This heartwarming story was just what I needed to read at this time. I love reading about characters who create a found family. Gemma has led a solitary life after growing up in foster care and having given up a baby to adoption when she was only sixteen. Now she has settled into her latest job as a history teacher where the PE teacher would like to get to know her better and her older neighbor Margie tends to mother her. However, she still needs to know if the beautiful daughter she gave up 18 years ago has led a better life than she could have given her. I had not read any of Debbie Johnson's books before, but I definitely plan to read some of her others in the future. Thanks to NetGalley, Harper Muse and the author for a copy to read and review.

I loved Gemma's story. I thought this was so well written and the complexity of Gemma's life and trauma was presented in a really beautiful way.

I was lucky enough to receive an audiobook and earc from the publisher in exchange for my review.

This was a beautiful story that will make you cherish the small moments of life. I thought this novel was a breath of fresh air. If you enjoy Bridget Jones, I would definitely recommend this book. I also thought that the narrator did an amazing job and I really enjoyed her voice

I really enjoyed this book and I highly recommend it. But maybe have some tissues nearby?!

Debbie Johnson can always be counted on to write heartwarming, sensitive stories, laced with closed door romance, that plumb the depths of emotion and the human experience. In Statistically Speaking, we meet Gemma Jones at age 16, in the process of birthing a baby girl that she’s putting up for adoption. She’s mature enough to understand that she’s not able to raise a child herself, just as her own mother wasn’t. The one thing she leaves for Baby is a long letter, telling her a bit about her life and giving reassurances that she loves her, but wants her to have a chance at a good, loving, and safe childhood.

Fast forward almost 18 years, and we’re seeing Gemma all grown up but still carrying emotional scars from her neglectful childhood and her never-ending doubt about the decision she made. After an adulthood marked by a need to escape relationships of any kind, she starts to meet people who care about her without exception and who just might be worth breaking down the walls she’s built up to protect herself. There’s handsome, lovely Karim, her teacher colleague and perfect book boyfriend, surrogate mom feisty and irreverent Margie, new friend Erin, and Katie, Erin’s daughter and Gemma’s student who bears a striking resemblance to her and shares a birthday with the baby she let go off. Statistically speaking, the odds are very slim that she’s her daughter, but the heart isn’t always logical. You’ll need to read the book to find out more.

This is very much a character-driven novel and Johnson has done a wonderful job developing both Gemma and her chosen family. The pacing is a bit slow at times, but Gemma’s reawakening is a pleasure to behold. Her thoughtful depiction of adoption from the perspective of birth mother, adoptive mother and child is illuminating for those of us who don’t have first-hand experience with it, too. I highly recommend this fine piece of women’s fiction.

Statiscally Speaking is one of the most beautiful books that I've read in 2024. The story deals with unconfortable themes such drug addiction, teenage pregnancy, foster homes, adoption, the right os being happy after leaving a child, and all the mental health issues that end up plaguing most women who give their child for adoption and the children who are adopted. Ms. Johnson is able to show all the opinions that might exist regarding the issue - the mother who gives the child up, the child's, and foster parents' - and even though there's a lot of sadness involved she's able to make the readers always feel a positive touch in her words. The story made me sad, made me laugh, and gave me lots of food for thought!
I thank the author, her publisher, and NetGalley for the copy of this book.

This book is exactly what I needed. I was in such a reading slump and the light hearted approach to sensitive topics was refreshing. The characters were relatable and engaging.

I received a free copy of, Statistically Speaking, by Debbie Johnson, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Gemma Jones, gave her child up for adoption when she was only sixteen, Now she is a high school teacher, but has never forgot about her child. This was a good read, I really liked Gemma.

Welp, I didn’t expect to be crying over my tablet at the end of this story, but here we are 😢 My gosh, Statistically Speaking really hit me in the feels. An emotionally rich story about a woman, Gemma, coming to terms with her turbulent childhood and her decision to choose adoption for her child 18 years earlier. Having little order and safety during her formative years, adult Gemma thrives on privacy and routine. She doesn’t get attached to people and likes to move frequently to feel as free as possible. But, as the 18th birthday of the child she lovingly thinks of as “Baby” approaches, Gemma finds that the isolated life she has created doesn’t feel secure anymore. As she starts to let people in she realizes that being alone doesn’t save you from pain and that family comes in many forms.

I loved this book. A hearty dose of emotions and turmoil mixed with quirky characters, a smidge of romance, and a lovely bit of humor. Gemma is an amazing MC with a complicated thought process involving myriad coping mechanisms that are both fascinating and upsetting to witness. This book discusses adoption, mental illness, addiction and estranged family openly and respectfully. Very grateful to netgalley and Harper Muse for this ARC.

I fell in love with this book! The main character was relatable and I felt like cheering her on every time something went right for her. By the end of the book I kept checking out the author’s social media looking for her next book in the hopes this will be her new series. Highly recommend!

Absolutely loved this book! I could relate to the protagonist and lived vicariously through her. I was rooting for her throughout! Debbie Johnson has created a character that will remain with me for a long time to come!

✨ eARC Review ✨

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Statistically Speaking by Debbie Johnson is a contemporary women's fiction telling the story about Gemma, through her journey of self-discovery, familial reconciliation, and dealing with one's past.

What I liked:
I liked the characters.... A lot that I don't remember scrubbing down my thoughts I did in a way I haven't done in a long time. Because, each of these characters are good! It might be the story of Gemma, but the family she gathered around her journey is as good as her! Be it Margie, or Erin, or even Katie, I loved them all... And I haven't forgotten about the green forest, because that exactly what Kareem is... The best written green flag! Even though the story is majorly focusing on Gemma, Kareem stood out a lot more than I thought when he was introduced at first!
The story too was just perfect. The writing style isn't something I usually read, but it's safe to say that it has grown on me! The emotions were put down so beautifully, I enjoyed the book more than I thought I would!

What I didn't like:
Honestly, there isn't anything I didn't like about this book. The only thing I wished for was I should be reading this from a physical copy! It truly is that good!

I think I requested for this book seeing the line, "If you enjoy character-driven stories with a hefty dose of laughter like Bridget Jones or The Good Place, you'll love this book" ! Because I do looveee The Good Place, and for so many reasons. And I know that line was true, because now I do loovee this book! Because it's exactly how that line said it would be!

Thank you to Author Debbie Johnson and NetGalley for this ARC! I received a complimentary copy in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are entirely my own.

Debbie Johnson books have always held a special shelf in my heart. Permanent and special just for her. Ever since my first one of her books. Each one to come just kept reinforcing my adoration of this author and her books.
Debbie manages to bring a romance. But deeper. Yet not to deep. But not cliche or without enoguh depth,lol. It's just the right amount of everything.
I have to admit I have a real admiration for her words.
They've always meant alot.
Books that have helped me alot. At times I've needed them.
This book I was two minds about. Was it too emotional? Was the problems and the way she coped too much even for me?
But then I thought no. I trust Debbie.
And wow. Stunning. And such sensitive and delicately written about some really quite tough subjects.
Adoption, OCD,truama all feature. But in a really really professional way.
I feel honoured to have been able to get one of Debbie's books so soon for release.

I truly found myself absolutely eating this book up. Gemma was so quirky and fun, and I just adored her and the realness in which she faces her past. I loved the overall themes of womanhood - women helping women, motherhood, facing our fears together. It was beautifully written and it just felt real and heartfelt. Cannot wait to read Debbie Johnson's other book now!

Thank you to NetGalley for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

Follow Gemma as she navigates the year her baby turns 18. Only she doesn’t know who her baby is at 18, and what they’re doing, who they are, what they look like. Following giving her baby up for adoption, Gemma learns to grow into who she is as a woman, mother, teacher, friend and neighbor, meeting new people on her journey and expanding what it means to have a community.

I enjoyed Gemma’s journey, the fun characters on the edges of her story, and the romance built into the book. The characters felt a little cliche for me, even as a traditional romance person, but I’m still thinking about some passages in this book 2 weeks after reading it. Dive into this story if you’re looking for some wholesome storytelling this winter.

Gemma is successful high school teacher who enjoys her job helping students and enjoys what she does everyday. The hot PE teacher Karim catches her eye one day but she can't get her past out of her mind as it haunts her every day.

Two things really interested me about reading this book. First, I teach statistics so a tie in from a novel is always interesting to me. Second, I am an adoptive mother so I definitely relate to that plot line. Gemma is a teacher. On the surface, she has an ideal life with a cottage on the sea. But she continually confronts the reality of her upbringing and the baby she gave up for adoption. Ms. Johnson masterfully interweaves these two plot lines, the picture perfect life with the trauma of adoption. What I truly treasure is that Ms. Johnson's words are realistic. Adoption does involve the trauma of giving up a precious life, but the beauty of following the trail where it leads.

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

📚 #BOOKREVIEW 📚
Statistically Speaking by Debbie Johnson
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ / Pages: 384 / Genre: Fiction
Release Date: December 3, 2024
🥳#HappyPubDay!🎉

Gemma Jones grew up with a mother on drugs until she was put into the foster care system. When she wound up pregnant at 16, she knew she couldn’t be the mother she needed to be to her baby girl, so she gave her up for adoption. Eighteen years later, Gemma is a successful, but lonely school teacher. And when a tall, red-headed new student, who looks remarkably like Gemma, walks into her classroom, she’s almost positive she’s her baby girl. What follows is a search for self, the acceptance of help from others, and the joy and forgiveness that can be received from family regardless of where they came from.

Although I tend to read a lot of murder mysteries, this subtle mystery of who Gemma’s daughter is plus the search for her mother, not only had me riveted but gave me all the feels as well.

Thank you @HarperMuseBooks and @NetGalley for my gifted copy.

BOOK: STATISTICALLY SPEAKING
AUTHOR: DEBBIE JOHNSON
PUB DATE: 03 DECEMBER 2024
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REVIEW- 4.5 stars
Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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This book was amazing, and it put me on an emotional rollercoaster, especially the first chapter. I almost cried reading it. My heart broke for poor Gemma, giving birth alone at 16 without any family or friends beside her. It was heartbreaking because she loved her baby but would have to give her up for adoption. It was sad but necessary.
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My favorite thing about this book was Gemma re discovering herself. She held herself off from others, and it was really nice to see her with friends who would later turn family. And Karim, he was the perfect guy for Gemma, he was exactly what she needed, and he was definitely my favorite character.
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The main theme of this book was Adoption and Gemma's heartbreak over what she had to do. Gemma's decision was the best for her. She lived as a foster child, and there was no way she could have managed a newborn at 16. But, I liked that Gemma was anle to forgive herself and move on. I also liked that she was able to meet her mom again on neutral grounds.
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I liked the found family Gemma found for herself, including Margie, her landlord, Erin, and Katie. Katie is Erin's daughter, and Gemma thought she was her 'Baby' because of her red head and birthday. The one thing I didn't like was how Gemma easily told her new friends her story, but I figured she had kept it bottled up inside for too long.
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I really liked this book and I would definitely recommend it! Plus, have you seen the beautiful cover?

Absolutely stunning. Tore through the pages. I want to be best friends with Gemma Jones. I want to be part of her inner circle of friends who love and support her exactly as she is - nervous counting and soothing facts and all.

You meet Gemma when she is the most closed off emotionally. She has survived an unstable childhood, the guilt of giving up a child for adoption when she was only a teenager, and making a life for herself with no family support of her own. Surviving has taken its toll though and Gemma is wracked with guilt and sadness with no outlet for them other than her logic based coping mechanisms.

Luckily, we drop into Gemma's life just as she's become a bit complacent. She's been in a stable job in a single place long enough shes developed a bit of a friendly routine with her neighbor and a flirty routine with her fit coworker. These cracks in her armor, shrinking the distance she holds people away for fear of being hurt, is not the weakness she fears. It's what saves her from having to face all her trauma alone.

The writing of Gemma's trauma is handled with such care. There is a natural good-natured humor surrounding Gemma's more outlandish coping mechanisms (counting socks and ordering pens on a desk) but there is never judgment or derision. We're following along not to see her "fixed" but to introduce healing, acceptance, forgiveness to her world and breakup the anxiety spiral. She is worthy of all that and love just as she is.

Gemma's growing support system is so beloved. A neighbor that allows joint custody of her dog. A student and her mom that can offer more than platitudes of support because they share lived experiences. And a dishy flirty cheeky coworker that enjoys a challenge. These very real relationships help Gemma sort out the perceived rejections that fuel her anxieties and ground her in present loving reality. Oh they are all a joy to read.

And the romance! Yes, I'll shout his name now - Karim! This man had rights! He is more than a few well placed chat lines. He's patient and kind and hilarious and life-seeking. I cheered for every emotional and relationship milestone they cross with each other.

I fight my own anxiety daily. I share many of the same coping mechanisms as Gemma. And I similarly worry if I'm "too much". STATISTICALLY SPEAKING offers validation that the mental health struggles are real while offering the encouragement to be brave. I appreciate this book so much and will hold Gemma's story dear in my heart.

Thank you Netgalley and HarperCollins | Harper Muse for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Muse for the advanced readers copy of this novel.

This novel pulls at one's heartstrings from the very first chapter! Prepare yourself with tissues. Though this is probably considered a rom com book, it tackles some serious issues like mental health, addiction, teen pregnancy, and the foster care system. The novel is described as a quirky british book and it definitely is. I found our main character rather relatable despite not having been through all the trauma she had throughout her life. She's definitely quirky. The supporting characters were just as lovely.

I would definitely recommend this to others to read.