Love at First Sighting by Mallory Marlowe

Mallory Marlowe delivers a quirky romantic comedy in Love at First Sighting, blending humor, mystery, and heartfelt emotion. This story follows Los Angeles influencer Ariel “El” Martin and Agent Carter Brody of the Private Intelligence Sector (PIS). While the concept is fun and the characters bring a lot of charm, the pacing felt uneven but as the authors sophomore book it didn’t bother me much. (The character depth was a big part of this.)

El is a woman who craves something real.

On the surface, her life looks glamorous—she’s a successful social media influencer—but inside she’s searching for purpose beyond the spotlight. When she captures footage of an unidentified flying object, her carefully curated life collides with chaos. Enter Carter Brody, the Man in Black assigned to her case. Carter is sharp, loyal, and still wrestling with the grief of his father’s mysterious death. He’s working to keep the struggling PIS department alive while chasing answers to questions that have haunted him for years.

The setup is clever—UFO sightings, a failing government department, and the undeniable spark between El and Carter.

I appreciated the humor and the emotional depth as both characters confronted their pasts. El shines brightest when she pushes against the expectations placed on her, and Carter’s quiet strength makes him a compelling hero. Together, they create some truly swoony moments.

That said, the pacing slowed in several spots, and I found myself wishing the tension—both romantic and suspenseful—had been tighter. The worldbuilding around the Private Intelligence Sector was fun but sometimes underdeveloped, leaving me wanting more depth in that part of the story.

If you’re looking for a light, slightly offbeat rom-com with hints of sci-fi, grief, and personal growth, Love at First Sighting will scratch that itch. It’s charming and creative, but it didn’t completely hit the mark for me. Still, fans of romantic comedies with a twist will likely enjoy the ride.

A sweet, humorous romance with dynamic characters and an imaginative premise. I enjoyed El and Carter’s journey, even if I wanted a bit more momentum along the way.

Want more Mallory Marlowe?

Check out this review from Amanda
Check out this review from Becky
Check out this Author Spotlight Episode