Not your typical love story.

It's been a while I've felt so much heartbreak for any character. About half way I was so emotionally drained I didn't know what else can come. Book that can pull every single emotion out of you and just shock you from one page to another.

Wonderful story of unexpected love not at the right time... Or maybe the opposite?

Beautifully written and unforgettable.

This one broke my heart a little bit, because I tought that I would love this book. But I don't know why, I just didn't feel it. I just couldn't connect to main characters. I am so sad...
I even touhght to leave it DNF, but I did finnish it...
This one wasn't for me. So because, I love this author I am rating this book with 3 stars, and not with smaller rating. Because it is just me

Such a cute book! A different love story than I expected and something that will stick with me for awhile.

📚BOOK REVIEW📚⭐️⭐️
#atfirstsight by #hannahsunderland @avon_books @netgalley

Oooh I’m so sad. I absolutely loved this authors first book but this one just missed the mark for me!

So to start with, there is definitely a story here; it’s complete, raises and deals with sensitive issues well and in a nice safe way. I can see the effort the author has gone through in planning and executing the story and that part is done really well.

The thing I found hard was connecting to the characters; this book is completely character driven and I didn’t really feel a connection to main characters Nell or Charlie.

I felt like I needed to be desperately involved in Charlie’s story to make me feel the correct emotions and become emotionally involved in the story and sadly it just wasn’t there which I think then ruined the entire point of the book.

I found the story very predictable, which wouldn’t have been an issue as with this genre you expect it, but with the characterisation issues, it really dragged and became boring and unfortunately I found myself skipping a lot of the 2nd half.

Overall, I feel it’s a shame because I really wanted to love this book but just something didn’t connect for me. As always this just my opinion and I definitely think it’s worth giving it a go as if you could make that connection with the characters I think it would be a completely different read.

➡️for synopsis & ⚠️trigger warning.

As this was an #arcread thank you author #hannahsunderland #avonbooks and #netgalley for allowing me to read this one early!

-Emily

@the_book_girls_1

I would just like to say thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

When I saw the trigger warnings I wondered what I might be getting myself into but decided to carry on. I have to say I think that this book dealt with grief, depression and love in such a round wholesome way. Even though it was a romance novel it wasn’t the classic happy ending that everyone looks for and I’m glad with the ending and showing positivity that someone’s you need to be alone to work on yourself.

I think having depression and suicidal thoughts as a main plot in this book made it seem more real and highlighted the darkness that can come with mental health, I just want to say thank you for writing this in a realistic view and not adding a mental health storyline just because it can be added to a romantic twist.

Even with the serious plot lines the book still left me feeling content at the end as everything seemed to turn out okay for all the characters in this book. I can’t wait to see what the next book will be!

First off if you think this is a typical romance novel you are wrong.

Secondly get a huge box of tissues you will need them.

This story is literally heart breaking from early on and it is relentless throughout the entire novel.

The roller coaster of emotions you go through at one point in about four chapters was so much I had to take a break just to process all of the feelings I was experiencing.

It is brilliantly written and honestly I think this will stay with me for a long time.

If you like to become emotionally invested into the characters of book that are very well developed and leave you wanting more than I highly recommend this novel!

Stunning cover which grabbed my attention straight away. The synopsis sounded good too.

What followed was a brilliantly written story of hope. Mental health issues affect 1 in 4 people, so the author did a brave and clever thing by tackling it in a romance novel.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t fully connect to the romance element of this story because the side stories were just so sad.

I liked the characters and feel the author wrote and described them well. The story flowed well and I enjoyed the style of writing.

Overall, an excellent read. Not a light and fluffy romance, but an emotional read that dug itself into my subconscious and had me thinking about the deeper issues throughout the day...the art of a skilled writer??

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for my advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review 📚

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Coming from a toxic relationship, Nell has the “meet cute” moment of her life with Irishmen Charlie. The chemistry and flirting? A delight! It will make you smile. She also happens to work at a place called “Healthy Minds,” a mental health helpline. So MENTAL HEALTH REP IS HERE.

From the beginning the main character goes through social anxiety, including worrying about competing for the last available chair in a cafe, the pressure to make small talk, eating in front of strangers, being late, and most importantly (for a romance book’s meet cute) NOT ASKING FOR THE GUY’S NUMBER.
I especially identified with the line, “you couldn’t shut me up when it came to a lifelong bout of verbal diarrhoea, but when the moment was right, when the words really mattered, I became mute.” Me to the millionth degree.

Lovely writing and a quirky main character:
“It looked as though I'd interrupted a deep thought, which was lingering like fog on a wet autumn morning.”
“Despite all the strategic sartorial distressing, he managed to not look like he had a fight with a porcupine…”
Basically I loved her instantly for her anxious and quirky thoughts.

We get to see her hook up with her ex and -er maybe too many times than she should have-she realizes it's making the “old her” (bitter and angry) come back to life. Which she desperately doesn’t want, even if it feels easy to lapse back into comforting each other through hard times.

Charlie has his own issues that Nell navigates with him. A heartwarming story filled with quirky banter and heavy topics.

Trigger warnings for parental death, depression, and suicide.

I really, really wanted to love this book and while it was 'ok' - it'd didn't pull the punches that I wanted it to,
The book touches on some really important issues but never really explores them deeply enough - it's a shame as I think there was a lot of potential!

I thought that this book had an excellent storyline.

It was a heartbreaking read that was packed with emotions and guilty feelings.

The characters were so warm and genuine I really grew to love them.

This was a story that genuinely made my heart go a bit mushy.

A real tearjerker and one that will stay with me - it is 5 stars from me for this one - very highly recommended!!

Firstly huge thanks to the publisher for the ARC I was drawn to the book blurb and the cover (can you blame me). This is a story of Neil a compassionate woman who during her lunch break meets Charlie a very sweet man. As expected they didn't exchange numbers and contrary to what I believed this was not an easy love story . It isn't cheesy but has heartbreak and grief in it. I recommend this book to everyone .

At First Sight, was not the story I was expecting from the title and the synopsis. I was expecting an upbeat romance/rom-com where this is a story with lots of heartbreaking moments and grief plays a big part. It gets deep at times and if suicide and the death of a loved one is a trigger point for you then maybe give this book a miss.

Nell works for a company similar to the Samaritans. She talks to people on the phone when they are at the lowest point in their lives and possibly thinking about harming or killing themselves. She is a very compassionate woman who has a lot of time to listen to people, even if she does often have verbal diarrhoea and doesn’t know when to stop talking. She loves her job as it seems to be the one bit of her life that is going right.

Nell initially meets Irishman Charlie in a cafe on her lunch break when she sits next to him as no other tables were available. No matter how much she tries she can’t help herself from talking to him and the two have an instant connection but they go their separate ways, that is until Nell takes a call one night and Charlie is the caller. She goes against the work policy and goes to meet Charlie.

Charlie is a sweet man who is lost in this world. Two years ago his life completely changed and for him, it felt like it had ended too. Since then he has been spiralling mentally out of control and doesn’t know how to move forward, hence the phone call to the helpline.

The two have a connection but there are also some things in the past that they need to deal with before they can even think about being in a relationship together. Nell also feels guilty for feeling the way she does about Charlie and at times it felt like her mental health was suffering too.

The book is beautifully written and kicks you in the guts at times, so have some tissues ready. There were parts I didn’t think added anything to the plot, such as Nell’s ex-boyfriend, and parts I think played a big part even though they weren’t the main focus of the book, such as her housemate and colleague Ned.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book even if it went in a direction I wasn’t expecting.

I personally had a hard time connecting and not being sad about these characters.
The helpline to start made me sad
Everyones personally stories had a ring of sadness.

I understand what was being protrayed but it made me sad

There are good moments and victories but for sure sadness anxiety and grief

Trigger warning. Suicide

When I seen this book was about suicide I was like oh god can I read this, but I’m so glad I did! This book was up there with one of my fav tests so far!

It just goes to show you that when you are feeling you’re lowest there is always someone there willing to make you feel loved and wanted, that’s what this story was about, Charlie needed to feel loved and accept that he was wanted, after losing his beloved wife. I’m not going to write much about this book in my review as it is a book you need to read yourself to know what it is about.

Have a box is tissues aside as this read can get a little bit sad, but it is so worth the read! I’m so happy I got to read this book before it has been brought out. Thank you netgalley!

If you ever feel like you’re not wanted or needed or loved around here anymore, pick up the phone to talk to someone who will change your mind for you, there is always someone around who is scared of losing you..
speaking out will do you a world of good!

wonderful, a heartrending story of grief, thoughts of suicide, love and learning to love again. True to life.

‘At First Sight’, by Hannah Sunderland sensitively deals with some difficult topics such as loss, suicide and grief. If these are a trigger for you, this might not be the book for you.

The story follows that of a chance meeting between Nell and Charlie in a coffee shop. Nell is a call operator for a mental health helpline, whilst Charlie is struggling with a difficult life event, but neither know of the other’s situation. There’s an instant pull and attraction between the two of them, but neither of them act upon it and Nell walks always wishing they’d exchanged numbers. It’s not until a chance encounter brings them back together that things continue and Charlie’s story eventually becomes clear.

The first part of the story, I found a bit of a struggle - it was slow and didn’t have that pull about it. However, I am glad that I persevered and continued with Nell and Charlie’s story, to find out what happened in the end. I liked Nell’s character and I loved her relationship with Ned, her friend. I’d have loved more chemistry from Nell and Charlie because at times their interactions didn’t sizzle and moments fell flat. That being said, it could be argued that this was symbolic of the place that Charlie was in.

A deep, emotive and thought provoking read that I’d give 3.5 stars too. I thank the author, Netgalley and Avon Books for the opportunity to read this ARC, in exchange for an honest review. I’d definitely look up other books by this author.

I felt this was clearly a book of two halves - like the author had changed her mind about the book's direction halfway through.

Nell meets Charlie, a handsome Irish guy in a coffee shop and the book follows their relationship.

However, Charlie is suicidal following the death of his wife and Nell works for the mental health help line that he ends up calling.

The first half of the book was really slow moving and seemed to be an attempt at a romance, with lingering looks and agonising over when he's going to call back. However, the second half of the book picks up when the author stops trying to push the romance agenda and focuses on their friendship, character building and touching the themes of grief and mental health issues.

I preferred the author's first book.

What a beautifully poignant story of love, loss, and coping.

"Thank you for giving me something to hope for, something to smile about."

The premise and set up of this story was intriguing and somewhat unique to this reader. I thoroughly enjoyed Nell and knew instantly there was something more to Charlie, as frustrating as he was.

"Never let anyone make you work for something that makes you feel less than you are."

Their relationship had a lot of hurdles, and a lot of growth.

"This was going to be it. A second chance at the moment he'd screwed up before."

Overall, I was enraptured by their journey. My heart broke for Charlie and Nell could easily have been a friend.

Thank you NetGalley for the advance copy.

At First Sight by Hannah Sunderland appears to be your typical boy-meets-girl novel but it is quickly clear that this is not a common romance. What begins as a sweet and awkward first meeting is followed by a chance encounter, leaving the reader intrigued. With believable characters and charming dialogue, Sunderland engages her audience and creates a believable chemistry between her two main characters. Unfortunately, by the time key revelations are made, the reader is left with a very real feeling that the relationship has taken an unhealthy turn. A lovely relational start begins to veer into uncharted waters as one character reveals an emotional trauma and the other attempts to fill in the pieces. Although touching on important subjects like grief, mental health, love and friendship - the reader is left with a sense of dissatisfaction in the end. Overall well written but not a book this reader will be adding to her library.

At First Sight was an emotional read by Hannah Sunderland. Charlie and Nell and meet in a coffee shop, but then again when he calls Nell at work, and reveals he is fighting for his life. This novel will make you feel the power of grief, compassion, and second chances.
Thank you, NetGalley for an advanced copy of this novel.