Emma Noyes’ novel "How to Hide in Plain Sight" is a poignant exploration of familial bonds, mental health, and the complexities of love that is as captivating as it is thought-provoking. Set against the backdrop of a lavish wedding in Canada, the story follows Eliot Beck, a young woman grappling with her past while attempting to navigate the present. Having distanced herself from her quirky and chaotic family, Eliot is eager to maintain her carefully constructed façade of independence and control, particularly as she battles the shadows of her obsessive-compulsive disorder. From the moment Eliot steps off the plane, Noyes expertly crafts a tense atmosphere filled with anticipation and anxiety. The four-day-long wedding extravaganza is not only a celebration but also a minefield for Eliot, who has spent years building walls to shield herself from the chaos that often accompanies family gatherings. The author’s keen insights into Eliot's internal struggles allow readers to empathize with her plight, making her character both relatable and profound. As Eliot wrestles with the tension between her desire for connection and her fear of vulnerability, Noyes paints a vivid portrait of the human experience—a dance between love and fear, intimacy and isolation. One of the most compelling elements of the narrative is the relationship between Eliot and her best friend, Manuel. Their connection is electric and filled with unspoken history, providing a rich layer of complexity to Eliot’s journey. Noyes skillfully navigates the intricacies of their friendship, weaving moments of nostalgia with the weight of unfulfilled desires. Manuel’s return acts as a catalyst, forcing Eliot to confront the emotions she has long suppressed. Readers will find themselves rooting for their connection, yet apprehensive about the potential fallout of rekindling a love that could shatter Eliot’s hard-earned stability. Noyes also addresses the often-stigmatized topic of mental health with sensitivity and honesty. Eliot's struggles with obsessive-compulsive disorder are depicted not as a mere plot device but as an integral part of her identity. The author shines a light on the complexities of living with mental illness, capturing the nuances of Eliot’s experiences—the moments of clarity intertwined with the overwhelming waves of anxiety. This authenticity invites readers to engage with the narrative on a deeper level, fostering understanding and compassion for those facing similar challenges. As the wedding festivities unfold, Noyes masterfully builds tension, leading to a climax that is both heart-wrenching and enlightening. The culmination of Eliot's journey is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of vulnerability. "How to Hide in Plain Sight" is not only a story about love and family; it is also a reminder that true healing often occurs when we allow ourselves to be seen. In conclusion, Emma Noyes’ "How to Hide in Plain Sight" is a beautifully written tale that deftly explores the intersections of love, family, and mental health. With richly developed characters and an engaging plot, the novel resonates long after the last page is turned. For anyone who has ever grappled with their identity, relationships, or the weight of the past, this book offers a comforting reminder that vulnerability can lead to profound connection and healing. Highly recommended for readers seeking a heartfelt story that blends humor, poignancy, and insight.

Eliot Black, hasn’t seen her family in over three years. She has just come home to Canada for her brother’s wedding and she is mentally trying to prepare herself for this visit and relain every moment she will be with her family. Like most families, Eliot’s family is very unique. She can’t wait to be with them but there is a reason she hasn’t been back and she isn’t ready to share it. She left for Manhattan to cover up, conceal and maybe deal with her OCD. It had plagued her for years and endlessly brought doubt into her life. She believes that years apart will help her handle the four days with her family. She feels the odds are in her favor a bit soon after she arrives she finds there are some cracks in her plan. The minute she arrives at her house she sees her old best friend Manuel. Her heart begins to melt but she pushes forward. It’s time she face all the demons and find a happy life of her own. A peaceful life without the endless doubt and obsessions. This was such an honest story about mental illness. I really enjoyed how the author told Eliot’s story and how human she made the struggle. How family can make you crumble or help put you back together. I really enjoyed the togetherness of family and the rekindling of love & being brave enough to take second chances. This was a four star read for me. I enjoyed the whole story. I can’t want to read the authors next book. I want to thank Netgalley, Emma Noyes & Berkley Publishing for my copy of How to Hide in plain Sight. It was my pleasure to read and review this book.

How can I put into words how much I loved How to Hide In Plain Sight?! While I don't suffer from OCD, I've have had severe anxiety my entire life which often manifests into the neverending thoughts that can easily send me into a panic. I completely related to Eliot in many ways and thought Noyes did an incredibly job bringing her to life on the page. The story was beautiful, occasionally heartbreaking, but as a whole, one that will leave you with all the feels.

Thank you to Emma Noyes for bringing this incredibly important story to life.

Thank you Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
4.5/5 stars

My first thought after reading this is - everyone needs a Manuel in their corner! He has the patience of a saint, as Eliot’s issues threw up roadblocks whenever possible. Seeing his care and concern for her melted my heart, as he gave her a safe place to be a messy human, and don’t we all need that sometimes? I enjoyed watching the evolution of her family dynamics too, as they all wrestle with their demons.

Based on author Emma Noyes’ own experience with OCD, this is illuminating, heartbreaking and ultimately hopeful. It isn’t your standard feel-good romance. It’s loaded with heavier topics including family dysfunction, addiction, accidental death, trauma, and mental health issues. Having said that, it never felt weighed down or depressing.

Eliot’s character is challenging, and your experience of the book will largely depend on how sympathetic you are towards her, especially since it’s entirely narrated from her POV. I had a personal connection to her struggles that allowed me that empathy, but I could see where some readers might be put off by the extremely self-focused behavior and decisions caused by her OCD.

If you like non-traditional romance with messy family dynamics and a satisfying journey towards healing for all involved, this is a worthy read!

Sadly, this book fell flat for me. It had potential to be a wonderful emotional romance book, but there were certain parts that were lacking. Instead, the love plot wasn't all there. There was something missing between the love interests. It needed to be more sloe-paced between them so they could form a stronger connection. Another instead would be the emotional aspect missing. I needed more from the main character. I needed the main character to explore more of themselves and their vulnerabilities. It would have made the story more appealing.

This is, at times, a hard book to read, but I think that for people who see themselves in these pages, it will be a book that has a major impact. With the age of the main character, there are points that this reads a bit like YA or new adult, but I think that it can hold appeal for older YA readers and adults alike. This story about mental health and complicated family is very moving.

TL;DR: A brilliantly tender, funny, and emotionally gripping story about family, healing, and love that’s as unforgettable as it is raw. Five stars for capturing the true beauty of bonds, both old and new.

'How to Hide in Plain Sight' is so much more than a romance—it’s a heartfelt journey into the complexities of family, personal struggle, and rediscovery. Eliot Beck’s return home is the beginning of a whirlwind reunion. But it’s Eliot’s struggle with OCD that truly gives the novel its depth, and I was moved by how sensitively and authentically the story handles mental health. Eliot’s experience is raw and real, shedding light on her inner world in a way that’s both tender and profound. Seeing her navigate her anxieties, her fears, and the vulnerability she feels when her best friend Manuel enters the picture was mesmerizing. Manuel’s role in Eliot’s life brings a level of soul-deep connection and care that goes beyond romantic chemistry. Their relationship feels like a story within a story, as if they are rediscovering the bond that once held them together while grappling with the changes they’ve both gone through.

This book doesn’t shy away from difficult truths, but it’s also genuinely funny and filled with the joys of a family reunion that’s chaotic in all the best ways. For readers looking for a beautifully written romance with themes of mental health, self-acceptance, and family, 'How to Hide in Plain Sight' will hit all the right notes. Five stars!

4/5 stars

I can’t begin to explain how How to Hide In Plain Sight rocked me to my core.

As someone living with OCD, though not the same subtype, it was refreshing to see a raw, realistic depiction of it. I really connected with Eliot and what it’s like to live inside her head: the doubt, the racing thoughts, the compulsions, the spiraling. I really felt seen.

Surprisingly, I also enjoyed the complex family dynamics of the Beck family and the way Noyes showed how each member processed the grief of Henry. I feel like the the book’s title really shone here: Eliot hid her OCD in plain sight, the family hid their grief in plain sight, and so on.

And even though romance is a part of Eliot’s story, I wouldn’t classify this as a romance. I loved Eliot and Manuel’s relationship, but the romance does take a backseat to everything else happening. However, I actually didn’t mind this.

If someone does pick up How to Hide In Plain Sight, I’d tell come for the romance, but definitely stay for the complex family dynamics, mental health representation, and character studies.

I struggled a lot with this one. I was really excited about the OCD representation, but I found the writing and the pacing of the story to be too slow and bland for me.

Emma Noyes made a fan out of me with her last book, and I was so excited to read her next one. This is one of the most accurate depictions of OCD I’ve ever read in a fiction book. Eliot was incredibly real and relatable, the story was heartwarming and I adored every page.

3.5!

I love Emma Noyes' writing style and the way she's able to truly articulate what is going on inside the brain of her main character. This book was definitely heavy, but I learned a lot by reading it. I felt that the ending seemed a bit rushed.

I am completely humbled by this book. The way in which Emma Noyes draws you in and gives you a small part of her world is beyond brave. I worry all the time. Not to the extent that the main character Eliot has had to hide from the world. I could connect with that voice inside your head that never shuts up. Always making you doubt yourself, that you are never enough, and the list goes on and on. I loved the way she portrayed the large, boisterous, loving Beck family. The family in which Eliot did not feel like she had ever connected with. She is the youngest. Eliot feels left out of conversations or does not remember the stories quit the same as her siblings.

When she was ten, Eliot lost the brother who was closest to her, Henry. Her light dimmed, she never showed emotion, and that is when the worries really took off. Her person, Manuel, stepped into the picture right after. He becomes her world. They are rarely separated. Right before they left for college something happened between the two of them and I was left guessing as to what could have happened between these two best friends. This thing that happened leads to a three-year break, where she does not speak to him or see her family. Her older brother is getting married on the family island. She decides now is the time to see everyone. Little does she know that Manuel will be there. This rips off the band aid and the worries begin to speak up again.

I loved this book. The way in which Noyes speaks about OCD and the way someone can hide the symptoms even from the people you love. When Eliot's therapist speaks of self-hate being addictive, I really felt that. I absolutely loved each character and how they connected to Eliot and her family. Thank you to Emma Noyes and Berkley Publishing for my gifted copy of this incredible read.

4 Going Home Is Scary Stars!

I’ve not read anything by Emma Noyes before and when I saw the blurb for this book I was instantly intrigued. I felt a small connection to Eliot because I too come from a very dysfunctional family but in different ways. Eliot is a woman that has left her family and was really walled herself off from the world thanks to her recent diagnosis of OCD. I always thought I knew what OCD was, but Ms. Noyes has really educated me on the different ways OCD can present itself; it was eye opening to say the least.

After being away from her family for three years Eliot returns home for her brother’s wedding not expecting to see Manuel who was her best friend but also the man she was in love with which of course he never knew. This throws her planned four days into a disarray and she’s not sure she can handle all of it. This is where the story just grabbed my heart and put it through the wringer.

The family dynamics are so fraught with emotions and the revelations that come with this trip had Eliot re-examining why she left and what she’s capable of handling. Her brother that really saw who Eliot was is sorely missed and I found myself crying over this because everyone needs that one family member that accepts who they are even with all their idiosyncrasies and that was Henry for Eliot. There are the moments that Eliot had with Manuel where she reveals her true feelings that made her the most vulnerable and I was trepidatious with how he would react.

I don’t want to give too much away about this emotional and thought provoking story. It’s definitely a book that I recommend if you’re looking to feel everything from joy to sorrow to fear to love and everything in between. Make sure you have your tissues handy!

So I love Emma Noyes and every single book that she has written but this one just wasn't for me.

I felt that it was too long and in the MC's head (which i know is the point of the book) way too much that I just lost interest. I liked the love story but I also could have used a bit more from that and it all ended so abruptly.

It was super interesting to be in the mind of someone struggling with the intrusive thoughts of OCD. I wish more of the story had been devoted to that instead of the family drama. There were so many siblings to keep track of and not all of them added to the story.

Eliot Beck, arriving in Canada for her brother’s wedding, is greeted by the family she hasn’t seen in years after a personal trauma caused her to run away from all she knew. As she tries to reconnect with her beloved family, and her best friend Manuel, she fears that facing buried trauma will lead her back into the never-ending OCD cycle.

Emma Noyes continues to impress me with her achingly raw and very visceral novels featuring flawed and relatable characters with real world issues. Her ability to use her own struggles to shape her characters, adds tenfold to building out these incredibly multi-faceted characters, who by the conclusion of the story, you feel as though you know.

While there is a romance at the heart of this story, the focus is much more on the growth and development of our MC Eliot, her relationship with her OCD and with her family. Through past and present timelines, we experience alongside her some of the traumas that bought her to where she is at the opening of the book.

It is easy to see why Manuel is so special to Eliot - the epitome of the book boyfriend, he is her constant support system, knowing her better than she knows herself at times. One aspect I loved most is the juxtaposition of how they grew closer in the past, and how they must work again towards that same goal, now in the present. While I wish there was epilogue to see more into the future and what it held for them, I feel okay with how the author chose to conclude their story.

To be quite candid, this story is hard to read at times. Eliot suffers tremendously at the hands of her OCD and I could feel her pain literally coming off of the page. It was downright uncomfortable at times. I could not imagine the impact this type of disorder has on someone’s life, but thanks to Noyes, I come away from it with a better understanding of the incredible pain and trauma it can bring with it. As someone who is neurodivergent too (Autism) seeing this type of rep in mainstream books makes my heart incredibly happy, even while I cried for Eliot and those who suffer from the same type of OCD.

Read if you like:
▪️women’s fiction
▪️second chance
▪️wedding backdrop
▪️emotional reads
▪️neurodivergent (OCD) rep

Thank you Berkley Pub and Berkley Romance for the gifted copies.

As she did with Guy's Girl author Emma Noyes creates another character-driven story that unflinchingly delves into the complexities of mental illness and the ways in which it can affect all other aspects of life. There's a heaviness to the book, and I found myself needing to pause a time or two because it hit me personally in some specific ways. But I appreciate the craft of a story like this and Noyes's willingness to put such flawed yet compelling characters on the page.

But please mind your own personal triggers, because this book won't be for everyone.

Don't pick this one up for the romance as it takes a back seat to the family drama. But also that didn't let it stop me from rooting for Eliot and Manuel. They had such a strong bond and so much to work through but they were so worth rooting for.

Huge thank you berkleypub and netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

The representation of mental health was excellent. It made it easier for me to comprehend how Eliot's past and her history of OCD influenced her current experiences. Manuel was a wonderful character as well. Even though she took Manny out of her life and continued to push him away, I found it great that he never gave up on him. I also liked how this story focused on family. I liked this book overall. For me, it was a slow burn.

This book is about Eliot Beck and takes place the weekend to her older brother’s wedding. It also happens to be the first time in three years that she has seen her family or her best friend, Manuel. After cutting off all communication and moving to New York, Eliot is sure what to expect from this reunion. Even worse, she doesn’t know if stepping away from her carefully curated routine of working nonstop and running will cause the “worries” to come back and make her undeserving of her family’s (and Manuel’s) love.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. It was a slow burn for me and I read it just a chapter or a two at a time. I really liked the mental health representation. This book helped me better understand OCD and what might be going through someone’s mind if they are affected by it. I also appreciated the dual timelines. It helped me understand how Eliot’s past and history with OCD affected what she was experiencing in the present timeline. I also loved Manuel as a character. I thought it was admirable that he never gave up on Eliot, even though she cut him out of her life and kept pushing him away. I also appreciated the family aspect of this story as well. My only criticism of this book is that it seemed to be promoted as a second-chance romance, which is really seems to be more of a side point and not the overall story here. All in all, this was a solid read.