5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Love at First Flight
Author: Jo Watson

Thank you so much Netgalley and Wattpad books for this copy! I finally decided to dive into this one because I was in the mood for something with aviation in it. This was perfect! Our FMC Pippa is an autistic air traffic controller, who has a friendship with a pilot she talks to on the radio everyday. She ends up accidentally meeting him in person at a coffee shop, and they come up with the idea to fake date to get all of their friends and family to stop bothering them about not being in a relationship. Everything about this book was heartwarming. Pippa was so unique and I honestly adored her character and all of her awkward ways. Andrew, her pilot fake boyfriend, was so patient and understanding with her, and I loved reading their relationship unfold. The ending was intense, and I thought the author did such a good job making us feel everything these characters were going through, and really being able to understand Pippa and her character. Highly recommend this book and I can’t wait to read more by Jo Watson.

This book took me a while to get into. The characters were growing on me and the FMC was relatable in certain aspects and the neurodivergent representation is great. I reached about 35% into the book but after reading - “Do you like Indian Food?” And her response was “I actually hate it. Don’t like the flavour of curry.” Then to say “I always order butter chicken if I’m forced to come to an Indian restaurant.” Like why was that even written????? That’s so ridiculous to even think much less to write and publish in a book.
I couldn’t read much after that especially because the following paragraph spoke about food in Chinese restaurants and sushi restaurants and the way the food was spoken about was just, in my opinion, disparaging.

As someone that’s neurodivergent myself, I understand some people don’t like certain things and that’s fine but it’s 2025 and there’s much better ways of saying things. To reduce all Indian food to “I don’t like the flavour of curry.” is very prejudicial, ignorant and bigoted and it completely turned me off this book. Curry in and of itself is just a blend of spices, it’s also a colonial term which is a topic for another day, curry itself isn’t a set spice blend. Each dish uses its own blend and each region of India as well as its diaspora has their own way of making dishes.

I didn’t see any other reviews highlight this but it infuriated me and maybe other people might feel the same way.

I do agree with other reviews stating that she comes across very naive and immature. Some things just were over the top ridiculous, and maybe that’s how the author’s personal experiences and way of thinking is but no one I’ve met that is neurodivergent is like that.

I was provided with an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley.

✈️💕 A Fun, Flirty Adventure!
Love at First Flight by Jo Watson is a hilarious, heartwarming romp full of unexpected twists, travel chaos, and swoony moments. With witty banter, lovable characters, and just the right dose of drama, it’s the perfect light read for rom-com fans who love a little turbulence in their love stories.

I really enjoyed this book. 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.

REPRESENTATION!!

When neurodivergent air traffic controller Pippa finally comes face to face with the pilot’s voice she’s been obsessing over, they decide to enter a fake dating arrangement to get their loved ones off their back.

Obviously plans go awry, and the fake dating arrangement turns into very real feelings.

This was SUCH a great story and although it started a little slow for me, I enjoyed it immensely.

The stream of consciousness writing really emulated what it’s like in the neurodivergent mind, and it was just so easy to relate to Pippa.

Andrew, having a brother on the spectrum, immediately knew Pippa was too and loved her through all her quirks.

Loved all the drama of the ending, really had me on the edge of my seat.

Definitely recommend for any neurodivergent girls who need a hopeful love story!

Let’s start with the cutest meet-cute ever. He’s a pilot and she’s a traffic controller. They’ve been talking on the radio for months but never met until they recognize each other’s voices in a coffee shop. How precious is that? Fake dating meets flight deck banter in this heart-melting rom-com featuring an uniquely wired heroine and the golden retriever pilot who falls for her—quirks and all. Pippa’s obsessed with planes, allergic to reunions, and blurts out random facts when nervous. Andrew’s charming, patient, and completely smitten from the moment they finally meet. Their fake dating plan? Flawless—until real feelings take off. With authentic autism representation, swoony slow-burn chemistry, and a love story that celebrates being truly seen, this one’s pure feel-good magic. This was my first book to read by Jo Watson, but I will definitely looking forward to more of them. Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy and introducing me to Jo Watson.

There has been some great representations of neurodivergent main characters in fiction recently (Chloe Liese's novels are a great example), but I really loved that Love at First Flight was written in the POV of a character who isn't really comfortable sharing how she experiences the world - instead, she lets us experience it. I can be skeptical of the first person POV in romance fiction, but I think this book does a good job of helping us see the world as Pippa sees it (even when we can pick up some of the clues of Andrew's feelings that Pippa might have missed.)

I was a little skeptical that this book was about two white romantic leads in South Africa, but I really appreciated that the book made an effort to present a broader view of a modern South African, with several nods to native traditions and a cast of characters with various backgrounds. I do love an international romance, although I wish I had gotten to see more in the book that is really routed in its settings of Cape Town and Johannesburg.

There are often complaints about the lack of cool jobs for women in romance novels - if your someone who wants to see a cool job like an air traffic controller, this one is for you!

I struggled to get into this book - DNF for now. I really like the premise and the characters and the fake dating trope - but just couldn't get it to hold my attention yet. Hopeful I will try again soon.

Just a fun romance with a fake dating trope and a fun meet cute. I loved the main characters energies and they just belonged together from the start. It was just an enjoyable quick read that I will definitely read again.

ATC worker Pippa is brilliant at her job.. But her life outside of work... Big thumbs down. She's only ever spoken to Pilot Andrew via an intercom for 6 months... They both have one thing in common... They need a date and no one to take... What could go wrong with fake dating? Maybe its catching feelings you are not ready to face...

There is something really charming about a book that successfully blends humor romance and emotional depth. I love books that have quirky and unique characters and Pippa is one of those characters that you feel within the depths of your very soul.

I love the writing style! It was really quite amazing and I was sucked right into the story.

I am not a massive fan of fake dating as a trope but it worked so well here and I was rooting for them all the way throug.

4.5 stars

Thanks to Wattpad and Netgalley for this advance copy!

Love at First Flight is a fun romance between an air traffic controller and a pilot and I really enjoyed it. Set in South Africa, I loved Pippa and Andrew's "meet cute" and how they grow together. Pippa is autistic and does a great job of just being her self and naming what she does and does not understand and I loved how Andrew rolled with it and didn't see this as a flaw, but part of what made Pippa so wonderful and special. Fake dating is not always my favorite trope but it works well in this case as Pippa and Andrew both don't have time for partners with their jobs and they don't try to change that about each other.

A cute fun romance, definitely worth a read!

DNF - I attempted to start this book and it just did not hold my interest. This may be a book I come back to in the future.

This rom-com by jo watson is such a fun read and I'm so glad I got the chance to enjoy it over spring break last week!
Pippa is an Air Traffic Controller who loves pokemon, has all the cool facts about the most random subjects oh and happens to be on the autism spectrum. When she finally comes face-to-face with Andrew (AKA Flightbird Six Zero Zero) a stunning pilot she's helped land planes a million times over, she can't believe how attractive he is. They bond over a coffee and a shared problem: they are attractive but single people in their late 20s/early 30s and their families and friends refuse to let them off the hook for why they aren't dating, married and/or having multiple children yet (I feel them on that last one...). They come up with an agreement where they will be each other's dates to important functions over the next several weeks and months. It turns out to be a great arrangement, as fake dating often seems to be... until it doesn't feel so fake anymore. For someone who struggles with the abstract and thinks in black and white, Pippa struggles with the more complicated this fake dating situation gets.
It is an adorable story with the quirkiest of characters (especially Pippa!) and a love story you wont want to miss. Andrew is swoon-worthy from the second readers meet him, and he is sooooo great with Pippa. I love the ASD representation and had fun learning a bit more about the setting in South Africa. Definitely wont be my last Jo Watson book, that's for sure! And of course I highly recommend it. Thanks so much to Netgalley and wattpadbooks for giving me the chance to read and review this awesome book! It is out now, so grab your copy today!

I really love the characters and plot line, I just had no desire to pick it up. I tried to get into it for over a month and it’s just not happening. I’m a big mood reader and I just think I need to pick this one up again when the motivation strikes. I would recommend this book, it has wonderful neurodivergent representation from the FMC and how she sees and experiences the world from her POV. I’m optimistic that I will return and when I do I will update my rating!

As a flight attendant, I usually approach aviation-themed books with slight apprehension, but I found myself really looking forward to picking this one up again anytime I had to put it down (can I skip adulting for books?). The plot felt unique as it surrounded Pippa, an air traffic controller, and Andrew, an airline pilot. I loved the adorable meet-cute, the fake-dating situation, and the neurodivergent rep that Pippa’s character brought. It’s a light and fun read, with some great supporting cast and two MCs that were so different yet perfect for each other!

Love at First Flight is the follow-up novel to Jo Watson’s popular What Happens on Vacation. It’s a fake-dating romantic comedy set in South Africa. and features a neurodiverse heroine. This story is told from the heroine’s POV and includes a lot of dialogue and text messages.

Pippa Edwards is an air traffic controller at the Johannesburg airport, guiding planes through landing and takeoff. She excels at her job but struggles with interpersonal relationships and understanding social cues. She knows that she’s on the autism spectrum and feels lucky to have supportive parents. She has a friend, Jennifer, from high school who encourages her to attend their ten-year reunion. Pippa has no interest in attending because high school was torture for her.

Pippa’s favorite pilot over the radio is Flightbird, who’s really Andrew Boyce-Jones. He ended a relationship with a long-term girlfriend, and his family is pestering him to settle down. When Pippa and Andrew recognize each other’s voices while at their favorite airport coffee shop, they strike up a conversation. Andrew is thrilled to finally meet Central Tower in person, and he’s not put off by her frankness and lack of verbal filter. They decide to fake-date so Pippa won’t have to explain to her classmates why she’s single, and Andrew can get his well-meaning family off his back.

While Pippa is attracted to Andrew, she sets a “no touching” rule and boundaries for their fake relationship. Andrew goes along with it, but he falls for Pippa. Meanwhile Pippa questions her perception of herself and her place in the world. She begins to wonder if someone can love her for who she is, and if she can let trust in their love.

Love at First Flight is one of the best romances that I have ever read which featured a neurodiverse character. Since the story is told from Pippa’s POV, the reader gets to know her pretty quickly. Her observations are hilarious and her social awkwardness is endearing. Pippa explains why she is successful as an Air Traffic Controller, and the reader understands why her family wants her to find happiness in all aspects of her life. Andrew is the perfect romantic hero, and I just loved him. While this story takes place in South Africa, American readers can easily understand it. I highly recommend Love at First Flight for romance lovers and especially for readers who are interested in a POV from a neurodiverse character.

I received an Advance Review Copy (ARC) from NetGalley and Wattpad WEBTOON Book Group for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

"Love at First Flight" was a cute romcom read. It's an interesting premise, the characters are fun and the overall storyline is great.

Thank you to Wattpad Books and NetGalley for giving me this arc!

This was a feel-good romcom with friends to lovers, fake dating, and some of the most awkward situations ever! The characters were so relatable and lovable. Having the pov of Pippa really helped open my eyes to ASD, I loved learning more about it.

Air traffic controller Pippa Edwards loves her job, airplanes, and tropical fish but not school reunions, tight clothes, or nosy questions about her love life. After months of chatting over the intercom, she finally meets pilot Andrew Boyce-Jones in person and they realize they have more in common than just the airport. They both need a date. With her ten-year reunion looming and his family pressuring him to settle down, they strike a deal to fake date for convenience. But as their undeniable chemistry grows, Pippa starts to wonder if her carefully planned life is about to take an unexpected turn.

I always appreciate diverse characters, and Pippa’s ASD diagnosis was such a refreshing aspect of this story. I loved how she says exactly what’s on her mind, is honest when she doesn’t understand something, and is completely baffled by what society deems inappropriate to discuss in public (like mermaid sex).

Andrew is an absolute gem of a character. With his background growing up in a fostering household, he has a deep well of patience and kindness, and he never gets flustered by Pippa’s quirks. Their dynamic is wonderful not just because of their chemistry, but because they both have ambitious career goals and refuse to compromise on their dreams. Instead of creating tension or pushing them apart, their ambition strengthens their relationship in a way that felt unique and refreshing.

There’s some great tension and steamy moments throughout, though I wouldn’t have minded a little more spice. Overall, this was such an enjoyable read!

I'm giving this book 4.5 stars (rounded up to 5 for this review).

Thank you to NetGalley and Wattpad WEBTOON Book Group for this ebook!

I really wanted to love, Love at First Sight because of the unique premise and autism character representation, but I had difficulty ever really getting into the story. This could be for a variety of reasons including my own mood, reading-burnout and sadly the line spacing as I received an arc to review.

Pippa was an interesting and joyful character and I loved the chaos, bluntness and humour her character provided. I love autism representation as I have wondered myself sometimes if I’m on the spectrum. Her character was done very well as the author herself is autistic. Andrew was a total cinnamon roll and I loved their relationship.

The book has some of my fav tropes (fake dating, forced proximity, one bed), but despite everything lining up for it to be my perfect romance, for me unfortunately it fell a little flat. Still overall 3 stars.