Captured On Film.: March 2025

Monday, 3 March 2025

If You Could See Me Now by Samantha Tonge

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

What did I think?

I didn't realise at first that this book was a re release. It was previously published as Knowing You. Not that it matters as I hadn't read the book the first time round.

I enjoyed meeting Violet and could totally empathise with her about the break up of her relationship. She is looking for a makeover or a reinvention of herself. As someone who is recently single after a very long period of being part of a couple the story really rang true with me. I haven't had a makeover but I have out my big girl pants on and tried different things and met new people - and it's opened up lots of opportunities for me.

I loved the flashbacks. The bookish asides. The humour. But mostly what I liked was the personal details, the nitty gritty of relationships - but all done in a sensitive way.

I found the book slow to start but the story soon built and by the second half I really didn't want to put it down.

Very enjoyable.

Author Bio –

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.