Cover Image: The Rules of Seeing

The Rules of Seeing

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Member Reviews

The Rules of Seeing by Joe Heap is a captivating story about learning to see the world with a newfound perspective. Through her struggles and joys, Jillian Safinova learns to discover the power of sight and experience life like she's never seen before. From its descriptive imagery to the colourful characters, the novel's gripping and creative writing truly stands out from the pack. With every page turning into a suspenseful ride, The Rules of Seeing will take you on an emotional journey, leaving readers wanting more.

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Beautifully written and heartbreaking, about loss and laughs and friendships

Recommend for anyone who wants a heart-warming but sad read

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Nova is born blind and she can do so many things. She speaks five languages and works as an interpreter for the police and always knows when someone is lying by the sound of their voice. She always looks for the best in things. Her brother convinces her to have an operation that will give her sight. She enters a world that she doesn’t understand. She meets Kate who helps her understand the new world she has found herself in and their friendship blossoms. Kates past puts them both at risk whilst they are both learning to see the world in a whole new way.
This book is different from what I usually read but I found myself unable to put it down as I really wanted to finish it. I highly recommend it. It is very easy to read. Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book in exchange for my review.

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I don't read many romances but I was intrigued by the perspective of this one. Nova was born blind but through an operation she begins to get her sight back and starts the difficult journey of learning to see. The first half of this book was very strong. I loved Nova, she was full of life and fun and even when faced with difficulties due to her sight she found a way to make things work for her. There was a particularly funny moment when she sees a pineapple for the first time and has no idea what it is! However, I did not take to Kate's character at all. The poor girl was going through a lot and Nova becomes her saviour almost, those dynamics can be difficult to read. The rules of seeing that are quite prevalent at the beginning of the book dwindle after the story turns into a sort of psychological drama, which was a shame, I thought that was a interesting and individual part of the book. The end seemed a little rushed and wasn't in keeping with the rest of the story. It almost turned out to be two stories in one.

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Thank you to the publisher for my eARC copy of this book. Unfortunately I didn’t love this book and therefore didn’t finish, I just didn’t connect with this one. Not for me, sorry.

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What can i say a fantastic read from start to finish.

I will b looking for more this authors books.

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The Rules of Seeing by Joe Heap is a fantastic debut with a difference. Smart and thought-provoking with a well written story and fascinating characters.

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Deserved winner of Debut Romantic Novel of the year. A fresh new voice, a very uplifting book. I look forward to reading more from this author.

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Nova is blind from birth but now she is offered an operation to enable her to see. But she doesn't know if that's what she wants as blindness is all she's ever known.

Kate finds excuses and is in denial about her abusive husband who is a police officer.

Both women meet in hospital and become friends. Each wants to help the other one. Their stories get woven together and eventually it takes a turn for the dark.

The characters are beautifully developed and the story sucks you right in.

Please read this book, it's beautiful.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley to the ARC!

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This is a beautifully written tale that explores the depths of your heart. I couldn't believe it was a debut novel with how emotive the language was. It really is a story that will stay with you long after you turn the last page. It is astounding.

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A powerful debut novel about a blind woman learning to see after an operation restores her sight.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC without obligation.

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Read May 19

Nova was born blind. For her life is good, she can speak five languages, works as an interpreter for the Metropolitan Police and can apparently tell when someone is lying just by the sound of their voice – a skill sadly under-used. One day her doctor brother tells her about an operation that can give her sight! Nova is torn but eventually agrees. Recovering in hospital she crosses paths with Kate, the wife of one of her police colleagues, who is having struggles of her own. We then see their growing closeness combined with Nova struggling to understand the “rules” of sight such as glass being see-through and reflective. Overall a really unique concept that drew me in and swept me along.

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This is a beautifully written tale that explores the depths of your heart. I couldn't believe it was a debut novel with how emotive the language was. It really is a story that will stay with you long after you turn the last page. It is astounding.

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If I could, I’d give this books 3.5 stars, but as I can’t do that, I’ll score it a 4, mainly due to what I believe to be an original story.

It is the story of Nova, blind from birth, who has a life-changing surgery giving her sight and as a result, she now has to learn to see. I found the way the author delved into the learning to see process fresh and innovative and it certainly opened my eyes to many things I’d have never thought of before reading this.

This is also the story of Kate’s self-discovery journey and for me this is where the book drags a little at times.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ecopy of this book in exchange for an impartial and honest review.

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Nova is an interpreter for the Metropolitan Police. She can speak five different languages and can tell when someone is lying just by the sound of their voice. She also always finds the silver lining in everything.. thing is Nova is blind.

From the support of her brother she goes and has an operation to restore her sight, problem is nothing is as she remebers, and she is struggling to understand the world she can now see. Nova is struggling until she meets Kate. Kate is supportive and helps Nova but Nova also helps Kate. Kate's past threatens the future, but can the two overcome everything?

This book was so well written and I really enjoyed it. I loved Nova's character and how she overcame her difficulties with learning to see again and using other senses that she hadn't used for some time. Kate was also very likeable and I couldn't help but feeling for her.

Overcoming the hardships the pair move forward to their future. Add in some hard topics with Heap doing them justice and you have yourself a good book.

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Unfortunately, I have not been able to read and review this book.

After losing and replacing my broken Kindle and getting a new phone I was unable to download the title again for review as it was no longer available on Netgalley.

I’m really sorry about this and hope that it won’t affect you allowing me to read and review your titles in the future.

Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity.
Natalie.

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What a beautifully written book and a debut, to boot. The author certainly doesn't shy away from making the reader experience all the emotions.

I am going to be telling everyone to read this book. It really is fantastic and I can't wait to read more by the author.

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A really interesting book dealing with the restoration of sight to someone blind and the need to see what is in plain sight to one who is not blind. Learning how to see is a huge change and the novel makes us think about how this would feel. I wasn't entirely convinced by the sub-story but enjoyed the whole concept of seeing in a different way.

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I’ve realised I read very little by male authors and I need to remedy that! This book was so good. Totally different from anything I’ve read before. I got completely lost in it and can’t wait to read more from him. Fabulous book!

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If you need to see the world in a different way - then this is the book for you to get stuck into. Beautifully written, emotive and with truly lovable characters, this is a brilliant read.

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