Love at First
Author: Kate Clayborn
Publication Date: February 23, 2021
Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corporation
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Note: This review is for an ARC and is my unbiased opinion.
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Synopsis:
From Kate Clayborn, the acclaimed author of Love Lettering, comes a sparkling, tender novel about bickering neighbors, surprise reunions, and the mysterious power of love . . .
Sixteen years ago, a teenaged Will Sterling saw–or rather, heard–the girl of his dreams. Standing beneath an apartment building balcony, he shared a perfect moment with a lovely, warm-voiced stranger. It’s a memory that’s never faded, though he’s put so much of his past behind him. Now an unexpected inheritance has brought Will back to that same address, where he plans to offload his new property and get back to his regular life as an overworked doctor. Instead, he encounters a woman, two balconies above, who’s uncannily familiar . . .
No matter how surprised Nora Clarke is by her reaction to handsome, curious Will, or the whispered pre-dawn conversations they share, she won’t let his plans ruin her quirky, close-knit building. Bound by her loyalty to her adored grandmother, she sets out to foil his efforts with a little light sabotage. But beneath the surface of their feud is an undeniable connection. A balcony, a star-crossed couple, a fateful meeting–maybe it’s the kind of story that can’t work out in the end. Or maybe, it’s the perfect second chance . . .
What a delightful slow burn romance! Everything about Love at First was charming. I loved the enemies vibe it gave off from the beginning. I could feel the spark Will and Nora had through the tension from the moment they met. All the ways Nora tried to fight Will’s determination to rent out his apartment were clever and entertaining. I loved seeing how their attraction turned to more despite their difference of opinion on the apartment. Once it grew from enemies to more, I fell even more in love with the story. Will and Nora were so good together!
I also loved all the side characters. Nora’s “family” was hilarious. Each apartment owner had such a distinct personality that added so much to the story. Same with Will’s doctor friend and his ex-wife. I loved how well they all fit into the story and made Nora and Will stronger characters.
There wasn’t anything I didn’t love about this book. Kate Clayton is one of my new-to-me favorite authors of 2020. I instantly fell in love with her writing in Love Lettering and it became even stronger with Love at First. I would highly recommend this book to romance fans.
I am so happy to see you give this one 5 stars! It is on my TBR this month and now I’m even more excited for it than ever! 🙂
I have a feeling you’re going to love it!!!
I can’t wait to get my hands on this one!! So glad you loved it!!
I think you will, too!
I still have to read Love Lettering and now I am going to have to add this one to my list, too! Nora’s family sounds fantastic and I have a feeling that I am going to enjoy this one.
Yes! Both of them are great books!
Ohhh I definitely want to read this now! Fab review. xx
Thanks! Hope you love it!
I am really looking forward to this book! Great review!
I hope you love it as much as I did!
I did like the romance, but man! I loved the people who inhabited this building. What a great ensemble Clayborn put together for this book, and the story totally tugged at my heartstrings.
I agree!
Wonderful review Deanna. It sounds like a lot of fun, I love when families are included and they add some humour, even if it is a secondary thing. I have this on my TBR for February as well, so I am really looking forward to it.
I hope you love it!
Great review! I’ve been seeing good reviews about this authors books.
Thank you! Yes, I really enjoyed Love Lettering and this one.
This was my first five-star read of the year! Super sweet and funny. I’m even more eager to read Love Lettering now. 🙂 Great review!
Woohoo! I love hearing that!
Great review, Deanna! It sounds so good! I’ll add it to my TBR. 🙂
I hope you love it!