At First Sight

A delightful love story, full of romance and serendipity, that will make even the toughest cynic believe in love again. An excellent read!

A chance meeting in a cafe for Charlie and Nell, when he leaves she regrets not getting his number but little does she know that she will see him again. It is clear that he is struggling but can she help him work his way through it. Some twists and surprises along the way.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley for a honest review

At First Sight by Hannah Sunderland is a different kind of romance. This story deals with the sensitive topic of attempted suicide. Nell works for a Suicide Line called Healthy Minds and she is out on her lunch breaks when she meets Charlie unexpectedly. Nell is quite the character so it was quite fun to see inside her head. Charlie turns out be someone who is struggling with suicide because his wife died and how he finds comfort in talking and hanging out with Nell. This story mainly focuses on the friendship between Nell and Charlie and how Nell helps Charlie deal with the way he feels. Unfortunately for Nell she is also falling in love with him and while Charlie definitely feels things for Nell, he still feels a great sadness about loosing his wife. This was touching story with a bit of humor sprinkled to help lighten the serious of the topic.

At First Sight, is one of those great books you stat and can't stop reading. Charlie meets Nell in a coffee shop and the two hit it off from the start. But, as time goes on Nell realizes that Charlie has a lot of issues and he might not be ready for a relationship. I really liked this book and my heart broke for Charlie and Nell but I kept reading hoping these two would have their happy ending.

This was a beautiful story about love and the difficult task that is overcoming grief. There is somewhat frequent mention of suicide/suicidal ideations, and loss plays a big role - these can be very difficult topics to write about, and even more difficult to write about with grace, but Hannah Sunderland really pulled it off. This the second of her books that I've read, and I look forward to reading more in the future. She is establishing herself as a fantastic writer that can tug at the heartstrings, cover difficult topics, and leave you thinking about her stories for days on end.

A rollercoaster! What a hard subject to explore, yet written in such a wonderful and sensitive way. Loved the characters and I wonder if there is more to come regarding them. Hannah Sunderland is a very talented writer and I really look forward to reading more by her.
Keep up the good work.

Nell and Charlie were the perfect protagonists. I really enjoyed how they met and how their story and the details of both of their stories developed over time. Nell was such a lovely and compassionate character and I enjoyed reading how she supported Charlie through his grief.. I really enjoyed this book - thank you for sharing

Ah Hannah Sunderland, you have firmly taken your place in the literary world. I read Hannah’s debut novel earlier this year – Very Nearly Normal – and that was just incredible. However, At First Sight has taken over completely and in the incredible stakes…wins hands down.

This is an unconventional romance in that it’s not often one that you read about. However the topics that Hannah explores are not uncommon and I love that there is finally a fictional book focusing on the reality of loving someone with depression, of love after loss, and of loss in general.

I don’t always like to make comparisons between Authors but when there’s a certain book or Author that just clicks with you, it’s good to know who out there is quite similar. So if you enjoy Hannah’s books or you enjoy Holly Miller’s books – then the writing style that they both have is beautiful and very similar. The books, however, are worlds apart. But yes, both incredible Authors… both new to the literary world this year…both wonderful.

This book does, as I said above, deal with difficult topics. There’s a trigger warning just before the first Chapter which gives details of what you can expect the book to cover. I urge you not to gloss over it, it’s right there to help point out that this book may be difficult for some people. Huge thanks to Hannah for respectfully including that and for dealing with the very difficult topics so well.

I cannot put into words how utterly in love I am with this book.

I cried, I smiled, and I felt related to. This is my first time reading a book by this author, and it surely won’t be my last! I am a sucker for sad books, so this was right up my alley and it didn’t disappoint.

I seen parts of myself in the protagonist and her wisdom, loyalty and caring heart. I adored her until the very end.

This plot had intrigued me from the get-go, and I appreciated the trigger warnings (as most authors are inconsiderate of their readers triggers and mental well being)

I loved every page, I will admit, I had to put the book down once or two to process what was happening but I loved every moment even if it ruined me.

An incredible story of navigating depression, grief, loss, love, friendship. I loved how this was not your conventional love story - real-life ones never are.

Although the main storyline was very sensitive, this was told in such a thoughtful and delicate way.

As someone who writes about mental illness in my own books, I can't recommend this novel enough. Yes, this could be triggering, especially for people who are struggling with depression and the loss of a loved one, but there's a warning at the beginning of the book (which I greatly appreciated).

What I loved so much about this book was that it isn't just a typical romance. There's a deeper level to the characters and what they're experiencing emotionally. Like the summary says, this book definitely has similar elements to The Two Lives of Lydia Bird, and I appreciated the emotional journey we got to go on. This is my favorite type of romance novel, and I'll definitely be following Sunderland's career going forward.

The premise of this book was so intriguing, and the story truly delivered. Chances and fate fuel this story, but in a way that is idyllic rather than unrealistic. It was heartwarming and a joy to read.

When you take a look at the cover of this book, you think that it’s going to be a really sweet romcom. That’s what I thought when I started reading it. But it’s so much more than that. At First Sight is such a heartwarming story. I loved that it touched on real life topics and real life scenarios that people find themselves in or feeling. It made it that much better for me when I felt like I could relate to what they were both going through. All in all, I loved it and will definitely be recommending this to everyone.

This was a cute story. I was happy how their ending turned out. The characters were great. Their story was an unusual one but ended up great.

I enjoyed this heartwarming book. Well written and emotional read but life enhancing.

Nell meets Charlie - an unemployed widower - at her local cafe. He blamed himself for his wife’s death two years before and has yet to come to terms with life without her. Nell counsels those who struggle with life - she falls in love with Charlie and tries to support him with his grieving process. But the time is not right for their relationship. Both have to evaluate what they want from life and see whether it includes each other in the longer term.

One I will be recommending.

This was one of those books I couldn't put down right up until the very end . Nell works for a mental health helpline and enjoys helping people in trouble. Nell's love life is not running smoothly and she's having problems in breaking away from her ex.
One day when she is in the coffee shop on her lunch break she finds the only empty seat left and starts chatting to the man across from her. She has a natural rapport with Charlie and is instantly attracted to him. She fails to pluck up courage to ask him for his phone number and when she returns to the coffee shop he has already left.
This story is about grief, loss and starting again. It's about wanting to leave this life because you can see no way to be happy in it. It's also about fate and the strange coincidences that happen in life.
Nell is a kind, considerate person and I worried about her attraction to someone who was a long way from having the same feelings as she did. I could understand why she liked Charlie so much but I wasn't sure how it would all end .
I loved Ned who was always there for Nell and always will be. The ending was very poignant and I admit I did shed a tear. I would love to read a sequel.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book received in exchange for an honest review.

In At First Sight, the main character, Nell has two chance encounters with a stranger, Charlie. Both are struggling in different ways, but become fast friends. The both start to fall for each other, but have things that they both need to deal with.

My only warning to the reader is that this story deals with depression, suicide, and death of a loved one.

I did enjoy this love story. I found it particularly difficult to put down. Yes, there are situations that are "too perfect", ex. they just happen to run into each other one too many times. But, for me, that is to be expected with any romantic book or movie. It's all about coincidences.

At First Sight told a wonderful story about overcoming difficulty and falling in love. Without revealing too much, I loved the entire progression and how the author wrapped up the story.

At First Sight is a gorgeous love story, full of chance encounters, opening up to strangers, and the desire to just take that leap and go for it.

Charlie and Nell make for an unlikely pair; she is confident and talkative, he is brooding and introverted. Yet despite that, sparks fly right from the very start and it's clear that these two are made for each other - but of course, things are never that simple!

As the story progresses, Nell finds out more and more about Charlie, his life and his past. It becomes apparent that he desperately needs help, and Nell is determined to do her best for this attractive Irishman who suddenly appeared in her life.

Packed with love and loss, grief and heartache, this is a story which embraces the difficult feelings many of us try to push aside. It's okay to be lonely, to feel scared and uncertain, and sometimes, reaching out and asking for help is the best thing we can do. At First Sight tackles mental health and the stigma around it, as well as coming to terms with losing those you care about more than anything. For all its sweet romance, this is a story that gives an important message.

It's all too easy to find yourself hoping for a happily ever after, but you will have to read it yourself to find out where Nell and Charlie's story takes them. The writing is compelling, the story real and honest, and this unlikely couple are sure to find a place in every reader's heart.

At First Sight is a beautifully written, unconventional love story about picking up the pieces and learning how to put them back together again.

I loved this!
Very unexpected considering that from the book cover i was expecting a cute romance but this book was so much more! I should have known considering that I was reading a piece of writing by Sunderland who had also surprised me earlier this year when I read her debut novel Very Nearly Normal.

First of, I would like to adress that I highly appreciated teh inclusion of content warning as this book deals with grief, loss, depression and suicide. I think more publishing houses should consider doing this as readers have clearly a need for it. That being said, I was sad to see some low ratings for At First Sight with the reason being that the readers where not prepared to read about these difficult subjects Sunderland writes about despite it being included in the very copy we received, AND receiving an extra email by the publisher about it after we got approved for this eArc.

Anyway, moving on to the story itself. I loved the characters and their development as well as Sunderland's ability to write about the above concepts in such a thoughtful, respectful and sensitive way. Incredible spot on and I wish more authors had the ability to do so when they decide to delve into such important issues. I also love her attention to detail on small everyday things we all do (well at least pre-Corona times). I selected the following quotes as examples:

'It looked as though I'd interrupted a deep thought which was lingering like fog on a wet autumn morning.'

'The messy bun sliding down the right side of my head like an icecream slipping from its cone on a hot day.'

'..and she wrapped herself up in these shawls and scarves like bandages, as she was trying to hold herself together with them.'

And of course, I am a sucker for Doctor Who references casually slipped in the conversation!!!

'Because I always found the Ood the sexiest of all Doctor Who creatures.'

And the inclusion of Irish characters was a definite PLUS as I love their dialect and, for me, made the conversations more lively.

I think I will be thinking about this book a lot and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is comfortable reading about such topics in such a down to earth way. I enjoyed every single one of the characters and I could really see this book being adapted for a movie. I think it is made for it and the screenwriters would have very little work to do to adjust it. I felt like watching a movie and it was awesome, tears and everything you know?

With her second piece of work that is At First SIght, Sunderland is definitely an auto-buy author for me. She needs much more attention than she has gotten so far and i hope for more people to discover her too!

Thank you Netgalley and Avon Books for providing me with an eArc of At First Sight in exchange for an honest review.

SPOILERS ahead, proceed with caution!

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1. I want to know more about Charlie's uncle, Carrick, and Orlagh, the love of his life!!! A spin off maybe??
2. The twist about the bumber sticker made me cry so much!
3. Would also be great to have a sequel about Charlie and Nell in New Zealand!
4. I will never look at cold tea the same way again...

At First Sight by Hannah Sunderland an extraordinary five-star read. This will be one of those that will divide the audience, some will love it like me and feel it’s the best story they will read this year and some will hate it, and that’s as the author has taken on such an emotive subject, as it deals with suicide and mental health but wow they did it so well, I lost my farther to suicide and used to work on a charity helpline that wasn’t for suicide but had a couple of calls through of people on the edge and its such a fine line, you always wonder what could I have said different, what did they do once they hung up? Nell and Charlie have a moment and sometimes that is all you need, but as Charlie lost his wife, he is a lost man, how can he ever get over that loss, the suddenness of the death is what is most difficult to get over, how a moment can change your life in so many ways. So many moments to change the path we take. Sometimes its timing and sometimes its fate, if you are looking for thought provoking, challenging yet thoroughly enjoyable reading then you need this story in your life. I enjoyed this author’s debut novel, but this one has cemented my need to read more, I will be keeping a stalkery eye on for what we will get next.

On starting reading this book it very quickly becomes apparent that this is something a bit more than your average romance. The tone and setting is the same, but the writing ins sharper, wittier, smarter. The opening scene in the coffee shop could have been a cringe fest, but here it is nicely handled.
Our heroine, Nell, with her disastrous previous relationships and going nowhere life is nevertheless joyful and warm-hearted. She meets the mysterious Charlie when she inadvertently throws her sandwich at him in the coffee shop, they connect, but the moment passes and Nell leaves without any hope of seeing him again. In a few hours there lives will collide again, only for Charlie to leave without explanation. Nell should give up on him, but she doesn't, and when fate brings them together once again she will need a very good explanation.
The first thing to say about the plot is that it goes to a lot of dark places, and very few romantic places. I started reading this hoping for a well written, witty, but ultimately light romance. It is neither light nor particularly romantic. I got a bit weepy in parts, towards the end it did become just a bit too joyless for me, but it is dealing with some big issues, so I suppose it had to go there eventually. I guess I would categorise this as 'relationships' rather than 'romance'.
(on a side issue- I didn't like the way Charlie's Irish accent was written semi-phoneticly, all yer's, and missing g's off every ing, as if English people perfectly pronounce every letter as written (the irony))

This book was different to what I had expected, but notin a bad way. It is a love story with a difference.Quite slow moving but that works well in this case. Nell is a counsellor working at a telephone helpline charity. She is a bubbly personality most of the time, but has issues with her ex , Joel. She meets Charlie in a cafe and gradually they become friends though there are complications on the way.
At times sad, at times funny , the emtions in this book are well portrayed. As a reader, you understand what the characters are feeling and why. I don't know whether I would be able to come up with some of the solutions that Nell comes up with at different times in the book . You know that it is right, but when in that position you do not always follow the sensible course of action (emotions can get in the way) .
A thought provoking and intellegent story. I will look outfor more from this author .
Thank you to Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review .

*trigger warning for suicide and loss of spouse*

At First Sight was a heartbreaking yet heartwarming story of how much chance encounters can affect everyday life. The main character, Nell, meets a man in a cafe and after a whirlwind of events finds herself not only helping him heal from the loss of his wife, but falling in love and learning important lessons about life, which ultimately leads to a journey of self discovery. Nell and Charlie were such likable characters that you couldn’t help but root for them throughout the book. While there were themes of suicide, depression and loss, there were also themes of love, forgiveness and hope. The author did a great job of highlighting all of these themes and also showcased how every action in life can lead to extraordinary things. I’m very happy that I had the opportunity to read this book because it was such a beautiful read and I have a feeling that this book will stay with me for a long time. I highly recommend this book, even to those who think they might struggle through it, because this is a book of healing that I believe could help people going through similar issues. Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for allowing me to read an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.

Having read and enjoyed this author’s first book I was looking forward to reading this one.

When Nell first meets Charlie unbeknown to her, she’s about to save his life. When they meet again it sets off a chain of events which will change both their futures.

An excellent story dealing with the difficult subjects of grief, depression and suicide. Well written and thought provoking, this was an excellent read.

Wow! This book is an emotional rollercoaster! There are times where you are screaming at each character, “What on earth are you doing?!?!” However, it all comes clear in the end. I absolutely loved the ending and thought it was perfect how the jigsaw fit together.

I don’t recall seeing any novel with the main character working in a call center of some sort.. and even less in a mental health help-line! So I deeply appreciated the career choice; having that type of things in novels definately normalise the idea of calling one, which is amazing. I thought the subject was handled pretty well, as Nell clearly had some psychotherapy formation, so in times we get little tidbits about the depressed brain like for exemple why they tend to self-neglect themselves.

I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

At First Sight dives into some pretty deep and dark topics. It does take a while to do so but it is definitely eye opening to see what the characters go through throughout this book. In it, you will meet Nell and Charlie. Both seem to be barely moving in their lives.. at least until they met each other.

I'm not going to say that their romance was easy because it honestly wasn't. These two go through a lot of ups and downs. Whether it's romantically tied to them or just tied to their lives in general. Again, it was really eye opening to see what they went through and how they handled it.

I honestly wasn't expecting so much drama in this book but I wasn't really surprised either. Ya know? From previous reviews on this book, I could see that people weren't happy due to not getting trigger warnings. Me? I'm okay with it all because it was an experience I wanted. Each and every character had some healing to do and it was just really cool to see it happening. Especially when you see certain characters at their lowest point. I just hoped that each and every one of them found happiness in something or someone.

They deserved it. Truly.

In the end, I am a little intrigued by what the answer was.. but I would be okay with any kind of adventure.

A really hard hitting story on a topic that is rarely talked about, Hannah Sunderland has done a wonderful job portraying the challenges that people face and the wider impact.

At First Sight was an emotional read by Hannah Sunderland. Charlie and Nell and meet in a coffee shop, but then again when he calls Nell at work, and reveals he is fighting for his life. This novel will make you feel the power of grief, compassion, and second chances.
Thank you, NetGalley for an advanced copy of this novel.

This book definitely isn’t your typical romance, but that is something that I actually liked about it. There is a lot of character growth and development throughout the book. This book deals with some tough subjects (see the Trigger warning), but I believe the author did it in such a tasteful way.

There is definitely more of a focus on the friendship of Charlie and Nell and their own healing than there is romance in this book. But I thought that worked for this one. I was really rooting for both Charlie and Nell in this book, I loved both of these characters.

My only downside to this one was that it wasn’t really grabbing my attention as much as a I would have hoped, especially in the beginning of the book. Once I got about halfway through, I had a harder time putting it down.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Avon for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I would just like to say thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

When I saw the trigger warnings I wondered what I might be getting myself into but decided to carry on. I have to say I think that this book dealt with grief, depression and love in such a round wholesome way. Even though it was a romance novel it wasn’t the classic happy ending that everyone looks for and I’m glad with the ending and showing positivity that someone’s you need to be alone to work on yourself.

I think having depression and suicidal thoughts as a main plot in this book made it seem more real and highlighted the darkness that can come with mental health, I just want to say thank you for writing this in a realistic view and not adding a mental health storyline just because it can be added to a romantic twist.

Even with the serious plot lines the book still left me feeling content at the end as everything seemed to turn out okay for all the characters in this book. I can’t wait to see what the next book will be!

First off if you think this is a typical romance novel you are wrong.

Secondly get a huge box of tissues you will need them.

This story is literally heart breaking from early on and it is relentless throughout the entire novel.

The roller coaster of emotions you go through at one point in about four chapters was so much I had to take a break just to process all of the feelings I was experiencing.

It is brilliantly written and honestly I think this will stay with me for a long time.

If you like to become emotionally invested into the characters of book that are very well developed and leave you wanting more than I highly recommend this novel!

Stunning cover which grabbed my attention straight away. The synopsis sounded good too.

What followed was a brilliantly written story of hope. Mental health issues affect 1 in 4 people, so the author did a brave and clever thing by tackling it in a romance novel.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t fully connect to the romance element of this story because the side stories were just so sad.

I liked the characters and feel the author wrote and described them well. The story flowed well and I enjoyed the style of writing.

Overall, an excellent read. Not a light and fluffy romance, but an emotional read that dug itself into my subconscious and had me thinking about the deeper issues throughout the day...the art of a skilled writer??

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for my advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review 📚

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Coming from a toxic relationship, Nell has the “meet cute” moment of her life with Irishmen Charlie. The chemistry and flirting? A delight! It will make you smile. She also happens to work at a place called “Healthy Minds,” a mental health helpline. So MENTAL HEALTH REP IS HERE.

From the beginning the main character goes through social anxiety, including worrying about competing for the last available chair in a cafe, the pressure to make small talk, eating in front of strangers, being late, and most importantly (for a romance book’s meet cute) NOT ASKING FOR THE GUY’S NUMBER.
I especially identified with the line, “you couldn’t shut me up when it came to a lifelong bout of verbal diarrhoea, but when the moment was right, when the words really mattered, I became mute.” Me to the millionth degree.

Lovely writing and a quirky main character:
“It looked as though I'd interrupted a deep thought, which was lingering like fog on a wet autumn morning.”
“Despite all the strategic sartorial distressing, he managed to not look like he had a fight with a porcupine…”
Basically I loved her instantly for her anxious and quirky thoughts.

We get to see her hook up with her ex and -er maybe too many times than she should have-she realizes it's making the “old her” (bitter and angry) come back to life. Which she desperately doesn’t want, even if it feels easy to lapse back into comforting each other through hard times.

Charlie has his own issues that Nell navigates with him. A heartwarming story filled with quirky banter and heavy topics.

Trigger warnings for parental death, depression, and suicide.

I thought that this book had an excellent storyline.

It was a heartbreaking read that was packed with emotions and guilty feelings.

The characters were so warm and genuine I really grew to love them.

This was a story that genuinely made my heart go a bit mushy.

A real tearjerker and one that will stay with me - it is 5 stars from me for this one - very highly recommended!!

Firstly huge thanks to the publisher for the ARC I was drawn to the book blurb and the cover (can you blame me). This is a story of Neil a compassionate woman who during her lunch break meets Charlie a very sweet man. As expected they didn't exchange numbers and contrary to what I believed this was not an easy love story . It isn't cheesy but has heartbreak and grief in it. I recommend this book to everyone .

At First Sight, was not the story I was expecting from the title and the synopsis. I was expecting an upbeat romance/rom-com where this is a story with lots of heartbreaking moments and grief plays a big part. It gets deep at times and if suicide and the death of a loved one is a trigger point for you then maybe give this book a miss.

Nell works for a company similar to the Samaritans. She talks to people on the phone when they are at the lowest point in their lives and possibly thinking about harming or killing themselves. She is a very compassionate woman who has a lot of time to listen to people, even if she does often have verbal diarrhoea and doesn’t know when to stop talking. She loves her job as it seems to be the one bit of her life that is going right.

Nell initially meets Irishman Charlie in a cafe on her lunch break when she sits next to him as no other tables were available. No matter how much she tries she can’t help herself from talking to him and the two have an instant connection but they go their separate ways, that is until Nell takes a call one night and Charlie is the caller. She goes against the work policy and goes to meet Charlie.

Charlie is a sweet man who is lost in this world. Two years ago his life completely changed and for him, it felt like it had ended too. Since then he has been spiralling mentally out of control and doesn’t know how to move forward, hence the phone call to the helpline.

The two have a connection but there are also some things in the past that they need to deal with before they can even think about being in a relationship together. Nell also feels guilty for feeling the way she does about Charlie and at times it felt like her mental health was suffering too.

The book is beautifully written and kicks you in the guts at times, so have some tissues ready. There were parts I didn’t think added anything to the plot, such as Nell’s ex-boyfriend, and parts I think played a big part even though they weren’t the main focus of the book, such as her housemate and colleague Ned.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book even if it went in a direction I wasn’t expecting.

Trigger warning. Suicide

When I seen this book was about suicide I was like oh god can I read this, but I’m so glad I did! This book was up there with one of my fav tests so far!

It just goes to show you that when you are feeling you’re lowest there is always someone there willing to make you feel loved and wanted, that’s what this story was about, Charlie needed to feel loved and accept that he was wanted, after losing his beloved wife. I’m not going to write much about this book in my review as it is a book you need to read yourself to know what it is about.

Have a box is tissues aside as this read can get a little bit sad, but it is so worth the read! I’m so happy I got to read this book before it has been brought out. Thank you netgalley!

If you ever feel like you’re not wanted or needed or loved around here anymore, pick up the phone to talk to someone who will change your mind for you, there is always someone around who is scared of losing you..
speaking out will do you a world of good!

wonderful, a heartrending story of grief, thoughts of suicide, love and learning to love again. True to life.

‘At First Sight’, by Hannah Sunderland sensitively deals with some difficult topics such as loss, suicide and grief. If these are a trigger for you, this might not be the book for you.

The story follows that of a chance meeting between Nell and Charlie in a coffee shop. Nell is a call operator for a mental health helpline, whilst Charlie is struggling with a difficult life event, but neither know of the other’s situation. There’s an instant pull and attraction between the two of them, but neither of them act upon it and Nell walks always wishing they’d exchanged numbers. It’s not until a chance encounter brings them back together that things continue and Charlie’s story eventually becomes clear.

The first part of the story, I found a bit of a struggle - it was slow and didn’t have that pull about it. However, I am glad that I persevered and continued with Nell and Charlie’s story, to find out what happened in the end. I liked Nell’s character and I loved her relationship with Ned, her friend. I’d have loved more chemistry from Nell and Charlie because at times their interactions didn’t sizzle and moments fell flat. That being said, it could be argued that this was symbolic of the place that Charlie was in.

A deep, emotive and thought provoking read that I’d give 3.5 stars too. I thank the author, Netgalley and Avon Books for the opportunity to read this ARC, in exchange for an honest review. I’d definitely look up other books by this author.

What a beautifully poignant story of love, loss, and coping.

"Thank you for giving me something to hope for, something to smile about."

The premise and set up of this story was intriguing and somewhat unique to this reader. I thoroughly enjoyed Nell and knew instantly there was something more to Charlie, as frustrating as he was.

"Never let anyone make you work for something that makes you feel less than you are."

Their relationship had a lot of hurdles, and a lot of growth.

"This was going to be it. A second chance at the moment he'd screwed up before."

Overall, I was enraptured by their journey. My heart broke for Charlie and Nell could easily have been a friend.

Thank you NetGalley for the advance copy.

Not your typical love story.

It's been a while I've felt so much heartbreak for any character. About half way I was so emotionally drained I didn't know what else can come. Book that can pull every single emotion out of you and just shock you from one page to another.

Wonderful story of unexpected love not at the right time... Or maybe the opposite?

Beautifully written and unforgettable.

Such a cute book! A different love story than I expected and something that will stick with me for awhile.

4.5 stars

This was a beautiful story about loss and love and fate.. Nell and Charlie have a chance meeting at a coffee shop and from there both their lives are irrevocably changed. This book is very emotional, dealing with grief and suicidal thoughts. There are also some funny and engaging parts. Most of all, there's hope. With love even the darkest tunnel has a light at the end.

My only tiny critique is that as an American, some of the language is "foreign". George Bernard Shaw once said that "England and America are two countries separated by a common language." Throw in an Irishman and his family, and it is even more so. Nonetheless, it did not stop me from devouring the story.

I absolutely adored Kenna and Siobhan. You'll have to read the book to find out who they are. Makes me glad to have Irish blood running through my veins. Also, I wish Covid were over so I could go back to Ireland some day.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the opportunity to read this digital ARC in return for an honest review.

Now to stop crying and get some work done this weekend!

Thank you to @netgalley for my advanced copy
What a beautiful story! @flounderinghanauthor you are brilliant. I was so pleased when I was invited to read this one, I really enjoyed Hannah's previous book "very nearly normal " and this didn't let me down. Not ashamed to say I cried a fair few times haha.
Nell and Charlie's story is beautiful. Be prepared for a range of emotions.
This is out in the shops 1st of April. Grab yourself a copy!!

At First Sight follows the story of Nell and Charlie who meet by chance in a café and shows their unconventional journey towards love and growth. It was a beautifully poignant and emotional read for me. It really highlighted that love stories can be messy, complicated, enigmatic. The story handles difficult topics such as loss, suicide and grief with care and sensitivity; I really appreciated the realistic mental heath representation (anxiety and depression) and the struggles that were shown both characters endured in all aspects which is so rarely seen in Romance/Women's Fiction. I really liked all the side characters in the story and thought they really helped to support the story. During the beginning, the pace was bit slow but once I got into the book I read it quickly.

Thank you to the author, Hannah Sunderland and publisher, Avon Books for the e-arc via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to Avon and Netgalley for an early copy of this book in return for an honest review.

Two strangers. Two chance meetings. One extraordinary love story…
Nell and Charlie feel a spark when they meet by chance in a cafe. But they don’t trade numbers, or surnames, so there’s no way they’ll meet again.

But the next day, Nell’s phone rings at work. Somehow, impossibly, Charlie is on the other end. And he needs her help.

Nell is about to save a life, fall in love … and risk everything for a perfect stranger.

I'll be honest I found this a slow starter. However once I got into it I couldn't wait to finish it. The story is so sympathetically written to the subjects, it had me in tears at many points. I appreciated the email that was sent to warn of the difficult subjects this book covers as I would not have expected that had I only looked at the cover.

Sometimes in the book I found myself wondering if Nell was in the right job as she also seems to be quite an emotional soul - however this worked well for the book. By far and away my favorite character was Ned - we all need a Ned in our life!

I have already recommended this book to others.

Oh my word how does she do it?? This is the second book I’ve read by Hannah Sunderland and I’m sure my heart is still reeling.

I love this story about Nell and Charlie. Their initial chemistry draws you in straight away, and as the story unfolds the book becomes impossible to put down.

There are several twists and turns that I didn’t see coming that quite literally had me gobsmacked 😶 and poor Hannah had to put up with me messaging her constantly as I read each new shock factor. As did my lovely friend who introduced me to this fabulous author.

I don’t want to say too much as I don’t want to give anything away, but this book is heartbreakingly beautiful and I lost count of how many times I ugly cried while reading it. I can’t stop thinking about it and I’m devastated that it’s finished. The ending was absolutely incredible and I was left tingling with goosebumps from the top of my head to the tips of my toes.

At First Sight is pure perfection and I cannot wait for everyone to read it when it is published in April. Hannah is an absolutely amazing author and I can firmly say she’s now one of my favourites.


⚠️Trigger warnings ⚠️
This book deals with thoughts of suicide, grief, loss and depression and is dealt with in a truly respectful manner, which is a credit to Hannah’s writing.

Thank you for approving me to read this bloody BRILLIANT BOOK!!! It deserves all the stars because it is that good 😌

A lovely read a book of chance of falling in love .Emotional moving great characters.The perfect book to sink into leave your world and join their lives.Believe in the joy of serendipity,#netgalley#avonboojsuk

A very moving story. The characters were well developed and showed realistic responses to such sad situations. Anyone having just suffered loss should not read this yet. But after time it may help to read this to help with grief.

I found this really interesting. I thought the characters were really well drawn. They seemed very real on the page.
Nell and Charlie meet by chance and fall for each other but there are complications. I won't give it away but I thought it was written in a lovely, thoughtful way.

This story is about love, loss and beginning again. Sometimes you have to work through your past before you can hope for any kind of a future.
Charlie is in a coffee shop and has a chance meeting with Nell. Charlie’s life has been spiraling out of control, and meeting Nell gives him hope. Nell is counselor at a mental health hotline, and when Charlie calls her and she recognizes his voice and they agree to meet up to continue talking.

Will Charlie and Nell have a chance at a relationship? What is Charlie’s story? Can you be just a friend to someone you are falling in love with?

Thank you Netgalley for complimentary copy. The thoughts and opinions are my own.

There is an instant connection when Nell and Charlie meet by chance one day. However they don’t exchange details so there is no hope in ever meeting again… But when Nell answers her work phone, at the the suicide helpline, the following day, Charlie is on the other end.

A emotional read, but well worth the tears.

Actual rating: 4.5/5

! TW/ Mention of the death of a loved one, suicide, mental health, depression, grief

Nell and Charlie meet in a café and immediately feel something between them. Nell is a worker in a mental health line and Charlie has a difficult story.
First, I loved the mental health theme in the book as well as grief and depression, topics we don't find often in books.
As well as that, I really enjoyed the slow romance between the two characters and all of the stories behind it.
Furthermore, I liked the powerful story of Charlie and how real it feels. I also fancied the originality of the story and it truly touched me.
Last but not least, I can't wait to see what Hannah Sunderland writes next!

I just loved this book - it was wonderful and joyous, despite the subject matter.
It was a one sitting read, and I spent a great day in the company of Charlie & Nell, I own a Magnus cat too so maybe that swayed me....!

I thought it was well written, rounded and thoughtful - definitely my first 5 star of the year and an absolute recommendation.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.

I feel as though this is such an important read for everyone. Sunderland took difficult topics like suicide and mental health and turned it into an unforgettable story filled with a lot of valuable perspectives about life. Nell and Charlie find each other when they need it most, and each of them learn a valuable lesson from the other about how to move on and do the hard things in life. While Nell initially takes the grief counselor role at the start she quickly learns she also has struggles she may not be facing, and while she copes with them differently than the plagued Charlie, they are still important things to face. I believe this is such a valuable story about grief and settling in life that anyone could take something away from- definitely a must read!

I do like a book which doesn’t run down the path of girl finds boy, girl drops everything for boy. I applaud the parts where mental health is talked about and people think about their lives rather than throwing themselves at each other. I did mark it down a mark as I did find the situation with the ex a little difficult to believe near the end of the book, but that was forgiven just for the scene with the mother and the housemate alone! It was very funny.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.

I was expecting a cute romance but this book was so much more!.“At First Sight”, explores the themes of grief and loss. We follow Nell, a telephone operator for a mental health charity, is compassionate and enjoys talking and helping others. One day during her lunch break she meets Charlie a handsome Irishman, she tries to strike up a conversation with him and at the ends they go their separate ways, and one day Nell took a call at her work and charlie is the caller.

This is heart-wrenching love story. It’s unlike anything else I’ve read recently, This story was beautifully written .this book is heartbreaking beautiful and I lost count of how many times I cried while reading it. Nell and Charlie were such likable characters that you couldn’t help but root for them throughout the book and I loved the other characters too.

At first sight explores alot of themes which makes this book different like suicide, depression and loss, there were also themes of love, forgiveness and hope. The author did a great job of highlighting all of these themes and makes these characters so relatable. I absolutely loved this.

This is a heart rending story about how a chance meeting between mental health helpline worker Nell and Charlie, who is feeling lost in life, leads to an unexpected friendship. Told from Nell’s perspective we gradually uncover more of Charlie’s life and in doing so Nell has to face some of her own fears. This is very bittersweet and covers some important but difficult topics but in a very sympathetic and understanding manner. This could have been a difficult read but the characters and storyline were so well woven I really felt for them, there were some lovely bright spells of humour amongst it all and a whole lot of hope.

This book is very well written covering many different subjects of life,love,suicide and second chance in love. That does sound as though there is so much to cover in one book,but I have to say that the author very cleverly intermingled these subjects in a very special way. When I started reading the book I wasn’t sure as to which journey the author was taking us on and how it would develop and end. I was not disappointed at all,I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Looking forward to the next book with Hannah.

This book had such a good plot line! Nell a mental health support worker meets Charlie when she orders her coffee at her favourite cafe. At first this book seems like your typical love story but it is so much more.

The book is an exploration of grief, toxic relationships,suicide, relationships, love and so much more! Nell discovers that Charlie has recently lost his wife and the book explores their journey of trying to navigate a new relationship, whilst focusing in self development

The writing is so easy and flowing with so many funny moments throughout hut thisbos perfectly balanced by serious themes.

What I love about this book and I think makes it stand out from the crowd that it is nor you typical love story and without spoiling the ending leaves a lot for you to make your mind up on which I think is so refreshing!

The only thing I would say is that this book is a slow burner in parts but so worth it

Thank you to Avon Books U.K. and NetGalley for this ARC.
There is but only one way to describe the experience I had with At First Sight and that is non-stop. I picked up the book sometime this morning and now, just before midnight I’ve finished and am writing my review.
I love the characters, I love the plot, I love how alive everything feels and how the themes are explored to frankly and without any sugar coating. Literally cannot fault this book.
I especially love how the descriptions within help you to visualise the perfect setting without being too overdone.
I’d recommend to anyone who likes seeing how a relationship that isn’t a fairy tale but a good old fashion tangle of human emotions can evolve. If you at all feel triggered by mention of suicide, or attempted suicide, I would suggest that this probably isn’t the book for you due to the heavy mental health content.

Author’s Note.

“This book deals with loss, grief, depression and suicide. If any of these subjects are sensitive for you then please approach with care. I hope I have dealt with these important issues delicately.”

I have included the above note at the start of this review so that you can decide whether or not Hannah Sunderland’s second novel At First Sight maybe more than you can handle emotionally. If you are feeling mentally robust then I can guarantee you will not be disappointed by this extraordinary love story between two wonderfully engaging characters. This author is proving how adept she is at approaching the traditional love story from an unusual perspective giving hope that however flawed her characters may be they are still worthy of love even if it doesn’t reach Disney style unrealistic proportions. And that means there’s hope for us all!!

Apparently writing the second novel, especially when your debut has been so well received, can be a huge challenge but this author need not worry about living up to the success of Very Nearly Normal. The opening pages of At First Sight exquisitely sets the scene and tone for much of what follows with a meet cute between Nell Coleman and Charlie Stone that is breathtakingly brilliant for capturing the ordinariness of everyday scenarios. Nell is on her lunch break from work at Healthy Minds, a mental health charity helpline, rushing to buy her lunch and find a space in which to sit and eat in relative peace in her favourite coffee shop. With seating at a premium she is forced to squeeze into a space next to a stranger who is staring forlornly into his teacup. Don’t many of us hate those situations in which we feel obliged to fill the silence and make polite conversation with a stranger? Well Nell is no different and in juggling her food and belongings drops her sandwich onto the unsuspecting stranger who turns out to be pretty boy, dishevelled looking and withdrawn Irishman Charlie Stone. Nell dazzles him with her sunshine smile and verbal diarrhoea but having been single since the ending of her seven year relationship with Joel is too timid to ask him for his number. A decision she will instantly regret but fate has a habit of working in mysterious ways as this storyline will show. A call to the charity helpline which Nell just happens to pick up is from no other than Charlie himself and so begins what is the most tender, heartbreaking and hopeful love story that you could ever wish for.

At First Sight is a novel all about second chances in life and in love. Hannah Sunderland deals with such topics of loss, grief, depression and suicide with such sensitivity that if you’ve ever experienced these feelings either first or second hand you will feel you are not alone. Her writing exudes a kindness and sympathy reaching out to her readers who may suffer from mental ill health however mild or extreme their condition and makes them feel loved. Through the naturally caring empathetic characters that are Nell and her housemate Ned to the more complicated characters of Charlie and Jackson and Joel she raises awareness of the prevalence of male depression and suicide so that the line from film Castaway featuring Tom Hanks perfectly fits the narrative; “the sun will come out tomorrow and who knows what the tide will bring along”. Yes it may be cliched and verging on sentimental but these words do ring true even if not everyone can be fortunate enough to overcome their demons.

Nell and her work colleague and housemate Ned symbolise all the real life individuals who work in similar caring professions, yet the author thankfully doesn’t paint them as saintly do gooders. Nell and Joel are still unable to completely sever the ties of their relationship so in many ways suffer the inability to let go of the past just like Charlie does. With her messy eating, incessant chatter and desire to help improve people’s lives for the better, Nell is the ultimate caring character who deserves to find true love and happiness. Will that be with Charlie or is their mutual attraction destined never to get off the ground thanks to the ghosts from this Irishman’s past? I found these characters to be utterly enchanting and fell for Charlie instantaneously, his dark soul hiding a charm and beauty that Nell recognises in a heartbeat but for all her skills in the workplace dealing with troubled individuals, is this man beyond saving? Although the humour in this novel is subtle it compliments the more harrowing aspects so that you can’t forget you’re witnessing a love story unfolding before your very eyes. Whether it’s destined to reach new heights or doomed from the outset is up to fate to decide.

Love and loss and all the complex emotions this state of being engenders is examined in a thought provoking way as Nell and Charlie negotiate uncharted waters. “Love cannot last forever. It’s slain by poor decisions, lack of compatibility, selfishness, greed and eventually death.” This statement made by Nell relates to all the relationships that exist upon these pages and whilst it sounds rather negative it is also full of wisdom. There is always hope though, second chances at love and life which both Nell and Charlie will come to recognise, so amidst the grief and loss, tragedy and heartache is a message of hope. I thought I could predict how this storyline would conclude from the very beginning but the author surprised me by keeping me guessing until the very last pages. From start to finish you are swept away by a tsunami of emotions whilst reading this moving love story, touched by these characters lives, hoping for a happy ever after which is by no means guaranteed. Although there’s plenty of sadness to endure I left the company of Nell, Charlie and co feeling emotionally lighter and my eyes just about managed to stay dry! I actually think this novel is better than the author’s debut and without hesitation is easily deserving of 5 stars. My thanks as always to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read.

Nell works in a mental health charity as a telephone operator and is on a lunch break when she has a chance meeting with Charlie. Nell, being recently single and a compelling chatterbox, strikes up a conversation with the gorgeous Irishman. The two get along well and there’s an instant connection, but Nell can’t bring herself to get his cell number. Heading back to work, Nell suddenly decides to face her fears, but when she returns to where Charlie was sitting, he’s not there. Thinking she’d never see him again, she’s surprised the next day when he calls her helpline.

Sensitively written and meticulously researched, this unconventional romance must be paired with a box of tissues! Sunderland has beautifully addressed some of the difficulties those with a broken heart deal with as well as the difficulties of those who love and support them. She’s touched on suicide, mental health, grief at losing a loved one and the difficulty of finding love again. Sunderland has successfully raised awareness about topics not usually addressed in novels.

I’ll admit, when the publisher reached out to me after I had received a copy of “At First Sight,” and cautioned me about the trigger warnings prior to reading. I was upset and unaware if the synopsis had included any inkling about the sensitive subjects. I initially thought that I would return the book unread as I had enough on my plate emotionally. I’m embarrassed at my awful gut response. However, encouraged by my husband to try the first few chapters, I was glad that I hadn’t passed off a wonderful opportunity to be educated about something I knew very little about. I feel I don’t have the words to do this review justice, but I need potential readers to see this as an opportunity for awareness because this author has approached it with the sensitivity it deserves.

It must be acknowledged that the author has noted trigger warnings prior to chapter 1 and cautioned readers to proceed with care.

Published March 01, 2021.

Thank you to Hannah Sunderland, Avon Books UK, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and learn from this advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

“Having the guts to ask for help was a strength that all too many people didn’t possess and the social stigma around anxiety, depression or other mental health issues often deprives people of that final ounce of courage to seek the help they need”

Two strangers. Two chance meetings. One extraordinary love story.

Nell and Charlie feel a spark when they meet by chance in a cafe. But they don’t trade numbers, or surnames, so there’s no way they’ll meet again. But the next day, Nell’s phone rings at work. Somehow, impossibly, Charlie is on the other end. And he needs her help...

Thank you to @hannahsunderland, @avonbooksuk and @netgally for allowing me to read this one before it is released on April 1st. What an absolute treat because I LOVED this book!
I will quickly add in some TWs though: loss, grief, suicide and mental health.

This story is about fate, second chances, struggling severely with mental health, empathy, the grief process, forgiveness and falling in love in such an unconventional way.

This story was absolutely brilliant and I read it in less than 24 hours! At times it was heavy to read as it was surrounded in some challenging topics (suicide) but @hannahsunderland wrote it so beautifully and really captured what it is like to be that deep in grief and pain.

It is an uplifting and realistic story that will leave you laughing and crying throughout the book. It’s weird to say that a book surrounding grief and mental health can also be funny but it definitely was! I seriously recommend you get it when it comes out on April 1st! I read this book in early January but I still think about it often now 🤍

Another beautiful book from Hannah Sunderland. I was hooked on this clever, heartwarming novel from the opening chapter. There are some tough themes throughout this book but they are handled with knowledge and understanding. I loved the characters and thought the descriptions of the Ireland visit were beautiful, I could picture the surroundings with ease. One thing I loved about this book was the none traditional friendships/ relationships. Nell and Ned for example. I think this made the book a lot more believable and relatable. I’m sure this novel will be a huge success

This was a really enjoyable, not your typical at all contemp fiction and I read it really quickly. It drew me right in and Charlie's story was heartbreaking.

I requested this book as a challenge, I thought it would be educational. And it was very satisfying.
Nell is a twenty something young girl who's just broke up with her longtime boyfriend. She works at
Healthy Minds, and helps talking to people struggling with suicidal thoughts.
She meets Charlie while looking for a seat in a coffee shop and he gets blindsided by her warm smile. And the story starts to go on.
While this book could be catalogued as a romance dealing with the subject of suicide, I'd like give what I think could be a more accurate comment about it. It's about salvation. Everyone struggles, perhaps not about the same missed things, but there's always something missing, or some ideal mind state usually looked for but unfound. This book brings light about how when someone opens up, the light gets inside. How accepting is the key of healing and why patience can be the welcoming to a bright future. The characters are absolutely lovable, but mostly they are human trying to grow and get wiser in the process.
It's a beautiful story and the author did a magnificent job. I'd love to read more from her.

Thank you Netgalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was not at all something I expected but I LOVED IT.
We follow Nell, who works as an operator at a mental health charity; and Charlie, a suspicious man who captures Nell's attention.
This journey was bittersweet and unexpected but very enjoyable!
This book talks about suicide, mental health, grief and loss, so may not be for everyone but if you think you can take it, this book won’t disappoint.

TW: Suicide, bereavement, mental health illnesses.

Nell is a telephone operator at a mental health charity. One lunch time chance leads Nell to meet Charlie in a cafe. They both feel a spark but regrettably don’t exchange numbers. After leaving the cafe and heading back to work Nell does a u-turn, as she rushes back to the cafe in hope that Charlie is still there. When she realises he is not, she accepts she will not see him again.

Fate has a funny way of bringing people together and that is exactly what happens to Nell and Charlie when the next day Nell’s work phone rings and Charlie is at the other end of the line. He needs Nell’s help.

At First Sight is beautifully written and heartwarming but is like no other romance story I have ever read as it delves into some of life’s darkest moments as it centres around themes such as suicide, mental health, depression, grief and finding love after bereavement.

Having been recently bereaved by suicide myself, I thought that the book was written in the most sensitive way, with an aim to break surrounding stigmas and raise awareness, and you can tell that Hannah Sunderland had researched the themes very thoroughly.

The pace of the book felt right and I felt fully invested in all the characters. Whilst, as a reader you want Nell and Charlie to live happily ever after, I really appreciated that the author didn’t include romantic cliches. I found this emphasised the difficulties those who have been bereaved, and those who support them, face and that these things are never a straight line.

Overall, a really emotionally rewarding book, which is very different from anything I have read before.

Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

TW: suicide ideation

Nell works at a mental health crisis line and has to take some tough calls. What she doesn't expect is to receive a call from a stranger she had a chance encounter with at a cafe. Drawn to Charlie, she wants more than he seems capable of giving - can they overcome his past? And does time really heal all wounds?

Such an unexpectedly raw and powerful book. Characters you can't help but love (and you also love to laugh at some of their interactions) and a journey of healing that feels genuine. This really isn't what the cover suggests it to be. Sure, it's romance, but it's so realistic and heartfelt. I would advise, however, that you don't read this during a depressive episode - not my smartest idea, admittedly.

Nell meets Charlie at her local coffee shop when she sits at his table and throws her lunch over him. Despite chatting they keave without exchanging numbers, but later in the day Charlie rings the mental health charity where Nell works. What follows isnt a typical rom com/chick lit book but something mych deeper. It brings to the forefront mental health issues for men surrounding grief and loss.
An enjoyable read with sad and funny moments
I received this book from Netgalley and publishers in exchange for an honest review

This delicious tale is far more than a simple love story as Hannah Sunderland weaves a more complex tale combining the themes of grief and loss around the slow burning love story of Nell and Charlie.
Nell is working for a mental health charity and is approached by Charlie via the charity's helpline. Although the service is meant to be anonymous, Nell recognises his voice having run into Charlie earlier in the day, in a local coffee shop. Deciding to break the rules of the helpline, Nell tells Charlie that she recognises his voice and that they should chat in person.
Both protagonists have overcome difficulties in their respective pasts but Charlie is continuing to struggle, which has lead to his calling the helpline.
While not the easiest of stories to read, it is worth sticking with 'At First Sight', due to the beautiful portrayal of the growing relationship between Nell and Charlie, showing how they learn to address their fears and the impact of the past on their current lies. A slow burning, different take on the standard romance story - a genuinely worthwhile tale. Read it.

This was a very difficult read at times but absolutely beautifully dealt with. I was utterly invested in the book and where the story went but realise that this won’t be for everyone so I’m glad it carries a trigger warning.

I'm giving this one 4.5 stars because it was really a great story. Nell and Charlie meet at a cafe and there is an immediate spark. They don't exchange last names or numbers and leave it to fate to see if they will meet again. Well, fate has lots of plans for these two. I love books about love at first sight, especially when it isn't insta love, when there are trials and things the couple has to go through to be together. This was one of those books, and it left you with all of the feelings spilling all over the place.
I started this book a few months ago and had to pause because I didn't have any idea it would be so sad. This book is a punch to the gut and I don't want to give too much away but it deals with suicide, depression, loss of spouse and grief. This book will stick with me for a long time.
Nell and Charlie meet again by chance and thus starts the up and down roller coaster that is their friendship. Nell works as a mental health operator. She helps counsel people that need direction, like addicts or someone contemplating suicide, so she understands how to empathize and is a good person to talk to.
If you are expecting a grand romance, this book will not deliver that in spades, but what you will get is a book that is full of feeling, and little comedic relief with Charlie's uncle.
We see a person that is so far down in the depths of despair and how fate pulled him back into the land of the living. It wasn't an easy road, and honestly we don't see a lot of him after he is recovering, but this book will make you think. This book will pull all your heartstrings and make you see things from a different perspective. I enjoyed the second half of the book a little more than the first, it seemed to start slow but it moved a lot more quickly as the book progressed.
Thank you to Netgalley, Avon and the author for an early copy of this book.

This story dealt with some tough subjects but it drew me in and I found I enjoyed it. It gave me the feels. Really liked it and wanted more.

I really enjoyed this book. New author for me & look forward to reading more books by this author. Highly recommended.

Based on the title and cover of this book, I had prepared myself for something light and easy. That was not the case for this book, however! It addresses topics like grief and loss, and despite the heavy themes, this book was enjoyable to read. I related a lot to the highs and lows of the Nell and Charlie's relationship. The plot isn't fast-moving, but the emotions are carved out well and do a good job of bringing the reader in.

When Nell meets Charlie at a coffee shop, they feel a spark but walk away from one another. Then he calls the mental health helpline where she works - she recognizes his voice- and, against the rules, they meet. Charlie's grief is evident and deep but the reasons for it come out slowly as he works through his pain to build a future different from what he had planned. Nell might strike you as naive at first but then her big heart pulls you in. This is not the light happy story you might be looking for but it's a good one that's worthy of your reading time. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC.

This is a different kind of love story and I absolutely adored it! Nell and Charlie meet in the most usual way, at first. Over coffee, at a busy cafe, Nell chats Charlie up and then they part...no numbers or sir names exchanged. Nell thinks she's blown her chance at meeting someone new....And then they meet again, in the most unconventional way...Charlie calls Nell at work...not knowing she works there.

This was such a lovely read, full of emotion but with some lighter moments of humour and romance thrown in. I love books with quirky characters (maybe because I am one myself?) and this helped offset the painful experience that Charlie is going through, which makes for a great balance of the serious and the light-hearted.

Bottom Line:
A wonderful emotive read that I completed in a single sitting...I dare you not to cry.

"Nell and Charlie feel a spark when they meet by chance in a cafe. But they don’t trade numbers, or surnames, so there’s no way they’ll meet again. But the next day, Nell’s phone rings at work. Somehow, impossibly, Charlie is on the other end. And he needs her help. Nell is about to save a life, fall in love … and risk everything for a perfect stranger."

I could tell instantly that I liked this writers style and approach to story telling. I thought this book would be a lighthearted rom com but it was so much deeper than that. This book beautifully described first loves, second chances, second loves, and fate while also delving into issues like grief, spousal loss, and suicide. This book is unlike anything Ive ever read, especially for a love story. When I finished the book I literally uttered the word 'wow'. It was truly a heart breakingly beautiful story about love. I couldn't put it down.

At First Sight is so much more than the usual light-hearted love story. It is tender and moving and I enjoyed the whole premise of the story enormously. It is incredibly well written and heartbreakingly beautiful and as the story evolves it is impossible to put down. The unexpected twists and turns the storyline presented us with definitely kept me on my toes. At First Sight is a wonderfully executed book with an amazing cast of characters and has much more depth to it than I was first anticipating. The Author’s Note at the beginning of the book indicates the story deals with loss, grief, depression and suicide, however these are sensitively portrayed by the author and depicted in such a thoughtful way that it doesn’t feel overwhelming or upsetting.

The characters are well developed and described in excellent detail, with just enough background history to give them depth and personality. Nell is a delightful character, she is kind, funny and incredibly caring and her inner dialogue is both humorous and entertaining and I laughed out loud on more than one occasion. Charlie is a dark brooding Irishman and although somewhat volatile, due to his past issues impacting on his current state of mind, he comes across as gentle, sensitive and caring and with a sense of fun. I also adored Ned, the father figure, and Carrick with his quirky dress sense and his indisputable bond with Charlie.

Although from the moment they meet there is undeniably a spark between Charlie and Nell, their love story is a slow build up and this unhurried pace and exploration of their relationship is entirely necessary because of the specific issues Charlie is dealing with, requiring time to come to terms with his emotions. It was refreshing to see a gentle romance with deeper thoughts and feelings explored without the need for a surfeit of explicit ‘bedroom’ scenes.

A beautifully written and thought-provoking book and although some serious issues are addressed it is counter-balanced with more light-hearted and humorous elements. The story is wonderfully crafted and I enjoyed it immensely from start to finish and with the ending perfectly encapsulated everything – I adored the ending. I will definitely be reaching more more of this author’s work in the future.

Thank you to the publisher for an early review copy via Netgalley.

AT FIRST SIGHT – HANNAH SUNDERLAND
PUBLISHED BY AVON BOOKS UK
PUB DATE – 1ST APRIL
TRIGGER WARNING – GRIEF, LOSS, SUICIDE
RATING 4⭐
PLOT –
Nell and Charlie meet by chance in a café and feel a connection. They talk but do not exchange numbers. But next day Nell gets a call at work and it's Charlie and he needs her help!
Nell works at a helpline centre for mental illness and it is upto her to help Charlie deal with the loss of his wife and his thoughts about suicide. But in the bargain Nell falls for Charlie. But will Charlie overcome his grief?? Will he able to love Nell back??
My thoughts – This isn’t a conventional lovestory. But the author has done a good job dealing with these strong issues discussing them as a person goes through them and tries to come out of it with success.
This book tackles all the real life issues and a lot of people out there aren’t getting the help they need!!
Via a helpline centre this book shows that one phone call can help one in the road to recovery a great deal!!
Sometimes it’s easy to talk to a stranger as compared to your family and friends as there are no judgements there!
The Irsih dialogue which occurs throughout the book at some point became a little too much for me other than that it was a good read!
Thank you Netgalley and Avon Books UK for this arc in exchange for my honest unbiased opinion.

This is a heart-warming story with two truly beautiful characters in Nell & Charlie. It was beautifully written. I will certainly be on the look out for more of Hannah Sunderland’s work in the future.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Nooks UK for kindly gifting me this ARC.

The sophomore novel from Hannah Sunderland is every bit as good as the first. At First Sight is a beautiful story of friendship and finding light in the darkness. When mental health hotline counselor, Nell, accidentally drops her lunch on Charlie in a crowded cafe, little does she know that the chance run-in changes Charlie's life forever. As their lives more deeply connect, their deeply loving friendship shines, as Charlie claws his way out of a dark depression. It is a pleasure to read about empathetic and emotionally vulnerable characters who selflessly support the people they love. I also appreciate the kindness and sensitivity with which the author tackles mental health issues. It is a book that will stick with me for a long while.

Advanced copy provided courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Content warning: depression, suicidal thoughts, grief

This really got to me emotionally in the way only a good book can. Really engaged with the characters and the storyline. Would recommend.

I just really really liked At First Sight. It was such a wonderfully sweet, emotional and touching romance. I liked out two main characters and a majority of the side characters as well. I was rooting for them and for them to be able to live their best lives. Also, the processing of grief in this book felt very real and I personally something haven't read in a romance before.

I also LOVED the growth of the characters. At the start of the book they felt very stunted in where they were in their lives (that includes the side characters as well) but as the story goes along you can see them learning from their pasts and growing as individuals.

If you are a romance fan I will say, there is no steamy scenes in the book but for the story that Sunderland is telling it doesn't feel like we're missing anything by not having that in it. All in all this was a really lovely read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon UK for the eARC of At First Sight in exchange for an honest review.

I was not expecting this book to go the way it did but that is by no means a bad thing! I anticipated that the love interest would have a secret but I didn’t think it would be what it was.

I appreciate how Sunderland wrote a romance that included themes of grief and mental illness as it is something I have never read before in this genre. I felt the development of Nell and Charlie’s relationship was pretty authentic which made them more believable as characters. The links and relationships between the main and side characters were well connected as well. I liked how we were also given some POV chapters from Charlie as his perspective was valuable to completing the story.

Personally, it was a bit jarring for me reading the dialogue when it came to Charlie’s speech as Sunderland aimed to emphasise his Irish accent on the page but I found it a bit annoying.

Overall a pleasant read that did well to address some heavy topics of conversation.

A chance meeting between strangers in a a cafe has Nell and Charlie enjoying each others company. Walking away they don't think that they will see each other again after not sharing numbers etc. However, Charlie's is struggling after the death of his wife and calls a suicide helpline - which Nell works for. The story follows their friendship journey as Nell attempts to help Charlie cope with hoow is life is now and show him that there is still a life worth living.

I've just spent about four days with Nell. Nell is kind, caring, funny and clumsy. Nell has met the love of her life, except, he is in love with someone else, and she has an ex partner that she can't quite shake off. A love story wrapped up in mental health, loss, grief, and bereavement..
A funny tragic tale, full.of warm, likeable characters. A story about the vulnerabilities that we all possess, and how we cope with them.. Read this book for the sad, warm, feel good factor.

This is a story of growth. And grief. This book is deep and made me think throughout it all!
I loved the characters, I loved the plot, I loved the writing and how the themes are explored and without any sugar coating. This was a good read! It wasn't what I was expecting at all!

When I requested this story wasn't the trigger warnings on it, I saw the cover and I thought "what a cute cover"
I thought was those cheesy romances that I love to read. But no.

This story is so deep and full of feelings that I was sobbing most of the part the book.

Do not get me wrong there is romance but not in the cheesy way. Is really slow burn and I love how Nell and Charlie relationship grew.

In "at first sight" we deal with grief and loss, with loneliness and toxic relationships, with friendship and kindness and second chances.

If I start thinking about it of this story again I will start crying so bad again.

If you are going to read it, have a big box of kleenex next to you.

Summarizing I am just BROKEN

Nell Coleman has a job she loves working phone lines for a mental health charity. One afternoon at a local cafe the only open seat is at a communal table across from a quiet, handsome Irishman. After heading back to work Nell regrets not having the bravery to ask for his number, fortunately for both of them, life has plans for the pair.

At First Sight is not the light-hearted rom-com I was expecting, I would classify it as womens' fiction more than anything. Yes, there is a love story (a few actually) but at its core, it's about loss, grief, healing, and learning to move on. Charlie and Nell are complex, well-written characters each learning to work through their own trauma and issues. The portrayal of mental health is well, and I feel, respectfully done, the acknowledgment that grief is never linear, and having more than one male character seeking out mental health help, are all pieces that I love.

Despite the sometimes heavy plot, it's really hopeful and has moments of levity. A different reviewer called it "unconventionally beautiful" and I think that's a perfect description. It's definitely a rollercoaster of emotions and could be a trigger for anyone who's dealt with the loss of a spouse (or anyone really) or suicide. I do recommend it, but tread carefully, it is heavy.

Thank you NetGalley, author Hannah Sunderland, and Avon for giving me a free Arc of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
5 stars
Trigger warnings: Death of a loved one, talk of suicide attempts/ detailed suicide attempt scene.
When I started this book, I expected an adorable meet cute romance, but this book was not what I expected! It was a delightful surprise! This book follows two complete strangers who in meeting will change their lives forever. Nell was a very realistic character! I appreciated how down to earth she was. She had her own flaws and past baggage *cough Joel*, but was working hard to break out of such an unhealthy cycle. Charlie was such a heartbroken man over the death of his wife. I loved his family and friends. They were so supportive and only wanted to help Charlie. The author did a wonderful job of portraying the real struggles people go through during the grief process. Nell and Charlie had a great relationship development. I was a little hesitant for them to start something due to that fact she was the council Charlie talked to when he called the Suicide help line, but then it was not really an issue because she was not his therapist. The writing and pacing were well done. The author was not afraid to let the characters grow and carry the scene. Both of the main characters went through a lot of growth throughout this book before they got their HEA. That ending was so so good!! Overall, I highly recommend this beautiful story of loss and the growth of a new love. I look forward to reading more books by this author!

At First Sight is a romance novel with a difference as the book tackles very sensitive topics.

Nell and Charlie meet by chance at a local café and immediately there is a connection between them. I loved the friendship between them and there was a great cast of characters; Carrick was my favourite! Though there were some sad parts, there's plenty of funny moments throughout the story.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for a review.

I was lucky enough to be part of the blog tour for Hannah’s first novel, Very Nearly Normal, so I was excited to crack into this!

Nell meets Charlie in a coffee shop, where she strikes up conversation with him as they share a table. Despite the spark she feels for him, she doesn’t get his phone number, and they seem destined to go their separate ways. But the next day, Nell goes to her job as a telephone operator for Healthy Minds, a mental health helpline. When she recognises Charlie’s voice on a call, she throws caution to the wind, and risks everything to help him…

This book made me laugh, made me cry, and absolutely ripped my heart apart at times. It deals with grief, loss, heartbreak, death and suicide, and it manages to strike a balance between being compassionately and sensitively written, while also being engaging, entertaining and at times, very funny.

Hannah Sunderland is the queen of writing books that perfectly exemplify the messy, heart-wrenching, ‘life’s not fair’ type of relationships with main characters who somehow never slip over the line into whiney. I absolutely loved this book and am really looking forward to whatever Hannah comes up with next!

This is a sensitive portrayal of the pain of loving someone who is severely depressed and suicidal. If that is not a story you want to spend hundreds of pages reading about, this isn’t the book for you. I appreciated what the author is trying to do with this story, but I can see that it wouldn’t be everyone’s cup of tea, especially if you picked this up for a nice, light, contemporary romance.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

Thanks Netgalley for the ARC of this beatiful book.
This is a story about heavy topics not easy to write the risk to fall in too much drama or being shallow is extremely high
The author does it homework awesomely
Nell meets Charlie in a cage and feels a spark then again at work in a helpline she faces another perspective of Charlie
Unconventionally beatiful
4 stars

Not at all what I expected...
From the cover, I genuinely thought this book is going to be this light, meet cute, read. My fault for not reading a synopsis yet again.
It didn’t even cross my mind how many sensitive topics it’ll cover - death, grief, suicidal thoughts and many more... But the author managed to handle all of them in a such thoughtful, sensitive way. It’s rare.
I absolutely adored this book and the characters! All of them are very engaging and likeable (though, I must say, my heart belongs to Ned!).
Even though the book covers many serious topics, it’s still filled with so much warmth and hope.
For someone who’s been struggling with mental health issues for so long, this book was very relatable, heartwarming and healing.
You know when they say the right book finds you? This book found me and I couldn’t be more grateful.

This IS a a love story-but maybe not the one you are expecting...❤️

Two Strangers.
Two chance meetings.

The first in the Cool Beans Cafe, when Nell is forced to share a communal table, and she strikes up a conversation with Charlie, the sexy Irishman she is forced to sit beside. She is literally incapable of not making small talk with strangers when placed in intimate situations. In fact, she will know the names of an Uber driver’s wife, and kids after just a short ride!

There is definitely a spark but neither asks the other for their number or surname.
Much to Nell’s regret.

But, as fate would have it-they will meet again.

The second time-Charlie will call the Healthy Minds helpline. Destiny has connected his call to Nell, who works there. As she asks for a name, and hears the accent, she inquires as to the possibility that they had met the day prior at the Cool Beans Cafe. Breaking all the rules, she suggests that they continue the conversation in person.

She doesn’t realize that she will be saving a life.

Would you take a chance on loving a person who may not be willing to take a second chance on themself?

YES-this is a story that deals with grief, and suicidal thoughts but it handles the subject with sensitivity and ultimately it is a story filled with courage, humor, unconditional love and HOPE!

It is a “FEEL GOOD” story focusing on healing !

Nell is a delight, and her inner dialogue is honest and funny! She is a person that anyone would be lucky to have as a friend!

I was rooting for her!
I was rooting for Charlie!
And, I was rooting for Magnus the cat, to get a second chance at love too! 💕

Rated PG

You won’t have to wait long to read this heartwarming gem of a story!
Available April 1, 2021 from Avon UK books!

Thank You for my gifted copy! It was my pleasure to provide a candid review!

From the title I was expecting a light-hearted romantic comedy. What I got was a much deeper storyline dealing with loss, grief, suicide and mental health. Through the writing I was fully engaged with the characters feeling their pain, their compassion, their selflessness and rooting for them. Parts of the book had me laughing, others feeling sad for Charlie.
I raced through this book to find out what happens. The issues covered in the storyline will stay with me for a long time to come.

Indeed, we should be more open and talkative about subjects concerning mental health. Don't be fooled the patriarchy isn't hard on men as well.

I'm not supposed to share quotes from an ARC, but there was a lovely and funny scene mentioning a man-up attitude and tear ducts.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.

Nell thought she was having a typical day when she entered her usual lunch spot, Cool Beans. What she didn't know is that she would meet Charlie, drop her sandwich on him, unknowingly save his life, and alter hers forever.

When I first picked up this book, I was expecting the typical rom-com style story. What I was not expecting was a heartbreaking, gut-wrenching love story that would also take a deep dive into mental health, depression and the grieving process. Hannah Sunderland did a beautiful job writing this story, making the reader fall head over heels in love with both Nell and Charlie, and root for them both the entire way through.

This is one of those books that I'll be thinking about for a long time and wishing I could check-in on the characters. Thanks to NetGalley, Hannah Sunderland and Avon Books UK for the eArc in exchange for my honest review. I'm looking forward to seeing what Sunderland puts out next!

This book is an absolute triumph!!! I got a bit scared to read it with all the warnings about suicide but I shouldn’t have been.

At first sight is both heartbreakingly tender and laugh out loud funny! It strikes the perfect balance between the two, allowing room for all emotions.

I loved Nell and Charlie, two wonderful people brought together by fate.

I also loved Nell’s mother and Ned. So many wonderful characters in one book.

I cannot praise this book highly enough!! Read it, read it, read it!!

“𝗔 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗷𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝗮 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲”

In a busy cafè, Nell has no other option but to ask a stranger if the seat next to him is available. Her verbal diarrhoea sparks up conversation and the two connect, but they must face their own personal problems before they can take their friendship to the next level and commit to each other and allow themselves to fully fall in love.

This wasn’t the cheesy romance I was expecting, it was an emotional read at times, a different love story which tackles real life problems.

⚠️ Mental health, loss, grief, suicide ⚠️

“At First Sight” follows Nell and Charlie who meet in a café and despite feeling a spark, do not trade numbers of surnames, leaving it all to chance. However, the day later whilst at work as a counsellor, Nell answers a call to find that it is Charlie and he needs help.
This is a book that will put a different spin on the typical romance, examining the dark past of Charlie, and his struggles to find some measure of happiness. He is definitely wounded, and Charlie might be the person to lead him through his struggles. Despite confronting topics of suicide and loss, which are all handle with the upmost sensitivity, there are moments of light, with secondary characters such as Charlie’s uncle, adding to the story.
An interesting story that will leave you thinking long after the last page.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

The warning at the start of the book filled me with trepidation but it was not needed. Not what you expect from a book about grief and depression. The support from a mental health helpline and the resulting relationships that evolve. I became invested in the story and all the characters. Not a book to make you laugh but not one that will make you cry but you want to hug the characters.

A romantic book which incorporates the real life struggles we face as humans on a daily basis. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and finished it super quickly, which tells me how much I liked the pot and the characters.
It tells the story of Nell, a mental health worker and Charlie a recently unemployed prosthetic makeup artist, who has been struggling with life through years of grief. This factor brings them both together and this is how their journey begins. The story takes them from Birmingham to Ireland where the story is extended to additional characters, who you will love.
A pre-warning, this book involves many discussions on mental health issues and suicide. If this is a tough subject for you to read about, it might not be the best book for you.
However, I thoroughly enjoyed it and would highly recommend. It was romantic, funny, sad, heartwarming, challenging and emotional.

At First Sight by Hannah Sunderland is a story about love, loss, grief, finding happiness and believing in fate. This was a really cute story about a woman who meets a man in a cafe and they build a relationship through a few chance encounters. He is going through some deep personal issues and she is learning who she is in a lot of ways. Their story is sweet and interesting because it really brings a lot of questions about serendipity up and makes you wonder if some things are just meant to be. I thought the writing was solid and the story was cute even though it was fairly predictable. Trigger warnings for depression and suicide in this one.

I absolutely loved this book and felt compelled to finish it in a day.

The characters are well painted and authentic and I felt really invested in their journey. When Nell meets handsome Irish man, Charlie, in 'Cool Beans' cafe on her lunchbreak, it is the start of something special. The road to true love is never smooth and it transpires that Charlie is struggling. While considering suicide on the clock tower, he notices a sticker for 'Healthy minds', the mental health team where Nell works.

I thought the book was well paced and the author carefully reveals key information at just the right points. Nell's internal conversations with dead Abi were an interesting addition.

Hannah Sutherland has done a tremendous job of raising awareness of mental health issues. This was an enjoyable and emotional read which left me feeling fuzzy and content.

I can't wait to read the author's debut novel and will look out for her future work.

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance copy.

Publication date 1st April 2021

What a book!! I had no idea what I was expecting when I started at first sight but it wasn't what I read and I am so glad about that! This book covers loss, grief, suicidal thoughts and talk, mental illness and hope.

I never thought I would be able to pick up a book and want to read about such depressing topics especially with my personal experience with all that is covered. But Hannah Sunderland covers these topics with the respect they deserve. What she does so well and I take my hat off to her is discusses men's mental health in such a way that we get to cover the realities of both feeling and feeling like you shouldn't feel. I feel she manages to explain and demonstrate this topic so well and it is evident that she has done her research.

Nell and Charlie are our two leading characters with Nell being the protagonist. Due to a series of events Nell ends up sitting next to Charlie in her favourite coffee place as there is no where else to sit. Nell is a chatty kathy so fills the awkward silences between them. It seems like the universe wants Nell and Charlie to be in each others lives because they find themselves having another chance encounter and as it transpires they have a lot more to come.

I loved Nell as a lead, although she seems very self assured it is clear that she isn't. She talks to fill the silences but that doesn't mean she always wants to, it fills more like a need. I found her endearing as a character and someone I would totally be friends with. She works for a mental health charity helpline and has so much love and care to give to those that need her. She met her now housemate Ned there and it's almost like they heal each other but purely in a friend way. Their relationship may seem strange to outsiders but I loved it. Everyone needs a Nell or Ned by their side

Charlie is so broken and it is sad to watch it play out. But inlove the fact that hannah Sunderland allows for us as readers to experience the realities of grief whether thats 2 months or 2 years later. His continued battle with mental illness is written perfectly. I just think it's done so well and I honestly have no critique here. It would be so easy to do a basic love story but this book isn't that and I am glad it isn't.

Although there are some intense topics do not worry as Nell as our narrator leaves us with some hilarious one liners. She breaks up what could be an intense and overwhelming topic. Yet even with her one liners and inner monologue it feels appropriate. I will say look 0ut for the snow globe chapter!!! I was rolling on the floor with laughter!

Would I recommend this book?

Yes ofcourse I would. I will say if you yourself are feeling in a dark place then this may not be the book for you, however it's underpinning theme of hope might be and thats how I went into this, as I struggle myself. The characters are all well written and each have great density to them and therefore none really feel like side characters, although the Irish uncle I would like to know more about him (Hannah Sunderland feel free to write a sequel just for him). I found that I loved all the characters and that included the ex Joel. The area of men's mental illness is done perfectly and although at its heart this is a rom com, I also hope that by reading this it will bring a little awareness to those who know very little about the area. It isn't covered often so thank you Hannah for taking such care whilst doing so. I love Nell so much and again I would happily read a sequel to at first sight. 5 stars 🌟 I couldn't put this book down!

Thank you to Netgalley, Hannah Sunderland and Avon publishers for the digital ARC in exchange for my fair and honest opinions.

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At First Sight, is told mainly from Nells perspective, meets a man in a cafe on her lunch break, wasn't intending to sit next to him, but the cafe was full. Her lunch fast coming to an end, Nell has to leave, will she pluck up the courage to ask his number?... and so the story begins.

Nell works for a mental health helpline, unbeknown to her, the man she was sat next to in the cafe was emotionally in a great deal of pain. Who knew it would be the man from the cafe when she took the call, although she wasn't meant to be there at that time, what are the chances.

It's a story of finding love, grief and depression where you only see one way to relieve the pain. A touching read well written, reflecting on the heartbreak faced on losing a loved one and finding a way to allow yourself to find love again. If you enjoy Jojo Moyes, Cecelia Ahern this is a book for you.

After meeting by chance Nell and Charlie come across each other again the next day. Is Nell about to fall in love and help a perfect stranger? A thought provoking story that will either make you laugh or cry.

OMG! I have no words!
LOVED LOVED LOVED!!
If you read any book this year it HAS to be this one!!!!
I could not put this down, it kept me dripped from page 1. I really enjoyed how it wasn't some "silly made up love story" but it was like a real life story. Everything the character experienced and did just felt like these things happen to everyday people. There are some triggers as warned, take note of them!!! But the help and advice Nell gives just seems so genuine and helpful. This book does make you feel like you can look at your life and do what you want no matter what relationships you have where. Each character had such a lovely personality and they all seemed so genuinely caring. This is the first book i cried at as well, sad and happy tears. I felt so sorry for Nell, as well as Charlie, it was heart breaking for both of them. Omg is all i can say. Its made me feel so good and I cannot wait to recommend this to all my friends, especially those on Bookstagram. I wish i could give this more than 5 stars.
I hope there is going to be a sequel, Hannah cannot leave us on that cliffhanger. I WANT MORE!

3.5 stars, Rounded

Nell has always wanted to help people – so much so that she’s one of the few paid volunteers at the Healthy Minds hotline, much like the Good Samaritans here in the states. While her work is fulfilling and she loves it, her personal life isn’t quite so marvelous. Broken up with her first boyfriend, she’s fallen into the trap of “convenience’, and while Joel is still very much in love with her and what the relationship meant for him (bills paid, food paid, a partner) she’s finally discovered that he’s not what makes her happy. After their split, she took a house share with a co-worker, Neil, and the two have a happily balanced relationship full of movie nights, takeaways, Celine Dion quotes and a love of Michael Bolton. With her mother in demand at her work and frequently in glamorous and removed locations, Nell has been ‘second place’ to much of her mother’s life – a place she’s happily occupied for years as ‘taking what she’s been given. But a chance meeting and no seats at the café near her work puts Nell in front of Charlie, a rather reserved, if not bellicose Irishman with a cold cup of tea, an ability to laugh at Nell’s need to ‘fill silence with words” and she’s smitten.

While that first meeting was precipitous, the second, a call at the helpline, brought her much more. Charlie called in – and Nell broke every rule possible: agreeing to meet him to talk and ‘become friends”. Here is where the story meanders a bit, as we deal with Charlie’s issues, his depression and his inability to deal with Nell’s rather happy and understanding personality – even as she’s finding the attraction to Charlie rather overwhelming. As the story unfolds, we see Nell struggle with her interest in Charlie, his on again, off again responses, and their truly compatible personalities, even with the depression, guilt and struggles. Particularly worsened as Charlie isn’t able at this moment to open up and share his story: much to Nell’s frustration.

What emerges is that slow journey through grief, depression and even suicidal ideation, from actual stories of attempts through an actual (if rather anticlimactic) attempt from her ex. Be aware that this book is full of triggering moments for many, and the pacing of the story – slowly unfolding can often prolong the questions from readers. But ultimately, it is truly worth it – showing steps that one person needed to take to get perspective and let go of the worst of the guilt, shame and find the confidence and hope to move on: always changed, but not stagnant. In finding and helping others, we also see how Nell finds her own two feet and confidence to put herself forward in her list of ‘needs’, something she’d never done before, and the little moments with both Charlie, Neil and Uncle Carrick, not to mention a heart to heart with her mother allowed the story to end with hope and possibilities for all. A bit twisty, darker and more emotional than one would expect with a few twists that made the story come full circle – this was a book that showed a bit of compassion, patience and hope work wonders.

I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.

Review first appeared at <a href=” https://wp.me/p3OmRo-aSH /” > <a> I am, Indeed </a>

This review will contain spoilers from the beginning, so please don't read on if you haven't read the book or aren't looking for spoilers!




Spoilers ahead!





Trigger warnings: suicidal thoughts, grief and bereavement (specifically death of a spouse), mental health issues (specifically depression and anxiety)


Now, when you read the synopsis given by the publisher, you imagine a quirky romance, with Nell and Charlie teaming up to save someone. What you don't realise is that the person who needs saving is Charlie himself. Two years ago, his wife died, and after considering suicide at the time, he's been struggling with depression ever since. Now, he's decided that enough is enough, and after quitting his job and writing his goodbye letters, he's planning on ending his life. Until fate throws Nell into his life, when their paths cross in a local cafe, and again the next day when he phones the mental health helpline Nell works for, and she recognises his Irish accent. They arrange to meet, and quickly begin to fall for each other, but Charlie is struggling with the guilt and grief he feels over the loss of his wife, and they remain friend's, with Nell helping Charlie to face up to the loss of his wife, and begin the first steps of moving forward.

As you can see, this is definitely a love story with a difference, the main difference being that the love element of the story is almost secondary to the friendship that develops between Charlie and Nell. While my synopsis focuses on Charlie, the book itself is written from the POV of Nell, who for the first part of the book has no idea about Charlie's dead wife, and instead thinks he's just a rather flighty Irishman who wants to help his suicidal uncle (his excuse for ringing the helpline) but keeps running off whenever they get close. When she does find out about his wife, she remains committed to helping him even though he admits he is not ready for a relationship. So even though they both have feelings for each other, that's not really the focus of the book, at least until the very end. Most of the book instead focuses on the unique beauty of their friendship and the life-changing effect it has on Charlie.

Now, that isn't to say it's all cute and happy all the time. Sunderland doesn't pull any punches when it comes to her depictions of mental health struggles, and she handles the challenging subject matters of depression and suicidal thoughts in a tactful and respectful manner. This does make for challenging reading at times, but it also made the moments of happiness even more meaningful and beautiful.

Ultimately, 'At First Sight' is a moving, challenging, and yet surprisingly uplifting book about the challenges of moving forward after your world ends, and how just one person, in just one moment, can truly make a difference. Plus, I loved the way that fate and synchronicity played a role in this book, particularly towards the end where a few loose ends are tied up in a really lovely way. Definitely one I'd recommend if you're a fan of love stories with a difference.

Disclaimer - I was fortunate enough to be provided with an advance reading copy of this book by NetGalley. This has not affected my review in any way, and all opinions are my own.

An unconventional love story about coping with loss and learning a simple act of kindness can save a life. This book was shocking and an unpredictable roller coaster of emotions... to say the least!

I liked the book's outlook on mental illness. It shows examples of different people who suffer for various reasons. It assured that seeking help is a sign of strength and sometimes all we need is a little encouragement.
Nell works for the Healthy Minds helpline. She’s a classic over thinker, very talkative, funny, and very relatable! Nell meets Charlie one day in her usual coffee shop and makes conversation in her typical way. Little does she know, it’s exactly what he needed. Charlie is suffering from a loss, Nell is the new friend he needs to help him through.

This novel was FULL of symbolism. The little things Charlie did ,like buying tea and letting it go cold, were simple acts he did in efforts to keep alive the memory of the lost loved one. This novel gave glimpses into nontraditional loves. Different relationships were highlighted throughout the book and each were unique. My favorite part of the book was the great message it presented; one interaction can change a person's life. There were all these incredible connections that were revealed in the end. Acts of kindness and the actions of others can strongly affect a person's life. It may just bring happiness in the moment or it could mean more; a reminder that life is worth living. I enjoyed that the end had Charlie’s POV. Most of the story was told from Nell’s POV, but it was great to see what Charlie was thinking after he started to heal.
The ending wasn't exactly the perfect happy ever after. It leaves you with the question of the state of Nell and Charlie's relationship. It allows the reader to decide their fate or perhaps there’s more of their story to come.

This was a beautiful story of an unconventional romance where two people have that instant connection but their lives are going in totally different directions. It's a slow burn that covers so many emotional peaks while also having some truly laugh out loud moments. Nell works at a counseling hotline and Charlie is still nursing a broken heart and overwhelming grief after losing his wife two years earlier. The author did a great job of creating the conflicting emotions and that ever present tug of war with love, loss, guilt, and grief.

Told in the 1st person pov from Nell's perspective for 90% of the book we learn all about their meet-cute and her side of the relationship, This leaves the reader largely in the dark about the grief and pain that Charlie is holding onto until the last 10% where he has finally turned a corner and we get to see some of his voice on the page. I thought this was a very creative writing technique and overall felt the book had excellent pacing and structure.

Although there is a romance blooming which is a central thread of the story, I'd say this is less a romance and more a women's fiction about personal growth and moving forward to make positive changes in one's own life.

The author did an excellent job of championing mental health advocacy and normalized the idea of reaching out and getting help. She freely allowed her male characters to show their emotions in the form of tears, fear, anxiety, and loss.

I loved this book and could not put it down (sorry husband). This story follows Nell who meets Charlie in a coffee shop after dropping her sandwich on him. Although there is an instant spark she is too scared to ask for his number but the next day she answers the phone at her place of work and it’s Charlie on the end of the line and he needs her help. This book covers grief, suicide, love and a whole host of topics whilst ultimately being the beautiful story of a very chance meeting and sometimes the stars align to literally drop the person you need most into your lap at the right time. This book will break your heart a million times but it’s a breathtaking read.

Definitely not your conventional love story, At First Sight deals with loss, grieve and with how friendship and counseling can help to overcome the pain and find a way to happiness again.
A beautiful story, written in a sensitive way, by a very talented writer, that left me with the desire to read her debut novel (which I have already downloaded).

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

At First Sight is a romance with a difference. It explores, and deals well with, some deeper topics such as mental health, grief, loss and suicide. It was an emotional, poignant and at times a laugh out loud funny read. Nell and Charlie's story was beautifully written, kept me reading well past my bedtime and stayed with me after the final page.
Thank you to NetGalley, Hannah Sutherland and her publisher for an arc of this book.

Nell works at a call center for people who are struggling with life. Sometimes the people who call in are suicidal. One day on her lunch break she meets Charlie at her favorite coffee shop. His Irish accent and blue eyes catch her attention, but she does not take the opportunity to get his number. A few days later, she gets a call at work . . . from Charlie. This book takes some very interesting twists and turns and kept me turning the pages. Despite Nell's experience with grief and distress on the job, it is a whole lot harder to deal with up close and in a long term situation. The timing for her and Charlie just doesn't seem right. Can they both move past what is in their past to have a future together? Maybe they are both better off if they don't? While the path to mental health is highly regarded and modelled, there is one avenue that is discounted quite severely and that is the church. No offense to Hannah Sunderland, but in my experience, the gospel holds a hope like no other. When I read novels like this set in the U.K., I remember how much the U.K. Blessing video has lifted me up in the past year. If you like this one, you should try 'Float Plan' by Trish Dollar. Other authors to try would be Beth O'Leary and Josie Silver.

Thank you to Avon Books and Net Galley for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

Nell and Charlie are both stuck. They meet in an unusual way and their friendship begins to grow from the onset. This book is a romance, but it is also so much more. We walk beside these characters and grow to love them page by page.

I loved this book for so many reasons. It highlights mental health and taking care of oneself through difficult times. You'll love the journey the characters go on and be so glad you got to see it all unfold.

I had so many emotions whilst reading this book. Hannah Sunderland is one hell of a storyteller. It was the little pieces of information throughout the book that made my heart break, Charlie and the cold tea being an example. It must be hard to write a book that's mainly focused on mental health, grief and suicide. It was very tactfully done and wonderfully wrtten. The last paragraph of this book I'd so beautifully poignant and I loved Nell and Ned's friendship. A wonderful, insightful, thought provoking read.