Statistically speaking, this should have been right up my alley, but I found something missing. An enjoyable read, overall, though, so would definitely recommend it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Muse for the ARC of Statistically Speaking. All thoughts and opinions are completely my own.

I absolutely loved this book. The characters felt incredibly real and relatable, especially Gemma — I was rooting for her every step of the way as she searched for the daughter she had placed for adoption. Her emotional journey was handled with such care and authenticity, and the relationships she built along the way were beautifully written.

This story is heartfelt and deeply human. While there is a touch of romance, it definitely takes a back seat to the bigger themes of connection, forgiveness, and finding your place in the world. If you're looking for a moving, character-driven story with emotional depth and just a hint of romance, I highly recommend picking this one up.

**4-Star Review for "Statistically Speaking" by Debbie Johnson**

"Statistically Speaking" by Debbie Johnson is a captivating and thought-provoking exploration of identity, connections, and the unpredictable nature of life. The story centers around Gemma Jones, a high school history teacher whose meticulous life is turned upside down by a whirlwind of emotions tied to her past. Gemma's unique coping mechanism—counting socks whenever her anxiety flares up—adds a charming quirk to her character and sets the tone for this engaging narrative.

Johnson brilliantly captures Gemma's internal struggle as she grapples with the memories of the baby she gave up for adoption at sixteen. With her daughter's eighteenth birthday approaching, the possibility of meeting the young woman she has referred to as Baby looms large, intertwining with the arrival of Katie, a new student who shares striking similarities with Gemma. The tension between hope and fear is palpable, and readers will find themselves rooting for Gemma as she navigates this complex emotional terrain.

The writing is both heartfelt and humorous, blending moments of levity with deeper themes of acceptance and self-discovery. The supporting characters, particularly Margie, Gemma's sweet neighbor, and Karim, the charming PE teacher, are well-developed and add richness to the story. Together, they create a supportive community that helps Gemma explore her past and find clarity in her present.

Though some aspects of the plot may feel familiar to fans of contemporary women's fiction, Johnson’s nuanced portrayal of Gemma’s journey ensures that the story remains fresh and engaging. The themes of connection, love, and the search for identity resonate strongly, making this book both relatable and inspiring.

Overall, "Statistically Speaking" is a delightful and moving read that successfully intertwines elements of humor, romance, and emotional depth. It’s a wonderful choice for those seeking a meaningful story about finding oneself amidst life's uncertainties. Highly recommended!

I enjoyed this book, particularly the character of Gemma, who I found quirky and relatable. The book touches on heavy topics like mental health, addiction, teenage pregnancy, and adoption. The story highlights themes of friendship, women supporting women, and facing personal challenges, with romance being a secondary element. It was an easy book to read, its flowed nicely, and felt authentic.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for an advanced copy to honestly review.

Statistically Speaking by Debbie Johnson is a heartfelt and introspective novel that explores themes of family, identity, and self-acceptance. The story follows Gemma Jones, a high school history teacher whose life is shaped by her love of facts, figures, and patterns—habits that help her manage her anxiety. However, when the daughter she gave up for adoption nearly eighteen years ago reaches out, Gemma is forced to confront her past and navigate the complexities of reunion and personal growth.

Johnson’s writing is warm and engaging, blending humor with emotional depth. The novel does a good job of portraying Gemma’s struggles with anxiety and her reliance on numbers as a coping mechanism, making her a relatable and well-rounded protagonist. The supporting cast, including friends and family members, adds both charm and depth to the narrative. The exploration of adoption and reconnection is handled sensitively, offering a balanced perspective on the emotions involved for all parties.

While the book delivers plenty of touching moments, some readers may find the pacing uneven, particularly in the middle sections where Gemma’s internal conflicts occasionally slow the momentum. Additionally, those looking for a more dramatic or unpredictable plot may find the story’s progression somewhat predictable. However, for readers who enjoy character-driven stories with a mix of humor and heartfelt emotion, Statistically Speaking is a thoughtful and engaging read.

Overall, Johnson delivers a touching novel that will likely appeal to fans of contemporary fiction centered around personal growth and relationships. While it may not offer major surprises, its warmth and authenticity make it a worthwhile read.

I really love stories with characters who must build for themselves the family they wish they'd had. It gives a special insight into their mindset and their true wants and needs. That's exactly what we get with Gemma.

She has tried to leave her difficult childhood and teen years behind and build a life for herself that she loves and can be proud of. But can we ever truly leave our past behind? Or must we eventually face those choices and forgive others and ourselves.

Thanks to the publisher for the advance copy.

In this fascinating and deeply relatable new women’s fiction title, readers follow Gemma, a high school history teacher who loves the certainty of history because her own is so complicated. Seemingly straightforward, Gemma is haunted by the baby she gave up for adoption in her teens because Baby will be turning eighteen this year, and she might have the chance to meet her for the first time. When new student Katie appears in Gemma’s life with red hair and the same birthday as Baby, Gemma thinks she has found her and worries about her friendship with Katie’s mom collapsing if this is true. As Gemma copes with the potential changes ahead of her, she must also open up to finding peace with her life and her past. With a great emotional heart and so much happening, this novel is grounded in reality and has some fantastic character relationships and development at its core that readers will love. Gemma is a relatable and flawed protagonist, and readers will love seeing her story grow and change over the course of the novel. A fantastic new release from Debbie Johnson, fans of character-driven stories with incredibly emotional writing will love this new book.

TL;DR: Unexpectedly wonderful.

The blurb mentions Bridget Jones as a comp. Well, the heroine is named Jones and watches Pride and Prejudice with a friend to gawk at Colin Firth in a wet shirt. Close enough? This isn’t a rom-com or a diary; it’s much closer to Marian Keyes, who happens to be my favourite living author.

There are plot twists that happen, conveniently, exactly where I think what to expect next. There’s a hot PE teacher (oh, hang on, that’s also Bridget Jones) I have a crush on, and he’s pretty much perfect, if Mr Vein rather than King… ah, spoiler. This was my only gripe; the chapter titles are pretty damning spoilers. I could have probably spared myself quite a lot of reading time by only going through the table of contents. Except then I’d have missed a book that made me laugh a bit, cry a bit, and ensured I’ll be reading more Debbie Johnson in my future. Marian Keyes doesn’t write quickly enough and when I compare Johnson to Keyes, I don’t say it lightly.

An absolutely lovely, cosy if dark book.

I received a free ARC via NetGalley. This did not influence my opinions.

My ratings:
5* = this book changed my life
4* = very good
3* = good
2* = I should have DNFed
1* = actively hostile towards the reader*

This was a very cushy heartwarming story but wasn’t the most believable. Kids in care with parents who have addictions and then go onto have a baby at 16 who they then put up for adoption don’t tend to go on to be successful teachers with their own lovely homes. As sad as it is, the reality is they just don’t due to a lack of opportunity and support.
I am guessing that’s why the book is called “statistically speaking” though.
It starts off gritty and sombre but then turns into coincidences that are a bit far fetched and a love interest who is the most perfectly understanding, supportive and caring man to ever walk this earth. I want my husband to be like Karim.
The ending was heart warming but expected.
The coincidences with Katie were also a bit cliche and I felt not really needed.
It was an easy enough to read book for a rainy afternoon or whilst waiting for the kids to come out of school but il probably forget all about it pretty quickly- I mean it was ok.

The concept of this book was interesting, and I liked the character's quirkiness and relationships between female characters. Despite being a heartwarming story, personally this book wasn't for me because I didn't feel engaged with the plot or the pace. I thought the pace was very slow, and I wasn't particularly invested in the romance either.

A heartwarming story with plenty to like and a quirky palette of characters. Gemma's letter to her yet-unborn daughter to begin the novel opened the action on a wistful, positive note; the rest of the novel focuses on her pining for the daughter she never knew and wondering where she is when she's the age Gemma herself was when she gave birth to her.

The math lover in me definitely wanted a bit more statistics, but I definitely appreciated how Gemma saw the world in such a beautiful, numerical way throughout.

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!