Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Pearl O’Reilly has OCD, and while she has coping mechanisms and strategies to get through the day, she longs for the freedom that many around her seem to have. When a chance encounter with a stranger sets off a series of events in Pearl’s life, she has a decision to make: continue to live in the safety of the life she’s created or venture on to something new.

I absolutely loved this book. The character arc was beautifully done. I appreciated getting a first hand look at the real struggles someone with OCD faces, and Ms. Frances captured that beautifully and sensitively. I really rooted for Pearl and admired her courage in facing her fears. She really put herself out there and challenged herself to not succumb to her compulsions. And it’s imperfect and messy and real. I loved her as a character and the humor she has regarding her OCD. This is told in the first person while breaking the 4th wall (theater term, not sure if it applies to books as well) and it absolutely works. It creates intimacy and connection between the reader and Pearl. This is a realistic portrayal of OCD and while making strides and having amazing character growth, the book doesn’t pretend that there is a cure for OCD or that Pearl has magically changed. I really appreciated that because it shines a light on the very real struggles those with OCD face.

It was lovely to see how Pearl’s community made things easier for her without any judgment. For example, one of the farmers that Pearl purchases eggs from leaves a small bottle of hand sanitizer for her because she knows that Pearl will need to sanitize her hands. Her best friend doesn’t infantilize her or enable her but rather lovingly challenges her to live outside her comfort zone in a way that is supportive and free of judgment. And the lovely gestures that Niall does for her are romantic and heartfelt.

This was an excellent debut novel, and I’m excited to see what’s next from Ms. Frances.

This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future.