Easy four stars! Slow to start, but really cute once I got into it. Good autism rep, fun fake dating trope, and the aviation/airplane part of this was so interesting to me!

What a fun, romantic travel themed book!

It’s everything a rom com should be. It was a fresh take on “fake dating” to cope with pressures from friends and family.

While the formula may sound familiar, these two characters keep you interested and entertained. The author’s first hand take on being on the spectrum is realistic, unfiltered and endearing.

As someone who reads a lot of romance novels it is always nice to find one that stands out against the "typical" romance book. I loved the representation of autism in this book. I did find the start a bit slow and it took me some time to get into the plot but by the end I enjoyed it! Overall it was not my favourite romance book, but I would recommend it to those who like to have more relatable representation in romance novels!

Wow. I haven’t read such a beautiful romance in a while. This isn’t your typical romance, but thats exactly what makes it so special. It’s an authentic portrayal of what it means to love someone who is neurodivergent.

I absolutely loved the banter between Pippa and Andrew! They fit so well together! And Andrew? He was so WHOLESOME!!

The autism representation was beautifully done, making this novel a sweet, (neuro)spicy, and cozy read.

This was such a good book that includes true representation of autism. I really enjoyed reading it and getting to know the characters. Watching the character development was fantastic!

Interesting read for sure. The story was slow at the start and is alittle too long for my taste in romance books. But overall good book to read.

Thanks Netgalley and author/publisher for the ARC!

This was cute but a little long and a slow start. I have never read anything like it so it makes it stand out and feel unique in that way!

Love at first flight is possibly the worst book I have ever had the displeasure of reading.

I was excited for this book there is so little Autism representation in books but this book was impossible to pallet .

The MC constantly droned on and on and there was so much over explanation that I was constantly getting bored .

This book ended up being a hard no for me, despite a few cute moments neither character where likable and no matter how hard I tried to get into the story I couldn’t

Thank you Netgalley Wattpad WEBTOON Book Group | W by Wattpad Books for the arc

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!
This was a fun and quick read! I read it in less than 24 hours. I loved the autism spectrum rep, the banter between our main characters, and the ATC and pilot romance. I am also an aviation nerd and appreciated that about this book.

This was maybe more 4 stars but rounded up because it was the sweetest, easy read love story (plus some spice) with my favorite type of protagonist & I also learned about air traffic control? Thanks NetGalley & Wattpad Book Group for the ARC!

4 stars! 🌟 Huge thanks to Wattpad WEBTOON Book Group & NetGalley for the ARC! 💌

Okay, fake dating + a pilot + a neurodivergent heroine = the kind of rom-com magic I LIVE FOR. ✈️💕

Pippa & Andrew’s love story? Adorable. Hilarious. Unexpectedly deep. It starts with witty intercom banter (yes, they’ve been talking for months but never met!) and turns into an airport meet-cute that is honestly straight out of a movie. Both of them need a date—Pippa for her dreaded high school reunion and Andrew to stop his family from matchmaking him into oblivion. The fake dating pact? Genius. Until feelings start getting involved (because of course, they do!).

Pippa is a force. Neurodivergent, insanely smart, obsessed with airplanes, and socially awkward in the best way. She blurts out random facts when nervous, has a list of things she hates (school reunions are at the top!), and struggles with change. I LOVED her. Seeing her navigate life, relationships, and self-acceptance was heartwarming and eye-opening.

And Andrew? Absolute golden retriever energy. 💕✨ Patient, charming, and completely in awe of Pippa from the get-go. He respects her quirks, supports her without trying to change her, and falls for her in the most soft and swoony way. Their chemistry? Off the charts. That slow burn tension had me screaming internally more than once.

The rep in this book? So well done. Pippa’s autism is portrayed authentically and with so much heart. Her struggles with social cues, textures, and sensory overload felt real and relatable rather than just a plot device. Seeing her find someone who truly gets her? Pure magic. ✨

Why not 5 stars?
1️⃣ Single POV. I NEEDED to be in Andrew’s head. Desperately. Give me his thoughts, his realizations, his love-sick moments. Please, Jo Watson, drop a bonus chapter from his POV ASAP.
2️⃣ Pippa’s brain = chaotic. Which makes sense, given her character, but whew it was A LOT. Her inner monologue is jam-packed with thoughts, facts, and overanalyzing, which sometimes made my own brain short-circuit.

Tropes & Vibes:
✈️ Fake Dating
💙 Airport Romance
✈️ Neurodivergent Heroine
💙 Golden Retriever x Grumpy
✈️ Slow Burn
💙 One POV Only

Final verdict? If you love fake dating, quirky heroines, cinnamon roll heroes, and airport romance with a side of heartfelt self-discovery, this is YOUR book. It’s funny, charming, and lowkey made me emotional. READ IT.

Thank you to NetGalley and Headline Eternal for this E-Arc, in exchange for an honest review.

I just finished reading Love at First Flight by Jo Watson, and this is exactly what I call a feel-good book!

The book follows Pippa, who is under the autism spectrum (loved how autism was represented in this book) and works as an air traffic controller. She’s amazing at her job but struggles when it comes to relationships. One day, she meets Andrew, a pilot she’s been talking to over the radio for a while. He’s a really nice guy who’s just hoping to find someone special.

They come up with this funny idea to pretend they’re a couple because their families keep pushing them to find love. But, as you can guess in a romance, things start to get real between them.

I truly loved how Andrew truly understood Pippa and how accepting he was. He didn’t try to change her or make her fit a certain image. He accepted her for who she was, idiosyncrasies and all! It was so sweet and heartwarming. If you’re looking for a light, fast read, feel-good book that’ll leave you smiling, this is definitely one to read!
4 Stars!
#NetGalley, #HeadlineEternal, #LoveatFirstFlight, #JoWatson, #Neurodivergent

It's not very often neurodivergent protagonists are romantic leads and Love at First Flight seemed like it could be that gateway book. I really wanted to like this novel, but I suffered from secondhand embarrassment at every turn. Pippa is an air traffic controller and has a crush on a pilot she's never met. She also has no filter and says whatever thought pops through her head. I know this is typical for autistic individuals, but I couldn't stop cringing. I understand it was reflective of the author's own experience on the spectrum, yet the literal interpretations took a toll. I couldn't stand Pippa, but thankfully the pilot made up for her less than palatable personality.

Andrew was the best part of this book and the ultimate saving grace for my composure. He was utterly charming. He made me smile and I was thankful whenever he was on the page. He helped dim the awkwardness and lighten the mood. He was a wonderful love interest. While Pippa rattled my nerves, Andrew helped calm them. I wish there were more heroes who were pilots or even had a quarter of the charm that he possessed. To misquote Elton John, he can lead me through the chamber and take me to the pilot anytime.

Love at First Flight was a valiant attempt to bring neurodivergence into the romantic sphere. It didn't quite mesh with me, but I'm sure it will resonate with other readers. While I didn't care for the heroine, the hero took me high in the sky. It may not have been Love at First Flight, but those airline cookies looked mighty appetizing.

Hilarious and heartfelt Love At First Flight is a joyful rom-com with unexpected depth. Pippa and Andrew have only spoken to each other through headsets - her as an ATC and him as a pilot, but when a chance encounter has him recognize her voice this meet-cute turns into a full on fake romance with an unusual twist. Fun, flirty, sexy and supportive of the broad diversity of lived experiences, it will make you believe in true love

When I first started this book, I didn't realize the FMC was going to be on the autism spectrum. But I guessed she was autistic in the first chapter. As a neurodivergent individual and someone currently being tested for autism, I immediately recognized the signs, although the author gave the character some of the more extreme spectrum traits that I couldn't relate with. So I'd first like to say kudos to the author for writing a character that is often unrepresented in romance books. But I can also see how someone who isn't familiar with autism could pick this book up and not like it since they can't relate or see themselves in this book.

As far as the writing, I found the first half seemed to drag, despite the humor thrown in. This book was the very definition of slow burn, which isn't always my favorite, so that first 60% was tougher to get through. The second half of the book is definitely a lot better and there's even some spice thrown in there (spice level for the book is maybe a 2/5). I found myself anxious to get back to reading the last 20% of the book and liked that we finally get some progress with the changing status of their relationship. Throw in some danger at the end and it makes things even more interesting. I loved Andrew and his dedication to Pippa. He didn't judge her, but understood her and accepted her as-is. He was pretty much the perfect 'boyfriend.'

Given all that's going on in the US right now with planes, the FAA and air traffic controllers, this book was even more relevant and interesting when it came to learning more about what ATC's do and how they communicate with planes.

This book was terrific! I haven't read something so different in a while. It was a fresh take on the standard Rom-Com. From the South Africn locale to the air traffice controller and pilot sub occupations, it was all so welcome.
Pippa may be on the spectrum, but that makes her the best air traffic controller around. She earns the respect of all pilots who fly through her airport, especially Andrew, who needs to get his family off his back for not having a girlfriend. Yes, the fake dating trope is center to the book, but the love story and the handling of Pippa's differences are off the charts.
Please, please, please let someone like Pippa be the air traffic controller when I fly next. Especially these days!!
I loved this...and I can' believe there aren't huge numbers of it at the wholesaler!!!

This is an absolutely adorable romance with all the tropes we earn for and the love we need. An absolute perfect read for our lovey month of February. Love it!!

i can appreciate what this was trying to do, but it didn't work for me. the setting was fun, there's autism representation, the premise is really great ... but it didn't work.

i actually didn't like either of the characters. i felt like the fmc specifically was just really naive and immature, and it was difficult to read in her pov. especially considering the long inner monologues, which i understand is a part of the autism representation, but when she's so fcking unlikable, i had to skim through so much of it. i also hated the writing. it felt very bland and, again, pretty juvenile.

i don't personally have autism nor do i know anyone on the spectrum, so i can't really speak on the accuracy of the representation in the book, but from what i do know i feel like the author did a pretty good job with it! again, i loved how different this book was from other romances but the execution was, for the most part, just not there.

This book was an absolute gem of a romance! I'd never read a story where the main character has autism before, and it really opened my eyes to how challenging things like clothing and relationships can be for someone with autism. It was so heartwarming to see Andrew understand her struggles so deeply—every time he said, "I know you, I understand," my heart just melted!

I loved all the laugh-out-loud moments and playful banter, but also didn’t shy away from more serious themes, like the pressure of societal expectations. And let’s not forget the South African setting—such a refreshing change, especially since I’ve never come across a book set there before!

Jo Watson has really crafted a feel-good romance that will have you laughing, swooning, and maybe even wiping away a tear or two. It’s a must-read for fans of fake-dating romances and love stories that celebrate all kinds of beautiful relationships. And the unexpected twist at the end? Absolutely blew me away in the best way possible.

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.