4.5 Stars
When I first read the title of this book, I was a little skeptical. I didn't know what to expect-I wondered, is this truly a story about someone who suffers from OCD, or is that term just thrown in there to make it seem "quirky"? Will this story give an educated representation of what this mental illness really is, or will the term just be thrown around to describe some behaviors that most people think come from OCD but really don't?

I was glad to discover that this was a very real portrayal of what life is like for someone suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Bea's behavior was believable for someone who has both obsessions and compulsions-she didn't realize that her habits were unusual, to her, they were necessary. She felt as though she had to follow certain rituals. If she didn't, she'd have panic attacks from worrying that something would go horribly wrong. It was frustrating to watch her struggle to hold onto relationships even as her obsessions began getting in the way, and parts of her story even made me cry because I could feel how hard it was for her, how embarrased she sometimes was because of it.

I HATED her friend Lisha. She was kind of a fake-supportive friend; she'd help Bea carry out her harmful tasks instead of telling someone or trying to get her to stop, and at the same time she'd make fun of her, make her feel bad for her obsessions and compulsions instead of trying to understand what she was going through. She really pissed me off and I wanted so badly for Bea to stand up to her, to realize how bad of a friend she really was, but she didn't, which was understandable for her, but still irritating.

Beck, on the other hand, I loved. He was a little messed up, like Bea. He had his own compulsions and obessions and sometimes, because of this, they'd clash. It was hard for them to help each other when they were both struggling to get better in their own way-or remain in denial. I loved how Bea didn't care that Beck wasn't perfect or normal; she liked that he was different, and she accepted his flaws, even as they got in the way. Their story was frustrating but believable for two teens trying to fit in and learn to better handle their illness. It was awkward, touching and complicated in all the right ways. If you're looking for a good representation of OCD, read this book. I have a diagnosis of mild OCD myself, and although I didn't relate completely-my obsessions and compulsions are much different-I was satisfied with the way this topic was written for this particular story.