Grace Lisa Vandenburg counts. The letters in her name (19). The steps she takes every morning to the local café (920). The number of poppy seeds on her orange cake, which dictates the number of bites she'll take to eat it. Grace counts everything, because that way there are no unpleasant surprises.

Seamus Joseph O'Reilly (also a 19) thinks she might be better off without the counting. If she could hold down a job, say. Or open her cupboards without conducting an inventory, or leave her flat without measuring the walls.

Grace's problem is that Seamus doesn't count. Her other problem is . . . he does.

As Grace struggles to balance a new relationship with old habits, to find a way to change while staying true to herself, she realises that nothing is more chaotic than love.

Reviews

'Bringing a quirky humour and a sympathetic view of diversity to her story, the author sustains the momentum to the end of this engaging romantic comedy'

The Times

'An unusual and intriguing novel, written with a very light touch'

Daily Mail

'Brimming with sarcastic humour'

Guardian

'Toni Jordan's debut is mature, witty and entertaining'

Irish Times

'It's laugh-out-loud funny and painfully sad in turns . . . It is a quick read and extremely hard to put down, as you get addicted to Grace's addictive personality'

Amanda Ross, Richard & Judy Summer Read

'You'll be hearing more from this talented author'

Choice

'A sweet, charming, witty, romantic book'

BBC Radio 2, The Weekender