Let me start by saying – wow. If you, like me, were introduced to Hannah Sunderland through her previous book Very Nearly Normal, then you might be as surprised as I was by At First Sight. This book is in an entirely different league. It’s deeper, more emotional, and downright beautiful. I couldn’t put it down.

The story begins with a chance encounter between Nell and Charlie in a crowded café. They have an instant connection, but there’s no exchange of numbers or surnames, so the idea of seeing each other again seems impossible. Fast forward to the next day, and in an unexpected twist of fate, Charlie calls Nell at work – and what’s more, he’s in desperate need of her help.

Nell works at a suicide hotline, a job that requires not only empathy but the ability to remain calm in the face of the most harrowing situations. The way Sunderland dives into the realities of this job, the weight of dealing with people in their darkest hours, is striking. It’s not just a romance; it’s a book about the complexity of life, death, and the connection between two people who, at first glance, seem like strangers but end up having the kind of bond that transcends the ordinary.

Nell is an incredibly relatable character – strong, compassionate, and deeply aware of the delicate balance between life and death. Her role at the hotline adds an unexpected level of depth to the story, and her relationship with Charlie evolves in such a natural and authentic way that it’s impossible not to root for them.

Charlie, too, is a well-rounded and genuine character. His own struggles with loss, depression, and finding a way to move forward add another layer of realism to the story. Their connection isn’t just about romance, but about healing and hope – something that makes this book much more than your average love story.

At First Sight handles difficult topics such as suicide, grief, and mental health with care and respect, and I genuinely appreciated Sunderland’s sensitive approach to these issues. Rather than feeling like a typical rom-com, this book is a romance with true emotional depth, exploring the themes of connection, survival, and the possibility of finding love when you least expect it.

At First Sight
by Hannah Sunderland
This is a well written slightly different romance . Nell and Charlie meet by chance in a cafe and really hit it off but didn’t exchange detail but fate obviously fate plays a twist. This a journey that covers a number of sensitive issues really well and warning about grief and life struggles and how to cope. A lovely touching story of growing and friendship at difficult times and with sprinkles of humour to lighten the load and a few twist . A good book but be a difficult read for some but a good read.

This title was archived before I had a chance to download it to be read so unfortunately I was not able to read it and give feedback.

Very well written book. Really enjoyed this author, would definitely read more by this author and recommend on my book IG

At First Sight by Hannah Sunderland is a captivating and tender love story that will sweep you off your feet. With its endearing characters, evocative setting, and a heartfelt exploration of second chances, this book is a perfect choice for fans of emotional and atmospheric contemporary romance.

The story follows Evie Grant, a talented photographer who finds herself at a crossroads in her life. When she returns to her hometown of Sandcliff-on-Sea, she unexpectedly reunites with her first love, Finn MacKenzie, who is now a successful artist. As Evie and Finn reconnect, old feelings resurface, and they must confront the past and the secrets that tore them apart. Together, they navigate the complexities of trust, forgiveness, and the possibility of a second chance at love.

Hannah Sunderland's writing style is evocative and lyrical, immersing readers in the beauty of Sandcliff-on-Sea and its rugged coastal charm. The author effortlessly transports us into the characters' world, painting vivid scenes and emotions with her words. The chemistry between Evie and Finn is palpable, and their emotional journey is filled with longing, heartache, and moments of breathtaking tenderness.

The characters in At First Sight are well-drawn and relatable, with Evie's vulnerability and Finn's artistic passion adding depth to their personalities. Their shared history and the unresolved feelings between them create a sense of longing and anticipation that keeps the reader invested in their story. The supporting cast of characters, including Evie's quirky and supportive best friend and Finn's close-knit family, adds layers of warmth and authenticity to the narrative.

The book explores themes of self-discovery, forgiveness, and the enduring power of love. Evie's journey of healing and finding her true self is beautifully portrayed, and readers will find themselves rooting for her as she confronts her past and embraces the possibilities of the present. The emotional depth of the story is complemented by the rich descriptions of art and the artistic process, adding an additional layer of beauty and introspection.

While the plot follows some familiar romance tropes, the author infuses the story with enough surprises, heartfelt moments, and genuine emotional conflicts to keep readers engaged. The pacing is well-balanced, with moments of introspection and self-reflection interspersed with heartwarming interactions and captivating revelations.

In conclusion, At First Sight is a captivating and tender love story that explores the complexities of the heart and the power of second chances. Hannah Sunderland's exquisite storytelling, vivid settings, and emotionally charged characters make this book an enchanting escape into a world of love, art, and the resilience of the human spirit. If you're looking for a heartfelt and beautifully written romance that will leave you swooning, don't miss At First Sight.

Disclosure: I received an ARC of At First Sight from the publisher for an honest review.

This isn’t what I expected but I enjoyed it anyway. I didn’t like the focus on suicide, I think it was a bad time for me to read it. 3 stars.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed as in this review are completely my own.

I thought this might be a typical romance story but it covers emotional subjects such as loss, grief, suicidal thoughts, mental illness and also hope and it does so really well. Its definitely not your conventional love story. Due to a series of events Nell ends up sitting next to Charlie in her favourite coffee shop as there is no where else to sit. It seems like the universe wants Nell and Charlie to be in each others lives because they find themselves having another chance encounter, a call at the helpline Nell works for, as Charlie called in – and Nell broke every rule possible agreeing to meet him to talk and ‘become friends'. Although from the moment they meet there is a spark between Charlie and Nell, their love story is slow to build up because of the specific issues Charlie is dealing with and his reluctance to open up and share his story. A sad story but one full of feeling and of hope.

Unfortunately I couldn’t get into this book, gave up after a few chapters . If author writes another book would like to read it

At First Sight by Hannah Sunderland is an inspiring love story between two strangers. After a brief chance encounter in a cafe, Charlie and Nell go their separate ways - only to find their paths collide the very next day. Through Nell's bravery and Charlie's unwavering faith in their newfound love, the two find themselves intertwined in an extraordinary love story.

Full of unexpected turns and moments of heart-stopping anticipation, At First Sight takes readers on a unique journey as they experience the beginnings of a deep, abiding love between Charlie and Nell. Whether it be the heartwarming conversations, the risky life-changing decisions or the passionate declarations of devotion, this story will leave you captivated and heart-swollen.

For those who appreciate beautifully-written stories about newfound love, At First Sight will surely satisfy. An absolutely breathtaking read for fans of The Man Who Didn't Call by Rosie Walsh and The Two Lives of Lydia Bird by Josie Silver.

Tried reading this one and it just was not meant for me at the time. This does not mean that it is not a good book, I just was not in the right place to be reading it and have decided to not try picking it up anytime in the near future.

Absolutely loved this book.

This is a fantastic love story but not the one you are expecting. Two strangers

Amazing work from Hannah on how she covered the depression topic.

I didn't want to put this book down.

This was a romance with a difference as it tackled some difficult topics including grief, and did this very well. It was engaging and kept me interested from start to finish.

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook. A women's fiction romance book. The cover is cute. The story itself was interesting.

First of all, this book is a romance but it is not a rom-com, which I initially thought it would be. The humour that is in the book is very funny but this story tackles themes of grief and loss in a very deep way. I really like that this book tackles men's mental health, as this is something not often talked about, and the story takes a good amount of time to explore this.

Nell and Charlie have great chemistry. Throughout the book, I was hoping that they would get together. However, I like that their chemistry and attraction to each other is complex and doesn't overshadow the main themes or point of the story. I found myself getting a bit emotional over the story but it was missing something to make me truly connect to the characters.

If you are looking for a book that deals with men's mental health, that is emotional and peppered with funny moments, I would recommend this book.

Hannah Sunderland became one of my favorite authors when her first book "Very Nearly Normal" became one of my favorite books ever. I love her writing and how she develops the characters. She is simply amazing and didn't disappoint with this book. It was such a great read and I highly recommend anything she writes.

Unfortunately I could not get in to this one. I think my reading tastes are changing. I will update my review if I try and read again.

A fascinating story relating to mental health problems, grief and recovery. Everyone grieves in their own way and some need more help than others. Charlie is one of those people..
A pleasure to read taking you through Charlie and Nells journey

Found it hard to get into this one as the character of Nell herself totally grated. Her verbal diarrhoea seemed cute at first, but after 2-3 times, it just gets to be too much - you can almost predict when one will happen! The whole 'I fell into bed with my ex and it's not my fault' angle also grated - you can't call someone, ask them to come over, get into bed with them, give your consent for sex, spend the night with them...and then claim you had no agency over that. Sorry, doesn't work like that. Then asking a person who calls the mental health helpline you work for to 'take this conversation elsewhere' violates every rule of said job.
So this one just didn't do it for me, sadly. Too many red flags all the way

Nell and Charlie feel a spark when they meet by chance in a cafe. But they don’t trade numbers or surnames, so there’s no way they’ll meet again. But the next day, Nell’s phone rings at work. Somehow, impossibly, Charlie is on the other end. And he needs her help. Nell is about to save a life, fall in love … and risk everything for a perfect stranger.
I was expecting a Serendipity or One Fine Day type love story, but what I got was SO DIFFERENT!
This is a heart-wrenching love story. It’s unlike anything else I’ve read recently, This story was beautifully written The book is heartbreaking and beautiful, I lost count of how many times I cried while reading it.
Nell and Charlie were such likable characters that you couldn’t help but root for them throughout the book.
I had no idea what I was expecting when I started at first sight but it wasn't what I read and I am so glad about that! This book covers loss, grief, suicidal thoughts and talk, mental illness, and hope.

I was looking forward to this one , sadly it wasn't for me. I just couldn’t connect with either Charlie or Nell, so when you don’t like the characters it’s harder to enjoy the story. I did like that it covered sensitive subjects like grief, loss, and suicide , they are treated with respect and handled sensitively but ultimately it just wasn’t my cup of tea

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion