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
About the book
If You Could See Me Now
A brilliant, beautiful story from the bestselling author of A Single Act of Kindness
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 alone, decides it’s time to really take her happiness in hand. With help from her new flatmate, Bella, she changes her image and takes control at work, ready to show the world that she doesn’t need Lenny in her life. And when she meets magnetic author Casey, she begins to wonder if all she needed all along was a makeover.
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…
IF YOU COULD SEE ME NOW is a powerful story about friendship, trust, and taking control of your life while not being afraid to stand out. Perfect for fans of Shari Low, Milly Johnson and Colleen Hoover.
Purchase Link - https://mybook.to/IfYouCouldSeeMe
About the Author
Samantha Tonge lives in Manchester UK with her husband and children. She studied German and French at university and has worked abroad, including a stint at Disneyland Paris. She has travelled widely.
Samantha has sold many dozens of short stories to women’s magazines. She is represented by Darley Anderson Agency & Associates. In 2015 her summer novel, Game of Scones, hit #5 in the UK Kindle chart and won the Love Stories Awards Best Romantic Ebook category. In 2020 one of her novels won the RNA's Jackie Collins Romantic Thriller Award. Currently Samantha writes uplifting, emotional women's fiction for Boldwood Books.
Social Media Links –
Facebook: SamanthaTongeAuthor
Twitter: @SamTongeWriter
Instagram: @samanthatongeauthor
Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/SamanthaTongeNews
Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/samantha-tonge
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