Air traffic controller Pippa always speaks to pilot Andrew, guiding him while in flight and ensuring his smooth landings. She doesn't ever imagine they will meet but that they do when he recognizes her voice at an airport cafe. As they get talking, they both discover they are single and with their strenuous jobs, they both struggle to maintain relationships despite the pressure from family to settle down. Thus ensues the pair fake dating. Each will accompany the other to their relevant family events, setting their loved ones' minds at ease that they are happy.

Oh my goodness, WHY did I wait so long to read this one? This book was so heartwarming and left me grinning from ear to ear at the end. I've not mentioned it in the brief blurb above but Pippa is on the spectrum and the way the author has portrayed her as such a likable character even with her own challenges was simply amazing. Andrew was so understanding and such a sweetheart the way he knew about her condition and respected that things had to be a certain way. If you like your romances with a bit of autism representation, I highly recommend this one.

I had no idea what to expect when I picked up this book, but it completely swept me off my feet. Two people working in the same airport in Cape Town, unknowingly crossing paths for years, finally meet—and from that moment, everything changes. Their connection is instant, something deeper than either of them anticipated, and watching it unfold was pure magic.

The fake dating trope was absolutely perfect. They set rules, thinking they could keep their emotions in check, but love has a way of rewriting the script. Every glance, every unspoken moment between them was filled with so much tension and longing that I felt it in my chest. Their chemistry was undeniable, and watching them navigate this unexpected journey had me smiling, tearing up, and holding my breath.

The portrayal of autism made the story even more powerful. It was written with so much care and honesty, showing how love isn't about changing for someone but about being seen and accepted exactly as you are. Every interaction, every struggle and triumph, felt so real and deeply moving.

I never wanted this book to end. It pulled me in, made me feel everything, and left me with a warmth I’ll be carrying for a long time.

I loved this story so much.

I was not a fan of the writing style but once I got used to it it flowed so much better.

I would definitely read another book by this author.

Jo Watson's "Love at First Flight" is an exhilarating romantic comedy that sweeps readers off their feet. The novel follows the spontaneous and adventurous journey of two strangers who meet under quirky circumstances at an airport and decide to throw caution to the wind by traveling together. Watson’s writing is vibrant and witty, perfectly capturing the chemistry and excitement between the characters. The story is a delightful mix of humor, romance, and unexpected adventures, making it a perfect escapism read. With its charming protagonists and picturesque settings, "Love at First Flight" is a heartwarming tale about taking chances, finding love, and discovering oneself along the way.

Thank you Headline for the ARC. Great autistic rep from an author who is diagnosed herself. Love the cover and the premise.

I absolutely loved "Love at First Flight" by Jo Watson. This delightful romantic comedy had me hooked from the very first page. The female lead was fantastic, brilliantly depicted with all her battles laid bare, making her both relatable and inspiring. The male lead was charming and perfect, his charisma shining through every interaction.

The story was not only romantic but truly funny, with scenes that had me laughing out loud. Jo Watson has a knack for blending humor with heartfelt moments, making this book a real pleasure to read.

The characters were well-developed and lovable, and the storyline was engaging from start to finish. Watson’s depiction of autism was particularly commendable, adding depth and meaning to the narrative by highlighting the challenges of being "different."

Overall, "Love at First Flight" is a wonderful, beautiful love story that is both entertaining and thought-provoking. It's a must-read for anyone looking for a romantic escape with a touch of humor and a lot of heart.

Thank you for the advanced copy of this book. I really enjoyed it. I loved the characters and how well written a neurodivergent character was. Due to the nature of my job this was an extremely important that it was done well. The characters were so lovely and their relationship was beautiful. I had so many laugh out loud moments and the last 10% of this book had me on the edge of my seat. Another fab book by this author. I 100% recommend.

This is such a brilliant read, I absolutely loved reading this. We follow Pippa and Andrew as they navigate their new fake relationship, but will they risk it becoming something more. This is one of the funniest books I have ever read, I was laughing aloud at multiple points. Watson has written a book that is full of joy and love and this was such a pleasure to read. Pippa is a fantastic character and provides much of the entertainment, I also applaud Watson for having a neurodiverse character take centre stage.
'Love At First Flight' is a fantastic read that I highly recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley and Headline for an advance copy.

This started out a bit rocky for me but along the way the characters grew on me and the ending was really sweet.

Be warned that there are a lot of tropes in this book - not necessarily a bad thing, it's good to know what you're getting sometimes and with romance books I'm not here for big surprises.

For me personally, I found Pippa's character somewhat forced. I know that the author has said she received her own autism diagnosis whilst writing this and used some of her own traits as well as others on the spectrum. Whilst this may be her experience, I really struggled to relate to it as a neurodivergent millennial and that made it hard to maintain my interest in the story in the beginning. Once I had worked my way through my initial annoyance (see also irritation or frustration - sorry but this was the absolute worst thing for me) I did enjoy the relationship development between Pippa and Andrew but this is not one I'll reach for again.

With thanks to headline and Netgalley for the arc.

A really enjoyable fake dating romance with a neurodiverse main character and the pilot she guides in to land.
Pippa is fed up of being asked about having a boyfriend so suggests to pilot Andrew they should start fake dating to stop the questions.
This is an own voices romance and the whole plot and characters felt very real. I loved the awkward conversations between the characters and the steamy scenes were great too.
Definitely recommend reading this one.

Love At First Flight by Jo Watson is an excellent heartwarming love story!

Pippa sees and feels the world differently. She's a special, young woman, who works as an air traffic controller and loves synonyms.
As 'City Tower' she often talks to 'Flightbird Six Zero Zero' - who's actually the pilot Andrew Boyce-Jones, but it's only work-related.
Until Pippa needs his help, and he could need her help as well. But... what happens when they mix business with pleasure? Could there be more than fake-dating?

I absolutely loooooved this kind of love story.
Pippa is on the autism spectrum and it was so interesting to get to know how she sees and feels. Yes, it's kinda different from how I see things, but that doesn't mean she's weird!
I absolutely fell for her and her whole personality. ❤️🙏
Experiencing how she opened up to someone like Andrew was wonderful.
Oh my... the whole book put me in a certain and special mood.
I can't quite describe it... but I'd say the whole mood is heartwarming and some kind of quiet and sensible and charming.
I'm not sure if my words will do it justice, but... I try to express my feelings.
I loved to get know more about Andrew and his life. How he grew up and stuff like that.
How he sees the world and... how he is when he's with Pippa. 😌🥰😍❤️
When they spend time together?! I got goosebumps everywhere and I couldn't do anything about it. Well, why should I wanna stop feeling good? 😌😌😌😌
Pippa and Andrew are two wonderful characters and I truly enjoyed and loved to experience their story.
They absolutely stole my heart. 💖

I read Jo Watson before and I'll definitely read more of her books.

Thank you so much to Jo Watson and Headline Eternal for this ARC via NetGalley.
This is my honest review in my own words.

I want to express my gratitude to NetGalley and the author for providing me with the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review. This book was a delightful and charming read that perfectly captured the essence of summer. The diverse cast of characters, particularly the main character, Pippa, added depth and authenticity to the story. Pippa's genuine nature made her a relatable and endearing protagonist, while Andrew brought a lighthearted and adorable energy to the narrative. While this romance novel may not have been my usual go-to, the slow-burn romance and the inclusion of neurodivergent representation added a unique and refreshing twist. Overall, while the book didn't fully captivate me, it still had its merits and may appeal to readers seeking a light and easy read.

This was so adorable!

Andrew and Pippa are the perfect feel good book couple. I think they were both wonderfully written and had well rounded personalities.

Pippa is delightful. She’s interesting and authentic with a bonus of being someone you can see yourself in.

Andrew was likeable from the start. I particularly loved the fact he was so accepting of Pippa without it being ‘a thing’. He just got it. He responded to what she needed and saw every part of her. It’s the kind of reaction every neurodiverse person wants but having to ask for it means you’re not getting it. He’s just the dream book boyfriend and I’m so happy he was written the way he was.

The fake dating trope is a classic and we all know how it ends. I loved the fact that its use in romcoms was mentioned and how completely oblivious Pippa was initially.

It was just wonderful, sweet and heartwarming read and I’ve already recommended it to friends.

I procrastinated reading ARCs this year. And unfortunately, this one had me picking up & putting it down on the regular. I can’t really pin-point why I personally didn’t gel with the writing or why the reading didn’t flow for me as per usually.
Could it be the single POV? The writer’s style I’m not used to? Or the time-lapses between some chapters? I’m not sure, but I came close to DNF a few times in the first half of the book. I continued reading, however, since I needed to know more about Pippa’s backstory and Andrew’s side of their landing into love.

There is a lot to love about this love story:
▶ The meet-cute was brilliantly set-up with the voice recognition of Flightbird Six Zero Zero and City Tower.
▶ Not a typical cookie-cutter romance
▶ Our FMC is on the spectrum, so Neurodivergent representation
▶ Pippa feels like a real person with a very clear opinions and specific thoughts that in certain situations were really recognizable.
▶ Andrew is sweet, understanding, patient and oh so charming. He’s the perfect book boyfriend, even without the pilot uniform.
But somehow it just didn’t click the way that I would have liked for this to be a 5 star read for me.

However, I do believe that it very well could be a 5 star read for others who enjoy reading the following tropes:
▶ Single POV
▶ Neurodivergent representation
▶ Workplace romance (ATC x Pilot)
▶ Fake Dating pact
▶ Forced Proximity (one bed)
▶ Golden Retriever MMC energy

Thank you to Headline Eternal and NetGalley for the chance to read a free advanced copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Love at First Flight is a traditional romantic comedy written by Jo, unabashedly, but it's also the narrative of an autistic woman navigating her profession, friendships, high school reunion, and, yes, love.
Jo has a lot of depth in this "fake relationship" romance since she writes with the authority of a lady who is on the spectrum herself.
In a nutshell, Pippa works as an air traffic controller and meets a pilot in a coffee shop who she recognises by voice. They decide to assist one another since they both need a date for a later event. You already know where this is headed, but along the road, there's unexpected warmth and compassion. I adored it.

Love at First Flight was a quick, easy read for me. I really liked it at the start and then it fell a bit flat for me. I get that the ASS aspect was important and god I wish we had more books with ASS representation so we'd all be more used to it, but to me it was a lot. I feel like the story needed a little setback between the two main characters. Next to that, it was very fluently written and I definitely enjoyed the story and the airport-theme.

Holy smokes I loved this book. It is jam packed with steamy hot romance. You will definitely not be able to put this book down it is incredible. Absolutely loved the characters. Will definitely read more from this author.

Work is her happy place, she’s damn good at her job directing air traffic but her private life is another story. Her high school reunion is coming up and such social events aren’t her scene especially when she has to go alone. When she bumps into Andrew the pilot she’s been talking to over the intercom for months they make a pact, a fake dating pact.

This one immediately caught my eye, the cover is so cute and the blurb sounds amazing. The fake dating trope is one of my favorites tropes by far and I’m not one to say no to a little spice. They really buried the lead in the blurb, the fmc Pippa is autistic. That may not sound like a big deal but in reality it’s one of if not the most prominent part of the story.

I love the representation, giving the reader insight into what it’s like living with autism. However it almost takes over the entire book. I think it would’ve been a more compelling read if there was a dual pov. Kind of like The bride test by Ana Huang. Andrew could’ve provided another interesting perspective and broken off the repetitive narrative.

The main characters are so good together, they build each other up and have great chemistry. The dates are super fun and I love the conversations between them at work.

It’s a sweet read with lots of representation and funny moments. It gets a bit repetitive but overall it’s a good read.

This one felt a bit flat for Jo this time. I mean it wasn't a bad book. It just didn't grip me. But if you are looking for something very light this might be for you.

Well, this was a cute romance book. Nothing that gript me, but a fun time. This one is a 3 stars read.