I really liked <i> Before I Saw You </i>. It's very real in a way that all of the characters have some sort of trauma and are trying to overcome their inner demons and I thought that a lot of the things that were being said were incredibly relatable. Especially to people who have a "before and after" of some kind (hi, hello!). And I absolutely loved that aspect of it.

I also really liked the way the love story slowly grew and changed and that their friendship wasn't just one straight line but that there was hurt, there were fights, there were mistakes. As many of the other reviewers, I also wished that there was another chapter at the end. An Epilogue of some sort because I feel like we have just spent so much time with these characters and I felt a bit left hanging.

Nevertheless, I definitely recommend this book to anyone who is looking for absolute ROMANCE (there are love letters involved, people!!!) that isn't your typical kind of girl meets boy.

Loved this so much. Not your stereotypical rom com but two incredibly likeable main characters and a gorgeous story wrapping them up. Not a lightweight read - it covers some difficult topics, but an absolute joy and a love story about falling in love but also overcoming diversity and trauma and allowing yourself to be loved.

Reading the. blurb for this book truly enticed me to read the story of two people who find themselves side by side in a hospital recovery ward, building a friendship, a relationship, almost, without ever seeing each other.
Alfie is the life of the ward, keeping the spirits of his two longterm roommates up, developing bonds with everyone he encounters, and is coming to terms with his own tragedy, and being a recent addition to the world of the amputee.
Then, one day the spare bed next to him is filled, but the curtains are drawn. The secret roommate intrigues them all.
Alice is a successful career woman, but her world comes tumbling down after a freak accident at her work leaves her injured beyond recognition. She finds herself in a dark place, shutting herself away from the world, refusing to see anyone she knows, and even baulking at the idea of the health professionals coming in to check on her.
What follows is a story filled with ups and downs, as Alfie tries his hardest to break down the barriers between this invisible woman and the rest of the world.
I loved Alfie's relationship with his fellow patients. He is such a positive character, but with shadows that loom over him.
After reading what happened to Alice, it made me wonder how I would feel, in her situation. Would I end up wanting to become a recluse?
Many deep issues explored in a captivating read.
Many thanks to Netgalley, Random House Uk and Transworld Publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

Alice is a young woman who has been involved in a fire, leading to terrible burns on her body. She refuses to see friends and family and when she's put in a shared ward she insists the nurses never open the curtain. Alfie, is a patient in the next bed who is very curious about he new arrival to the ward. He starts to speak to Alice through the curtain and while she's resistant at first, they slowly build a friendship. This book is a little predictable but its quite a lovely read. I'd been in a bit of a reading funk and couldn't really get into anything and this sorted me right out. It's a really nice read with characters you care about.

Wow! Wow! Wow! This is the most emotional book I have read in a very long time! I absolutely loved everything about it from the very first page. As I kept reading, I fell more and more in love with Alice and Alfie! I think the characters are so relatable and true to life that you sympathise immensely with them. There are many people who will see lots of Alfie in themselves and reading this will really help them.

I am desperate to know what happens next and think this book would be the perfect movie! I am definitely patiently awaiting a sequel!

Alice and Alfred are strangers who sleep next to each other every night in the hospital ward both trying to heal from their dark pasts and scars

Alice is a workaholic girl who enjoys solitude and hates letting other people in her life , she’s always confident and in control but when she’s caught in a fire and it severely burns her body she loses confidences and hides behind her beds curtains deteremined to not let anyone see her

Alfrie Mack is a charming, lovable boy who never stops talking , after a car accident which causes his leg amputated, he stays in the hospital for months recovering and when he gets a new neighbor on the next bed , he’s determined to break Alice from her silence vow .

The story isn’t like other rom-coms as it carries a very dark theme and important lessons showing how it is to be the one who survived and how a perfect life can be changed overnight also how strangers can be the people who save you and end up being the most important people in your life

Throughout the book , you can see the characters growth and their journey into accepting the hard reality of their lives

It was a great and quick read that I couldn’t put down once i started it and I look forward to reading more books from Emily houghton

The romance is too notch amazing , it’s a story full of all types of emotions ... it was funny , sad , complicated but also full of love

It’s a 5 full stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟from me and a lot of thanks to NetGalley and Bantam press for sending me the Arc copy in exchange for an honest review And allowing me to experience such a beautiful world

Before I Saw You is a sweet and addictive read which delves deep into the emotional and psychological impacts for Alice and Alfie, the two main characters after they both survive after extremely traumatic incidents and are left physically and mentally altered. I loved all the lessons a reader can gain from this book and how heartwarming the tone is, from Alfie's consistent and unconditional support for Alice to the friendships all the patients on the ward share. I especially liked the unlikely friendship between Alfie and Mr Peterson, a slightly gruff older man with a soft spot for our resident chatterbox. The romance in the book was believable at all times and so incredibly cute, I liked the fact that neither party sees each other and the fact that they have little things they share, like crosswords and puzzles and I loved the letter Alfie wrote Alice towards the end too,

I feel like this book explores the psychological impacts of surviving a traumatic event really well and doesn't brush off just how difficult this can be, while also maintaining a hopeful ending. While there is a lot to like about this book I have to say that the ending did leave me a tad underwhelmed because the rest of the book was developing the relationship between Alice and Alfie so it would have been nice to get a greater payoff. I think even an epilogue would have been good and would have proved satisfying to me. I also think that some readers may be put off by the fact that the vast majority of the novel takes place in one setting ie; the hospital so some scenes do feel a tad repetitive but it makes sense in the context of the novel.

Some of the topics in this book are a little dark, but they are dealt with in such a great, honest way.

Alfie and Alice are sharing a hospital room. While I thought it was odd for a male and female to be sharing a room at first I then remembered when I was recovering from surgery and had a male in the bed next to me, unfortunately that was no where near as positive an experience for me as it was for Alfie and Alice.

An amputee and a burn victim get to know each other and learn a lot about themselves in this tough situation. It was great meeting all the different characters that come in and out of the story.

A great read.

I received this book from Netgalley in return for my honest opinions.

A well written romantic story with good, well developed characters, not my usual genre but I thoroughly enjoyed it for a change.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

This was a beautiful and romantic story by a master storyteller. The main characters are sympathetic and believable and the storyline flows seamlessly, depicting their health crisis that brings them together. Highly recommended.

I immediately liked the bright, fun cover of this book. Actually, this is actually quite a moving book in places and I enjoyed it much more than the escapism I thought it was going to be.

Alice and Alfie are the central characters of this story and they 'meet' when they're both in a long-term rehabilitation ward; Alice after she was burned badly in a terrible fire, and Alfie following a traumatic car accident. Alice hides herself behind curtains and is unwillingly to connect with anyone. Alfie makes it his mission to bring Alice out of her shell.

It was an easy read, and very simple. Most of the characters were engaging and well-developed. Some of the minor characters were excellent: Alfie's mum, Alice's best friend, and Nurse Angles spring immediately to mind. The character of Alice was too flat for my liking. She was incredibly damaged, but this didn't come across well enough, and she just seemed rude and haughty for large portions of the book. Alfie was a much more likeable character and the relationship between him and the elderly man across the ward was beautiful.

Overall, this is an enjoyable, quick read.

Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When I found myself crying and reading at 3am I knew this going to end up one of my favourite 2020 reads. Alfie and Alice were wonderfully crafted, complicated, messy, funny, broken and human characters. Loved, loved, loved them both so much as well as their separate and joint journeys through their respective traumas. The author does an incredible job weaving a love story between two people who have not laid eyes on each other. The connection and the affection that grew between Alice and Alfie was real, engaging and very beautiful.

Such a great setting in the hospital ward and a wonderful mix of supporting characters including Mother A, and Mr Peterson. Sarah was a joy of a best friend and her friendship and love for Alice was a delight. Funny, emotional, heart breaking, well written read and I really hope to see more from this author.

Thank you to Netgalley, Random House UK and Emily Houghton for giving me this book in exchange for an honest review.

I'll start off by saying that I finished this book in a matter of hours, it's a very easy read, but that doesn't mean that it's bad. It's a lovely book full of found families, friendships and love. Houghton deals with some hard topics as the main characters are all patients on a rehabilitation ward (one amputee and one burn victim). It's a classic falling in love without seeing each other story, but it's incredibly heartwarming, a real feelgood read. I'd recommend this if you're in the mood to feel good. The characters are great and they're complex too, with more than meets the eye. The writing really makes you feel for the characters and puts you in their shoes.

I think the only fault I find is that I wanted another chapter!

God this book chewed me up and spat me back out again.

I expected this to be an emotional story. What I didn't expect was to laugh and cry in equal measure. All of the characters in this book are so amazing, so lovable and they jump right off the page. I found myself agreeing with Alfie and with Alice at the same time - even when they didn't agree with each other!

I can't believe how perfectly written, how raw, this book is and how well the emotion and connection between the two is.
Absolutely amazing and a must read!

5 stars!

My Rating: 4.5


First Impressions

What first drew me to this book was the originality of it! I don't think I have ever come across a story quite like this one, so I was keen to jump straight in and learn about Alfie and Alice and their lives before hospital, as well as where they would wind up at the end. I have also never been in the same situation as these characters, so being able to have an insight into their struggles really made me much more mindful of the experiences other people may have been through!

Within the first few chapters, I was already fond of the characters. I believe that it was much easier to be invested in this story because it was so raw, and the characters were always in a position of vulnerability. I couldn't help but respect the strength each character shows throughout the story. As well as this, Emily Houghton's style of writing is very easy to follow and flows really nicely and consistently, which can be rare to find!

The Characters

Alfie is a very bubbly and loving guy, which makes everybody around him like him and enjoy his company! However, he definitely puts his all into being compassionate for others as a way of distracting from his own emotions, so he really did need someone to talk to and be a comfort for him. At the start, he almost seems like an open book, but as the novel progresses, more information is unpacked about his life, his thoughts, and his feelings that he doesn't want to show.

Alice is intriguing from the get-go! She is very strong-willed and independent, but has lots of hidden fragility which she has suppressed for a really long time. Much like Alfie, she needed somebody she could trust and could break down the walls that she had built up to protect herself which would stop her from shutting herself out from the world.

Emily Houghton created two very different characters, and connected them in a beautiful way. It was so moving to allow their relationship to form and blossom in an authentic way, and it really felt as though I was with them every step of the way!

Final Thoughts

I was DREADING reaching the end of this book, since I had fallen in love with the characters and wanted to follow where their lives were leading them! It felt so bittersweet to finish for this reason! As the reader, you're anticipating the final moments and can't help but have a huge smile on your face (I definitely couldn't)! I would love to know more about what would have happened once the book had ended, but the story itself was stunning, so I wouldn't be disappointed if that is where it should end - I'm more than happy to imagine the possibilities for myself!

Conclusion

During multiple moments throughout the book, Emily really expressed some intense emotions and left me with teary eyes and a sniffly nose! The journey that each character had been on was truly inspiring and my heart constantly felt full of love and admiration. This book is definitely one that I will remember and hold in my heart for a range of reasons, and I have no doubt that it would be the same for many others. I genuinely cannot WAIT to be able to have a physical copy so I can revisit Alfie and Alice when I am in need of grounding or warmth!

I definitely recommend adding 'Before I Saw You' to your TBR list or wishlist as it isn't one to miss out on!

My Blog Review:
https://alovelylittlelibrary.blogspot.com/2020/08/before-i-saw-you-by-emily-houghton.html

Rating: 4.5/5
Recommend: This is the kind of book that you finish in a single read. When you're feeling at your worst, like nothing in life is going according to plan, it's the kind of book that will show you how little your problems are compared to others. Emily Houghton's novel will then teach you how to stand up again. A beautiful read.

Alice has had an accident. Due to a mishap at work, she is now the recovering survivor of a raging fire - but, at a steep cost. Alfie was in an accident too - but, after months spent recovering, he is finally close to being released from the hospital's rehabilitation ward. When Alice is shifted to the bed next to Alfie, the pair strike a bizarre friendship... but, can you be friends with someone you have never even seen? How much does appearance matter really?

I loved the dynamic between Alice and Alfie! As the interactions between them grew, and they each slowly began to open up about the grief and loss in their lives, it almost felt like fate. Even though this is a work of fiction, it was endearing to see both the protagonists overcome their respective traumas and grow. (And did I mention that throughout the entire time they never even see each other's face? Not even once.)

Alice's journey from the vulnerable woman in the hospital to someone finally coming to terms with her situation was inspiring to read. Through her steady interactions with Alfie, we slowly get to see who Alice used to be before the accident, the events that her made that way, and the person she is slowly becoming as she opens up. It's almost like the accident was something that really needed to happen in Alice's life - the event made her realize that she needed help.

Another fantastic thing about this book was Emily Houghton's flowing writing style. Her words will literally make you hear the thoughts inside both characters' heads until you slowly begin to understand why they behave the way they do. It was because of this easy writing style that I was able to blitz through this book in the span of a day.

Some books just come to you at exactly the right moment in time - like a twist of fate, believe it or not. This is what Before I Saw You was to me. A huge shout out to Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for lending me a copy of this ARC. It was a beautiful read.

Emily Houghton's fantastic new novel will be out in February 2021!

This was a light hearted romance that had me smiling throughout. It's full of emotion and friendship. It was a great, quick read and I really enjoyed it.

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this E-book to review via Netgalley.

This book was a totally heart warming read. I could tell the author was quite young but this is not a criticism, it was quite refreshing to read another writing style.

Alice and Alfie have not met but they sleep in the same hospital ward next to each other. Alice has been badly burnt and will not communicate. Alfie has been on the ward a longer time and is eager to see a new person, can he bring Alice out of her shell?

I loved the characters in this book, my Mum has spent a lot of time in hospital and I know of the friendships and bonds that can made long term in hospital.They all felt down to earth and very real.

I felt the ending was good. I was left wanting more but being able to imagine for myself what happens to the characters after the story ends. It left me quite emotional and now I'm missing the characters and the story. I love a book that makes me do that.

There are many issues handled in the story that are deep and emotional. I thought this was done very well.. The story kept my interest and kept me turning the pages. I look forward to more by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the advance copy of this book.

3. 5 stars

This book is predominantly set in a recovery ward of a hospital. Alice is healing from severe burns after being in a fire and Alfred (Alfie) has had his leg amputated after a car accident. They find themselves in beds next to each other and form a strong friendship and connection. There is a whole lot of characters in the large room and due to Alice's scars she isn't comfortable with anyone (esp. Alfie) seeing her.

For the most part, the themes are dark and depressing with the main characters battling demons from the past and present. There was still a lot of warmth in this story, mostly in highlighting human kindness, and I really felt myself taking to it after about 25%. Alfie was really, REALLY great and he brought out a gorgeous side to Alice.

'Do you think you will go back to what you were doing before?'
'What, being a happy-go-lucky, loveable yet incredibly infuriating human being I was? I'm sure I can still manage that with one leg.'

The writing was good, but in my opinion it needs some work. It was a bit long winded at times and her strengths weren't explored enough. Okay, the romance, where do I begin. This was deep and sweet and Alfie wrote these love letters to Alice (I'm a sucker for a love letter) and I thought maybe Houghton would really bring this home and I'd be singing this books praises, but this wasn't ADULT ROMANCE, no you cannot claim this genre. It is womens fiction / chick-lit. I don't was to spoil what was and wasn't in this book, but had I known there would be absolutely ZERO pay off I'm not sure I'd have read it. It is a very sad read and without the exploration of a happy ending, I'm left pretty lost and not sure WHY I just went through that, but I guess, final answer: NO I wouldn't take this one back. One more chapter is 100000% required though.

'Our scars are simply the marks of our stories. They show we've lived our life, and most of all that we have survived it.'

(ARC kindly provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, quotes are subject to change before publication).

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I was so surprised by this book! I loved the quick read it was. It is beautifully written, the characters are so realistic and take on dark deep themes.
I usually don’t appreciate the jumping between POV but I really enjoyed it in this book.
I honestly feel like I was on this journey along side them and lived every moment with them.
I look forward to see what this author will come up with next!