I can't believe I forgot to review this! I thought this was fantastic! The author did a great job at telling pieces of the story while still leaving some questions unanswered to keep me turning the pages. I love a second chance romance, and I really enjoyed the individual character growth. I thought it was very informative at what life might be like with OCD and to break down some misconceptions.

I found this story to capture this particular type of OCD really well. You could tell the author drew from personal experience when crafting this story. I felt as if I was inside of Eliot’s brain. I also loved how patient Manny was during the story when dealing with the FMC moments of having intense OCD. Highly recommend.


Thank you NetGalley for a complementary copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

it was really nice to see this portrayal of mental health and relationships. the book felt maybe 50 pages too long? but overall i enjoyed the read

4.5 - SO GOOD!! Such a heartbreaking story of mental illness and the struggles the FMC faces & trying her best to deny who she is. Felt so many feelings & tears came a few times!! Such a sweet ending too - add to TBR!!

I loved the author’s previous book, Guy’s Girl and gave it a five star rating. I started out really loving this one, too but lost interest. It may have been the ebook format or just bad timing on my part 🤷🏼‍♀️

Thank you to @berkleypublishing and @letstalkbookspromo for the opportunity with #Berkleybuddyreads

Pub day post on Instagram @on_a_sandbar

I loved this book so much!

I have OCD and have felt so alone with my thoughts and feelings for years. Emma Noyes I commend and thank you for writing this book.

I feel that OCD is very misunderstood in our society and what is represented. I don’t think people understand the degree of how severe of a mental illness OCD is. I felt like I was living in this book because I experienced every single think myself. I wish I had this book when I was struggling so deeply with my OCD.

I felt so seen and cried my eyes out reading this book. We don’t have enough education and awareness in our society with mental illness. This book is a start and if it changes someone’s perspective we start there.

Loved it loved it!

5/5 stars

The way that Emma writes is so beautiful. The metaphors throughout and description really helps you gain empathy for the character and relate. I think this book is a really important commentary on the it’s like to live with a mental illness and how family can handle or mishandle that, and how it can make us feel so isolated, even if we are getting the help we need.

I really enjoyed this novel! It was more emotional than I was expecting by the color but it was such a powerful read! It tugged on the heart strings

I really appreciated this depiction of OCD and how it’s so varied from what we usually think about as being associated with OCD. But while this was one of the strengths of the novel, it was also just exhausting to read the thought spirals over and over again. Which I guess means the author did an excellent job writing them, but it made it difficult for me to want to pick up the book and keep reading especially when I was reading in the evenings.

Similarly, by the end of the book, I didn’t feel like I knew Eliot as a character beyond her OCD and the anxiety it caused. She never came alive beyond that, and it made it very difficult to connect with her and did detract some from the read since much of the book was her internal dialogue. There are also many, many secondary characters (big family), but they were also lacking the depth/development they needed to feel like real people. As for the romance, Eliot spends most of the book hiding from Manuel so we only get to know him through the past timeline and through what she’s thinking about him, which kept him from feeling like a well developed or interesting character as well.

This was a much heavier read than I was expecting, and the ending didn’t do much to alleviate that weight. If you’re interested in fiction that focuses on OCD and family drama with a little romance, then you’ll probably enjoy this one. My thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for allowing me to read this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Emma Noyes’ novel "How to Hide in Plain Sight" is a poignant exploration of familial bonds, mental health, and the complexities of love that is as captivating as it is thought-provoking. Set against the backdrop of a lavish wedding in Canada, the story follows Eliot Beck, a young woman grappling with her past while attempting to navigate the present. Having distanced herself from her quirky and chaotic family, Eliot is eager to maintain her carefully constructed façade of independence and control, particularly as she battles the shadows of her obsessive-compulsive disorder. From the moment Eliot steps off the plane, Noyes expertly crafts a tense atmosphere filled with anticipation and anxiety. The four-day-long wedding extravaganza is not only a celebration but also a minefield for Eliot, who has spent years building walls to shield herself from the chaos that often accompanies family gatherings. The author’s keen insights into Eliot's internal struggles allow readers to empathize with her plight, making her character both relatable and profound. As Eliot wrestles with the tension between her desire for connection and her fear of vulnerability, Noyes paints a vivid portrait of the human experience—a dance between love and fear, intimacy and isolation. One of the most compelling elements of the narrative is the relationship between Eliot and her best friend, Manuel. Their connection is electric and filled with unspoken history, providing a rich layer of complexity to Eliot’s journey. Noyes skillfully navigates the intricacies of their friendship, weaving moments of nostalgia with the weight of unfulfilled desires. Manuel’s return acts as a catalyst, forcing Eliot to confront the emotions she has long suppressed. Readers will find themselves rooting for their connection, yet apprehensive about the potential fallout of rekindling a love that could shatter Eliot’s hard-earned stability. Noyes also addresses the often-stigmatized topic of mental health with sensitivity and honesty. Eliot's struggles with obsessive-compulsive disorder are depicted not as a mere plot device but as an integral part of her identity. The author shines a light on the complexities of living with mental illness, capturing the nuances of Eliot’s experiences—the moments of clarity intertwined with the overwhelming waves of anxiety. This authenticity invites readers to engage with the narrative on a deeper level, fostering understanding and compassion for those facing similar challenges. As the wedding festivities unfold, Noyes masterfully builds tension, leading to a climax that is both heart-wrenching and enlightening. The culmination of Eliot's journey is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of vulnerability. "How to Hide in Plain Sight" is not only a story about love and family; it is also a reminder that true healing often occurs when we allow ourselves to be seen. In conclusion, Emma Noyes’ "How to Hide in Plain Sight" is a beautifully written tale that deftly explores the intersections of love, family, and mental health. With richly developed characters and an engaging plot, the novel resonates long after the last page is turned. For anyone who has ever grappled with their identity, relationships, or the weight of the past, this book offers a comforting reminder that vulnerability can lead to profound connection and healing. Highly recommended for readers seeking a heartfelt story that blends humor, poignancy, and insight.

Eliot Black, hasn’t seen her family in over three years. She has just come home to Canada for her brother’s wedding and she is mentally trying to prepare herself for this visit and relain every moment she will be with her family. Like most families, Eliot’s family is very unique. She can’t wait to be with them but there is a reason she hasn’t been back and she isn’t ready to share it. She left for Manhattan to cover up, conceal and maybe deal with her OCD. It had plagued her for years and endlessly brought doubt into her life. She believes that years apart will help her handle the four days with her family. She feels the odds are in her favor a bit soon after she arrives she finds there are some cracks in her plan. The minute she arrives at her house she sees her old best friend Manuel. Her heart begins to melt but she pushes forward. It’s time she face all the demons and find a happy life of her own. A peaceful life without the endless doubt and obsessions. This was such an honest story about mental illness. I really enjoyed how the author told Eliot’s story and how human she made the struggle. How family can make you crumble or help put you back together. I really enjoyed the togetherness of family and the rekindling of love & being brave enough to take second chances. This was a four star read for me. I enjoyed the whole story. I can’t want to read the authors next book. I want to thank Netgalley, Emma Noyes & Berkley Publishing for my copy of How to Hide in plain Sight. It was my pleasure to read and review this book.

How can I put into words how much I loved How to Hide In Plain Sight?! While I don't suffer from OCD, I've have had severe anxiety my entire life which often manifests into the neverending thoughts that can easily send me into a panic. I completely related to Eliot in many ways and thought Noyes did an incredibly job bringing her to life on the page. The story was beautiful, occasionally heartbreaking, but as a whole, one that will leave you with all the feels.

Thank you to Emma Noyes for bringing this incredibly important story to life.

Thank you Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
4.5/5 stars

My first thought after reading this is - everyone needs a Manuel in their corner! He has the patience of a saint, as Eliot’s issues threw up roadblocks whenever possible. Seeing his care and concern for her melted my heart, as he gave her a safe place to be a messy human, and don’t we all need that sometimes? I enjoyed watching the evolution of her family dynamics too, as they all wrestle with their demons.

Based on author Emma Noyes’ own experience with OCD, this is illuminating, heartbreaking and ultimately hopeful. It isn’t your standard feel-good romance. It’s loaded with heavier topics including family dysfunction, addiction, accidental death, trauma, and mental health issues. Having said that, it never felt weighed down or depressing.

Eliot’s character is challenging, and your experience of the book will largely depend on how sympathetic you are towards her, especially since it’s entirely narrated from her POV. I had a personal connection to her struggles that allowed me that empathy, but I could see where some readers might be put off by the extremely self-focused behavior and decisions caused by her OCD.

If you like non-traditional romance with messy family dynamics and a satisfying journey towards healing for all involved, this is a worthy read!

Sadly, this book fell flat for me. It had potential to be a wonderful emotional romance book, but there were certain parts that were lacking. Instead, the love plot wasn't all there. There was something missing between the love interests. It needed to be more sloe-paced between them so they could form a stronger connection. Another instead would be the emotional aspect missing. I needed more from the main character. I needed the main character to explore more of themselves and their vulnerabilities. It would have made the story more appealing.

This is, at times, a hard book to read, but I think that for people who see themselves in these pages, it will be a book that has a major impact. With the age of the main character, there are points that this reads a bit like YA or new adult, but I think that it can hold appeal for older YA readers and adults alike. This story about mental health and complicated family is very moving.

TL;DR: A brilliantly tender, funny, and emotionally gripping story about family, healing, and love that’s as unforgettable as it is raw. Five stars for capturing the true beauty of bonds, both old and new.

'How to Hide in Plain Sight' is so much more than a romance—it’s a heartfelt journey into the complexities of family, personal struggle, and rediscovery. Eliot Beck’s return home is the beginning of a whirlwind reunion. But it’s Eliot’s struggle with OCD that truly gives the novel its depth, and I was moved by how sensitively and authentically the story handles mental health. Eliot’s experience is raw and real, shedding light on her inner world in a way that’s both tender and profound. Seeing her navigate her anxieties, her fears, and the vulnerability she feels when her best friend Manuel enters the picture was mesmerizing. Manuel’s role in Eliot’s life brings a level of soul-deep connection and care that goes beyond romantic chemistry. Their relationship feels like a story within a story, as if they are rediscovering the bond that once held them together while grappling with the changes they’ve both gone through.

This book doesn’t shy away from difficult truths, but it’s also genuinely funny and filled with the joys of a family reunion that’s chaotic in all the best ways. For readers looking for a beautifully written romance with themes of mental health, self-acceptance, and family, 'How to Hide in Plain Sight' will hit all the right notes. Five stars!

4/5 stars

I can’t begin to explain how How to Hide In Plain Sight rocked me to my core.

As someone living with OCD, though not the same subtype, it was refreshing to see a raw, realistic depiction of it. I really connected with Eliot and what it’s like to live inside her head: the doubt, the racing thoughts, the compulsions, the spiraling. I really felt seen.

Surprisingly, I also enjoyed the complex family dynamics of the Beck family and the way Noyes showed how each member processed the grief of Henry. I feel like the the book’s title really shone here: Eliot hid her OCD in plain sight, the family hid their grief in plain sight, and so on.

And even though romance is a part of Eliot’s story, I wouldn’t classify this as a romance. I loved Eliot and Manuel’s relationship, but the romance does take a backseat to everything else happening. However, I actually didn’t mind this.

If someone does pick up How to Hide In Plain Sight, I’d tell come for the romance, but definitely stay for the complex family dynamics, mental health representation, and character studies.

I struggled a lot with this one. I was really excited about the OCD representation, but I found the writing and the pacing of the story to be too slow and bland for me.

Emma Noyes made a fan out of me with her last book, and I was so excited to read her next one. This is one of the most accurate depictions of OCD I’ve ever read in a fiction book. Eliot was incredibly real and relatable, the story was heartwarming and I adored every page.

3.5!

I love Emma Noyes' writing style and the way she's able to truly articulate what is going on inside the brain of her main character. This book was definitely heavy, but I learned a lot by reading it. I felt that the ending seemed a bit rushed.