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kindlemmromancereader's review
5.0
*** ARC Review***
I was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy of this book through the author.
I received this book at the beginning of December and immediately devoured it. I absolutely loved it. It was phenomenal. I literally couldn’t put it down. I couldn’t think or say enough good things about it. It was such a special book, that I realized I needed to savor it. So…I read it again after the new year. The second reading was even sweeter than the first.
“Until I Saw You” by Dianna Roman is a profoundly moving book. It’s a story of healing, survival, finding love, and finding yourself. This book is an emotional journey.
Riley is an app designer that has recently lost his sight due to an eye infection and a rock climbing accident. Harper is reeling (and running) from an abusive relationship. Riley’s ex, Val, fussed over him constantly and treated him like he was helpless. She also lied about a shirt he was wearing because he couldn’t see it. Harper’s ex, Dallas, is a real piece of work. He’s physically, mentally, verbally, and emotionally abusive. Karma catches up with him though.
Harper and Riley cross paths because Harper is in desperate need of a job. Despite being a vision rehabilitation therapist, his friend informs him of a live-in assisted living caregiver position, which leads Harper to Riley. Harper is shy and quiet at first, terrified of losing the only thing preventing him from homelessness. But as the pair interact and their bond grows, so does their admiration and connection to one another. Eventually friendship turns to something more (I loved when they started listening to the m/m romance audiobook together). Riley is a little surprised, but pretty open-minded about his falling for Harper. Harper is a hesitant at first. It takes him a while to accept Riley’s feelings for him.
Harper helps Riley navigate his low vision but he also helps him to regain his sense of self and independence. Riley helps Harper find his strength and confidence again. Both men help each other heal and find happiness again. The support they provide one another is so touching. There’s also some great side characters in Rob, Daniel and Marcy. Larry the dog is the best!
This book is really special. It’s sweet, insightful, and heartwarming. Dianna does an excellent job with character growth, dialogue, and pacing. She handles any sensitive subject matter with grace. The steamy scenes are superb and the emotional development is captivating. You should definitely check this book out when it releases on January 24th!
I was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy of this book through the author.
I received this book at the beginning of December and immediately devoured it. I absolutely loved it. It was phenomenal. I literally couldn’t put it down. I couldn’t think or say enough good things about it. It was such a special book, that I realized I needed to savor it. So…I read it again after the new year. The second reading was even sweeter than the first.
“Until I Saw You” by Dianna Roman is a profoundly moving book. It’s a story of healing, survival, finding love, and finding yourself. This book is an emotional journey.
Riley is an app designer that has recently lost his sight due to an eye infection and a rock climbing accident. Harper is reeling (and running) from an abusive relationship. Riley’s ex, Val, fussed over him constantly and treated him like he was helpless. She also lied about a shirt he was wearing because he couldn’t see it. Harper’s ex, Dallas, is a real piece of work. He’s physically, mentally, verbally, and emotionally abusive. Karma catches up with him though.
Harper and Riley cross paths because Harper is in desperate need of a job. Despite being a vision rehabilitation therapist, his friend informs him of a live-in assisted living caregiver position, which leads Harper to Riley. Harper is shy and quiet at first, terrified of losing the only thing preventing him from homelessness. But as the pair interact and their bond grows, so does their admiration and connection to one another. Eventually friendship turns to something more (I loved when they started listening to the m/m romance audiobook together). Riley is a little surprised, but pretty open-minded about his falling for Harper. Harper is a hesitant at first. It takes him a while to accept Riley’s feelings for him.
Harper helps Riley navigate his low vision but he also helps him to regain his sense of self and independence. Riley helps Harper find his strength and confidence again. Both men help each other heal and find happiness again. The support they provide one another is so touching. There’s also some great side characters in Rob, Daniel and Marcy. Larry the dog is the best!
This book is really special. It’s sweet, insightful, and heartwarming. Dianna does an excellent job with character growth, dialogue, and pacing. She handles any sensitive subject matter with grace. The steamy scenes are superb and the emotional development is captivating. You should definitely check this book out when it releases on January 24th!
kerithesmutslut's review
2.0
There are parts that I enjoyed about this story, and parts that really didn’t work for me. Maybe I am just a cold hard bitch but Harper got on my last freaking nerve. I get what he went through was awful. I’m a rape survivor myself so I definitely understand how it can affect your mental state, but the guy lacked a back bone. Maybe I am just a strong person, but characters who act like they have nothing to live for because of the choice that someone else made to treat him like he did just pisses me off.
Riley was a sweetheart but I found it very unrealistic that he was just that incredibly happy for someone who literally lost his eyesight the same year. He was going through something unimaginable and yet he acted as though it was no big deal. I didn’t realize this was more of a rom com instead of a contemporary with really hard themes, and I think that just totally messed up the whole book for me.
I didn’t relate to either character, and By the end I was honestly bored and skimming.
Oh but I liked Larry the dog. He was the best part of the story.
Riley was a sweetheart but I found it very unrealistic that he was just that incredibly happy for someone who literally lost his eyesight the same year. He was going through something unimaginable and yet he acted as though it was no big deal. I didn’t realize this was more of a rom com instead of a contemporary with really hard themes, and I think that just totally messed up the whole book for me.
I didn’t relate to either character, and By the end I was honestly bored and skimming.
Oh but I liked Larry the dog. He was the best part of the story.
mnwakeford's review
5.0
This was a fabulous M/M romance with lots of heart, heat and humour. Riley is a recently blind app developer who kicks out his domineering girlfriend and employs Harper as his home carer. Harper, who is also trained in the rehabilitation of the visually impaired, has just come out of an abusive relationship and is looking for a live-in position while he saves enough money to start over again. The two men could not be more different – gregarious Riley and traumatised, timid Harper – but they hit it off and develop a friendship which becomes something more.
I loved Riley’s character. He had so much warmth, humour and lack of filter – the perfect foil for Harper. This was such a beautiful bi-awakening story, with laugh out loud moments as well as some darker moments too, resolving in a heartfelt and oh so romantic happily ever after. Well recommended.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I loved Riley’s character. He had so much warmth, humour and lack of filter – the perfect foil for Harper. This was such a beautiful bi-awakening story, with laugh out loud moments as well as some darker moments too, resolving in a heartfelt and oh so romantic happily ever after. Well recommended.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
zzoomzzoom's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
hanlikefawn's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bookl0ver_77's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-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? Yes
5.0
hbib's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
evethingiread's review
1.0
It was slow - I kept putting it down - I don’t care enough to write a full review. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t great either!
bettylovesbooksgalore's review
5.0
Story of Riley and Harper
This is the first book I have read of this author and I really enjoyed reading Riley and Harper’s journey to their HEA.
Both do the main characters had their own pain to overcome, what Harper went through was heartbreaking.
This is the first book I have read of this author and I really enjoyed reading Riley and Harper’s journey to their HEA.
Both do the main characters had their own pain to overcome, what Harper went through was heartbreaking.