at First Sight
by Jennifer E. Smith
Release Date: January 2, 2012
Publisher: Poppy
Pages: 236
Genre: YA Realistic Fiction/Romance
Source: Amazon Hardcover
Won from Paranormal Indulgence
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository
Haunt Author: Website | Facebook | Twitter
Who would have guessed that four minutes could change everything?
Today should be one of the worst days of seventeen-year-old Hadley Sullivan's life. She's stuck at JFK, late to her father's second wedding, which is taking place in London and involves a soon to be step-mother that Hadley's never even met. Then she meets the perfect boy in the airport's cramped waiting area. His name is Oliver, he's British, and he's in seat 18C. Hadley's in 18A.
Twists of fate and quirks of timing play out in this thoughtful novel about family connections, second chances and first loves. Set over a 24-hour-period, Hadley and Oliver's story will make you believe that true love finds you when you're least expecting it.
Today should be one of the worst days of seventeen-year-old Hadley Sullivan's life. She's stuck at JFK, late to her father's second wedding, which is taking place in London and involves a soon to be step-mother that Hadley's never even met. Then she meets the perfect boy in the airport's cramped waiting area. His name is Oliver, he's British, and he's in seat 18C. Hadley's in 18A.
Twists of fate and quirks of timing play out in this thoughtful novel about family connections, second chances and first loves. Set over a 24-hour-period, Hadley and Oliver's story will make you believe that true love finds you when you're least expecting it.
It's always the books I love that are the hardest for me to review. I know I'm so weird most people are the opposite. The cover is so cute but I was a little turned off by the title. I was worried this would be one of those insta~love books and I'm not into that type of romance. But thank goodness I gave this a try because it was definitely way more than that. Even though the book takes place in one day there was a great realistic build to the relationship. It really makes you think how a little mistake like missing your flight by four minutes can change your life. It can be the reason why you end up meeting someone perfect for you that is exactly what you need at that time.
Hadley missed her flight and is waiting for the next flight to London, trying to get to her Dad's wedding. She is so sad because he went away for a few months for a job, fell in love, and never came back. This part of the story really broke my heart. It was so sad to feel everything Hadley was going through. She is thinking about how much she doesn't even want to go to the wedding when she meets Oliver. He is super sweet and offers to help her with her luggage. They eat together and eventually get on the plane and sit next to each other. For the whole flight they ask each other questions and discuss their family issues.
When she gets off the plane they go their separate ways. Hadley deals with the wedding and her feelings of abandonment. But she already misses Oliver. She wonders if anyone can fall in love that fast and with some lucky coincidences and turn of events and surprises they eventually meet back up...a couple of times. I don't want to give too much more of the plot away. It is just a really deep and beautiful story. I felt like the relationship and meeting was very realistic. Nothing overly eye rolling or anything. Just a sweet meeting that gets you thinking about everyone in your life and how if things were different maybe you would have never met them. Oliver was exactly what Hadley needed at exactly the right time. So beautiful! Loved it!
"Mom's not here," Hadley says. "I guess she caught the first wedding."
"There's a star in the sky that refuses to stay put, and Hadley realizes it's actually a plane, and that just last night, that star was them."
Rating: 5/5 Stars!
Yay!!!! You Love it too :D!!! such a good book! I am seriously re-reading it! Great Review, it really is a beautiful story :))
ReplyDeleteIt was beautiful! I was surprised how deep and well the book flowed.
DeleteI also thought it might be a little too insta-love but I read it in one sitting - and that's rare for me! - so I really did love it :)
ReplyDeleteI also read it really fast. I think in two days only because I started it so late. It grabbed my attention right away and kept it.
DeleteAh, I like that you liked it. *grin* Hit too close to home for me to like it as much as you do, but I think the author did an epic job at captivating Hadley's emotions.
ReplyDeleteYes I really understood all of Hadley's emotions. Like I wanted to be her and go to the wedding and throw a big fit and give an embarrassing speech. I'm crazy that way. I would have been sooo mad at my dad for that stuff.
DeleteI'm so glad you liked it!!! I adored it. It's amazing how she managed to create a non-insta-love relationship in just 24 hours.
ReplyDeleteI was really shocked by how well the relationship developed and how they began to grow close but it didn't feel like insta~love. I could relate and understand. It was perfect!
DeleteI'm so happy you loved this!
ReplyDeleteAwesome review!
Thanks :-) As you said from the prologue I was hooked. All those little things that could have kept Oliver from meeting her. It was really sweet the way he described it. Everything was just lovely about this book.
DeleteI really enjoyed this book too. It wasn't what I was expecting but that turned out to be a good thing. :)
ReplyDeleteYes same here! I was expecting a bit more of a cheesy insta~love book but instead I got a way deeper story. Great love and back story. I was impressed!
DeleteGreat review! I've been wanting to read this book since it first came out and reading this review makes me want it even more.
ReplyDeleteIt definitely blew past my expectations. It was beautiful without being cheesy or insta~lovey. There was way more going on than just the romance too. It was a lot about Hadley and her dad. Some of it was really sad. It would be so hard to have your dad just move away and start a new family. It broke my heart. The love story was great though! I hope you enjoy it!
Delete