At First Sight by Hannah Sunderland

Kaceey’s Review:

I was in the mood for a heartwarming love story. But this one just missed the mark for me. 

Do you believe in love at first sight?

Nell who works for a helpline is rushing to eat her lunch before having to return to work. Her cafe is almost full, the only open chair is at a communal table. Not her fav, but with no other options, she asks the man next to the open seat if she can join. 

After a few funny antics at the table, Nell is instantly enamored by her tablemate Charlie. A big soft-spoken Irishman. Can she get up the nerve to ask for his number? Or will she miss her chance at possibly finding love?

I kept waiting to find a connection with either of these characters…but I just didn’t. I wanted to feel the love as it bloomed but it just wasn’t there. 

This book deals with heavy subjects of grief and suicide. This was not your typical uplifting love story (at least for me). 

There are many fabulous five-star reviews for this book so I am definitely in the minority here. 

A buddy read with Susanne.

Thank you to Avon Books UK for an ARC to read and review.

Susanne’s Review:

A Chance Meeting at a Cafe. Two Lives Become Intertwined. 

When Nell meets Charlie at a Cafe, she immediately feels sparks, as does he.  Little does she know the moment they meet, the universe has something greater in store for these two.

Charlie has been troubled for quite some time.  In need of help, he finds it.

Reading friends’ reviews, I was looking forward to “At First Sight” – unfortunately, this book did not live up to my expectations.  I felt as though the characters lacked any real substance and thought the author tried too hard throughout to make the book compelling and heartfelt.  In addition, for the most part, I found this book to be extremely depressing.  I did however like the character of Ned (Nell’s roommate) and laughed out loud at the predicament he found himself in at the tail end of the book.  Way to go Ned!

A buddy read with Kaceey that left us both disappointed.  

Thank you to Avon Books UK, NetGalley, and Hannah Sunderland for the arc.

Published on Goodreads and Twitter.