Not the best book I’ve read, not the worst. It was a little slow in places for me. But, it’s well written and the writing style is easy reading.

A really thought provoking novel - how would a blind person adjust to sight restoration surgery. ? -not sure this type of surgery is possible, but I did not realise how difficult the adjustment would be, we all take sight for granted, even young babies recognise their mother and favourite toys. I really enjoyed reading it and the rules of seeing were very well written.

I didn't know what to expect with this read, but ended up absolutely loving it! The charaters are so likable; I compeltely fell in love with both main characters Nova and Kate, but particularly Nova - I mean, who wouldn't?

The main themes in this novel felt so different and fresh, yet somehow the story felt so relatable despite not being exeperiences that I've necessarily had myself. I loved reading about Nova's journey from being blind (from birth, so she's never known anything else) to being able to see again. It was so interesting reading about how she dealt with learning to see again, with all these hurdles that I'd never thought about. I also thought Kate's experience, with her husband (I don't want to give too much detail away) was so gripping and emotional to read about. The characters all felt like real people, with some really surprising me with their actions, and I loved reading about them. 

The main theme of this novel - learning to see, not just literally for Nova but also metaphorically for other people - is so wonderful to read about and, although the story certainly isn't all sunshine and rainbows, I felt incredibly uplifted at the end. Brilliant reading!

Interesting book,quite different to anything I have read.I really liked the main character Nova,and thought her blindness was very well described.My mother has been blind for over 40 years and I did think the description of what a blind or partially sighted person deals with and their perceptions was true to life.I found the book to be a little slow in places, but it was that sort of book it weaved a story rather than throwing it at you, and the pace suited the book.I really enjoyed this book, and think it is one that will stay with me long after the last page.Thanks to the publishers and netgalley for an ARC.

I liked this book but I didn’t love it. I loved the narration around Nova' coming to terms with regaining her sight, it was very well researched and incredibly moving but the rest of the book just didn’t deliver for me.

This book is about Nova and Kate. It's a well written first novel by Joe Heap and I thoroughly enjoyed the storyline.
Follow the lives of Nova who is learning how to see and Kate who is learning how to live as a lesbian and escape from a violent marriage
It's is full of twists and tensions as they both go on there journeys both together and apart..
Thoroughly recommend

Wonderful book that everyone should read. Nova and Kate show you how to see and indeed how not to see - its moving, uplifting, inspiring and altogether a must read, There is an underlying intensity to the experiences that leave you wondering just how it is that the author researched it !

If you read one book this autumn - read this

This is a book that is hard to slot into one genre. In its own way it is unique. It is however a very enjoyable read and I found myself returning to it frequently.
The main characters were different in looks and personality and you wanted to keep reading to find out how their lives progressed. I was surprised to find that the author was a man as there was such an understanding of the females in the book.
This book is different, engaging and thankfully not predictable, I would happily read another book by this author.
This is my unbiased review of a copy I received #RulesofSeeing #NetGalley

This was a very thought provoking book. I liked the character of Nova and wanted her to not have the operation and found it heartbreaking to read her struggles. When it came to Kate though she seemed quite down trodden and the friendship they forged from the outset was quite sweet. I’m not sure whether the book was a bit long for me but it certainly made you think and feel

I found The Rules of Seeing to be something of a hybrid. One the one hand we have the story of Nova and her wonderful, miraculous, terrifying experience as she learns to see. I really empathised with Nova, at times I found myself rebuking her for starting this awful adventure. What on earth was she thinking?! Nova's story would have stood up on its own.
On the other hand we have Kate's dark/bleak life married to the despicable Tony. Kate's story is not one i would usually choose to read. I literally lost sleep over her. But somehow I felt hers was the weaker character in terms of the plot. She seemed two-dimensional somehow. And yet I felt somehow we should have had MORE of her story. Or, rather, more of Tony's story. I have too many unanswered questions about Tony. Whether that suggests great writing, making me want more, or an incomplete plot... I can't decide. Certainly I would be pleased to read more from Joe Heap.

Nova is blind, all she can see is a blur of colours & shapes.She can speak five languages, is an interpreter for the police. She enjoys her life. When she is given the chance to have a miracle operation to give her sight she is unsure if she wants it but goes ahead with it & finds whole new confusing world.

Kate is an architect. She is married to Tony- a policeman, They have been married for two years but Kate is beginning to wonder if she knows im at all. She is starting to be afraid of his temper.

When Kate injures her head she meets Nova when they are both recovering. They start an unlikely friendship which soon develops into something more.

I loved this book. Nova's observations made me realise how much we take our sight for granted. How strange it must be to try & interpret the world anew. I loved seeing how these two characters came to depend on each other. I was not prepared for how the pace changed towards the end making it a thriller. This is an amazing debut & look forward to reading more from Joe Heap.

Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this great book.

The rules of seeing is a real eye opener of a tale about 2 women who meet when they need each other most, Jillian Safinova (Nova) has been blind since birth, working as an interpreter for the police she heavily relies on her other senses, and is now faced with an operation which will enable her to see. While in hospital she meets Kate an architect and the story follows them as they help and guide each other through some major changes in their lives.
A beautiful story, well written and inspiring.

I'm not sure where to start with this book. I loved Nova's story and believed in her character trying to come to terms with suddenly being able to see, and did start to look at things e.g. cars in a different way. However I found the rest of the story; the on / off relationship with Kate and Tony's violence more difficult. He, Kate's mother and friend Vi seemed very one dimensional with no real reason for their actions. It felt like a real hotch pitch of genres and I wish the author had just stayed with Nova's sight and maybe her relationship with Kate.

A really beautiful read. Brimming with love and attraction. I really enjoyed this tale about finding yourself when you didn't realise you were lost.

A real five star read.

I purchased this title from Amazon as I thought I had not been selected to review it.

This book is fascinating, engaging with the two main characters of Karen and Nova. Karen, an architect, a loner in a bizarre controlling marriage meets Nova who is recovering from having her sight restored and they meet at their healthcare appointments.
The tale that follows is amazing! Seeing, from Nova's perspective is so well described giving a true insight about what must be considered.
Without giving away the tale there are many ups, downs and surprising turns.

This is a great read and I cannot wait for Joe's next book. I loved The Rules Of Seeing.

I found this book haunting in that the emotions do just keep coming back. I found both characters realistic although I struggled to actually like Kate. I felt like the second half of the book lacked the precision of the writing of the fist half - it just wasn't as polished. But it us a very good read.

Not entirely sure what to class this book as,thriller,drama,love story?
It seemed slightly all over the place.
Such a good original idea,to restore someone's sight,and all the added complications of seeing that I hadn't ever thought about.
I wish the book had kept more with that,rather than throwing in Tony being totally loopy despite seeming perfectly fine for years.
Some good bits,but didn't quite live up to its promise.

This was a very thought provoking book at times when dealing with all the complexities of discovering sight, when you're an adult who's been blind from birth. It made me realise how complex communication between two individuals, or between an individual and the things around them, can be. Very confusing at times.

It has two very complex main characters, Nova who is given the gift of sight and then struggles to decide exactly what it is she wants, and Kate who is dealing with a very dark and abusive relationship. How they find each other, and overcome both their own fears and hopes, and how they work together to cope with the outside world.

I liked the book at lot. It felt a little bit slow at times, but the rest of the story more than made up for this.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. Nova was born blind and after an operation her world changes. This is about 2 peoples different perspectives. This was an ok read

Slightly disappointed in this book. I expected more! Original story which is why I’ve given it a 3 star,not my cup of tea though unfortunately. I think the book needed to have been shorter,it seemed to have been dragged out a little bit too much