Wow. Boy, am I glad I read this book. Let me start off by saying that I know very little about OCD or agoraphobia–that is, I know what they are but I don’t know how someone’s brain works when they are affected by it, so I’m going into this fairly blind and my opinion and/or thoughts may be null and void. Despite that, I’m so glad I requested this book and was given the chance to read it.

Meet 17-year-old Norah. She’s got OCD and agoraphobia. She’s been homeschooled for a couple of years now, lives with her single mother, and regularly visits her therapist, Dr. Reeves. When a cute boy moves in next door, Norah watches him from her window–that is, until he sees her trying to drag the delivered groceries into her house with some sort of make-shift staff. Their friendship blooms slowly and Norah has to face a few things she’d only given passing thoughts to.

The entire friendship/relationship between Luke and Norah was adorably cute. I wouldn’t call this book a cute, fluffy read but I love their growing friendship and how Luke tries to understand who Norah is even with all her nuances and idiosyncrasies. Norah’s own internal struggle to be “normal” and not “crazy” resonates with me because when I was her age, I shared some similar struggles with Norah. I like how Luke doesn’t push Norah to do things she doesn’t want to do. Norah’s thoughts are wild and may sometimes seem erratic or irrational but we have to take a step back and realize that these small things make up Norah.

What I really loved most about this book is the extremely positive relationship between Mother and daughter and Therapist and client/patient. A lot of times we may see books that do not reflect good light on parent/child or doctor/patient, but I thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated how Norah was very willing to work with her mother and her therapist in various aspects. Each individual challenged Norah in their own way, and it all came out positive in the end. Some might shrug it off and think, “Of course Mom and daughter get along well–Norah’s too afraid to leave the house!” And while that is true, it’s very surface level. Norah has legitimate fears–fears and quirks that her mom has come to understand and to help Norah get through them unlike some parents who might just shrug it off as a “phase” or something they can easily get over. I also like how Dr. Reeves meets Norah where she’s at–literally, like when the doctor came to Norah’s house. It’s refreshing to see Norah respond positively, although skeptically, to Dr. Reeves’s suggestions.

I will admit that this sometimes felt like it dragged on but I like how Norah was challenged in various ways. There are times she does feel sorry for herself and she does wallow a bit, but she also comes to understand that she can be a bit irrational (though it doesn’t help that she looks up crazy videos and articles, lol), but that’s the way her mind works.

On a somewhat different note, I really like that cover.

I look forward to reading whatever else Gornall writes as I think she’s done a splendid job exploring these particular mental illnesses. I’m glad that we’re seeing more and more (YA) books with characters who have mental illnesses as it can be a learning experience for those like me.

First book of 2017 and it did not disappoint
Book follows Norah a teenager with agoraphobia and anxiety. In walks the new neighbor Luke. Norah get to learn about friendship, love and how to over come her own fear of things when it comes to saving herself. Finished this book in 1 day. Loved it!!

My thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

This was such a good book! I had been in a reading slump for quite a while and I began reading this and *poof* the slump was gone.
In Under Rose-Tainted Skies we meet Norah who has agoraphobia, she don't really leave her house and she doesn't really talk to people besides her mom and therapist - then they get new neighbours. Norah grows because of her new neighbour Luke, their friendship will make your cheeks hurt from smiling and you will not be able to put their story down. I loved getting to know Norah and Luke and I loved hearing Norah's story.

In some ways it reminds me of Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon - but this is so much better! This is realistic and I prefer Luke and Norah to the characters in Everything, Everything.

A story I still look back on with a smile, because it was just that good.

Under Rose-Tainted Skies by Louise Gornall was truly a wonderful, powerful, and thought provoking book. I received this ARC book from Net Galley for an honest review. I could not put this book down. Norah is a teenager who is fighting agoraphobia and OCD. We see a true sense of what it is like for someone who fighting a mental illness, how Norah's mind works, and how she fights every day. To be teenager is tough enough, but combine with agoraphobia and OCD is a tougher battle. Thru a mother's unconditional love, Dr.Sullivan her therapist, who helped chose the best therapy that is suited Norah, and even thu she wants to give up, she keeps on fighting. Then enter Luke, her new neighbor, and wants to get to know his 'quirky', akward girl next door. As Norah fights not to give up, against her 'bad' self telling her not to get to know Luke, he is just as persistent and more understanding than she thinks. Under Rose-Tainted Skies is a book that truly surprised me. I truly felt as if I was there beside Norah, cheering her on, telling her that she can over come, that she needs to keep fighting, and it is okay to be different.