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

Title: The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight 

Author: Jennifer E Smith

Release Date: January 2nd 2012

Publisher: Poppy/Little Brown 

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary 

Series: Stand Alone

Pages: 236

Format: Hardback 

Rating: ★★★★★

"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." Source Goodreads

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight (or SPLFS for short, though it doesn't really make any sense) is a rather tale telling the story of two characters over the course of 24 hours who meet before a flight from America to London. 

Now I've never read a book set over 24 hours, nor have I read much contemporary fiction but I've got to say that I was impressed. As the book is only 236 pages long it is undoubtably a really quick read but the amount of insight into the story and the characters alike was incredible. I really enjoyed getting to know Hadley and Oliver and watch their relationship blossom (not really a spoiler since that is what the book is about) and the little adventure that unfolds along the way. The side story in regards to Hadley and her father was just wonderful and very important in Hadley's growth and understanding of love and relationships. 

Overall SPLFS was a really great read, perfect for summer or anytime when you need a little pick-me-up. Now I don't normally like to compare two completely different books/authors but I've got to say that this book is what I expected Stephanie Perkins' Anna and the French Kiss to be. A light hearted read with wonderful heart warming characters that you'll want to revisit over and over again. 

Review: I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella

Title: I've Got Your Number

Author: Sophie Kinsella

Release Date: February 16th 2012 

Publisher: Bantam

Genre: Chick Lit, Contemporary

Series: Stand Alone

Pages: 381

Format: Hardback 

Rating: ★★★★★

"Poppy Wyatt has never felt luckier: She is about to marry her ideal man. But in one afternoon, everything begins to fall apart. Not only has she lost her engagement ring in a hotel fire drill, but in the panic that follows, her phone is stolen. As Poppy juggles wedding preparations and mysterious phone calls, she soon realizes that she is in for the biggest surprise of her life." Source Goodreads

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Plot: Now I am a huge fan of Sophie Kinsella's writing and story telling skills, which normally means that my expectations for her new releases are very high. I never read reviews or watch anything that will influence my reading enjoyment, I always just go into her books blindly. Meaning that disappointment is always possible as it's already very high up on a pedestal before I even read the first page. Luckily Sophie Kinsella is yet to disappoint me, This book was incredible, and I'd safely say one of my favourites (though I should admit that all her books are my favourite... shhh!) 

I've got your number throws you right into the thick and panic of the story as you follow Poppy, recently engaged and very recently without her engagement ring. I think we've all felt that heart stopping feeling when we realised that we've lost a very important item, but what makes matters worse is that the said ring is a priceless antique formally owned by her fiances late grandmother. Yup, an even more heart in stomach, complete panic ridden situation. Poppy then gets her phone stolen, but a little luck is on her side as she finds an abandoned phone in a bin. And that's where the story begins. 

This book was addictive, hilarious and down right feel good. I adored the main character, her personality though very submissive was perfectly well rounded Poppy was the best friend you'd always wanted. There were so many times I laughed out loud whilst reading I've got your number, and there were even occasions where I myself blushed at Poppy's own embarrassment. 

Overall I loved this book. The writing was wonderful as per usual, and all characters were as loveable as the last (yes even those ones you love to hate.) The love interest was swoon worthy, and if I must admit I was slightly jealous of Poppy by the end. Perfect, perfect perfect is all I can say. I just can't wait to get it back on my bookshelf after lending it to my Mum, who is not giving it the appreciation that it's deserves (she hasn't even started it yet!)

Cover: I adore this cover. It has the typical illustrations that all Sophie Kinsella's books have, meaning that all the hardbacks actually match on my shelf, which is always a bonus. I love the colours, the images and that all the pieces of the story come together on the front cover. A very pretty cover, that I'm sure would attract my attention if I hadn't previously heard and longingly awaited the release.

Happy Reading!

Katie 

Review: Anna And The French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Title: Anna and the French Kiss

Author: Stephanie Perkins

Release Date: August 4th 2011 (originally December 2nd 2010)

Publisher: Speak

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary 

Series: Stand Alone

Pages: 375

Format: Paperback

Source: Bought

Rating: ★★★★

"Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris - until she meets Etienne St. Clair: perfect, Parisian (and English and American, which makes for a swoon-worthy accent), and utterly irresistible. The only problem is that he's taken, and Anna might be, too, if anything comes of her almost-relationship back home.

As winter melts into spring, will a year of romantic near - misses end with the French kiss Anna - and readers - have long awaited" Source Goodreads

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I had very high expectations for this book, as it seemed that everyone and their mother adored it, and it didn't disappoint... too much. I'm not entirely sure what I expected from this book, some incredible romance surrounding a fantastic plot? I don't know. But overall this book turned out to be nothing more than I romance. This review is starting to sound like a bad review, but honestly it's not. Take a look at those shiny 4 stars above if you don't believe me. I just couldn't give it 5 stars because I couldn't find a sub plot to keep me utterly captivated. 

I'm used to reading adult contemporary where the main character goes on this journey doing 'whatever' (there are so many different things that I can't pick one example) and upon this journey she falls in love. Relationships grow stronger, unsure whether feelings are reciprocated, when finally in the last chapter the main character and the love interest fall madly in love with a satisfying first kiss. But this isn't the main plot. This is normally the sub plot, where only snippets of this relationship are given though out leaving you dying for more, but with Anna, it was the whole plot with nothing else to hook you except the relationship between Anna and Etienne. Now don't get me wrong, I loved the romance. The aged of the characters were captured perfectly, and definitely brought back memories of my own fairy tale romance when my husband and I first met. Anna's voice is witty and Etienne is (if I have to admit it) damn fine, but I think I expected a little more. 

Dare I say it, I've read better. It will have pride place on my bookshelf, and sit amongst some great reads, but unfortunately for me doesn't quite make it to my favourites. I wish it did, because Stephanie Perkins' writing is brilliant, and because of that I'm still looking forward to reading Lola and the Boy Next Door. I think that if I'd just started out in reading, and this was one of the first contemporary romance I'd ever read, and I guess if I was in Perkins target audience, I would have adored this story. So if that is you, then please don't hesitate to pick up Anna and the French Kiss, but if you're a little older then please lower your expectations slightly and I'm sure you will love it. 

Happy Reading! 

Katie 

P.S Superficially this book is beautiful. Yes we're going to go there, I had to. Yes the cover is a little cheesy, and admittedly the girl on the cover is not how I pictured Anna, but the quality of this book is incredible. This book has scalloped edge french flaps, textured pages, and the book falls open of the page you want to read which makes reading this book effortless. If I have to admit my favourite part of reading this book was actually reading this book. Sounds a little weird?! I know, but I blooming love this book. haha. I wish publishes made all paperback to this quality. Ahhh... enough said. 

Review: You Against Me by Jenny Downham

Title: You Against Me

Author: Jenny Downham

Release Date: July 7th 2011

Publisher: David Fickling Books

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Realistic Fiction

Series: Stand-alone

Pages: 413

Format: Paperback

Rating: ★★★★★

"If someone hurts your sister and you're any kind of man, you seek revenge, right? If your brother's been accused of a terrible crime and you're the main witness, then you banish all doubt and defend him. Isn't that what families do? When Mikey's sister claims a boy assaulted her at a party, his world of work and girls begins to fall apart. When Ellie's brother is charged with the crime, but says he didn't do it, her world of revision, exams and fitting in at a new school begins to unravel. When Mikey and Ellie meet, two worlds collide. Brave and unflinching, this is a novel of extraordinary skillfulness and almost unbearable tension. It's a book about loyalty and the choices that come with it. But above all it's a book about love - for one's family and for another." Source Goodreads.

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You Against Me was a really good book, amazing in fact. Though it's hard to express your love for a book that tackles such stressful topics. I feel that this is a book that should be read by everyone, as it really has a way of opening your eyes to a world that you never want to admit exists. In saying that, hope and love is found hiding beneath the pages. This book has a way of drawing you in and never letting you go, and though the focus of the plot is difficult, you still want to read every single page. Jenny Downham's writing style is wonderful. She has an amazing talent of capturing the voice of her characters and giving them so much substance that you believe they are real, and could be living on the next street over. 

You against Me is written from the perspectives of the two main characters Ellie and Mikey, who are from different walks of life's but are drawn together by a traumatic event. Downham was able to flip between these characters so effortlessly that I knew without a doubt who was talking at which point. A unique talent. She was able to show the story from the both, and very different perspectives, which left me, as a reader torn between who was right and who was wrong, just like the characters. 

Overall I loved this book. The subject matter is one that I wouldn't have dared to tackle on my own, but thanks to great reviews I did pick this one up. A third of the way through this book I received my amazon order of some new books and though I was desperate to read them, this book just wouldn't let me go. You Against Me is well deserving of 5 starts and I cannot wait to read more from Jenny Downham.

Happy Reading,

Katie 

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