Picky

by Julie T. Kinn

Editor’s Choice — BookLife Reviews (Publishers Weekly) and Bardsy First Chapter winner

Zillah’s twenty-three and stuck. She’s stuck living with her quirky mother, stuck with a diet of ten toddler-approved foods, and stuck in a relationship with a man who thinks sharks are immortal. Zillah desperately wants to move out on her own, but first she needs to prove she’s brave enough and that her mom won’t self-destruct. Things change when she secretly listens to her neighbor’s exposure therapy and decides to DIY her own mental health. But her first therapy experiment accidentally injures her mom, and life gets even stranger when she befriends the neighbor she’s been spying on.

Zillah gets to see the power of leaning into fear up close. But she also topples her carefully constructed home life, questions the “facts” of her childhood, and risks her mother’s stability as long-buried truths start to unravel. Zillah must decide who she wants to be and what she’s willing to leave behind.

Tender, funny, and full of nervy optimism, PICKY celebrates the courage it takes to reject the meal you were handed and instead choose from the buffet.

Genres: Fiction, Audiobook, Psychology

Audiobook

Expected publication July 1, 2026

About the author

Julie T. Kinn is a writer and clinical psychologist based in the American Pacific Northwest. Since earning her PhD in 2009, she has dedicated her career to making mental health information interesting and engaging through technology, media, and story. Julie entertains readers while sneakily offering insight from a psychological perspective. When she's not writing or working with her clients, Julie's in the woods with her children and dogs, trying a new hobby, or experimenting with butter and sugar in the kitchen.

Reviews

[Leticia🌻 · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5

Picky follows the story of Zillah, a quirky 23-year-old woman, who lives with her equally quirky mother. Zillah was brought up in a unique environment, only eating foods that are listed in her Excel spreadsheet (contains only 10 foods); and doesn't have many friends. She maintains a relationship with her boyfriend, because she thinks that's what society expects to do at 23 years old and to prove to her mother that she can eventually move out. Because she lives in an apartment building with very thin walls, she is able to hear her neighbor's therapy session and applies some of the advice the therapy gives her neighbor to her own life.

Throughout the story, we continue to follow Zillah on her journey to become more independent, new friendships and relationships.

The author did an amazing job with the narration; her pacing and tone were perfect for depicting the characters in this story.

Thank you Kennedy Creek Press for providing this Audio ARC for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[Grandma Susan]

DNF’d at 5%. Profanity.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Initially, this book is about an infantilized 23-year-old woman living with her mother. Zillah wants to be an adult and move into an apartment with her boyfriend, but her mother says she is not ready. She and her mother only eat 10 foods. But then, Zillah overhears her neighbor (who also lives with her brother and their mother) having a therapy session via Zoom. She can't help but listen. As a result, their lives change dramatically as they meet and become friends. I was initially bored with Zillah's timidity, but came to really like the character and root for her. Obviously, there is a mental illness theme, but it is handled very well by the author, who is a psychotherapist and also narrates the novel. In the end, I found it fun and uplifting. 4.4
My thanks to the author, @KennedyCreekPress, and #NetGalley for early access to the audiobook #Picky for review purposes. Publication date: 1 July 2026.

[Chrissy Hampton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is it OCD? Anxiety? Or just plain Zillah? I found myself laughing, cringing, and oddly rooting for Zillah as she and her mother, Paula, navigated their whirlwind of quirky habits and enabling behaviors.

Zillah is a “failing-to-launch adult” whose immaturity is simultaneously frustrating and endearing. Her longtime boyfriend Cliff… well, he’s not winning any sympathy points from me. Enter Lise, a socially anxious friend who nudges Zillah to face her fears and start growing up—finally.

The story digs into the mother-daughter dynamic, exploring how Paula’s anxieties may have shaped Zillah’s pickiness and life choices. And yes, while Zillah’s eventual growth felt a little rushed, I still thoroughly enjoyed the ride. Funny, relatable, and just messy enough to feel real, Picky made me root for a character I fully expected to annoy me.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kennedy Creek Press for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

[Jess W · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advanced copy of the audiobook.

I easily fell into this audiobook. Julie’s voice provided the perfect narration to the story. The topic resonated with me, as the mum of a former picky eater. The book provides an insight into what life is like in a household where mental illness controls everything, and the generational impacts. As the story unravelled, I was enthralled by the connections between Zillah and Paula’s behaviours. A very listenable story, and I hope to hear more from Julie in the near future!

[Em · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picky by Julie T. Kinn is a really warm, optimistic story that mixes humour with a thoughtful look at mental health.

At its heart, it’s a genuinely uplifting read. It touches on things like anxiety, OCD, and how mental health can affect families across generations. Without giving too much away, I liked that it doesn’t just focus on the struggles, but also shows the messy, very real ways the characters deal with and work through them.

That said, the tone did feel quite young at times, which made me wonder if it’s aimed more at a YA audience. It didn’t take away from the story (and actually worked in places, especially in showing the main character’s upbringing) but it did mean some parts weren’t explored as deeply as I would’ve liked. I definitely wanted more about the mum’s background, as that felt like it could’ve added a lot. And while the ending was really lovely and uplifting, I was left wishing we got a bit more of what happens next (honestly, I’d take a sequel!).

Overall, Picky is a light but meaningful read that handles mental health with care and positivity. I’d recommend it if you’re after something uplifting, a bit funny, and centred around family and connection.

⭐️3.5 stars

Thank you to Netgalley & Kennedy Creek Press for the ARC!

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an excellent example of the right way to combine humor and the painful process of evolving as a young woman.

The tone here reminded me a little of Green Dot, starting out almost flippant and gradually moving toward something far more serious and at times achingly sad. It’s a good way to guide a character through change and self-improvement, but most authors can’t quite pull off the tonal shift without destroying the original voice.

Kinn, however, does so flawlessly, and the result is an oft-hilarious but sometimes sharply painful look at a young woman desperate to expand her tiny world but unable to navigate how to do so.

Zilla’s situation is an interesting take on food/eating issues and a bit of Munchausen Syndrome. For the reader it feels fairly obvious what the big reveal is going to be for Zilla in terms of why she is the way she is, but it’s also all too clear why Zilla herself can’t see what’s right in front of her.

She’s an intensely lovable character, and I rooted hard for her to become the person she desperately wants to be. In all, this is a sweet, uplifting story with a lot of humor and a lot of charm that still manages to address some fairly serious issues.

*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

[Meg.RecsBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

audio / 4.25* / netgalley

Picky is a wonderful novel all about overcoming nature vs nurture. How fear of the unknown overtakes you, how overthinking can actually stop you from progressing in life. In the end I was left feeling incredible proud of Zilly for everything she chose to do for herself. Mental Health struggles can really change how someone is raised and how finding new people can broaden your experiences.
The narration was extremely well done and I found that overall this book was eye opening into a world that most of us don’t live in, and an interesting take on recovery.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kennedy Creek Press for the opportunity to listen to and review this book in advance of it's release, always an honour.

[Stacey Reads It All · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! What starts as a story about a wonderfully quirky FMC navigating the messy landscape of her own mind slowly becomes something that feels deeply personal. The way Kinn handles anxiety, mental illness, and trauma is not heavy-handed, but rather tender and a little funny and bracingly honest. She weaves in CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) and exposure therapy in a way that feels organic to the story rather than instructional.

It is worth noting here that Julie T. Kinn narrates her own audiobook, and she is genuinely wonderful in the role. It’s hit and miss when authors read their own work because it so rarely goes well, but Kinn is the exception. There is an authenticity to her performance that a professional narrator might not have been able to replicate. She knows exactly where the humor lives and where the weight is, and does a great job. The production quality was excellent.

Reading this felt like spending time with an Emily Austin novel, which is just about the highest compliment I can offer. There is that same deadpan warmth, that same willingness to let a character be strange and wounded and still completely worth rooting for. The story is meaningful, the writing is sharp, and the emotional core is genuine. If you are a fan of Emily Austin or just a fan of fiction that takes mental health seriously without losing its sense of humor, this one belongs on your list.

Thank you to Kennedy Creek Press and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Bri Ozalas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audiobook ARC provided by NetGalley

[Kerri]

The premise of this story sounded really interesting, but unfortunately I don’t think the story telling was right for me. I have decided to DNF at the 35% mark.

The main character is 23 and is working toward moving out and becoming a “real adult”. It seems like she is largely at peace with her small world and is surrounded by people who enable her to stay in her comfort zone. Her and her mother have a codependent relationship and they both keep each other stuck.

The story is very repetitive. At this point I wish we could have had a deeper dive into the characters or more progress in the story. I feel like things are going to pick up more with her befriending her neighbor, but I am afraid I just don’t care. The author repeats the same daily life and internal monologue. We learn things by being told very plainly. There is no showing. Zillah’s internal dialogue is very literal and we get an unfiltered view into her mind. This includes a lot of talk about poop and vomit and while I understand these are part of real life and people have anxieties and issues with them, I am not interested in reading about this so frequently. I will commend the author for doing a great job at making these characters feel very real. The story is very easy to follow.

I think this may be better for people who like slow building, character study type stories. I did feel like I was authentically witnessing Zillah’s daily life as I was listening. If you’re looking for anxiety and OCD representation in a story I think you’ll find this story does have an accurate representation of people with these mental health struggles.

Thank you NetGalley for the ALC.

[Sarah (heartfeltthrills) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tender, honest look at what it means to take up space on your own terms.

Picky by Julie T. Kinn is a thoughtful story that explores identity, expectations, and the complicated relationships we have with food and family. Kinn does a great job capturing the emotional nuances of being labeled “picky” and how that label can shape self-perception over time.

What stood out most to me was the authenticity of the voice. The narrative feels personal and grounded, with moments that are both tender and quietly powerful. The author balances humor with deeper emotional beats, making the story engaging without feeling heavy-handed. I listened to the audiobook (ALC), and the narration added an extra layer of personality to the story that really brought it to life.

The pacing moves steadily, the character development made it easy to stay invested, and I appreciated how the story avoided overly neat resolutions in favor of something more realistic.

Overall, Picky is a heartfelt and relatable read that will resonate with anyone who’s ever felt out of place at the table—literally or figuratively. It’s a strong 4-star read for me, and I’d definitely recommend it to readers who enjoy character-driven stories with emotional depth.

Thank you to the author and Kennedy Creek Press for gifting me this ALC through NetGalley. As always, this review contains my candid thoughts and opinions.

Trigger warning: there is profanity throughout, so readers/listeners who are sensitive to language may want to keep that in mind.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advanced copy of this audiobook via NetGalley. As a picky eater myself, I related to many parts of this story. I enjoyed reading about Zillah, a young adult who is trying to gain control of her life so she can move out and be more independent, and her mom, Paula, who makes that very difficult. The relationships in Zillah’s life felt realistic and flowed easily throughout the story. I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but those relationships will help guide her to making different choices, even ones she doesn’t expect to make. The audiobook is narrated by the author. She has a great narrating voice and the way she voices certain characters, especially Paula, helps me picture them better in my mind. Many times when I’d sit down to listen, I’d end up listening for an hour or more without realizing it! Her flow really helps the pacing of the story move along well. I highly recommend this story to anyone who loves books about overcoming challenges, young adult fiction, or needs a little motivation.

[Frankkie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars rounded up - This was a really enjoyable read. I found something endearing and likable about every character, which makes a difference in a character-driven novel.

The story centers on mental illness and intergenerational trauma, but it’s written in a way that feels relatable even if your life looks nothing like the characters’. There’s a real tenderness in how it shows the humanity behind the quirks - these aren’t flat, two-dimensional portrayals of mentally unwell people. The people around them are, for the most part, empathetic and helpful instead of just judgmental, which adds a lot of warmth.

As the story progresses, Zillah begins to want more autonomy and new experiences, and it was genuinely nice to watch her step outside her comfort zone - even if that’s something as small as touching a melon at the grocery store. The book could have easily gone in a more insular direction, with Zillah clinging to her mother and their rigid rules, so I’m glad it didn’t. Her curiosity, sparked in part by overhearing her neighbor, opens the door to something bigger.

It fits into the “weird girl” category, but with the sense that Zillah might grow beyond that label and become more than just the misunderstood girl who only eats ten foods.

I received this book as an ARC.

[Aster Carlyle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tender, quirky, and quietly devastating - Picky pulls you into Zillah's world one uncomfortable step at a time, and before you know it, you're rooting for her with your whole chest.

What This Book Does Well
At its core, Picky is a healing story about intergenerational mental health and the complicated, often painful reality of family dynamics. What sets it apart is how fully it commits to that premise. There's no rush toward resolution, no illusion of a quick fix. Zillah's journey is gradual and often messy, and the book trusts that to be enough.
Zillah's narrative voice is the heart of the story. It's quirky, but in a way that feels completely earned - specific, consistent, and deeply immersive. Your fully inside her head as she starts to question everything she thought she knew about her family and herself. Her voice subtly grows alongside her without ever losing what make it hers. Zillah might not click with every reader, but when she does, she really does.
The mental health writing is handled with obvious care and authority. I didn't learn until I finished the book that Kinn is a Psychologist herself, but her clinical expertise shows. The book doesn't lean on jargon or over-explanation - it trusts readers to feel what Zillah is going through rather than spelling it out. For those unfamiliar with these spheres of mental health will also get a sprinkle of educational threads woven throughout the story, but as someone more familiar with these topics, I never felt like the educational aspects were overpowering the story. Kinn did a great job of keeping us grounded in Zillah's current experience, which makes her story hit even harder.
Emotionally, the book incorporates humor in a way that doesn't fully soften the heavier matters, but actually makes them land with more weight because those moments are more digestible with the lighter tones. When Zillah starts recognizing the ways she's been let down, it stings in the best way.

Where This Book Falls Short
I think most of the friction here will come down to personal taste. A few of the side characters lean a little idealized, especially against Zillah's more complicated family dynamic. This didn't bother me since the entire story is filtered through Zillah's perspective, and her tendency to put certain people on a pedestal reads as intentional character work rather than a writing gap.
The pacing may not work for everyone either - particularly those who aren't as familiar with mental health. The story has a clear arc, but it unfolds naturally rather than through plot momentum. If you're looking for quick breakthroughs or a faster resolution, this might feel slow. For readers who appreciate realism, it's actually feature.
While none of these issues derailed the story for me, there are a few recurring elements that are worth flagging because I know they can be deal breakers for some readers - public bathroom anxiety, vomit references, and a fair amount of modern references like TikTok and Instagram, and while this is not set "during" the pandemic, they do reference the COVID-19 pandemic.

Narration & Audiobook Experience
Author narration is always a gamble, but Kinn pulls it off. Her performance adds emotional authenticity that genuinely enhanced the story for me. Zillah's voice translates well to audio - distinctive without becoming grating - and Kinn handles the complexity of Zillah's mother with real nuance, giving her humanity rather than flattening her into a villain.
There were a couple of minor dips in audio quality, but nothing that meaningfully disrupted the experience. For audiobook listeners, this one is a solid choice.

Who I'd Recommend This To
Picky is for readers who love character-driven stories that sit with discomfort - mental health, family wounds, personal growth - with a healthy balance of humor and emotional honesty. If you gravitate towards literary fiction that lives inside its characters rather than racing through plot, this will likely hit.
That being said, Zillah's quirkiness and the humor may not land with every reader. If you are looking for a quick, light comedy, this may not be for the book for you.
If you liked Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine or Convenience Store Woman, you might find a lot to love here.
There is one author in particular that I kept being reminded of throughout this book, but I want to be clear that the tone of Picky is much lighter and the prose style is very different. But the mother-daughter dynamic and OCD representation reminded me of Jennette McCurdy's I'm Glad My Mother Died and Zillah gave me a slightly older, less intense Waldo vibe from Half His Age also by McCurdy.

Final Thoughts & Opinions
I honestly did not expect to get this attached to Zillah. I literally barely put this book down, because I was rooting for her so hard. It was like watching my quirky little sister untangle herself from messy family dynamics. I found myself wanting to protect her and literally out loud "Oh, Zillah honey, no..."
What got me most is that this book never pretends that growth is clean. It leans into the mess - the secondhand embarrassment, the small moments that don't feel like progress until you look back. Zillah's story is thoughtful and grounded in a way that will genuinely stay with me. If Kinn ever returns to this world, I'll be first in line!

My thanks to Netgalley, Kennedy Creek Press, and Julie T. Kinn for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

Star Breakdown:
Personal Enjoyment: 5
Overall Execution: 5
Craft & Writing Quality: 4.75
Characters: 4.25
Plot: 4.5
Final Score: 4.7

[Laura Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

With a title like Picky, I didn't know what to expect the book to be about. Julie Kinn surprised and enchanted me with her characters in her book Picky being published July 1, 2026 from Kennedy Creek Press.

Zillah, a twenty-three year old woman lives with her mother in Chicago. Zillah feels trapped in her life. She desparately wants to get out on her own, but her mother must approve her decision and declare her ready before she is "allowed" to move. Zillah is picky. She is a young woman who only eats 10 basic foods. Much like a young child. She follows her mother's edicts and lives in an anxiety filled state. As the story progresses, the reader learns that it may not be Zillah who is truly the culprit to the life she is living. Her mother is troubled as well. With spunk and bravery, Zillah faces her challenges to come out stronger and more independent in the end.

Not wanting to include any spoilers to the book, I left out MUCH in the synopsis. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Picky for many reasons. It is filled with humor. Humor in how Zillah struggles with mental illness and finds ways to live a fuller life. She is virtually betrayed and or abandoned by all the adults in her young life, which allows her world to be one of pleasing others by meeting their expectations in lieu of creating her own.

Kinn's book gives a "real" picture of what living with generalized anxiety can look like. Zillah lives it in a smaller dose, her mother lives it with all it's manifestations. I could relate to the story. I have always lived with anxiety, from a small child onward. I could relate to the characters. Thankfully I connected more with Zillah than her mother. It is a heavy burden to bear, and can rule your life if it is allowed to take hold. Finding healthy coping mechanisms are important. It is very easy to create unhealthy habits to deal with the illness. The story includes some therapy techniques that are presented through a friend also battling mental illness. I an thankful that those are woven into the text. I have sought help and I could recognize the interventions and appreciate how helpful they are.

After reading Picky, and looking up Kinn's biography, I found out that she is a licensed therapist with a P.H.D, specializing in multiple disorders such as OCD, GAD, panic disorder and many others. Here is her website. https://www.juliekinn.com/

I did not know what to expect when I requested an advanced reader's copy of the novel Picky, by Julie T. Kinn from NetGalley.com in return for an honest review. I liked the cover and it sounded intriguing. Having read the book, I am so thankful I did. Through Kinn's engaging sense of humor I took a peek at my own anxiety as I read and learned about her character Zillow's. I related to her overcoming some of her fears and learning to live with her other ones. I grew up with a parent who also struggled with anxiety, and multiple other family members do as well. I am hopeful that others might read the book and find help and encouragement through doing so.

Look for Picky to be available July 1st, 2026, from Kennedy Creek Press!

[Marlienable · Rating 5 out of 5]

Drop what you're doing. Clear your schedule. You need to read Picky by Julie T. Kinn.

Zillah is twenty-three and stuck. She lives with her mother, studies a subject she doesn't exactly love, subsists on a self-imposed diet of only ten foods and is in a codependent relationship: an exit strategy from her current life. 

Both Zillah and her mother are severely limited by what reads as undiagnosed anxiety disorder, their worlds shrinking around them anytime tension builds: "Our world gets a little bit smaller every time we make a new ritual or safety practice. Eventually, we'll just huddle in a closet with a toilet bucket and wait for the apocalypse." That line made me laugh and wince in equal measure. 

Kinn, who is a therapist herself, has a profound gift for capturing the internal logic of anxiety. The way it presents itself as protection while quietly closing every door. The constraints Zillah puts herself through made me physically tense up. This is one of the most accurate, compassionate portrayals of anxiety I have ever read in fiction.

And yet this book is also so gloriously, irresistibly warm. There are no villains here. Not one. Zillah's mother is complicated and deeply sympathetic. Zillah's friendship with neighbor Lisa is the kind of fictional friendship you want for yourself. Zillah herself is an absolute joy to spend time with. Funny, optimistic, observant, and described in wonderfully vivid terms: "I'm antsy with tension and red polka dots." That colorful inner world, hinting at synesthesia, gives her a texture unlike any character I've encountered recently.

The therapy in this novel is handled with real expertise and care, unsurprising given the author's background. Zillah's growth feels completely earned. The mother-daughter relationship at the heart of this story is rendered with such love and complexity, and it's worth knowing that the author's own daughter was a partner in shaping it. ❤️

And the audiobook! I was genuinely surprised to discover the narrator is the author herself. Julie T. Kinn gives a stellar, nuanced performance that is perfectly pitched to Zillah's voice. Do yourself a favor and listen to this one.

If you loved the coming-of-age energy of Elizabeth Acevedo or Angie Thomas, Picky is your next obsession. It is tender, funny, real, and full of the kind of nervy optimism that stays with you long after the last page. This is one of my favorite reads of the year and I cannot recommend it enough.

I received an advance audiobook copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Kennedy Creek Press.

[Jasmin A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Zillah eavesdrops on her neighbor’s online therapy sessions, and is amazed to learn of all their irrational anxieties. Her own anxieties? Hers make sense, nothing like her neighbor’s. Zillah and her mom have a completely logical system of rules they carefully constructed and diligently follow to keep them safe and happy. It’s so kind of Zillah’s mom, the way she’s willing to commit to their system to keep her happy… Right?

In PICKY, our unreliable 23-year-old narrator is stuck — stuck in her ways, stuck in her life, stuck in the intricate web of systems her and her mother have trapped themselves in. Through the insights she gains from her neighbor’s therapy sessions and her newfound friendships, she slowly learns to question her anxious thoughts, their compulsive shared habits and their incredibly limited diet.

In a thoughtful and empathetic portrayal of generational trauma, codependent relationships, therapeutic methods and different manifestations of anxiety, Kinn takes readers on a hopeful journey to the main character’s independence. Not just from her mother, but from her own restrictive coping strategies.

Though the premise might sound heavy or exhausting, I wouldn’t describe the book as such. I found the tone to be light, humorous, tense at times, but definitely warm. Restrictive ‘picky’ eating for sensory or anxious reasons — especially in cases as severe as our main character’s — is an issue still severely misunderstood by most people, one that often leads to ridicule, accusations of parental failure or even abuse. I’m happy to see such a strong portrayal of it, one that I feel truly helps readers understand many of the nuances in a very accessible and comfortable way.

This year’s been a huge dive back into reading for me, and I’ve discovered that I yearn for flowery prose, intricate writing, depth and subtlety. This book is too far on the simple, straightforward, heavy handed side for my personal taste. Still, there is much of it I deeply appreciated. Especially the evocative descriptions of Zillah’s sensory experiences of different foods, which I found truly illuminating and delivered with an impressive simplicity.

The two sets of questions included in the book, one literary and one ‘personal & reflective’, hit home the care with which PICKY was put together to give the reader a meaningful experience. In my opinion, a success.

[Jason Kinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

The very first page of this book is a list of 10 foods: apples, carrots, bread, chicken, cereal, granola bars, milk, peanut butter, potatoes and rice. These are the foods that Zillah eats. Most of those foods sounded good to me at the beginning, but by the time I got to the end of the book I knew they would taste like cardboard. Imagine how monotonous life would be if you only ate those foods. I know that people 500+ years ago typically did not have varied diets, so it's possible that Zillah would have gotten along really well in 1400s Europe. But unfortunately for Zillah it is not the 1400s: it is the early 2020s, and it is very awkward socially to only eat ten foods. And it's not good for your body; Zillah has to take supplements and she doesn't have a consistent menstrual cycle.

Zillah is in her early 20s and she lives with her mom, Paula. Her dad is in the wind. Why does she only eat 10 foods? That's the way she has always been, for as long as she can remember. It's limiting; she feels like she needs to keep living with her mother in their apartment because of her fears.

All things considered, the apartment with her mother is not too bad. It's in Chicago, so there are things to do. Zillah is a student, so it's a money-saving thing too. And she's got a Chicago boyfriend, the mild-mannered Cliff, who hangs out with people whose names and behaviors are suspiciously like those of the Young Ones, an obscure British sitcom from the 1980s (the guys' names are Rik and Neil).

And Chicago is also the home of Zillah's new friend Lise, Lise's brother Ben, and their new dog Halstead. The blossoming friendship between Zillah and Lise is at the heart of this book.

Will Zillah try new foods, or will she revolt against the best intentions of her new friends? Will she finally be able to break free of her mom? What is really up with Cliff? Will Halstead bark at squirrels, or what will he do? These would all be spoilers, and I am *not* hiding my entire Goodreads review because of spoilers.

I read this book at the wrong time of the year. Early April in the Pacific Northwest can be a bit chilly. This book is more for a beach read during summer while wearing dark shades, somewhere like Myrtle Beach or Gulfport or Long Island or Santa Monica. The cover art would intrigue one's fellow beachgoers, the chapters are short, the characters are memorable, and the dialogue is crisp.

[Kuu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC/ALC.

This is the mental health story "I want to die but I want to eat tteokbokki" tried (and failed) to be. Witty but sensitive to various mental health struggles, with both likable and REALLY unlikable characters that each have their own struggles. The premise is a funnier version of IWTDBIWTET as well, with the therapy theme being the common point, but here, there's some eavesdropping and DIY therapy involved, again adding a humorous note to this story which otherwise deals with some heavy topics such as intergenerational trauma, codependency, abuse, various mental health struggles, asshole boyfriends, etc.

I really like how Zillah definitely did fuck up, and took accountability for it, and she's ready to learn from her mistakes, and that's ultimately what really sets her apart from her mother. She is willing to grow, of her own volition. Still, she also clearly sets boundaries around said growth, such as telling her friends that she IS willing to try new stuff, but on her own terms, and while they may suggest/introduce a food, they are NOT allowed to tell her to try to eat it. That decision is entirely her own, and her friends respect this boundary. That was something I really appreciated in this novel, as, when dealing with mental health struggles, it can frequently feel like any tiny first step is immediately seen as an okay to push you further and further, and if you refuse, it is seen as a refusal of getting better altogether. This novel clearly showed that that is not the case, and that just because someone needs help or support does not mean that they are or should be giving up any and all agency.

This was a very fun, but also emotional novel, and I'd definitely recommend it to anyone interested in mental health depictions (and especially people that were as disappointed by IWTDBIWTET as me).

(Also, HELL yeah explorations of consent! Asking is sexy! Finally some good fucking romance.)

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m between 3 and 4 stars!

This book strikes a great balance between the messy, often painful process of growing into yourself and comedic relief. It begins with a somewhat satirical tone, but gradually deepens into something more emotional and sometimes genuinely sad, which makes the characters’ journeys feel all the more real.

I appreciated how thoughtfully the story handled growth and self-improvement. The main character evolves in meaningful ways, even if she doesn’t always make it easy to like her. There were definitely moments where her immaturity wore on me (the repeated reliance on gross-out humor got a bit old…like references to pooping, peeing, and vomiting), but that also felt intentional. She’s a work in progress, and the book doesn’t shy away from that.

Her struggles, particularly around OCD tendencies and food-related issues, were portrayed in a way that felt both unique and believable. As the reader, it’s easy to piece together the reasons behind her behavior, but it’s equally clear why she can’t see it herself, which added a layer of empathy to her story. I had a bit of a love-hate relationship with her—at times I was frustrated, other times fully in her corner—but by the end, I was rooting for her to become the woman she was striving for and growing into.

I will say, the audiobook narration didn’t totally work for me. I know it’s the author, but her delivery style and voice just weren’t my favorite, and at times it actually made me more annoyed with certain characters—especially the voice she used for the main character’s mom. I did still like the audiobook format for the story though.

Overall, this is a delightful, heartfelt story that delivers plenty of humor while still tackling heavier topics with care. If you like a quirky story with unconventional characters, this one’s for you!

** I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to the author and publisher! **

[Alexandra Amaral · Rating 4 out of 5]

23-year-old Zillah has a goal of becoming a "real" adult. Her plans are clear, moving in together with her boyfriend and continue on her chosen career path. Her only problem seems to be her anxious, quirky mother who doesn't believe she is ready to move out. Oh, and she only eats ten different foods, and so does her mom to accommodate her extreme pickyness. One day, she eavesdrops on her neighbor's online therapy session, which sparks a chain of events that end up changing her life.

I am a huge fan of complicated family relationships and mental health topics in fiction, so I was invested in this story right away. You could immediately see some toxic elements to Zillah and Paula's mother-daughter relationship, and it kept getting more complicated throughout the story. The characters and their problems felt realistic and believable. The story introduces several different types of mental health problems and discussions about therapy and getting over your fears. Even though the topics can be heavy, the book keeps an optimistic and hopeful tone, with quirky characters and witty humor. The story addresses generational trauma and how someone's untreated mental health challenges can affect the people around them. There's also a lot of thoughts about choosing to live your life as you want to and making your own decisions, ignoring the external expectations that you might be carrying.

I absolutely love the narration of the audiobook! I didn't realise first that it was narrated by the author and was impressed how natural and fitting it was to the story and characters. It added an extra layer to the story, like you got to know all the characters a little bit better!

Overall, I really enjoyed Picky, and it was nice to read something a bit more uplifting (than what I usually read) without it feeling too rose-tinted! I'd recommend for people who enjoy character driven literary fiction.

Thank you NetGalley for the eALC!

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy of Picky (audiobook).

Zillah is a college student in her early 20s, living with her mother and a host of fears, mostly food-related. It took quite a while for the central plot to become apparent in this book. I spent the first half waiting for something to happen beyond Zillah making a new friend and endlessly going on about everything she considers yuck. I thought the story to be well-written and compelling, but very slow to get going.

I found Zillah to be incredibly immature and there were several moments where something was casually mentioned (like having sex with her boyfriend) that reminded me that she was not 12 years old. It was hard for me to understand the point of the relationship. He wasn't nice to her, she didn't seem to gain anything from him, I would think someone who can't even use a toilet would be averse to kissing someone who smokes, and despite all the reasons I thought they didn't make sense together, their breakup seemed to come out of nowhere. I was glad for it, but it didn't seem to be prompted by anything.

I liked that the story focused on variations of mental illnesses and how they affect people differently, but I thought some of the resolutions were oversimplified. You wouldn't tell someone with agoraphobia, "just go outside and you're cured," and I felt like that's what happened a bit in this story. I also thought some of the significant events Paula caused were somewhat glossed over.

Lastly, I found the narration of Paula's dialogue to be almost painful to listen to. As the book went on, other characters started to morph into Paula's voice, until everyone except Zillah sounded like her. It was over the top. Her character was already suffocating and annoying and didn't need a voice to reinforce it.

[Cari Zahn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was excellent. The characters were perfectly flawed, unlikeable but lovable, and deepy intricate--my favorite kind of story to unravel. This book gave a real and unglorified glimpse of the ways mental illness can impact the family system through a mother-daughter duo in constant tension about whose neuroses are responsible for the way their household runs.

I appreciated that this book was a deep exploration of how mental illness impacts our main character's varied relationships without putting emphasis on diagnoses or becoming clinical. It felt less about representing any one condition and more about creating multidimensional characters that I think many readers will find equally relatable and infuriating.

Readers in search of a plot-heavy adventure book won't enjoy this one. The character development in this book is the plot, which, for nosy readers like me, is the perfect fly-on-the-wall glimpse into some interesting inner lives (which, if you've read the book, you'll find the irony in).

I believe this is the author's debut novel, but if she tries her hand at another, I would definitely pick it up.

Thank you to NetGalley for the complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.





For safety:
***possible spoilers below***
tw: very centered on disordered eating but not body image, mental health struggles, OCD and anxiety, non-sexual spying
tropes/types/etc.: kind of a "coming of age" story, eldest daughter
themes/topics: self discovery, nature vs. nurture, mental health
Spice: There is brief discussion in a few parts and one scene that is hardly of note, otherwise, this story does not center "spice"
DDD? The sweet little dog character is safe the whole time. :)

[Booksblabbering || Cait❣️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

An authentic, relatable depiction of a young adult trying to figure out who she should be.

Zillah has spent her whole life living safe. From her relationships, her living situation, career choice and even food. Zillah only eats ten food items and has a toxic, co-dependent relationship with her dramatic and overbearing mother.

Naturally, she decides to DIY her mental health after she secretly listens to her neighbor’s exposure therapy.

I adored how humane this was. Tender, funny, and touching with characters who make mistakes, struggle to push themselves out of their comforting self-destruction, and wonder what normal might feel like.

The tone comes across as younger than someone in their 20s, but this could be a sign of Zillah’s closeted and carefully controlled life, spearheaded by her own mother.

I related to Zillah in a myriad of ways, but I am so fortunate to have a mum that respects me and pushes me to personal growth and new heights.

This book handles OCD and anxiety and navigating a world where you always feel a step behind with heart and relatability.

It was overly optimistic and lacked proper consequences for actions, but I appreciated what the story was trying to do.

The author is a psychologist and this comes across in her approachable characters and meaningful growth. The author’s note about exposure therapy and diagnosis is a good close to the book.

Highly recommended high three stars.🌟

Audiobook gifted by the publisher.

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[Angie Reads A Lot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Picky was quirky, funny, uncomfortable, and honestly pretty maddening in a way that really worked for me.

Zillah is such an unusual protagonist, and I was invested in her from the start. Her voice felt specific and vulnerable, and I really appreciated how the story balanced humor with deeper emotional damage. Watching her try to push herself toward independence while also untangling the mess of her childhood made for a compelling read.

That said, wow, the adults in Zillah’s life made me furious. Paula irritated or enraged me in basically every scene, and Zillah’s dad was almost worse for being so completely uninvolved. He knew what was happening and still didn’t step in. Even Aunt Bethany frustrated me for not intervening more. The adults around Zillah all seemed aware of Paula’s food issues and the damage they were causing, and yet they let those hang-ups shape Zillah’s entire world. It felt deeply unfair, and at times it honestly read like abuse.

Oddly enough, that’s part of why this rated higher for me. The book was so effective at making me angry on Zillah’s behalf that I couldn’t shrug any of it off. Her pain felt real, and the family dysfunction was written in a way that hit hard. I wanted better for her the entire time.

Overall, Picky is tender, strange, funny in a “second-hand embarrassment” sort of way, and ultimately hopeful, with a protagonist I really rooted for. It definitely won’t be a light read for everyone, but it was an emotionally effective one for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced listener copy of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.

[Xiibalba · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for the arc :)
Zillah is twenty-three, living with her mom, eating the same ten foods she's eaten since she was a toddler, she's stuck, and she knows it. When she starts secretly listening to her neighbor's exposure therapy sessions and decides to DIY her own mental health journey, things get messy fast. The premise is quirky and original, and I love that the book uses picky eating as a metaphor for all the ways we avoid the things that scare us. But I'll be honest, the first half dragged for me. It took me a while to get into the story.
I was completely rooting for Zillah and her neighbor Lisd, their friendship feels so genuine and messy and real. The way they push each other to face their fears, the humor in their conversations, the tenderness underneath it all. That second half had me turning pages way faster than the first.
My biggest frustration is with Zillah's mother. The book hints at a really complex, layered backstory there, long-buried truths, a carefully constructed home life built on half-truths, the codependency between them. But it never goes deep enough. It felt like the book was right on the edge of saying something really powerful about generational patterns and mental health within families, and then pulled back.
Still, Picky is a warm, funny read about finding the courage to grow up, even when growing up means letting go of the safe little world you've built around yourself. It's not going to change your life, but it'll make you think about your own comfort zones.

[Savvy Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25/5⭐️🎧🫑
This starts out seemingly slow, initially I really struggled to enjoy the characters and nearly DNFed. I’m glad I kept going. The Author uses the flippant perspectives of Zillah and Paula to create a sense of normalcy. The further into the novel, the pressure is turned up and there is a sense of urgency/looming anxiety that mirrors the increase in symptoms of the mental health crisis.

I loved this by the end. This audiobook explores complex and nuanced themes of mental health, intergenerational trauma, complicated family dynamics, friendship, and identity during codependency. I appreciated the exploration of motherhood and untreated mental health problems.

I do think it is worth noting that this book, by its nature, could be triggering if to readers that have a history of mental health issues, restrictive/disordered eating, OCD, or a history of these topics with a parent/guardian or as a parent/guardian. I personally have some history with some of these topics and found the material difficult at times. I do think the author approaches the content from a respectful and sensitive approach, but recognize that as a reader I bring my own history to the reading experience and other readers may struggle with these triggers.

Expected Publication Date: July 1, 2026

A big thank you to NetGalley and Kennedy Creek Press for a copy of this AudioARC in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

** I received an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion **

Zillah is a picky 23 year old student who is trying to prove to her mother Paula she's mature enough to move out and finally start living her adult life. When she overhears her neighbour Lise's therapy session, she realises that she's not so alone in feeling stuck in her early twenties. A bond forms between Zillah and Lise, and through the power of friendship – and the help of mental health professionals –, they see that they don't need to accept the things that have always been as final.

Julie T. Kinn writes her characters with plenty of heart and tenderness. Even though Zillah and Paula start out slightly unlikeable, she, Paula, and the host of other people we get to know are always believable. Through her words, Kinn creates complex characters and is never insensitive when describing their mental health issues. I felt like I was truly inside Zillah's brain the whole time, and seeing her character arc was a moving experience. The characters' growth gave me courage to face some obstacles in my own life.

I rarely ever finish a book hoping to read another one from that same universe. However, I really wish I could see what's next for Lise and Zillah, and I'd love to find out from the former's point of view!

Thanks to NetGalley, Julie T. Kinn and Kennedy Creek Press for the ARC. It was so very enjoyable.

[Missy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you, NetGalley and Kennedy Creek Press, for an ARC of Picky by Julie T Kinn.

I was riveted by this book. While it might have taken me a little bit to get into the book, once I was in, I couldn’t walk away. Being a parent of children with picky eating habits, anxieties, and who are very regimented in their lives and would rather stay at home all the time and never leave, I understood Zillah and Lise end up being the perfect pair. Both help each other with their anxieties and support each other's growth.

I loved all the Chicago references and the street names. Everything they were talking about was right where I used to live, which I loved. Not sure if all of the street names and exact references would be too much for someone unfamiliar with the area.

There might be some triggering instances for readers, for example: difficult parent/child dynamic, severe anxiety, food anxiety, eating disorder, social anxiety, etc.

I was unsurprised that the issues were Paula’s and not Zillah’s, and I found Paula to be an unlikeable character. Overall, I found this book so interesting, and I do recommend it.

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