Not If I See You First by Erin Lindstrom #CharacterDisabilities


Title: Not If I See You First
Author: Eric Lindstrom
Pages: 320 pages
Published: December 1st, 2015
Source: Hardcover from Barnes & Noble
Genre: Contemporary, Realistic Fiction
Rating:

The Rules:

Don't deceive me. Ever. Especially using my blindness. Especially in public. 

Don't help me unless I ask. Otherwise you're just getting in my way or bothering me. 

Don't be weird. Seriously, other than having my eyes closed all the time, I'm just like you only smarter.

Parker Grant doesn't need 20/20 vision to see right through you. That's why she created the Rules: Don't treat her any differently just because she's blind, and never take advantage. There will be no second chances. Just ask Scott Kilpatrick, the boy who broke her heart. 

When Scott suddenly reappears in her life after being gone for years, Parker knows there's only one way to react-shun him so hard it hurts. She has enough on her mind already, like trying out for track team (that's right, her eyes don't work but her legs still do), doling out tough-love advice to her painfully naive classmates, and giving herself gold stars for every day she hasn't cried since her dad's death three months ago. But avoiding her past quickly proves impossible, and the more Parker learns about what really happened-- both with Scott, and her dad-- the more he starts to question if things are always as they seem. Maybe, just maybe, some Rules are meant to be broken. 

Buy it now!

BEST BOOK OF 2015! BEATING THE WRATH AND THE DAWN, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, THIS IS MY BEST BOOK OF 2015!

I'll just state it here, loud and clear, my ultimate book pet peeve are books with character disabilities. I have nothing against the disability itself, but when some authors try to write about something they don't understand it really irks me. So I was kind of reluctant about picking up this book, but did anyways because of the advanced praise from authors and journals that I really trusted. My first thought after finishing this book was: Is the author blind? No, he is not.

The main character and her growth were both so engrossing to read and see unfold. She's unique in the fact that she's blind but there are so many other traits to her personality that she's definitely one that anyone would fall in love with her. The first thing you would want to feel for her is pity. But once you're 50 pages in, your pity is gone and all that's left is the feeling of wanting to be her best friend. She's so sarcastic that some parts make you giggle and she understands a person like no other because of the fact that she's blind. She doesn't depend on appearances to know or feeling something but rather how they talk and the way they move. She is amazing and incredible! 

Eric Lindstrom understands people with disabilities. They don't want pity (most don't). They just wanted to be treated like normal people, not people with big anomalies so you could stare at them. I think a blind character is one of the hardest to write because sight is so vital to a character's actions and what he/she does in order to propel the story. The story was still as entertaining and goosebumps-inducing as any other book on the market and that's what made me extremely happy. 

Yes, this book is contemporary. Yes, this book is about a blind girl who wants to be treated like a normal girl. But no, it was not like your average YA contemporary. It was unique in every way and impossible to but down (but I managed to in order to write this review). When you're at the end, you feel like you haven't had enough and when you're halfway through, you cry because you notice how many pages you have left. 

Mind-blowing. Beautiful. Superbly written. This book is everything we YA readers look for- twists and turns, romance, character growth. Lindstrom has encouraged me to try and read new YA books with disabled characters. It's a groundbreaking novel! I JUST CAN'T. WHAT ELSE CAN I SAY THAT WILL CONVINCE YOU TO READ THIS BOOK? 


Will you embark on Parker's journey with both eyes wide open? 


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14 comments

  1. YESSSS. I read this too and although I didn't love it as much as you did, it definitely deserves a place in the YA world. I'm glad to see that it's your favorite read of 2015 :)

    I loved how Parker RAN, yet was blind. Literally nothing can stop her, she is definitely a badass even though it's not as obvious!

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    1. Yay someone who's read it. I haven't encountered many yet even though I know it's a new release. Aww Val thanks for reading <3

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  2. LOL. I JUST saw your comment on The Wrath and the Dawn being your favorite book from 2015. And now this?!?! What's this?!?! hehe.

    I NEED TO READ THIS. It sounds amazing...and your glowing review just ADDS MORE FUEL TO THE FIRE. It sounds like a second-chance romance from the blurb. Is it a romance? Regardless, I will read it. That title is amazingggg.

    Axie @ Books are Bread

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    1. There is a bit of romance but definitely no insta-love or any of those pet peevish romances. SO yeah this book I definitely enjoyed and really can't wait to see more of his writing :D

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  3. The Wrath and the Dawn was my favorite book this year and if you liked this book even more, than I need to read it very very soon!!

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    1. Definitely. It's different for everyone but I truly loved this book and I hope everyone at least gives it a try to see how it is.

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  4. Great review! I agree that the book is exceptional at understanding a disability and describing such feelings with acumen. While I didn't like this one as much as you did (my review here), it was definitely memorable and beautiful!!

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    1. I will definitely check out your review. And omg I still can't get over the fact that I was crying by the end of this book.

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  5. I have an eARC of this and now, with all the raves coming out, I'm so excited to read it and a bit apprehensive too because I wanna love it! I guess I just have to try it to know. I'm so glad you loved it!

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    1. Oh my, I'm so excited for you to try it. Don't worry if you need someone to fangirl with or talk about the feels when reading this book, you can always DM me on Instagram or email me. I"m always here for my fellow book lovers who read the same book I love <3

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  6. I'm SOOO glad you liked this!! I requested it and fingers crossed I get accepted :) It sounds amazing. Thank you so much for sharing♥ great review

    PS I'm a new follower of yours, love your blog!

    Jumana @ Books by Jay

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    1. Yes fingers crossed. When you do read it and you get hit by the feels too hard, I'm always here to pick up the pieces. Aww thanks so much and I'm so excited to check out your site. Love looking at blogs!

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  7. A friend of mine is reading this and really enjoying it. I'm all for people that let nothing hold them down. I'm definitely jumping into this one next year!

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    1. Can't wait to hear your thoughts. If you need someone to fangirl with throughout the journey, I'm always available :D

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