This is a review of the audio version of the book:
I have read several of the author’s books but they all fell into a certain genre style. They are women-centric, yet there is a difference I struggle to put into words. The series where people from a small geographical location or related to one another find romantic partners over a series of books also had some heart-felt moments and deep-rooted struggles, but both the previous book – Jenny James Is Not a Disaster, and this one feel more serious to begin with although they too end happily in their own time.

Gemma Jones has had a tough life. we see her as a teen and then jump ahead in time eighteen years. She has a semblance of a life now, but she is set to run this time as well. Gemma is not used to the idea of setting down roots but when a new girl joins her class her imagination gets ahead of her and opens her up to change. Unexpected things happened which helped make it an interesting read. It is very easy to want something nice to happen for Gemma.

I think the narrator did a great job in bringing the book to life. It was easy to picture the emotions and the flow of the story as and when things happened. I would highly recommend the book, the author and the narrator to fans of the genre.

I received an ARC thanks to Netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own listening experience.

"Statistically Speaking" is a story of overcoming obstacles and finding family. The MC, Gemma, was raised in foster care after being taken away from her mentally unstable mother, and it's been hard for Gemma to rely on anyone since.

When she was 16, she gave up her baby for adoption. She later became an A-level teacher, and when the time comes that her students are the same age her daughter would be, she can't help but wonder what the girl would be like. Was she happy? Did she have good parents? Would they ever get to know one another?

As Gemma struggles with these questions, one-by-one, people in her new village slip past her protective walls, including the student that might actually be her baby.

I really enjoyed this story, despite some of the sadness of it. There was always a glimmer of hope, especially as Gemma started to be surrounded by people who knew her and liked her for who she was, struggles and all. The encouragement and support of her found family helped her identify the changes she wanted to make in her life and helped her secure a future she looked forward to.

Thank you to Debbie Johnson, the publisher and NetGalley for an advance review copy. I truly enjoyed it!

"Statistically Speaking" by Debbie Johnson is a heartfelt novel that delves into themes of self-discovery, family, and the complexities of personal history. The story follows Gemma Jones, a high school history teacher who finds comfort in the certainties of the past, perhaps as a counterbalance to her tumultuous upbringing. At sixteen, Gemma made the difficult decision to place her baby for adoption, and as her daughter approaches her eighteenth birthday, Gemma contemplates the possibility of reconnecting.

Johnson crafts a poignant narrative infused with humour, capturing the essence of human resilience. The characters are well-developed, and Gemma's quirks and vulnerabilities make her particularly relatable. The novel addresses heavy topics such as mental health issues, addiction, and teenage pregnancy with sensitivity, offering readers a profound exploration of personal growth and the bonds that define us.

While the storyline is somewhat predictable, it is executed with warmth and authenticity, making it a comforting read. The dynamics between characters, especially the portrayal of found family and supportive friendships, add depth to the narrative. For those seeking a story that balances emotional depth with lighthearted moments, "Statistically Speaking" is a commendable choice that highlights the enduring power of love and connection.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Emotional and impactful. Will definitely hit home for anyone that has experienced something similar to Gemma. Profound discussions on family and making the most of life.

Ok ok are you crying? I have no idea what is wrong with me but why did I sob?

It's not really a sad story, and I absolutely love that Gemma's struggles are so real and relatable. It made the story 10x better! Now, I think the line "PS—I have met you now. You are amazing. The most beautiful thing I have ever seen, and the best thing I have ever done. You will never be mine, but I will be forever yours. Lots of love, Your mum" is what did it for me

Yep, I will be out of order for 3-5 business days sorry

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Harper Muse for the arc!

This book was heartwarming. It was a little slow to start with but once I was about 30% in I couldn't put it down. I love the found family aspect, the adoption, the teacher romance. I just really enjoyed this story.

Statistically Speaking was an emotional rollercoaster in the best way possible. Gemma is such a relatable character, and her quirky habit of counting socks when anxiety takes over was both endearing and real. I loved how Debbie Johnson blended humor with deeper, more poignant moments as Gemma navigates the complicated feelings surrounding the daughter she gave up for adoption.

The mix of self-discovery, family reunion, and romance made for a compelling story. I particularly enjoyed Gemma's journey of coming to terms with her past, and the mystery surrounding Katie was both intriguing and a little nerve-wracking. The friendship between Gemma and Margie, her sweet neighbor, was a heartwarming highlight of the story, too.

Though the pacing was a little slow at times, the emotional payoff was definitely worth it. The way Gemma slowly starts to find peace with her past and present felt really satisfying. The romance with Karim was cute, but it felt secondary to the larger emotional journey Gemma goes through.

Overall, I found Statistically Speaking to be an uplifting, funny, and touching read. It's perfect for anyone who enjoys a heartfelt journey with a mix of humor and depth. The ending left me feeling hopeful, and I’m so glad I picked this one up.

This was my first adventure with Debbie Johnson and it was such a lovely ride. I adored this book and found myself relating to Gemma and her need for certainty.

Gemma is a successful high school history teacher that resides in an adorable beachside cottage next to the sweetest neighbor and has caught the eye of the handsome PE teacher. Things in life seem good for this thirtysomething. But there’s one thing she can’t get off her mind: the baby she gave up for adoption when she was sixteen.

This year her baby will turn eighteen, so statistically speaking, it might be the year she finds her daughter. Or maybe she already has in new student Katie, who shares the same bright red hair and build as Gemma. And randomly has the same birthday. What are the odds? But, whether Gemma’s search for her baby proves successful, she just might find herself in the process, and that is what truly matters.

This book was so charming and heartfelt. I adored every minute of it – the humor was well-placed and the characters were so engaging. I am excited to read other works by the author.

Thank you to Debbie Johnson, Harper Muse and NetGalley for a digital copy of the book for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing company for this Advanced Readers Copy of Statistically Speaking by Debbie Johnson!

While filled with quirky characters and a heartwarming central story, I still couldn't warm to this novel as much as I had hoped.

Gemma Jones seems to have a picture-perfect life. She teaches math at the local school and loves the definitiveness of historical record and facts. She lives in a cozy cottage next to her lovely neighbor Margie, and has caught the eye of the hot PE teacher at her school. Yet, she still yearns for more. When she was 16, she gave up a daughter for adoption and she knows the girl's 18th birthday is approaching--will she reach out to her birth mom as she's now allowed to do? And is the new redheaded student in her class her long-lost child?

Emotional, real-life issues add depth to this funny, sweet tale. Yet the whimsy of Gemma and her friends gets a little heavy-handed at times and interrupts the flow. I do love that we got closure. Again, this wasn't a 5-star for me, but it was absolutely a 3.5 one. If you like women's fiction with fun characters and a dash of emotional resonance, you'll enjoy this one.

I thought this was a really interesting story. Gemma was put into foster care at a young age and wound up getting pregnant and giving her baby up for adoption. The story chronicles her thoughts around this and what if she were to meet her.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This book had me interesting from the very first page. I don't normally get emotional while reading books, but I did while reading this one, which I think is a sign of a very well written book!

On the outside, Gemma’s a successful history teacher who has her life together. On the inside she’s reminded daily of the little girl she gave up for adoption when she was sixteen years old. Gemma didn’t name her, referring to her only as Baby. This year Baby will turn eighteen and Gemma hopes it might be the year she’s able to meet her face-to-face.

Katie is a new student who has physical characteristics that resemble Gemma’s and against all odds shares the same birthday as Baby. Gemma can’t help but wonder if this new student happens to be the baby she gave up so long ago. Gemma unknowingly (at first) befriends Katie’s mother and worries that their friendship will fall apart if she is indeed Katie’s biological mother.

Gemma’s not sure how the year will play out and whether she’ll see Baby. At the very least she hopes to find herself and find peace, whatever that may look like.

I’ve read several of Debbie Johnson’s books over the past few years and have enjoyed them all.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for allowing me to listen to an ARC of this novel. #NetGalley #StatisticallySpeaking

An emotional story of self-discovery and forgiveness for Gemma as she works through how to find love in all the ways that matter after a traumatic childhood. Explores challenging topics like addiction, mental health & adoption in ways that are relatable. Love a story with found family and deep female friendships and this one delivered. Sweet love story sprinkled in as well. Overall a delightful and touching story that had me sad it was over.
Highly recommend and would love to read more by Debbie!

I recieved a copy through Netgalley for an honest review. Honestly, the first few pages got me hooked. But it gets dull through the middle but the ending is exciting.

Statistically Speaking by Debbie Johnson is an emotional rollercoaster of a novel about love, loss, and found family.

Gemma grew up with a mentally ill, addicted mother who eventually lost custody, sending Gemma into the foster care system in England. At 16, Gemma became pregnant and knew she must give up her child for adoption if either of them is to have a better life than she has had so far. Fast forward 18 years, and Gemma is a now history teacher living in Liverpool with lots of coping mechanisms but few human connections. This is the story of her journey to open her heart to others--both friends and family--and have the kind of life she never thought would be possible for her.

Full of hope and heart, Statistically Speaking handles the most complicated life situations with the depth and tender care they deserve. The narrator's voice is raw and vulnerable, yet ultimately so hopeful. I absolutely loved all of the characters, and especially the descriptions of Liverpool. I felt like I was there, staring out to see with the iron men on the beach. I can't recommend this book highly enough!

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the chance to read and review this e=galley.

Gemma likes thing just so. She counts when she's anxious, and she's made sure to never set down roots. Her mom tried her best, she really did, but Gemma still ended up in and out of foster homes as a child. She found a good one in the end and was able to go on and get her teaching degree. She's done ok, she just isn't the best at connecting with others.

Now things are starting to change. She likes where she lives, and she's started talking to her neighbor Margie. She even walks Margie's dog Bill and borrows him when she needs the comfort. The cute gym teacher has asked her out a few times, but Gemma knows she's terrible at relationships. She's not ready for more, especially when this is the year her baby turns 18. The one she gave up for adoption, since she was only 16 at the time. She wanted her daughter to have a better life and chances that she didn't have growing up. Still, she wonders what she would have turned out like.

When a new student starts in Gemma's history class, she wonders if it's possible that Katie was the baby she gave up. She's tall, like Gemma, has the same birthday as her baby, and even shares the same riotous red hair. Katie and her mom have moved from London, and it all seems to be adding up. Is Katie all of Gemma's dreams for her daughter realized and finally meeting her face to face?

This one was so good. I laughed, I cringed for Gemma, and most of all I rooted for her. Even when things get too much, and she thinks the only option left is to run, you just couldn't help hoping that everything would work out. An uplifting, laugh out loud funny, quirky novel that had me grinning and wanting to talk about it, I definitely wouldn't mind coming back to this one again and again.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for the ARC of this one.

This heartwarming and humorous novel delves into the complexities of human relationships and the enduring power of love and forgiveness. With richly developed characters and a compelling storyline, it explores themes of self-discovery, family reconciliation, and overcoming past struggles, while also delivering plenty of laugh-out-loud moments.

Readers will be drawn into the lives of the characters as they navigate the challenges and joys of life, experiencing both heartwarming and humorous moments along the way. The novel's relatable themes and engaging storytelling will resonate with a wide audience, particularly those who appreciate character-driven stories and enjoy a blend of humor and emotion.

Fans of authors like Jenny Colgan and Bridget Jones will find much to enjoy in this novel, as it shares a similar tone and sensibility. The author's witty prose and keen observations about human nature will keep readers entertained from beginning to end, while the novel's heartwarming message will stay with them long after they've turned the final page.

It was an interesting story to read. I liked the main character and the topics this book touches upon. It evoked a lot of emotions in me while reading and it was a time well spent.
P.S.I loved the setting too!

Statistically Speaking is a heartfelt and deeply moving story that slowly crept into my heart. At its core, it’s about Gemma, a woman who has spent years alone, navigating life without the support she needed. As the story unfolds, we watch her grow—emotionally and mentally—learning that true strength lies in accepting the love and community around her, something she never had as a young girl. Gemma is at a crossroads, torn between the ambitions she’s always pursued and the possibility of embracing a new kind of life, one where she’s supported and cared for. This internal battle is the heart of her journey, and I was captivated by her evolution throughout the book.

The book struck a nice balance, offering just enough romantic tension to keep me invested. The small, sweet moments between Gemma and Kareem added a lovely layer to the story. Kareem, with his patience and kindness, was the ideal counterpart to Gemma’s emotional walls, and I loved seeing how their connection grew. What really stood out, though, was Gemma’s development—her internal monologues provided such a rich window into her growth, especially as she comes to terms with her past and her coping mechanisms. The book also explores important themes like mental health representation and found family, which I appreciated.