This was a sweet little romance, though I have to admit, I got somewhat bored at times. I'd recommend it to regular romance readers. This is outside of my genre, as I usually read thrillers, so it was a palate cleanser for me.

I had to wait to read this book. After reading reviews and hearing how emotional it sounded I knew I needed to wait for the right time. I'm glad I waited because I fully enjoyed this story. I think the early middle drug out a bit. and Alfie got a bit annoying through the middle, but I ended up really liking him by the end. Alice was tough to like in the beginning, but as I learned more about her I really liked her character too.


I received an advance copy. All thoughts are my own.

Thank you Gallery Books for a copy of Before I Saw You. This was an emotional read about 2 strangers meeting at their lowest and forming a friendship. I love how Alfie was so resilient in the hospital despite being in a horrible car crash while Alice’s case was complete opposite. I love how determined Alfie was in developing a friendship. I love the time they spent in the hospital and how they communicated without seeing each other.

This book was a little slow starting but I enjoyed the story. Two people are in long term rehab from accidents. Alice recovering from a fire and Alfie from a car accident. They are close enough to talk but can't see each other. This makes Alice happy because she is so disfigured. As the two strangers get to know each other they have to decide if they want to be friends when they leave the hospital. A story of healing and hope, friendship and fear. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This book was adorable, the characters charming, and it was a quick read. The premise was cute and I thought the trope was executed well. My only real complaint is that it ended so abruptly. I don’t mind slow burn romances but it felt like the book ended before they really even began. An epilogue would have helped even. It just feels a bit incomplete. I still loved the journey, though.

Thank you NetGalley, author and publisher for the free copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Talk about a book that hits you in the feels!
It deals with every day issues like loss, pain, guilt, loss of loved ones, etc. A book that felt good to pour myself into.
I always love a good multiple POV and the two characters it surround were written beautifully.

All in all, this book was a nice and refreshing change of pace. It drew me in, and I enjoyed spending time with these two characters. This was an enjoyable debut novel by Houghton. I thought she did a tremendous job showing what each character was going through. I found this book to be thought provoking, charming and hopeful.

It's been months since I read this, I am behind on my reviews but from what I remember I liked it ok, but it was very predictable, and I probably would not order for my library also because of the English setting, those don't get checked out a lot.

I wanted to love it but I was bored at times and let down so much by the ending. I was expecting to feel all the feelings

I think this book was just a bit too sad for my liking. The plot is fascinating though! I'm just learning that sad/angsty books, no matter how hopeful they end up, just don't work for me.

This did my romance loving heart good!!! Two people who are nothing more than voices to each other falling in love....sigh!!! Alice and Alfie end up next to each other in a rehab hospital. Both are broken in their own way and are different places in their acceptance of their losses and new realties. Alice won't speak to anyone and Alfie is a ray of annoying sunshine.

This is a true testament to power of acceptance, support, and the romantic notion of falling in love with the person first before ever laying eyes on each other.

DNF - did not finish. I was intrigued by this one but, I could not connect with the writing and storyline so I decided to put this one down. Thank you, publisher and netgalley for the chance to check this out!

Omg what a sad bit sweet story. Turning something tragic into something beautiful!

I really enjoyed reading this book. I loved that not only is this a love story it is really a developmental growth story for Alice especially. I loved how the author had Alice and Allie fall in love blindly. I think it added a fun twist and really a deeper connection to their love.

Before I Saw You is a sad and beautiful story. I was moved by the experiences of Alice Gunnersley and Alfie Mack. Recommended for readers who are looking to be taken on an emotional journey.

3.5 stars

This book reminded me of Five Feet Apart with its love story cenetered on two patients in a hospital. In this story, Alfie and Alice are both patients in St. Francis Hospital. Alfie is ever the optimist, even after having his leg amputated. Alice wants to be left alone and won't let anyone see her face after being severely burned in a fire. Despite their difficult circumstances and opposite personalities, Alfie and Alice find a connection, though Alfie has never even seen Alice's face.

I really loved Alfie! His determination, optimism and cheer were so much fun. All of the characters in the ward were a lot of fun, and I enjoyed their community and how Alice grew to become a part of it. I was really just fascinated to learn more about hospital wards in the UK and how they are all open with many patients separate only by curtains. That was a unique setting (at least for me as an American), and it really set up a great community feel in this story.

Now what I didn't love about this story was the ending. In a romantic story like this, the reader knows inevitably what is going to happen. But watching it unfold is the best part! This was a slow burn romance until the end, and then all of a sudden it was over! It was very abrupt and unsatisfying, and I just wanted more from the end. Otherwise, it was a great story and a quick read!

All in all, a beautiful story of loss, grief, and healing. Alfie and Alice have both suffered disfiguring accidents. Alfie lost his leg in a car crash that killed two of his best friends. Alice was badly burned in a fire at her office. They end up adjacent to each other in a rehab ward. Alice is so self-conscious of the disfiguring scars on her face that she refuses to let anyone see her - she keeps the curtain in her bay closed to all but medical personnel. Nonetheless, Alfie and Alice strike up a friendship despite never having laid eyes on each other.

Spoilers ahead::

I really loved the premise of this book. I thought the writing was excellent. However, I have some issues with the ending. After Alice opts for a second operation, in an effort to repair the damage, she flatlines on the table. She is in intensive care for some time. Then, suddenly, she's being released from the hospital to live on her own? No rehab? That seemed a bit disjointed?

I really would have liked an epilogue. The story ends with them seeing each other for the first time. Then what? I needed a bit more closure. Too many unanswered questions.

Thank you to NetGalley and Gallery Books for the opportunity tor read a digital ARC in return for an honest review.

This was both a sad and hopeful book, with an ending I enjoyed. (Though I would have liked an epilogue with the characters!) If it sounds interesting to you, I would definitely recommend trying it!

I received an e-ARC from the publisher.

Before I Saw You is a beautiful story about two people recovering from injuries in a hospital. From the first chapters, I was drawn in and the story quickly tugged at my heart. The chapters alternated between Alfie Mack and Alice Gunnersley’s points of view and I liked them both so much. The main characters are well-drawn, and their story arcs are perfectly developed as they go through all the stages you’d anticipate on their journey to mental and physical healing. I liked the supporting characters as well. I was so impressed to discover that this was Emily Houghton’s debut. I look forward to her next novel.

I have incredibly mixed feelings about this book. Alice and Alife meet while in recovery at a hospital, although they never actually see each other. Talking through the curtain surrounding Alice's bed is all she'll allow. While I do love the premise of it, the pacing felt off to me. We spend so much time watching these two learn about each other, become friends, and fall in love, then the ending seemed rushed. Before I Saw You is heavy with a lot of trauma that goes unresolved, but I do like that it addresses mental health, and recognizes that it's not simple. Alice and Alife are great characters, well developed, and I couldn't help but root for them.

Before I Saw You by Emily Houghton
Publisher: Gallery Books
Genre: Romance
Publication Date: May 4, 2021

Before I Saw You by Emily Houghton is a beautiful book!

I loved this book! The story is told so well. I loved the dynamic of the relationship and how it reinforces the power of connection and that love finds you when you least expect it!

I'm so grateful to Emily Houghton, Gallery Books, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this ARC ebook in exchange for my honest review.

Alice Gunnersley and Alfie Mack are both recovering from traumatic accidents. They are mentally & physically broken and yet they wind up being roommates in the hospital. They do not get along immediately and both have their ways of recovering. Alice is keeping to herself, doesn’t want any of the other patients to see her. While Alfie is out and about and knows everyone on the floor. These two characters are so complex. Their accidents and their past haunt them daily. They need to heal and make peace with their current situation and their past. Emily Houghton, is such a good story teller. I loved the way she brought Alfie & Alice together. I love how she used Alfie to relentlessly work to cheer up Alice and how she responds. Their connection is so honest. I read this book so quickly. It was fast paced but chock full of content. I couldn’t wait to see how this relationship would play out. I wanted to see how they would meet face to face after months of talking, laughing and becoming friends, behind the curtain. If you are looking for a story of hope and love this is the story for you. I want to thank Netgalley & Emily Houghton for my advanced copy for an honest review. It is always a pleasure to find a new author & who doesn’t love a heartwarming story. This was a four star read for me and I have recommended it to friends and family. I have also reviewed this on multiple sites.