have a ridiculously long title but somehow it works and it’s highly appropriate considering the content. You know that part of the book when you finally realise why it has a particular title and/or the title gets used within the text? That’s one of my favourite parts of a book and I melted when this title was used in dialogue by one of the main characters. A fitting title perhaps from one of the most romantic books I’ve read in a while. It gave me the same warm and fuzzies I got from reading Anna and The French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins. Not only is it an easy read, it’s hugely entertaining and you WONT WANT to put it down. Here’s the synopsis:

“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.”

This book reminded me a little of the movie Before Sunrise where two strangers meet on their travels and spend 24 hours with each other. I have to say that I loved the concept of SPOLAFS from the outset. I mean, have you ever flown solo on a really long flight? If so, I’m sure you wondered about whom you’d be sitting next to, what they would be like. What’s funny about plane journeys is that they’re actually quite intimate. There’s no escape and you have to spend hours with complete strangers, making conversation and possibly getting to know each other. And if you’re lucky enough to meet someone that you’re interested in then it’s always sad to say goodbye when the journey reaches its final destination. But who says you have to say goodbye, right?

SPOLAFS is the ultimate romantic book and one of the strongest things about it? The dialogue. It was so natural and charming; there was nothing false or cheesy about it. Oliver was so lovely; I would quite happily sit next to him on a plane ride :) Speaking of which, there was a particular line in the book that that brought a tear to my eye and although it’s a personal story, I will still tell it. When I was 18, I was an au pair in America and I stayed out there for about 13 months without going home once. I bought endless phone cards and tried to talk to my parents whenever I could. I remember having a particularly rough day, crying down the phone when my mum said to me “Honey, I may be back in England but I love you and at the end of the day, it’s only geography”. There’s a really similar line in the book and it caught me off guard. Good job I already had some tissues at the ready!

I can totally see this book as a movie and I hope to God some hot shot production company buys the film rights as it totally deserves to be up on the big screen. The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight is dripping in gorgeousness and has stolen my heart. Whenever I have to fly solo in the future, I’m always going to be wondering if an Oliver will be sat next to me.

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight is published on 2nd January, 2012 in the US and 5th January, 2012 in the UK. I’d definitely recommend you put this one on your Christmas list!