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Before I Saw You by Emily Houghton


Thank you to Random House UK and NetGalley for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

 

Goodreads Synopsis

Alice and Alfie are strangers. But they sleep next to each other every night.


Alfie Mack has been in hospital for months recovering from an accident. A new face on the ward is about as exciting as life gets for him right now, so when someone moves into the bed next to him he's eager to make friends. But it quickly becomes clear that seeing his neighbour's face won't happen any time soon.


Alice Gunnersley has been badly burned and can't even look at herself yet, let alone allow anyone else to see her. Keeping the curtain around her bed firmly closed, it doesn't stop Alfie trying to get to know her. And gradually, as he slowly brings Alice out of her shell, might there even be potential for more?

 

Review

This was an uplifting, warm and cute story about two people who are completely different but come together because of their current situations. Alfie is learning how to walk and continue his life after having his leg amputated and Alice is trying to come to terms that her body no longer feels like it used to and everything in her life has changed due to an office fire.


I loved the banter in this book! The sarcastic comments and the sniping were honestly what kept me reading this one. Alfie is upbeat, optimistic and just a fun character in comparison to Alice who is closed off, independent and career driven. On paper the two shouldn't even get along but slowly they start to open up to each other and it was so nice to see their friendship blossom, even if they hadn't seen each other.


However, this book did feel like it dragged at times and the ending left me feeling unsatisfied. I wanted more, I wanted to know what happened with Alice and Alfie and what their future holds. I was left with more questions then answered so would have been satisfied if there had been one more chapter to tie off loose ends.

 

Rating: 3/5 stars



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