Publication date: May 4, 2021
Genres: Adult Fiction, Women's Fiction, Contemporary, Romance
Format: eARC
Source: Gallery Books and Netgalley
4 Stars
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.
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.
