Review: Before I Saw You

Before I Saw You by Emily Houghton
My rating: 2 of 5 stars
This book's synopsis really drew me in, and I'm sorry I didn't look at the reviews before I chose to read this. I didn't expect a 'lite' read, but I didn't expect this. I am afraid that if I tell you of this couple's injuries, it will keep you away from this book. Suffice to say that the injuries were life-threatening and disfiguring.

Both characters can be unlikeable - Alfie for his ultra-bright and uber happy out-look on everything (so he doesn't fall to pieces), Alice for her selfishness and need to control.

I admit I found it a little disconcerting to find that in London, different sexes inhabit the rooms in which long-term care is held, and that therapy is extremely minimal---unless this was just the authors' imagination and way to push the narrative?

I recommend this book to anyone who likes difficult relationships, deep discussions between main characters and can suspend their disbelief.

*ARC supplied by the publisher, author, and Edelweiss/ATTL.


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SYNOPSIS: "For fans of Close Enough to Touch and Me Before You comes a poignant and moving novel about two patients who fall in love as they recover from traumatic injuries in the same hospital ward…all without seeing each other.

Alice Gunnersley and Alfie Mack sleep just a few feet apart from one another. They talk for hours every day. And they’ve never seen each other face-to-face.

After being in terrible accidents, the two now share the same ward as long-term residents of St. Francis’s Hospital. Although they don’t get off to the best start, the close quarters (and Alfie’s persistence to befriend everyone he meets) brings them closer together. Pretty soon no one can make Alice laugh as hard as Alfie does, and Alfie feels like he’s finally found a true confidante in Alice. Between their late night talks and inside jokes, something more than friendship begins to slowly blossom between them.

But as their conditions improve and the end of their stay draws closer, Alfie and Alice are forced to decide whether it’s worth continuing a relationship with someone who’s seen all of the worst parts of you, but never seen your actual face.

A tender novel of healing and hope, Before I Saw You reminds us that connections can be found even in the most unexpected of places—and that love is almost always blind."