Review: Before I Saw You by Emily Houghton

BEFORE I SAW YOU
Emily Houghton
Publication date: May 4, 2021
Genres: Adult Fiction, Women's Fiction, Contemporary, Romance
Format: eARC
Source: Gallery Books and Netgalley
4 Stars
 
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.
"Our scars are simply the marks of our stories. 
They show we've lived a great life, and most of all that we have survived it."

First, I want to say that the comparison to Me Before You in the synopsis isn’t really valid, and probably isn’t doing the book any favors. Certain readers are going to see that and run for the hills. So yeah, ignore the comparison. This is not that story.

Before I Saw You is what I call a quiet book. It’s not filled with action or loads of dramatic events. And, if I’m honest, the pacing is a bit slow. But the journey is so worth it. Getting to know Alice Gunnersley and Alfie Mack is worth it. Patients in the same hospital rehabilitation ward, separated by only a curtain, they got off to a rocky start. Affable, people-pleasing Alfie was the darling of the eight-person ward, liked by all, so he didn’t understand his new neighbor’s utter silence. Alice did not talk or interact with anyone on the ward and would not even allow the others to see her – all curtains were closed when she was taken to her physical therapy sessions. But not even stand-offish Alice could withstand Alfie’s infectious charm and slowly a friendship formed. And maybe more.

Both Alfie and Alice had been shaped by traumas that long pre-dated the accidents that landed them in the hospital. They had been shaped by childhood events that had, in many ways, held them back. Even while I laughed at Alfie’s attempts to break down Alice’s barriers, soaked up the love and affection from his parents when they visited, and delighted in the visits from Alice’s friend (we should all have a friend like Sarah), my heart still broke for Alfie and Alice and all that they’d lost.

While I wished for a bit more from the ending (it was rather abrupt), I was still completely taken – and completely moved – by Alice and Alfie’s story of overcoming adversity and new beginnings. I will say that this leans more toward women’s fiction so a heads-up to those expecting a traditional romance.


Disclosure: I received a complimentary advance copy of this book for review. This does not impact my opinion of the book or the content of this review. I received no compensation and my review is voluntary.

BEFORE I SAW YOU
RELEASES ON MAY 4, 2021

YOU CAN FIND BEFORE I SAW YOU HERE:

14 comments

  1. Oh this one is new to me but I love the sound of it. Alfie and Alice sound like great characters and I wonder what kind of trauma that have experienced. Great review!

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    1. Thanks Carole! Alfie and Alice really were great characters to get to know.

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  2. I love that cover, and this sounds like a really unique set-up for a book - glad to hear you enjoyed it so much!

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  3. I certainly appreciate all your disclaimers. I did expect certain things from the synopsis, and it's good to manage my expectations properly. That said, it also sounds like a book I would enjoy. I have no fear of a quiet book, if it leaves me feeling something, and that's the impression I got here.

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    1. I'll be really interested on your thoughts should you decide to give it a try.

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  4. Thank you for the warning about the comparison! I love how you described this book, it sounds like a tale that will pull at your heart. And quiet books are so appreciated, I'm so glad you enjoyed this one!
    Jen @ Star-Crossed Book Blog

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    1. Thanks Jen. :) Action-packed can be fun but sometimes a quieter character-driven story is just what I want.

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  5. This book is new to me, thanks talking about the book vrs. the synopsis. This is the kind of book I picture myself reading outside on a deck on vacation.

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  6. I agree with your Me Before You comment. I liked that book when I read it, but the emotion of it would make me skip this one. I'm glad it wasn't like that one. Great review!

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    1. Me Before You was definitely polarizing! I really enjoyed it but I know that the comparison could unfairly put a lot of readers off this one.

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  7. Thanks for the head's up about the Me Before You comparison. I probably wouldn't have run for the hills, but I definitely would have been expecting a different story from the one you're describing. This sounds really moving though and like something I would enjoy. Lovely review!

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    1. Thanks Suzanne. I get that marketing people like to draw comparisons to generate interest, but using Me Before You for this one just wasn't a good fit.

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