Statistically Speaking is the thirteenth stand-alone novel by best-selling British author, Debbie Johnson. Thirty-four-year-old high school history teacher Gemma Jones has been living and teaching in Liverpool for longer than she normally stays. There’s her downstairs neighbour, Margie, whose dog she takes for runs, and whom she surreptitiously helps out; there are her students, smart and interested; and there’s dishy PE teacher, Karim, who keeps asking her out for drinks and is a challenge to celibacy “like having a box of chocolates open on the kitchen table while you eat celery sticks”: is she putting down tiny roots?

But she’s also feeling unsettled because the baby she gave away when she was sixteen will now be on the cusp of adulthood. So when a new student arrives in her class, tall and red-haired like Gemma, she can’t help wonder, especially when she learns that Katie Bell, history nerd, was adopted, and born on the same day as Gemma’s baby. Could she be?

While Gemma’s life has turned out well despite her fraught childhood (a mother often not on intimate terms with the real world), foster homes, and early motherhood, her wariness of rejection means she always keeps people at a distance. But she’s having trouble doing that with Margie, Katie and her adopted mum, Erin, and Karim...

Johnson explores many of the issues around adoption from multiple perspectives: that of the adopting parents, the birth parents, and the child. She gives the reader appealing characters, entertaining dialogue, and a tale with a few twists and turns before the feel-good resolution. Very enjoyable.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Harper Focus

ARC and ALC Review:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Gemma Jones grew up with adversity. Being raised by a single-mother who struggled with her mental health and addiction eventually landed her in the system. At sixteen she found herself pregnant and unable to care for herself or her baby. Deciding the only option was to place her baby girl up for adoption, she went on to become a successful history teacher. Eighteen years later Gemma finds herself anxiety ridden and unable to make personal connections. Will dealing with her past be the cure she needs, or will it end with more trauma?

Having sold over one million books worldwide, it is evident that Debbie Johnson’s talent had worked its way into the hearts of many.

Statistically Speaking was one of the more moving stories I have read in 2024. While this is a work of fiction, it is rooted in reality. Not only does it speaks to the heartache that accompanies adoption on both ends, it dives into mental illness, and found family.

Gemma’s found family is made up of exceptional side characters. Not only do they help her navigate uncharted territory, they encourage her to step out of her comfort zone (in all areas of her life). I loved bearing witness to this strong group of women, consisting of all ages, as they came along and surround Gemma with both tough criticism and unconditional acceptance.

I had the pleasure of both reading and listening to this book. As an American, I preferred listening to it on audio. The reason being it was narrated by Louise Williams, whose accent transported me to Liverpool, where the story is set. With that being said, I enjoyed both formats.

Special thanks to Netgalley, Harper Muse, Harper Collins Focus, and Debbie Johnson for allowing me to read and listen to this book in exchange for my honest feedback.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of this book.

This story follows Gemma, a teacher in coastal England, who often seeks order in the present as a way to deal with the chaotic past of her childhood upbringing.

We learn early on that Gemma placed a daughter for adoption when she became a mother at the age of 16. That daughter is now turning 18 and Gemma hopes to be able to connect with her. We follow her journey, not just in trying to find her daughter, but to accept the chaos and mess that comes with opening our lives to allow others in.

I really enjoyed this story. Gemma was a truly lovely heroine of our story. I appreciated that while she had her counting and techniques to manage her anxiety, it wasn't overdone in a trope-like way that felt unrealistic. Gemma was genuine, kind, and felt like someone you wanted to root for. There was an amazing cast of characters with her and it often felt like you were right there amidst them on Margie's terrace.

The author, Debbie Johnson, did a wonderful job of setting the scene without overdoing it. I could feel I was right there with them, but I wasn't overwhelmed with exposition. The characters were well fleshed-out and felt like people you would know (or wish that you could!) I also really think the adoption storyline was handled very well and allowed us to step into the shoes of Gemma as a birth mother and how placing her daughter for adoption had impacted her life, positively and negatively. I also loved the element of a "found family" that Gemma had in her own life now.

Overall, I just truly enjoyed this book. It felt cozy, but also dealt with the weightier topics with much care. I love when a story has such a great set of characters that have their own stories and personalities and I felt like the ones in this story truly meshed well to bring the story forward. I would definitely read more by this author and I highly recommend this book!

This book was so good! Gemma has her baby at 16 and decided to give her up. 18 years later and she wonders what became of her baby and goes though a self discovery journey making friends, finding love, and healing herself

Rating: 2.5

This was a good story, I just didn't feel connected to the characters at all. The writing made me feel detached and bored.

This was a heartwarming story. I enjoyed the overall plot, but I did find that it felt a bit drawn out. While I definitely enjoy a long book, I typically want longer books to have a decent amount of character building, and I just felt like the amount of character building growth in relation to the length of the book was a bit lacking. However, the story as a whole was enjoyable.

Statistically Speaking follows the story of Gemma a present day 30-something year old woman continuing to unpack her traumatic history and develop her present day identity. Gemma's history is significantly shaped by her relinquishment of her daughter at age 16 when she was just a young girl, foster youth and unexpectedly pregnant teenager. Gemma is a character that is very relatable for those who experienced a similar background. The author does a surprisingly good job capturing the complicated emotions that develop when impacted by significant childhood trauma and parental instability. Gemma's character struggles significantly with identity development and resisting the urge towards hyperindependence to cope with her complicated past. The book itself is an engaging easy read, I felt so much empathy and compassion for Gemma as she navigated the very real complications of caring for yourself the majority of your life. Throughout the book you are able to experience the complicated emotions Gemma works through and see the reactions of the people around her in the novel. Although I really loved this book and felt as though it did such a good job of presenting a character with the depth previously described my critical feedback is I wish this book had done more and gone into more depth with exploring the complicated emotions of being a birth mother and experiencing the other often deeply painful and forever changing impact of other side of adoption. Overall a good read to begin exploring the nuances of childhood trauma, adoption, hyperindepence in a solid fiction read! Highly recommend and much enjoyed the read.

This is another fabulous book from Debbie Johnson that sensitively deals with the complex emotional issues as well as the trials and tribulations of youngsters being in care, mental health issues, alcoholism, unwanted pregnancy and adoption.

This is not a predictable story, it's very poignant and heartwarming whilst also touching upon the very real traumas that occur for lots of youngsters when put into care. I instantly cared for the characters and there were twists and turns in the book which stopped it from being predictable and superficial.

Having read many of Debbie Johnson's books I feel that this was a grittier story than the other books that I have read by her (that I also loved) and it was a real success that I highly recommend to others.

I really enjoyed this book! I loved the themes of self discovery, family, growth, and moving on. The writer did a good job at covering those multiple themes at once. Also this book had a lot of funny moments, which I love while reading!!

Thank you to NetGalley, to the author, and to the publisher for this complementary ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

But back to the book that I just adored. It is the story of a woman who gave a baby up for adoption when she was just 16 and now, 18 years later, as a high school history teacher, is waiting for the daughter she never knew to contact her. She has lived her life by never getting close to others, always putting up walls until now. So many quirky moments, so many laugh out moments, so much sweetness, so much love. I had one moment that I could not stop laughing and I was reading it in the elevator on my way to my office. Whoops. I love second chance at life books. I love seeing characters find their happiness and show resilience. The kind of book that just gives you hope and makes you smile. Loved it.

Thank you for Debbie Johnson, Harper Publishing, and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC!
Gemma’s story was a very touching one. As a therapist I was reading beautiful well thought out words, and could tell the author did research. My heart ached for the main character, and I thoroughly enjoyed the found family aspect.
My only critiques are just personal preferences and not related to how well the story was written. There was a lot of inner monologue and this helped to understand her process, but also kept the plot from moving along in the way I prefer. The other thing is the forgiveness piece with her mom, which yes forgiveness is very powerful. AND forgiveness to me should be given when it is deserved. Which maybe it was deserved, from my standpoint I didn’t think so but i’m also not Gemma!
This book was heartwarming and an overall beautiful read.

After finishing this book late for a NetGalley review on its pub day last week I finally was able to finish Statistically Speaking by Debbie Johnson!

This book is a wonderful example of community, found family, healthy communication and resilience. The book starts with the main character giving her daughter up for adoption - a choice she made due to her life circumstances and a teenage pregnancy. We then flash forward almost 18 years to a time when she’s built a life for herself but grapples daily with the fact that she could come face to face to the child she gave up at any moment due to working at a university. The story progresses as she has to acknowledge things she long avoided and readers get to see the relationships bloom as she opens herself up to those around her.

I really enjoyed this book, while stories involving adoption, foster care and traumatic childhoods can be heavy, Johnson did a great job balancing heavy and light. The friendships main character Gemma builds with her neighbor Margie and Bill, mother-daughter duo Erin and Katie, and coworker Karim. I would definitely recommend this book to people looking for an enjoyable read without a ton of fluff, as well as people who are neurodivergent and OCD as there’s representation of stimming and compulsive behaviors that I found helped me to connect to Gemma, in particular!

I have posted my review here as well as on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and Target websites. Links will be updated as soon as they are approved and available.

Debbie Johnson's Statistically Speaking is a delightful and heartwarming novel that will leave you smiling. Gemma, a quirky and endearing protagonist, navigates life with a unique perspective, often relying on statistics to make sense of her world. Her journey of self-discovery is both humorous and poignant, as she grapples with past mistakes and embraces new beginnings.

Johnson's writing style is witty and engaging, filled with relatable characters and witty banter. The novel explores themes of love, loss, and the power of human connection with sensitivity and depth. The supporting cast, including Gemma's eccentric friends and family, add depth and humor to the story.

While the plot may not be groundbreaking, the charm lies in the character development and the exploration of everyday life's joys and challenges. Statistically Speaking is a feel-good read that will resonate with readers who appreciate a bit of quirky humor and a lot of heart.

I absolutely love Gemma in the early chapters because of her deep love and dedication to her child. She was a strong, brave, and determined young girl. Her maternal instincts and the depth of her affection for her child are truly touching, and it’s clear how much she values the bond they shared. But the lack of noticeable development in her character, along with similar issues with other characters, makes it harder to truly invest in the story. Even though there are emotional moments, I couldn’t quite grow fond of the book because of this. It’s not a bad story, but the lack of maturity and change in Gemma as a character left me feeling somewhat detached.

As a high school history teacher, Gemma Jones loves the certainty of the past--specific names, solid dates, proven statistics. Maybe that’s because her own past resembles a jumbled-up sock drawer, one where it’s impossible to find a match. This is the year that Baby--the only name Gemma has for the baby she gave up for adoption when she was just sixteen years old--will turn eighteen. And it might be the year she actually meets her daughter face-to-face. Or maybe she already has.

Gemma's desire to know how her baby turned out was amplified by the arrival of a new student at the school she was teaching in. Katie ad similar build and appearance, was adopted, and had the same birthday as her daughter.

Of course Gemma began to have hopes. She even put herself in the adoption registry to wait for word. Meanwhile, her life began to change. She grew closer to her neighbour Margie, even developed a romance with the gorgeous PE teacher Karim.

I loved seeing her world expand from the solitude and wanderlust she knew. There were growing pains, mistakes she made along the way, but she came out even stronger and the better for it.

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

Rating: 4⭐
Steam level: 1.5🌶️ Closed door

Three and a half stars.

Eighteen years ago Gemma Jones decided to give her baby up for adoption. A child of a single mother with substance abuse and mental health problems, and currently living with foster parents, Gemma wanted something better for both herself and her baby.

Gemma is now a history teacher at a school in Liverpool. To stop herself from speculating about young children she made a choice to teach sixth formers a long time ago, but of course now that has backfired because her daughter will shortly be turning eighteen and could (theoretically) be one of her students.

Her mother's issues have given Gemma anxiety, something which she self-soothes with counting items and memorising facts. Now as an adult Gemma is alone, self-sufficient, and avoids allowing other people to get close. She even moves jobs every few years and has worked all over the UK.

But this year events conspire to force Gemma out of her shell: a new student who looks uncannily like Gemma; a colleague who makes it clear he fancies her; a woman she meets at yoga; and her elderly neighbour who needs help walking her dog.

How very typical, I no sooner finish a book about a woman who was given up for adoption by her sixteen year old mother than I start a book about a woman who gave up her child for adoption at sixteen.

I have read and really liked a lot of Debbie Johnson's previous books but I have to say that this one was not among my favourites. First, Gemma's habit of counting things and reciting random facts was really irritating (although a shoe-in for a pub quiz), I get that it was a manifestation of her anxiety but my eyes glazed over every time she started.

Second, there seemed to be a little bit of contradiction about Gemma's childhood, at times the reader is told that she was too embarrassed to invite school friends home and consequently never went to their homes either. Also that she couldn't afford things so never went out or did things like other kids. Yet at other points in the story she talks about going to a friend's house and going to the cinema with a friend - and not as if these were the only times she had ever done such things. It was as though Debbie Johnson couldn't keep up the characterisation and/or it didn't fit with the plot at other times.

Third, Gemma seemed to do a lot of navel-gazing self-diagnosis, pages and pages of her dissecting her behaviour and that of her friends and family. Also (this may be point four), if you have no friends and essentially no family, why wouldn't you stay in touch with your foster mother and your social worker who both helped you enormously? It seems like a huge self-sabotage to cut off people and then whine that you are all alone.

Anyway, I liked it but I didn't love it.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

Bumped for release.

[EDIT} Well how odd! I have just received this as an ARC and read it thinking, 'I 've read something very similar before - when I review it I must check to see what that book was, was it by Debbie Johnson?' and by gosh it was because I read this book two years ago! I feel it may have been toned down a bit (or I am calmer) as I didn't find it as annoying as I clearly did two years ago, so I've upped my rating by half a star.

I loved this book! It was such a heartwarming read and really explored the foster care system, adoption, and OCD. Highly recommend to everyone!

--I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.--

I’m a sucker for a good adoption story and found family! This was a great palette cleanser and written very well. I was hooked from the beginning and the pace was well done throughout.
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

"D he was called, David or Daniel or Dumbeldor. Who knows?" This book had its moments for me. While it was very well written, the story being an interesting look into the eye of someone who gave their child up for adoption for all the right reasons and managed to make a life for themself while never forgetting their child, the book did have parts where it started to feel like it was dragging on and on a bit and then some funny phase the the quote for the beginning of this review would be said and since it made me laugh, I was pulled back in. Overall a good, albeit as mentioned, occasionally slower, story I would still recommend this one for a good sit down, calmer read.

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Thank you NetGalley and Harper Muse for an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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Eighteen years ago, at the age of 16, Gemma gave her new-born daughter up for adoption. She explains her reasons in a letter to her Baby and they are pretty solid reasons. Gemma never forgot about her daughter, who might get in contact with her now that she's about to become an adult. Gemma has mixed feelings about this. Speaking of feelings, Gemma has a hard time letting people in, but the PE teacher could break down her walls.

I liked that the book was pro-choice and that Gemma didn't make the decision to give up her daughter lightly. Yet, this decision has haunted her ever since. There is a lot of growth and self-reflection in this story.

Still, I'm only giving the book 3 stars, because the middle felt like it was dragging on for far too long.