OCD Love Story by Corey Ann Haydu
When Bea meets Beck, she knows instantly that he's her kind of crazy. Sweet, strong, kinda-messed-up Beck understands her like no one else can. He makes her feel almost normal. He makes her feel like she could fall in love again.
But despite her feelings for Beck, Bea can't stop thinking about someone else: a guy who is gorgeous and magnetic... and has no idea Bea even exists. But Bea knows a ton about him. She spends a lot of time watching him. She has a journal full of notes. Some might even say she's obsessed.
Bea tells herself she's got it all under control, but this isn't a choice, it's a compulsion. The truth is, she's breaking down... and she might end up breaking her own heart.
Publishes in US: July 23rd 2013 by Simon Pulse
Genre: YA contemporary
Source: Simon Teen via Edelweiss
Series? No
Buy it:
 |  |  |
Find Corey online: ~site ~twitter ~facebook ~blog
OCD Love Story takes an in depth look at obsessive compulsive disorder, it doesn't just skim the disease, it shows what I would imagine it is like to have verified OCD. And it is not all fun and games. From the eyes of Bea, we get a girl whose disease is worsening before her eyes, and at first she doesn't really think that anything is wrong, but when she starts going to support group and meets Beck who is in the middle of his first full blown panic attack, which she is familiar with, she begins to see things through a new view. Including herself.
We get a healthy dose of humor in this one, and Bea is very self deprecating, making light of things, but that is how she deals, and it also provides a bit of relief for the reader. We see many ways how OCD can work itself out and manifest, and dealing with anxiety myself, I feel for these kids. I see little bits of myself in them and I am so glad that I haven't crossed into that territory (yet and hopefully never).
Bea grows as a character in this one, through her friendships, through her trying to be supportive family, her therapist Dr. Pat, and the support group. But it also shows that the battle with OCD isn't something you can take a vacation from. It is part of who you are and while meds and therapy can help, there is no real cure. So, it doesn't give a false view of the mental disorder in that sense, but it does show a sense of hope for the future, and for management. Though of course, Bea has to get to all time lows in order to accept that help, but you expect nothing less from a contemporary novel.
Books similar to :(links go to my review) Secret for a Song by S.K. Falls, Crazy by Amy Reed, A Blue so Dark by Holly Schindler, Hannah by Hannah Westberg
My question to you, my lovely readers:
Do you have any obsessions or compulsions?
