Author: Jennifer E. Smith
Published: January 2nd 2012
Add It: Goodreads
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository
Who would have guessed that four minutes could change everything?At first I really adored this book. Not to say I don't appreciate it now, but without the emotional fluff and cheese high holding me captive I can rate this more objectively. My review will contain my original thoughts 'while' and 'after' reading The Statistical since I’m using my notes to craft this review right now, but my rating has changed a little. Also, thanks so much to my lovely friend Christina [Christina Reads YA] who kindly gifted me a gorgeous paperback copy.
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.
“Love is the strangest, most illogical thing in the world.”
The main plus for me was Hadley and her dad and how the book showcased two possibilities and their outcomes with two families as examples. The rekindling of a father-daughter relationship was beautiful to watch and brought me to tears, though not full on crying. It was very humbling.
Now, a few months later I realize that it was just that—a fluffy read full of promises and possibilities, but I probably won’t remember much in a few years other than a plane ride and a wedding. The book suited me at the time and I will most likely re-read it on a rainy day when I’m in need of a cute contemporary, but since the characters or the plot didn’t leave big impressions on me, my rating has been brought down from the original 3.5.
I definitely recommend this to people who are in need of some fluff, cheese and light family drama with a happy ending to every problem. It created cute two evenings for me and I’m forever grateful for that. It’s just that compared to some of the other books I had read at the time, and have read now, this doesn’t stand out hence the new lower rating. I will most certainly check out some other books by Jennifer when I have the time.
Overall rating: 3.0 out of 5.0
Stars: ★★★
I felt exactly the same way about this book Siiri, I really wanted more from it, I guess my expectations were too high going into it, it was cute and fluffy in all the right places, but I really can't remember much about it. I think I may have also had a couple of issues with the parents too (or I could be thinking of a different book entirely), I have Smith's latest book to read yet, so here's hoping I'll enjoy that a bit more! Lovely review!
ReplyDeleteMe TOO! It was kind of upsetting for me to be teary-eyed over something to do with girlie's dad (or cool guy's dad come to think of it) in the middle of such a MEH lace and flowers kind of read. Like you said, it was good and I liked it more than I though I would, but still . . . nothing spectacular. Great review, Siiri!
ReplyDeleteJessica @ Rabid Reads
I read it when it first came out and really did love it. And you know how much insta-love bothers me, but in this case, I actually understood what the insta-love and I felt like the characters really got to know each other on a personal level on that airplane. (If only I could meet cute boys on planes! All I do is sleep, so that's not happening anytime soon!)
ReplyDeleteAnyways, I'm with you in that it's not really a deep book although it did tackle parent-kids issues well. At the end of the day, it was a cute contemporary read that's perfect to read in between dark books and hey, those are pretty great too. :)
Lovely review, Siiri!
I absolutely adored this book. I went the audio route, and listening to it was perfect. It was a quite stressful time in my life when I read it, so I think the fluffiness of it was exactly what I needed at the time. I can completely understand what you mean though. Great review!
ReplyDeleteI think I gave this one a 4, I can't remember, but I agree that it was light and fluffy and cute and perfect for a quick read. It wasn't as memorable as I would have hoped, but still a solid read for me. I really liked This is What Happy Looks Like, so I'll be curious to see what you think of that one if you pick it up Siiri!
ReplyDeleteI don't read many fluffy reads, but I'm more in the mood now (with the wonderful weather :D) and I'll write this one down on my list! Thanks :)
ReplyDeleteI don't think I can do the 'fall in love in a day' books. I read Just One Day by Gayle Forman and hated it! I have some of this author's books in my TBR though...
ReplyDeleteI read this when it first cam out and loved it. But I have to say that I don't remember much about now since you mentioned it lol Great review Siiri!
ReplyDeleteI read this when it released, and I actually remember so much about it. This scenario doesn't always work for me, but in this case it did.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your thoughts.
I loved Oliver and Hadley's romance but I hated the bits about Hadley's father. As a parent I thought he behaved horribly towards his daughter. When you have kids, they should be your priority and I didn't feel like his actions ever conveyed that. I thought Hadley let him off the hook way too easily! Great review, Siiri. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm kind of concerned at just how fluffy Jennifer E Smith's books are...I just read The Geography of You and Me (it's my first J.E.S read) and...yeah, but no? It wasn't really captivating and I was a bit meh about it all up. I'm kind of worried about trying this one now! Although I HAVE heard they're doing the movie casting now, aren't they? So I kind of need to read it. ;)
ReplyDeleteGreat review Siiri, I've got this one on my shelf and I think I'd definitely read it for one of those "in between" reads.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your thoughts, Siiri! I've heard the same that it's a cute and light read. It may be something that I'd want to read later in between books or maybe while waiting for the next book in a series. I could use a little fluff sometimes :)
ReplyDeleteThis definitely sounds like something you read when you can't be bothered to think. I like fluff, but only when I'm in the mood for it. It sucks that this book didn't leave a bigger impression on you. The characters and plot really do sound pretty mediocre though, so I totally understand. :)
ReplyDeletei'm actually a huge fan of Jennifer E Smith because of her sweet cute fluffy reads. Sometimes you just NEED a fluufy read and this author has become the author i run too when i need one. All her books sort of follow the same pattern and their light and cheesy but i don't mind because it's her style & it's good to sometimes read one of these to get my head out of the gutter with all those dystopians/mysteries and paranormals i'm always reading! I get that this book didn't completely impress you but i didn't too me either but i'm okay with that! Hopefully your next read does though and it's a five star read ;)
ReplyDeleteLily @ Lilysbookblog
I do agree what you said about the characters, Siiri. I read this around September last year I believe and I can't really remember much of it apart from the wedding the plane ride like you said :|
ReplyDeleteLovely review, hun! <33
I am okay about fluffy reads, I have this one. I read the first few pages and I liked it. But it was a book I bought so I never had a chance to finish yet oh bah
ReplyDeleteSometimes you just really need a really fluffy read! And this book is definitely a great choice.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I do agree that it's not super memorable...I read it maybe 2 years ago and can hardly remember anything about it except that it made me feel the warm fuzzies :)
WE ARE THE SAME, SIIRI. Well, at least in this case ;) I thought it was super cute and fun, but really, I don't remember much about it and it was mostly a book to pass the time and say I read it, to be honest. Fluffy books are need sometimes though :)
ReplyDeleteSometimes after a heavier darker read I need this type of book to cleanse my palate and enjoy light and fluffy.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, this is light and fluffy and fun, but not deeply meaningful. I enjoyed reading it, but don't look back on it as a book that did anything amazing for me. However, I do like these types of stories at times, though I haven't wanted to pick up any of this author's other books yet.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I've read two books by Jennifer and gave them like 3-3.5 stars. They're really the definition of cute and fluffy (: The issue is that there's not really any sustenance to them. They're also not that memorable and don't leave a huge impact on me. For example when I was reading this review I actually had to refresh myself on the storyline lol. I do remember liking the family element with the main characters father though ^.^
ReplyDeleteLovely review <33
I've been wanting to read this for ages now; I've heard so many things and it seems like a sweet book. The books I read usually tend to be more serious or with more emotional depth, so I'll bear this one in mind for when I want something lighter and not necessarily memorable. I definitely know what you mean about comparing to other books - now that we've seen what's out there, our ratings are put into perspective. Wonderful review, Siiri! :)
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