Thank you so much to NetGalley and
Wattpad WEBTOON Book Group for this eARC!

When I read the description of this book, I fully expected to read a cute story I enjoyed. I was not expecting to love it as much as I did!

Love at First Flight is a cute and witty story about Andrew and Pippa. Andrew is a dreamboat - a pilot who’s funny, kind and caring, patient, and takes care of Pippa so well. Pippa, an Air Traffic Controller, is an intelligent and independent woman who is on the autism spectrum and struggles with communication and relationships. The pair start “fake dating” to help solve each other’s problems when it comes to family and friends constantly harassing each of them about when they’re going to settle down. Watching them together is adorable. Synonyms include endearing, lovable, cute. (IYKYK). Being in Pippa’s head as she realizes she has real feelings for Andrew is so heartening.

While I cannot personally relate to being neurodivergent, I greatly appreciate the representation. I found it very interesting and educational to read from that POV! I highly recommend this book!

They first meet when Pippa Edwards air-traffic controller and Pilot Andrew Boyce-Jones communicate over the radio. After 6 months of working together they finally meet face to face they determine they both have a something in common, they both need a date. They decide to have a fake dating pact to help with both with their own situations.

Love at First Flight tells the story of Pippa, a nuerodivergent Air Traffic Controller who is anxious about her High School Reunion. She cross paths with a handsome pilot named Andrew who, after a conversation over coffee have decided that they can help each other. They both agree to be each other's date to reunions and family parties so that their loved ones can stop talking about their love lives.
I really enjoyed this book! It was nice to see a book that is from the perspective of a character on the spectrum, written by someone who is also on the spectrum. It makes is much more authentic. The characters were cute together and the plot was sweet. Definitely a recommended read for sure.
Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher Wattpad Web toon Book Group for the E-Arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.
#Netgalley #LoveatFirstFlight

5 stars!! I loved this book! I will be reading this author's entire backlog.

Pippa and Andrew's story is so cute. This book was one of those books that just made me so happy. Andrew is a real gem. Pippa, to me, is quite relatable. I loved all the random facts scattered throughout this book.

Pippa's internal dialogue reminds me of Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine which I also loved.

I found this story to be quite cute and different, with spice but what i love was the representation of autism. It gave a different perspective that i enjoyed and the fake dating trope was big in here.

Although I really liked the plot line, I think this book would have benefitted a lot by being a dual pov. I feel like Pippas inner monologue didn't add to the story line at all times but kind of just dragged out the story. The banter between Pippa and Andrew was really cute and I enjoyed that. All in all, feel like this book could have used some more editing.

Air-traffic controller Pippa Edwards and pilot Andrew Boyce-Jones have spent months speaking over the intercoms. When a chance meeting brings them face-to-face, they discover not only do they work at the same airport, but they also share a common plight: relentless family pressure to settle down. With Pippa dreading probing questions at her ten-year school reunion in Cape Town and Andrew desperate to get his meddling family off his back, they strike a deal—a fake dating pact to keep everyone at bay. But as their staged romance unfolds, the line between pretense and reality blurs. Andrew’s charm and Pippa’s wit spark a connection that feels all too real, leaving her to question everything she thought she wanted—and whether love might be worth the risk.

I absolutely adored this book! The representation was fantastic, beautifully showcasing diverse and unique romantic relationships. The airline industry setting added a fresh, relatable layer. Though the chemistry between Pippa and Andrew started subtly, the slow burn worked perfectly as their backstories unfolded. The well-developed characters, with their distinct and compelling backgrounds, made the story feel authentic and emotionally rich. This book struck a perfect balance between romance, individuality, and depth—a memorable read I’ll cherish for a long time.

3.75 stars


I was thoroughly impressed by the author’s note and her vulnerability in discussing her autism with humor. I found her insight to be truly insightful, and I was delighted to discover that she had also created the female protagonist as autistic as well. Initially, I was a bit skeptical when I read the first few chapters, as I wasn’t sure where the story was headed. However, I decided to give it a chance, and I was pleasantly surprised. The book provided excellent autism representation throughout, and I truly appreciated that. I also thoroughly enjoyed the banter between Andrew and Pippa; their interactions were hilarious. Additionally, I appreciated that Andrew remained unphased by Pippa’s blunt comments, even though she didn’t mean to say them. Andrew’s character was portrayed as a sweet and gentle soul, reminiscent of a golden retriever. I was also intrigued by the setting of the book in South Africa’s, as I had never read a book set there before. I found it fascinating to gain a glimpse into the local culture and experiences. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and hope to continue reading more of Jo’s work in the future.

The absolute chokehold this book had on me, ugh! So cute, charming, enlightening and steamy!

Pippa is a very successful Air Traffic Controller and she is also on the autism spectrum. She is extremely direct, loves synonyms, and knows a lot of information about very niche topics.

Flightbird Six Zero Zero is Pippa’s favorite pilot to work with because he has *the* perfect voice. After an adorable meet cute where they recognize each other by voice alone, they strike up a fake dating arrangement to help Pippa at her school reunion and to help Andrew get his family off his back. After all, they’ve already been “talking” for the past six months.

Pippa’s past relationships haven’t made it longer a few dates but since this is a fake relationship, she feels she can be more herself and show her quirks. It just so happens that these things Pippa is usually self conscious about are the things Andrew loves most about her.

Andrew is so accepting of Pippa’s quirks and attune to her needs. He is patient and so charming. And the pilot talk and aviation banter is so fun and flirty 😍

I loved all of the detail of this story and getting to be in Pippa’s head. Andrew’s family completely stole my heart and I only wish there were more of Blessing and Leroy sprinkled in. Maybe in a sequel?? A girl can dream. The last portion of this book also gripped me and gave me all the feels and the ending was totally perfect. The author notes that all aviation information was based on her own perceptions and research but it felt authentic to me as an aviation outsider myself.

The author, Jo Watson, also shared that she was recently diagnosed with autism so she wrote this story with first hand experience. It’s such an informative glimpse into the mind of someone on the spectrum.

Highly recommend grabbing a copy of Love at First Flight when it’s released on March 18th!

Also a BIG thank you to Net Galley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

"Love at First Flight" is a fun and fluffy read with a charming premise. I loved the aviation setting – it gave the story a unique vibe. Pippa is a hilarious character, and I totally get her aversion to repeating patterns and tight clothes.

The fake dating trope is classic, but the banter between Pippa and Andrew kept things interesting. Their chemistry was undeniable, and I was rooting for them from the start. However, the plot was a bit predictable, and some of the character arcs felt a little rushed.

Overall its a cute and enjoyable rom-com, perfect for a lazy afternoon. It's not going to blow your mind, but it's a lighthearted and entertaining read.

“Love at First Flight” allows readers to step into the shoes of a character on the autism spectrum in a fun, light-hearted romance. Pippa meets Andrew, a work colleague, and finds they similarly need dates for certain functions without all the complications. They decide to make a fake dating pact. However, during their pact, they veered off their plan, complicating things.

I loved how Author Jo Watson pulled me in and almost let me experience Pippa’s thought processes as she interacted with others, from her friends, family, and Andrew. Jo made it funny, and the secondhand embarrassment kind, too. The text exchanges were hilarious. It wasn’t all light and fun; there were some sad and touching moments, too, and I also loved how patient and understanding Andrew was with Pippa.

“Love at First Flight” was an enjoyable read.

While I loved Pippa and Andrew’s banter, the inner monologue felt like it dragged the book out more than it needed to be. I wished it would have been dual POV. Overall I did enjoy Andrew loving Pippa exactly how she is.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

Jo Watson’s Love at First Flight is an absolute delight—equal parts heartwarming, hilarious, and deeply relatable. This story takes a classic rom-com setup (fake dating, anyone?) and gives it wings with its charming airport setting, quirky characters, and the perfect blend of humor and heartfelt moments. It’s like a warm hug disguised as a book, and I couldn’t put it down.

Let’s talk about Pippa Edwards, our adorably awkward and fiercely competent air-traffic controller. She’s a breath of fresh air (pun intended)—smart, self-aware, and unapologetically herself, even when society seems determined to misunderstand her. Watching her navigate her struggles with social cues while maintaining her professional confidence was equal parts inspiring and endearing. She’s the kind of protagonist you want to root for because she feels so real. And Andrew Boyce-Jones? Let’s just say I’m ready to book my next flight if it means running into someone like him. Charming, patient, and a little bit cheeky, he’s the perfect counterbalance to Pippa’s straightforwardness.

Their chemistry? Off the charts. From their witty intercom banter to their hesitant first face-to-face meeting, every interaction crackles with energy. The fake dating trope shines here, with all its glorious awkwardness and simmering tension. Favorite moment? When they practice being “believable” as a couple, complete with staged hand-holding and painfully bad flirting—it’s both hilarious and impossibly sweet. And let’s not forget their mutual realization that the fake part of their arrangement is feeling very, very real. Swoon.

Beyond the romance, Love at First Flight explores themes of self-acceptance and connection. Pippa’s journey to embrace her uniqueness and find someone who values her just as she is struck a powerful chord. The contrast between her supportive relationship with Andrew and her strained interactions at her high school reunion is so well-done—it’s a reminder of how far she’s come and how much further she’s willing to go for love and happiness.

The book also touches on complicated family dynamics, particularly Andrew’s well-meaning but intrusive family, who can’t seem to stop pressuring him to settle down. These moments added depth to his character and made his partnership with Pippa feel all the more satisfying—they’re both figuring out what they want, and they’re doing it together.

If I have one small critique, it’s that the ending wrapped up a bit too quickly. I would have loved a few more pages to fully savor their resolution and see Pippa’s continued growth. That said, it’s a minor quibble in an otherwise fantastic read.

Love at First Flight is perfect for fans of fake dating, opposites-attract dynamics, and protagonists who learn to embrace their quirks. With its sharp humor, emotional resonance, and swoon-worthy romance, this book is a first-class ticket to a thoroughly enjoyable escape. Safe to say, Jo Watson has earned herself a permanent spot on my radar.

I really enjoyed this book. It was an easy read and the romance was super sweet. I will for sure read it again when it gets published. I also think my seniors might enjoy it.

Thank you for the arc!!! 3.5 stars rounded up!

4 ⭐️
2 🌶️

<b>“I hope I don’t mess up my hair,” I said.
“I do,” he replied.
“Why?”
“Because then I would have to do it again.”<\b>

TLDR; cutesy low stakes romance read with our neuro-spicy air traffic controller, Pippa, and her fake boyfriend, pilot Andrew.

As with every book, I read the synopsis once and promptly forget it so I end up going in <i>prettyyy</i> blind. So I did <i>not</i> immediately know Pippa was on the spectrum until I saw the signs written in her mannerisms (shoutout to Jo Watson for the canned coke scene, I felt seen). Andrew and Pippa’s chemistry and banter were something you don’t see often in romance reads, and I do think part of that can be attributed to Pippa being on the autism spectrum. It was different but in a good way. The best way. Sometimes I found myself frustrated Andrew wasn’t more straightforward (there’s a very specific scene, post tree climbing I was even like “ok so which way is he going with this?”). Overall, I ended up enjoying this so much more than I initially suspected I would. The last 20% of the book had me so in my feelings.

<b>Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for the chance to read and review this ahead of time!</b>

4.5 Stars

This was overall a super cute book! The romance was heartwarming, and the MMC is an amazing golden retriever bf. However, where this book truly shines is regarding its autism representation. This has to be one of the best portrayals of an autistic individual that I have ever read. Unlike characters such as Sheldon Cooper and The Good Doctor, Pippa felt REAL. She isn't this superhuman being, but a regular girl. It was cool being able to see all the signs before she even flat out said it, such as:

-Tending to go on tangents
-Clumsy due to disconnection from body
-Safe Foods
-Intolerance to certain textures
-Sensory Overload
-Overwhelmed by emotions
-looking up things at random times
-repetition
-"special interests" (which commonly change)

This was also one of the few books that actually made me cry. As someone on the spectrum, I felt so SEEN and understood by this book. I was a mess after the bathroom scene at the wedding (IYKYK). Despite all the times Pippa gave me second-hand embarrassment, I still loved her just as much as Andrew. He accepted and loved her, quirks and all. I would recommend this book to fans of Ali Hazelwood's style of writing.

The plotline was very enticing and captured my interest right away. I loved the airport setting and the “meet cute.” I wanted to love this book so much but I had a hard time connecting with Pippa and her lack of emotions. It felt very robotic and forced with Andrew.

I did enjoy that it was a realistic autism representation and believe it will be well received by others. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review!

I really liked Love at First Flight. It was nice to have two MC’s who have jobs that they love which also play an integral part of the story. In fact, it’s how Pippa “City Tower” Edwards, an air traffic controller, and Andrew “Flightbird Six Zero Zero” Boyce-Jones, a pilot, meet.

I definitely recommend Love at First Flight. It’s equal parts heart and depth. Pippa and Andrew start as fake daters who barely know each other, but the charm is they actually develop a friendship prior to their HEA. Plus Andrew is not only the best book boyfriend he’s the best fake/real boyfriend to Pippa.

Watson is autistic and gave Pippa a lot of her traits. It’s nice to see neurodivergent characters written by neurodivergent authors. I enjoyed Pippa teaching me about her version of autism.

Thank you to Wattpad WEBTOON Book Group for the digital ARC. Love at First Flight will be available on March 18, 2025.

Fake Dating trope went HARD! I was in absolute love with it and the book's neurodivergent FMC. Andrew was a king, I swear.

I really enjoyed this book. Told from the perspective of a neurodivergent air traffic controller, Pippa, it paints a picture of how Pippa navigates the world. After a face to face meeting with a pilot she knows from her ATC, Andrew, the two decide to fake date to help get them both through some upcoming social encounters.

Andrew is a fabulous book boyfriend and truly understands and accommodates Pippa and her needs. The plot also pushes Pippa to go outside of her comfort zone and believe in herself. Watson did a great job and cannot wait to read more of her work.

Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!