To start off: I'm not one to read romance novels. I read novels with romances in them, but I've never touched any book even remotely close to romance novels. That being said, it surprised me when I checked out a book from my high school's library called "The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight" by Jennifer E. Smith.

I found it when I realized that I'd read all the books my school had from my normal genres (science fictions and young adult fantasy), I looked through all the books trying to find something that seemed like I might enjoy, even a bit for the next class.

Searching through titles to maybe find something, I came across this book. I was about to take statistics and thought the title might show a bit of insight into what the book was about. I was wrong, but the summary on the back drew me in even more.

That summer, I was scheduled to go to England and France for my graduation present from my grandparents. This book was about a girl who meets a boy in the airport who happens to be on her plane to London. I was a bit tempted to put it back once I found out it was a romance, but it was only about 100 pages so I thought "why not?" The best chance I could've taken in reading material. And here is why:

The book doesn't just focus on romance.

The main character, Hadley, is dealing with some hard stuff. Her parents got divorced a while ago, and she's had an anger building in her for a couple years thinking that her father just left without thinking of the consequences for her or her mother. Now her dad is getting remarried in London, and she's supposed to be a bridesmaid to a woman she hasn't even met, nor wants to. The struggles of Hadley are something everyone whose dealt with a change in family dynamics can relate to. My favorite line comes out of this situation: "It's not the changes that will break your heart, it's the tug of familiarity."

This book has all the cheesey-ness and predictability of a Nicholas Sparks book but on a more innocent level.

I have been forced in the past to watch some of those famous romance movies, and I always wonder what's the point when you know the end? They get together in some passionate way and the man is always tough and romantic all at the same time. Not my cup of tea. In this book, you can tell from the foreshadowing almost right away what will happen, but some points aren't as usual as you'd think. Yes, they get together and everything works out, but you still want to be on the ride with them.

The boy, Oliver, is real world while still being a character you want to read about.

Oliver is struggling with his own daddy issues, but he's just as sassy as the class clown you knew from high school. He's witty and ready at any point to give you a line to make you smile. He's also kind and cares deeply about the people close to him. Oliver's the guy we love to have on a Friday night, and also on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Writing anything further on why I love this book would probably give away too many spoilers, so stopping here is probably best. My favorite thing about this book though is definitely the amount of relatable quotes that Jennifer E. Smith uses. She is truly and excellent writer and I love how this book is very real world and seems like it can happen to anyone. It's my favorite book, and I suggest everyone read it.