I work in a hospital, and a rehab one at that. I feel like this book is just not for me right now. I believe the plot is intriguing and that it will probably be a great story, but unfortunately it hits a little too close to home.

Thank you to Netgalley, Gallery Books, and the author for the ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.

This is a poignant and moving novel that is a perfect fit for readers who enjoy emotional and hopeful stories about trauma recovery, romance, and the power of human connection, and are looking for a tender and uplifting tale of healing and hope.

This title was archived before I had a chance to download it to be read so unfortunately I was not able to read it and give feedback.

Very well written book. Really enjoyed this author, would definitely read more by this author and recommend on my book IG

Before I Saw You is a well-written novel about two people who come together following traumatic accidents. It's told with two narrators, Alice, who badly burned half of her body in an office fire; and Alfie, who recently lost a leg in a grisly car accident where his friends lost their lives. They are neighbors in a rehabilitation ward who speak, but have never seen each other. I loved how Alfie brought Alice out of her shell. Though it's categorized as romance, it has some pretty heavy themes and very nuanced characters. I found the characters and writing so charming.

Thank you Gallery Books and NetGalley for providing this ARC. All thoughts are my own.

This was a cute romance that I wanted to really love but for some reason, it just did not keep me entertained the whole time. I laughed out loud and certainly rooted for the romance but the characters were overbearing each in their own way. Alice was very introverted prior to her accident. She had no interest or intention of making friends with anyone or anything. She was taken to a hospital where she meets someone completely different than her. Alfie is extremely talkative and friendly. The type that would give the shirt off his back to you if you needed it. They never saw each other’s face but through Alfie’s persistence, Alice starts conversing with him and learns to laugh again.


I just did not like some of the writing and the characters inability to draw the reader into their emotions or lack there of.

3 stars out of 5

Thank you to NetGalley as well as the author/publisher for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my unbiased and honest review.

Before her accident Alice Gunnersley was very independent, wouldn't give you the time of day and simply didn't care how you were doing.
Alfie Mack was already a patient at the hospital when Alice arrives. Now Alfie is a nice guy, he talks to everyone and wants to make everyone feel comfortable and like they have a friend.
Depressed when Alice arrives, she won't talk to anyone including Alfie, but this doesn't stop him from talking to her. If anything, it makes him more determined to become her friend.
Though they can't see each other being on the same ward they get to talking and have some poignant conversations. He makes her laugh; she is someone he can confide in, as they draw closer with their feelings a romantic as it can possibly be in a hospital blossoms. Will it continue outside of the hospital when their bodies are healed though? I thought it had a rather abrupt ending and to be truthful the book was slow.

Pub Date 04 May 2021
I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

I wanted to love this one more than I did. I really loved the characters. I laughed often and felt I could relate to them in a real way, but I found it to be quite slow at times. I wasn't as bought in to their relationship as I thought I should be, which left me a little disappointed.

I am sorry for the inconvenience but I don’t have the time to read this anymore and have lost interest in the concept. I believe that it would benefit your book more if I did not skim your book and write a rushed review. Again, I am sorry for the inconvenience.

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. Cute romance novel. Perfect for a good weekend read.

This was a really touching story and it had all of the feels. I was so emotional about this and loved it. I couldn't put it down.

Before I Saw You has a heartwarming presence and a beautiful story line involving characters first “meet cute” in a hospital ward. I wanted to love Emily Houghton’s writing style and flowing words that carved an intriguing storyline. However; I was unable to finish “Before I Saw You” due to the nature of the story and personal triggers. This story may be a “hit” for many readers who want a moving hospital tale about strangers who meet and connect over personal trials.

Such a cute romance! A fun quick read. I enjoyed the plot and the characters alike and would definitely recommend thos to romance readers!

It was an easy read with relatable characters, but after reading the blurb a had high expectations and felt a little bit let down with the ending. I still want to try other books by the author, tho. She has a fresh style and delivered a beautiful tale nonetheless.

This is a beautiful, heartwarming and original story. Alfie and Alice are recovering from tragic accidents. They're are dealing with their situations in opposite ways; while Alfie is inherently optimistic, Alice has retreated into herself. They move towards a friendship and then more, but this is logically a slow process and that is reflected in the pacing of the book.

There's nothing better than a love story, that also makes a person laugh. Author # Emily Houghton's # Before I Saw You is enchanting. It will leave you with that warm feeling.

Description:
Alice and Alfie sleep just a few feet apart. They talk for hours, and never see each other. After both being in terrible accidents, they are long term residents. Love is almost always blind??......

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) bring them closer together.
When I read an intriguing blurb about two people’s deep connection at the hospital ward without seeing each other’s faces, I clicked, clicked, and clicked again! This seemed like my favorite kind of ugly crier, tear-jerker, Kleenex needed story!
I love finishing a debut novel and thinking, I can’t wait to read what this author writes next.
For me, that speaks volumes, not only to my enjoyment of the story but also to an author’s writing style and voice.

I enjoyed this read. I really appreciated the storyline. It’s one I haven’t read a lot and was refreshing. I didn’t connect with the characters as much as I would like to have. Overall I stilled enjoyed the story. 3.5 stars.

This book was simply marvelous. The premise is fantastic and the supporting characters were well written and evolved. I really try to avoid spoilers in my reviews so I will simply say I wish the last chapter had continued on a little bit more, but at the same time I understand why Emily Houghton ended it the way she did and I like to imagine how the rest of the book continued on my own. I cried at so many points in this book and felt emotionally invested in all of the characters.

What a beautiful love story. Although the road to get there was arduous and long, the ending was perfect!

I really liked this story of finding love in the most unusual places. Recovering from 2 different life altering accidents, Alfie and Alice become next door roommates in the recovery hospital, and are able to build a friendship by supporting each other through their hospital stay. But Alice refuses to show her face to anyone after a fire burnt part of her body. Dispute this, they become a confidant for each other and a support system. Until Alfie can no longer take Alice’s stubbornness after a friend dies.

This book will definitely pull on your heartstrings, so be prepared!

**Thank you Netgalley for the ARC copy in return for an honest review ***