A large thank you and shout out to FFBC and the publisher for including me in the blog tour for What I Want You To See. I would also like to mention how much they helped me in acquiring the complimentary copy when I faced some issues with it; thank you! The opinions stated in my review are honest.

My words are muddled even after giving myself a day to think about what I would like to write.

Truthfully, WIWYTS is utterly outside my zone of comfort. It falls outside, barely touching, the genres I typically go for. So why did I choose to read WIWYTS? I don't know. When I read the blurb, I wanted to read it. I was curious and I felt a certain .. draw, (shall we say?) to the story.

My instincts weren't wrong. Despite being so outside my comfort zone, I had no problems reading this book. The humiliation, desperation, fear, excitement, pain and passion in this book are quick to draw you in and keep you from moving.

I'm hardly one to be caught by surprise in a book, but I rather was in a way. There were some ploys so utterly visible to the eye, and others that in my own ignorance and raptness to the story, I hadn't placed. A lot of things fall together just as they fall apart in the protagonist's life.

Usually, the protagonist isn't questioned so much, isn't put in too tight a spot without support, isn't alone in the real sense of the term. But in reality, especially after one makes a mistake, one often finds themselves alone in a battleground of their own making.

What I Want You To See questions a lot of our own ideas of what's right and not. Whether the rightness or wrongness of something is linked specifically to your situation or to your perception.

There were some moments where you wish the protagonist took a stand, moved a step forward, but her learning itself was in how/when or if she would do this. And the fear is utterly understandable.

Four stars. I would definitely recommend.

This was quite a fun and a different book for me as what I knew about art was a big fat zero. The author did end up teaching quite a few bits of it.

Sabine was an art student on scholarship and wanted to gain the approval of her teacher Krell. Her classmate Adam helped her, and she ended up creating her version of her professor’s work and sinking into a crime.

My first book by author Catherine Linka, quite a well written book it was. I liked how the characters were etched, they got the opportunity to develop over the pages. Sabine was portrayed seeped in reality where her vulnerability and thoughts of doing the right thing endeared me to her.

The first half was a wee bit slow, I am used to thrillers. Once I got used to the flow of the story, it became an easy read. I liked how the author showed the situation of deceit and the subsequent moral dilemma. The story had its thriller-y vibe happening which kept me hooked to the book.

Few social issues were incorporated into the story. I am not so fond of romance especially when the blurb didn’t promise one, I coolly could set those moments aside to enjoy Sabine’s story. I got to learn something new about art too.

Overall, it was a fun read over the weekend.

I really enjoyed this book! A unique plot, whose turns could not be predicted. What I really loved, though, was the ethical dilemmas posed throughout the book ... without conventional and easy answers. Nicely done!

What I Want You to See
by Catherine Linka
Pub Date: 04 Feb 2020
read courtesy of Netgalley.com

As a YA School Librarian, I try to read books from the perspective of my students. Although I've given this story a 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ for its story, I can only see it being a 3 ⭐⭐⭐ for my high school students. I loved the story and the style of writing, but I'm just not sure it's the type of story my students would enjoy. It's hard to say what about it does this: perhaps part writing style, part narrow character/plot appeal. The ability of a reader to relate to the world of an artist might affect how receptive the reader will be to this story. If it weren't for an art teacher in my current school who works with encaustics (hot wax painting), I might have been more lost in the story.

Personally, I liked the writing style; although, it did take a bit of getting used to; but once I did, I flew through the rest of the story. It isn't a "great literature" style, more like both sophisticated and terse at the same time. The juxtaposition of style matches the main character's, Sabine's, duality, a teenager who has to grow into adulthood alone.

Linka fleshed out believable characters with realistic dialogue. Her characters don't feel cookie cutter or stereotypical. She didn't have to exaggerate or embellish and thereby kept her characters true to themselves. Linka also accomplished something I find that quite a few of the authors I read have a problem doing: she provided a satisfying and not forced ending to the story.

I appreciated the internal dialogues Sabine has with herself regarding morality. She ended up doing something that was morally correct and personally difficult. I found myself questioning myself as to what I might have done and when I might have done it. I can ask no more from an author than this: I was engaged in the story!

Opening line:
"Think of Krell as an angry art god who requires human sacrifice."

Sabine is an art student at a prestigious art college on a hard-won scholarship. She's been through a lot of hard times from the death of her mom, to being homeless to being insecure over her whole entire life. She's strong and smart and extremely talented.
But sometimes, she's not so smart. like when she lies to hide her insecurities which leads to her getting into a lot of trouble and on the road to ruining her life.
This story was fascinating to me. I learned a lot of art! This story was also about relationships and trusting others. This story shines a spotlight on homelessness among college students, which is rampant on every campus. So much so, most colleges are giving out scholarships or stipends for students who are financially anxious.
From the beginning, I was engaged in the story and especially Sabine. I loved her and wanted her to win in her whole life. And I wanted her to stop dating the one boy and go out with the other boy and then I wanted to slap the other boy when he couldn't accept Sabine, or support her, when she needed him most.
I enjoyed this YA contemporary coming-of-age story. I wanted a little more from the ending, but overall, it's a good read. I'd read more of Ms. Linka's books!

Some swearing.

Thanks to netgalley for the early read!

Sabine is an art student who won a scholarship to a prestigious school, but it's a lot harder than she thought to stand out. When Sabine meets Adam she realizes a new way to look at art. Easy read and really interesting!

This was a great read from beginning to end. But don’t be deceived; the topics covered are tough, embarrassing, and have repercussions. I appreciated the honesty of the story with no simple answers or outcomes. This story showed our actions have consequences which follow us throughout our lives. I thought it was really well written with insight and compassion. I will definitely read more from this author.

This book was received as an ARC from Disney Book Group - Freeform in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

I was so intrigued from the start of this novel due to Sabine's love for art and her desire to win the approval for one of the top professor's in the university. Determined to fit in and start a new beginning, Sabine meets Adam who opens her eyes in a new way and shows her the masterpiece her professor is working on and even though he wants her to copy a piece she connects with, she can't fathom the reaction of her professor when the piece she connects with is his and even if this wasn't pressure enough, there is a crime on the run and only Sabine was the eye witness getting herself in an epic battle of a lifetime. A lot of our young adult/teen/middle school readers will appreciate this book and I hope this becomes a future title for the Battle of the Books competition. Our players will sure to love it.

We will consider adding this title to our YFiction collection at our library. That is why we give this book 5 stars.