Thank you NetGalley for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review

This entire book - *chef's kiss*

Phoebe wasn't always a germaphobe. Not until she contracted covid which put her prematurely born brother toby in danger. Thus, began her journey of pathogen avoidance. She meets a sixty-year-old Walter who is suffering from anxiety. They hit it off immediately and help each other serving as therapists.

I love how mental health is portrayed here. The lengths Phoebe had to go through is truly heartbreaking. But there is something positive about this, the whole way the topic is dealt with is wonderful. The author approaches it with such care and sensitivity and spins a positive outlook on mental health.

Special shoutout to JP - top-notch character.

What a fantastic and important read. This book talks about mental health in a positive way, and shines a light on how others can help those around them.

This is the first book I’ve read that’s dealt with COVID, and I think it was handled well. Phoebe is a germaphobe with an immune compromised little brother. So when she gets COVID, and share it with him, she goes never to touch anything or anyone. Whew. I can’t even imagine, and reading all she does to protect herself is heartbreaking. As a mom to a child with obsessive compulsive behavior that’s germ related, this book really got to me.

Phoebe works with Walter, a 60 something who also suffers from anxiety and they form quite the friendship and serve as each other’s therapist. Then Phoebe meets JP and boy-oh-boy did he capture my heart. The more he learned of Phoebe’s fears, the more he wanted to help. He and his friends were the best and I loved watching them react to Phoebe and how Phoebe reacted in response.

This book was written so well, and did a fantastic job of addressing mental health - I’ll be singing it’s praises and recommending to everyone young and old!