Skip to main content

Editorial Content for Not If I See You First

Book

Not if I See You First

Contributors

Alyssa Luis

Reviewer (text)

Alyssa Luis

In his debut novel NOT IF I SEE YOU FIRST, Eric Lindstrom captures his readers’ hearts as he weaves a tale of friendship, loss and love.

This story starts as Parker Grant is starting her junior year of high school just after the death of her father. If dealing with a new living situation and grieving the loss of a loved one was not difficult enough, try doing it blind. Add misunderstandings with friends and romantic troubles into the mix, and you have Parker’s complicated life.

Lindstrom crafted complex and realistic characters extremely well. Parker was witty and smart, but she also made her share of mistakes. The side characters are also well developed and experience events that complicate their lives. All of the relationships between characters in this text explore what it means to be friends.

Eric Lindstrom captures his readers’ hearts as he weaves a tale of friendship, loss and love.

This novel delves into topics that should be discussed more frequently in literature. The characters within are coping with the death of loved ones, divorce, the importance of communication and disabilities. Even though NOT IF I SEE YOU FIRST discusses multiple complex situations that are prominent in daily life, it handles them all well and doesn’t trivialize or oversimplify any of the matters. The story emphasizes the importance of being empathetic and understanding that other people in your life have problems as well.

Despite handling so many serious topics, NOT IF I SEE YOU FIRST is a very uplifting read. Parker’s voice adds humor consistently throughout the text. The friendships throughout the tale are described masterfully, and readers will recall great times with good friends as they read about the situations Parker finds herself in with members of her support system.

At its base, NOT IF I SEE YOU FIRST is about handling the things that life throws at you. We get to read about Parker learning how to do just that as she manages her way through high school. For this reason, the book would be beneficial for all young adult and adult readers. The story reminds those who have outgrown Parker of the lessons of empathy, trust and perseverance. For those still in high school, this book is even more crucial. The characters are friends in situations similar to those in everyday life, and the lessons Parker learns are ones that will help readers navigate through teenage years. 

Teaser

 
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. But avoiding her past quickly proves impossible.
 

Promo

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. But avoiding her past quickly proves impossible.

About the Book

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 the 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 she starts to question if things are always as they seem. Maybe, just maybe, some Rules are meant to be broken.
 
Combining a fiercely engaging voice with true heart, debut author Eric Lindstrom's NOT IF I SEE YOU FIRST illuminates those blind spots that we all have in life, whether visually impaired or not.