Sam@WLABB
Written on Jun 5, 2016
I actually liked that Stone showed the good parts of Sam's life more than the bad parts. I found it very encouraging. The embarrassment and shame was clearly illustrated, but so was "Summer Sam", that girl who was pretty normal.
One of the most important things in a YA story, according to me, is that the MC evolves. Sam changes a lot during this story. She is "cured", but she develops a different relationship with her illness, and it allows her more freedom to just be.
The "twist" at the end did not bother me. In fact, I found it interesting. It was Sam being completely honest with herself, and I actually shed a some tears during that part in the story.
I am so caught up in the illness part of the story, but I must mention the romance. Yes, Samantha finds a wonderful boy, who she is able to connect with. They share many adorable and swoony moments. He was a huge catalyst for the changes she made in her life, and really helped her be the best person she could be.
This book was about so much: OCD, family, friends, toxic friends, beginnings, endings, owning your words and the power of your words, forgiveness, remorse, regret, self acceptance. I had many feels.