Published: January 2nd, 2012 | Poppy
Age: Young Adult, contemporary
Pages: 236
Acquired: Bought from amazon.com
Overall:
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:
I featured this book in a WoW post and it's one of the first books I knew I'd be purchasing instead of going to the library. I could just tell I'd love it. I was right!
When a series of aggravating events causes Hadley Sullivan to miss her flight, she knows it'll look bad. Even with her claustrophobia, she'd rather be stuck in an airport that on a plane to attend the wedding of her father and his bride to be. Whom she's never met.
But after she begins to let her thoughts get the best of her, she decides it's time to move around until her next flight, there she meets Oliver and is first put off by the way he takes control, but soon finds herself oddly comfortable around him. When she learns that they're on the same plane, in the same row, she can't help but feel a sense of relief.
While on the plane Hadley opens up about her life and learns a bit about Oliver himself. Though he doesn't seem to let her in fully on his life, he still has a cool demeanor that distracts her from the impending doom that awaits her in the church.
At first I felt that their attraction and connection seemed a bit too sudden, though never forced, until you let yourself go like them and put yourself in their situation. It's a long plane ride, to a place that neither of them want to be, and add a dash of chemistry and a hint of humor and bam instant love connection.
Sort of.
When they arrive in London, it's apparent that these two will be meeting again soon, but even I didn't know how or when. And the surprise actually brought on tears. Sad then later on happy ones.
I didn't need a tissue or anything, but I did get a little emotional with this story.
It wasn't even the emotion between Hadley and Oliver but Hadley and everyone else she encounters in this book.
This is the first book I've read from Jennifer E. Smith, but it most certainly won't be my last!
I'd recommend this for a quick and fun read, perfect for Valentines Day!
This is the first book I've read for my personal Contemporary February challenge and it was a great pick!!
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Author Info:
Jennifer E. Smith is the author of the three young adult novels: The Comeback Season, You Are Here, and The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight. She earned her master's degree in creative writing from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, and currently works as an editor in New York City.
P.S. Today is my 23rd birthday! AGH! Can't believe I'm already 23!! Crazy!! ♥
