BOOK REVIEW: None so Blind by Chautona Havig

Dani and Ella Weeks-two women who share one thing in common-the same life, the same family, and the same body. When Dani wakes with no knowledge of who or where she is-no memories of her life at all-David and Dani Weeks discover that "til death do us part" takes on an entirely unexpected meaning. Practically speaking, Dani died. But she didn't. In a desperate attempt to separate the old life from the new, Dani insists on a new name-Ella. Ella's doctors can't explain what happened. Her children can't understand why she doesn't know them, and her husband finds himself torn between admiration for the "new" version of his wife and missing the woman he's known for over fifteen years. Will Ella ever regain her memory? Why does their pastor suspect it's one great hoax?

Give me a moment to fangirl.  I loved this book!  I loved the premise, the execution, just the whole amazing mysterious thing.  Don't get me wrong, it wasn't perfect but good gravy Mavis, it was amazing.  Picture yourself in Daniella Weeks' shoes.  Imagine waking in a body you don't recognize, with a family that are strangers, in a house that creeps you out.  Imagine being poked and prodded at the hospital where they figure absolutely nothing out and give you the choice of going to this unloved house full of strangers or to an institution where you feel as though you will become a science experiment.  Can you even begin to imagine the edges of it, forget putting yourself all the way in, just pick a part?  As you learn about who you 'were' you become determined to be everything you weren't.  And what to do the husband and kids? 

There's one ball I feel like was dropped in a way that leaves me feeling confused and like there's a bigger story at play.  Perhaps in sequels?  Perhaps...  Just a mini spoiler here but what about the money?!?  I mean that's a chunk o' change that seems like it could be a big deal but then seems to fade into the ether.  I also felt like the idea that the 'episode' was all a hoax was played up more in the synopsis and even in the story and didn't quite measure up to the hype it might have been. More on that later!  That and one comma that feels awkward, that's all I got for the drawbacks for this book.  I mean seriously people, it was so well crafted, so well told, so well...everything.  Something I can't imagine in my wildest dreams and here Dani/Ella is living it at Havig has created it so almost seamlessly that I can almost put myself there.  OK, perhaps just a moment of fangirl wasn't enough.  I'll get back on track.

Mystery is the way to my heart and this book has it in such a refreshing way that I fell in love with the genre all over again.  Add a little intrigue with the money and the idea that maybe perhaps Dani did this completely on purpose to force her to deal with the life changes she seems to not give two wits about but maybe?  I mean Ella is bound and determined to be the opposite of Dani in almost every area of life.  The romance of the book was even refreshing to engage while Ella and David worked at getting to know each other. The difficulty he had with not comparing and her difficulty with the idea he truly loved her for who she was now and not who she was or because he 'had to'.  I'm excited to see where this series is going to develop next and with the next book coming out so very soon I don't have to wait too long!


I was provided a complimentary copy of this book by CelebrateLit and the author.  I was not compensated for this review and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.  I was not required to write a positive review. 

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None So Blind

About Chautona Havig 
 I am fortunate enough to live in the great state of California (in the Mojave Desert) with my husband Kevin and five of my nine children. My eldest is married with five children, so I have the fun of a son-in-law and grandbabies to enjoy. I’ve graduated six out of my nine children from our home school, and they’re all doing quite well in their lives. My younger children keep me from getting too selfish, and someday I’ll be fully retired as their teacher. I have to say, I’m lookin’ forward to it. Teaching about gerunds was fun the first time… not so much anymore. I salute all of those in the education field. You are my heroes.

When I’m not writing (which I admit isn’t often) I enjoy blogging (a totally different kind of writing, trust me), paper crafts, sewing, smocking, photo editing, and old music. No, really, I like OLD stuff… the Beatles are too newfangled for me. Yeah,I know they’re before my time… but I like stuff before my PARENTS time.

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2 comments

  1. Yep! You nailed it. There's a point to the money and it'll leave you hanging for a bit. It gets resolved in book three, and I've got that on the docket for 2018!

    The only thing I'll say is that there's a reason that the money and the "is it real or not" are left kind of hanging and undeveloped. I'm actually thrilled that you felt them wanting. It means I did my job right! WOOT!

    Thanks for such a fabulous review, and may I just say that I LOVE your website. Neat, clean, easy to find stuff. I rarely like a blogspot blog but yours I love.

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  2. Seriously, Fan Girl here. Thank you so much for 'enlightening' me on what is to come. I am so excited to read the next installments.

    And that you so much for the comments on my corner of the web. I'm a minimalist at heart and need streamlined space so I can find stuff! I'm gearing up to make the leap to self-hosted but the hardest part is finding a streamlined layout that I like.

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