Love at First Flight introduces Pippa and Andrew who are working as an Air Traffic Controller and Pilot respectively who not knowingly have been working with each other for quite some time. What I mean by this is they have only talked through radio communications using codenames (City Tower and Flightbird Six Zero Zero - so cute) so they only recognise each other’s voices. They have the cutest meet-cute in their favourite coffee shop in the airport (talk about destined for each other) and this is where they started to devise a plan for the fake dating. Pippa needs to bring someone to her 10 year high school reunion and Andrew needs someone to stop his family from pestering him about getting married. The fake date scenes are so funny and their family is so wholesome.

Speaking of destiny, Pippa and Andrew are meant to be because their values and goals are aligned, not to mention that they fit so well together. Andrew is the sweetest, kindest and most genuine guy who understands Pippa just the way she is. I do find some parts a bit cringey and I get second hand embarrassment from it but I can deal with it. The part at the end caught me off guard tbh because I did not expect an action/thriller scene. Overall, I had fun reading this book and I love getting to understand the autism spectrum better. There is nothing like it!

P.S. Thank you to NetGalley, Jo Watson and W by Wattpad Books for giving me this ARC!

I loved the main female character's job at the airport! Very cool. The story is fun and fast-paced. I was entertained for what it was. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

I adored Love at First Flight! Pippa and Andrew were the sweetest couple 💕 I liked how the main characters met. The meet cute between Pippa and Andrew was clever. The airport work setting was neat and fun. I thought the author did a fantastic job with the Flightbird and City Tower scenes. As the story progressed, you could see how more comfortable Pippa and Andrew were with one another over the mic. I enjoyed the plot of this story. The fake dating trope was done well. What made this story unputdownable were the characters and the romance. Pippa and Andrew were authentic, layered, and charming. I appreciated Jo Watson's message about Pippa and adding her own traits into the character. This book helped me gain a greater understanding of the challenges those on the autism spectrum face. Although some of Pippa's inner monologues felt a little too long, they gave me a deeper understanding of her character. I enjoyed seeing her relationship with Andrew develop. Andrew was the perfect partner for Pippa. He was understanding, accommodating, and sweet. I like how he made it clear that all the things that Pippa worries about are the things he loves about her. Watson did a fantastic job adding in comedic moments into the story. Pippa's character was funny. The stubbed toe scene with her and Andrew was hilarious. I thought the side characters were written well. I liked both sets of families. Watson's writing was smooth and the pacing felt right. I am eager to see what Watson comes out with next. Thank you to NetGalley and W by Wattpad Books for the ARC.

This book was so cute!! I loved how sweet Andrew was with Pippa, and it was great to have a main character that represents so many on the Austrian spectrum. The story was what you would expect with a modern day rom com. Was it the most groundbreaking story I’ve ever read? No. BUT, I read it all in one sitting and found myself wishing it was longer. I will definitely check out more by this author

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the arc of this book!

This book was full of awkward and relatable moments which made it enjoyable! The two main characters had a meet-cute for the books! I can see this being made into a movie or limited series...and I'd eat it up! I love that the FMC is on the autism spectrum. As a fellow neurodiverse girl, I can appreciate that ALL people are being represented in love stories. So many of my favorite tropes were included in this book - fake dating, one bed, and golden retriever boyfriend.

Jo Watson, girl, you deserve so much recognition and praise for this book and I'll definitely be checking out your backlog!

This book was everything. Working in the aviation industry, I absolutely CRAVE a good romance. Everyone knows aviation = gossip. I think it’s so amazing for it to be between an Air Traffic Controller and a pilot how adorable. Everything about the FMC was so amazingly detailed and you very easily can understand into her mind how chaotic it is for her in every situation. I felt like I knew her and understood everything she struggled with just by how beautiful the writing was.

A MUST read aviation romance ✈️🩵

Love at First Flight follows Pippa, a neurodiverse air traffic controller, and Andrew, a pilot. When a fake-dating pact is formed to solve each of their social dilemmas, their on-comms chemistry evolves into a genuine connection.

I first picked up this book because it followed an air traffic controller and a pilot (I love books featuring MCs with unique jobs), and I stayed for the chemistry between the two leads.

The meet-cute between Pippa and Andrew was absolutely adorable - after months of professional intercom chatter, they recognized each other’s voices in a coffee shop and hit it off instantly. And then their fake dating plot added an interesting setting for their relationship to grow and evolve into something more.

Pippa’s neurodiversity felt so fresh and authentic. I loved how the story gave us an inside look at Pippa’s unique way of seeing the world, with her insightful and often hilarious observations. Plus, the autism representation in this book felt both eye-opening and deeply personal, especially knowing that the author drew from her own experiences.

While Andrew felt like the perfect book boyfriend - kind, understanding, and so respectful of Pippa’s boundaries, which I adored. His unwavering support created a safe space for Pippa, allowing space for a true, deep connection and, eventually, love.

The book had many laugh-out-loud moments and fun banter, yet it also didn't shy away from addressing heavier topics, like societal expectations.

And I also absolutely loved the South African setting, it added an interesting layer to the book, especially since I haven't yet read any books set there.

Jo Watson has crafted a beautiful, feel-good romance that will make you laugh, swoon, and maybe even tear up a little. It’s perfect for fans of fake-dating romances and stories that celebrate love in all its beautiful forms. Plus, that unexpected twist near the end caught me off-guard in the best way possible.

Thank you for the ARC!

I really enjoyed this book. It seemed like a very accurate depiction of someone with ASD, showcasing the challenges Pippa dealt with daily. Andrew was a perfect counterpoint—patient, understanding, intuitive, gentle and observant. Their flirting was adorable. It was so obvious he was falling for her but he didn't once rush or pressure her into making up her mind. He always gave her space to process and figure things out on her own. Very swoon-worthy!

Thank you to NetGalley, W by Wattpad Books and Jo Watson for an advanced reader copy (eARC) in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book! The cover is so cute and it definitely made me want to read the book and I was not disappointed! It was amazing!

What a darling book! Jo Watson, I love the way you created your characters and their story of love. It was just beautiful.

An extremely fun romantic comedy - I'm almost always looking forward to these types of stories as they're easy to digest amidst more heavier topics. This was my first book by this author and it won't be my last — I enjoyed the banter between the two main characters and I liked their chemistry for the most part.

A fantastic romantic comedy! Although this is the author's first work for me, it won't be my last. That story was adorable! I thought the characters' chemistry was fantastic, and the writing style is excellent. It was incredibly emotional and hilarious at the same time.

I like Jo Watson so I was looking forward to reading her newest book, Love at First Flight. One of the MCs in this novel is autistic who leads an independent life. It made for an interesting read on how she handles friendships, her career, and romance.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

I thoroughly enjoyed having an ASD representation in this book. It is refreshing as not many books have a character with ASD. It was a cute read and I adored Pippa. She was one of my favorite characters out of all the books I've read this month! I'd love more with her.

**Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for a fair and honest review**

This is the 2nd of Jo Watson's books that I've read, I really enjoyed the 1st one (Big Boned) so I was keen to request Love at First Flight. I've challenged myself to read more books set outside of the UK / USA and love the South African setting for Jo's books. I was especially interested in this title as one of the lead characters is autistic and Jo is writing from her own experiences.

As the Mum of a neurodivergent teenager, I find it really refreshing to read about ASD characters who are able to lead independent adult lives with careers, friendships and romantic relationships. Of course, life is tricky with the extra social barriers (and other people's prejudices) but it gives me hope.

Pippa was a really likeable character and I recognised a lot of her social struggles. I loved that her neurodivergence was shown to be a bonus in some situations and that she could find someone who loved her just as she was.

A solid 4/5.

No leí la primera versión, por lo que no tengo idea de cuáles fueron los cambios en esta nueva.

Todo el libro está narrado desde la perspectiva de Pippa, lo que puede hacerlo un poco pesado de leer. Me hubiera gustado tener algunos capítulos con povs de Andrew.

Me gustó cómo se desarrolló la relación, especialmente cómo Andrew logró que Pippa se fuera abriendo y confiando en él poco a poco.

Por momentos, Pippa me desesperó; sin embargo, al final, la intención es mostrar cómo su 'diferencia' puede llegar a irritar a las personas, las cuáles al no entenderla llegan a ser groseras con ella, generándole inseguridades. Esta parte es importante, ya que deja la enseñanza o mas bien el recordatorio de que no debemos olvidar ser empáticos y educados con los demás.


Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.75/5 stars! This book is beyond cheesy, but somehow it works really well. There's a fake dating plot and a super cute meet cute. I do wish the characters had more depth at time, but overall, and enjoyable first read by this author.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review

Flight controller, Pippa, has always been a bit of an odd duck. Being neurodiverse has made dating in a neurotypical world extremely hard for her. But then she meets Captain Andrew in person, after hearing his voice for years. Pippa is on her way to her high school reunion when the pair meet. And suddenly Andrew is coming with her as her fake date. And Pippa and Andrew end up in a fake relationship so get their parents off their backs. But the lines between fake and real dating start to blur as Pippa and Andrew grow feelings for one another. Pippa struggles with her autism, wondering if once Andrew finds out he’ll no longer be interested. She worries that he realize Pippa quirkiness isn’t so cute after all.

I think was my favorite book this year. It was laugh out loud funny but also so emotionally deep. I loved seeing the world through Pippa’s neurodiverse lens. I could really understand how hard picking up social cues and interacting was for her, but could also see how deeply she cared about those around her. This books definitely gave me a better insight to how some people see the world. The romance was also unbearably sweet. I was constantly kicking my feet! I can’t wait to read more from this author!

Fake dating
Pilot

Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.