A review by siushi
If You Could See Me Now by Cecelia Ahern

hopeful relaxing
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

I guess the point of this book is that you should Believe. You should believe in life, in friendship, and in healing. You should believe in magic and the unknown. Elizabeth was caught up in patterns and trauma for most of the pages but the mysterious Ivan gradually (but actually very quickly) brings her out of her cocoon of misery and she, then, blossoms into a vibrant, happy butterfly. Ivan, who is immortal, fell in love for the first time with Elizabeth. In love, he found himself – that’s another key message, I suppose. In love, we find ourselves, we find each other. And it’s okay if you don’t end up together forever with the person you’re in love with. That you got to know them, love them, and be loved by them (if you’re lucky) is enough to be truly grateful for. When people change each other because they love each other, when people make each other better, that is a good love. It is the kind of love that overrides all your childhood heartbreaks and adulthood letdowns. 

Overall, this book definitely had its moments, and I did cry at one point, but I also found some parts ridiculous. The big reveal about Elizabeth’s mother was so off-putting and nonsensical? Saoirse’s ending felt anticlimactic, too, but at least it made more sense than the mother’s. A lot of the writing felt juvenile, honestly. And prudish. I picked this book up randomly without knowing anything about the author or their previous works. I think it’s just not my usual taste in books. But I do like to think I can enjoy any manner of art; my tastes aren’t critical. I love books about women finding themselves. Novels about divorced women having a little rom-com moment are amongst my favorite genres!!! 

I wouldn’t seriously recommend this book. I also think I could have better spent the money I used to purchase it. But oh well. At least it’s a signed copy.