OCD Love Story by Corey Ann Haydu

Published by Simon Pulse on July 23rd 2013
Purchased copy from Fully Booked
341 pages
Purchase on Amazon・Fully Booked

Synopsis

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 lot 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.

OCD Love Story was a tough read but also a really good one. Unlike what the bright, cheerful cover suggests, this book is a far cry from being a light read. It’s a bit messed-up, like its characters, and it might drive you insane- hopefully in a good way.

The story focuses on Bea, who seems to think observing people and jotting down notes about them is completely harmless. She’s right, in a certain context, I would guess. However, as she takes it a step further- following people around- her compulsion turns into stalking. At the same time, Bea is getting to know Beck, a guy who’s only slightly as unhinged as her. Brought together by group therapy, and brought even closer by their common weirdness, their story could be one of love- but only if Bea manages to get herself together.

I’m scared and there’re a lot of ugly things, but I’d rather be shipwrecked on this lovely island than safe in a sad, gray cell.

Often, while reading this one, I kept asking: “What are you doing, Bea?????” And then I’d facepalm myself in frustration and just pause reading for a while. But no, I didn’t dislike Bea. Bea is actually likeable, what with her dynamic attitude, but her OCD kind of clouds that. It’s hard to see past it, since Bea does some really freaky things, but once you do- you get her. Then, you’ll care for her and probably root for her to get better, as I did. Bea just needs some tough love and I think that’s exactly what this book is about.

Beck, Bea’s love interest, suffers a different kind of OCD from her. He exercises and washes his hands excessively. Beck is not your quintessential charming male lead. In fact, he’s so awkward and real that it hurts. I ended up liking him anyway because he can be so damn sweet when he’s not obsessing and sometimes even then. I thought that his and Bea’s relationship was convincing and honest. I loved that they helped each other, little by little, and also that they saw through each other clearly.

Feelings are like blankets, covering you up so you can’t see clearly, or like mazes you can too easily get lost inside. I am terrified of getting lost.

The best part of this book for me was getting to know more about the disorder. Honestly, I know next to nothing about it, other than what I’ve seen on TV, but I think this book depicted OCD remarkably. Haydu’s writing was stellar and also felt so genuine. I liked learning about OCD, how it’s different for every person, and how manifests itself in every other case.

Overall, I felt that OCD Love Story was rigorous yet uplifting too. It’s a noteworthy young adult novel- that’s for sure. I’d recommend it to everyone because more people should be aware about this disorder and what it really is but at the same time, I feel that this story would be more likely enjoyed by those who’ve either experienced it themselves or through someone else and also those who could keep an open mind about OCD.

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