Gemma was such a fun, quirky character which I loved! She has such an intense backstory and you end up feeling so much for her, and being so proud of how well she's doing despite all of that. The end of the story did seem to drag a bit for me which could be personal preference more than anything. I just felt like it could have been a tad shorter. Otherwise, this was lovely and I will read more by this author.

Well this was an intense but emotional read!

Gemma was a wonderful character who you couldn't help but care for deeply as you got to read her story, as a woman in her 30s but also as a child. You can tell how much her past informs her as a teacher and as a friend. All of the characters in the book are well written and the MMC is a new favourite for sure!

It was beautiful to see Gemma understand her "found family" even if you could see it coming. As a reader, it was less predictable and more hopeful which is a huge credit to Debbie Johnson.

This was a hard book to put down and I highly recommend you don't!

An emotional, warm-hearted, tender read! Gemma is such an empathetic character, you'll be laughing and crying right along with her. The issues around adoption are deftly explored from many angles. The relationships develop authentically. The cover grabbed my attention and the story kept it. Highly recommend!

Rating: 3/5

Review:

Wow, this book is different from the books I've read in the past. This book focuses a lot on adoption and follows Gemma navigating her emotions as she figures out whether her new student is the baby she gave up for adoption at 16.

Although this was a different read for me, i found myself attached to Gemma and rooting for her in a sense where I wanted her to be happy. She was
a pretty grounded character which made her an enjoyable character to follow. Debbie's writing style was easy to follow and there were moments when i had to put the book down and think about what just happened. Though i will say, the pacing is not the greatest, i felt like it was pretty slow in the middle whereas the start was great. It kind of lost momentum as the story goes on. Nevertheless, it was a quick and heartfelt read.

Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you HarperMuse for the copy.

This sweet story was relatable and heartwarming. We all suffer from some sort of anxiety or anxious thoughts, making this story extremely relatable

I absolutely loved this book! The romance is really secondary in the plot. This is about Gemma’s personal growth and how she is healing from her traumatic childhood and coming to terms with giving up her baby for adoption. I think sometimes the author could have even dug in a little deeper but she keeps it fairly light though I definitely teared up a few times. This is a total feel-good read and leaves you feeling hopeful and happy.

Even though the romance with Karim isn’t the star of the show, it’s still a really important part. Karim is amazing and just what Gemma needs. Honestly, he’s what we all need. It’s great to see a healthy, mature relationship portrayed.

Wonderful supporting cast. I loved watching Gemma grow as a person and just think this was brilliantly written. 5 stars!

I'd not heard of this author before ( I usually read YA and middle-grade because of my job as a school librarian) but I really liked the sound of this book so thought I'd give it a chance. The main character reminded me a bit of Geek Girl (random facts; knowing statistics) but I liked that this didn't seem to have a sinister edge (like Eleanor Oliphant, for example). The story was well plotted and burbled along nicely. Just the sort of thing to read to counter-act the January blues.

I loved this one! I found Gemma's anxieties very relatable and her relationships with the other characters very endearing. I laughed, I cried, I highly recommend this one for anyone looking for a quick heartfelt read!

I really enjoyed this book! Never read a book with this kind of plot before, but I did enjoy it!!! Really recommend this book!

What a beautiful story! Gemma is the heroine you really want to root for, and it was just such a wonderfully told tale.

This book had me on the edge of my proverbial seat in so many different ways. Just when you think you know the twist and you're mentally going through the same process as the MC, there's a slightly different twist and the way all the different things are handled and all the different friendships, the relationships, the past and present dynamics are all beautifully explored and wonderfully written in human ways, not just the magic of the story. I loved it and have recommended it already several times.

#arc
#netgalley
#statisticallyspeaking

I adore Debbie Johnson - I've loved every one of her books. This one is no exception. I love how she is able to weave serious topics together with humour. Her books feel psychologically astute and her characters feel real. You may not agree with what characters are doing but you understand why. I also appreciate that the dose of romance is there but isn’t overwhelming, and I really like her focus on female friendship, which rings very true. Would heartily recommend. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the Advance Readers Copy.

Statistically Speaking is a heartfelt and emotionally rich story about love, loss, and second chances. As a high school history teacher, Gemma Jones thrives on the certainty of the past—names, dates, and proven statistics. But her own past is far less clear-cut, marred by a life-changing decision she made at just sixteen years old: giving up her baby for adoption.

On the surface, Gemma's life seems perfectly fine. She’s adored by her students, lives in a charming beachside cottage, and has the world’s sweetest neighbor, Margie, next door. There’s even Karim, the handsome PE teacher, who seems more than a little interested in her. But beneath her carefully composed exterior lies an ever-present ache—the knowledge that her daughter, whom she calls only Baby, is turning eighteen this year. And with that milestone comes the possibility of finally meeting her child face-to-face.

What makes Statistically Speaking shine is how it balances heavy themes with warmth, humor, and hope. Gemma’s journey is raw and authentic; her struggles are deeply relatable. The story doesn’t shy away from exploring the emotional turmoil of teenage pregnancy, the complexities of adoption, and the courage it takes to confront one's past.

This novel isn’t just about Gemma’s relationship with her daughter—it’s also about friendship, self-acceptance, and finding love when you least expect it. The dynamic between Gemma and her support network, including Margie and Karim, adds layers of tenderness and lighthearted moments to the narrative.

With clever humor, poignant reflections, and moments that will tug at your heartstrings, Statistically Speaking is as much a story of overcoming adversity as it is about empowerment and connection. Whether it’s the heartfelt exploration of motherhood or the slow-burn romance that blossoms in the background, this book delivers an engaging and deeply satisfying read. A must for fans of stories about resilience, love, and the enduring power of hope.

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

4⭐️ I felt like the blurb was more romance forward than the book was. Definitely more women’s fiction with a romance, sub plot. Fantastic book! I loved all of the characters. They were so likable and unique.

Obviously, because I do not know the European school system, I was deeply confused about what was happening on that front lol I need to do some research to make sense of it. At one point it said she was a college teacher, but then it made it sound like the students were 16 and 17 years old. I know they take GCSEs at the end of their ‘high school’, but not much more than that. My best guess is that A-level exams are like an equivalent of finishing your associates or maybe something to get into specialist colleges? I don’t know man. 😂

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for this ARC!

This was just a middle of the road book for me.

I read another ARC by Debbie Johnson before Christmas that I absolutely adored, so when I saw this one come up by her, I had to request it! This book started off with a bang with Gemma, as a sixteen year old, giving up her baby for adoption. Then, as an adult constantly wondering how her little girl's life turned out. The pacing in the middle of the book slowed down a bit too much for me to stay as engaged as I did in the beginning though. I was still really interested in the ending though and I will continue to look for more by this author!

Thank you to Netgalley, Debbie Johnson and Harper Muse for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was a captivating, emotional read, although it wasn’t the journey I was expecting when I read it. The main character was so well written and was such a wonderful, real and complex person. While it isn’t a romance, the book contains one of my favorite romances I’ve read. Found family is something that usually isn’t a huge thing for me, but this is a really powerful story of found family.

Gemma Jones is a high school history teacher. The child she placed for adoption has never left her mind. When a girl who looks like her and shares the same birthday as the daughter she placed for adoption is in her class, she feels like it can’t be a coincidence.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and all opinions are mine.

This book took me by surprise. It follows Gemma a high school teacher who is the perfect cliche-students that love her ,single with that one guy that is into her but she has a secret that has been taunting her. At 16 years old she gave birth to a child she gave up for adoption and the new student is not helping. How far will a mother go to meet the love of her life (her daughter) and will fate always intervene.
Emotional ,intriguing ,mysterious and reflective are the words that come into mind.

ARC READ THROUGH NETGALLEY. ALL OPINIONS ARE MY OWN.
I loved this book. Gemma captured my heart and I just couldn't stop reading. Her struggles with anxiety were portrayed very well and the way she accidentally let people into her life was fairly relatable. This book is well-written and makes you feel all the emotions.

Statistically Speaking had a really strong start. Unfortunately, it completely lost me a few chapters in. It almost seemed like the writing quality also diminished with time.

Maybe I'll come back to it some other time, when I'm in the right mood.