Book Review: "Every Last Word" by Tamara Ireland Stone

Every Last Word is about Sam, a girl with Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), who wants to be normal, but after stumbling upon a bunch of misfits in a place called Poet's Corner, she gradually learns to accept herself.

This story for me is a pageturner. I like its realism. The author's style and voice literally had me hooked to the story. I read every night so whenever I finished a couple of chapters, I have to control myself to stop reading so I can go to sleep. I would look forward to continuing to read it the next day. 

I've read reviews that some aren't fond of how OCD is portrayed in the book, that it isn't accurate and that it is romanticized. I guess it is in a way. I'm no expert nor do I have a friend who has OCD, but I like to believe Tamara did her research. She mentioned in her author's note that she came to write this book because she got to know someone who has OCD. They even wrote this story together.

I slightly agree with the romanticizing, but what bothers me is the bullying. It's taken lightly. Yes, Sam expressed that she feels bad about what she had done but I don't feel the weight about it. What's even worse is suddenly, AJ, the victim, is attracted to Sam quite quickly. That's not that realistic for me. The romance between her and AJ is just kind of a side story, a way to make the heart all giddy. 

Despite that, I had to let it slide because I relate to Sam. I don't have OCD, but the part on how she feels about it is what I connect to. I react to my mental health the same way how she reacts to it. We want to be normal. She finds this sense of normalcy when she's at Poet's corner, like a safe place. I think a lot of readers relate to that at least. How Sam progresses in the story is such a simple concept, but it's a nice thing to unfold. 

If you're planning to read this book, you're also in for a surprising twist.

OVERALL

I've thought about it, and Every Last Word is one of those Young Adult novels that can make a mark on people who are dealing with the same thing, battling with their mental health. It may have its romantic faults, and it's no Fault in Our Stars, but it's something we can relate to, one way or another. 

Rate: 📘📘📘
Experience: 📖📖📖📖