This book was a total delight from takeoff to landing.

Pippa Edwards is the kind of heroine you want to be friends with—witty, slightly awkward, passionate about her job and her tropical fish, and delightfully resistant to anything that even hints at conventional romance. She’s a refreshing voice in a genre that sometimes leans too hard into cookie-cutter leads. Her dislike of repeating patterns and school reunions had me nodding along in solidarity more than once.

Enter Andrew Boyce-Jones, a pilot with his own emotional baggage and a family that just won’t stop asking when he's going to settle down. When Pippa and Andrew finally meet after months of intercom banter, their chemistry is immediate, natural, and compelling. Their fake dating pact—born of mutual desperation and perfectly timed serendipity—unfolds with all the slow-burn charm you'd expect, but never feels stale.

What makes this story shine is how it balances humor, heartfelt moments, and a subtle but satisfying exploration of emotional vulnerability. The airport setting offers a fun backdrop without overwhelming the narrative, and the side characters (especially Andrew’s meddling family) add both pressure and levity in all the right places.

Watching Pippa come to terms with what she really wants, and watching Andrew see her so clearly when she can’t yet see herself, is genuinely moving.

Rom-com fans, especially those who love a fake-dating trope done right, will find a lot to love here. It’s smart, sweet, and full of heart—an easy recommendation for your next beach read or cozy night in.

I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

Love at First Flight by Jo Watson was so cute—I could have easily finished it in one sitting! This story had me smiling from beginning to end, with just the right blend of heart, humor, and swoony romance.

I absolutely [adored, admired, cherished] Pippa. As a mom of neurodivergent kids (and, let’s be honest, we’re probably neurodivergent parents too), I loved seeing a heroine who navigates the world differently, and brilliantly. Pippa’s quirks, her honesty, and her love of [airplanes, Pokemon, tropical fish] were portrayed with so much respect and warmth. It was incredibly refreshing to see a neurodiverse character at the center of a love story, especially one that didn’t ask her to change to be “worthy” of love.

And Andrew Boyce-Jones? Total dreamboat. I fell for him instantly. He’s the kind of love interest who gets it, who sees Pippa, values her for exactly who she is, and shows up for her in ways that matter. Their fake-dating pact was one of my favorite tropes done oh so right: fun, flirty, and full of real emotional stakes.

Set against the vibrant backdrop of South Africa, this book delivers not only on romance, but also on meaningful representation, self-acceptance, and the power of finding someone who loves you as you are. If you love a sweet, feel-good story with depth and charm, Love at First Flight deserves a spot on your summer reading list.

Read if you like:
✈️ Fake Dating
✈️ Neurodivergent FMC
✈️ Workplace Romance
✈️ Slow Burn

The cover of this book immediately drew me in, but the more I read the more I was in love with the characters. It was funny, informative, lighthearted, but series and a wonderful read five out of five stars amazing.

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.