4 stars

Just finished reading 'Statistically Speaking' and I'm really glad I did. This novel was surprisingly wholesome even with dealing with grief, pain, loss, and suffering. It follows teen pregnancy, found family, motherhood, and the impact of our youthful years. The story felt very original, like a breath of fresh air.

Gemma, the protagonist, is a history teacher who had a baby when she was 16. She's still dealing with the guilt and pain of not choosing to raise her child. The start of the book hooked me, the letter for the baby (Geoff with a G), and everything.

The plot was a bit slow, I'd say, and Gemma's monologues sometimes seemed never-ending (skimmed through those a few times). Despite the slow pace, the book covered everything, from Margie's story to the hot PE teacher, Karim.

The side characters were hilarious and quirky. I loved the bond Gemma shared with Margie, Katie, and Erin, not to forget Bill, her walking buddy.

The way Gemma dealt with anxiety and stress with statistics and counting was really real and relatable, sometimes funny too. I liked the bond between Karim and Gemma; their romance was simple. I also loved that the book wasn't solely focused on romance; it was women's fiction, and every woman in the story had a tale to tell, from Margie and Katie to Gemma's mom as well.

I devoured this book, but felt the ending could have been a bit more. It felt predictable, and I wanted to see more of Gemma and her daughter.

Overall, this was a good read anyone can enjoy on a quiet evening. For me, it's a one-time read, but I would recommend it to anyone who feels guilty, sad, or suppressed. This novel offers closure that many need.

This book deals with sensitive content: miscarriage (3rd person), drug addiction, teen pregnancy, adoption/fostering, childhood trauma/abandonment, drug and alcohol mentions/addictions, mental health issues (bipolar disorder, OCD).

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harper Muse and Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This novel follows Gemma, 18 years ago, having given birth to a child as a teenager, she decides to give her up, to provide her with better opportunities but she never really let go of her. This follows teen pregnancy, (found) family, motherhood and the impact of our youthful years on us.

This novel was very touching. I really enjoyed the themes, motherhood, adolescences, family, friendship and love. This story felt very original, like breath of fresh air.

The tittle did not make sense to me, I expected statistics, but nothing was there, some counting but I would say that was not enough for it to be part of the title. The start of the novel was quite shocking (first chapter) but the letter was wonderful and really got be attached to Gemma.

The pacing was nothing exceptional, but I never felt bored, which is always wonderful. Similar to the writing style, I really enjoyed the letters, I wish that had been implemated more within the novel. I really enjoyed the setting, as an British reader, knowing the places really helped me visualise the story.

Gemma and the characters around her, supporting her were wonderfully written. The characters felt real, with human emotions, behaviours and struggles. I enjoyed the representation of copying mechanisms for anxiety, like the counting. This novel did not feel like a romance but I lit-fic with some romance, which really made the romance that much better as they were really connecting and being human. The different relationships that were descripted really made this book amazing, from the found family, the friendships and more.

It emotional touched me but nothing like most books, I believe certain readers will feel greatly touched by the story and the characters.

I really enjoyed the ending; it left us hopeful and asking for more.

I enjoyed my read very much. I would recommend to many readers.

Statistically Speaking is as much a story of coming of age through intense adversity, as a story of Girl Power and friendship with a lovely little romance thrown in. Gemma's story has a heart wrenching start leading to empowering relationships sprinkled with clever humor. An engaging and fantastic read!

Statistically Speaking is a heart-warming and hopeful book about chosen family and not judging a book by its cover.

The red-headed main character, Gemma, has had a difficult upbringing, struggles to make genuine connections and mostly keeps things to herself. Most importantly: giving up her daughter for adoption at birth when she was only 16 years old, which has been haunting her ever since. Did she make the right choice? How did her daughter turn out? Is there resentment? As her daughter will soon have her 18th birthday, Gemma is anxious whether she will try to contact her. When she meets a red-headed student that has been adopted herself and shares the same birthday as her baby, she starts to wonder whether this might be her.

The book at times reads like a journal, being written from Gemma's perspective. Not a lot of statistics though (except for some compulsive keeping count of steps and drinks). So if you're curious about what are the odds of this story, you'd have to do your own research. It is generally a fun read though, and at times a bit sad.

This book is labeled as romance, which is not a genre I typically read, and I wouldn't classify it as such myself. It is much more about the different types of relationships between families and friends, opening yourself up and seeing things from different perspectives.

I received an ARC of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

2.5 stars. Thank you, NetGalley for the arc. I just got really bored of this book, but the ending was really heartwarming. It was hard to get through and I just found myself not really wanting to read.

i’m sorry but i couldn’t get past the first chapter… starting a book with a birth scene is just not the vibe for me.

Loved this one! Great and fun read. Highly recommend.
Many thanks to the publisher, Netgalley, and the author for my ARC.

This book full of emotions. I can have my sympathy toward Gemma who has those kinds of dark past: pregnant in very young age, didn't have proper childhood life, had problematic mother etc. That's why she has trauma which made her overthink anything.

This book dive deep into Gemma thoughts and emotions, and I love how Karim being super understanding with her circumstances. It's not romantic type of book, but it's show us about how "mature" relationship happen.

At first, it made my emotion drained because of how Gemma think about everything, it gives us lesson: your denial traits can hurt somebody. After the story goes, I love how Gemma's character develop and how she started accept the truth.

I can say, it's heart-warming story about mother-daughter relationship.

Gemma’s life has never been easy - she grew up with an addicted mother, was in and out of the care system, and found herself pregnant at 16. Due to her and her mother’s issues, she decides to give her daughter up for adoption, even though she wants more than anything to keep her and love her. 18 years later she wonders if she will ever get to meet her daughter, and she finds herself slowly putting down roots and making friends, all the while counting, arranging, and using all sorts of coping mechanisms to deal with her life.

Both Heart warming and Gut Wrenching. This book took you on a journey. This will not be a re read for me but it is nice once of read.

Not my usual read but I found Gemma's story heartwarming. The author took on tough subjects like teen pregnancy and adotion with grace.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review Statistically Speaking!

I enjoyed this story. It was heartbreaking, and an emotional roller-coaster dealing with Gems trauma. This story follows Gem who has 16 had a baby whom she never named and gave her up for adoption knowing she could not provide for her. After the birth of baby it jumps forward 17 years and Gem is doing well for herself but keeps her self isolated not forming any relationships until it all changes. her baby will turn 18 this year and Gem can't help but wonder who she is and where she is. This brings so much emotion and turmoil and grief. Lots of feels. I love her family that she creates when she allows her self to form connections, and begins to heal. Just beautiful.
Trigger warnings / content warnings
Adoption, fostering
Childhood trauma, abondonment
Teen pregnancy
Drugs and alcohol mentions, addictions
Mental Health Issues such as bipolar and OCD
Some language including f bombs
Implied sex, all closed door.

I absolutely loved this book! The female main chapter was so likable and she makes you feel for her too. I really loved the characters development.

“Statistically Speaking” is a book that offers a heartwarming journey with great characters and strong narratives. The emotional depth is palpable, making it a touching read for those who appreciate a good story. However, the sweetness at times felt too cloying. I also wasn’t a fan of the drama with Margie at the end, it felt too rushed. Loved everything else with her and Bill though!! Despite these minor drawbacks, the book has its charm and will resonate with readers looking for a similar experience. It’s a solid read.

Gemma’s life has never been easy - she grew up with an addicted mother, was in and out of the care system, and found herself pregnant at 16. Due to her and her mother’s issues, she decides to give her daughter up for adoption, even though she wants more than anything to keep her and love her. 18 years later she wonders if she will ever get to meet her daughter, and she finds herself slowly putting down roots and making friends, all the while counting, arranging, and using all sorts of coping mechanisms to deal with her life.

Statistically Speaking is a thoughtful and wrenching showcase of a woman’s isolated attempt to survive - a daily look at someone freed from the care system, undergoing a teenage pregnancy and adoption, and her life as she ages attempting to get it right. She desperately tries to keep order through facts, counting, and moving constantly. Gemma as she is beginning to let people in, and how much of a process this is, is a struggle that is hard to watch but so rewarding. This story is beautifully cathartic and is definitely more than a romance, although we get romance, but it is a love story to yourself, allowing others in, and how to overcome the things that have weighed you down. It is all very raw and heartbreaking - but so worth it. I found the romantic interest to be a little bit too perfect from day 1, but the rest of the story was so compelling. Aces!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.

📖 Statistically Speaking
✍️ Debbie Johnson
🗓️ Dec 03 2024
📝 Harper Muse

Pretty much 18 years ago, teenaged Gemma gives up her baby for adoption. She feels like she can’t give the baby girl the life she deserves.

Back in present time, Gemma has a hard time letting people into her heart. When meeting a new student the age her daughter now would be, old feelings resource.

This is a story about (found) family, adoption and teenage pregnancy. It’s a story dealing with very sensitive topics. The author handled that really well. It’s definitely a sweet and also heart wrenching story about Gemma’s journey to forgiveness.

I am not sure how happy I was with the ending, but other than that, I did enjoy this book.

⭐️Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for my advanced copy. All opinions are my own, I was under no obligation to review.

Statistically Speaking by Debbie Johnson is definitely a 5-star for me. Why didn’t I know about this author before? The main character, Gemma, is a bit of a mess because of trauma from her childhood. Her growth as a person throughout the book is so well done. She is very introspective. She knows she closes herself off to people, and at first can’t help it and doesn’t want to fix it. She moves away to a new town whenever things get hard. But when she moves to Liverpool, she gradually decides what she’s been doing is not really “living” and she starts to make friends and even has a love interest. The inter-generational aspect of the community she gathers is excellent, and the story is sweet, tear-jerking at times, and wraps up in a very satisfying way. That’s enough review because I have to go buy one of Debbie’s other books!

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

I was really excited when I got approved for this book, but to be honest, it ended up just boring me a little by around the 50% mark.

Almost 18 years ago, teenager Gemma gave up her baby for adoption thinking that she was not able to provide a stable home life as she herself had no family to rely on. Fast forward to today and Gemma has worked hard to be successful as a teacher but has also been careful not to let anyone into her heart. When she meets a new student, Katie, who happens to be near the age of the baby she gave up, Gemma feels herself starting to let down her walls and re-defining the meaning of family. A heart-warming read dealing with the very sensitive subjects of adoption, teen pregnancy, and substance abuse and what it means to find your own family.

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

I loved this and definitely pulled in my heartstrings. Could her new student be her daughter?! Gemma’s journey has only begun…

Gemma has had a hard life and finds it difficult to attach herself to people. She had to give up her baby when she was sixteen because she was living in care (foster care).. She has not seen her mother in years and has spent most of her life moving from place to place. She is now teaching high school students and is intrigued by a student who is new to the school. When she discovers that Kate is adopted and has the same birth date as the daughter she gave away, she is intrigued. Statistically speaking is this possible? Gemma finally confides in her neighbor and her co-worker Karim about her past and ask for their guidance as to what she should do about it. Is Kate really her daughter, if not, is she ready to search for the daughter she gave up so many years ago? Will Karim become more than a co-worker? He is interested in Gemma, but can she let down her defenses to accept his love and his kindness? I highly recommend reading this novel to discover if things work out for Gemma.