Not If I See You First - Eric Lindstrom

Description

Parker Grant doesn't need perfect 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.
When Scott Kilpatrick, the boy who broke her heart, suddenly reappears at school, Parker knows there's only one way to react – shun him so hard it hurts. She has enough to deal with already, like trying out for the track team, handing 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. But avoiding her past quickly proves impossible, and the more Parker learns about what really happened – both with Scott, and her dad – the more she starts to question if things are always as they seem.
Not If I See You First illuminates those blind spots that we all have in life, whether visually impaired or not.

Review

This is a YA book but don't let that put you off reading it at any age. I really enjoyed this book. 

To begin with Parker is blind but that isn't the mainstay of the book, its about so much more and in essence so grown up with all that she and her friends deal with.

For a lot of the book I forgot I was reading a YA book - obviously all the main characters are teens but the dialogue and emotions are so mature that I just forgot. There was only one part about a third of the way through where it did turn into a little like "Mean Girls" and I did think I am too old for this! But it was a blip because the slice of Parker's life we get to witness is really amazing.

Each morning Parker and her friend Sarah hold "Home Office" where they listen to people's problems and give advice. Except that Parker really lets loose with no holds barred "advice". I found this aspect of the book really interesting. Parker is also a runner - without a guide! Then there is the romantic side of Parker but I didn't feel it ever got immature or gushy in that respect, again it was a very mature outlook.

I love the way that the writer almost accidentally referred to what for a blind person is a major thing - people moving things from where they normally are. The writing was really so sympathetic and understanding of what a blind person goes through that I thought they had more experience than is revealed at the end of the book in the acknowledgements.

I'm giving this book 5 out of 5 stars.

My thanks go to Netgalley for a copy of this book to review.