This was a really sweet story about all the love and support you can get by making your own family and opening yourself up to new experiences.

I felt like we got a little more character info/development from Will, but I still enjoyed Nora's role in the novel. While Nora was trying to keep things from changing in her beloved apartment complex, Will was a workaholic island trying to escape becoming like his late parents.

It was really interesting getting to see how Will's parents' relationship (which consisted of being hyper focused on each other and leaving Will to fend for himself) molded him into changing from the carefree young boy we see in the prologue, to the one we see later on. I enjoyed the dynamic he had with Nora, who has also felt left behind by her parents, but had a loving grandmother and community in their apartment complex. I liked seeing them influence each other in different ways that resulted in each stepping out of the boundaries they forced themselves into. I do wish we had more insight to the personal relationship Nora had with her grandmother (especially since it turned out that she was the original stubborn woman that reveled in the complex routine).

I also have to mention how much I absolutely loved Gerald and Sally's second chance romance playing out in the background. Will saw himself in rigid and responsible Gerald, and it was wonderful seeing their friendship slowly take shape. I liked that Will had to start rethinking his habits once Gerald showed by example that it's never too late to make life changes for someone you love.

Let me tell you, I was something of a reluctant reader here. I’m busier than ever at work. The kid Is back in public school. Half my office has the virus - literally. Let’s sum it up for you succinctly - mood: Watching the Sopranos and just obsessed with Tony and his crew and his neuroses (and not his awful awful mother. I cannot tell you how I loathe that woman!)
So smart, subtle, feminist Kate Clayborn was a bad choice. I should have gone with Hotel New Hampshire. I was reluctant. Begrudging. I wanted to nitpick at the characters - little things they did. But here’s the deal - Clayborn is top-shelf. And this book is a perfect example of her at her finest. She didn’t need my bullshit. She knows her characters’ flaws - they’re delicately engineered, crafted, woven into the tapestry of the story and made part of a beautiful resolution.
When I didn’t want to read a contemporary romance (let’s be honest here, I’m not sure I want to read at all right now) I ended this book with a gusty sigh - grinning ear to ear.
I hope you’ve read Kate Clayborn. I hope you love her. She’s a good good thing - a bright spot even when all I want is to surround myself with self-destructive mobsters and their mother problems.

I really enjoyed Kate Clayborn’s Love Lettering book so I was excited to read Love at First. I loved the idea of bickering neighbors who cannot get along.

Will and Nora were entertaining together as she tries to sabotage his attempt to rent out his apartment and keep her building the same tight-knit community it has been for decades. She doesn’t know that while Will inherited the apartment from his Uncle he wants nothing to do with the building or the bad memories he associates with it. They quickly discover that they may have more in common than they anticipated since they both need to learn to move on from the past that’s holding them back.

There were parts of this story that I really loved. I loved the cast of characters who lived in the apartment building from shy Emily to no-nonsense Marian. They were such a fun part of this novel. I liked Nora and Will together. They had a great understanding of one another (once they got out of their own way) but I honestly didn’t love the missed opportunity connection from when they were younger. Will remembering Nora from his teenage years just didn’t add to the story for me. I didn’t love that part of the story but I’m sure many readers will enjoy that their romance felt destined to be. Overall, it was still an enjoyable romance.

Love at First tells the story of Nora, who lives in her deceased grandmother’s apartment and takes care of her beloved building in Chicago, and Will, who inherits one if the apartments in said building but wants to rent it out for short-term rentals. They are instantly attacted to each other, but also enemies. The romance is very engaging and all the characters, including the side characters, are well rounded and interesting (without being unrealistically twee or quirky, as many romance novels fall victim to). I don’t generally like romance novels, but I picked this one up because it is set in Chicago, where I just moved but haven’t been able to explore because of covid. It seemed to go on a bit long for me—I thought it was done when I still had 2 hrs to go and I couldn’t fathom what the other pages were for. A lot happened, and I am not sure all of it was necessary, but I am sure there are those who will welcome the opportunity to spend more time in Nora and Will’s world.
(This is more like 3.5 stars than 3 stars for me, but I rounded down because that isn’t an option.)

Love at First is a sweet and heartwarming read that pulls at the heartstrings and features my favorite trope of the found family. I loved the way in which the author wove the element of fate through the narrative. I’m sad to say that I had a difficult time connecting with the main characters and didn’t feel any real or consistent chemistry between them.

I genuinely wanted to love this book more than I did. I do think that the elements I struggled with are purely subjective – and you may notice that Goodreads is filled with glowing five star reviews. I suggest giving it a try if you enjoy contemporary romance; it could very well be just the story you’re looking for.

My thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for a complimentary advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Such a quintessential Clayborn novel in many ways, and now that she’s written a handful, it’s pretty easy to note her unique stylistic features and themes. I sunk effortlessly into the world she creates here from the first pages and felt comforted by her vision of a world as it could or should be, complete with a community of people who love and support each other as much as the main couple. At times I will admit that I felt that I was waiting for more romantic emotional discord or “angst” and when it didn’t arrive, I could feel a little disappointment hovering in the back of my mind. This is perhaps Clayborn’s quietest novel, or maybe it’s best to say that it’s her most adult one. Taken on its own terms though, quiet has its rewards, especially at the end of a chaotic year, and so I forced myself to let go of a desire for more fraught plotting and relish a subtler love story between people who consciously agree to work through differences and in kindly ways.

As a teen Will had secretly pined for a young woman he had overheard but never actually saw. Years later and as adults in the midst of a love affair, Nora confesses that if Will had seen her in all her awkward teenage-ness, there would have been no unrequited love story. But Will knows that his love for Nora is intrinsic to all of Nora, inside and out, and not to any superficial glimpse of her when she was young. The novel conveys well the idea that their love is based on valuing so many meaningful qualities they find in each other. They love early and resolutely from beginning to end, and there is little doubt of the feelings they have for each other. And yet the conflict in the book takes form primarily in Will’s insecurities of losing himself in love. I have to admit that I am not a fan of books featuring adults who are unable to overcome bad parenting, and this is definitely a book that attributes much of Will’s commitment issues and solitary life choices to neglectful parents. It’s tragic to see adults struggle to overcome childhood problems, and it also makes me fear for significant others who devote themselves to a relationship with that person. Nora’s response to Will’s insecurities truly is the stuff of adult relationship coping at its finest. Perhaps I’m too much of a romance trope reader in that I expected Nora to behave differently any number of times, and my surprise with her is that she is the quietest and kindest of Clayborn’s heroines. She’ll probably end up one of my favorite heroines of 2021. Will earned my sympathy in the end, although I do think I would have enjoyed the resolution of conflict a little more if it didn’t require a bevy of supportive characters sitting the protagonists down for forced epiphanies.

On the topic of supporting characters, they are one of my favorite features of Kate Clayborn novels. As usual, Clayborn represents and in wonderfully subtle ways. Older characters are central, as are an older lesbian couple and a middle-aged couple struggling to rekindle the romance in their lives. Socially awkward introverts such as Will’s boss, Gerald, are priceless. Elderly people are valued. Diversity is just there, as it always is in a Clayborn novel, and it doesn’t need to scream for attention. Didactic authors can learn much from reading the artistry behind Clayborn’s writing. And in what has come to feel to me as a subtle yet powerful nod to urban life, once again she depicts life in a big city as a place where loving families and communities exist. Urban life in America has becomes so politically toxic that simply representing it in a positive light feels charged and important. While this novel wasn’t a perfect read for me, it was nonetheless another lovely book in the Clayborn canon.

Another swoony winner from Kate Clayborn. The book was full of heart and lovely supporting characters. Nora and Will were easy to root for and their feud built up the tension nicely.

"𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐚𝐰 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐚 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞, 𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐛𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐥."
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This frenemies to lovers story is about second chances, community, and learning to deal with grief.
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For the most part I enjoyed this book, the story itself was fun and inventive and I really liked all of the side characters and their backgrounds. My main issue lies with the main characters themselves, I just did not like them. They were both too stubborn and repetitive for my liking which made it harder for me to connect with them. My favorite character would have to be Will's boss Gerald, he is so straightforward and opposite to Will which is what makes it so much fun to see their friendship grow.
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This story did a great job of showing the characters working through their grief over losing a loved one and learning how to honor them in a way that still allows the characters to move forward with their lives.

This was my first Kate Clayborn book and I am so fortunate enough to have received an arc!! “Love at First” is the story of Will and Nora who met when they were teenagers but didn't really see each other's face only to meet 16 years later at the same building . Upon reconnecting, the 2 did not start off on the right foot. But they work through their issues and develop a sweet and steamy relationship. I enjoyed this slow burn and can’t wait for my next Kate book.

I really enjoyed the story for both the primary tale, between Will and Nora but also all of the extra players who came into their lives. The quirky neighbors and colleagues really added fun elements for both the main characters.

Definitely recommend this one if you are looking for a sweet and fun rom-com!

This wasn’t a bad book, I just didn’t care? I mean yes it was sweet and i love books with side characters that are like a small community and so neighbourly and on each other’s business. So yes I liked all of that, but my main issue was with the two main characters. They were just so flat. Two dimensional and so repetitieve. I don’t feel like I get to know them no matter how hard i tried. I also found the romance kinda boring, lacking, and with a nonexistent chemistry. When did they start falling for each other? Because I think I missed it. Even the enemies to lovers part felt kinda one-sided? The premise is interesting and the book started out well, but once I get to know the characters I started to dislike it.

Huge thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this copy.

Tales that start with balconies, a star-crossed couple, and fateful meetings usually end with poison, knives, and stupidity. <i>Love at First</i> gives Will & Nora (and the Romeo & Juliet trope) a second chance for a happier ending.

Kate Clayborn's characters--main & side--feel like real people. Our couple have to give up comfort and safety and allow in new ideas and connections to get to each other. The humor (and this book causes both rueful and LOL laughter) comes in watching them figure out how to be adults with healthy attachments.

[the moment in the hospital parking lot where Will's doctor boss says "You don't have to love people the way you learned to love at first" and the static in Will's head is yelling at him and he decides to risk his career, be an authentic friend, and...call his boss by his FIRST NAME? that moment? I love that moment.]

Also, the woman writes an absolutely transcendent sex scene, while providing further evidence that respect, condoms, and full consent make everything better.

Cannot wait to give this to all my Sally Thorne, Christina Lauren, and Samantha Young fans.

Received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Earlier this year I read and loved author Kate Clayborn's novel "Love Lettering," I then made my way through her "Chance of a Lifetime" series, which I also loved and it solidified my status as a fan.

I was thrilled to get an opportunity to read "Love at First" and what a magical journey it was.

"You don't have to love people the way you learned to love at first."

When I read the synopsis for "Love at First" I assumed this would be another cute romcom/enemies-to-lovers story featuring grumpy/sunshine dueling characters who fall in love, but it was so much more.

Will and Nora were complex characters dealing with a plethora of issues, chief among them, personal insecurities and grief. And while I adored Nora, I honestly wanted to reach through my kindle and hug Will; reassure him, tell him to allow himself to feel. I also wanted to tell Nora that it was okay to let go. There were instances I wanted to shake both of the main characters into reason, but they figured it out on their own soon enough.

I simply loved these two and reading about them falling in love, surrounded by wonderful supporting characters (Will's boss is a personal favorite) was such a treat.

"Love at First" was a wonderful love story and Will and Nora's story is one that will stay with me for a long time.

Thank you for an advance copy of this book! I will be posting this review on Goodreads the week of publication.

I really adored this book. I loved Will and Nora separately and as a pair and it was great to see all of the neighbors, and really the apartment building, become fully formed secondary characters.

While I fully admit that the original premise of the story seems a bit far fetched (Will needs glasses, "sees" Nora while visiting his uncle, falls in love), I appreciate that it really isn't the meat of what drives the characters as they get to know each other. I do wish that we had gotten more insight into Nora. We hear the reasons she returned to Chicago, but it seemed like there was a lot more into why Nora's life is where it is at and it would have been great to discover that. I would have loved to hear more about her job.

As to Will, I loved his budding friendship with his boss, but we get very little sense of his life outside of the apartment and Nora. It seems like a little more could have been added there.

But really, I just through the story was the perfect mix of sweet and conflict and none of the obstacles in the way of Will and Nora felt forced or out-of-place. I loved how the neighbors took care of each other and formed a community and the author does a great job of building a small world and giving you a great picture of the inside of each unit (I mean apartment ;) ).

I can't wait to go back to this novel when it comes out, it was a warm blanket on a cool night.

Love at First was a breath of fresh air - seriously! I’ve been exclusively reading chick lit for a few months and I was getting tired of the same old story lines. This was refreshing and a little unpredictable. I loved how the story and characters evolved and appreciated the family unit that was developed.

It was ok. It was constructed well, well written and I appreciated how the inner/outer conflicts of the H/h were well matched. I wanted to like this novel as I have heard great things about Kate Clayborn from folks I respect in the literary world, but I was just bored. It was very wordy and felt like it started slow. I didn't feel the connection between the H/h for quiet a while. Around 30% through, I started just skimming and reading the conversation bits to finish the book. I just didn't care about Nora trying to save the environment for all these elderly folks who, honestly, are going to pass on in a short time anyway. She is trying to preserve this literal dying way of life. While this book isn't for me, I still think it is a "good" book.

From the moment she unknowingly pelted him with a tomato at the age of sixteen, Will knew that the girl on the balcony held a special place in his heart. He didn't know her name and he barely saw what she looked like behind the wall of the balcony, but something about her laugh and her voice called to his heart. But it wasn't meant to be, since a few minutes later his mom stormed out of his uncle's apartment and angrily dragged him away from the courtyard where he had experienced feelings unlike any other in his life.

His uncle had said some terrible things that day, and Will decided he would be the exact opposite of the person his uncle thought he was. He resolved to change himself, and he did it, all by himself.

Fast forward to many years later. Will is now an adult who is called back to the apartment. This time, he's there because he's its new owner. His uncle has passed away, and he's inherited the apartment. He doesn't want to be there. His uncle's harsh words still echo in his head, and the pain he feels now is as raw as it was the last time he was in his uncle's home. The loneliness and sadness he's fought since that day come flooding back.

Then he hears that voice again, and he can't believe it. It couldn't be the girl who had pelted him with tomatoes, could it? There's no way she could still be living there, in that same apartment? If it wasn't her, why was his heart beating so erratically?

This is a wonderful story, mainly told from the point of view of the hero, Will Sterling. We see how he felt as an awkward teen boy. How he grows into a handsome, confident emergency room doctor. How he fights the demons from his past and overcomes obstacles that many of us wouldn't wish on our worst enemy. Yet something is missing in his life and he doesn't really know what it is, until the day that fate brings him face-to-face with a female voice that has haunted his dreams and thoughts for year. That female voice belongs to Nora and now that he's seen all of the adult version of her, his teen feelings return, but stronger than ever before. Yet he won't let himself fall for Nora, knowing that his past means he could never have a normal relationship. Or does it? Is he destined to repeat the errors of his parents?

We also learn about Nora, the young girl who was staying at her grandmother's apartment and using tomatoes to chase squirrels off the balcony when she unknowingly pelted Will. We see her years later, and she -- like all the tenants who live in the apartment building -- is worried about the young man who has inherited his uncle's apartment. You see, they are a family of sorts, caring for each other because they have no biological family to do so. So they take care of each other. They are grieving the death of Will's uncle as they would grieve a family member's death. And they don't want a stranger in their building, perhaps making changes or selling the apartment to someone who won't fit in.

When Will announces his plan to rent out the apartment to vacation and short-term rentals, Nora leads a mission to sabotage his efforts by staging a series of events and activities that she thinks will dissuade him. But in her efforts, she realizes that there's more to him than just the suave, confident doctor. That he hides hurts and loneliness too -- feelings that Nora can relate to. But she fights her growing attraction for Will, knowing that his plans for his inherited apartment will change their building forever.

The author--Kate Clayborn--does a wonderful job of flushing out the depth of the main characters. We really understand their how their childhood has influenced their actions and motivations as adults,. She helps us empathize with each character's own weakness and hurts. I especially loved Will -- a character written with so much depth that I wish he was a real person I could meet and get to know!

I thought this was a very good book and recommend it! Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington Books for providing an ARC in exchange for a fair review.

A funny, sweet, and heartfelt romance with a delightful cast of secondary characters. Will and Nora are full, realized characters with rich backstories and it is a delight to see them experience growth.

A charming story, with characters I was ready to fall in love with, but for me it lacked a little in narrative drive and pace

I really loved Clayborn's last book, Love Lettering, so I was eagerly awaiting this new title. As with her last book, Clayborn has written a lovely, quiet romance that provided a calming read in this year of turmoil. Clayborn's writing continues to be strong, but I didn't quite connect with these characters as much as I was hoping to.