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.

In theory, this story is about a young woman who, by accident, thinks she has found her adopted daughter. In practice, its a story about trauma, grief, friendship and opening up to other people.

It's beautifully written, with some lovely thoughts and sentences. And some funny ones that are easy to miss.

I loved seeing Gemma grow and be vulnerable and let other people in and help her. I loved the plot points, that clearly I won't spoil. There were a few teary moments, and not just at the end.

A very sweet and heart wrenching story about adoption, found families, and forgiveness.

The main character was super relatable to me ane the pacing was good.

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this ARC in return for my honest review.

Eighteen years ago, sixteen year old Gemma gave her baby girl up for adoption. Having been bounced around between foster homes she knows how hard it is to grown up with no stability and she wants her baby to grown up with the kind of home she never had. Thirty four year old Gemma is a history teacher with time shares in her downstairs neighbour’s rescues dog, an apartment she loves, and a very cute PE teacher looking for a date with her. Her daughter will be 18 this year and old enough to register to find her. When a bright new student joins her class, who is adopted, shares her build and distinctive red hair Gemma can’t help but wonder if this could be her daughter. When she learns her student has the same birthday as her baby she is hopeful and terrified this could really be her long lost daughter.
This was a heart wrenching story. Gemma has gone through so much and is just learning to break out of her shell and let people in, the character growth we get to see is fantastic. This book is full of tough storylines, adoption, abandonment, addiction but it opens up some beautiful storylines about found family, healing, inner strength. It’s a very balanced book that I couldn’t stop reading. There was a couple times I thought I knew what the author was going to do and I was pleasantly surprised when she went another direction.
Thank you to @netgalley and @harpermusebooks for letting me read this one early in exchange for a review. Look for #statisticallyspeaking December 3 2024
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It was good enough that I read it through in a short timeline. There were interesting characters and stories, and a happy ending. I just wasn't that invested in the central romantic relationship; needed to be developed more. And generally, it lacked some magical writing. The premise, and how it unfolded, felt fairly unbelievable - a stretch.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Harper Muse for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This was a heartwarming and somewhat heart wrenching book. I loved Gemma and her cast of supporting characters (including Bill the adorable dog!) and I was almost immediately drawn into the story. Per usual, Johnson dealt with some serious issues in a graceful (non-cringy) way and also refrained from any preachiness about the characters' life decisions. That was very refreshing! The ending was more of a "hopefully, ever after" vs. a "happily ever after" but that, in the context of this story was fine.

So, bottom line is that it's not a story I'm going to read again and again like Johnson's "Comfort Food Cafe" series but it's definitely worth taking the time to read and enjoy.

A smattering of profanity and some PG-13 love scenes.

This book was so fun! I think we can all relate so well with the main character and her real emotions in this book! The sock drawer...loved this! It was such a great great.