Before I Saw You

Houghton creates a unique meet cute in this debut contemporary romance brimming with heart. Alice Gunnersley is on top of the world, with a job she loves and a penthouse flat in London. Then disaster strikes in the form of an office fire, leading to burns on 40% of her body and landing her in the hospital. There she realizes that, having devoted all her time to her job, there’s only one person—her best friend, Sarah—whom she can call on in an emergency. Luckily, the recovery ward is home to a cast of colorful characters who barge into her life, though Alice refuses to let any of them see her, as she’s embarrassed by her burns. Alfie Mack, who’s recovering from a leg amputation and has appointed himself the ward’s Chief Entertainment Officer, is fascinated by Alice—but breaking through her walls requires that he first reckon with his own trauma. Though the story drags on a tad too long, Alfie’s enthusiasm is infectious and the romance is sweet. Equally humorous and tender, this tale of triumph over adversity is a moving celebration of the bravery it takes to show oneself to another. [em]Agent: Jenny Bent, The Bent Agency (May) [/em]