If You Could See Me Now by Samantha Tonge is a heartwarming and thought-provoking story about self-discovery, love, and the pursuit of happiness. Violet, a kind-hearted woman who’s finally achieving her dream of working with books, is initially content with her life—until her relationship with her boyfriend Lenny unravels. Hurt and lonely after their breakup, Violet decides to take control of her life, transforming herself with the help of her new flatmate Bella. Ready to show the world she doesn’t need Lenny, Violet embarks on a journey of self-reinvention, starting with a makeover and newfound confidence at work.

The story takes a turn when Violet meets the magnetic author Casey, and she begins to wonder if the perfect life she’s been striving for might have more to do with external changes than internal happiness. However, as Violet’s relationship with Bella deepens, she uncovers a secret from her past that could change everything she thought she knew about herself.

Tonge’s writing is warm and engaging, with a great balance of humor, drama, and emotional depth. Violet’s journey is relatable and empowering, showing how the quest for happiness and self-worth can sometimes lead us down unexpected paths. The narrative flows smoothly, keeping readers hooked with intriguing twists and a strong, empathetic protagonist.

The characters are wonderfully developed, particularly Violet, whose personal growth feels genuine and inspiring. The story’s exploration of identity, love, and the choices we make is both moving and entertaining. If You Could See Me Now is a charming read that will resonate with anyone who has ever questioned what it really takes to be happy in life. It's a perfect pick for fans of heartfelt contemporary fiction with a dose of romance and self-discovery.

This is one of those books that I am not entirely sure about how to rate as I have very mixed feelings about it in general.

For what I loved it was how engaging this story was - the empathy, the humor, the endearing characters - it all was incredibly well done and kept me engaged and reading this in one sitting. I also absolutely adored the relationship between Violet and Bella - they were just both so real and flawed which made for them being so much easier to read about. I loved how overall relatable this book was - such an overall good story of relationships and how they grow and change.

I struggled a bit more with the repetitive nature of this book - it felt like it was the same thing over and over with just different wording. The pacing was also really off for me - sometimes it all rushed by and other times I felt almost bored reading.

Overall I feel like this would make for an excellent read by the pool - it's light enough and just engaging enough that you can still soak it all in and relax.

Thank you to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

In this emotional new novel, readers follow Violet, who loves her job working with books and her life with her handsome boyfriend Lenny, but the collapse of her relationship sends her on a different path. With her flatmate Bella’s help, Violet decides to take control of her life and work -- and change her image -- to live her best life, especially when it means she meets magnetic debut author Casey. However, not everything is as it seems, and these changes might mean that Violet’s new life may collapse in ways she didn’t see coming. Readers should be advised that characters’ struggles with mental health and eating disorders feature heavily in this new release although the struggles that Violet and other characters go through are deeply relatable. An emotional rollercoaster of a novel, readers will love this new release and the complicated changes and growth that Violet goes through. Challenging yet emotional and heartwarming in places, readers will enjoy the romantic tropes and the friendships at the core of this story, while the character development will really bring readers into the heart of the story. A straightforward, emotional read, fans of cozy fiction with serious character growth will love this new release.

Thank you Boldwood Books for providing this ARC via NetGalley in return for an honest review!

This was a heavy book with strong character development. Readers may find the individuals characters’ stories as enlightening and healing, or could be triggered by the heaviness of the topic.

Powerful, emotive story which handles some heavy trigger topics. Really not where I thought this book would pan out. This is a 're released book. Thank you netgalley for the advanced copy

This book wasn’t at all what I was expecting. I thought I would be reading a funny slice of life type book. Maybe about a woman who has just been cheated on and finds a new life. It had a little of that, but this was a very heavy story. Mental illness and anorexia are huge part of this book. While many will take something away after reading this, it didn’t for me. The writing wasn’t that engaging and I couldn’t find myself liking the characters. A good message but when I was looking for light hearted, this story needed not being for me.

I recently finished reading this book and I must say, it was a captivating and refreshing experience. From the moment I started the book, I was hooked by its grounded and relatable portrayal of romance.
The plot is incredibly realistic, which is something I truly appreciated. The love story unfolds at a pace that feels true to life—there are no unrealistic twists or melodramatic moments that often plague romantic novels. Instead, the characters face real-life challenges, personal growth, and emotional struggles that anyone can relate to. The story touches on themes of trust, vulnerability, and the importance of self-discovery before fully opening up to someone else.
What stood out most to me was the character development. The protagonist evolve throughout the book, and their emotional growth is depicted with such care. Their flaws, strengths, and vulnerabilities are portrayed in a way that makes them feel like real people, not just characters on a page. It’s rare to find a romance where the characters' emotional journeys are as important as their romantic connection, and [Book Title] does this beautifully. Their interactions felt authentic, and the relationship built naturally over time, making it all the more rewarding by the end.
This book made me reflect on my own experiences and left me with a sense of hope that love can grow in the most unexpected ways. It's a novel about finding love not just with someone else, but also with yourself. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a romance that feels real, with characters that are fully realized and a plot that keeps you invested from start to finish.

This is an arresting book which is will take you by surprise and shock you with the direction it takes. Violet is a complicated character with huge issues around self esteem which only really emerge as the story unfolds. The Violet we meet at the beginning is a sensible sort whose kindness and empathy towards others sets her apart. She works in publishing as a children's book editor and is passionate about her authors in her care.


Violet is terribly hurt after her long term relationship breaks up and this leads her to act in a determined and blinkered way. Some of her scruples are pushed to one side. You see the range of friendships in the story, from intergenerational relationships to some newer and toxic ones. There are some serious messages in the story but also a heart-warming message with uplifting moments and a sense of hope. This is a book which will challenge you as well as entertain.

In short: two sides of friendship laid bare

I absolutely adore Samantha Tonge's books, so of course I jumped at the chance to read this one!.

Although the story is set in the modern day, we go get to venture back into Violet's childhood at points, something which I absolutely loved, and found it really allowed us to connect with the character on a much deeper level.

Each character is well developed and has their own unique personality, alongside a perfectly paced storyline that had me reading well into the night!

*Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishers for providing me with an ARC of this book in return for my honest review.*

I love a story about not fearing being who you are and the role friendships play in our strength. It started off with a lighter feel but the second half went deep and heavy. But I appreciated the dive into difficult topics. Look forward to more from this author.

This is an interesting book as it sort of changes partway through and becomes something else.
Starting off as a story of a relationship break up. Violet decides to show Lenny what he is missing and overhauls her life.
So far, so predictable romance type story. Will she get Lenny back or find someone better. But then it starts to become darker. That really hooked me in. It became something a lot more deep and complex.

When a book like this comes along it simply has to be devoured in one sitting, no ifs or buts...it was waaay to good to leave half finished.

It's a pacey read set in modern day with glimpses back to Violet's childhood. I found it quite unsettling in places and heart warming in others.

The characters throughout are brilliant, diverse and full of depth. Violet was such an easy character to become emotionally invested in, and I found her relatable in ways.

Violet's story is addictive reading and Tonge took me down the rabbit hole into a darkness I wasn't expecting...as the old adage goes 'Never judge a book by its cover'. I went into the book blind and had no idea what lay in wait!

*FYI - If You Could See Me Now was previously published under the title Knowing You*

I really enjoyed this book and it was certainly not what I expected. I had no idea where it was going and because of that I was hooked.

Violet finally feels her life has settled, after a difficult time at school and growing up she now has her dream job and is living with her boyfriend, Lenny. Then Lenny ends their relationship, in his place Violet gets a new flatmate, Bella, and uses Bella’s help to have a makeover and take her life into her own hands. This seems to have worked when she meets new author Casey but not all is as it seems with Bella.

Violet’s character took me on a rollercoaster. At the start I felt sorry for her when her boyfriend leaves her and we get to see her insecurities but as the book goes on I started to find her frustrating, like I wanted to shake her. But as we unearth more of Violet’s past the way she is acting and is so easily led become clear and I went back to feeling for her.

The subjects that are tackled in this book are hard hitting but I found told so well. This was enhanced by the supporting characters, especially Bella and Kath.

I liked how this was told in a dual timeline, by revisiting Violet’s childhood we could see how this has affected her and it’s through this that we get a better understanding of her character.

I enjoy Samantha Tonge’s writing style in this as with the other books of hers I have read. She will definitely be a must read for me.

A story about friendships, trust and honesty.

Loved this book! We get to know Violet as a child when she seems lost and alone until she makes a friend. Violet as an adult is happy with her life until she and boyfriend Lenny break the relationship. Enter Bella, a new flat mate, who is determined to do a makeover on Violet. Moving between the past and the present, this book is heart wrenching at times, especially when things aren’t always what they seem.

My review of Knowing You, having just discovered this is a reissue and I don't re-read -

To me this is a book of two halves - the first half gives us a feel for what Violet is normally like, how her break up for Lenny is affecting her, and about her job in publishing. We get to meet her friends and there is a lot of talk about books which I l always like.

Then the second half well from about 60% onwards I knew I couldn't put the book down, had no idea what was going on around me, as I was so utterly absorbed as everything seemed to move up a notch, and some of the things I was wondering about became slightly more confirmed, but at the same time shocking me.

Depending on your circumstances there are themes in this book that could be upsetting, but at the same time most likely will ring true for anyone going through the same things. I am not going to mention that big themes of the book though as I have no intention of spoiling anything for anyone.

In fact this is a hard book to review given to me all the best bits, the most impressive sections and the bits I'd love to shout about are all in the second half of the book, and work best if you have read it all, so rest assured its absolutely fantastic, and had me completely and utterly gripped.

The best comparison I have is to liken this to Amanda Prowse - in terms of really getting to grips with a tricky issue, writing about it in an accessible and sensitive way, making you really feel something for the characters involved, If this is the direction that Samantha Tonge is moving in, and it certainly seems that way after the last two books, then I can only look forward to seeing what she tackles next, as this was really impressive.

I loved the Violet worked in publishing, anything that gives me an insight as to how books are made / acquired etc.. always fascinates me, and I loved her friends at the retirement home book club that she runs have decided to set up a blog.

All the lighter moments of the book were equally well described and I really felt as though I was getting to know Violet, her new flatmate Bella and all of her friends and colleagues really well.

There were times where I really disliked Violet, she is someone who seems as though she is too easily led by others and seems to struggle to know her own mind. At times I wanted to, knock some sense into her,, and at others just give her a hug as she seemed so inexperienced too.

Interspersed with the present day story we get flashbacks of what life was like for Violet in 2001, when she was only 7. They added a lot of the book, and gave an idea of where some of Vi's personality traits evidently stemmed from.

If like me you love reading women's fiction, but also quite like reading darker books too - then this new dark women's fiction genre - and Knowing You in particular could be just what you are looking for. I certainly glad that I read it.

Violet is pretty happy with her life. She has a job in publishing children's books and she and her boyfriend Lenny are pretty happy. Yes, things might be a bit routine but that's how things get after a while in any relationship. Right? Well, not right, once fellow publisher Beatrix is on the scene. Beatrix is something of a personal idol of Violets, until she finds out that she has her claws into Lenny.

Heartbroken, Violet decides she needs a new flatmate. Enter Bella! Bella is energetic and driven and soon she is strongly encouraging Violet to take control of her life. First step, a lifestyle change with food and exercise. Second new hair, makeup, clothes. Third step, lose some more weight. Fourth step, why can't you go after that author with the hot new manuscript! But Bella is not quite what she seems.

As Violet's friends and colleagues become more and more concerned about her, she begins to isolate herself from them, all in the name of putting herself first, which is a shame. I particularly liked the book club women who are all much older than Violet and who clearly care for her and in some parts give some welcome comic relief.

Whilst we get to see the new Violet, we also get flashbacks into her childhood, which wasn't the easiest. I did guess part of what happened to cause her childhood trauma, but not the whole story.

I have read quite a few of Samantha Tonge's books now. She writes issues based women's fiction with an astonishing depth to them. This is the second book in a row by her that I have read where the book that requires the reader to come into it not knowing what the major themes are. Knowing would spoil the twists. It does also make it a bit tricky to review as I have so much more I could say, but I don't want to spoil the reading experience for anyone.

I'll finish with something very wise my good friend Sally told me



You don't have to believe everything you think.



Whilst I am not necessarily good at living up to this, I do remember it clearly quite regularly. It's possibly a mantra that could have helped Violet.

This book was originally published as Knowing You back in 2019 and has been revised and an epilogue added.

I am sharing this review with the Bookish Books Challenge hosted at Bloggin Bout Books and with British Isles Friday hosted at Joy's Book Blog Be sure to check out other stops on the tour shown below. Thanks to the publisher, Netgalley and Rachel's Random Resources for the review copy.

Rating 3.5/5

Violet has a happy life, good friends, good job in publishing and Lenny, her boyfriend. When Lenny leaves her, she needs a new flat mate. Enter Bella. With Bella's help, she starts to revamp her life. Then she meets author Casey. And is romance in Violet's future?
But the past is starting to intrude. Violet's past is revealed in flashback and her childhood friend Flint is there for Violet during a sad time when she was young. She blames her mother for the falling out with Flint. But how is this related to her current life?
Thanks to Netgalley for this copy in exchange for my honest review.

If You Could See Me Now by Samantha Tonge

I received an advance review copy for free thanks to Rachel's Random Resources and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

A powerful story about friendship, trust, and taking control of your life while not being afraid to stand out

How far would you go for a perfect life?

Back in her troubled school days, kind-hearted Violet always dreamed of a life where she was happy. Now it feels like she’s just about getting there. She has her dream job working with books, and she’s living with her handsome boyfriend, Lenny.

But when her relationship with Lenny falls to pieces and he moves out, Violet, hurt and lonely, decides it’s time to really take her happiness in hand. With her new flatmate Bella’s help, she changes her image and takes control at work, ready to show the world that she doesn’t need Lenny, ready to live her best life!

Then she meets magnetic author Casey, she begins to wonder if all she needed all along was a makeover. Lenny will rue the day he lost her!

But – with Bella – all is not as it seems. And Violet too has a secret, one that dates right back to her childhood, which could change everything…

My Opinion

Previously published as Knowing You.

Samantha Tonge has been a must-read author for me recently – I didn’t read this book when it was first published so I was happy to see that it was being rereleased. Violet is such an interesting character. If You Could See Me Now is an engaging read, with plenty to keep the reader entertained. Samantha utilises flashbacks to help the reader get a better understanding.

Rating 4/5

Violet has a career she loves and a relationship that she is happy with. The first part of this story follows her life as an editor, which is interesting. She has lots of friends who are older than her, but they value her friendship as much as she does theirs. The present-day narrative is broken up with stories from Violet's childhood, a particularly momentous event that takes place and profoundly affects the young girl. It's impossible not to empathise with Violet as a child and to admire what she has achieved as an adult. Then, something changes her outlook on life, and the secrets of her past resurface in a dangerous adult version. It's a beautifully written story. Violet is a lovely character, and you want her to realise that beauty comes from within and that she doesn't need the opinions of others to validate her. I loved the sincerity and the easy flow of this book. It's easy to read, but it makes you think. The characters are believable, as are their motivations and actions. Even though you may guess what is happening, you are never sure until the end. The full impact of Violet's story resonates, and it's a poignant and powerful message. A curious mix of revenge fiction, family drama and self-awareness, this story will hold your interest until the last page.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

A great read. Violet has been dumped by her boyfriend Lenny, in favour of someone more influential in the book publishing world. With the help of new flat mate Bella she decides to reinvent herself. As Violet gains confidence she realises Bella is not all she seems. Will she spoil Violet’s budding romance with an author? Well written and good characters make this a good read.