This was a strong start to the Vision Catchers series, it had that fantasy element that I was looking for and was engaged with what was happening. I enjoyed this as a opening chapter and am excited to read more in this universe. The characters had that overall feel that I was wanting and enjoyed the concept. Hope Epting Loschak wrote this well and was engaged from the first page.

The book is told from two different perspectives, one is Lucy who has lost her dreams and one of Gabe who is there to help her rediscover them. As the book continues it changes and it times I desperately wanted it to stay with the cozy self discovery after trauma story. The book however added a whole load of technology and intrigue and character development that I guess I wasn’t so keen on. There was, and still is, so much going for this book and I guess I wish the author would also just write the more gentle version. I found so much of it jarring. Maybe in six months time I will feel more robust and read it again, viewing if differently. I wrote a whole other review that feels irrelevant now I’ve completed the book. I don’t want to add spoilers but some of the changes are not negative and I think are actually empowering for people who have experienced abusive relationships and more realistic than going to a retreat and resolving all your problems with magic.
This author had me at the trigger warning. I think having a trigger warning at the start of a book shows so much thought. I love books and I respect them and also they are so powerful, an author that adds a trigger warning shows so much thought and compassion into their creation and I am so grateful. The warning includes domestic abuse, gun violence, death by suicide, infant death, homophobia and racism. I thought I would be fine but I wonder if these did play into some of my anxiety and difficulties. I love reading just before I go to sleep and at about half way I found I could not do that anymore.
At times I felt an emotional pull but the author didn’t follow it up, it felt so strange all set up but then deflated. I’m not sure why they made the choice to do that. For example after completing a moving activity with someone the protagonist instead of feeling happy and moved they feel disappointed no one praised them. I guess that’s a realistic response and I felt upset that no one had praised her and felt my emotions just go for happy and proud to sad. Not sure if that was the purpose.
Two quotes I copied both by authors born the same day as me which I found funny.
In conclusion would I recommend this book, I would have said yes if you like self help, magical books but now I’ve finished it feels like it’s for people who like a mystery along with the fantastical society which seems to be powered by magic and technology. This is the authors first book and I would like to see what they do next. If they write another book in this world I would read it. I would though love it if they would write this same book without the peril and without the technology, just the magic and without the peril for Gabe and for him to just be earning his wings with total support from, everyone and be able to focus on our protagonist and the peril being her resolving her trauma without any external trauma added. I think this would make the characters less interesting but I guess that’s the book I would have liked.
I’m giving it a 4 though because it is well written, the characters are well rounded, the author pays attention to the trauma and triggers and does not take the easy route. Also any book that mentions Dr Who has a special place in my heart.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing this book for my consideration, this is all my own rambling, honest and personal opinions,

3.5⭐️

I found the premise of this book very engaging. It gave me a similar vibe to The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, the plot line involving a world where special people called “Vision Collectors” keep hold of the dreams and visions for your future that have been lost or forgotten over the years. These collectors can then take people who are struggling or going through a difficult time on a “quest” to explore their lost dreams with the hope that they will find a new path and be able to make a fresh start.

This particular story follows a young woman escaping from an emotionally abusive relationship, and her “vision collector” who is leading his first “quest”.

The main storyline of our fmc dealing with the many emotional issues involved in leaving an abusive relationship is done well, if a little simplistically. Things sometimes seem to be happening much more quickly and easily than would be realistic in this situation, although you can see where the author is trying to show the challenges involved in recovering from leaving a horrible situation.

And then there’s a secondary storyline involving the vision catchers side of things, dealing with a new “app” that tracks and scores the individual’s progress on their quest but appears to have some bugs, and the insecurities of the vision catcher himself in navigating his first quest and his fears that he won’t be able to guide our fmc to a new start.

Overall I enjoyed reading this, the storyline was interesting and I did feel invested in both our fmc and our vc (although I did find him annoying at times!). I do feel that the language and writing was slightly too simplistic and basic, with things happening and resolving very quickly to the point that I didn’t feel hugely immersed in the world.

I do think there is a lot of potential for further stories, that maybe go a little deeper in both world building and character development.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read this eARC.

the cover of this was really unique and i really got drawn in by it. and im glad it caught my eye and got me onto this enjoyable read.
this book brings us to Lucy who one day goes for it and gets away from her current life situation and decides to brave a new one. Gabe is a Vision Catcher who is there to help her recover her own lost dreams. together they will go on a journey together to find out a future for Lucy to drive into.
this is such a charming book and totally fresh from anything ive read before. but it still managed to hit every element i love in a book. it had heart, it had that little quirky wit and humour. it had the emotional depth and sometimes ponderings of either we, the characters or both get from the plot. and there is a brilliant cast of characters who all feel important and like ones you really do love getting to see.
its magical but only in a somehow thoughtful and plausible way. it lends itself to the plot and Lucy's story rather than overwhelms it place in the book.
i could happily see another character be taken on the journey for their own versions that how much i enjoyed myself in the world Hope has created for us. i really really enjoyed this book. i didn't want to put it down. it kept me wanting to just sit with it, cosy in and read more,then read it all!
Gabe is a brilliant character. kept me smiling throughout.
great book. one for anyone who just wants a really gorgeous read.