The Sign for Home is a book that truly makes you feel. Laughs, sadness, empathy for Arlo. The author brought Arlo to life and wonderfully represented the deaf community.

This is such a beautiful story and I absolutely love the DeafBlind representation in this novel! While I felt like it dragged a little in the first half, the second half picked up plenty of steam and I'm so thankful I took the time to read this one - well done!

Loved it! It opened my mind to a world I know nothing about through the main character, a DeafBlind young man, with a whole village of people trying support him in their own ways - his interpreters, a super strict Jehovahs Witness uncle, and a Deaf love interest. I learned so much so for me maybe it's educational wrapped in a drama wrapped in a romcom wrapped in a suspense wrapped in an inspirational bow. I laughed, I cried, I yelled. All the feels. I also went online to see videos of new signing techniques described in the book, like ‘pro-tactile, that gives so much more information to the users. It’s amazing to me, what a gift to the DeafBlind community. And I feel like knowing about it is a gift to me.

Give it a try, it’ll suck you in immediately.

I would 100% say all of the above even if the author wasn’t my brothers friend. If you know me you know that’s true!

I’d like to start this review by apologizing for waiting so long to read this beautiful story. I read the summary and the blurb but I really had no idea what was waiting for me between the pages. Arlo’s story is exceptionally important, and means a lot to me as the partner of someone visually impaired. I knew from my limited experience about a few of the struggles that visually impaired people have, but Arlo’s experience as a DeafBlind individual made that understanding sharper and more vivid.

I really loved the dual POV between Cyril and Arlo. Their contrasting perspectives and voice brought each other to life in a way that a single POV couldn’t have done. I was absolutely enthralled throughout this entire story, and couldn’t wait to see what happened next.

I will be recommending this to everyone as a must read.

I will start by saying what a special book! It made me think, angered me, enlightened me, made me laugh and so much more.

I started this book ages ago and put it down because it had a slow start. Arlo was an intriguing MC, but I wasn't that interested in the Jehovah's Witness perspective, until later on in the novel when it became apparent why it was such a strong focus. There were so many injustices that were brought to light in this book - that of a DeafBlind protagonist, someone shamed by his religious group, and a kid going through adolescence who can't experience it in the same way as his peers. Cyril was such an amazing character, and his emotions were so on point. I adored Arlo and how he grew more confident throughout the book. His relationship with S was so sweet and heartbreaking, and the ending made my heart happy.

Also the irony is not lost on this comment, I highly recommend the audiobook version!

MAN, I LOVED the representation in this book! As a hearing impaired individual with bilateral hearing aides, I related to the MC SO HARD at some points. We need more books like this!!!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
This was an emotional story about finding independence, connection, and love. I enjoyed the writing as well as the characters.
It was an excellent portrayal of the life of a DeafBlind man and culture. This book touched my heart and educated me in the process.

This is an emotional story about finding connection, about independence, and about love. The characters are decent, but the romance kind of missed the mark for me. The writing is overall good, though I didn’t love all of the content. The area where this book really shines, though, is the excellent portrayal of the life of a DeafBlind man, and of the Deaf and DeafBlind culture. You’ll surely walk away from this book feeling more educated, more empathetic, and (in my case, at least) more interested than ever in learning more sign language.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. This is a story of hope and love, while tackling the possibility of those around you that you put your trust in being dishonest with you, allowing for a new outlook on life. An enjoyable read start to finish.

I couldn't get through this title. It ended up not being for me, but I hope it finds a hope with other readers.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Blair Fell has written us a beautiful story. Hands down. As a true life lover of ASL and as one who has been immersed in the deaf world throughout my life, this was a beautiful story, immersing us in the world of being deaf AND blind, like that of the lovely Helen Keller.

I love how Fell continually shares the description of signs along the way, allowing readers to pick up the opportunity to learn as we read. We see a story with great character buildup, and we can't help but be pulled in to Arlo's story. Arlo is highly loveable and touching, and I couldn't get enough.

Highly, highly recommended, and so thankful for the opportunity to read. Five stars, easily.

Thank you to Atria and NetGalley for this ARC in return for an honest review.

What I love about The Sign for Home by Blair Fell is that it features a differently abled main character. Representation matters! I learn much about the deaf-blind community. The ending of the book is perhaps not quite realistic. Life is not that neatly packaged, and issues not that easily resolved. Regardless, I am glad to follow Arlo's story for all that I learn about the real world from his story.

Read my complete review at http://www.memoriesfrombooks.com/2023/12/the-sign-for-home.html

Reviewed for NetGalley.

With July being Disability Pride Month, it was the incentive I needed to finally read The Sign For Home. I finished it a few days ago and I’m still trying to figure out how to describe this wonderful book.

It’s about a young man (Arlo, 23) who is DeafBlind (he’s still got a smidge of vision in one eye but not much). You could consider it a coming-of-age or a coming-of-independence story, as his horizons are broadened over the summer by taking a writing course at the local community college and having a new, second interpreter help him because of this (Cyril). There’s an underlying theme of a lost first love but this is most definitely not a romance novel. Arlo has been raised as part of the Jehovah’s Witness community and perhaps that’s why I put off reading it for so long - not sure. (I tend to get upset with stories of what most people consider extreme religious groups and this story reinforced my feelings.) The people caring for Arlo lied to him a lot and denied him access that other DeafBlind people have, because of their religious beliefs. Example: they limited his internet access because they worried for his soul.

Cyril is also a very interesting character, with his own issues. He’s been interpreting for the Deaf for a long time, but he’s not that experienced with interpreting for the DeafBlind. (He gets really good at it!) He’s also gay and when Arlo’s guardian and regular interpreter discover this, they are none too happy. The writing professor is another great character, as is Cyril’s friend Hanne. The author used a different style of writing for Arlo and for Cyril. When it’s Arlo’s POV, the story is written in second person past. When it’s Cyril’s POV, it’s written in first person past. It took me a bit to get used to it, but the technique worked very well.

Arlo has had a lot of trauma in his young life and this is a very emotional story. You also learn A LOT about the Deaf community and the smaller DeafBlind community.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria/Emily Bestler Books for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book, although I was rather late to it. I bounced between the ARC and the published audiobook, courtesy of my public library. The audio was narrated by the author and he did a great job with the various voices and accents.

Oh, let me tell you, "The Sign for Home" had me completely hooked! I haven't been this captivated by a book in ages. Blair Bell's passion for the characters and the story they tell is truly heartwarming. Arlo's connections with his childhood pals and sweetheart melted my heart, and I couldn't help but cheer them on throughout the journey.

I absolutely loved how the author showcased the beauty of sign language, especially in moments where ASL syntax was integrated into the narrative. It gave me a glimpse of the linguistic richness of ASL, and I appreciate the effort to make it accessible to hearing readers. The way the friendships and relationships were portrayed made the characters feel so real and endearing.

Sure, there were some bumps along the way, but what story doesn't have them? Despite the minor hiccups, "The Sign for Home" left me feeling uplifted and emotionally invested in the characters' lives. It's a book that managed to leave a lasting impact, and I'm grateful to have experienced such a heartwarming and gripping story. Kudos to Blair Bell for bringing these characters to life in such a touching way!

I did not finish reading this book. I couldn't get into the writing or the characters, and the story wasn't holding my attention.

This was a very interesting book. I went in blind and thought, based on the cover, it was more of a romance. However, romance was like 5% of this book. The rest was a very educational and heartwarming story of a Deaf/Blind Jehovah's Witness starting college and his new interpreter, who happens to be gay, and their relationship. I learned a lot about the Deaf/Blind community and I appreciated who Arlo's POV was told in Deaf/Blind language.

Arlo and Cyril touched my heart and I loved the evolution of the story and the ARC for some of the other characters. While I did really enjoy the characters and the character development, I think this might have suffered a tad bit for me of being one of those books that I picked up at the wrong time. I was not prepared for the type of book this was and was probably expecting more of a fluffy book. But I don't want to discredit the book for that but I found myself, not bored but struggled a few times to hold me interest. However, this is a book that I think I will look back on really fondly and it was very memorable. I learned a lot and even now, two days after I finished reading it, I am looking back wondering why I struggled at time. This was a very unique book that will stay with me for a while.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy. Opinions are my own.

I tried reading this book several times and even went as far as trying the narration but I just couldn’t get into the book

**Thank you to NetGalley, the author, & the publisher for a chance to read to & review an ARC of this book!**

Please find my extended feedback below...along with some spoilers (beware).
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Things I Liked:
-I really appreciated that the author provided readers with a glimpse into the intricate & just really amazing culture of deaf and blind individuals. I really liked learning about ASL with the snippets of signing included in the books.
-I loved that this book advocates for independence in the ways that each deaf or blind individual feels prepared for & assistance in the unique ways that each may need.
-I thought it was amazing to learn about advancements in sign language (like protactile)!
-I loved that this book advocates for deaf & blind individuals in a way that shows how capable they are.
-Snap is my favorite. <3

Things That Didn't Sit Quite Right With Me:
-The length. I felt like the story was a bit dragged out & it was tough for me to get through the last 25% of the book (even though that was where most of the more attention grabbing plot points happened).
-The last 25% sort of threw me off a bit as that was also when all the major romance parts happened. It just felt a bit too rushed for me.
-Brother Birch & Molly (although she has her redeeming traits) both got on my last nerve. I knew stuff was up with them. It mad me so mad to think about how they took advantage of Arlo & limited him.

Overall, I enjoyed this book & I gave it 4 stars!

I thought this was a wonderfully eye-opening book in to the DeafBlind world. I have many Deaf friends, but not Deaf and Blind, so this was a really great book that had my attention from page one.

i liked this story, i think it had some really great representation that is needed in the romance world.