“If you could read my mind, you wouldn’t be smiling.”
At A Glance
- Young Adult
- Contemporary
- Mental Health
- Friendship
- High School Romance
For Fans Of
- Jenn Bennett
- Sarah Dessen
- John Green
- Jandy Nelson
- Non Pratt
Star Rating
Buy From: Amazon | Waterstones
See it on Goodreads
I’m now in my thirties, and sometimes wonder whether I’m too old for YA books these days, especially the contemporary kind that’s often set in secondary/high school. Then along comes a book like Every Last Word to remind me that, among the fluffier kind that I definitely have grown out of, there are gems that adults of any age will fall in love with.
Every Last Word is about a high school student called Sam, who was diagnosed with Purely-Obsessional OCD at the age of 11, and until now, has never told anyone but her family and her therapist. Focusing in particular on number obsessions and intrusive thoughts, we spend time learning about Sam’s unusual mind as we follow her discovery of new friends and a new hobby that may just change her life.
Whilst there is a solid and surprising plot, this book shines thanks to its characters. Sam herself is intriguing and a joy to get to know, and it’s wonderful to see her relationship with her supportive parents and therapist Sue. Sam’s original friendship group, which can be pretty toxic at times, alongside the contrasting group of friends she makes in Poet’s Corner, are equally brilliant to get to know.
It’s moving, unexpected, inspiring and insightful.
I gave this book a five star rating without hesitating, but on reflection and after reading some of the less positive reviews about this book, I realised I’m coming at this from one perspective and it doesn’t reflect that of every reader. I have suffered from anxiety, but never OCD and certainly never a mental health illness of this magnitude. Some readers have expressed their concern about Every Last Word romanticising OCD, and there is certainly an aspect of that here. Overall, Every Last Word is an uplifting and happy book that does seem to suggest that love and friendship can conquer all, so please keep this in mind before deciding whether it’s a book to suit you.
