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A review by emilywordsandbooks
Love at Second Sight by F.T. Lukens

funny hopeful informative reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Love at Second Sight is a love story and a mystery, but most importantly, it's a metaphor for discrimination. I'm the biggest fan of F.T. Lukens' works, from In Deeper Waters to So This is Ever After, and Love at Second Sight definitely didn't disappoint. The friends-to-lovers arc between Cam and Mateo was the cutest. I'm usually a bigger fan of enemies-to-lovers but the way both Cam and Mateo have obviously crushing on each other? I loved the pining. This was teen romance at its finest. I mean, they're 15 years old. If some people think the romance moved too slowly, or too mildly, remember these kids are sophomores in high school. Speaking of, I loved how F.T. wrote their characters. As a high school sophomore myself, they felt startling realistic. All of their insecurities and doubts seemed to be taken straight from my own. They don't act too mature, but they don't act too immature either. F.T. knows their characters and their audience. I can't over-stress how appreciative I am of this. If I feel like characters my age are too unrealistic, I'll drop a book, but F.T. hooked me.
I loved the paranormal elements so much, especially Cam's arc into his role as a clairvoyant. The courting baskets were so cool. And the way F.T. represented discrimination in the real world with how many humans saw the paranormal citizens as something to be purged translated into a thoughtful depiction of the reality we live in. This was the most empathetic way to bring awareness to and to help many see a perspective they may not have understood before. I can write an essay on how Love at Second Sight reflects real world problems and I just might. F.T. Lukens is just such a genius. 
Thank you to Simon Teen for this ARC! All opinions are my own.