Stories & Sweeties

Review: Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight

2012-02-22T22:58:00.005-08:00

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

publisher: Poppy

release date: January 2nd, 2012

hardcover, 256 pages

intended audience: Young adult

rating:

source: from publisher for honest review

description: 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 18C. 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.

Review: For so long, Statistical Probability of Love at First sight was an ideal, a dream, a hope that something would come along a fill the void left by closing the last page of the perfect romance that was Anna & the French Kiss. And while this book was funny, charming, sweetly romantic, and deeply fascinating while you watched Hadley and Oliver connect to each other, it didn't blow me away like I'd hoped. I did, however, genuinely enjoy every second of reading it and loved being reminded that a even the tiniest details of your day, like having to run back into the house for something you forgot, can change everything...can change your fate.

For a story that takes place in a 24 hour period, you really got to know a good deal about Hadley. I really liked her, she was smart, opinionated, and loyal to her mother to a fault. She's been hurt and that shows in her character. I enjoyed watching a little happiness come her way in the form of cute british guy, Oliver, that she almost instantly connects to. The two characters were fun to watch---they were funny together, played so well off of the other's humor, plus Oliver plays a kind of subtle hero in helping distract her from her fear of flying. It was all very sweet.

They delve deeper into their family lives---we get a good insight on what Hadley is going through with her Dad and how she is handling her family situation (this subplot was really one of my favorite parts of the story), but with Oliver I kind of felt it really just skimmed the surface of his story. I did feel that the whole story would have drawn me in more if it had been told in the first-person perspective of Hadley.

All in all, a quick, fun, romantic read. It was like a sweet snapshot memory of a couple telling how they met in a crowded airport years and years ago, and they lived happily ever after---at least that's what I hope happens for Hadley and Oliver beyond the last pages of this book. :)

Jennifer E. Smith's website: www.jenniferesmith.com

Purchase Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight at: Amazon • BN.com • BookDepository • Indiebound

A cute touch! One trailer was made for Hadley:

And one for Oliver! :D

Waiting on Wednesday

2012-02-21T23:32:00.010-08:00

"Waiting on Wednesday" is a weekly meme hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine. It lets us all gush about what soon-to-be released books we are jumping-up-and-down excited for.

Darkness Falls
by Jessica Sorensen

releasing on March 17th, 2012

description:
When the disease spread through the world, people had no choice but to go into hiding. The Colony is hidden deep underground, far away from the vampires—humans that were transformed by the disease. The vampires are hideous, starving, and they will kill any human they come across.
Seventeen-year-old Kayla is a Bellator, a warrior that protects The Colony. In order to survive, there are three rules she must follow:
Rule #1—Never go out after dark.
Rule #2—Always carry a weapon.
Rule #3—No matter what, never EVER get bit.
But what happens when the rules Kayla has always lived by can no longer apply?
The Highers run The Colony and accept nothing less than perfection. One slip up can mean death. Kayla has always worked hard to follow the rules and strive for perfection. But during a moment of weakness, she lets her imperfections show. Her punishment is worse than death. She is chosen for The Gathering and is thrown out into a world full of starving vampires.
No one has ever survived The Gathering, at least that’s what Kayla’s been told. But when she runs into a group who insist they were once part of The Gathering, Kayla discovers the Highers have been keeping secrets. Secrets that could lead to a cure.

My thoughts: Main character, Kayla, sounds like a bad-ass. Vampires are back to their rightful place as the baddies(lol). And the cover is awesome. Look at her face---that girl means business! Definitely looking forward to this one!

Cover Story!

2012-02-20T23:45:00.004-08:00

Some fantastic covers have been revealed recently! Here's what I came across this week:
(Now, note that some of these might have been out for awhile LOL, I admit I haven't been seeking them out lately! But these are all new to me! :D)

All covers lead to Goodreads. Enjoy the eye candy! :D

My favorites here? Gravity and What's Left of Me. Beautiful!