To See You

by Rachel Blaufeld

[stacey_is_sassy]

Layton likes a bit of NASTY.

Just a warning, there’s a good chance you might finish reading this review scratching your head and complaining that Stacey has LOST IT!! I kind of have a problem, I liked it…but I hated it too. I really enjoyed looking into our heroes mind, seeing him work through his feelings and deal with them. On the flip side, this story had parts that left me scrunching up my nose like a bad smell wafted from my kindle.

I actually liked this story…but I absolutely HATED the heroine. She is NASTY!! I don’t like nasty women and this one takes the cake. Judgemental, snobby and critical is the best way to describe her. Now, on the other hand, we have one of the BEST heroes EVER!! He’s sweet, kind and confident in an understated way. He definitely doesn’t think he’s better than anyone else even though he’s successful and happy. In some ways, I wanted a different heroine for the hero. In other ways, I can see that time has forced these two to look into themselves, assess, and make changes to improve their lives.

To See You starts with a Prologue that gives us a glimpse of what was to come. Yeppers, we’re going back and forth in time. In this case, it’s not a bad thing as I realised when I started Chapter One that the prologue gave me a little hope that things would improve. Chapter One introduces us to NASTY Charli and her first impression of the hero, Layton. These impressions are not good…and they're solely based on looks. Seeing Charli’s thoughts did not endear her to me AT ALL. What made it worse is that she doesn’t JUST think it, she actually sends snide texts to her best friend about it too. NASTY. She had a lot of work to do to get back into my good graces.

Layton is a little bit chubby. He knows it, knows he SHOULD do something about it, but has a pretty good life despite the extra weight. Layton has a career that he loves and is successful in, plenty of women willing to sleep with the chubby guy and friends that he enjoys spending time with. Plus, he has a very special lady in his life…his dog Harriette. With all of these positives in his life, he knows he should be content. Then one day he is on a flight to New York and sees something he wants…but knows might be out of his reach. Layton wants a bit of NASTY.

To See You takes us on a journey of discovery. We see the struggle that Charli goes through when she's attracted to someone who isn't her type. Charli has spent her whole life on a path to where she is at right now. Unfortunately, now that she has attained success in her career, she's coming to realise it's not all it was cracked up to be. Layton could have settled with what he's got, but he realises after he met Charli that he wants more. How much is Layton willing to do to get NASTY?

Charli realises she’s been living a shallow life that has been influenced by her mother and best friend. She takes a hard look at herself and doesn’t like what she sees. Layton, kind of by accident, falls into a way more healthy lifestyle. On the outside he’s a hot guy, inside, he’s still adjusting. Sometimes it’s actually easier being the chubby guy that people overlook. When they see each other after a long break, neither are confident they can mend what NASTY broke, but both are willing to try.

I tell you what…I nearly packed my bags and left at 84%. I knew what was coming and was completely frustrated that the author went there. BUT…the angst ended up being short-lived, so I got over it quickly and I was glad I kept going.

This is a story that is at times sweet, at times funny and at times very steamy. Neither Layton nor Charli is perfect. Both of them lacked confidence in themselves and each other which could have left them lonely and heartbroken. Layton should have respected himself enough not to settle for Charli, but the heart wants what the heart wants. Charli shouldn’t have listened to her mother. That woman was WACKED!!

In the end, I enjoyed To See You and was happy with the conclusion of the story. This was my first book by this author and I will definitely be interested in reading more of her work.

Stacey is Sassy, received an advanced copy of this story. The copy provided is not the final copy and may be subject to edits and changes.