This book reminds me so much of some of the other great mental illness novels I’ve read lately (Chaos Theory, The Words We Keep, All the Little Things). What I love most about these types of books is the sympathy that it teaches you. It also teaches you to never judge someone based on how they act on the outside because you never know what they’re going through when no one is watching. Every Last Word is no exception and it is written beautifully in a way that makes you truly understand what Sam is going through (at least to the extent that someone who doesn’t have OCD can understand). 

The relationships built between Sam and all the other characters is well thought out and developed perfectly. Each character feels dynamic in a way that makes them feel like a whole person. The only characters I felt were lacking is Alexis, Kaitlyn, and Olivia. Of course, the popular girls lack substance (even though Hailey and Sam are part of that crowd). I’d say I was pretty disappointed in the fact that Sam was developed so well and you got to sympathize with the popular crowd, but the other three I mentioned were just… selfish popular girls. It kind of defeated the purpose of Sam being a part of that crowd to show that popular people have problems too. 

As a whole, though, this novel goes above and beyond to make the reader feel like a part of Poet’s Corner and a part of something bigger than just a label for a mental illness. 

Spoilers Ahead.

Not too much to say in the spoilers except that I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that Caroline was a figment of Sam’s imagination. That is all.

Overall, this is a heartwarming story that gives the reader plenty to think about and a whole lot to love. I one hundred percent recommend this novel. Also… I want to know if you guys guess the big “twist” that I mentioned in the spoilers 🙂

Source: Personal Copy