I would like to thank NetGalley, Samantha Tonge and Boldwood Books for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

3 ⭐ - this follows Violet who's getting over her ex Lenny, but is having a hard time doing this. When she gets a new roommate Bella, things seem to be looking up for Violet.

Violet hasn't had the best life so far after her recent struggles with her ex, there's also flashbacks of young Violet and her uncle. It's clear Violet had a tough time in life.

This was a well written story, with interesting characters and heavy topics. Although this is the first book I read from Ms. Tonge, I will check out her other books.

If You Could See Me Now by Samantha Tonge follows Violet as she navigates heartbreak and self-discovery after her ex cheats on her. With the help of her lively new roommate, Bella, she focuses on self-improvement, but her transformation becomes a shield against deeper struggles she refuses to face. Alternating between past and present, the story begins lighthearted but soon reveals a more serious, introspective journey. As Violet confronts shocking truths, the novel explores mental health, identity, and empowerment. Though the pacing is uneven, this emotional yet hopeful read delivers a powerful message of confidence and self-acceptance.

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this novel. I have to say right off the bat that it wasn’t what I was expecting based on the description. I thought the book would be lighthearted, and it did have some funny scenes and moments, but the overall feeling of the book was emotionally heavy. Trigger warning: eating disorder.

This book did the “be yourself” arc very well. Violet had supportive friends and family who, despite her best efforts to push them away in favor of Bella, stuck around and looked out for her.

What I didn’t love so much… Violet’s relationship with Flossie toward the end. Seemed out of character, even in her mixed-up mindset. Also, I felt like it took the neighbors an unbelievable amount of time to meet Bella even though they lived in the same building. That felt off to me right away.

This was a good book about a girl having a tough time - much tougher than the description led me to believe! I thought the story was handled tactfully, but I would have liked a better idea going in. I'm sorry to say that I don't think this is a super memorable book.

3.5 Stars

I have mixed feelings about this book. I loved reading about how the relationship between Violet and Bella developed. They were both endearing and flawed which made them feel very real. Another reason I enjoyed this book is that the author has male characters with interesting, sensitive, and strong personalities. Often male characters in other books are unable to express their feelings and reluctant to show weakness. It is refreshing to read about compassionate and considerate men, exposing in-depth insight into their thoughts. Even the ones we think are scum.

It is well-written and engaging. A story of relationships, friendship and honesty in relationships. Samantha Tonge portrays the characters and their relationships in a compassionate and totally relatable way. This story is told with such empathy and even a little humour, it makes the characters seem even more real.

I debated between rating this three or four stars but ultimately settled on 3.5 because I felt that much of it was repetitive. I recommend it as a good beach read or for a lazy Sunday. I was able to stay drawn into the story and read it in one sitting. It's a solid 3.5 stars for me.

4⭐️

**Thank you to Boldwood Books, Inc. and NetGalley for the eARC**

TW: book contains content related to the 9/11 attacks and eating disorders

Violet is a book editor and happy with her life. Until her long time boyfriend cheats and she is dumped. With the help of a new friend and roommate, Bella, Violet begins a new regime of exercise and diet to look her best. Violet begins competing with her ex’s New Romantic interest and head of a publishing imprint for a new promising writer.

I thought the story was well thought out and paced. I had a hard time in the beginning understanding why the flashbacks were present and what they added to the story. It felt like it took a long time for it to be clear. Could just be a me problem. I also had a hard time with Violet’s attitude. The way she was speaking about herself and her friends was so hard to read. I believe it’s authentic, but you want to root for the MC and it was hard because, as the reader, we can see the flaws and how to stop but they have to work through it.

Let me tell you Tonge created a good “villian” to hate. Bella, the new roommate, though at first perhaps well meaning, turns into a very controlling and problematic character. I thought she was written very well and enjoyed seeing the influence the character made and how the MC overcame it.

I would like to thank the author, the publisher and Netgalley from the bottom of my heart for allowing me the privilege of getting to read this book.

This book is so much more than the description on the back what is inside is so much more haunting and heartbreaking. It is far too relatable although I wish I could say I had the same friend structure as Violet I would love that kind of support system. Every character in this story is so relatable and even the horrible seeming ones with the one technical exception are so real and each will steal a part of your heart. But it's violet herself who will completely pull you in and shatter your heart.

This book is conflicting to me massively the story is perfect and beautiful and so accurate it hurt, I clued in very early on and it hurt a lot that is my past to try and keep going with this because I really needed the best out of this story. I am really glad I got the best at the end. However in the best way possible to put this without giving too much away because I can't in good faith write this review without saying this because it honestly needs to be in this book. This book needs a trigger warning I can think of a bunch to use that wouldn't give this story away that it really really needs to add, because this was triggering. The only way I can refer to this best because it reminded me the most of it is this is 'Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson' for adults. If you know you know, if you don't I am very very glad you don't. Well that book really shows it right in your face this one does it but in an extremely discrete way. But if you've been there you'll pick it out right away.

Apart from that I did love this book it stole my heart it drew me in and tore me apart and I am very grateful to have read it, it will also help to remind you that you never know what someone is truly going through and that love and kindness are always what you can and should give. So thank you from the bottom of my heart for this story I loved it.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. This is a very good book. There is a lot going on with some heavy topics, but I liked it and will read more from this author.

This book was not at all what I expected but I really liked it anyway.
I was assumed this book to be a feel-good story about a woman who has been left by her boyfriend and improves her live to show him what he threw away and then goes on to find a better man. This book was all that but than the story took a turn and became much more serious and profound than I thought it would. I had not idea how the story wolle turn out in the end as I did not see the twist coming.
The storytelling was really powerful while being entertaining and the characters were well developed and relatable.
All in all this book was diverting and thought-provoking and had much more depth than I thought it would.

I know I can rely on certain authors. Samantha is one of them. And I'm honoured to get to read her imaginings and words. They are books that stay with you. Books you often want to cherish. Her authors are so deep,so emotionally and beautifully written. I just adore every word of her books. And this one was no exception.
It was a little sensitive in topic at times. But these key points were done with tenderness and care. And are definitely topics we need to be reading more of and learning from. Society has alot of changes it needs to make for the wellbeing of soooo many people! And Samantha shines a stark light on that. But again, she does it in the best of ways.
I felt for Violet from the start until the very end. And I hope wherever she is in book land that she is doing OK.

This is story about friendship, trust, and taking control of your life . Violet always dreamed of a life where she was happy, but then she breaks up with her boyfriend and things start to fall apart, and her new flatmate Bella perhaps isn't as perfect as she seems. Its an interesting story that is worth a read.

This was an enjoyable read about friendships, breakdowns and sadness.
Violet works in publishing when she finds out her boyfriend was cheating, it turns her life upside down. You also read about Violet as a child and her uncle sadly passed in the twin towers disaster. It goes back and forth in the chapters of present and past, delving into her inner core. She has a sad life and although it was an easy read, there are a few trigger points, these are at the latter part of the book. It’s a lovely written book that will stay with me, happiness is hard to achieve. 4 stars
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.

It was so difficult to put down this book!!! Tonge does a fantastic job of keeping you hooked until the very end! We have all had a taste of a friend like Bella. If you would like to be at the end of your seat and have your jaw hanging on the floor hours/days after completing this work of art this is a must read for you! One of my favorite reads to date! I look forward to reading more of Tonge's work!!

At first I was concerned that this might be promoting "toxic diet culture and fitness regimes" , but I felt so deeply for the Violet and the story had me hooked so I was very curious to see where it went. I was so happy with where it went in the sense that it was more like a warning than a promotion. It was so heartwarming to see how Violet's friend's and even Lenny was so concerned about her.

I think books like these are so necessary today and it was such a sensitive topic done so brilliantly which such heart and warmth and understanding.

I will definitely be buying this book for friends when it comes out

When this book appears on Goodreads I would love to give it a 5 star rating

I found it really difficult to get into this and felt like there was a lot of clunky dialogue and telling instead of showing.

I have to admit I don’t get the title here. This was an easy read but it seemed like two stories mashed together that didn’t really fit with each other. The story of young Violet and what happened to her Uncle Kevin and then the story of older Violet and her struggles in life, love, and work. I think these would have worked better as separate stories. It also felt forced that Kath picked up on the plot but for the rest of the book she was out of touch with young folks etc. It just didn’t seem feasible what she came up with in the end and so that felt overly forced. Overall though a decent story to read and obviously one close to the author’s heart.

I've reviewed a lot of books by Samantha Tonge, and I'm glad she has another one out. I really liked Violet and Bella. I felt they were good friends and I liked Violet's makeover, as I love clothes. I love her taste in fashion after the makeover. I like the way she likes scented candles and perfumes, and grows to like makeup. I loved her makeup table. Bella's support as a friend is amazing.

I liked Casey too and his interest in Violet as well as in her book promotion. I hoped he could get published. Flint was supportive.

I was annoyed at Violet's ex, Lenny, for cheating on her.

Self care is important to me, too, so the theme was interesting, and I wanted to witness the changes in Violet, whether it was clothes or on a deeper level. I love any book where a person tries to change their life, and I felt invested in Violet's story and life. I felt very sad about the death of her uncle Kevin. The dual timeline with past chapters from her childhood and life with him (which were very heatfelt) and the present makes for an interesting storyline.

I enjoyed all the references to Violet's purple glasses, as I love purple. I felt Alice was really cruel to her.

All Violet's work in book promotion is interesting. I was interested in the author-publisher bond and the importance of that. The plot of this book is a good way to learn more about publishing and writing in general. The reference to Foyles' was good, as this is related to books too.

I enjoyed following Violet's writing career, as well as her work as a hairdresser.

I liked how supportive Irfan and Felicity were of Violet.

Her social life was fun, and all the restaurants and bars in the book were original (as well as the cocktails/mocktails).

I really like Star Trek, so I also enjoyed the reference to that in Felicity's backstory.

I liked the Chapter Battle event. The reference to Grease when Violet and Casey were on the way to it was fun, as I like Grease.
I also like the name of Violet's publisher, Alpaca Books. Both the event and the publisher name seem very original.

Romance, books, publishing, loss, the struggle to move on, the ups and downs of life and a fun plot make If You Could See Me Now a great book. The pace is quick, but I never feel lost.

If You Could See Me Now is for romance and book lovers alike, and would make a great gift for anyone who likes these things. It's my seventh Samantha Tonge book and I want to experience more of her books in the future.

Thanks to Samantha Tonge and Boldwood Books for my eARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review. As someone who reviews books a lot, I really enjoyed this.

4 stars

This is a difficult book to review. Although I originally thought it did have potential, it fell very flat for me, resulting in its near abandonment. Alas, I continued on in order to fulfill my agreement for being awarded this ARC. Perhaps this novel needs to be marketed to young adults or even mid-to-late teens, as it is quite possible that this is the audience with which it will resonate.

Fairly decent character and plot development, but when the story unfolded and did its "big reveal", it did nothing for me as a reader. It is, however, a very brisk read.

Thank you to author, Samantha Tonge; publisher Boldwood Books; and netgalley for providing me with a copy of this ARC in exchange for an honest review. The opinions expressed here are wholly my own.

I received a free copy of, If You Could See Me Know, by Samantha Tongue, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Violet is trying self care after, her ex cheated on her. Though Violet seems to be taking it to the extreme. This was a very heavy read, with a lot going on.

A very lovely, heartwarming & at times emotional book. I enjoyed reading Violet’s story of self-discovery, rebuilding her self-esteem and self-worth after a tough break up. Initially I did find myself a little concerned about some themes which were arising during the book; however, the reason for this all became clear as the twist in the take was exposed.
Sensitive subjects are handled in thoughtful & compassionate way and the whole book is written in a way that brings the reader into Violet’s daily life, her innermost thoughts and worries, and has you willing Violet on.
An enjoyable read that takes an alternative route to happy ever after.

Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC.

Violet Vaughan, 32, is a literary agent who works at Thoth Publishing, London. She is happily shacked up with Lenny, or so she thinks. On Valentine's Day of all days he confesses to be in love with Beatrice, a rival literary agent.

This betrayal sends Violet over the edge into a mental health crisis. She feels the fact that everyone leaves her is down to her not being worthy enough, not slim enough, not fashionable enough. So when her new flatmate Bella turns out to work in a spa and to be full of beauty tips, she overhauls her lifestyle completely with her help. But is Bella all that she seems or does she have secrets?

Soon, Violet's friends get concerned about her transformation into this thin, groomed woman who has less and less time for them. There is her book club with octogenarians Kath, Nora and Pauline, her boss Felicity, her colleagues Irfan, Farah and Hugo and debut author Casey who she falls for.

This beautiful story about complex characters is told over two timelines, now and 2001 when Violet was 7, and both her beloved Uncle Kevin died in the 9/11 atrocity and then her childhood friend Flint left, plus classmate Alice relentlessly bullied her and called her a Shrinking Violet.

First, I didn't like Violet too much, she seemed shallow, constantly posting filtered photos of herself on social media, but the more we learned about her deep-seated childhood trauma and how it had manifested itself, the more I understood and felt for her. Also, she is a big book lover and therefore obviously a good person! This is more about friendship and self-discovery than romance, and it's all the better for it.

Altogether, this is an intelligent, heartbreaking and powerful read with some unexpected twists, a beautiful cover and great characters, incorporating mental health issues including eating disorders with knowledge and skill.

This is not the story you thought you were getting at the start of the book - it's better! This won't be my last book by this smart author. Even the title is clever. Make sure you have tissues ready for the ending!

4.75 stars