Cover of “Every Last Word” designed by Whitney Manger and published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

This book tugs on your heartstrings in the best way possible. “Every Last Word” by Tamara Ireland Stone is the most relatable and jaw-dropping book I have ever read.

It tells the story of a 17 year-old girl named Samantha McAllister suffering from OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) while battling the normal stressors of her junior year of high school. One day, Samantha meets Caroline and she introduces her to a secret group of poets who meet in what they call the “Poet’s Corner”. I have no idea where they got that name from.

She soon finds herself fascinated with the group along with poetry itself. Aside from the Poet’s Corner, she has a group of friends called “The Eights” who inevitably cause more drama in her life. As she becomes more focused on the Poet’s Corner, she meets a boy named A.J and falls in love with him. Everything in this book is tied together with a plot twist that no one could have seen coming. When I say my face was melting with surprise and heartache, I mean it.

Because this book is told from Sam’s point of view, it really hits the spot for me. I am 16 going on 17 with OCD, and it made me feel heard on a level that no one else could have made me feel. Stone portrays OCD almost perfectly. From panic attacks to intrusive thoughts, she nailed it!

I ate up every second of this book—every last word, if you will. If I were to give this book a rating of 1-5 stars, I would rate it 10. I cannot emphasize enough how much I cherish this book. If there was a fire and my house was burning down, I would run inside to save this book. If you have not already, I recommend reading this book or adding this to your “to be read” list ASAP.