I've been hearing so many good things about this title, so when I was approved, I had to skip it to the front of the queue. I was in the mood for something light hearted and moving, and I certainly got all of that and more.
Following a life-changing reveal, Meg decides to take a gap year and head out on her own to find out who she is and what she really wants. Her journey takes her to the UP of Michigan where she meets her great grandmother and the uncle she never knew she had. She also meets Micah, a boy who is also on the cusp of some major discoveries of his own, and while she didn't plan for it, Meg's life will never be the same.
I loved this book.
Let me start by saying: this is not normally a book I would pick up for myself based on the summary. The romance meet-cute stuff? All day. But I find that some books that explore religion and faith tend to get preachy or indulgent. This was not like that at all, and I think it's so important to acknowledge that up front. Meg's character has such a refreshing, authentic exploration of faith that it cut to the core of the issues without compromising the end goal. This is a girl who was raised in the church, who has been bound by those rules her entire life, and is coming into her own with just as much love for God and Jesus--if not more so--but maybe with a little less grounding on everything else. While I wasn't a church kid per se, I was raised Catholic, attended bible classes weekly until I graduated high school, and related to Meg's disillusion so much.
I've wanted this character without knowing I wanted her, this examination of what it means to have faith in a modern age, the love you feel in a greater power versus the strict, often archaic views of the church, and how change doesn't have to mean disrespect or a loss of what you used to believe. If anything, Hahn's character development was exceptional in this regard, and I think many readers will love these moments most of all.
Plus, Micah and Meg. Funny, beautiful, caring, and sweet, their relationship had everything I loved about A Walk to Remember but in 2021. So if you still ship Landon and Jamie, I guarantee you will love this.
Overall, Never Saw You Coming is a heart-melting, insightful, beautiful exploration of first love and finding yourself. I one hundred percent recommend this to anyone regardless of genre preferences. Out in September, add this to your TBR now.
Thank you to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for honest review consideration.
