I really enjoyed this, it was layered and twisty.
Not your typical romance read but very well crafted and beautifully executed. I’d happily recommend reading this if you’re looking for something engaging this summer.

Thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for an early review copy.

When Jessie meets Cal in a superstore, she feels that he is the one. They spend the day together and when they part ways, she realises that she’s got no way of contacting Cal.

Next time Jessie meets him, she is shocked to find he’s already with someone.

I loved Jessie, the way others behaved with her wasn’t nice, but as the story progressed, she realised what she wanted to do and that she didn’t need others belittling her, that she was better than how they saw her.

I highly recommend this book.

This one is definitely for those secret romanticists who search for love at every corner. Except, real life is not a rom-com, and if it seems too good to be true, it most likely is.

Love at First Sight follows Jessie, a career nanny for the child of a famous actress. But Jessie has her own hopes and dreams, one of which does not involve falling for a stranger during a meet-cute you would only ever find in books.

It’s slow to start, but when Jessie bumps into the mysterious Cal during a fire alarm at a Whole Foods, followed by the most romantic date, Cal returns back to a stranger, with no way of contacting him. But it’s impossible for Jessie to forget their day together. So what does she do? SHE MAKES POSTERS AND PUTS THEM IN THE STORE THAT THEY MET. Unbelievably cringe-worthy, but I loved it.

“Send your ex to date me, and he shall come crawling back! Terms and conditions apply.”

The writing is witty and hilarious at times. Jessie is a relatable character. She’s lived her life as the buffer, the woman that men find their happily-ever-after with AFTER dating her. Also, she has a boatload of daddy issues. Go figure.

Although predictably, while searching for her mystery man, the perfect guy was right under her nose the entire time. However, the twists and turns throughout this book were unexpected. Especially when she meets the man that her boss has been dating.

“I’ve been through so much, and what’s the famous quote about insanity? Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. I can’t keep falling for these men who specialise in emotional infidelity. I have to be better.”

As a main character, I loved her. Shame about her boss though – I always surprise myself with how much I can despise a fictional character.

Love at First Sight is a slow-burn that represents the realistic outcome of those cheesy rom-com movies and books we all love so much. How when you set unrealistic expectations for yourself, you become blind to what you already have.

It’s about a journey of learning self-worth, confidence, and working for what you truly deserve. I recommend to those who need a little reality check – those who’s expectations have been heightened by the typical romance genre.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House UK (Penguin) for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Unfortunately this book did not quite hit the spot for me. I found the main character really two dimensional. Obsessed with love and being loved in a way that was more desperate than romantic. The love interest was a convenient side character obviously placed to swoop in to save the day. This was too cheesy and cliche for me.

A wonderful romance book where there is more than meets the eye. Yes this about love, but it isn’t smooth sailing. There are plenty of twists and turns with the love lives of the characters but there is also the storyline of Jessie and her career which I really enjoyed reading about. If you like a romance that feels like it could actually be real life rather than a fantasy, then this book is for you.

such a clever romance with a twist right from the get go. what if you find the one, lose the one, then find him again on your doorstep. yay right...hmm only hes not there to see you! oh and he might just be there to see your boss....whaaaaat.
yup and then there is a whole lot of secret keeping and keeping secrets going on. all for some of the right reason and some that clearly need to stop because they arent going to end well at all.
i felt like i really got to know the corner of Jessie in this. it was just her love story that was troubling her. there other things in her life that she had to contend with and i liked how we really seemed to get to know her throughout. and it felt like more a book of her that we were being told. and i liked that.
of course the love triangle had to go on. and it seem it was a triangle perhaps over another triangle sometimes! but i enjoyed trying to wonder who was right for each other and who was perhaps not doing the right thing. and just what would come next for all involved.
Laura has a really smart and sensitive way of writing both her character and the plots they are involved in. and i love how she gives me so much more from the stories. so much more depth to it.
i enjoyed this book. and by the end really needed to know how are characters were going to end up and also cared about how they would.

This book surprised me with how much I enjoyed it!

Jessie doesn’t believe in love at first sight, until one Sunday her quick trip to the supermarket is derailed by a fire alarm. There she meets Cal, and their chemistry is instant, especially after spending the rest of the day together. But they’re forced apart before they can exchange numbers. Jessie spends weeks searching and starts to loose hope when Cal turns up on the doorstep. Only he’s not there for her.

I’m not usually a big fan of the instant love trope, but I felt like this book might be different so I picked it up to give it a try. Boy was I right, this really twists the idea of insta-love and throws it on its head.

Jessie was a really great main character, with Cal and Leo being the main possible love interests. Cal has the heat and the chemistry, and Leo is the Jessie’s butcher friend who’s had a crush on her for an age. Jessie’s job nannying and her dream of setting up a kids club ‘Stray Kids.’

There were so many different plot threads with all the above, and I had no idea where the relationships were going to end up. The ending was sort of okay, but I really enjoyed the resolution of the non-romance plot line.

Enjoyers of modern romance stories will love this book. For those that love spice, I’m afraid this book is tame in that regard!

I loved Love At First Sight, an easy to read romance with ups and downs. Also I loved the idea of Stray Kids - I need this!

3.75 stars
Laura Jane Williams' books can be a bit hit or miss for me but this was a quick and easy read.
Annoyingly, the miscommunication going on was really rather frustrating and I struggled to get on board with the main character as well.
This made it more of a struggle that it should have been to get through and meant that I didn't pick it up as often as I would have otherwise.
I do appreciate the wit and way of Laura Jane Williams' writing though.
The story and premise was also an interesting one too.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is a modern day love triangle which is written with our protagonist Jessie at the centre with her potential love interests Cal and Leo. Cal and Jessie meet and it looks like they are meant to be. Sparks fly and an impromptu date looks like he may be the one, only he disappears after saving someone’s life like a superhero. Leo is the cheeky local butcher who Jessie has known for a while as friends. The loveable chap who has many female admirers. Into the mix add Jessie’s nannying job and her new venture Stray Kids that she has long hoped to get off the ground. If that weren’t enough her dad is going to marry a woman almost her own age who loathes her.

The plot has lots of interest and potential and I loved the relationship between Jessie and her charge Henry. Henry’s mum was a character I think you may want to hate but I loved her spark and mad relationship with her ex. There are lots of things going on and I want sure how the love triangle was going to work out but I’m not sure that it ended as I had expected and I was a little disappointed in the culmination of the plot lines at the end.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a brilliant book!
As soon as I saw it listed I was hoping I would be accepted! Thank you for the ARC copy of this I really appreciate it!

I have mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand it’s a bit different and some aspects are really good, but on the other I really struggled to like the main character, and thus wasn’t invested in what happened to her, thus it wasn’t something I was enjoying reading. I’m sure some people would like this book, but it just wasn’t for me

When a supermarket has to be evacuated, Jessie gets into conversation with Cal, the gorgeous guy in the checkout queue behind her, and they end up spending the day together. They tell each other their family histories, their triumphs, disasters and dreams for the future but have to part before they can exchange numbers.
Despite scouring the neighbourhood – a well-described London-Stoke Newington – Jessie doesn’t spot Cal again until she opens a door one day and he’s standing there with roses, for someone else. Everything is set up for a star-crossed lovers/getting back together plot. However, the story moves away considerably from the standard romance arc with other characters besides Cal taking centre stage in Jessie’s life. Nevertheless, everything reaches a satisfactory conclusion.
With thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for an independent review.

On publication, I will post my review on my blog and GoodReads.

Thanks for the opportunity to read this ahead of release. I liked this story and the premise but the pace and the characters did stop it being any more than a 3 star read for me. I struggled with feeling invested and this is a huge pet peeve of mine as it does stop me enjoying the book as much as much. That said, there is wit and quality writing within so I would still recommend to others.

Jessie and Cal have a chance meeting at the supermarket and sparks fly. However, as always, things don't go smoothly. She can't stop thinking about him, until he turns up at the door of her boss, holding a bunch of flowers.
An enjoyable read although I did find myself quite frustrated with the character of Jessie.

I loved this so much, my favourite LJW for a long time! I can fully understand and empathise with so much Jessie was saying and I also feel like I learnt some great parenting advise along the way 😂

I absolutely loved this book—it hooked me right from the start and didn’t let go! Jessie’s story is one of those romantic rollercoasters that feels so real, you’ll be rooting for her the whole way. It all begins with a chance encounter in Whole Foods (yes, over chicken!) when a fire alarm throws her into the arms of Cal, this effortlessly charming guy. Their chemistry is instant, and their whirlwind day together is straight out of a dream. But just like that, fate steps in, and they’re torn apart before they can even swap numbers. My heart ached for Jessie—how do you lose someone who feels like the one after just one perfect day?

But then—plot twist!—weeks later, Cal shows up at her doorstep… with roses. Except they’re not for her. Ouch!

What I loved most about this book was Jessie’s growth. At first, she’s stuck in this cycle of bad bosses and family drama, and you just want to hug her. But watching her come into her own, realizing her worth, and chasing what she really wants? So satisfying. And without spoiling anything, the ending had me cheering—it was just the perfect payoff.

Laura Jane Williams writes romance with so much heart and humor. The dialogue is sharp, the emotions feel genuine, and even though the premise seems like a classic meet-cute, the story takes turns I didn’t expect. It’s not just about love at first sight—it’s about self-discovery, second chances, and the messy, complicated ways life (and love) can surprise you.

It’s that addictive. If you’re into romances that balance swoony moments with real emotional depth, this is your next read. Huge thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK for the ARC! 10/10 would recommend.

(Also, side note: Henry, the sweet little boy Jessie cares for? ADORABLE. That dynamic alone melted my heart.)

Jessie is caught up in a whirlwind romance when she meets Cal during a fire drill at the supermarket, the only problem is she doesn't get his number. When Cal reappears in her life dating someone else, she's caught in a painful situation.

More than a meet-cute, this book is an exploration of Jessie's struggles with her work, family, and love life and her path to recognising her own worth. As the main character she's a mixture of relatable and frustrating but I enjoyed watching her grow. Despite the depth at the heart of the story, the characters were entertaining and I found myself smiling along.

A great new romance from Laura Jane Williams.

After a chance meeting with a stranger turns into the best date of her life, Jessie is at a bit of a loss how to move forward. They didn't exchange details, but she can't let go of the whirlwind of romance.

Imagine her surprise when he pops up a few days later - dating her boss! Eeek!

A slightly predictable, but enjoyable romance, which is overshadowed by Jessie's relationship with the child she nannies - Henry is the most adorable child, and their interactions are the joy of this book! Moving from funny, to serious, to curious - perfectly mimicking life with a young child - their conversations are delightful and perfectly showcase Jessie's caring and intuitive personality. She clearly saves her intuition for the children though, as it contrasts so well with her absolute cluelessness in her romantic life.
A whole host of wonderful side characters appear - from her bossy best friend, to the casanova butcher, her difficult boss and the family drama of her dad's new fiancee. An easy read and an enjoyable way to spend a few hours.

Love at First Sight is a fun romantic story from Laura Jane Williams. It would make a good holiday read, it's light and easy to follow with interesting characters.

Jessie meets Cal unexpectedly one afternoon, she doesn't necessarily believe in love at first sight but why else is she experiencing all of the classic butterflies and stolen glances. Unfortunately she doesn't get Cal's number but determined to give love a chance she sets out to find him again. What she doesn't bargain for though is that Cal will re-enter her life, but carrying flowers for someone else.

I enjoyed the side relationships of this book more than the main one to be honest. The banter with her friend, her turmoil with her dad and the fun chatter with the little boy she's a nanny for added real substance to the story. I'm not sure I enjoyed waiting to find out if Cal as the main love interest would end up being her choice or a bad egg.