ISBN-13: 9781442457331
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication Date: 22 July 2014 (Reprint)
Format: Paperback, 352 pgs
Source: Personal Library
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication Date: 22 July 2014 (Reprint)
Format: Paperback, 352 pgs
Source: Personal Library
As the title suggests, OCD Love Story is all about this cute teenage couple who have, well, OCD (Obsessive-compulsive disorder, an anxiety disorder) in their own ways and how they have fallen in love, despite the weird things they do in other people's eyes.
Sixteen-year-old Bea first met Beck at a school dance, in the dark, to be precise. Well, there was a blackout during the dance, and the reason Bea approached Beck is because she recognized Beck's fast-breathing sound of a panic attack. An anxiety disorder victim herself, she understood how bad things could turn out to be so to calm him down, she held his hand and talked with him.
Her method must have worked because his panic subsided and they talked a bit. Bea then surprised themselves by kissing him later. Beck, either a shy person or embarrassed by the kiss, left in a hurry before the lights are on. And Bea couldn't stop thinking about him thereafter.
Just when we wonder how on earth Bea will recognize Beck without seeing his face, their situations allow them for another encounter. This time around, it is at a therapy group session. It appears that they share the same therapist and fate either favours them or play a joke on them. Either way, Bea is thrilled to see him again. She knew it is Beck after the therapist introduced the group and given that the town they live isn't big, she is confident that's the same Beck she met at the school dance. Beck seems to think the same too, but they didn't let the therapist know about their first encounter.
While Beck has this cleanliness issue, working-out routines and has a tendency of doing certain things eight times (or eight seconds, depending on what tasks), Bea is always worried about sharp objects and that she might hit anyone when she is driving. And most of all, she has this fascination of a married couple who go to the same therapist and she is so into their troubled life that she began to stalk them.
I know OCD is not an issue which can be dealt with overnight, nevertheless I was kind of worried for Bea when at some point her tendency of stalking the couple, Austin and Sylvia (who happens to be hippie indie musicians) became serious and more frequent to an extent that she thinks it's a necessity.
I know what you must be thinking; that it is not at all romantic to read a couple with OCD, let alone their love story (No, I'm not discriminating anyone with OCD. I know this is not what they want or chose to be) but somehow, as I read further I began to see why and how it works for them. As strange as it may sound, I even thought what they have been through and trying so hard to curb their compulsions is, well, touching in a way. It is like, they complement each other through their faults, and they are brave enough to acknowledge them in front of each other, despite how embarrassing or awful their compulsions are.
Although this is very much of a story of Bea and Beck fitting into each other's life despite their individual OCDs, I think it is the efforts (especially Beck) they have tried so hard to pleasing each other by acting normal that really makes this story even more of a love story.
Though Bea and Beck's OCDs get on my nerves sometimes, I have to say they grew on me the more I read about them. Secondary characters like Lisha (Bea's best friend), and the musician couple, Austin and Sylvia, also make this story more entertaining as we see how their roles have somewhat made an impact on Bea.
Overall this is a cute YA love story with interesting characters and an understanding of some OCD behaviors.
Posts
OCD is such a curious disorder. Many times the symptoms are not severe enough to be noticed, but exist anyway. It is sad when the symptoms rule lives, though. I'd like to know more about Bea and Beck.
Sometimes it is tough to read about other's compulsions or disorders but I'm glad you were able to enjoy this one still. Sounds like a cute and sometimes endearing little book.
My daughter has severe OCD, so this really intrigues me.
It sounds like the author tackles the subject of OCD well here. If something like this is not written well, it can come off as offensive. This sounds like an interesting read!
Thanks all for your comments.
When I first picked up this book, my initial thought is that the h/h are particular about love thus the OCD term but after reading it I realised it was actually about them.
Though a love story, it's actually more about their battles and their struggles of getting better. They're simply two teenagers who've an incident which triggered their OCDs, in particular to Beck. Getting help and having lots of support from family and friends help them, and I think this is what the story is driving at.
I admit when I first saw the cover, I wondered if this was more a comedy. It sounds like it tackles some serious issues though and deal with OCD in a respectful way too.
Wendy - Yeah, book covers can be deceiving, huh? ;)