'Love at First' by Kate Clayborn is a heartwarming contemporary romance set in Chicago, focusing on the lives of Nora and Will who inherit apartments in the same building. The story follows their journey from a chance encounter as teenagers to reconnecting as adults, surrounded by a cast of quirky neighbors who form a close-knit community. The writing style is described as insightful and tender, with dual POVs allowing readers to delve into the characters' emotions and vulnerabilities, while themes of love, grief, and personal growth are subtly woven into the narrative.

Characters:

The characters are deeply developed, with Will struggling with emotional scars and Nora embodying familial warmth, supported by a cast of memorable secondary characters.

Writing/Prose:

The writing is characterized by emotional depth, humor, and introspective reflections, creating a tender storytelling experience.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot features a childhood connection that influences the characters' lives, an inheritance that brings them together, and a conflict about preserving community versus change.

Setting:

The setting is a charming Chicago apartment complex that serves as a key backdrop for community dynamics and character relationships.

Pacing:

The pacing is gradual, allowing for rich character development but sometimes includes slower introspective moments that may affect the flow.

It was a fairly recent development, this fondness for 4:00 a.m. When she’d first come back, it hadn’t been so much a choice as a necessity, the demand of days that started early and stretched long, th...

Notes:

The story begins when Will Sterling is 15 and hears Nora Clarke's voice from an apartment balcony, sparking a lifelong connection.

Will calls himself an orphan at 17 after losing both his parents in a short span of time.

Nora loves her early morning quiet time on her balcony, dubbed 'the golden hour'.

Will plans to turn his inherited apartment into a short-term rental, which causes tension with the other residents.

The narrative explores themes of love, grief, and found family.

The relationship between Will and Nora develops gently, filled with emotional depth rather than explosive passion.

The book features a cast of quirky secondary characters who add emotional heft to the story.

Will's character deals with a complex past involving his parents, shaping his view on love and intimacy.

Nora's relationship with her grandmother influences her desire to preserve the apartment complex as her home.

The book intertwines elements of fate and serendipity, alluding to soulmate connections.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings for Love at First include themes of grief, parental loss, and emotional trauma stemming from childhood experiences.

Has Romance?

The romance in Love at First is very prominent, centered around the developing relationship between Will and Nora.

explicit steam level

From The Publisher:

"The most delightful cast of characters I've met in ages…a modern romance masterpiece." -New York Times bestseller Christina Lauren

"Constantly revealing new layers of lyricism…Love at First is poetry, then - sometimes an artful sonnet, other times halting free verse. But it's never anything short of miraculous." -Entertainment Weekly, Grade A

"At the end I was left with that warm, glowing love for humanity that is always what I'm chasing when I read this genre: the sense of togetherness, of hope, of even unsolvable problems feeling less impossible. Because a good romance lets you forgive the people on the page. A great romance lets you forgive people in general - and feel that maybe they even deserve it."-The New York Times

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A Love So True Books Every Romance Fan Should Read

A sparkling and tender novel from the acclaimed author of Love Lettering, full of bickering neighbors, surprise reunions, and the mysterious power of love that fans of Christina Lauren, Sarah Hogle, and Emily Henry will adore.

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 . . .

"Gorgeously written." -NPR

"A superb cast of characters rounds out this sweet, slow-burn romance." -Booklist

"A Mary Balogh-style love story…The comforting rewrite of Romeo and Juliet you didn't know you needed." -Kirkus Reviews

"Will and Nora's chemistry and the quirky side characters keep the pages turning. Clayborn's fans will be pleased." -Publishers Weekly

"Her beautiful prose is full of a softness and depth that lingers-passages beg to be reread and savored. Perfect for fans of Christina Lauren and Emily Henry, Love at First feels like a long, warm hug upon returning home." -Shelf Awareness

"A beautiful book and worth the painful beginnings…" -Smart Bitches, Trashy Books

"A beautifully understated but gloriously romantic love story full of poignancy and tenderness." -All About Romance

"Clayborn remains one of my favorite authors, and I can't wait to see what she will write next." -Frolic

Ratings (8)

Loved It (5)
It Was OK (3)

Reader Stats (22):

Read It (10)
Want To Read (11)
Not Interested (1)

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Love at First?

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About the Author:

Kate Clayborn is the two-time RITAⓇ Award-nominated author of highly acclaimed romantic comedies, including Love Lettering, Love at First, and the Chance of a Lifetime series. Her novels have been named Best Romances of the Year by O, The Oprah Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, The Washington Post, Buzzfeed, Romper, and more. She lives in Virginia and can be found online at KateClayborn.com.

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Love at First

Kate Clayborn