Description

Everything counts . . .

Grace Lisa Vandenburg orders her world with numbers: how many bananas she buys, how many steps she takes to the café, where she chooses to sit, how many poppy seeds are in her daily piece of orange cake. Every morning she uses 100 strokes to brush her hair, 160 strokes to brush her teeth. She remembers the day she started to count, how she used numbers to organize her adolescence, her career, even the men she dated. But something went wrong. Grace used to be a teacher, but now she's surviving on disability checks. According to the parents of one of her former students, "she's mad."

Most people don't understand that numbers rule, not just the world in a macro way but their world, their own world. Their lives. They don't really understand that everything and everybody are connected by a mathematical formula. Counting is what defines us . . . the only thing that gives our lives meaning is the knowledge that eventually we all will die. That's what makes each minute important. Without the ability to count our days, our hours, our loved ones . . . there's no meaning. Our lives would have no meaning. Without counting, our lives are unexamined. Not valued. Not precious. This consciousness, this ability to rejoice when we gain something and grieve when we lose something—this is what separates us from other animals. Counting, adding, measuring, timing. It's what makes us human.

Grace's father is dead and her mother is a mystery to her. Her sister wants to sympathize but she really doesn't understand. Only Hilary, her favorite niece, connects with her. And Grace can only connect with Nikola Tesla, the turn-of-the-twentieth-century inventor whose portrait sits on her bedside table and who rescues her in her dreams. Then one day all the tables at her regular café are full, and as she hesitates in the doorway a stranger—Seamus Joseph O'Reilly (19 letters in his name, just like Grace's)—invites her to sit with him. Grace is not the least bit sentimental. But she understands that no matter how organized you are, how many systems you put in place, you can't plan for people. They are unpredictable and full of possibilities—like life itself, a series of maybes and what-ifs.

And suddenly, Grace may be about to lose count of the number of ways she can fall in love.

About the Author

Toni Jordan has worked as a sales assistant, molecular biologist, quality control chemist, and marketing manager. She lives in Melbourne, Australia, where she works as a freelance copywriter.

Praise for Addition…

âeoeToni Jordan has created such a real character in Grace that you are cheering her on, willing her to get on the top of the staircase, intact and unharmed. Jordanâe(TM)s voice is distinctive and refreshing.âe
-Sydney Morning Herald

âeoeJordan strikes a fabulous blow for resolute individuality, with redemptive love in a supporting role.âe
-Sunday Mail Queensland

âeoeIn her insistence on holding fast to the parts of herself she likes best, Grace challenges concepts of illness and health, brokenness and wholeness. I love her for this, and for the way she aches, bristles, back talks, and shines her way toward an off-kilter equilibrium, a ramshackle splendor.âe
-Marisa de los Santos, author of Love Walked In and Belong to Me

âeoeGrace Lisa Vandenburgâe(TM)s self-described âe~counting thingâe(TM) goes far beyond a charming quirk. Often funny, always lovable, this endearing novel of obsessive compulsive disorder and romance is outstanding.âe (Pick of the Week)
-Boston Globe

âeoe(An) engaging romantic comedy.âe
-The Times (London)

âeoeSparky, gutsy and snappy.âe
-Weekend Australian

âeoeAn unusual and intriguing novel.âe
-Daily Mail (London)

âeoeA witty heroine with a crippling case of obsessive-compulsive disorder is at the center of this gemlike debut-think The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time. A smartly written comedy that cheekily suggests recovery may not be for everyone.âe
-Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

âeoeThe turns this tale takes, by its final few pages, leave you breathless. Once you begin the story inside, this love story thatâe(TM)s unlike any youâe(TM)ve read before, youâe(TM)ll be turning pages long after you shouldâe(TM)ve called lights out.âe
-Buffalo News

âeoeJordanâe(TM)s book is not just about a woman with OCD. It is, of course, also about fitting in, about accepting ourselves and our loved ones as they are, about coping, compromise and conformity. The writing is witty and quick.âe
-Minneapolis Star Tribune

âeoeA poignant love story with a truly original heroine.âe
-Wisconsin State Journal

âeoeToni Jordan has created such a real character in Grace that you are cheering her on. . . . Jordanâe(TM)s voice is distinctive and refreshing.âe
-Sydney Morning Herald

âeoeGrace is a quirky, funny and endearing character. Very entertaining.âe
-Imogen Stubbs, actress

âeoeCount on a good read from a fresh voice.âe
-Fort Worth Star-Telegram

âeoeA delight of a debut novel. Toni Jordan has created an unforgettable heroine, charming, vulnerable and real.âe
-Emily Giffin, author of Love the One You're With

âeoeTold with great warmth and humor, Jordan has created a strong female character that needs to confront her demons, accept them and move on. This is a love story without the frills. An enjoyable read all the way through.âe
-Reading.com.au

âeoeHow will Grace Lisa handle change? The messiness of falling in love? One thing is sure. You can count on an amusing few hours with this debut novel.âe
-USA Today

âeoe[A] spunky debutâe¦Addition is witty funâe¦Number of times I laughed out loud: 23âe (3 ½ out of 4 Stars)
-People

âeoeToni Jordanâe(TM)s debut is mature, witty and entertaining.âe
-Irish Times