A review by josephines_library
Before I Saw You by Emily Houghton

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Loving someone means loving them for who they are, not what they look like. And this novel embodies that in the absolute best way possible. 

Alice and Alfie are two souls who would not have met except for the terrible circumstances life dealt them. By chance, after a terrible fire at Alice’s office leads to her recovering from burns on one side of her body, she ends up laying in bed next to peppy and positive Alfie who has lost his leg after a car accident. 

I give this story 5 stars so I’ll give you 5 reasons why:

1. A beautifully written angsty romance

2. It’s a romance novel, but it depicts gradually falling in love with someone as their personality is displayed through conversations and interactions before seeing what they look like in any capacity.

3. The healing process after suffering a terrible trauma is multidimensional and touches upon the different perspectives, depression, and thoughts that one may encounter rather than just writing it as a positive healing journey.

4. The supporting characters are so lovable. From Alice’s best friend to Alfie’s favorite nurse and his fellow patient, as a reader you also grow attached to them and how they help the protagonists.

5. Finally: the protagonists are SO CUTE! They are the epitome of the grouchy one loving the peppy one and being perfect for each other. 

I hope we get a sequel soon because I need more of their dynamics and what happens after they see each other!!

Before I Saw You is out in the US on May 4, so make sure to get your copy!

Thanks to NetGalley and Gallery Books for providing me with the eARC and the opportunity to read this work of art and for letting me meet an amazing author.