Book Review: Before I Saw You

Before I Saw You

Emily Houghton

4/5

Alice was trapped in an office fire, surviving with forty percent of her body covered in burns. Alfie was in a car accident in which he lost a leg. Both were suffering traumas even beyond that when they were moved into neighboring little hospital cubicles. Though a curtain always separates them, they form a deep bond based on conversation and shared grief. When that time wears out, they both have to decide to take that risky and terrifying step back towards the real world and whether it should include someone they've never seen before. 

This was a sweet book. When it was compared to Me Before You I was nervous, but I think I like it a lot better than that. Think How to Walk Away, one of those stories that is so heartfelt and touching that you can't stop yourself from finishing it in one night. It was very close to a five star read for me, the authenticity of a relationship based on communications alone is so appealing. The differences between the characters really got me too, the angsty Alice and the cheerful Alfie who have really both been misunderstood in so many ways over their life times. 

The only thing that really took a star away for me was how there were a couple of moments where something very dramatic was built up to and then it was pulled away completely. I won't get into spoilers, but I felt that there could have been a bit more closure on multiple elements of the story line. I am the kind of person who likes to know everything about characters that I get attached to and I got extremely attached to Alfie and Alice and felt at a loss. That's a positive and negative, I wish that I knew more but I can't help but respect that the author inspired me to want so much more. 

The only problem with reviewing advanced reader copies is that I have to wait until I recommend this book to all my friends. Big thank you to NetGalley for providing me such a great book in exchange for an honest review. I would totally recommend this for contemporary romance fans and people who are looking for something that's sad but uplifting.