Before I Saw You by Emily Houghton

Official blurb from Amazon

CAN YOU FALL IN LOVE WITH SOMEONE YOU’VE NEVER SEEN?

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. She keeps the curtain around her bed firmly closed, but 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

I received a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is one of those books that gripped me.  I had to keep reading because I simply had to know what happened. 

Alice and Alfie are an unlikely couple, yet they work.  Alice is fully focused on work, to the detriment of any kind of social or personal life.  She’s estranged from her family and her best friend has moved to Australia.  Alfie is haunted by the memories of his friends who lost their lives in the crash where Alfie lost his leg.

Alfie is a lovable, happy go lucky character.  He’s made a lot of friends on the rehabilitation ward where he is recovering from an accident that claimed the lives of his best friends.  His jokey nature hides the torment that fills his sleep as he relives the crash, every time he closes his eyes.

Alice has a long way to go in her recovery, she can’t bear the thought of anyone seeing her face, the damage done by the fire, that she was caught in, mean that she can never be seen in public again.

As the synopsis explained, Alfie is determined to help bring Alice out of her shell.  He’s been warned by the nursing staff that he should leave her alone, but it’s not in his nature to ignore somebody.

This is a gentle story which examines the effect of major trauma on mental health.  It certainly meets the requirements to be considered a romantic comedy, but it certainly doesn’t shy away from the important, heart-breaking aspect of the mind’s vulnerability.

It’s difficult to review this book without risking spoilers; the premise of two people communicating through a hospital curtain doesn’t necessarily sound gripping.  All I can do is ask that you give this book a chance because you will love it.  It left me feeling positive and hopeful which, in the midst of a third lockdown, takes some doing.