If you’re looking for a book that is along the lines of “Everything, Everything”, but much better in every way, look no further. Norah struggles with agoraphobia, anxiety and OCD. The first few chapters really got my brain in a twist, but after, this was a sweet novel. It lacked plot, but was still very loveable. I think everyone needs a Luke in their life! I’ve heard that the mental health representation is also very accurate, which is a good contrast to the disaster that was Nicola Yoon’s similar novel. It breaks stigma, creates an original and moving story, and was a pleasure to read. Rating 3/5 @jewelreader of the Teen Review Board of the Hamilton Public Library
The novel “Under Rose-tainted Skies” stars Norah, a not-so-average teenage girl who battles with OCD, anxiety and agoraphobia. Because of these conditions, Norah never got to experience feeling “normal”... until Luke. Met purely by chance, Norah starts to find herself falling for him. Hard. And she’d like to say that he feels the same way. When she is with him, she can feel like just a “normal” girl talking to her crush, until she reminds herself that she isn’t. She isn’t, and she never will be. She can’t go outside like a normal teenage girl and she fears that if she stays with Luke, she is definitely sure she will drag him down and prevent him from living and experiencing many things that she could never offer. Under Rose-Tainted Skies was an enlightening book that didn’t shy away from mental illness. It explained the lonesome and mortifying effects of mental illness in a way that would touch readers’ hearts. The romance was a little confusing, but there were also the very sweet moments that make up for its shortcoming. I love this book and would definitely recommend it to those who are interested in learning about mental health. Rating: 5/5 -@Iron_Rose of the Teen Review Board of the Hamilton Public Library
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Under Rose-tainted Skies