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Compulsively Yours
Not yet published
Expected 8 Dec 26“A funny and moving story about living with mental illness, surviving loss, and finding the love we all deserve. A compulsively readable delight.” –#1 New York Times bestselling author John Green
Obsessively Compulsively… Complicated.
Libi Newman doesn’t date. Relationship OCD makes it tough for her to date without doubts, so Libi prefers to flit between hook-ups instead, knowing that she can’t sabotage a relationship if it’s not serious. It isn’t ideal, but considering she’s also grieving her mother’s recent passing, Libi can only handle so much at once. Thank goodness for her OCD support group.
Nate Keller has harbored a crush on Libi since he joined the group. While he’s there to address his Contamination OCD, he can’t help but be charmed by Libi and her dark sense of humor. But they’re just friends, and Nate’s okay with that. Really.
When Libi’s summoned to the Newman family timeshare in Mexico for her grandparents’ anniversary, it’s not all margaritas and suntans. Not only is her recently widowed father bringing his new girlfriend, but Libi’s college ex—the one she never quite got over—also shows up...on the arm of her least-favorite cousin. Luckily Nate tags along for emotional support so Libi doesn’t have to face this nightmare vacation alone.
What begins as an innocent promise of friends helping each other quickly turns into a fake-dating scheme—and Nate’s playing the boyfriend role too well. As the lies stack up, Libi has to keep track of her own ping-ponging emotions: are the romantic sunset strolls coloring her perspective…or is she actually wanting to date Nate for real?
“Compulsively Yours gives readers a profoundly realistic depiction of what it’s like to live with OCD, all while being flirty, charming, and hilarious. This book made me feel seen, and I had so much fun reading it!”
—Brooke Averick, author of Phoebe Berman's Gonna Lose It and co-host of Brooke and Connor Make a Podcast
FOR FANS OF:
• Friend to lovers
• Forced proximity
• Fake dating
• He falls first
• OCD rep
• Beach reading
Obsessively Compulsively… Complicated.
Libi Newman doesn’t date. Relationship OCD makes it tough for her to date without doubts, so Libi prefers to flit between hook-ups instead, knowing that she can’t sabotage a relationship if it’s not serious. It isn’t ideal, but considering she’s also grieving her mother’s recent passing, Libi can only handle so much at once. Thank goodness for her OCD support group.
Nate Keller has harbored a crush on Libi since he joined the group. While he’s there to address his Contamination OCD, he can’t help but be charmed by Libi and her dark sense of humor. But they’re just friends, and Nate’s okay with that. Really.
When Libi’s summoned to the Newman family timeshare in Mexico for her grandparents’ anniversary, it’s not all margaritas and suntans. Not only is her recently widowed father bringing his new girlfriend, but Libi’s college ex—the one she never quite got over—also shows up...on the arm of her least-favorite cousin. Luckily Nate tags along for emotional support so Libi doesn’t have to face this nightmare vacation alone.
What begins as an innocent promise of friends helping each other quickly turns into a fake-dating scheme—and Nate’s playing the boyfriend role too well. As the lies stack up, Libi has to keep track of her own ping-ponging emotions: are the romantic sunset strolls coloring her perspective…or is she actually wanting to date Nate for real?
“Compulsively Yours gives readers a profoundly realistic depiction of what it’s like to live with OCD, all while being flirty, charming, and hilarious. This book made me feel seen, and I had so much fun reading it!”
—Brooke Averick, author of Phoebe Berman's Gonna Lose It and co-host of Brooke and Connor Make a Podcast
FOR FANS OF:
• Friend to lovers
• Forced proximity
• Fake dating
• He falls first
• OCD rep
• Beach reading
Kindle Edition
Expected publication December 8, 2026
About the author
Allison Raskin
7 books492 followersAllison Raskin is a New York Times bestselling author, relationship coach and a leading voice in mental health advocacy, in addition to being an accomplished screenwriter and content creator. She co-hosts the popular podcast Just Between Us and created the Emotional Support Lady Instagram and Substack. She also holds a master’s degree in psychology from Pepperdine University and a BFA in screenwriting from USC.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 139 reviews
June 2, 2026
THANK YOU SO MUCH TO ALLISON RASKIN FOR WRITING THIS GEM (and sending me a copy to read/review) 🥺😭
maybe I don’t hate romance novels and it’s just bc I can’t connect to FMCs without OCD bc they make no sense to me 🙈🤷🏻♀️🫠😂 I loved this so much. I related to both Libi and Nate in this story for a variety of reasons. I've been aware of Allison Raskin as a writer for a while from her non-fiction books over OCD and anxiety and her knowledge of it is evident in the writing of this novel. IMO, this book obviously had a target audience haha, but could easily be read and enjoyed by other people, too.... I think that for it to be fully appreciated though, you really need to have a solid understanding of what OCD is. If you don't understand the disorder, some of the bigger plot points might not feel as significant (and that's okay!!!!!) but for someone who is so commonly misunderstood and misrepresented in media, seeing these words on the page was incredibly special. I was proud of both Nate and Libi for conquering some really hard exposures (some of which gave me secondhand anxiety just reading about them LOL) and reading their stories gave me hope that maybe my own can come out with a happy ending one day, too.
Allison, you are a gem of a human. 🩷 Thank you for sending me this eARC and for the work you put in to making me (and I'm sure others) feel seen in every book you've written!!! I can't wait for more people to be able to get their hands on this one! 🥳
maybe I don’t hate romance novels and it’s just bc I can’t connect to FMCs without OCD bc they make no sense to me 🙈🤷🏻♀️🫠😂 I loved this so much. I related to both Libi and Nate in this story for a variety of reasons. I've been aware of Allison Raskin as a writer for a while from her non-fiction books over OCD and anxiety and her knowledge of it is evident in the writing of this novel. IMO, this book obviously had a target audience haha, but could easily be read and enjoyed by other people, too.... I think that for it to be fully appreciated though, you really need to have a solid understanding of what OCD is. If you don't understand the disorder, some of the bigger plot points might not feel as significant (and that's okay!!!!!) but for someone who is so commonly misunderstood and misrepresented in media, seeing these words on the page was incredibly special. I was proud of both Nate and Libi for conquering some really hard exposures (some of which gave me secondhand anxiety just reading about them LOL) and reading their stories gave me hope that maybe my own can come out with a happy ending one day, too.
Allison, you are a gem of a human. 🩷 Thank you for sending me this eARC and for the work you put in to making me (and I'm sure others) feel seen in every book you've written!!! I can't wait for more people to be able to get their hands on this one! 🥳
May 6, 2026
This was the book I never knew I needed! I’ve never read a romance (or any book for that matter) that portrays OCD this way and it felt incredibly refreshing to see it represented this well. It was so real and honest. I found myself connecting with both characters not only as someone who also has OCD but they were funny, messy, imperfect and authentic. The banter and chemistry between the two main characters was entertaining and I enjoy a satisfying fake dating trope. Not only did this story include mental health representation but it was also heavy on navigating grief. As difficult as these subjects can be this was truly an effortless read. This is more of a fade to black romance, perfect if you’re looking for something low spice. I’m looking forward to reading more by this author! Highly recommend!
May 29, 2026
Amazing book! The concept and execution was perfect.
If you liked Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone or The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas, I highly recommend this book. It’s like those books smashed together mixed with VERY ACCURATE OCD representation.
The author herself has OCD so the narrative was on point. As someone who has a few very close ppl in my life diagnosed with OCD it was SO realistic. From the internal thoughts, to the dialogue, and character representations the author artfully articulates the many manifestations of OCD and how everyone handles it differently. My fav quote was “As someone who had been struggling with anxiety and OCD since childhood, the concept that some people didn't walk around with an endless chatter of worry seemed too good to be true.”
The conflict and side characters were perfect. I never felt overwhelmed even tho it was technically a family get together with all of the names. I couldn’t put the book down!
The relationship that developed between Libi and Nate was also amazing. I loved how they had conversations and were so comfortable with each other. They have so much in common which made it truly feel like a love story. And the way they go back and forth and can be silly but also serious and thoughtful was so cute!
There’s also just the right amount of storylines that move the plot forward. I wouldn’t necessarily call them plot twists. Instead they’re more like “gotcha” moments that felt authentic and fun to read. And they wrapped up nicely in the end.
The way grief was handled as a topic was also amazing.
The only aspect I very minorly struggled with was the name dropping of celebrities as comparisons for characters looks or personality. It’s not often but I will say that I have no idea what Lily Tomlin sounds like so this comparison is unhelpful and took me out of the story for a sec when it was used as a comparison. The only pop culture reference I actually understood was referring to Nate as Adam Brody cuz I pictured him in the O.C haha. Instead of name dropping a sentence or two descriptor would have sufficed.
At first I was also annoyed at Nate changing the plan with how he introduced himself when they first arrived but I enjoyed how they truthfully discussed it together afterwards.
Note:
-I love Nate!!
-Closed door but cute kiss and intimate scenes
- Mina sounds like such a great friend!!
- I enjoyed the subtle Jewish references
- I kinda wanna know what Jasmine and the other members in group therapy think??
Thank you to HarperCollins for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
If you liked Promise Me Sunshine by Cara Bastone or The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas, I highly recommend this book. It’s like those books smashed together mixed with VERY ACCURATE OCD representation.
The author herself has OCD so the narrative was on point. As someone who has a few very close ppl in my life diagnosed with OCD it was SO realistic. From the internal thoughts, to the dialogue, and character representations the author artfully articulates the many manifestations of OCD and how everyone handles it differently. My fav quote was “As someone who had been struggling with anxiety and OCD since childhood, the concept that some people didn't walk around with an endless chatter of worry seemed too good to be true.”
The conflict and side characters were perfect. I never felt overwhelmed even tho it was technically a family get together with all of the names. I couldn’t put the book down!
The relationship that developed between Libi and Nate was also amazing. I loved how they had conversations and were so comfortable with each other. They have so much in common which made it truly feel like a love story. And the way they go back and forth and can be silly but also serious and thoughtful was so cute!
There’s also just the right amount of storylines that move the plot forward. I wouldn’t necessarily call them plot twists. Instead they’re more like “gotcha” moments that felt authentic and fun to read. And they wrapped up nicely in the end.
The way grief was handled as a topic was also amazing.
The only aspect I very minorly struggled with was the name dropping of celebrities as comparisons for characters looks or personality. It’s not often but I will say that I have no idea what Lily Tomlin sounds like so this comparison is unhelpful and took me out of the story for a sec when it was used as a comparison. The only pop culture reference I actually understood was referring to Nate as Adam Brody cuz I pictured him in the O.C haha. Instead of name dropping a sentence or two descriptor would have sufficed.
At first I was also annoyed at Nate changing the plan with how he introduced himself when they first arrived but I enjoyed how they truthfully discussed it together afterwards.
Note:
-I love Nate!!
-Closed door but cute kiss and intimate scenes
- Mina sounds like such a great friend!!
- I enjoyed the subtle Jewish references
- I kinda wanna know what Jasmine and the other members in group therapy think??
Thank you to HarperCollins for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
June 30, 2026
COMPULSIVELY YOURS (ARC) | ★★★★★ | KINDLE
libi newman does not date. simple. you would think? but it’s not, her OCD makes it incredibly hard for her to be a part of a relationship and feel like she’s rationally a part of it or is her mind just making things up.
nate keller finds himself maintaining a crush on libi the more he gets to know her through their OCD support group. but, nate isn’t easy — his contamination OCD waves him in the worst ways and he feels like no one truly understands why he is the way he is.
so when libi has to go on the newman family vacation that has her dad bringing along his new girlfriend after a short six months of her mother’s death — jasmine their OCD support group therapist suggests that libi takes nate with her. kill two birds with one stone. libi needs a moral support person and nate needs to face some of his immense OCD fears of travelling.
but maybe the family vacation will open up more than libi and nate realize.
this book. this book just made me feel heard and understood. it made me feel like the characters could hear my own thoughts. i loved the way allison intertwined the loss and grief and how it can affect someone with OCD. it felt very raw and real and i loved the way nate and libi could help each other see past their compulsions but also were able to understand one another. the chaotic family dynamics added to the immense stress that libi was going through and to me it made so much sense as someone who not only has OCD but also has lost one of their parents. this story was something i didn’t know i needed, but it told a complex story of a complex disorder in a beautiful and refreshing way.
thank you @netgalley and @allisonraskin for the e-arc!
compulsively yours releases december 8th!
libi newman does not date. simple. you would think? but it’s not, her OCD makes it incredibly hard for her to be a part of a relationship and feel like she’s rationally a part of it or is her mind just making things up.
nate keller finds himself maintaining a crush on libi the more he gets to know her through their OCD support group. but, nate isn’t easy — his contamination OCD waves him in the worst ways and he feels like no one truly understands why he is the way he is.
so when libi has to go on the newman family vacation that has her dad bringing along his new girlfriend after a short six months of her mother’s death — jasmine their OCD support group therapist suggests that libi takes nate with her. kill two birds with one stone. libi needs a moral support person and nate needs to face some of his immense OCD fears of travelling.
but maybe the family vacation will open up more than libi and nate realize.
this book. this book just made me feel heard and understood. it made me feel like the characters could hear my own thoughts. i loved the way allison intertwined the loss and grief and how it can affect someone with OCD. it felt very raw and real and i loved the way nate and libi could help each other see past their compulsions but also were able to understand one another. the chaotic family dynamics added to the immense stress that libi was going through and to me it made so much sense as someone who not only has OCD but also has lost one of their parents. this story was something i didn’t know i needed, but it told a complex story of a complex disorder in a beautiful and refreshing way.
thank you @netgalley and @allisonraskin for the e-arc!
compulsively yours releases december 8th!
May 29, 2026
This book was really fun and cute!
The story follows Libi and Nate, two people with OCD and anxiety. Libi is not looking forward to attending her family’s annual holiday resort vacation and ends up dragging Nate for moral support and they end up in a fake dating situation.
I thought this story was very easy, light, and fluffy. The reader is introduced to two characters with different types of ODC which is something I’ve heard of, but don’t know much about. Our FMC and MMC are quirky, lovable characters which made the book enjoyable. The romance and plot were typical with no WOW factor.
With that being said, I wish the author let us get to know more side characters like Libi’s best friend Mina or her brother Michael that seemed to have a fun personality. The only characters we interacted with were the main ones and the characters who the plot was directly about. I think if the story had more details, it’d allow it to have more depth. But if you want something easy, then this is your book!
Thank you to NetGalley, Allison Raskin, and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the eARC! Compulsively Yours will be officially published on December 7th, 2026.
The story follows Libi and Nate, two people with OCD and anxiety. Libi is not looking forward to attending her family’s annual holiday resort vacation and ends up dragging Nate for moral support and they end up in a fake dating situation.
I thought this story was very easy, light, and fluffy. The reader is introduced to two characters with different types of ODC which is something I’ve heard of, but don’t know much about. Our FMC and MMC are quirky, lovable characters which made the book enjoyable. The romance and plot were typical with no WOW factor.
With that being said, I wish the author let us get to know more side characters like Libi’s best friend Mina or her brother Michael that seemed to have a fun personality. The only characters we interacted with were the main ones and the characters who the plot was directly about. I think if the story had more details, it’d allow it to have more depth. But if you want something easy, then this is your book!
Thank you to NetGalley, Allison Raskin, and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the eARC! Compulsively Yours will be officially published on December 7th, 2026.
May 26, 2026
thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing and Net Galley for the eARC!! this was such an unexpected read! i didn’t think it would encapsulate ocd as well as it did. it was honestly refreshing to see it be such a prominent theme in the story versus just a mention bc ocd is a very prominent thing. my only qualm is that i wanted to see nate have a moment of vulnerability the way libi did many times. libi’s vulnerability with her ocd and her mom’s death was so realistic. the author wrote about grief in such a lovely but heartbreaking way as well. it felt very human! now for the romance: libi and nate were complicated but made sense. i enjoyed this book very much!!
May 24, 2026
I loved this so much. Both Libi and Nate’s experiences with mental illness are so thoughtfully described and relatable throughout. I felt so seen throughout each description of grief, conflict, and struggle. It was just a masterful depiction of such a real, isolating experience. Beautifully written and beautiful story.
April 26, 2026
Compulsively Yours handles grief, mental health rep, and family dynamics in a realistic way while also providing a satisfying romance. Highly recommended.
May 23, 2026
Thank you to MIRA/HarperCollins and NetGalley for this e-ARC.
4.5 stars. This was such a fun book that perfectly balanced real life emotions dealing with grief, changing family dynamics, and OCD, with fun antics of fake-dating during a family vacation.
In my experience, I have never read a story that had such good OCD representation as I did in this book. Being that the characters meet in group therapy for OCD, I was hoping that I wouldn’t be disappointed - I didn’t want a stereotypical representation of the mental disorder. I was the opposite of disappointed. The author made it very clear that OCD is different for everyone and that it can consume a major portion of day-to-day life, but there is more to a person than their disorder. The FMC and the MMC weren’t defined by their specific brand of OCD, they were developed into well-rounded characters with personalities that shined through despite their OCD. The author did a fantastic job creating complex and very likable characters.
I also thought the grief portrayal was very well done. It really highlighted how difficult it can be within your immediate family when you lose a loved one - how everyone processes grief very differently and how that may affect others, too.
Fake dating is not a favorite trope of mine because of how unrealistic it feels, but I do tend to read it a lot. I thought it was done quite well and definitely made sense in my head, which made it feel more realistic. The whole dynamic with the ex boyfriend and cousin was honestly a really fun plot point. I enjoyed that the ex boyfriend wasn’t obviously a bad guy and the FMC wasn’t just blind and naive about her feelings for him - no, he actually seemed like a decent guy and I can see how they were once together but understood why they weren’t. The FMC also wasn’t just oblivious, which was enjoyable.
All in all, this was a super fun and quick read with a lot of real moments of mental health rep and grief balanced in a way that felt true but also didn’t make it too heavy. The romance aspect was believable and sweet. The characters were multifaceted and endearing. I really enjoyed this one.
4.5 stars. This was such a fun book that perfectly balanced real life emotions dealing with grief, changing family dynamics, and OCD, with fun antics of fake-dating during a family vacation.
In my experience, I have never read a story that had such good OCD representation as I did in this book. Being that the characters meet in group therapy for OCD, I was hoping that I wouldn’t be disappointed - I didn’t want a stereotypical representation of the mental disorder. I was the opposite of disappointed. The author made it very clear that OCD is different for everyone and that it can consume a major portion of day-to-day life, but there is more to a person than their disorder. The FMC and the MMC weren’t defined by their specific brand of OCD, they were developed into well-rounded characters with personalities that shined through despite their OCD. The author did a fantastic job creating complex and very likable characters.
I also thought the grief portrayal was very well done. It really highlighted how difficult it can be within your immediate family when you lose a loved one - how everyone processes grief very differently and how that may affect others, too.
Fake dating is not a favorite trope of mine because of how unrealistic it feels, but I do tend to read it a lot. I thought it was done quite well and definitely made sense in my head, which made it feel more realistic. The whole dynamic with the ex boyfriend and cousin was honestly a really fun plot point. I enjoyed that the ex boyfriend wasn’t obviously a bad guy and the FMC wasn’t just blind and naive about her feelings for him - no, he actually seemed like a decent guy and I can see how they were once together but understood why they weren’t. The FMC also wasn’t just oblivious, which was enjoyable.
All in all, this was a super fun and quick read with a lot of real moments of mental health rep and grief balanced in a way that felt true but also didn’t make it too heavy. The romance aspect was believable and sweet. The characters were multifaceted and endearing. I really enjoyed this one.
June 8, 2026
I requested this one when my NetGalley list was low and assumed I probably wouldn’t get to it. I’m so glad I did, because this ended up being a fast-paced, addictive read with laugh-out-loud moments.
Both main characters have OCD, but they experience it in very different ways. I didn’t know much about that going in, and this book offered a really thoughtful glimpse into how the same diagnosis can look completely different from person to person. It was also a good reminder that people are always deeper than what we see on the surface.
This is a slow-burn romance between Nate and Libi, and when they finally kissed I was fully invested. I genuinely couldn’t stop reading—this book was insanely captivating. It’s the full package: strong romantic tension, emotional depth, genuinely funny moments, and a plot that’s just the right amount of unhinged.
I really appreciated the mental health representation, especially the nuance in how OCD shows up differently across individuals. It felt both entertaining and insightful in a way that stuck with me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Both main characters have OCD, but they experience it in very different ways. I didn’t know much about that going in, and this book offered a really thoughtful glimpse into how the same diagnosis can look completely different from person to person. It was also a good reminder that people are always deeper than what we see on the surface.
This is a slow-burn romance between Nate and Libi, and when they finally kissed I was fully invested. I genuinely couldn’t stop reading—this book was insanely captivating. It’s the full package: strong romantic tension, emotional depth, genuinely funny moments, and a plot that’s just the right amount of unhinged.
I really appreciated the mental health representation, especially the nuance in how OCD shows up differently across individuals. It felt both entertaining and insightful in a way that stuck with me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 13, 2026
Compulsively Yours is excellent. What makes it stand out is how Raskin handles mental health, with a realism that doesn't prioritize the reader's comfort. I was genuinely uncomfortable for much of the book, and that felt intentional and right. The characters aren't always likeable, but they are startlingly real, which is far more interesting anyway.
My only minor critique is that having a mental health professional be the one to set the whole trip in motion felt a little unnecessary. The story probably could have found its way there through a different, more organic path.
But that's a small thing in an otherwise really strong book. Highly recommend, especially if you want romance that takes mental health seriously without softening it.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the early read.
My only minor critique is that having a mental health professional be the one to set the whole trip in motion felt a little unnecessary. The story probably could have found its way there through a different, more organic path.
But that's a small thing in an otherwise really strong book. Highly recommend, especially if you want romance that takes mental health seriously without softening it.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the early read.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
ARC Review
Compulsively Yours by Allison Raskin
Release Date: December 8, 2026
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
5 stars
*I received this copy for free from HarperCollins*
*OCD/Mental Health
*Grief/Loss
*Fake Dating
*Forced Proximity
Libi Newman is a political journalist and is still grieving the loss of her mother. This beautiful book starts off with her attending an OCD support group where she likes to add humor whenever she can even if it isn't appropriate. She lives with friend Mina and her husband Peter. She met Mina in college 13 years ago and she now lives in their guest house. While Libi was in her support group meeting her dad texted her to call him back. After the meeting she calls her dad and finds out he wants to bring his girlfriend - Sheryl on their yearly family trip to Mexico. Who by the way he only started dating 6 weeks after her mom's death. To make matters worse it looks like Libi's cousin is now dating her ex boyfriend. She has to come up with a plan on how to survive 6 days and 7 nights in a resort with her dad's new girlfriend and her ex boyfriend. 3 days later Libi shares this with her OCD support group and Jasmine hatches a plan for Libi to invite Nate along. She said she needs an emotional support buddy and Nate would be perfect to tag along. Libi has always avoided Nate during group sessions as she has a strict policy's on dating. Her OCD constantly gets in the way of her life and most importantly her love life. Will she endure the most painful vacation alone or will she bring a friend?
This was one of the most beautiful stories I have ever read. The depiction of both main characters struggling with OCD and Libi overwhelmed with grief from her mother's passing. It was written so beautifully and captured the struggles.The characters were so complex and I loved their story and how they met at support group. There is not enough books with representative of Mental health. This is actually the first book I read where a character had OCD. I struggle with OCD and Compulsive thoughts everyday and this book rocked me and I felt seen.
Some of my favorite quotes are:
"I had enough lows growing up that we didn't tiptoe around any of it. Once she came back home from her trip, she'd call and ask "do you feel like dying today?" If I said no, she'd send me money for a fancy donut to celebrate and if I said yes, she'd have pizza delivered to make sure I ate."
"Libi admired that Nate was holding firm to his boundary without making excuses. He could have lied and said he had a stomachache or compulsively confessed to the real reason, which likely would have made everyone embarrassed on his behalf; no matter how accepting people think they are of Mental illness as a concept, they tend to be less accepting when confronted with the inconvenience of specific symptoms."
"He wished he had the same strength of character. Although adult men openly sobbing was rarely met with the same level of understanding and kindness as a beautiful, distressed woman."
I think everyone needs to read this book. It's the perfect book to cuddle up next to a fire and read during the Christmas season. I read this book in a day. I love this love story and won't forget this book for a long time. 💕
Compulsively Yours by Allison Raskin
Release Date: December 8, 2026
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
5 stars
*I received this copy for free from HarperCollins*
*OCD/Mental Health
*Grief/Loss
*Fake Dating
*Forced Proximity
Libi Newman is a political journalist and is still grieving the loss of her mother. This beautiful book starts off with her attending an OCD support group where she likes to add humor whenever she can even if it isn't appropriate. She lives with friend Mina and her husband Peter. She met Mina in college 13 years ago and she now lives in their guest house. While Libi was in her support group meeting her dad texted her to call him back. After the meeting she calls her dad and finds out he wants to bring his girlfriend - Sheryl on their yearly family trip to Mexico. Who by the way he only started dating 6 weeks after her mom's death. To make matters worse it looks like Libi's cousin is now dating her ex boyfriend. She has to come up with a plan on how to survive 6 days and 7 nights in a resort with her dad's new girlfriend and her ex boyfriend. 3 days later Libi shares this with her OCD support group and Jasmine hatches a plan for Libi to invite Nate along. She said she needs an emotional support buddy and Nate would be perfect to tag along. Libi has always avoided Nate during group sessions as she has a strict policy's on dating. Her OCD constantly gets in the way of her life and most importantly her love life. Will she endure the most painful vacation alone or will she bring a friend?
This was one of the most beautiful stories I have ever read. The depiction of both main characters struggling with OCD and Libi overwhelmed with grief from her mother's passing. It was written so beautifully and captured the struggles.The characters were so complex and I loved their story and how they met at support group. There is not enough books with representative of Mental health. This is actually the first book I read where a character had OCD. I struggle with OCD and Compulsive thoughts everyday and this book rocked me and I felt seen.
Some of my favorite quotes are:
"I had enough lows growing up that we didn't tiptoe around any of it. Once she came back home from her trip, she'd call and ask "do you feel like dying today?" If I said no, she'd send me money for a fancy donut to celebrate and if I said yes, she'd have pizza delivered to make sure I ate."
"Libi admired that Nate was holding firm to his boundary without making excuses. He could have lied and said he had a stomachache or compulsively confessed to the real reason, which likely would have made everyone embarrassed on his behalf; no matter how accepting people think they are of Mental illness as a concept, they tend to be less accepting when confronted with the inconvenience of specific symptoms."
"He wished he had the same strength of character. Although adult men openly sobbing was rarely met with the same level of understanding and kindness as a beautiful, distressed woman."
I think everyone needs to read this book. It's the perfect book to cuddle up next to a fire and read during the Christmas season. I read this book in a day. I love this love story and won't forget this book for a long time. 💕
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
"She couldn't imagine going on that kind of family vacation without that clarity"... except she's literally on that kind of family vacation, and she chose to have no clarity...
As someone who struggles with life interrupting OCD, I hate Libi Newman. She is so incredibly selfish and immature- a narcissist for sure. (To be clear, her compulsivity isn't the issue.) Enter stage right, Nate Keller. Her friend at the local OCD support group and quick travel buddy on this Mexican family vacation. He comes to distract Libi from the fact that she didn't allow her father to start dating after her mom passed away, let alone approve of this 'other woman' joining dad on the trip. How dare dad move on with his life. It's sooo selfish of him 🙄
Nate's OCD is easy to understand as normal health concerns magnified during COVID for him, and now his fears trump logically thinking. However, people with OCD learn how to live and therefore manage their preferences and presentations- it's not something that sprouts one day (even if it does change over time) unless there's been a major trauma. While readers might start out feeling bad for Nate, his incompetence navigating his longstanding OCD manifestations is frustrating. Nate is not a child- he's a doctor! He made the decision to go. He should own it and figure his preferences out because it's not Libi's job to be his mom and hold his hand- she's anxious enough!
Now to the crux of the issue: Nate encourages Libi to continue in her narcissism. While they make exceptions and have deep understanding for each other, they refuse to accept other people as individuals with their own life choices and preferences. Conversations regarding the big clash were frustrating because while Libi is the main female protagonist in this novel, she's not the main character in the world around her, and no one needs to capitulate to her childish demands.
Compulsively Yours was disappointing mostly because I was hoping for an encouraging, cute rom-com, and it wasn't romantic or comedic.
Troupes: dual POV, unlikeable protagonist, friends to lovers, fake dating, vacation romance, forced proximity, miscommunication split, grand gesture
Spice: 3/5 🌶️
Gore: 0/5 🩸
Language: 1/5 👀
Triggers: OCD manifestations, death of a loved one
Thank you to Harper Collins and NetGalley for this ARC!
As someone who struggles with life interrupting OCD, I hate Libi Newman. She is so incredibly selfish and immature- a narcissist for sure. (To be clear, her compulsivity isn't the issue.) Enter stage right, Nate Keller. Her friend at the local OCD support group and quick travel buddy on this Mexican family vacation. He comes to distract Libi from the fact that she didn't allow her father to start dating after her mom passed away, let alone approve of this 'other woman' joining dad on the trip. How dare dad move on with his life. It's sooo selfish of him 🙄
Nate's OCD is easy to understand as normal health concerns magnified during COVID for him, and now his fears trump logically thinking. However, people with OCD learn how to live and therefore manage their preferences and presentations- it's not something that sprouts one day (even if it does change over time) unless there's been a major trauma. While readers might start out feeling bad for Nate, his incompetence navigating his longstanding OCD manifestations is frustrating. Nate is not a child- he's a doctor! He made the decision to go. He should own it and figure his preferences out because it's not Libi's job to be his mom and hold his hand- she's anxious enough!
Now to the crux of the issue: Nate encourages Libi to continue in her narcissism. While they make exceptions and have deep understanding for each other, they refuse to accept other people as individuals with their own life choices and preferences. Conversations regarding the big clash were frustrating because while Libi is the main female protagonist in this novel, she's not the main character in the world around her, and no one needs to capitulate to her childish demands.
Compulsively Yours was disappointing mostly because I was hoping for an encouraging, cute rom-com, and it wasn't romantic or comedic.
Troupes: dual POV, unlikeable protagonist, friends to lovers, fake dating, vacation romance, forced proximity, miscommunication split, grand gesture
Spice: 3/5 🌶️
Gore: 0/5 🩸
Language: 1/5 👀
Triggers: OCD manifestations, death of a loved one
Thank you to Harper Collins and NetGalley for this ARC!
July 6, 2026
3 ⭐️
2 🌶️
This book surprised me, in good and bad ways. I loved the banter and conversation between our main characters, and really liked how their relationship was built in the first ~25% of the book. I think the OCD representation is great, and it's awesome how the author clearly shows different types of OCD and how they affect people's daily lives. Libi's version of OCD, Relationship OCD, is something I had never heard of before this book, and I hope the story is able to educate more people about the complexities and variations of mental illness.
I think my biggest problem was just the likeability of the cast of characters. The main characters were fine, and their motivations were laid out in a way that made it easy to get over some of their more questionable decisions, but the side characters were one-dimensional. Libi's father starts dating someone just a couple of months after Libi's mom died relatively suddenly, and absolutely cannot bring himself to understand how Libi might feel about this situation. This was so frustrating and while I tried to see it as something that might realistically happen, I still ended up disliking the dad. I have issues with "comic-book villains" in romance novels, and I think this book is bordering on that for me in a couple of different situations. Libi's cousin brings Libi's ex of four years on a family vacation, and he is totally fine with it for whatever reason? No one in the family questions this? No one else thinks it's weird that Rachel is dating her cousin's super serious ex-boyfriend? This also just ended up being frustrating.
The romance aspect felt very minimal to me. There are a couple of closed-door scenes, but it really felt like the tension between Libi and Nate resolved itself way too quickly. I think they had great chemistry in the beginning, and the tension was definitely there via the fake boyfriend plot, but then it sort of resolved itself immediately when the characters decided to be "casual" and sleep with each other during the trip.
I think if I had connected more with the story this could have been a higher-rated read for me, which is not the author's fault. I think a lot of people will find personal connection with the characters and feel represented on the page, which is wonderful. For me, it just personally wasn't very enjoyable or rewarding of a read.
2 🌶️
This book surprised me, in good and bad ways. I loved the banter and conversation between our main characters, and really liked how their relationship was built in the first ~25% of the book. I think the OCD representation is great, and it's awesome how the author clearly shows different types of OCD and how they affect people's daily lives. Libi's version of OCD, Relationship OCD, is something I had never heard of before this book, and I hope the story is able to educate more people about the complexities and variations of mental illness.
I think my biggest problem was just the likeability of the cast of characters. The main characters were fine, and their motivations were laid out in a way that made it easy to get over some of their more questionable decisions, but the side characters were one-dimensional. Libi's father starts dating someone just a couple of months after Libi's mom died relatively suddenly, and absolutely cannot bring himself to understand how Libi might feel about this situation. This was so frustrating and while I tried to see it as something that might realistically happen, I still ended up disliking the dad. I have issues with "comic-book villains" in romance novels, and I think this book is bordering on that for me in a couple of different situations. Libi's cousin brings Libi's ex of four years on a family vacation, and he is totally fine with it for whatever reason? No one in the family questions this? No one else thinks it's weird that Rachel is dating her cousin's super serious ex-boyfriend? This also just ended up being frustrating.
The romance aspect felt very minimal to me. There are a couple of closed-door scenes, but it really felt like the tension between Libi and Nate resolved itself way too quickly. I think they had great chemistry in the beginning, and the tension was definitely there via the fake boyfriend plot, but then it sort of resolved itself immediately when the characters decided to be "casual" and sleep with each other during the trip.
I think if I had connected more with the story this could have been a higher-rated read for me, which is not the author's fault. I think a lot of people will find personal connection with the characters and feel represented on the page, which is wonderful. For me, it just personally wasn't very enjoyable or rewarding of a read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Compulsively Yours by Allison Raskin was a really interesting mix of romance, family drama, mental health discussions, and fake dating tropes set in sunny Mexico. 🌴☀️
First of all, I have to mention that it was oddly difficult to even find a proper description of this book outside of Goodreads, which felt a little strange. 😅
As someone with a psychology background and mild anxiety/OCD tendencies myself, I found a lot of the OCD representation relatable and interesting. Libi and Nate were both easy to root for, especially in the beginning, and I liked seeing how differently their OCD symptoms presented. I also appreciated how much time we spent inside Libi’s thoughts - it really showed how exhausting constant spiraling and overthinking can be. 🫠
The fake dating setup and family vacation drama kept me hooked, and I finished the book in one day. I especially liked the way they supported each other: Libi helping Nate face some of his fears, while Nate tried to ground Libi when her thoughts spiraled too much. 💞
That said, there were a few things that didn’t fully work for me. As a psychologist, I found it a little questionable that their therapist suggested Nate join her family trip - it felt like crossing a professional boundary. Some of Nate’s OCD triggers also felt inconsistent at times. But honestly, I could overlook most of that because I was enjoying the story. 😬
What lost me a bit were the final chapters. Once the family proposal drama started, things became much messier and more dramatic, and by the end I felt a little emotionally disconnected from the romance. The big romantic gesture at the end was also a bit too much for me personally.➖
I was also surprised this was such a clean romance - especially after reading much spicier books lately 😂 - but I honestly didn’t mind it.
Overall, this was an emotional, engaging read with strong mental health themes, lovable characters, and plenty of vacation/fake dating vibes, even if the ending didn’t fully land for me. ✨📚
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing / HarperCollins for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
First of all, I have to mention that it was oddly difficult to even find a proper description of this book outside of Goodreads, which felt a little strange. 😅
As someone with a psychology background and mild anxiety/OCD tendencies myself, I found a lot of the OCD representation relatable and interesting. Libi and Nate were both easy to root for, especially in the beginning, and I liked seeing how differently their OCD symptoms presented. I also appreciated how much time we spent inside Libi’s thoughts - it really showed how exhausting constant spiraling and overthinking can be. 🫠
The fake dating setup and family vacation drama kept me hooked, and I finished the book in one day. I especially liked the way they supported each other: Libi helping Nate face some of his fears, while Nate tried to ground Libi when her thoughts spiraled too much. 💞
That said, there were a few things that didn’t fully work for me. As a psychologist, I found it a little questionable that their therapist suggested Nate join her family trip - it felt like crossing a professional boundary. Some of Nate’s OCD triggers also felt inconsistent at times. But honestly, I could overlook most of that because I was enjoying the story. 😬
What lost me a bit were the final chapters. Once the family proposal drama started, things became much messier and more dramatic, and by the end I felt a little emotionally disconnected from the romance. The big romantic gesture at the end was also a bit too much for me personally.➖
I was also surprised this was such a clean romance - especially after reading much spicier books lately 😂 - but I honestly didn’t mind it.
Overall, this was an emotional, engaging read with strong mental health themes, lovable characters, and plenty of vacation/fake dating vibes, even if the ending didn’t fully land for me. ✨📚
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing / HarperCollins for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The two main characters in the novel both have different types of OCD, it's a good look at how mental illness and navigating it can affect relationships in negative and positive ways. Also didn't realize until about halfway through that it was written by THE Allison Raskin, BuzzFeed and Just Between Us OCD icon.
Libi Newman doesn't date, mostly because her intense doubts brought about by her Relationship and Harm OCD make it difficult to be in a trusting and healthy adult relationship. Instead, she only hooks up with people she can't stand so she won't find herself in a situation like her relationship with her ex, which ended due to some of her actions related to her OCD. Her mother, who was her best friend, also died recently, so she's been leaning on her OCD support group for extra support.
Nate Keller has had a crush on Libi since she joined the group, which he is a part of because of his Contamination OCD. His last relationship ended when his girlfriend realized the end of COVID was not the end of Nate's severe Contamination OCD and he wouldn't travel with her. Nate flirts innocently with Libi but understands she doesn't want anything more than friendship. because of her OCD.
When Libi has to go to her family's timeshare in Mexico for her grandparent's anniversary, her OCD concerns are matched by her overall anxiety, her father has already started dating and is bringing his new girlfriend, and her cousin is bringing her new boyfriend, who is Libi's ex. The two decide that Nate will go along with Libi to be emotional support and do some exposure therapy for his Contamination OCD. When he introduces himself as Libi's boyfriend, it becomes exposure therapy for both of them. As they lean into the fake relationship, real feelings are sparked on both sides. But with an ex who may want to get back together, family drama, and their own OCD concerns to worry about, the two will have to decide what they are willing to do to be together.
Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of this novel.
Libi Newman doesn't date, mostly because her intense doubts brought about by her Relationship and Harm OCD make it difficult to be in a trusting and healthy adult relationship. Instead, she only hooks up with people she can't stand so she won't find herself in a situation like her relationship with her ex, which ended due to some of her actions related to her OCD. Her mother, who was her best friend, also died recently, so she's been leaning on her OCD support group for extra support.
Nate Keller has had a crush on Libi since she joined the group, which he is a part of because of his Contamination OCD. His last relationship ended when his girlfriend realized the end of COVID was not the end of Nate's severe Contamination OCD and he wouldn't travel with her. Nate flirts innocently with Libi but understands she doesn't want anything more than friendship. because of her OCD.
When Libi has to go to her family's timeshare in Mexico for her grandparent's anniversary, her OCD concerns are matched by her overall anxiety, her father has already started dating and is bringing his new girlfriend, and her cousin is bringing her new boyfriend, who is Libi's ex. The two decide that Nate will go along with Libi to be emotional support and do some exposure therapy for his Contamination OCD. When he introduces himself as Libi's boyfriend, it becomes exposure therapy for both of them. As they lean into the fake relationship, real feelings are sparked on both sides. But with an ex who may want to get back together, family drama, and their own OCD concerns to worry about, the two will have to decide what they are willing to do to be together.
Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of this novel.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Compulsively Yours is a sweet, thoughtful rom-com that delivers all the fake dating and friends-to-lovers goodness while also tackling some heavier topics with care and nuance.
What stood out most to me was the representation of OCD, anxiety, and mental health. Allison Raskin does a wonderful job showing that people living with these conditions can still build fulfilling careers, meaningful friendships, and healthy romantic relationships. Libi's struggles felt authentic, and I appreciated that her mental health wasn't treated as something that needed to be "fixed" before she could be loved, but rather accepted as a part of who she is, and the right partner will encourage her to continue to do the work, but not run away when she inevitably has a setback.
Beyond the romance, this story is also very much about grief and the messy, complicated ways families navigate loss. Libi's recent loss of her mother adds emotional depth to the story, and I found the exploration of how different family members process grief particularly compelling.
The romance itself is charming, with plenty of tension as Nate and Libi blur the lines between friendship and something more during a family trip to Mexico. Nate is patient, supportive, and easy to root for, making the friends-to-lovers progression feel natural and believable.
I also loved the family dynamics. The anniversary trip brings together a cast of relatives who are equal parts chaotic, frustrating, and lovable. The family drama was messy in the best way—realistic enough to feel familiar but entertaining enough to keep the pages turning.
Readers looking for a steamy romance should know this leans more toward a closed-door/fade-to-black, but the emotional connection between the characters more than makes up for it.
A heartfelt, funny, and surprisingly insightful romance about love, grief, family, and learning to trust yourself.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
What stood out most to me was the representation of OCD, anxiety, and mental health. Allison Raskin does a wonderful job showing that people living with these conditions can still build fulfilling careers, meaningful friendships, and healthy romantic relationships. Libi's struggles felt authentic, and I appreciated that her mental health wasn't treated as something that needed to be "fixed" before she could be loved, but rather accepted as a part of who she is, and the right partner will encourage her to continue to do the work, but not run away when she inevitably has a setback.
Beyond the romance, this story is also very much about grief and the messy, complicated ways families navigate loss. Libi's recent loss of her mother adds emotional depth to the story, and I found the exploration of how different family members process grief particularly compelling.
The romance itself is charming, with plenty of tension as Nate and Libi blur the lines between friendship and something more during a family trip to Mexico. Nate is patient, supportive, and easy to root for, making the friends-to-lovers progression feel natural and believable.
I also loved the family dynamics. The anniversary trip brings together a cast of relatives who are equal parts chaotic, frustrating, and lovable. The family drama was messy in the best way—realistic enough to feel familiar but entertaining enough to keep the pages turning.
Readers looking for a steamy romance should know this leans more toward a closed-door/fade-to-black, but the emotional connection between the characters more than makes up for it.
A heartfelt, funny, and surprisingly insightful romance about love, grief, family, and learning to trust yourself.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
There was a lot going on in this book and sometimes it was just too much for one that was marketed as a romance. I think this book should be classified more as a family drama.
Both main characters have a form of OCD and it is brought up continually in the book, mostly in reference to the MMC’s obsession with germs and cleanliness. It really becomes it’s own storyline/character on the book, but not necessarily in a good way. I understand that IRL, it’s very realistic, because it can be all encompassing, but it was a lot in the context of a romance.
**(As a side note, there is a very questionable ethical boundary that was crossed just by having the characters be together at all; they met in a therapy group for OCD and the MMC himself is a psychiatrist. This may be something many readers will have trouble getting past.)**
As far as the family dynamics go, most of the story involves fake dating on a family vacation in Mexico. The FMC’s dad had decided to start dating only 6 weeks after her mom had died. This part really didn’t work for me, because I couldn’t find anything humorous or entertaining in the subplot. Her mom hadn’t suffered from a longterm illness, but from a fast and traumatic prion disease. The idea that a spouse of 40 yrs could start dating after that when the marriage was written as being very happy, just seemed so absurd to me that I could not enjoy or like those characters. Since they played heavily in the last third of the story, I had a hard time getting to the end.
The romance part itself was very flat and rushed, especially since most was focused more on the different aspects of their varying forms of OCD and not them actually falling for each other. I wasn’t going into this expecting a certain level of spice, but the closed door scenes really cut off the chance of seeing any legitimate chemistry between the characters.
Thank you to Netgalley for receiving this book for free from HarperCollins to review.
Both main characters have a form of OCD and it is brought up continually in the book, mostly in reference to the MMC’s obsession with germs and cleanliness. It really becomes it’s own storyline/character on the book, but not necessarily in a good way. I understand that IRL, it’s very realistic, because it can be all encompassing, but it was a lot in the context of a romance.
**(As a side note, there is a very questionable ethical boundary that was crossed just by having the characters be together at all; they met in a therapy group for OCD and the MMC himself is a psychiatrist. This may be something many readers will have trouble getting past.)**
As far as the family dynamics go, most of the story involves fake dating on a family vacation in Mexico. The FMC’s dad had decided to start dating only 6 weeks after her mom had died. This part really didn’t work for me, because I couldn’t find anything humorous or entertaining in the subplot. Her mom hadn’t suffered from a longterm illness, but from a fast and traumatic prion disease. The idea that a spouse of 40 yrs could start dating after that when the marriage was written as being very happy, just seemed so absurd to me that I could not enjoy or like those characters. Since they played heavily in the last third of the story, I had a hard time getting to the end.
The romance part itself was very flat and rushed, especially since most was focused more on the different aspects of their varying forms of OCD and not them actually falling for each other. I wasn’t going into this expecting a certain level of spice, but the closed door scenes really cut off the chance of seeing any legitimate chemistry between the characters.
Thank you to Netgalley for receiving this book for free from HarperCollins to review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 stars rounded up for accurately depicting OCD -- for better or for worse.
When I got approved for this ARC, I was ecstatic. I struggle with my own harm OCD, so it was super exciting to see representation in a genre that I love!
Compulsively Yours is about two people (Libi & Nate) finding encouragement and strength in each other as they navigate Libi's annual family holiday on the coast of Mexico. Plus, love! Yay! Now, you have to suspend some level of disbelief (this is a romance novel after all ;-) ) what with how their therapist suggests buddying up for this trip, but I loved the idea of using your support system to learn to cope with the demons in your head. Libi's family was a hoot, and I enjoyed the extra layer of Libi having to navigate her own grief over the sudden and recent death of her mom. It was so nuanced that it quickly became clear to me that Raskin spent a lot of time and effort on properly portraying these heavy themes with the necessary attention and care.
Sometimes, though, I found this book frustrating. Not for any fault of Raskin's at all; I think she may have written OCD a little too well. OCD is a condition that defies logic, and those with it understand this. Yet, we are beholden to compulsions that don't usually make a lot sense. As a result, there were times throughout this book that had me wanting to bang my head against the wall simply because I could actively see OCD convincing the characters to make their lives more difficult -- which is exactly what OCD does!
Because OCD is such a high priority in this book, I found that I cared less about the romance. This worked for me just fine. But, if you decide to pick up this book -- you should -- just be aware that it's a lot heavier and more serious than the blurb on the back sounds.
Thank you, thank you NetGalley for the e-arc!
When I got approved for this ARC, I was ecstatic. I struggle with my own harm OCD, so it was super exciting to see representation in a genre that I love!
Compulsively Yours is about two people (Libi & Nate) finding encouragement and strength in each other as they navigate Libi's annual family holiday on the coast of Mexico. Plus, love! Yay! Now, you have to suspend some level of disbelief (this is a romance novel after all ;-) ) what with how their therapist suggests buddying up for this trip, but I loved the idea of using your support system to learn to cope with the demons in your head. Libi's family was a hoot, and I enjoyed the extra layer of Libi having to navigate her own grief over the sudden and recent death of her mom. It was so nuanced that it quickly became clear to me that Raskin spent a lot of time and effort on properly portraying these heavy themes with the necessary attention and care.
Sometimes, though, I found this book frustrating. Not for any fault of Raskin's at all; I think she may have written OCD a little too well. OCD is a condition that defies logic, and those with it understand this. Yet, we are beholden to compulsions that don't usually make a lot sense. As a result, there were times throughout this book that had me wanting to bang my head against the wall simply because I could actively see OCD convincing the characters to make their lives more difficult -- which is exactly what OCD does!
Because OCD is such a high priority in this book, I found that I cared less about the romance. This worked for me just fine. But, if you decide to pick up this book -- you should -- just be aware that it's a lot heavier and more serious than the blurb on the back sounds.
Thank you, thank you NetGalley for the e-arc!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I feel like this one was so mixed for me because I genuinely do love books that highlight OCD, especially because it’s so rare to find one that actually feels accurate and nuanced, and I do think this book did a really solid job with that overall. Seeing both Nate and Libi struggle with OCD in completely different ways was really good and not at all one note, like it can sometimes come across as. I can tell Allison Raskin really understands the disorder and how intrusive and exhausting it can be.
But unfortunately… Libi kind of drove me insane. A lot of her behavior was framed around her OCD, but honestly, so much of it just came across as selfishness and emotional immaturity more than anything else. I found myself getting frustrated with her constantly, especially with the way she treated Nate at times. And Nate deserved better because he was genuinely sweet and patient throughout most of the book.
Also, the situation with her father dating literally six weeks after her mother died was absolutely wild to me and really made me uncomfortable the entire time. I know grief looks different for everyone, but that felt SO fast and really hard to buy into especially after he was supposedly so happy in his marriage and devastated when she died, but just moved on immediately.
And while I liked Nate and Libi together in theory, I could never fully get past the fact that Nate is a psychiatrist while Libi is someone actively struggling with OCD. I know he wasn’t her psychiatrist, but it still felt like a conflict of interest that made the romance dynamic a little weird for me personally.
I do appreciate the OCD representation a lot and think that was by far the strongest part of the book, but the romance and character choices were not for me at all.
Thank you to NetGalley, Allison Raskin, and MIRA/Harlequin for the eARC of this book.
But unfortunately… Libi kind of drove me insane. A lot of her behavior was framed around her OCD, but honestly, so much of it just came across as selfishness and emotional immaturity more than anything else. I found myself getting frustrated with her constantly, especially with the way she treated Nate at times. And Nate deserved better because he was genuinely sweet and patient throughout most of the book.
Also, the situation with her father dating literally six weeks after her mother died was absolutely wild to me and really made me uncomfortable the entire time. I know grief looks different for everyone, but that felt SO fast and really hard to buy into especially after he was supposedly so happy in his marriage and devastated when she died, but just moved on immediately.
And while I liked Nate and Libi together in theory, I could never fully get past the fact that Nate is a psychiatrist while Libi is someone actively struggling with OCD. I know he wasn’t her psychiatrist, but it still felt like a conflict of interest that made the romance dynamic a little weird for me personally.
I do appreciate the OCD representation a lot and think that was by far the strongest part of the book, but the romance and character choices were not for me at all.
Thank you to NetGalley, Allison Raskin, and MIRA/Harlequin for the eARC of this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for providing me with an eARC of Compulsively Yours by Allison Raskin in exchange for an honest review.
As someone with Pure O OCD, I was deeply interested in this book and admittedly a little nervous about how OCD would be portrayed. I'm happy to say that I absolutely loved it.
Raskin delivers a romance that is funny, heartfelt, and incredibly compassionate while centering characters who live with OCD. The representation felt thoughtful and nuanced, avoiding the stereotypes that often reduce OCD to neatness or quirky habits. Instead, the book recognizes the disorder's complexity and allows its characters to be fully realized people whose lives, relationships, fears, and joys extend far beyond their diagnoses.
What impressed me most was the empathy woven throughout the story. The characters aren't "fixed," and their OCD isn't treated as something that disappears once love enters the picture. The romance respects the reality that mental health exists alongside relationships, and that made the story feel genuine and refreshing.
As a reader with lived experience of Pure O OCD, I found myself especially invested in the portrayal, and I appreciated seeing characters whose struggles and thought processes were handled with care and understanding. Some moments felt validating and left me feeling truly seen.
Beyond the representation, this is simply a wonderful romance. It balances humor, emotion, and chemistry beautifully, making it easy to become invested in the characters and their journey.
If you're looking for a smart, funny, and deeply compassionate romance featuring meaningful OCD representation, Compulsively Yours deserves a spot on your TBR. It was an easy five-star read for me.
As someone with Pure O OCD, I was deeply interested in this book and admittedly a little nervous about how OCD would be portrayed. I'm happy to say that I absolutely loved it.
Raskin delivers a romance that is funny, heartfelt, and incredibly compassionate while centering characters who live with OCD. The representation felt thoughtful and nuanced, avoiding the stereotypes that often reduce OCD to neatness or quirky habits. Instead, the book recognizes the disorder's complexity and allows its characters to be fully realized people whose lives, relationships, fears, and joys extend far beyond their diagnoses.
What impressed me most was the empathy woven throughout the story. The characters aren't "fixed," and their OCD isn't treated as something that disappears once love enters the picture. The romance respects the reality that mental health exists alongside relationships, and that made the story feel genuine and refreshing.
As a reader with lived experience of Pure O OCD, I found myself especially invested in the portrayal, and I appreciated seeing characters whose struggles and thought processes were handled with care and understanding. Some moments felt validating and left me feeling truly seen.
Beyond the representation, this is simply a wonderful romance. It balances humor, emotion, and chemistry beautifully, making it easy to become invested in the characters and their journey.
If you're looking for a smart, funny, and deeply compassionate romance featuring meaningful OCD representation, Compulsively Yours deserves a spot on your TBR. It was an easy five-star read for me.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
📕Book Review📕
I’m finding it exceptionally difficult to put into words how much this book meant to me. The way it handled challenging topics, explained in sometimes not so gentle ways the absolute horror and exhausting torture that OCD can be while also making me laugh and feel less alone? Unmatched. In writing this review I am revealing things about myself, yes. But that’s one of the most beautiful parts of reading, and certainly of being alive.
I so appreciated Nate (MMCs’) experience of imposter syndrome fine tuned in his chosen profession and the interplay of how his symptoms challenged his beliefs about his worth, masculinity, and ability to do his job well. I was appreciative of so many well done representations of OCD symptoms, of flawed characters, of the overwhelming impact of grief.
Therapist 👋 Take: this whole review is a therapist’s take, honestly, and I’m not sure this book won’t seem harder to read for those who don’t understand living with or loving someone who struggles with OCD, but I urge you to read it anyway. Imagine seeing yourself or at least parts of yourself on page, the parts that illicit shame, self doubt, fear, judgment, even rage. And then imagine seeing how lovable that representation of a person on page (that seems a lot like you) is. How seeing them carry on, do it afraid, find people who understand, and still find a happy ever after feels. All of this with incredible humor, character development, extended family vacation antics, raw and honest communication, and impeccable grief rep woven in. That’s what this book was for me.
This was, for me, so very special. So very necessary.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to the author and MIRA/Harlequin Trade Publishing and netgalley for the eARC.
I’m finding it exceptionally difficult to put into words how much this book meant to me. The way it handled challenging topics, explained in sometimes not so gentle ways the absolute horror and exhausting torture that OCD can be while also making me laugh and feel less alone? Unmatched. In writing this review I am revealing things about myself, yes. But that’s one of the most beautiful parts of reading, and certainly of being alive.
I so appreciated Nate (MMCs’) experience of imposter syndrome fine tuned in his chosen profession and the interplay of how his symptoms challenged his beliefs about his worth, masculinity, and ability to do his job well. I was appreciative of so many well done representations of OCD symptoms, of flawed characters, of the overwhelming impact of grief.
Therapist 👋 Take: this whole review is a therapist’s take, honestly, and I’m not sure this book won’t seem harder to read for those who don’t understand living with or loving someone who struggles with OCD, but I urge you to read it anyway. Imagine seeing yourself or at least parts of yourself on page, the parts that illicit shame, self doubt, fear, judgment, even rage. And then imagine seeing how lovable that representation of a person on page (that seems a lot like you) is. How seeing them carry on, do it afraid, find people who understand, and still find a happy ever after feels. All of this with incredible humor, character development, extended family vacation antics, raw and honest communication, and impeccable grief rep woven in. That’s what this book was for me.
This was, for me, so very special. So very necessary.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to the author and MIRA/Harlequin Trade Publishing and netgalley for the eARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I wanted to love it. I didn’t like it.
There were parts that made me smile, and a moment between Libi and her father’s girlfriend that made me shed a tear. Sadly, that was the extent of my positive emotions. The pacing, the people, the problems were all…off.
For the most part, the story felt repetitive and flat. I can imagine that OCD is debilitating in many ways but, unfortunately, the main characters were not written as complete people beyond their conditions. It wasn’t a treat to read multiple attempts at humor (and sometimes of the slapstick variety) inside of someone’s worst fears. I mostly felt bad for them. And I’ll never understand why the author chose for one of the FMC’s OCD manifestations to be so horrific to read about AND for it to have absolutely nothing to do with the storyline—completely ignored and never mentioned again before the story ever really gets going. It was grotesque for no reason.
The romance: I liked the banter between Libi and Nate, however it never took off beyond that. The closed door scenes were tasteful, I just wish there was more yearning or something that added to their tension and the stakes. It all felt very low stakes for both of them, like they’d move on unaffected.
The subplots didn’t work for me at all. They were all cringy and there were so many characters in the universe that were forgettable, frustrating, or unethical.
I consider grief the driver of the primary plot and it was the only thing that rang true. Knowing that the author recently lost her mother, that makes a lot of sense.
Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
There were parts that made me smile, and a moment between Libi and her father’s girlfriend that made me shed a tear. Sadly, that was the extent of my positive emotions. The pacing, the people, the problems were all…off.
For the most part, the story felt repetitive and flat. I can imagine that OCD is debilitating in many ways but, unfortunately, the main characters were not written as complete people beyond their conditions. It wasn’t a treat to read multiple attempts at humor (and sometimes of the slapstick variety) inside of someone’s worst fears. I mostly felt bad for them. And I’ll never understand why the author chose for one of the FMC’s OCD manifestations to be so horrific to read about AND for it to have absolutely nothing to do with the storyline—completely ignored and never mentioned again before the story ever really gets going. It was grotesque for no reason.
The romance: I liked the banter between Libi and Nate, however it never took off beyond that. The closed door scenes were tasteful, I just wish there was more yearning or something that added to their tension and the stakes. It all felt very low stakes for both of them, like they’d move on unaffected.
The subplots didn’t work for me at all. They were all cringy and there were so many characters in the universe that were forgettable, frustrating, or unethical.
I consider grief the driver of the primary plot and it was the only thing that rang true. Knowing that the author recently lost her mother, that makes a lot of sense.
Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I wanted to love it. I didn’t like it.
There were parts that made me smile, and a moment between Libi and her father’s girlfriend that made me shed a tear. Sadly, that was the extent of my positive emotions. The pacing, the people, the problems were all…off.
For the most part, the story felt repetitive and flat. I can imagine that OCD is debilitating in many ways but, unfortunately, the main characters were not written as complete people beyond their conditions. It wasn’t a treat to read multiple attempts at humor (and sometimes of the slapstick variety) inside of someone’s worst fears. I mostly felt bad for them. And I’ll never understand why the author chose for one of the FMC’s OCD manifestations to be so horrific to read about AND for it to have absolutely nothing to do with the storyline—completely ignored and never mentioned again before the story ever really gets going. It was grotesque for no reason.
The romance: I liked the banter between Libi and Nate, however it never took off beyond that. The closed door scenes were tasteful, I just wish there was more yearning or something that added to their tension and the stakes. It all felt very low stakes for both of them, like they’d move on unaffected.
The subplots didn’t work for me at all. They were all cringy and there were so many characters in the universe that were forgettable, frustrating, or unethical.
I consider grief the driver of the primary plot and it was the only thing that rang true. Knowing that the author recently lost her mother, that makes a lot of sense.
Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
There were parts that made me smile, and a moment between Libi and her father’s girlfriend that made me shed a tear. Sadly, that was the extent of my positive emotions. The pacing, the people, the problems were all…off.
For the most part, the story felt repetitive and flat. I can imagine that OCD is debilitating in many ways but, unfortunately, the main characters were not written as complete people beyond their conditions. It wasn’t a treat to read multiple attempts at humor (and sometimes of the slapstick variety) inside of someone’s worst fears. I mostly felt bad for them. And I’ll never understand why the author chose for one of the FMC’s OCD manifestations to be so horrific to read about AND for it to have absolutely nothing to do with the storyline—completely ignored and never mentioned again before the story ever really gets going. It was grotesque for no reason.
The romance: I liked the banter between Libi and Nate, however it never took off beyond that. The closed door scenes were tasteful, I just wish there was more yearning or something that added to their tension and the stakes. It all felt very low stakes for both of them, like they’d move on unaffected.
The subplots didn’t work for me at all. They were all cringy and there were so many characters in the universe that were forgettable, frustrating, or unethical.
I consider grief the driver of the primary plot and it was the only thing that rang true. Knowing that the author recently lost her mother, that makes a lot of sense.
Many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Many thanks to HarperCollins Publishers, NetGalley, and Allison Raskin for this ARC. All opinions are my own.
The author has so magnificently explored the complexities of different types of OCD in “Compulsively Yours”. This was a treatise on how to write about mental illness in a relatable way and without stigma. The two main characters experience the same diagnosis but it manifests differently for each of them, and this book which gives us a realistic window into their thoughts.
In their interactions it was beautiful that Libi and Nate were so thoroughly on each other’s side. It really shows how you feel when someone is on the same wavelength as you, where you are cared for and understood. It should be the basis of any great relationship, but is especially true in this book. I like to call it “emotional backup” and it’s fully on display here.
The book is also an ode to grief and how that not only affects your emotions but can work negatively on your psyche too. That aspect of mourning doesn’t get discussed enough. The author also explores the reality that everyone suffers and copes differently, which can be confusing and enraging to some degree. It’s a real case of one person thinking “why aren’t you as broken as I am about this”.
While the review I’ve written so far makes it seem like this book is a downer that couldn’t be further from the truth! There is such bright and amusing banter (I laughed out loud multiple times), and all the characters are thoughtfully created. The romance was exceptionally well paced and believable . This turned out to be an incredible joy to read!
The author has so magnificently explored the complexities of different types of OCD in “Compulsively Yours”. This was a treatise on how to write about mental illness in a relatable way and without stigma. The two main characters experience the same diagnosis but it manifests differently for each of them, and this book which gives us a realistic window into their thoughts.
In their interactions it was beautiful that Libi and Nate were so thoroughly on each other’s side. It really shows how you feel when someone is on the same wavelength as you, where you are cared for and understood. It should be the basis of any great relationship, but is especially true in this book. I like to call it “emotional backup” and it’s fully on display here.
The book is also an ode to grief and how that not only affects your emotions but can work negatively on your psyche too. That aspect of mourning doesn’t get discussed enough. The author also explores the reality that everyone suffers and copes differently, which can be confusing and enraging to some degree. It’s a real case of one person thinking “why aren’t you as broken as I am about this”.
While the review I’ve written so far makes it seem like this book is a downer that couldn’t be further from the truth! There is such bright and amusing banter (I laughed out loud multiple times), and all the characters are thoughtfully created. The romance was exceptionally well paced and believable . This turned out to be an incredible joy to read!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Compulsively Yours by Allison Raskin is due out December 2026!
This book was so well done. It mixed OCD/mental health, family drama, the loss of a loved one, romance, a fake dating trope, and even humor into one wonderful read. The author really did a lovely job of representing OCD and advocating for mental health.
What I didn't like:
Jasmine, the group therapist. She has such a small role, but I just thought her suggesting Nate and Libi go on the trip together was odd. I understand why the author used her to push them together and I know it's a work of fiction, but it just seems unprofessional. Other than that, I enjoyed this book overall.
Libi and Nate both have OCD. Their group therapist suggests they go to Mexico together for Libi's family vacation as a type of exposure therapy. They both have different symptoms, and she thinks they could help each other face their symptoms together. Libi has a rule that she doesn't date due to how her OCD causes her to think she's too much, and comes on too strong to potential partners. However, as soon as they land, when her family starts asking who he is, he blurts out that they are a couple. From there, the fake dating trope takes over, but it is so sweet and not overly cheesy.
Of course, it wouldn't be a fake dating trope without a huge mess and a big gesture to tie everything together in the end, and Raskin delivered. The last part of the book is non-stop packed with messes from all angles, but she manages to bring it all back together in the end.
4/5 stars, absolutely read this one!
This book was so well done. It mixed OCD/mental health, family drama, the loss of a loved one, romance, a fake dating trope, and even humor into one wonderful read. The author really did a lovely job of representing OCD and advocating for mental health.
What I didn't like:
Jasmine, the group therapist. She has such a small role, but I just thought her suggesting Nate and Libi go on the trip together was odd. I understand why the author used her to push them together and I know it's a work of fiction, but it just seems unprofessional. Other than that, I enjoyed this book overall.
Libi and Nate both have OCD. Their group therapist suggests they go to Mexico together for Libi's family vacation as a type of exposure therapy. They both have different symptoms, and she thinks they could help each other face their symptoms together. Libi has a rule that she doesn't date due to how her OCD causes her to think she's too much, and comes on too strong to potential partners. However, as soon as they land, when her family starts asking who he is, he blurts out that they are a couple. From there, the fake dating trope takes over, but it is so sweet and not overly cheesy.
Of course, it wouldn't be a fake dating trope without a huge mess and a big gesture to tie everything together in the end, and Raskin delivered. The last part of the book is non-stop packed with messes from all angles, but she manages to bring it all back together in the end.
4/5 stars, absolutely read this one!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
So, I requested this book because I thought the premise sounded worthwhile. Unfortunately, there were too many issues i found with the telling of two OCD people and how they move through their worlds.
Libby and Nate are in a group therapy conclave together. Both are on the OCD spectrum but have differing triggers, that to anyone who experiences the disorder can relate to. The author does an excellent job showing us how their thoughts and actions overwhelm their lives, but after a while it became too much and repetitive for me. Which, I guess, was the point.
Without spoiling what happens, these two form a fake dating alliance so that Libby can get through a family gathering featuring her ex who is now her cousin's boyfriend. The cousin, Rachel, btw, is a horrible person. Just saying.
What evolves is a story about how Libby and Nate try to overcome their issues.
The issue I had with the book is in the easy way both of them shucked off their repetitive behaviors when the issue of intimacy arose. I've worked with people who suffer from OCD and it is all consumming, all day, every day. Nates aversion to being in the ocean, as an example. When the aspect of a sexual dalliance is on the line, he suddenly gets over his aversion to sand and germs in the water. OCD doesn't work like that.
Overall, this was a decent story. The writing was fine, but I just felt some of it didn't ring true.
Libby and Nate are in a group therapy conclave together. Both are on the OCD spectrum but have differing triggers, that to anyone who experiences the disorder can relate to. The author does an excellent job showing us how their thoughts and actions overwhelm their lives, but after a while it became too much and repetitive for me. Which, I guess, was the point.
Without spoiling what happens, these two form a fake dating alliance so that Libby can get through a family gathering featuring her ex who is now her cousin's boyfriend. The cousin, Rachel, btw, is a horrible person. Just saying.
What evolves is a story about how Libby and Nate try to overcome their issues.
The issue I had with the book is in the easy way both of them shucked off their repetitive behaviors when the issue of intimacy arose. I've worked with people who suffer from OCD and it is all consumming, all day, every day. Nates aversion to being in the ocean, as an example. When the aspect of a sexual dalliance is on the line, he suddenly gets over his aversion to sand and germs in the water. OCD doesn't work like that.
Overall, this was a decent story. The writing was fine, but I just felt some of it didn't ring true.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher Harlequin Trade Publishing for this 3-star eARC. Libi avoids serious relationships because her OCD, especially around relationships and harm, fills her with constant doubt. Instead, she sticks to casual hookups so she doesn’t risk ruining something deeper, all while grieving her mother’s recent death and leaning on her OCD support group to cope. Nate Keller, who attends the same group for his own OCD struggles, has quietly liked Libi for a while. When Libi has to attend a tense family gathering in Mexico—where her ex is now dating her cousin—Nate goes with her for support, and the two agree to a fake dating arrangement to help her get through it.
The story does a strong job of showing how OCD affects both Libi and Nate in different ways, giving helpful insight into their thoughts and behaviors, though the repetition felt heavy throughout. While their fake dating setup has potential, the romance doesn’t build as much tension as expected, and several side plots, especially the family drama, take focus away from Libi’s grief and their relationship. The family dynamics are frustrating, which makes parts of the story harder to enjoy, and overall the emotional stakes don’t feel as strong as they could. Despite liking both main characters and appreciating the mental health representation, the balance between plotlines didn’t fully land.
The story does a strong job of showing how OCD affects both Libi and Nate in different ways, giving helpful insight into their thoughts and behaviors, though the repetition felt heavy throughout. While their fake dating setup has potential, the romance doesn’t build as much tension as expected, and several side plots, especially the family drama, take focus away from Libi’s grief and their relationship. The family dynamics are frustrating, which makes parts of the story harder to enjoy, and overall the emotional stakes don’t feel as strong as they could. Despite liking both main characters and appreciating the mental health representation, the balance between plotlines didn’t fully land.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4⭐️ Seriously most people need the therapy this story offers! The MMC is a therapist and the nuggets of wisdom were slapping. 💥 There were so many scenes where I was like, “YES! I wish THIS PERSON thought like THIS!” or “I TOTALLY FEEL THIS!” The author explains she wrote Compulsively Yours on the heels of her mother’s passing as a way to process her own grief so naturally Libi, the MFC, is also grappling with the sudden loss of her mother. You will find this goes beyond navigating grief though.
My favorite traits of the main characters, Libi and Nate, were how considerate and patient they were of one another’s struggles. It kind of made my heart melt. ❣️ We could all take a page from their book! Their more infuriating and cringe-worthy qualities included Libi’s nonchalance about sleeping with strangers as a part of her OCD (just mentioned, not described thankfully) and Nate’s internal thoughts about women (probably not far from how most men think, but ew 😝). I also could have done without the swearing, though it wasn’t excessive IMO. Perfect characters wouldn’t allow for growth, so I get it. 😊
If you like family drama, vacation mishaps, forced proximity, fake dating, fade to black 🌶️, and/or are struggling with OCD or grief, this HEA may be just for you!
**Thank you to HarperCollins and NetGalley for a free ARC of this title in exchange for my honest review.**
My favorite traits of the main characters, Libi and Nate, were how considerate and patient they were of one another’s struggles. It kind of made my heart melt. ❣️ We could all take a page from their book! Their more infuriating and cringe-worthy qualities included Libi’s nonchalance about sleeping with strangers as a part of her OCD (just mentioned, not described thankfully) and Nate’s internal thoughts about women (probably not far from how most men think, but ew 😝). I also could have done without the swearing, though it wasn’t excessive IMO. Perfect characters wouldn’t allow for growth, so I get it. 😊
If you like family drama, vacation mishaps, forced proximity, fake dating, fade to black 🌶️, and/or are struggling with OCD or grief, this HEA may be just for you!
**Thank you to HarperCollins and NetGalley for a free ARC of this title in exchange for my honest review.**
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Compulsively Yours was a short but sweet rom-com that centers around mental health and grief. I appreciated and enjoyed the emphasis and thought that went into Nate and Libi's disorders and how they ended up complementing each others personalities. I have not read a book where anxiety and OCD is so forwardly communicated and the details involved in the differences of their OCDs was informative. It gave a wider lens in order to view the disorder. With all that said, there were quite a few other plot points happening that felt as though they took away from the budding romance and Libi's ability to work through her grief. The family storylines felt like they took up a lot of time and things felt repetitive. Over all I just didn't enjoy the family, they felt somewhat insufferable and I feel bad that Libi has to even attend family events. While I enjoyed Nate and Libi I didn't quite feel enough romance, I was hoping for more growing tension between them. The stakes didn't feel high enough as far as the fake-dating trope went. It didn't have me feeling too invested in their growing feelings which felt like they happened very quickly. This one didn't feel like it's would have a long-lasting impression on me.
Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the opportunity to read this.
Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the opportunity to read this.
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