“Love at First Sight” is the new “Sliding Doors"

You must see it.

Oh my gosh.

Last night I watched “Love at First Sight,” the new film on Netflix adapted from author Jennifer E. Smith’s novel THE STATISTICAL PROBABILITY OF LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT. Stop what you’re doing and turn it on. Right now. It is the opposite of cheesy. It is super-smart, funny, entertaining, life-changing, and utterly fabulous. I laughed. I cried. My life changed when it ended.

I first met the author, Jennifer E. Smith, through her (our) good friend, bestselling author Sarah Mlynowski, WHATEVER AFTER and UPSIDE DOWN MAGIC series, who, ironically, is the one who told me to start a podcast back in 2018 — and then came on as one my first guests! Eventually I also had Jennifer on (listen here) for her novel THE UNSINKABLE GRETA JAMES.

The movie was based on this book by Jennifer E. Smith.

Then, Jen and I did an event together at pages: a bookstore in Manhattan Beach for her children’s book THE CREATURE OF HABIT and mine, PRINCESS CHARMING. (I am beyond thrilled for her.)

From left: Sarah Mlynowski, Jennifer E. Smith, me, author Nicola Harrison

Anyway.

How did this movie about a chance encounter on an airplane change my life? It definitely wasn’t just about that. It was about so, so much more.

The movie reminded me that “love takes work.” It reminded me of the power of simply being there for someone, for showing up and holding their hand through life’s painful moments. It crystallized and reinforced who I want holding mine when I “take my last breath.”

It showed me that the universe can sometimes be on your side, even when it doesn’t feel like it is. That fate can trump all ration and reason. That nothing can protect any of us from heartbreak. That being open and authentic is the only way to truly connect.

Rob Delaney also stars in “Love at First Sight.” He was on my podcast, too, for A HEART THAT WORKS, about losing his son. Listen here.

I won’t lie: I’m not always the best wife. I take a lot of stress and frustration out on my husband. I overreact when he does things, like proudly give the kids pasta and pizza for breakfast and then see nothing wrong with it. I let the little things pile up and overtake the billboard behind them. I must do a better job.

If you can find love — and if you ever had it with the one you’re currently with — try hard to conjure all of the goodness back.

And if you haven’t found someone yet? Fate might just bring you the one you’ve been waiting for with the next airplane you miss or decision you make, intentional or not.

So go see the movie. Let yourself feel. Be moved. Cry. Connect or reconnect.

Let me know what you think.