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lurker_stalker's review against another edition
2.0
I didn't enjoy this one much at all. I liked the idea of the book and I love the guide dog/puppy training aspect. Unfortunately, I didn't feel any chemistry at all between the couple and their constant doubts were just too much for me to get past. I probably would have gone 1.5 but am rounding up because of the dogs.
Unless I hear differently from a friend I trust, this will very likely be my last book by the author.
Unless I hear differently from a friend I trust, this will very likely be my last book by the author.
angieinbooks's review against another edition
3.0
I debated between 2 and 3 stars with this book because, while it’s not exactly poorly written, it never quite grabbed me in a meaningful way. I liked the the protagonists and understood their fear and motivations, but I always felt they were too much at a distance for me to really feel what the words on the page told me I should be feeling. And it wasn’t just the characters—the whole story always felt incomplete, like if only there was more space to tell the story, that feeling of connection could have been achieved. I did settle on 3 stars, which is probably entirely too generous, but there were cute dogs. So that’s deserving of a rounding up on its own.
**Okay, so tangent about Bold Stroke Books since I’m new to ff romance. I’m noticing that BSB books usually end around page 230. This one was 231 pages, e.g. This can’t be a coincidence, right? It also explains why for the vast majority of BSB books I read, I wish the story went just a little bit longer. And the stories would be better with another 30-75 pages, including Blindsided. And it’s heartbreaking because BSB publishes some of the best ff romance and authors I’ve come across. So I’m glad writers like Jae and EJ Noyes and Rachel Spangler are publishing with other publishers who don’t seem to be limiting their authors to a ridiculously small page limit. Of course, maybe it’s a coincidence?**
**Okay, so tangent about Bold Stroke Books since I’m new to ff romance. I’m noticing that BSB books usually end around page 230. This one was 231 pages, e.g. This can’t be a coincidence, right? It also explains why for the vast majority of BSB books I read, I wish the story went just a little bit longer. And the stories would be better with another 30-75 pages, including Blindsided. And it’s heartbreaking because BSB publishes some of the best ff romance and authors I’ve come across. So I’m glad writers like Jae and EJ Noyes and Rachel Spangler are publishing with other publishers who don’t seem to be limiting their authors to a ridiculously small page limit. Of course, maybe it’s a coincidence?**
excellent_taste's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 but I'm rounding up because it's a lesbian romance novel and I'm biased. This did feel very similar to the last book by this author I read, but I liked that one too and romance novels are formulaic for a reason. They hook you in and leave you happy. It was an easy read with likable characters and a lot of dogs.
vixdag's review against another edition
3.0
***No Synopsis***While a book that features a character who is differently abled is always a plus for me, that wasn't enough to carry this book for me. While I like stories about a guarded woman becoming vulnerable because of the pull of love from another woman, in this case it felt forced. It happened too fast and too early. I understand the physical attraction, but I like to see the characters work a little harder for their relationship. The writing was good, the story interesting, the overall feel it gave me was (as three stars indicate) was just okay.
conniejoy529's review against another edition
3.0
*I received a copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Cara Bradley is the host of a local TV show, where she covers human interest stories and local charities and non-profits. Cara grew up in a famous family, the daughter of a sitcom actress and a sportscaster, and sister of one of the area's best Shakespearean actors. Her family doesn't take her "little show" seriously and is constantly pressuring her to move on to something bigger, and in their option better, but that has never been Cara's dream. Growing up in a family that is all about performing for the public, even when it came to family matters, made Cara very cynical about the other's intentions. While she loves making her show, she often feels as though she is just a pretty face with no real subsistence, and wonders if the people she interviews really care, or are just putting on a show for the camera.
Lenae has been blind her entire life and recently started a center that provides seeing eye dogs for other visually impaired people. Having been a news writer for one of the nations largest TV news networks, Lenae is familiar with just how shallow and cut throat those in the journalism field can be. So when her training center is set to be feature on Cara's show "Around the Sound" Lenae has her doubts about who would really benefit from it. But if she's honest with herself,she has to admit that her center needs the exposure Cara's show would bring.
While Cara and Lenae are immediately attracted to each other, neither think that they would ever work out as a couple. But when a one time interview turns into a year long project with Cara caring for one of Lenae's puppies named Pickwick, Lenae and Cara find themselves thrown together often. Soon they realize that there are other sides to each of them that they hadn't seen before, and maybe they are actually just right for each other.
I enjoyed reading this book, but there were a few issues that bothered me. I thought that both Lenae and Cara, with their trust and self confidence issues, were interesting contradictions. They were both strong characters, but also both very vulnerable about specific things. Cara always wondered if people were really interested in her, or if they were looking for connections with her famous family. Lenae feared showing weakness or seeming incompetent to anyone. I really liked how both Cara and Lenae were able to help each other address their issues and fears. I liked that they built up a friendship first, and really got to know each other through out the book. I really loved the way that they communicated with each other. Some of my favorite scenes are when Cara describes the artwork, and the scenery at the beach to Lenae, and Lenae shows Cara how to experience New York from her sightless point of view. I though those scenes, and others, were beautifully written and gave me new insight on how visually impaired people conceptualize the things that we see everyday. I also really loved the humor brought to the story by puppy Pickwick, and the extra emotion and insight into visually impaired people's process of obtaining a guide dog, especially in the case of Gene and Toby. I think the love scenes were very well written, although they weren't what I'd consider steamy, they were definitely entertaining. I especially liked the realization that getting to touch and feel Cara, was Lenae's only way of "seeing" her. I think that really increased the intimacy factor and made it all the more romantic.
I am a sucker for a grand gesture, so I loved how Lenae declares her love in the end, it was really sweet. I was really happy that we got an epilogue (although it isn't labeled that, but it's about a year after the main story ends)because I really wanted to see how the characters reacted to Pickwick's graduation from puppy to guide dog because this was the very first bone of contention between Cara and Lenae and I think the author did a great job of portraying Cara's emotions without either trivializing them or making it overly dramatic.
Blindsided didn't read like a typical romance, it was more like chick lit with a HEA, which is still good. Reading on Kindle, I got to a little past 70% before either main character admitted that they had romantic feelings for each other. And while I enjoyed the story, I kept wishing they would get to it already.
I liked both Cara and Lenae, but they both had some very serious trust issues, which held back the relationship through out the entire book, especially on Lenae's part. Everytime she would doubt Cara, and Cara would come through, Lenae would admit she was wrong, and I though "yay, issue resolved," only to have her go back to those same doubts over and over again. It also seemed as though the author repeated things a bit in the writing, like the character's internal dialogue (which makes sense since they are worried about the same issues over and over, but it was repeated almost word for word in some spots). And while Cara did somewhat stand up to her parents, I wish that there had been some kind of breakthrough with her family, I would have liked to see her talk to them about her emotions and how their actions during her childhood still affected her. I just kind of held on to hope that they actually did care and that they would somehow show that to her, or if not, at least know so that they could feel guilt, or remorse, or something but it never happened.
This was the first book that I've read by Karis Walsh, and I think she is a very talented writer and I think I'd enjoy reading more from her in the future.
Cara Bradley is the host of a local TV show, where she covers human interest stories and local charities and non-profits. Cara grew up in a famous family, the daughter of a sitcom actress and a sportscaster, and sister of one of the area's best Shakespearean actors. Her family doesn't take her "little show" seriously and is constantly pressuring her to move on to something bigger, and in their option better, but that has never been Cara's dream. Growing up in a family that is all about performing for the public, even when it came to family matters, made Cara very cynical about the other's intentions. While she loves making her show, she often feels as though she is just a pretty face with no real subsistence, and wonders if the people she interviews really care, or are just putting on a show for the camera.
Lenae has been blind her entire life and recently started a center that provides seeing eye dogs for other visually impaired people. Having been a news writer for one of the nations largest TV news networks, Lenae is familiar with just how shallow and cut throat those in the journalism field can be. So when her training center is set to be feature on Cara's show "Around the Sound" Lenae has her doubts about who would really benefit from it. But if she's honest with herself,she has to admit that her center needs the exposure Cara's show would bring.
While Cara and Lenae are immediately attracted to each other, neither think that they would ever work out as a couple. But when a one time interview turns into a year long project with Cara caring for one of Lenae's puppies named Pickwick, Lenae and Cara find themselves thrown together often. Soon they realize that there are other sides to each of them that they hadn't seen before, and maybe they are actually just right for each other.
I enjoyed reading this book, but there were a few issues that bothered me. I thought that both Lenae and Cara, with their trust and self confidence issues, were interesting contradictions. They were both strong characters, but also both very vulnerable about specific things. Cara always wondered if people were really interested in her, or if they were looking for connections with her famous family. Lenae feared showing weakness or seeming incompetent to anyone. I really liked how both Cara and Lenae were able to help each other address their issues and fears. I liked that they built up a friendship first, and really got to know each other through out the book. I really loved the way that they communicated with each other. Some of my favorite scenes are when Cara describes the artwork, and the scenery at the beach to Lenae, and Lenae shows Cara how to experience New York from her sightless point of view. I though those scenes, and others, were beautifully written and gave me new insight on how visually impaired people conceptualize the things that we see everyday. I also really loved the humor brought to the story by puppy Pickwick, and the extra emotion and insight into visually impaired people's process of obtaining a guide dog, especially in the case of Gene and Toby. I think the love scenes were very well written, although they weren't what I'd consider steamy, they were definitely entertaining. I especially liked the realization that getting to touch and feel Cara, was Lenae's only way of "seeing" her. I think that really increased the intimacy factor and made it all the more romantic.
I am a sucker for a grand gesture, so I loved how Lenae declares her love in the end, it was really sweet. I was really happy that we got an epilogue (although it isn't labeled that, but it's about a year after the main story ends)because I really wanted to see how the characters reacted to Pickwick's graduation from puppy to guide dog because this was the very first bone of contention between Cara and Lenae and I think the author did a great job of portraying Cara's emotions without either trivializing them or making it overly dramatic.
Blindsided didn't read like a typical romance, it was more like chick lit with a HEA, which is still good. Reading on Kindle, I got to a little past 70% before either main character admitted that they had romantic feelings for each other. And while I enjoyed the story, I kept wishing they would get to it already.
I liked both Cara and Lenae, but they both had some very serious trust issues, which held back the relationship through out the entire book, especially on Lenae's part. Everytime she would doubt Cara, and Cara would come through, Lenae would admit she was wrong, and I though "yay, issue resolved," only to have her go back to those same doubts over and over again. It also seemed as though the author repeated things a bit in the writing, like the character's internal dialogue (which makes sense since they are worried about the same issues over and over, but it was repeated almost word for word in some spots). And while Cara did somewhat stand up to her parents, I wish that there had been some kind of breakthrough with her family, I would have liked to see her talk to them about her emotions and how their actions during her childhood still affected her. I just kind of held on to hope that they actually did care and that they would somehow show that to her, or if not, at least know so that they could feel guilt, or remorse, or something but it never happened.
This was the first book that I've read by Karis Walsh, and I think she is a very talented writer and I think I'd enjoy reading more from her in the future.
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