Reviews

The Sight of You by Holly Miller

amyloganx's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

blondebabereadsx's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny inspiring reflective relaxing sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

readingwithmygoldens's review against another edition

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3.0

3 stars for a great, tug at your heartstrings debut!

A very emotional story that asks an interesting question. How would you live your life if you knew what would happen to your loved ones?

Joel and Callie are strangers who have a meet cute in a local coffee shop where Callie works. Joel is an empty human being who is blessed with the curse of being able to see the future of his loved ones. He has struggled his entire adult life with how to cope with this "gift". He has sworn off any real romantic connection because the other person only gets hurt loving someone who cannot give their full selves in return. Callie has her own share of heartbreak and is a person who lives a very safe life. She puts others before herself and doesn't do enough to break free and live out her own dreams. When Joel and Callie meet and fall in love, the reader is treated to a twist on the typical romance story and the ending is what really elevates this book the most.

I can definitely see why this book was marketed to fans of [b:The Light We Lost|32956365|The Light We Lost|Jill Santopolo|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1493724414l/32956365._SY75_.jpg|52599317] and that was a smart play. While I enjoyed this book, it was predictable (particularly in the middle), but there are many strengths within its pages. The last part of the book worked most for me. I don't want to reveal too much so I will hide my thoughts in a spoiler.

SpoilerIf you read the signs, you know Joel and Callie will not be in a relationship for a long time. Having the author explore both character's lives after the breakup was brilliant. Particularly, how they met up again at the end of Callie's life. That was very touching and I felt my eyes misting as I read it.


Overall, if you're looking for a contemplative read and you're a romance fan, this would be a great pick for you. I really want to thank Putnam Books and Holly Miller for sending me an early copy to read and provide an honest review of.

Review Date: 06/05/2020
Publication Date: 06/09/2020

jenni_storrie's review against another edition

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lighthearted slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

3.5

georgilvsbooks's review against another edition

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5.0

I feel very broke right now and very sad. How am I going to get over Joel and Callie? HOW?

Holly has managed to entice me into the lives of Joel and Callie so bad that I could not put this down without finishing it! I started this yesterday and would have finished it yesterday if life hadn’t gotten in the way and I needed sleep!!!

Even though we know that this story is going to be heart-breaking and unbearably sad, you are still not prepared for how this story plays out.

Every character in this story is lovable. Every chapter was enticing. Everything was just perfect.

Holly, I LOVE what you have done. You have turned such a heart-breaking story into something so beautiful, so unique and so inspiring.

hannahmaybookreviews's review against another edition

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5.0

A huge thank you to Netgalley and Hodder and Stoughton for letting me read and review this lovely book.

Synopsis:

Joel refuses to let himself fall in love, until he is drawn to Callie who he knows is perfect for him and his second chance. In return, Callie falls hard for Joel, believing that their relationship is meant to be, the kind of love she has always wanted. However, Joel has a secret, he has dreams about the ones he loves and these dreams always come true. One night, he has his worst nightmare yet, he dreams about Callie and now he must decide whether to let her go so she can live a full life before her fate that Joel foresaw steps in.

Review:
I was instantly draw to this book when it appeared in an email, I instantly knew it was a must read for me. I wanted something that would make me feel and the blurb and many positive reviews promised that The Sight of You would do that. I can safely say, I was not let down, I got exactly what I wanted.

The story is told through both Joel and Callie’s perspective which is clear and easy to follow, but opens you up to two character’s feelings, so you feel all. I love the symbol of the swallow that marks where a new chapter begins as it adds that extra special touch. The chapters are perfect length and move the story along at a pace that matches the read.

I honestly connected with both Joel and Callie they are both likeable and selfless, especially Callie as we share similar interests such as the natural world. I find that my heart went out to Joel as his gift well and truly left him in difficult positions at times. He is unable to live the normal life he is desperate for and yet no one can relate to his burden. I was honestly torn between thinking his gift was a blessing and a curse. It also got me thinking about fate and the fact that despite its strange way of working, we can not fight it.

This read was the perfect romance, it was quite sickly sweet in some parts but you still couldn’t help smiling. However, it also hit home that despite something being so perfect, things may not always work out the way you wish it would. I honestly wanted to enjoy the character’s happiness whilst I could, but I know something was coming along to shatter it and it left me quite on edge at times. Despite me guessing as well what this shattering moment would be, reading it still tugged on my heart strings.

I admired the author’s writing style; she can be very descriptive in places and some of her words I found to be quite inspiring and motivational, especially the quote, “get out of your head.” This quote really hit home with me. This read also shows you that no matter what you go through, the heart is capable of healing, if you just give it time. By part three, you can cleverly feel the sadness that this story would bring creeping in, the tone changes completely and you are hit straight in the emotions.

The Sight of You was a bittersweet, self-sacrificing love story that was full with tender, sweet moments. I was emotional and felt every word of this book right up until the end, even more so then and I have rated it so highly as I don’t think I will forget this read. This a perfect story for lovers of books such as P.S I love you and The Notebook.

weez_reads's review against another edition

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5.0

I loved this book , never had a book that made me cry before and this book did that for me

With thanks to secret readers for a chance to read this book

hookandbookclub's review against another edition

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5.0

This book is an emotional ride which tugs at the heartstrings and makes you think about the paths that we take in life.

Serious and brooding vet Joel and bright and breezy nature lover Callie are meant to be together. They keep bumping into each other, she unknowingly moves in upstairs from him, and soon they find themselves spending more and more time together. They are undeniably two halves of a double act that compliment each other and neither knows how they lived without the other.

As they get closer though, something is weighing on Joel. It’s a secret that he’s carried with him since his childhood, and revealing it to Callie could change everything between them. But hiding it isn’t going to work either. He has stopped himself from falling in love because of his prophetic dreams. He dreads finding out bad news about his loved ones so has always tried not to get too close. However Callie proves too magnetic to ignore. What will Joel do when his dreams tell him the worst?

This book deals with lost loves, regrets, grabbing life by the horns, doing the right thing, and falling unapologetically in love.

magdalena0831's review against another edition

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4.0

3,75/5*

The novel follows a story of Joel and Callie. Joel is a person with a 'gift' - he is having prophetic dreams about people he loves which means he sees what will happen to them in the future (good and bad things). When he meets Callie, they fall in love and it seems like they're perfect for each other. But is their love stronger than anything else?

Very interesting and unique concept written in a nice and easy-to-read way. The characters are easy to sympathize with and well-developed.
However, there is a part of a novel that I found a little bit boring - last 80 pages.
Spoiler I didn't care that much about Callie's and Joel's lives after their breakup. Well, I cared, but not as much as to describe it on so many pages.
The first 2/3 of the book was definitely more interesting.

chicklets1719's review against another edition

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3.0

Strangers Joel and Callie meet in the local coffee shop which is where their love story blossoms from. Although the idea of two strangers meeting in a coffee shop and falling in love isn't unique but is actually slightly cliche it does however work in this novel and adds to the light-hearted nature.

The chapters flit between the two main characters meaning the reader sees both perspectives. I found Callie an instrantly sweet and likable character however I find it difficult to warm to Joel until the final 10 chapters or so. I think this was due to Joel's 'Dreams' meaning that he could see what was going to happen to those that he loved and cared about. I just didnt find it believeable and i dont think it really worked but I went with it.

I plodded on with the majority of the book and didnt feel that it blew me away as it became very predictable at times however the final 100 pages or so I couldnt put it down. The true meaning behind the novel warmed my heart and the true sacrifices Joel made show his love for Callie. Started off mediocer however such a brilliant ending. It defined the true meaning of love and brought more than the odd few tears to my eye!
Wouldn't be my first recommendation however it was well worth a read.