
Author: Tamara Ireland Stone
Published by: Disney Hyperion
Publication Date: June 16, 2015
Format: eARC
Pages: 368
Source: Publisher


Samantha McAllister looks just like the rest of the popular girls in her junior class. But hidden beneath the straightened hair and expertly applied makeup is a secret that her friends would never understand: Sam has Purely-Obsessional OCD and is consumed by a stream of dark thoughts and worries that she can't turn off.
Second-guessing every move, thought, and word makes daily life a struggle, and it doesn't help that her lifelong friends will turn toxic at the first sign of a wrong outfit, wrong lunch, or wrong crush. Yet Sam knows she'd be truly crazy to leave the protection of the most popular girls in school. So when Sam meets Caroline, she has to keep her new friend with a refreshing sense of humor and no style a secret, right up there with Sam's weekly visits to her psychiatrist.
Caroline introduces Sam to Poet's Corner, a hidden room and a tight-knit group of misfits who have been ignored by the school at large. Sam is drawn to them immediately, especially a guitar-playing guy with a talent for verse, and starts to discover a whole new side of herself. Slowly, she begins to feel more "normal" than she ever has as part of the popular crowd . . . until she finds a new reason to question her sanity and all she holds dear.
Honestly, I didn’t think I was in the mood for this book, so it took a lot for me to actually pick it up. The only thing that pushed me to do so, was the fact that Tamara Ireland Stone is the author. I loved her Time Between Us series, so I knew I had to at least try. Turns out, I shouldn’t have been so hesitant. Every Last Word is a really good book that I found myself enthusiastically invested in!
Sam has had the same group of best friends since kindergarten. She calls them the Crazy Eights, even though they’re down to five. These are the people she should feel the most at ease around; the people she should be able to trust and be herself with. What she mostly feels around them is anxiety and out of place. She hides her OCD from them – from everyone. Until she meets Caroline. Sam slowly begins to make new friends, find a new passion in poetry, and learns to remove the mask and discover who she really is.
The author did a fantastic job with Sam’s character. I love the transformation she went through, which wasn’t easy. As mentioned, she has OCD. It was really interesting getting her thought process and how she would work through her issues.
Strong friendship is one of my favorite themes in a book, so I really enjoyed the journey Sam went on when it came to this. She began to realize that just because she’s been friends with certain people for years, doesn’t mean the relationships are healthy. When she meets Caroline and the rest of the poetry group, her layers began to peel away, revealing a Sam she’s only just discovering herself. And she learns what true, healthy friendships entail.
The romance is so good! It has such a great balance and doesn’t consume the story. And there’s no ‘fixing’ each other. Yes, AJ becomes a positive influence, but it’s wonderfully realistic and sweet.
I absolutely love that Sam’s therapist, Sue, is such an instrumental factor in this book. She’s not just some prop, she’s truly involved and they have an outstanding rapport. And even though her parents don’t have a lot of page time, they still have a strong presence and make an impact when they do. Well, her mom does, anyway.
Also, I love the addition of music and/or poetry, it tends to take the story to a deeper level for me. So it was really nice how poetry played such a big role in Sam’s transformation, and how it impacted her life.
Okay, so there is a little extra … something I won’t say, but I probably would have picked the book up sooner had I known. I caught on almost immediately, and I have to say, it made everything a lot more interesting. And even though I was privy to what was going on, it still felt really emotional when it was revealed.
Overall, Every Last Word is wonderful book, very touching and insightful. It’s definitely another winner from Tamara Ireland Stone!
I love the sound of Sam’s realistic transformation here and how friendship, poetry and the therapist all have a big part to play in her healing. Wonderful review!
Sometimes we long to read a book and it lets us down, sometimes we drag our feet and we’re enthusiastic about it ! I’m glad you finally gave this one a chance and loved it 🙂
I was definitely surprised by this book too because I was so emotionally affected by it. I’m so glad you loved this as much as I did, Christy. I loved the romance and poetry too.
Wonderful review, Christy! 🙂
This does sound good and the whole OCD thing I can relate to, so I am glad it was done well. I love books that include the therapist. So glad you ended up loving it!
I really like this author as well, how did I miss that she had a new book out? I suck right now, seriously!!
Anyways, glad this ended up being a good read for you and engaging. 😉 I’m in such a funk right now. I need something amazing to bring me out of it.
That’s awesome you liked it! Not sure if I’d read it or not just because its about highschool and the whole “popular girls” that kinda stuff just really turns me off books. Great review:)
Why have I not made time to read this author yet!!?? *eyes Time Between Us on my nook* Great review, Christy!
I am really excited to read this one. I like the concept and love that she getting help for her OCD and therapist and parents are all positive people in the story. I also like that she can come to the realization that her childhood friends are unhealthy. Great review!
I’ve never read a book by Tamara Ireland Stone, but I’m going to remedy that now! I love the strong theme of friendship in stories as well, and she we are really able to get to know a character, and see their growth like same. The addition of poetry and music is a huge bonus! I’m buying the book now that I’ve read your review 🙂 Great job!!!
Yay for their being so many positive influences in Sam’s life! I love that her therapist plays a big role and that her family is present and accounted for. And that the romance isn’t about “fixing” her. I hate when romances are portrayed that way, like one person isn’t whole on their own. I’m starting this next week and can’t wait Christy!
I aodred her Time Between Us novel and I have this on my Kindle to be read really soon. I’m so glad it’s another beuatiful storyline from this author. Great review, Christy! 🙂
I have not actually read any books by this author, but I have heard great things about it. I can’t wait to read it. Great review.
Oh this sounds good and I’m curious about that extra part that you refuse to say! Very evil and effective. LOL Brilly review!
I usually avoid YA in general. I could see myself enjoying this one though. Sounds like it’s a well balanced YA novel that doesn’t exaggerrate the elements and made it annoying.
Way to be intriguing and vague, Christy! I want this book SO much! I love YA, and when the story includes a little extra, I’m usually a very happy reader. You made me want to read this even more with your excellent review 🙂
Have a great weekend and happy reading.
Well colour me completely intrigued. Of course I need to know what that little something is now. I love books based on strong bonds and friendships too and I’ve seen how much love this one has been getting. Any book with artistic flare, music, poetry, always lures me in. It just adds another dimension. Wonderful review Christy, really enjoyed it <3
I have seen so many great reviews for Every Last Word. I am dying to know what that little something extra is. Grr. I am glad that it worked out so well after having a hard time picking it up. Great review.
I quite liked this one as well! I absolutely hated Sam’s friends and they seriously put me off to begin with but omg yaaaas the romance and her new friends gave me life ahah.
Great review, Christy <33
I’m glad to hear you finally picked this one up and really enjoyed it. I like books that deal with mental illness in a realistic fashion. 🙂 Plus, books that have strong friendship story lines are always great.
So curious about that little extra something! This is an author that I need to try soon.
That’s always awesome when an author catches you despite not really wanting to read a book 😀
I love strong friendships in books. And I find OCD fascinating, though it sucks. I feel like I have that when it comes to washing my hands, but who knows.
OK, I’m a little bit bore at the moment with romance 🙁 I hope this is temporary. I’ve been on a Thriller and mystery kick, but I’m going to add this to my TBL b/c I’m really hoping I find the passion for romance again…..
I have this one too, but I’m waiting to be in the right mood to read it. Glad it didn’t disappoint! 🙂
This one has been on my wish-list for quite a while, Christy, and now you made me all excited for it! I think the fact that you thought you weren’t even in the mood for it, but still ended up enjoying it so much sealed the deal for me 🙂