Mental illnesses are stigmatized in our culture, but they are quite serious. They come in all shapes and sizes, and in many forms. One of those forms is OCD and anxiety. I have personally dealt with fighting these “demons”, so I felt strongly that I should read this book and see what the author had to say about her journey, and how she lived with, and through, a mental illness.

The book gives some background on the author, Misti Stevenson, and how she grew up, but mostly it tells of her adult life and having a family, along with how she survived the affliction of OCD. At times her disease was obviously crippling, and yet somehow she was able to find faith in her Heavenly Father, and seek out help through the church and her husband.

I grew up in a Christian home, so this book was very educational in several ways. I learned more about the Mormon faith and how closely it seems to match up with many other religions, beliefs, and faiths. (I try to stay out of religious arguments, so I am not trying to start one with that observation.) Throughout this book the author, Misti Stevenson, talks a lot about her family life and their faith, but she mostly focuses on her personal relationship with her Heavenly Father. There are many references to scripture, and what helped her heal from her trials. If you are at all open to spirituality, then this book is a wonderful one to read.

This book was sent to Compass Book Ratings for review by KayLynn Flanders

Content Analysis:

Profanity/Language:  None

Violence/Gore:  A man is angry and punches a hole in the wall; a girl is reported to collapse and die suddenly; a minor is hit by a car and needs her leg amputated, some brief mention of blood and gore with no explicit description; a suicide attempt is mentioned; minor injuries are mentioned; a person is mentioned to be  threatening, might beat someone up; children are mentioned to be killed in a scary movie; grandparents are mentioned to have passed away; a woman imagines making violent actions and stabbing innocent people; a woman is reported to commit suicide.

Sex/Nudity:  Sexual abuse is referred to; a “semi” affair is mentioned to occur; having children out-of-wedlock is mentioned; a girl dreams of going to school naked; an affair is mentioned; minors kiss in a brief scene.

Mature Subject Matter:

Mental illnesses, divorce, addictions, personal crises, loss of a loved one, abandonment, extramarital affairs, spiritual issues.

Alcohol / Drug Use:

A man smells like smoke; alcoholism mentioned; a pain medication addiction is mentioned; a man smokes; a man is mentioned to drink beer.