I've just finished The Sight of You. What a glorious yet different love story. Just wonderful. I loved the two different sides to the story.

A huge thank you to Netgalley and Hodder and Stoughton for letting me read and review this lovely book.

Synopsis:

Joel refuses to let himself fall in love, until he is drawn to Callie who he knows is perfect for him and his second chance. In return, Callie falls hard for Joel, believing that their relationship is meant to be, the kind of love she has always wanted. However, Joel has a secret, he has dreams about the ones he loves and these dreams always come true. One night, he has his worst nightmare yet, he dreams about Callie and now he must decide whether to let her go so she can live a full life before her fate that Joel foresaw steps in.

Review:
I was instantly draw to this book when it appeared in an email, I instantly knew it was a must read for me. I wanted something that would make me feel and the blurb and many positive reviews promised that The Sight of You would do that. I can safely say, I was not let down, I got exactly what I wanted.

The story is told through both Joel and Callie’s perspective which is clear and easy to follow, but opens you up to two character’s feelings, so you feel all. I love the symbol of the swallow that marks where a new chapter begins as it adds that extra special touch. The chapters are perfect length and move the story along at a pace that matches the read.

I honestly connected with both Joel and Callie they are both likeable and selfless, especially Callie as we share similar interests such as the natural world. I find that my heart went out to Joel as his gift well and truly left him in difficult positions at times. He is unable to live the normal life he is desperate for and yet no one can relate to his burden. I was honestly torn between thinking his gift was a blessing and a curse. It also got me thinking about fate and the fact that despite its strange way of working, we can not fight it.

This read was the perfect romance, it was quite sickly sweet in some parts but you still couldn’t help smiling. However, it also hit home that despite something being so perfect, things may not always work out the way you wish it would. I honestly wanted to enjoy the character’s happiness whilst I could, but I know something was coming along to shatter it and it left me quite on edge at times. Despite me guessing as well what this shattering moment would be, reading it still tugged on my heart strings.

I admired the author’s writing style; she can be very descriptive in places and some of her words I found to be quite inspiring and motivational, especially the quote, “get out of your head.” This quote really hit home with me. This read also shows you that no matter what you go through, the heart is capable of healing, if you just give it time. By part three, you can cleverly feel the sadness that this story would bring creeping in, the tone changes completely and you are hit straight in the emotions.

The Sight of You was a bittersweet, self-sacrificing love story that was full with tender, sweet moments. I was emotional and felt every word of this book right up until the end, even more so then and I have rated it so highly as I don’t think I will forget this read. This a perfect story for lovers of books such as P.S I love you and The Notebook.

This book was quite an emotional journey! I requested it ages ago, and was really looking forward to reading it, but I put it off until nearer the publication date, Once I started I found it very hard to put The Sight Of You down.

It's a love story that doesn't follow the conventional path, but more than that it's a book about the choices we make and the opportunities we take to live the best lives we can.

It's beautifully written, and I loved Callie's love for nature and the wild world around her.

This is definitely one of those books where the story and the characters will resonate with me for years to come. I loved it.

I received an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a warm hearted story about Callie and Joel, two people who have had difficult pasts, and find immediate empathy and support within each other’s company. Chapters are short in length, told from either Callie or Joel’s perspective, giving insight and depth into their character. Callie is a free spirit, loving nature, wildlife and birds, while Joel is quiet and serious, disturbed that he can see into the future and the problems it brings.

I like the humour in the book and the way the characters develop as the story unfolds. Holly Miller writes in a wonderfully descriptive way about landscape and wildlife, making its beauty come alive. The story does seem far-fetched and slightly unbelievable, but the short chapters help to keep up the pace and keeping you interested.

This is a thought-provoking romance, making you question whether Joel made the right decision about Callie and their relationship, certainly different to other books I’ve read. Which makes a good book, in my opinion.

What a wonderful book
Beautifully written, so wanted it to have a happy ending.
None knows how their life will pan out so should Joel have just gone with the flow?
Highly recommended

Joel has dreams about the people he loves some showing good outcomes and some that show bad outcomes this has led him to lead a life where he is constantly on edge and keeps everybody at arms length.

Callie has lost her best friend and her life has become static with her dreams pushed to the side.

When they meet they are drawn to each other and begin a life together until Joel has a dream about Callie and everything changes.

Callie and Joel are well written characters and the story is told from both their perspectives in alternate chapters. It’s a beautifully sad story and although it doesn’t have the typical happy ending it’s the perfect ending for their story.

Thank you to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the ARC.

Overall 3.75/5.0*
Oh my goodness this book is truly heartbreaking and lives up to the title. I couldn’t help but shed a few tears at that ending my goodness it was powerful. I liked the characters and the story with Joel’s issues with the dreams and him predicting the future. I did find it to be quite predictable towards the end and it dragged on with the same point in the last bit with the time gaps which let the book down abit which was a shame.

Exquisitely written, breathtaking, and impossible to put down.

Joel was born with the gift of premonition in dreams -or some may say a curse. He is able to see what is going to happen but not always able to prevent it. A lifetime of struggle has left him unable to cope and a loner.

Callie is grieving the loss of a friend, and is in a state of limbo in her life. She used to have big dreams and now runs a local cafe where she meets Joel.

They click instantly, and start a friendship that soon develops into a love story. Joel can’t believe he has finally met the one until one day, he has a premonition about Callie.

Now Joel knows Callie’s future, will he try to prevent it? will he tell her?

The Sight Of You is told from both Joel’s and Callie’s point of view, and is divided into four parts. Each chapter alternates between their perspectives as the story moves forward. This is a very fast-paced novel that covers several years of a love story, yet it is very detailed and full of emotion, making it easy to connect with the characters (who are also very likeable).

The story itself has magical elements (Joel can read the future) and also dwells into themes around mental health as well as a romance. I do not normally read this kind of novel, so I was pleasantly surprised by it.

Joel’s story line in particular was a breath of fresh air, and I couldn’t believe how invested I became in it. This novel doesn’t end when it ends, it will stay with you for a while as you ponder about Joel’s own fate and whether he had the right attitude about it.

What would you do if you, too, could see into the future?

Disclosure: I would like to thank Hodder & Stoughton for an advanced copy of The Sight Of You by Holly Miller. This is my honest review.

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Premonition - a gift or a curse? Joel has dreams about those he loves foretelling what is going to happen to them, both good and bad. Some things he can prevent, for example letting someone's tyres down to prevent them going out when they were going to have an accident. He could not, however, prevent his mother dying off cancer. He therfore decided to never fall in love with someone new and becomes a recluse. Into his life comes Callie and he struggles to prevent falling for her and dreaming about her future.
I was intrigued by the description of the book and ended up becoming totally absorbed in the story. You have to feel for Joel and how he has to deal with the knowledge of what is going to happen to those that he loves. It is one of those stories that you just cannot put down, I finished this at 2 in the morning and then laid awake thinking back over the story.
Very emotional, prepare to be moved to tears and premonition is a curse. One of the best books that I have read this year.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley, however this did not influence my review of the book.

What can I say about the sight of you, only that it is the most uplifting yet tragic love story I’ve read in a long time. It will make you smile, it will frustrate you and it will make the hardest of hearts break.

Wow, what a book! This debut novel is very well written and packed full of emotion, a mix of both love and heartbreak (keep those tissues handy). A definite hit for 2020! Looking forward to reading more from this author. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

I'm pleased to share my review for this beautiful book, the debut novel of Holly Miller. Thank you to Hodder and Stoughton for granting my wish to review a preview copy via NetGalley after seeing such many positive comments on social media - I now understand why so many people love this book.

The Sight of You is the story of Joel and Carrie - I loved the way the characters developed and began to interact with each other. This is a really difficult book to review without giving away any spoilers - it should be read without any hints or clues about what will happen - and without any interruptions. I curled up on the sofa and ignored the family to enjoy the story of Joel and Carrie.

As we currently live in very uncertain times (this book is set in non-Covid times so people can still socialise normally and sit in a cafe - if only!), this book gives you a break from reality to fall in love with Joel and Carrie. This is a book that made me cry at the end - a good sign of being emotionally involved in the characters and their lives.

The book is published in hardback and ebook on 11th June in the UK, and in paperback in January 2021. One of my favourite books of the year, thank you Holly Miller. I totally agree with Hodder and Stoughton - "the love story of 2020 that will break your heart"

When I looked at the description of this book, I wasn't sure if it was for me. Did I really want to read a book about someone who could see in to the future? However, I am really glad I decided to read it! When Joel meets Callie he tries really hard to resist the attraction between them. He has discovered that when he loves someone he dreams about their future and that sometimes is too much to bear. So when he sees something in Callie's future he makes a heart breaking decision. This is really well written, and I loved the characters of Joel and Callie. Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.
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This is a beautifully written, if rather unbelievable story about a man called Joel who can predict future events that happen to the people he loves through dreams. He has decided because of this to live his life almost as a recluse. He has given up his job as a vet and shuns romance. Then he meets Cally a girl who works in a nearby café and he falls for her. Cally has had some difficulties in her life including the loss of a dear friend. Joel gives her the confidence to make changes to the way she lives and look for work as an environmentalist, an area she has a degree in. The romantic side of the story is so well written without being too slushy. The way the book is written and the descriptions are beautiful with a very light touch and in many ways it is a lovely story. It is a very emotional read showing Joel to be a man who has high principles who would make great sacrifices to protect Cally in any way he can. I couldn’t put this down wanting to know what happened in the end and ended up finishing it in the early hours of the morning and it certainly pulled at the heart strings. The only thing that would prevent me giving this 5 stars is the unbelievable nature of the Joel’s ability to dream the future. I also didn’t understand the reason why he would make this sacrifice when Cally and Joel were clearly in love with each other. Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

WOW. I loved this story, it captured me from the beginning and as the story progressed I really struggled to put it down. This is an unforgettable story, it is very well written with a unique storyline. I found myself holding my breath at the end and then I cried. This is a story of true love, friendship, hope and sacrifice; and it blew me away.

I loved the characters of Joel and Callie, their story is told from both their points of view and it really works. Their story builds beautifully right to the last page.

For a debut novel, this is a knockout, I will be looking out for more books by Holly Miller. I cannot recommend this story highly enough, but do have some tissues to hand.

What an amazing story told with compassion and sympathy. Joel has a unique skill which unfortunately has made him into a disturbed insomniac. He just wants someone to love and understand him. Callie is living in the past and still grieving for Grace. Their paths collide and there appears to be a future for them together. Unfortunately destiny has another idea and they have to make the ultimate sacrifice. Will they ever be happy without each other?

The most beautiful yet heart wrenching story I have read in years. This book kept me hooked in right the way through and left me in tears... Loved, loved, loved every moment!

What an absolutely stunning read this is!
The way this book is written is perfect for me. It has the chapters dedicated to each character, so tells the story from their point of view, and also follows a very clear timeline throughout.
The story in itself is just so tender and so delicately written that I instantly fell in love with both Joel and Callie as their love story unfolded. The heart ache and feelings that are portrayed in the book from both characters really grabs your heart and draws you in, so much so that towards the end of the book I had a constant lump in my throat as the story drew to a close.
This is such a beautiful story of eternal love.

3.5

Book is divided in 4 parts and the story is told from Joel and Callie's point of view, each alternating chapters.

My favorite parts were 1&4.
I felt the story a bit slow towards part 2.

I didn't quite connect with Joel or Callie the way I wanted to. But I did like the concept of seeing the future of your loved ones in dreams... I myself get anxious just of imagining the worst thing happening to loved ones.. so knowing it will come true adding that sense of inevitability made the story unique in it's on way.

Being that said I would have rather a different ending and different life choices. But hey I'm an idealist, and more than anyone I'm aware that life not always turns out the way you want.

I enjoyed it overall, I read it fairly quickly, but I wasn't in tears at the end.

It definitely gave me "the Light we Lost " vibes so if you liked that one you might love this one.

Holly Miller has captured my heart with her beautiful writing, loveable characters and unique story!

I adored Joel and Callie whose perspectives the chapters alternate between. From the beginning I found myself feeling so much love towards Joel and my heart really went out to him on so many occasions. Ever since he was a child Joel has been haunted by dreams about the people he loves. In his dreams he has visions of events that are going to happen on specific days in the future; the good and the bad. The only way for Joel to prevent the dreams from happening is to never get close enough to new people in his life; to never love. But then he meets Callie...

Since her best friend Grace died suddenly, Callie has been lost. She knows deep down she needs to follow her passions and dreams but without her supportive best friend by her side, it’s not quite so easy to be the person she wants to be. When Callie and Joel meet neither are looking to embark on a new relationship. However, as their friendship blossoms, a magical new beginning for the pair of them seems ever more likely, until Joel has a dream of how everything is going to end...

This wonderful story has taken me on a real rollercoaster of emotions. I have felt so much joy, hope and excitement and then at a pivotal moment in the story I had tears in my eyes and a lump in my throat. After ‘that scene’ I thought it was so clever how the story spanned the following months and years and the reveal at the end of how the italics at the start of each of the key parts in the story fitted in was really beautiful too.

I really couldn’t imagine how I would feel in Joel or Callie’s position but through such beautiful storytelling I felt like I was there with them both. I also really loved all of the descriptions of nature throughout the book and how this played such an important role in so many key scenes; it was so picturesque. The themes of family, friendship and love are so powerful and heart-warming too!

I am so excited to see what Holly writes next and in the meantime will end with this quote which really stood out to me as I was reading: “There’s more than one way to be happy in this life”.