Goodreads Blurb
When Bea meets Beck, she knows instantly that he's her kind of crazy. Sweet, strong, kinda-messed-up Beck understands her like no one else can. He makes her feel almost normal. He makes her feel like she could fall in love again.
But despite her feelings for Beck, Bea can't stop thinking about someone else: a guy who is gorgeous and magnetic... and has no idea Bea even exists. But Bea knows a ton about him. She spends a lot of time watching him. She has a journal full of notes. Some might even say she's obsessed.
Bea tells herself she's got it all under control, but this isn't a choice, it's a compulsion. The truth is, she's breaking down... and she might end up breaking her own heart.
But despite her feelings for Beck, Bea can't stop thinking about someone else: a guy who is gorgeous and magnetic... and has no idea Bea even exists. But Bea knows a ton about him. She spends a lot of time watching him. She has a journal full of notes. Some might even say she's obsessed.
Bea tells herself she's got it all under control, but this isn't a choice, it's a compulsion. The truth is, she's breaking down... and she might end up breaking her own heart.
This was, in all honesty, very disappointing to me. I mean, it sounded amazing, but actually reading it...well, it fell flat.
Even though this is technically a YA book, I honestly don't feel as if many teens will enjoy this novel. It was...I'll be blunt: it was like reading an autobiography and I honestly don't enjoy those. I think my problem with this was the issues that are in this book. I have nothing against people with OCD, but I really don't enjoy reading about it. And...I really didn't think that was what this book would be about. I imagined something emotional and gritty, but this...I don't think it was quite what I was looking for.
Our main character, Bea, is a certified stalker. Of a guy who's 10 years older than her and married. She listens in on his therapy sessions and jots down the entire conversation in a notebook and pretty much drives to his apartment complex he shares with his wife. And stares at his window. She can't drive without driving back to make sure she hasn't run over someone and scared that she might stab someone. What? I absolutely LOATHED this idea. I'm not saying I hate people with this kind of problem...but reading this is really NOT my thing.
When the synopsis described Beck as "kinda-messed-up" I thought maybe a guy with some family issues. And that's true, in a sense. Beck is addicted to working out. As in, working out for 8 hours straight and OCD in the way that he washes his hands every time he touches someone and does everything in 8's. He washes his hands 8 times, he taps his fingers 8 times, he showers for 8 or 88 minutes, can't send a text without texting 8 times, etc. It was...honestly, ridiculous. But why 8? Well, I guess I won't spoil that right now.
So, yeah, the characters had their issues, but the characters didn't just seem real, they seemed like people who would, quite honestly, freak me out a bit. I feel so bad saying that, but she's a stalker!
Not only that, but this was so incredibly slow. There really weren't any giant twists or anything, and the only thing interesting that caught my attention was near the end and lasted about 5 pages before fizzling out. I can't really hate this book since this book didn't really evoke any strong feelings from me. I read it...and barely had any emotion, really.
Other than that, I can't really explain how much I didn't like this, but...you guys. It was bad. And it's possibly one of the worst books I've read, no matter how much I wish I didn't have to say that. I wouldn't recommend it at all, but then again, maybe I was just the wrong person to read it?
Pages: 352
Genre: Contemporary
Series: Stand alone
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Release Date: July 23, 2013
Rating: .5--->1 star
I was SO excited about OCD Love Story, but this sounds...really bad. Stalking?? Wow... She sounds crazy, like freakishly crazy, and definitely not the fun crazy I like... Sigh. Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteOMG I remember you ranted on and on to me about this one! I'm sorry you didn't like this one as much I actually kind of LOVE the number 8 but I can see how the constant OCD issue could get to you. I feel like sometimes these books are REALLY hard to execute well because sometimes their tendencies get annoying.
ReplyDeleteFantastic review Nikkipoo! (That SOO rhymed)
I'm so disappointed by this review, and I disagree entirely. I adored this book. I thought it was unflinching, engaging and wonderfully written. I think I'd agree that you were not the right person to read it. You seemed very uncomfortable with the stalking, particularly that of an older married man. I think you were supposed to be. It's dramatic irony. As I read, I thought "this can't keep going. Somethings gotta give," and that's what made it so tense and so compelling.
ReplyDeleteYou say you didn't expect it to be about people with OCD. Why not? It's in the title, afterall. You claim that the characters didn't seem real, but evidently they were real enough to "freak you out." You say Beck's repetitive actions are "ridiculous," but that's a common feature of OCD and many individuals with the disorder perform tasks multiple times. It may be "ridiculous" to you, but it doesn't make it any less accurate or real for those with that particular symptom.
Honestly, this was one of the best books I've read in ages and I'm totally by your opinion of this. So you were uncomfortable reading it. You didn't enjoy it. Okay, that's fine, but in no way means the book is bad, and I just wanted to comment so that you readers see an alternate point of view.
Thanks very much.
*Befuddled. I am totally befuddled.
ReplyDelete- Thanks