Book written by Jennifer E. Smith, published 2011.
Meet Hadley, aged seventeen and daughter to two recently divorced parents. She’s currently at the airport, trying to catch a flight to London for her father’s wedding—the very last place she wants to be.
Meet Oliver, tall, British, and classically handsome. He’s also currently a the airport (coincidentally), trying to catch a flight to London (also coincidentally). His seat also happens to be in the same row as Hadley’s. (Seriously, how lucky is this girl?)
Over the course of 24 hours, Hadley and Oliver talk, commiserate, separate, meet again, and rediscover the real meaning of love in one of my favorite standalone novels. It’s a classic romance—the kind of story all of us single people secretly wish for whenever we travel.
Honestly, you guys, I can’t recommend this one enough. It’s a simple, fast-paced, totally sweet read that’s perfect for any hopeless romantic like me. I’ve read it several times over the past decade. I just finished reading it again for the umpteenth time, and I had to share it with you guys! Because it’s such a short story, I feel like there isn’t a lot to gush about up here without giving away spoilers, so, please, just take my word for it this time. 😉
This book contains minor language—that’s it. Seriously. No violence, no sex. Not even an out-of-the-blue mention.
Did you read it? Yes!! (*fist pump*) Now, you can continue down the page and join the non-spoiler-free discussion!
' "You found me first," he says, and when he leans to kiss her, it's slow and sweet and she knows that this will be the one she always remembers. Because while the other two kisses felt like endings, this one is unquestionably a beginning.'
Of course, no true romance blooms in one day (not realistically anyway), and Smith doesn’t imply that this one does. Certainly, Hadley and Oliver have instant chemistry and favorable first impressions, but by the end of the day (or the book for us readers), there’s a very clear indication that this isn’t a “happily ever after” type of story. Rather, there’s the indication that Hadley and Oliver have found the perfect beginning to something new and exciting. There’s no telling how far they’ll make it, no focus or pressure on making this one day a downright fairytale, and I love that!
I like how Smith writes about Hadley’s turmoil over her dad leaving. It’s hard to believe that someone who was so committed to their family could just up and leave it all like her dad did. It’s equally hard to expect to be happy for someone who made you so angry, as Hadley has to be. Smith balances Hadley’s bitter feelings with fond memories of her childhood, and it’s easy for us as readers to feel Hadley’s inner struggle, even if we personally don’t relate. It’s a classic, simple trick, but Smith writes it so well.
My favorite thing about this novel is that even though the title specifically mentions “love at first sight”, the story is about all kinds of love, and how different kinds of love mean different things. There’s a good balance between familial love and romantic love (past and present). The story isn’t just about Hadley and Oliver and their budding romance; it’s also about Hadley and her parents and what each of their relationships means in the grand scope of things. Like, just because Hadley’s dad left, doesn’t mean that he loves his new wife any more than he loves his daughter. And just because Hadley’s parents aren’t together anymore and are moving on doesn’t mean that they don’t care about each other. And Oliver’s relationship with his father adds a lot to that perspective, which is really good writing on Smith’s part. Really, the whole story is just full of lovely, little, profound messages like that, which is impressive in a story so short and simple. So many thumbs up, Jennifer E. Smith.
How did this one strike you? What kind of message did you take away? Also, I just discovered that this one is going to be a movie, and I don't know how I feel about that. Thoughts?
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