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A review by theoguinto
Until I Saw You by Dianna Roman
5.0
I absolutely loved this story. I was initially a little hesitant to read a story with a blind MC because I was scared about feeling too bad for him, but the author did a really good job establishing that Riley was not a character who needed sympathy or pity (from anyone, even the reader)
His incredibly bright and cheery outlook on life, even against people treating him like he was an invalid, was a joy to read. He was funny, charming, quirky, but also complex in his emotions around his vision. I liked that he expressed frustration towards people when they coddled him, made him feel less human. I also loved his sense of humor. I can't tell you the number of times I laughed out loud whenever he casually decided to rename Larry.
Harper was also very well portrayed. I felt for him whenever he found himself trying to fight against the abuse Dallas had subjected him to. I was rooting for him whenever he was in a situation that allowed him to try and move past his trauma, but I also completely understood when he found himself struggling against it.
I really love how clear it was that both MCs needed something more than what they initially wanted.
Riley just wanted independence, but he realized that he needed someone who could love him and make him feel whole in the face of Harper leaving. The independence wasn't enough, and he knew that alone wasn't going to make him happy. He wanted independence, but needed someone like Harper.
Harper just wanted somewhere to stay and get his bearings, which he found in Riley's apartment, and eventually his own when he moved out. But when he finally got that, he wasn't happy. He realized that what he really needed was somewhere and someone he could feel safe with, someone like Riley.
These are the types of romance stories that I love to read. When both MCs have their own separate struggles, but they both grow and love each other by helping the other deal with the struggles. The couple becomes more than just the two individuals that make it.
The side characters were also incredibly well done. Rob was the best friend that Riley could've asked for. He's patient, not condescending, and still treated him like a person. Daniel was that for Harper, though less patient but that's more so because Harper needed a person that was protective of him, because he wasn't protective of himself.
Not to say that this was a perfect story. I wasn't a big fan of how Harper seemed to be stuck on believing that Riley was straight, even after Riley engaged him in sexual activities and even literally said that he wasn't, but that can be forgiven since Harper wasn't 100% sure of Riley's internal thoughts.
Still one of my favorite love stories though! I'm interested in seeing the sequel.
His incredibly bright and cheery outlook on life, even against people treating him like he was an invalid, was a joy to read. He was funny, charming, quirky, but also complex in his emotions around his vision. I liked that he expressed frustration towards people when they coddled him, made him feel less human. I also loved his sense of humor. I can't tell you the number of times I laughed out loud whenever he casually decided to rename Larry.
Harper was also very well portrayed. I felt for him whenever he found himself trying to fight against the abuse Dallas had subjected him to. I was rooting for him whenever he was in a situation that allowed him to try and move past his trauma, but I also completely understood when he found himself struggling against it.
I really love how clear it was that both MCs needed something more than what they initially wanted.
Riley just wanted independence, but he realized that he needed someone who could love him and make him feel whole in the face of Harper leaving. The independence wasn't enough, and he knew that alone wasn't going to make him happy. He wanted independence, but needed someone like Harper.
Harper just wanted somewhere to stay and get his bearings, which he found in Riley's apartment, and eventually his own when he moved out. But when he finally got that, he wasn't happy. He realized that what he really needed was somewhere and someone he could feel safe with, someone like Riley.
These are the types of romance stories that I love to read. When both MCs have their own separate struggles, but they both grow and love each other by helping the other deal with the struggles. The couple becomes more than just the two individuals that make it.
The side characters were also incredibly well done. Rob was the best friend that Riley could've asked for. He's patient, not condescending, and still treated him like a person. Daniel was that for Harper, though less patient but that's more so because Harper needed a person that was protective of him, because he wasn't protective of himself.
Not to say that this was a perfect story. I wasn't a big fan of how Harper seemed to be stuck on believing that Riley was straight, even after Riley engaged him in sexual activities and even literally said that he wasn't, but that can be forgiven since Harper wasn't 100% sure of Riley's internal thoughts.
Still one of my favorite love stories though! I'm interested in seeing the sequel.