What do you think?
Rate this book
Win a free print copy of this book!
0 days and 23:19:59
10 copies available
U.S. and Canada only
It's All in Your Head
Win a free print copy of this book!
0 days and 23:19:59
10 copies available
U.S. and Canada only
A “poignant and swoony” romance about a woman with a rare neurological condition who agrees to fake-date the hot guy in her chronic pain support group—only to discover he’s an Olympic snowboarder whose career-ending injury is as infamous as his dating history (Gigi Griffis, author of The Empress).
Your fake relationship shouldn’t come with chronic feelings.
Skylar is done with offline relationships—especially romantic ones. Living with chronic illness means she’s heard it all unreliable, high-maintenance, too much. She’d rather spend her free time in her online chronic pain support group, and lately, she can’t help but notice Pike, the hot new guy with a penchant for broody poetry. When a chaotic night in the group forces her to pose as his girlfriend, she reluctantly agrees to keep up the charade in real life. Surprisingly, he’s thoughtful, sweet, and—most importantly—doesn’t flinch at the things that have scared others away.
Fake dating gets a lot more complicated when she discovers Pike isn’t just some guy. He’s a professional snowboarder whose career-ending injury is as infamous as his playboy past. He won’t talk about that, though. He’s fine. Really. But pretending to be in love with Skylar turns out to be the least depressing thing he’s done in months. As they spend more time together, she starts to notice the cracks in his carefully crafted image, and for once, he doesn’t mind being seen.
After all the bed-sharing and late-night talks, it becomes harder for both of them to pretend. But just as things start turning real, the paparazzi catch on, wanting the scoop on how everyone’s favorite Olympic medalist is doing post-accident. Dating while disabled comes with challenges of its own, but public speculation and invasive questions are something else entirely. If their newfound feelings can’t survive the spotlight, their not-so-fake relationship may be over before it ever truly begins.
Your fake relationship shouldn’t come with chronic feelings.
Skylar is done with offline relationships—especially romantic ones. Living with chronic illness means she’s heard it all unreliable, high-maintenance, too much. She’d rather spend her free time in her online chronic pain support group, and lately, she can’t help but notice Pike, the hot new guy with a penchant for broody poetry. When a chaotic night in the group forces her to pose as his girlfriend, she reluctantly agrees to keep up the charade in real life. Surprisingly, he’s thoughtful, sweet, and—most importantly—doesn’t flinch at the things that have scared others away.
Fake dating gets a lot more complicated when she discovers Pike isn’t just some guy. He’s a professional snowboarder whose career-ending injury is as infamous as his playboy past. He won’t talk about that, though. He’s fine. Really. But pretending to be in love with Skylar turns out to be the least depressing thing he’s done in months. As they spend more time together, she starts to notice the cracks in his carefully crafted image, and for once, he doesn’t mind being seen.
After all the bed-sharing and late-night talks, it becomes harder for both of them to pretend. But just as things start turning real, the paparazzi catch on, wanting the scoop on how everyone’s favorite Olympic medalist is doing post-accident. Dating while disabled comes with challenges of its own, but public speculation and invasive questions are something else entirely. If their newfound feelings can’t survive the spotlight, their not-so-fake relationship may be over before it ever truly begins.
384 pages, Paperback
Expected publication February 10, 2026
19 people are currently reading
14406 people want to read
About the author
Sabina Nordqvist
1 book93 followersSabina Nordqvist began writing as a way to distract herself from chronic pain and illness, and before long, she couldn’t stop creating imaginary worlds and swoony book boyfriends. When not immersed in her latest project, she’s likely doing physical therapy, reading, or searching for answers to her latest mystery symptom. A polyglot with three nationalities, she’s spent many years abroad and loves nerding out over intercultural communication and the languages she’s picked up along the way. It's All in Your Head is her debut novel.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
February 2, 2026
2/2/26: I think it's a sign of a truly good book when you enjoy it just as much on the third reread—if not more—as the first time you read it. IAIYH is one of those books.
IT'S ALL IN YOUR HEAD marks the introduction of a powerful new voice in the romance genre and literature as a whole. While Pike and Skylar's relationship is at the book's core, Nordqvist deftly tackles the pervasiveness of ableism in familial, platonic, and romantic relationships—even in the relationships the characters have with their own selves. Her writing is unflinching, funny, and heart wrenching. IAIYH is one of the first books I've ever read that accurately depicts what it is like to date, be in love, and navigate the world as a disabled woman, all without shying away from the parts of ourselves society has taught us to hide. And Pike is definitely my new fictional crush.
The week before I left for college, I promised my teenage-self that I wouldn't tell anyone that I was chronically ill, because, amongst other things, I believed no one would want to date a sick girl. I wish I had IT'S ALL IN YOUR HEAD to read then, to know that I could be the main character in a love story. But I can settle for having it now, a decade later, knowing that someday soon readers will have access to this beautiful book and their lives will be changed for the better.
IT'S ALL IN YOUR HEAD marks the introduction of a powerful new voice in the romance genre and literature as a whole. While Pike and Skylar's relationship is at the book's core, Nordqvist deftly tackles the pervasiveness of ableism in familial, platonic, and romantic relationships—even in the relationships the characters have with their own selves. Her writing is unflinching, funny, and heart wrenching. IAIYH is one of the first books I've ever read that accurately depicts what it is like to date, be in love, and navigate the world as a disabled woman, all without shying away from the parts of ourselves society has taught us to hide. And Pike is definitely my new fictional crush.
The week before I left for college, I promised my teenage-self that I wouldn't tell anyone that I was chronically ill, because, amongst other things, I believed no one would want to date a sick girl. I wish I had IT'S ALL IN YOUR HEAD to read then, to know that I could be the main character in a love story. But I can settle for having it now, a decade later, knowing that someday soon readers will have access to this beautiful book and their lives will be changed for the better.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4 / 5 Stars
This was a really great debut. It is a poignant portrayal of characters living with chronic pain and disabilities mixed with a sweet and spicy romance. In “It’s All In Your Head,” Skylar has created an online support group for people living with chronic pain and illness. When Pike, a new, very attractive member, posts a poem that garners a lot of attention, Skylar is forced to act as his fake girlfriend (just go with it). She’ll pose as his fake girlfriend for two dates over the course of a few months, but things get complicated because 1) Pike is thoughtful and kind on top of being hot and 2) he is a former Olympic snowboarder who had a career ending injury. As things become more real and less fake, their feelings and his celebrity become even more complicated.
You will probably like this book if you like:
💘 Fake dating
💘 Only one bed
💘 Secret celebrity and reformed playboy
💘 Hurt / comfort
💘 Found family
💘 Representation of people with chronic pain and illness (IIH and POTs)
💘 Representation of people with physical disabilities (ambulatory wheelchair and cane use)
💘 Representation of mental health conditions (depression)
The portrayal of chronic pain and illness and physical disability was really comprehensive, nuanced, and unflinching. It portrays how pervasive and systemic ableism is and shows how two characters who are relatively privileged (have money, health insurance, access to doctors, are not dealing with medical racism) could have their symptoms dismissed or overlooked. I am really glad that we are getting more stories about characters who are disabled from authors with lived experience. I can’t say anything as well as the author had so here are some really beautiful words from her author’s note: “If chronic pain or illness upended your life, I hope you’ll hold onto the possibility of your own happy ending. Joy, romance, and belonging are not out of reach just because we are ill or disabled. We do not need to be cured or inspirational to find love, in whatever form it takes.”
I really fell in love with both Pike and Skylar. Skylar has felt and been told that she is too much and that is such a heartbreaking and relatable feeling. Pike is adjusting to a new reality that he isn’t sure how to process and grieving his past life which is also a heartbreaking and relatable feeling. The two of them made perfect sense together.
The romance itself was also fun. I haven’t read a ton of secret celebrity stories and I think that trope added a fun layer of external conflict to the story. The internal conflict came from the fact that neither of the characters had been in a healthy long-term relationship before so both are terrified of messing it up. Does that lead to miscommunication and assumptions? 100%. Was that a bit frustrating (though realistic)? Also 100%. I appreciated both of their growth though. And there was a fun, spicy microtrope that kind of came out of nowhere, but you know what, why not (iykyk)? Let’s go with it!
There were a few times that I had a bit of a hard time following some of the smaller details in the book. A few times I caught myself saying “when did this character, who is now talking, enter the scene?” or “wait, how are you laying down? I thought you were in the car.” These might get corrected before the publication date but it did take me out of the book a tad.
Overall, I am looking forward to reading more of Sabina Nordqvist’s work and am happy I got to read this ARC!
Thank you Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for providing this eARC! All opinions are my own.
Publication Date: February 10, 2026
_________________________
Pre-Read Thoughts: I am genuinely so excited to read this book. So happy I got this ARC.
This was a really great debut. It is a poignant portrayal of characters living with chronic pain and disabilities mixed with a sweet and spicy romance. In “It’s All In Your Head,” Skylar has created an online support group for people living with chronic pain and illness. When Pike, a new, very attractive member, posts a poem that garners a lot of attention, Skylar is forced to act as his fake girlfriend (just go with it). She’ll pose as his fake girlfriend for two dates over the course of a few months, but things get complicated because 1) Pike is thoughtful and kind on top of being hot and 2) he is a former Olympic snowboarder who had a career ending injury. As things become more real and less fake, their feelings and his celebrity become even more complicated.
You will probably like this book if you like:
💘 Fake dating
💘 Only one bed
💘 Secret celebrity and reformed playboy
💘 Hurt / comfort
💘 Found family
💘 Representation of people with chronic pain and illness (IIH and POTs)
💘 Representation of people with physical disabilities (ambulatory wheelchair and cane use)
💘 Representation of mental health conditions (depression)
The portrayal of chronic pain and illness and physical disability was really comprehensive, nuanced, and unflinching. It portrays how pervasive and systemic ableism is and shows how two characters who are relatively privileged (have money, health insurance, access to doctors, are not dealing with medical racism) could have their symptoms dismissed or overlooked. I am really glad that we are getting more stories about characters who are disabled from authors with lived experience. I can’t say anything as well as the author had so here are some really beautiful words from her author’s note: “If chronic pain or illness upended your life, I hope you’ll hold onto the possibility of your own happy ending. Joy, romance, and belonging are not out of reach just because we are ill or disabled. We do not need to be cured or inspirational to find love, in whatever form it takes.”
I really fell in love with both Pike and Skylar. Skylar has felt and been told that she is too much and that is such a heartbreaking and relatable feeling. Pike is adjusting to a new reality that he isn’t sure how to process and grieving his past life which is also a heartbreaking and relatable feeling. The two of them made perfect sense together.
The romance itself was also fun. I haven’t read a ton of secret celebrity stories and I think that trope added a fun layer of external conflict to the story. The internal conflict came from the fact that neither of the characters had been in a healthy long-term relationship before so both are terrified of messing it up. Does that lead to miscommunication and assumptions? 100%. Was that a bit frustrating (though realistic)? Also 100%. I appreciated both of their growth though. And there was a fun, spicy microtrope that kind of came out of nowhere, but you know what, why not (iykyk)? Let’s go with it!
There were a few times that I had a bit of a hard time following some of the smaller details in the book. A few times I caught myself saying “when did this character, who is now talking, enter the scene?” or “wait, how are you laying down? I thought you were in the car.” These might get corrected before the publication date but it did take me out of the book a tad.
Overall, I am looking forward to reading more of Sabina Nordqvist’s work and am happy I got to read this ARC!
Thank you Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for providing this eARC! All opinions are my own.
Publication Date: February 10, 2026
_________________________
Pre-Read Thoughts: I am genuinely so excited to read this book. So happy I got this ARC.
January 4, 2026
Rep: FMC with idiopathic intracranial hypertension, tinnitus, dysautonomia/POTS, and aphasia; a MMC and FMC with chronic pain. MMC with depression and PTSD. SCs with hEDS, fibromyalgia, ME/CFS, interstitial cystitis, and Epstein–Barr virus; a bedbound SC. MMC cane user and wheelchair user. SC rollator user. Plus-size FMC, asexual/ace SCs, LGBTQ+ characters, Persian and Mexican American SCs.
Thank you to @nordqvistbooks, @grandcentralpub, and @netgalley for the ARC. This romance novel was one of my favorite disability books of 2025 and is already one of my all-time favorites. This is the first book I’ve read that really captures the magic and found family that grows out of chronic pain and illness support groups alongside the grief that comes from being misunderstood by non-disabled family and friends. This would also be the very first book I’d hand to someone who is chronically ill and to someone who isn’t but genuinely wants to understand what it feels like when your life is turned completely upside down.
The story handles grief, pity, and ableism with so much care and precision. Nordqvist somehow manages to educate without sounding pedantic, while still affirming the messy, complex realities patients live with every day. I found myself nodding along and saying, “Yep, that is so true,” again and again while reading.
On top of all that, the romance delivers: fake dating, one bed, all the good stuff. AND CAN WE TALK ABOUT THE PINING AND THE SIZZLING CHEMISTRY BETWEEN THESE TWO? *Whew.* Good lord. I loved seeing Nordqvist say a very clear no thank you to anyone who thinks disabled people can’t be sexy, desirable, or hot for one another.
I also appreciate how Skylar and Pike represent two different ways people can become disabled as adults—either suddenly due to an accident or sports injury, or gradually over time due to later-in-life conditions or a growing list of chronic illnesses. The grief of a former athlete mourning the loss of mobility and a sport they’d give anything to return to was palpable. The book also captures the massive gulf that can open up between us and the non-disabled world—even friends we were sure would be there forever—once life changes and their response becomes either pity or quiet avoidance.
I would obnoxiously quote this book nonstop if this weren’t an ARC, and I fully plan to highlight the hell out of my finished copy in purple highlighter when it comes out on February 10th. Sabina Nordqvist, this is one hell of a debut. So many moments felt like you were inside my head. I’ll be reading anything you write from here on out. 💜
CW: medical trauma, lumbar puncture, BMI weaponization, fatphobia, life-altering accident, online harassment, ableism, toxic relationships, parental abandonment, car accident, sexual content, discussion of forced psychiatric care, mentions of suicide and suicidal ideation, drinking, opioid use for pain management, divorce, toxic positivity, cannabis use, gambling addiction, bullying, privacy breaches
Thank you to @nordqvistbooks, @grandcentralpub, and @netgalley for the ARC. This romance novel was one of my favorite disability books of 2025 and is already one of my all-time favorites. This is the first book I’ve read that really captures the magic and found family that grows out of chronic pain and illness support groups alongside the grief that comes from being misunderstood by non-disabled family and friends. This would also be the very first book I’d hand to someone who is chronically ill and to someone who isn’t but genuinely wants to understand what it feels like when your life is turned completely upside down.
The story handles grief, pity, and ableism with so much care and precision. Nordqvist somehow manages to educate without sounding pedantic, while still affirming the messy, complex realities patients live with every day. I found myself nodding along and saying, “Yep, that is so true,” again and again while reading.
On top of all that, the romance delivers: fake dating, one bed, all the good stuff. AND CAN WE TALK ABOUT THE PINING AND THE SIZZLING CHEMISTRY BETWEEN THESE TWO? *Whew.* Good lord. I loved seeing Nordqvist say a very clear no thank you to anyone who thinks disabled people can’t be sexy, desirable, or hot for one another.
I also appreciate how Skylar and Pike represent two different ways people can become disabled as adults—either suddenly due to an accident or sports injury, or gradually over time due to later-in-life conditions or a growing list of chronic illnesses. The grief of a former athlete mourning the loss of mobility and a sport they’d give anything to return to was palpable. The book also captures the massive gulf that can open up between us and the non-disabled world—even friends we were sure would be there forever—once life changes and their response becomes either pity or quiet avoidance.
I would obnoxiously quote this book nonstop if this weren’t an ARC, and I fully plan to highlight the hell out of my finished copy in purple highlighter when it comes out on February 10th. Sabina Nordqvist, this is one hell of a debut. So many moments felt like you were inside my head. I’ll be reading anything you write from here on out. 💜
CW: medical trauma, lumbar puncture, BMI weaponization, fatphobia, life-altering accident, online harassment, ableism, toxic relationships, parental abandonment, car accident, sexual content, discussion of forced psychiatric care, mentions of suicide and suicidal ideation, drinking, opioid use for pain management, divorce, toxic positivity, cannabis use, gambling addiction, bullying, privacy breaches
November 17, 2025
I was ABSOLUTELY blown away by debut contemporary romance author Sabina Nordqvist's upcoming 2026 It's all in your head!! This was the first romance book I've read where the author clearly knows what it's like to live with chronic pain and an invisible illness (in this case IIH - Idiopathic intracranial hypertension).
The dual POV story involves fake dating, hurt/comfort, an only one bed situation, awesome found family/disabled friend and community groups and SOO much more. It also doesn't shy away from discussions of ableism, parental abandonment, medical gaslighting, depression and worse.
But the heavy is balanced out by some of the steamiest and utterly swooniest moments too!! Brendon 'Pike' is a former Olympic gold medal snowboarder who has a career ending accident that leaves him with chronic pain and dependent on mobility aids (canes and at times a wheelchair), while the FMC, Skylar, has been struggling to figure out the cause of her IIH and lives with a host of symptoms and pain that often leaves her immobile and without the energy (aka 'spoons') to be social or do her job.
I could go on and on and ON about how much I loved this book but just trust me when I say you won't want to miss it! I'm already itching to get my hands on Skylar's two best friend's books (one of whom suspects she has hEDS and the other who is Autistic).
HUGE thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for getting an early digital copy and physical ARC in my hands! I can't recommend IAIYH enough, especially for fans of authors like Chloe Liese and Hannah Bonam-Young.
The dual POV story involves fake dating, hurt/comfort, an only one bed situation, awesome found family/disabled friend and community groups and SOO much more. It also doesn't shy away from discussions of ableism, parental abandonment, medical gaslighting, depression and worse.
But the heavy is balanced out by some of the steamiest and utterly swooniest moments too!! Brendon 'Pike' is a former Olympic gold medal snowboarder who has a career ending accident that leaves him with chronic pain and dependent on mobility aids (canes and at times a wheelchair), while the FMC, Skylar, has been struggling to figure out the cause of her IIH and lives with a host of symptoms and pain that often leaves her immobile and without the energy (aka 'spoons') to be social or do her job.
I could go on and on and ON about how much I loved this book but just trust me when I say you won't want to miss it! I'm already itching to get my hands on Skylar's two best friend's books (one of whom suspects she has hEDS and the other who is Autistic).
HUGE thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for getting an early digital copy and physical ARC in my hands! I can't recommend IAIYH enough, especially for fans of authors like Chloe Liese and Hannah Bonam-Young.
December 12, 2025
I love finding a new all-time favorite book—especially when it's a 5-star prediction. Like, yes, I am psychic! And now I'm a prophet: you will also enjoy this book. Go preorder it now.
TW: Chronic pain; Depression; Medical trauma and gaslighting; On-page medical procedures, including spinal tap; Fatphobia; Ableism; Vomiting; Minor car accident (on page); Discussions about suicide; Toxic parents; Parent with gambling addiction; Medical information leaked
I would place this book in the same category as Torie Jean's books. There's a blend of well-loved tropes but starring disabled characters, and levity mixed with intense and accurate portrayals of chronic pain and medical gaslighting. If you were to see a Venn diagram with two circles labeled "swoony romance" and "shit gets real," those books would be solidly in the center. It's difficult to write books that balance both without sacrificing the humor or the nuanced identity searching. Those two authors are extremely capable.
Please see below for a full list of the representation included, which spans nine different disabilities and the use of multiple different mobility aids. I LOVE TO SEE IT!!!
I want to specifically rave about the caretaking and inclusion of internet friends. Oh, is Sydney talking about caretaking in a review again? YES I AM. And chronic pain caretaking is god tier. Chronic pain intimacy is on another level too. If you're not convinced, this book will change your mind.
Internet friends are not seen often in books, but in a book full of disabled characters I should have expected them. Online support groups have been a saving grace as I've navigated my own chronic illnesses. I love how Nordqvist incorporated the group and the different dynamics within it into every part of the story. It's there as a backdrop to the inciting incident between Pike and Skylar, it's the safe space for her to retreat to, it's complicit for a portion of the conflict, and it's the source for Skylar's entire support system.
I have zero complaints. This was the first book in MONTHS that has made me put screens aside, only wanting to read above anything else. Instant new favorite for me. <3
Set in northern New York, specifically near Rochester.
Sport included is snowboarding.
Rep:
Main character with idiopathic intracranial hypertension & POTS
Main character with chronic intractable pain and depression who uses a cane and a wheelchair
Gray ace side character with fibromyalgia, autism, & interstitial cystitis
Italian side character with hEDS who uses a rollater
Gay, Mexican-American side character with ME/CFS who uses a wheelchair
Persian, gay side character
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for the arc copy in exchange for promotion and an early review. My opinions were not affected by the gift and remain my own.
TW: Chronic pain; Depression; Medical trauma and gaslighting; On-page medical procedures, including spinal tap; Fatphobia; Ableism; Vomiting; Minor car accident (on page); Discussions about suicide; Toxic parents; Parent with gambling addiction; Medical information leaked
I would place this book in the same category as Torie Jean's books. There's a blend of well-loved tropes but starring disabled characters, and levity mixed with intense and accurate portrayals of chronic pain and medical gaslighting. If you were to see a Venn diagram with two circles labeled "swoony romance" and "shit gets real," those books would be solidly in the center. It's difficult to write books that balance both without sacrificing the humor or the nuanced identity searching. Those two authors are extremely capable.
Please see below for a full list of the representation included, which spans nine different disabilities and the use of multiple different mobility aids. I LOVE TO SEE IT!!!
I want to specifically rave about the caretaking and inclusion of internet friends. Oh, is Sydney talking about caretaking in a review again? YES I AM. And chronic pain caretaking is god tier. Chronic pain intimacy is on another level too. If you're not convinced, this book will change your mind.
Internet friends are not seen often in books, but in a book full of disabled characters I should have expected them. Online support groups have been a saving grace as I've navigated my own chronic illnesses. I love how Nordqvist incorporated the group and the different dynamics within it into every part of the story. It's there as a backdrop to the inciting incident between Pike and Skylar, it's the safe space for her to retreat to, it's complicit for a portion of the conflict, and it's the source for Skylar's entire support system.
I have zero complaints. This was the first book in MONTHS that has made me put screens aside, only wanting to read above anything else. Instant new favorite for me. <3
Set in northern New York, specifically near Rochester.
Sport included is snowboarding.
Rep:
Main character with idiopathic intracranial hypertension & POTS
Main character with chronic intractable pain and depression who uses a cane and a wheelchair
Gray ace side character with fibromyalgia, autism, & interstitial cystitis
Italian side character with hEDS who uses a rollater
Gay, Mexican-American side character with ME/CFS who uses a wheelchair
Persian, gay side character
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for the arc copy in exchange for promotion and an early review. My opinions were not affected by the gift and remain my own.
March 13, 2024
I love this book so much! With sparkling prose and characters that jump off the page, It’s All in Your Head by Sabina Nordqvist is a beautiful debut from a fresh new voice in contemporary fiction. Readers will root for main character Skylar, who lives with chronic pain from a rare neurological condition, as she grapples with developing feelings for swoony Pike, a celebrity-in-hiding who is newly disabled—and new to the very real struggles of ableism and medical gaslighting that Skylar faces every day. Nordqvist has penned an immersive love story that strikes exactly the right balance of sweetness and steam and provides authentic disability representation—filling a critically underrepresented literary need.
September 25, 2025
IT’S ALL IN YOUR HEAD is a breath of fresh air and an instant favorite. Skylar and Pike’s chemistry and tension is rewarded with the sexiest, most tender payoff, one that had me tearing up and blushing in equal measure. Simply put, this book feels like falling in love—with yourself and your disability, and with the one person who knows to bring you cake when you’ve existed on crumbs. Sabina Nordqvist just gets it.
January 7, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and to Grand Central Publishing for the e-arc!
I absolutely loved this book. I was diagnosed with IIH in 2022 and while I haven’t experienced every symptom that Skylar has (no diagnosed condition is the same) the pressure, headaches, aphasia, brain fog, and all the lovely side effects from the meds are no joke. It was truly refreshing to read a love story and to actually see myself in the main character, because I know what it feels like to exist in her body.
I really liked how the author wrote the love story and that their individual issues had room to exist in their relationship while they were also falling in love and dealing with their own disabilities together.
One of the books I was most excited to read this year, and I’m so grateful that I got the chance to read it early and to experience it before everyone else.
I absolutely loved this book. I was diagnosed with IIH in 2022 and while I haven’t experienced every symptom that Skylar has (no diagnosed condition is the same) the pressure, headaches, aphasia, brain fog, and all the lovely side effects from the meds are no joke. It was truly refreshing to read a love story and to actually see myself in the main character, because I know what it feels like to exist in her body.
I really liked how the author wrote the love story and that their individual issues had room to exist in their relationship while they were also falling in love and dealing with their own disabilities together.
One of the books I was most excited to read this year, and I’m so grateful that I got the chance to read it early and to experience it before everyone else.
November 15, 2025
This book is a love letter to people with chronic illnesses. It battles ableism on all fronts and showcases people thriving WITH their illnesses, not just in spite of them. It takes these characters on a deep journey of self-worth, self-love, and finding your place in the world. Their stories are ones that so many chronically ill people battle with daily, and it felt so good to be seen by its pages.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The premise of this one definitely tugged at my heartstrings. I’m so glad to see chronically ill characters being represented in romance — it makes my heart so happy. Especially since my best friend has similar health issues as the FMC, it was wonderful to see someone like her authentically represented in a love story.
That said, this one wasn’t quite for me. But I can absolutely see it being the perfect fit for anyone who has a chronic illness and loves romance. The book features a wide range of characters with different chronic conditions, and the representation feels thoughtful and genuine. The author even joked about having “enough chronic illnesses to fill a whole book,” and she delivered — it’s clear she’s familiar with these experiences, giving the characters authenticity and depth.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
That said, this one wasn’t quite for me. But I can absolutely see it being the perfect fit for anyone who has a chronic illness and loves romance. The book features a wide range of characters with different chronic conditions, and the representation feels thoughtful and genuine. The author even joked about having “enough chronic illnesses to fill a whole book,” and she delivered — it’s clear she’s familiar with these experiences, giving the characters authenticity and depth.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 15, 2024
I absolutely can’t wait to read this!
We’ll all become disabled if we live long enough — our only options are aging and getting disabled or dying — but our world isn’t built for disabled people and instead marginalizes us.
I hope this book contributes to getting people to care about disabled people and disability justice as much as media can — but I’m also really looking forward to reading a romance novel by someone who’s disabled and can write about life with disability well.
I love romance, and I’m looking forward to reading about two people navigating life and love.
We’ll all become disabled if we live long enough — our only options are aging and getting disabled or dying — but our world isn’t built for disabled people and instead marginalizes us.
I hope this book contributes to getting people to care about disabled people and disability justice as much as media can — but I’m also really looking forward to reading a romance novel by someone who’s disabled and can write about life with disability well.
I love romance, and I’m looking forward to reading about two people navigating life and love.
January 24, 2026
“𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘣𝘰𝘥𝘺 𝘦𝘹𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘐 𝘢𝘭𝘴𝘰 𝘸𝘢𝘯𝘵 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘵. 𝘠𝘰𝘶.”
Thank you to Edelweiss and the publisher for the eARC of It’s All in Your Head by Sabina Nordqvist!
WHAT A DEBUT. As a bookseller, I am extremely privileged in terms of getting early access to a wide array of books. I feel especially privileged whenever I dive into a debut I end up loving; getting to be one of the very first people to read a person’s debut novel is always such a cool feeling and I LOVE getting to hit the floor running with recommendations when the book ends up in-store.
Anyone who is a big fan of Chloe Liese and how she strives to write love stories inclusive of all people is going to enjoy this debut. Like Chloe, Sabina creates vivid, three-dimensional characters that leap off the page, not shying away from their disabilities while writing them through a tender-hearted love story that will have you falling in love with them while they fall for each other.
It’s All in Your Head never once tries to act like a cure-all or hides from the conditions that Pike and Skylar face on a day-to-day basis. Sabina painstakingly confronts so many aspects of ableism, including how it can present in all facets of life from doctors who refuse to listen to family members who think they know best.
One reason books are so important is because they require stepping into another person’s shoes, a way to develop empathy. A book like this is one of those gems that simultaneously provides a safe fictional haven for anyone who can relate in any form or fashion with the disabled characters on the page, while also providing an eye-opening reading experience for people fortunate enough to have no idea what it feels like when your body ends up your own worst enemy in a world built for able-bodied individuals.
I am crossing my fingers, hoping and praying that other characters in this book get love stories as well, because I am already deeply invested in Kal & Lennox. Regardless, I cannot wait to see what Sabina does next!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
Thank you to Edelweiss and the publisher for the eARC of It’s All in Your Head by Sabina Nordqvist!
WHAT A DEBUT. As a bookseller, I am extremely privileged in terms of getting early access to a wide array of books. I feel especially privileged whenever I dive into a debut I end up loving; getting to be one of the very first people to read a person’s debut novel is always such a cool feeling and I LOVE getting to hit the floor running with recommendations when the book ends up in-store.
Anyone who is a big fan of Chloe Liese and how she strives to write love stories inclusive of all people is going to enjoy this debut. Like Chloe, Sabina creates vivid, three-dimensional characters that leap off the page, not shying away from their disabilities while writing them through a tender-hearted love story that will have you falling in love with them while they fall for each other.
It’s All in Your Head never once tries to act like a cure-all or hides from the conditions that Pike and Skylar face on a day-to-day basis. Sabina painstakingly confronts so many aspects of ableism, including how it can present in all facets of life from doctors who refuse to listen to family members who think they know best.
One reason books are so important is because they require stepping into another person’s shoes, a way to develop empathy. A book like this is one of those gems that simultaneously provides a safe fictional haven for anyone who can relate in any form or fashion with the disabled characters on the page, while also providing an eye-opening reading experience for people fortunate enough to have no idea what it feels like when your body ends up your own worst enemy in a world built for able-bodied individuals.
I am crossing my fingers, hoping and praying that other characters in this book get love stories as well, because I am already deeply invested in Kal & Lennox. Regardless, I cannot wait to see what Sabina does next!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
February 2, 2026
It’s All in Your Head is an emotional, romantic journey through chronic illness and the question of what it means to be “good enough” in a world that constantly insists you’re not.
This story offers insightful—often brutally honest—portrayals of living in America with disabilities, both seen and unseen. Our characters begin this tale jaded and guarded, carrying the weight of their experiences, and watching them slowly lower their walls felt deeply earned. Add in a gripping fake-dating setup, and I was completely hooked as their dynamic grew richer and more messy with every chapter.
As someone who struggles with depression, it was especially powerful to see a narrative that doesn’t shy away from the exhausting reality of being told to “pray more” or “just be happy” by people who have no understanding of the battles happening beneath the surface. This swoon-worthy debut is not only tender and romantic, but informative, unapologetically bold, and a true champion for people living with disabilities.
This story offers insightful—often brutally honest—portrayals of living in America with disabilities, both seen and unseen. Our characters begin this tale jaded and guarded, carrying the weight of their experiences, and watching them slowly lower their walls felt deeply earned. Add in a gripping fake-dating setup, and I was completely hooked as their dynamic grew richer and more messy with every chapter.
As someone who struggles with depression, it was especially powerful to see a narrative that doesn’t shy away from the exhausting reality of being told to “pray more” or “just be happy” by people who have no understanding of the battles happening beneath the surface. This swoon-worthy debut is not only tender and romantic, but informative, unapologetically bold, and a true champion for people living with disabilities.
January 22, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC! I struggled writing this review because I want to be respectful but honest. First off, I liked that this book had characters with disabilities and chronic illnesses - always love to see that represented! However, I think the title of this book doesn’t fit well, it seems off. It’s also clear that author really likes the word “ableist” - every time I see that word, I groan. I get it but it’s way overused in this book. I also thought the timeline is weird - it seems like we jump to another event/setting way too fast and it comes out of the blue. I think the characters had a great dialogue and worked well together but I think the way they were written was done poorly.
The first bit of the book also felt like the author was trying to do too much with disabilities and it honestly made the book a bit confusing at first and I really wanted to DNF it. Rounding up to 3 stars.
This did not factor in my rating but if you get the arc review, brace yourselves because the formatting is all off and it gave me a headache trying to figure out who was speaking.
The first bit of the book also felt like the author was trying to do too much with disabilities and it honestly made the book a bit confusing at first and I really wanted to DNF it. Rounding up to 3 stars.
This did not factor in my rating but if you get the arc review, brace yourselves because the formatting is all off and it gave me a headache trying to figure out who was speaking.
January 6, 2026
For a debut novel, I’m really blown away. Sabina you have a reader fan for life now!
“It’s All In Your Head” was nowhere close to being on my radar until I was doom scrolling on instagram. I came across Sabina’s instagram page where she was hyping up her book. My immediate thoughts were: yay a cute new romance book that also has a pretty cover must save this for later! Then I read the synopsis and learned that the two lead characters were both living with disabilities and chronic pain. I was immediately drawn in and wanted to know more. Lo and behold it was available to request on NetGalley so I went for it. And thankfully Sabina’s team & Grand Central Publishing were amazing enough to grant me a ARC.
I had very little expectations going in and I’ll be honest I was a little bit nervous. I’ve never dealt with having a disability or chronic pain so I didn’t know if I’d be able to connect to the characters and the challenges they faced. But don’t job let preconceptions steer you away. Sabina does an amazing job portraying several characters living with vast different chronic pain and disabilities. While also mixing sweet and spicy romance scenes. Sabina never overwhelmed me with “medical jargon” instead she actually shined a new light on things I had no clue about. And it brought me to appreciate so many things that I take for granted on the daily.
Overall, I cannot recommend this book highly enough. If you read any debut author this year let it be this one. I devoured this story in less than 24 hours and it will stay with me for many years to come. Lastly big thank you again to NetGalley, Sabina and Grand Publishing!
“It’s All In Your Head” was nowhere close to being on my radar until I was doom scrolling on instagram. I came across Sabina’s instagram page where she was hyping up her book. My immediate thoughts were: yay a cute new romance book that also has a pretty cover must save this for later! Then I read the synopsis and learned that the two lead characters were both living with disabilities and chronic pain. I was immediately drawn in and wanted to know more. Lo and behold it was available to request on NetGalley so I went for it. And thankfully Sabina’s team & Grand Central Publishing were amazing enough to grant me a ARC.
I had very little expectations going in and I’ll be honest I was a little bit nervous. I’ve never dealt with having a disability or chronic pain so I didn’t know if I’d be able to connect to the characters and the challenges they faced. But don’t job let preconceptions steer you away. Sabina does an amazing job portraying several characters living with vast different chronic pain and disabilities. While also mixing sweet and spicy romance scenes. Sabina never overwhelmed me with “medical jargon” instead she actually shined a new light on things I had no clue about. And it brought me to appreciate so many things that I take for granted on the daily.
Overall, I cannot recommend this book highly enough. If you read any debut author this year let it be this one. I devoured this story in less than 24 hours and it will stay with me for many years to come. Lastly big thank you again to NetGalley, Sabina and Grand Publishing!
November 19, 2025
What an absolute stunner of a debut. Have you ever had someone say, out loud, something that you’ve only ever thought to yourself? And it’s like something unfurls in you and it feels a little bit like glee and a little bit like grief, because commiserating is a lot of things but it’s never lonely.
This book feels like that. Like sitting with friends who GET you, even if they don’t directly understand your lived experience. It is disabled joy that doesn’t undercut disabled reality to make it “more palatable”, because the two coexist as they do in real life. It is angry crying in doctor’s offices and then lying comfortably beside your friend without speaking because you’re just being together without expectations. It’s Pike figuring out what his same life looks like in this new version of his body each day, and Skylar discovering the delight of being seen back by someone - in more than one form - who loves you as you are.
If you’ve been around for awhile, you’ve seen me navigate the US medical system in real-time. You’ve seen my “I need to look presentable enough to be taken seriously but not so presentable that they think my pain isn’t real” appointment looks. You’ve seen the hoops I’ve jumped through and the walls I’ve hit and a handful of the bills I’ve wound up with. You’ve watched me establish a medical team that has stabilized and supported me, and then watched me fear insurance will take them away.
So to read a book where it’s all there on the table - the days when it’s just miserable and you can’t drag through it, or the ones where your tells are the only indication you’re struggling - and ALSO, there is laughter and intimacy and joy and care. It is not “I love you in spite of”, it is “I love you, and.”
This book feels like that. Like sitting with friends who GET you, even if they don’t directly understand your lived experience. It is disabled joy that doesn’t undercut disabled reality to make it “more palatable”, because the two coexist as they do in real life. It is angry crying in doctor’s offices and then lying comfortably beside your friend without speaking because you’re just being together without expectations. It’s Pike figuring out what his same life looks like in this new version of his body each day, and Skylar discovering the delight of being seen back by someone - in more than one form - who loves you as you are.
If you’ve been around for awhile, you’ve seen me navigate the US medical system in real-time. You’ve seen my “I need to look presentable enough to be taken seriously but not so presentable that they think my pain isn’t real” appointment looks. You’ve seen the hoops I’ve jumped through and the walls I’ve hit and a handful of the bills I’ve wound up with. You’ve watched me establish a medical team that has stabilized and supported me, and then watched me fear insurance will take them away.
So to read a book where it’s all there on the table - the days when it’s just miserable and you can’t drag through it, or the ones where your tells are the only indication you’re struggling - and ALSO, there is laughter and intimacy and joy and care. It is not “I love you in spite of”, it is “I love you, and.”
December 9, 2025
4.25 ⭐️ it’s all in your head is a tender and sexy romance with some of the most realistic chronic illness/disability rep i have ever read. every discussion of ableism — overt, systemic, medical, subtle, and internalized — was handled with nuance and depth (!!! this is why novels with disability rep written by folks with disabilities are important !!!). these conversations prompted deep reflection and offered new insights, which i appreciated. the pacing of both the plot and romance was steady and, when paired with the evident chemistry between skylar & pike, created a connection that felt completely believable. i also loved the exploration and development of the different relationships the MCs navigate throughout the story; as these dynamics added emotional weight and complexity. and the secondary characters, specifically, emy, analia, kalle, & luis never felt like filler and instead contributed a richness to the narrative in a way that deepened the whole reading experience. a fantastic debut from sabina nordqvist. i cannot wait to read whatever she writes next (like… idk, maybe analia & kalle’s story?? it is not a want. it is a NEED).
thank you so much to netgalley and grand central publishing for providing me with this arc!
thank you so much to netgalley and grand central publishing for providing me with this arc!
September 29, 2025
As someone with hEDS, this book is super realistic about living with disability. I had all of the feelings. All of them.
January 27, 2026
Ever read contemporary romances and think, "come on, it can't be like that." As a person with chronic pain and anxiety, all these contemporary romances seem far-fetched. This one made me feel SEEN in so many ways.
What a DEBUT from Sabina Nordqvist, who has been penning this novel for quite some time and the effort shows. "It's All in Your Head" follows Skylar King, a woman with various chronic illnesses ( idiopathic intracranial hypertension, tinnitus, dysautonomia/POTS, to name a few), who finds her comfort in online relationships by developing a support group for those with chronic pain. When the handsome Pike shares some vulnerable thoughts, some confusion leads to Skylar and Pike to agree to fake-dating to help Pike wear the mask that he is okay. Little do they know that they understand each other so much more than they think, despite Skylar learning Pike is actually a famous snowboarder who called it quits after a debilitating injury. Through late-night chats and close moments, maybe these two ACTUALLY can do a relationship where they aren't too much with their chronic pain?
I have to say, the representation here is incredible. While I already mentioned Skylar's physical ailments, she also suffers from the ideology that she is someone that people have to "deal with" and that broke my heart because, who hasn't felt that way? Pike suffers from PTSD and depression after the one thing he knows he excels at (snowboarding) is so cruelly taken away. But don't just look at the main characters- some of the side characters include Emy, Analia, and Luis, who all have chronic pain on their own terms. Perhaps the most important characters are the families of these two main characters- Skylar's mom raised Skylar to believe she was too much and should just "get over" her pain, while Pike's mother is constantly trying to get Pike to reminisce on the good ole' days when all he wants to do is be accepted for who he is now.
The plot can get confusing sometimes but the characters really drive the point back home. There are so many quotable lines here that I highlighted perhaps the most I have ever done in a romance novel. You can tell the author understands and lives with chronic pain as everything here is well-researched and explained in such a way that cannot be done unless you've been through it yourself.
And the ROMANCE. That's right, people who are chronically ill or disabled can have hot sex too...and Nordqvist describes the sexual tension and stolen moments in such a way that will have your clutching your pearls in the airport (yes, I read this in public. Worth it.) Pike is not only a hot character but he is KIND and UNDERSTANDING and, oh my god, he better be a real human being. This is SPICY in the absolute best way.
If you feel like you're alone in your feelings and in this world, this is the book for you. Sabina Nordqvist drafted up a debut novel worthy of an ovation- standing or sitting. After all, enough with the ableism in society. This book makes you think about your own impressions of disabled people in this world and will turn that image right on its head.
Thank you for creating a beautiful book that represents what it means to feel broken and still have love all around, both platonic and romantic. Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the eARC of this book. I cannot wait to mark up my physical copy when it comes out 2/10/26!
What a DEBUT from Sabina Nordqvist, who has been penning this novel for quite some time and the effort shows. "It's All in Your Head" follows Skylar King, a woman with various chronic illnesses ( idiopathic intracranial hypertension, tinnitus, dysautonomia/POTS, to name a few), who finds her comfort in online relationships by developing a support group for those with chronic pain. When the handsome Pike shares some vulnerable thoughts, some confusion leads to Skylar and Pike to agree to fake-dating to help Pike wear the mask that he is okay. Little do they know that they understand each other so much more than they think, despite Skylar learning Pike is actually a famous snowboarder who called it quits after a debilitating injury. Through late-night chats and close moments, maybe these two ACTUALLY can do a relationship where they aren't too much with their chronic pain?
I have to say, the representation here is incredible. While I already mentioned Skylar's physical ailments, she also suffers from the ideology that she is someone that people have to "deal with" and that broke my heart because, who hasn't felt that way? Pike suffers from PTSD and depression after the one thing he knows he excels at (snowboarding) is so cruelly taken away. But don't just look at the main characters- some of the side characters include Emy, Analia, and Luis, who all have chronic pain on their own terms. Perhaps the most important characters are the families of these two main characters- Skylar's mom raised Skylar to believe she was too much and should just "get over" her pain, while Pike's mother is constantly trying to get Pike to reminisce on the good ole' days when all he wants to do is be accepted for who he is now.
The plot can get confusing sometimes but the characters really drive the point back home. There are so many quotable lines here that I highlighted perhaps the most I have ever done in a romance novel. You can tell the author understands and lives with chronic pain as everything here is well-researched and explained in such a way that cannot be done unless you've been through it yourself.
And the ROMANCE. That's right, people who are chronically ill or disabled can have hot sex too...and Nordqvist describes the sexual tension and stolen moments in such a way that will have your clutching your pearls in the airport (yes, I read this in public. Worth it.) Pike is not only a hot character but he is KIND and UNDERSTANDING and, oh my god, he better be a real human being. This is SPICY in the absolute best way.
If you feel like you're alone in your feelings and in this world, this is the book for you. Sabina Nordqvist drafted up a debut novel worthy of an ovation- standing or sitting. After all, enough with the ableism in society. This book makes you think about your own impressions of disabled people in this world and will turn that image right on its head.
Thank you for creating a beautiful book that represents what it means to feel broken and still have love all around, both platonic and romantic. Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the eARC of this book. I cannot wait to mark up my physical copy when it comes out 2/10/26!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you Grand Central Publishing for an advance copy of IT'S ALL IN YOUR HEAD in exchange for my honest review.
Authentic. IT'S ALL IN YOUR HEAD is an immersive reading experience putting you in Skyler and Pike's head space while they hurt, cope, fall in love, and live life one pain riddled day at a time. There is no fade to black either. Not when Skylar endures a medical procedure. Not when Pike reaches his emotional snapping point. And certainly not when they crave and want and lust for each other. It is unfliching in it's representation of life with chronic pain and illness, and it affirms that you –the totality of you– are worthy of love, support, and goodness.
Skylar and Pike's journey from strangers to fake-daters to friends to lovers is so swoony. The scheme is initially set up to appease Pike's meddlesome mother, but of course there are real feelings to be caught. All the steps they take to make the dating ruse believable only serves to entrench themselves in each other's lives. They have a shorthand for understanding each other's daily life, both having first-hand experience with chronic conditions, but they have to learn the nuances that make them ... them. Their journey of discovery had plenty of romantic drama, spice, and tender care to make anyone cheer for their HEA.
And Pike! He's a thirsty man. Tried (and failed) to shake the hearts out of his eyes from day one. And he's a reformed rake! He can put on the swagger and charm and flirt and you just want to melt. So hot.
Okay, back to that big theme word – Authentic. I so appreciated that Skylar and Pike aren't "model disabled citizens". They're two disabled adults muddling their way through grief, disregulation, flare-ups, gaslighting villain doctors, etc. They display real limits to their emotional bandwith. They don't owe anyone inspiration p*rn. They're not reading off any wholesome sensitivity workshop flashcards. They're lashing out in frustration. Isolating to protect themselves. Making well-meant poor choices. Because the intensity of their life isn't conducive to perfection. Give them grace to not get it right. Because they're fully fleshed out real authentic characters. As real as anything I've known or experienced.
Nordqvist refuses to mask the intricate nature of life with a chronic condition, and it makes IT'S ALL IN YOUR HEAD the most authentic reading experience. Highly recommend it for romance readers wanting swoon with substance. This will be one of the best books of the year.
Authentic. IT'S ALL IN YOUR HEAD is an immersive reading experience putting you in Skyler and Pike's head space while they hurt, cope, fall in love, and live life one pain riddled day at a time. There is no fade to black either. Not when Skylar endures a medical procedure. Not when Pike reaches his emotional snapping point. And certainly not when they crave and want and lust for each other. It is unfliching in it's representation of life with chronic pain and illness, and it affirms that you –the totality of you– are worthy of love, support, and goodness.
Skylar and Pike's journey from strangers to fake-daters to friends to lovers is so swoony. The scheme is initially set up to appease Pike's meddlesome mother, but of course there are real feelings to be caught. All the steps they take to make the dating ruse believable only serves to entrench themselves in each other's lives. They have a shorthand for understanding each other's daily life, both having first-hand experience with chronic conditions, but they have to learn the nuances that make them ... them. Their journey of discovery had plenty of romantic drama, spice, and tender care to make anyone cheer for their HEA.
And Pike! He's a thirsty man. Tried (and failed) to shake the hearts out of his eyes from day one. And he's a reformed rake! He can put on the swagger and charm and flirt and you just want to melt. So hot.
Okay, back to that big theme word – Authentic. I so appreciated that Skylar and Pike aren't "model disabled citizens". They're two disabled adults muddling their way through grief, disregulation, flare-ups, gaslighting villain doctors, etc. They display real limits to their emotional bandwith. They don't owe anyone inspiration p*rn. They're not reading off any wholesome sensitivity workshop flashcards. They're lashing out in frustration. Isolating to protect themselves. Making well-meant poor choices. Because the intensity of their life isn't conducive to perfection. Give them grace to not get it right. Because they're fully fleshed out real authentic characters. As real as anything I've known or experienced.
Nordqvist refuses to mask the intricate nature of life with a chronic condition, and it makes IT'S ALL IN YOUR HEAD the most authentic reading experience. Highly recommend it for romance readers wanting swoon with substance. This will be one of the best books of the year.
January 22, 2026
Oh My God. First I want to thank the author and publisher for the chance to read an ARC of this incredible debut novel It’s All in Your Head. Im telling you now don’t walk…RUN…to go get this book when it’s released in February. The characters, the tension, the plot. I loved everything about this book.
I absolutely love Sabina’s writing style and I love that this book tackles the issue of ableism. This is a topic that is not addressed enough, especially in romance books, and Sabina’s novel executed its examination of this topic flawlessly. I love how it shows how others treat individuals with disabilities and how people with disabilities overcome those barriers.
I enjoyed every part of this story reading it in one sitting! I absolutely fell in love with her characters and their love story. I can’t wait to see what Sabina writes next!
I will also be shouting about this book from the rooftops and recommending it to all my friends who love genuine, raw, emotional romance books.
I absolutely love Sabina’s writing style and I love that this book tackles the issue of ableism. This is a topic that is not addressed enough, especially in romance books, and Sabina’s novel executed its examination of this topic flawlessly. I love how it shows how others treat individuals with disabilities and how people with disabilities overcome those barriers.
I enjoyed every part of this story reading it in one sitting! I absolutely fell in love with her characters and their love story. I can’t wait to see what Sabina writes next!
I will also be shouting about this book from the rooftops and recommending it to all my friends who love genuine, raw, emotional romance books.
November 24, 2025
Sabina Nordqvist is one of the best romance authors I've read. She writes relatable, emotional stories that weave humor and angst with masterful skill, and characters so vibrant they jump off the page and make you forget they're not real people. It's All in Your Head is a wonderful encapsulation of Sabina's talent: delicious tropes, swoony romance, electric banter, and a group of ride-or-die friends getting up to hilarious shenanigans--while also portraying with unflinching honesty the day-to-day struggles of living with chronic illness and disability, the injustices baked into our medical and societal systems, and the strength it takes to cling to love, friendship, and hope in the face of it all. To me, more than anything, It's All in Your Head is about finding the people who will show up for you, no matter what comes, and fighting for them. In our increasingly disconnected world, it's a precious reminder that intimacy, love, and care aren't a luxury--they're a necessity that that every single one of us is deserving of. I can't wait for the world to meet Skylar, Pike, and all their friends. And then all the other stories Sabina has yet to share with us!
Want to read
January 10, 2025"IT'S ALL IN YOUR HEAD is a contemporary romance about a woman with a rare neurological condition who agrees to fake date the hot guy in her chronic pain support group to convince certain family members he's doing okay, really--only to discover he's an Olympic snowboarder whose career-ending injury is as infamous as his dating history, and the paparazzi are about to catch on."
September 24, 2025
As someone with endometriosis and PCOS, I cannot STRESS how excited I am for this book. The disability rep of my dreams!
January 20, 2026
Thank you to Grand Central and Sabina Nordqvist for making sure I got my hands on a physical ARC!
It’s All In Your Head may be one of the most special books I’ve ever read. Within one chapter I grabbed a highlighter because I knew there were going to be countless lines on ableism, chronic pain and illness and life with disabilities that were going to stick with me forever.
This book follows, online support group admin, Skylar and Pike, snow board Olympic gold medalist who got severely injured, on a fake dating scheme to get family and friends off their backs. However what starts with fake dating, quickly turns into a crash course in ableism and a flirty and protective friendship.
Honestly I’m having a hard time reviewing this book because it captures so much about what life is like living in chronic pain. It does it through a well developed plot and beautiful romance. There are harsh realities and real moments of vulnerability, mistakes, and learning. All of that and showing that we deserves HEA too. No matter what that looks like.
I think that even if this doesn’t sound like your thing - I challenge everyone to pick this book up and spend some time in Pike and Skylar’s lives. It could help your friendships, your relationships, and even your future.
It’s All In Your Head may be one of the most special books I’ve ever read. Within one chapter I grabbed a highlighter because I knew there were going to be countless lines on ableism, chronic pain and illness and life with disabilities that were going to stick with me forever.
This book follows, online support group admin, Skylar and Pike, snow board Olympic gold medalist who got severely injured, on a fake dating scheme to get family and friends off their backs. However what starts with fake dating, quickly turns into a crash course in ableism and a flirty and protective friendship.
Honestly I’m having a hard time reviewing this book because it captures so much about what life is like living in chronic pain. It does it through a well developed plot and beautiful romance. There are harsh realities and real moments of vulnerability, mistakes, and learning. All of that and showing that we deserves HEA too. No matter what that looks like.
I think that even if this doesn’t sound like your thing - I challenge everyone to pick this book up and spend some time in Pike and Skylar’s lives. It could help your friendships, your relationships, and even your future.
January 16, 2026
4.5/5 ⭐️
Chronic pain baddies rise up! I didn’t know how much I needed to see this representation in a book until I read this. As someone who became disabled in my mid twenties, the loss of identity and struggle to navigate societal expectations was extremely relatable. This story also has great perspective for the well meaning loved ones of people with chronic illness/pain. Despite the conditions these characters live with, this book never felt TOO heavy or serious. I love when an author is able to balance a romcom with serious subject matter (and this is a top tier romcom imo). Skylar and Pike are absolute cuties together and I’m so glad Sabina shared their story with us. All the side characters are great and provide a wide range of representation. I’m really hoping this becomes an interconnected series and we get to explore more of the characters lives!
Chronic pain baddies rise up! I didn’t know how much I needed to see this representation in a book until I read this. As someone who became disabled in my mid twenties, the loss of identity and struggle to navigate societal expectations was extremely relatable. This story also has great perspective for the well meaning loved ones of people with chronic illness/pain. Despite the conditions these characters live with, this book never felt TOO heavy or serious. I love when an author is able to balance a romcom with serious subject matter (and this is a top tier romcom imo). Skylar and Pike are absolute cuties together and I’m so glad Sabina shared their story with us. All the side characters are great and provide a wide range of representation. I’m really hoping this becomes an interconnected series and we get to explore more of the characters lives!
Read
December 26, 2025It’s All in Your Head was a great debut. Skylar and Pike were layered, and the chronic illness and disability representation felt realistic and not swept under the rug. Skylar was a nuanced character. Her experience with the doctor was a sadly familiar reality for many women who are told their pain is “all in their head." I think a lot of readers will feel seen by Nordqvist's writing. That said, I did find Skylar a little self-absorbed at times. It often felt like she was reaching out to her friends about her problems without always being as present for them in return. Pike was also a well-developed character. The dual POV worked really well and helped make the characters feel fully developed. I liked how open Pike was to learning and how consistently he showed up for Skylar. I wish we got to see more poems from him! It was frustrating that both Pike and Skylar had family members who weren’t giving them the support they needed. Pike’s grand reveal at the end was super sweet. For the most part, I thought the author explained the medical aspects of the story well. There were a few moments where things went a bit over my head, but it didn’t take away from my overall reading experience. Analia, Emy, and Skylar's friendship was special, and it was nice seeing how they showed up for each other. I do wish we had gotten a bit more closure on Analia’s relationship. Perhaps she's getting set up for the next book? Overall, this was a strong debut, and I’m excited to see what the author writes next. Thank you to NetGalley and Grand Central Publishing for the ARC.
December 28, 2025
(4.5) There is absolutely nothing like the feeling of seeing part of yourself represented for the first time.
Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH) is a neurological condition where the brain produces too much spinal fluid, causing high pressure in the skull. It’s the most painful condition I have, the least understood, and one I’d never seen represented in the media until now.
This is the story of Skyler and Pike, two members of the same chronic pain support group who agree to fake date after a post in the group causes an issue one night. The situation spirals out of control once the press hears wind of it… because did I mention that Pike is a famous snowboarder whose career-ending injury led him to the disability community in the first place?
This was a great debut, with tons of diversity, learning opportunities, and heart.
I loved the way this book balanced traditional romance elements with the deeper parts of coping with disability and learning to accept care and community. It was pleasantly strange to read about characters whose inner lives sound so much like mine. Ice hats? Visual field tests? Painsomnia? I was geeking out.
Thank you so much to Grand Central Publishing, NetGalley, and Sabina Nordqvist for the chance to read and review this ARC (and for putting so much disabled joy into the world).
Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH) is a neurological condition where the brain produces too much spinal fluid, causing high pressure in the skull. It’s the most painful condition I have, the least understood, and one I’d never seen represented in the media until now.
This is the story of Skyler and Pike, two members of the same chronic pain support group who agree to fake date after a post in the group causes an issue one night. The situation spirals out of control once the press hears wind of it… because did I mention that Pike is a famous snowboarder whose career-ending injury led him to the disability community in the first place?
This was a great debut, with tons of diversity, learning opportunities, and heart.
I loved the way this book balanced traditional romance elements with the deeper parts of coping with disability and learning to accept care and community. It was pleasantly strange to read about characters whose inner lives sound so much like mine. Ice hats? Visual field tests? Painsomnia? I was geeking out.
Thank you so much to Grand Central Publishing, NetGalley, and Sabina Nordqvist for the chance to read and review this ARC (and for putting so much disabled joy into the world).
December 21, 2025
I am so incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have received an advanced copy of It’s All In Your Head from the author and Grand Central Publishing! 🫶
It’s All In Your Head truly is everything and it made me feel so seen to the point that I cried happy tears! 🥹🩵 I can’t even begin to share the number of quotes I highlighted while reading that are me to a tee because there were so many and that made reading this book for me such a special and incredible experience! 🫶
I can’t even put into words just how beautifully special this book is. This book encompasses everything about living with chronic illnesses and how it affects every single aspect of life. It truly felt like falling in love with yourself and knowing that you are enough! 🫶
Skylar is a moderator for an online chronic illness support group. After one really crazy night on the online chronic illness support group, Skylar decides to pretend that she is Pike’s girlfriend and then they decide to fake date in real-life too! 🤭Fake dating is one of my favorite tropes and I love it in this book so much! 😍 Do not get me started on the tension, yearning, banter, and chemistry between Skylar and Pike because it is *chef’s kiss* and the spice in this one is spicing! 🤭🔥 Something I love so much with this book is that every single character has a chronic illness and it had me learning so much about ones I didn’t already know about! ❤️ Skylar’s besties are the absolute best and I love them so much! 🥰 They are so loving and supportive and I hope there are more books in the future where they are featured because they are that amazing! 🫶
If you love romance, fake dating, spoonie representation, found family, secret celebrity, and a read that will leave an imprint on your heart forever then this is the book for you! 🫶
It’s All In Your Head truly is everything and it made me feel so seen to the point that I cried happy tears! 🥹🩵 I can’t even begin to share the number of quotes I highlighted while reading that are me to a tee because there were so many and that made reading this book for me such a special and incredible experience! 🫶
I can’t even put into words just how beautifully special this book is. This book encompasses everything about living with chronic illnesses and how it affects every single aspect of life. It truly felt like falling in love with yourself and knowing that you are enough! 🫶
Skylar is a moderator for an online chronic illness support group. After one really crazy night on the online chronic illness support group, Skylar decides to pretend that she is Pike’s girlfriend and then they decide to fake date in real-life too! 🤭Fake dating is one of my favorite tropes and I love it in this book so much! 😍 Do not get me started on the tension, yearning, banter, and chemistry between Skylar and Pike because it is *chef’s kiss* and the spice in this one is spicing! 🤭🔥 Something I love so much with this book is that every single character has a chronic illness and it had me learning so much about ones I didn’t already know about! ❤️ Skylar’s besties are the absolute best and I love them so much! 🥰 They are so loving and supportive and I hope there are more books in the future where they are featured because they are that amazing! 🫶
If you love romance, fake dating, spoonie representation, found family, secret celebrity, and a read that will leave an imprint on your heart forever then this is the book for you! 🫶
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is officially my favorite book of 2025.
I felt so seen. There's discussion of chronic illness intervention, including a shunt (the first time I've seen one mentioned in fiction). There's wheelchair and cane representation, IIH, and so many others.
There are questions:
Do chronic conditions make someone a burden?
Can a disabled person be in a relationship or have sex?
Is ableism ever okay?
Skylar and Pike had me laughing and sobbing. Thank you Sabina, for this treasure.
I felt so seen. There's discussion of chronic illness intervention, including a shunt (the first time I've seen one mentioned in fiction). There's wheelchair and cane representation, IIH, and so many others.
There are questions:
Do chronic conditions make someone a burden?
Can a disabled person be in a relationship or have sex?
Is ableism ever okay?
Skylar and Pike had me laughing and sobbing. Thank you Sabina, for this treasure.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews