PICKY — Julie T. Kinn

A compulsive, quietly unsettling read about a woman slowly waking up to her own story. Zillah's narration is unreliable in the best possible way — the gap between what she tells herself and what the reader can plainly see makes for a gripping, often uncomfortable experience.

Watch her grow. Worry for her. Will her further.

For readers who like their character studies with a little darkness underneath.

A beautifully crafted unreliable narrator done right — Zillah is frustrating, sympathetic, and utterly compelling. Ideal for book clubs with plenty to discuss.

I really enjoyed this! The mother was infuriating, and Zillah gave her more grace than I would've, but I liked seeing Zillah's growth and gradual realizations that her understanding of her own life was off-kilter. Though I wish listening in on three sessions of someone else's therapy could really be as useful as it was for her.

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!

Picky will break your heart. It is a fascinating, terrifying tale of codependence and inter generational trauma and you will find yourself wanting to hug Zillah and give her a good shake. There are so many complex relationships in this book and the author cleverly exposes more than Zillah intends in her dialogue and observations. The focus on character and relationships makes the plot seem more action-oriented than it actually is, such is the skill of the author. A very moving book.

Picky is well written and makes you feel deeply for the character. There were times I wanted to reach into the book and shake Zillah, her mother, and other characters to wake them up. Picky explores generational trauma, anxiety, and mental illness in a thoughtful and inventive way. It makes you think about your own life, what's stopping you, and how you can change.

Just delightful. This is such a tender, well rounded novel that takes on the "woman who wants more" theme that is so popular in fiction these days, in a thoughtful, cozy way. You can feel the affection between the characters, and all of the nuance of a complicated family. As a mental health care provider, I have an extra critical eye for mental health stuff in novels and I think Kinn wrote it all so deftly, especially the way that our beliefs about the world and our "rules" for safety can be fine - until they suddenly aren't. Definitely recommend for a book club! Or a reader looking for a kind hearted story with character growth and a lead you really root for. I think this one has the potential to be a very buzzy summer release. Thank you to NetGalley and Kennedy Creek Press for the ARC!

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 alll, 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.

Kinn serves up an excellent portrayal of life with a mentally unwell and abusive parent.

I particularly enjoyed the subtle plot hints cleverly sprinkled through the characterisation and found myself engrossed as the plot unravelled.

Though I held minor reservations towards the resolution, namely the pace of Zillah's individual healing as well as relational repairs, it nonetheless infuses the reader with optimism.

I feasted on this novel and look forward to new additions to Kinn's menu.

Julie T. Kinn’s Picky is an impressive and deeply empathetic debut that stands out for its nuanced exploration of ARFID (Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder). What makes this novel especially compelling is how grounded and realistic the portrayal feels. It’s clear that this authenticity is rooted in Kinn’s professional background, which lends the narrative a level of insight and sensitivity that’s hard to fake or base only on reasearch. One of the book’s greatest strengths is its honest depiction of how a parent’s mental health struggles can quietly but profoundly, shape a child’s world.

The characters feel real, too. They're flawed, layered, and believable in their choices. Zillah's POV is a particularly interesting narrative choice her voice is observant and often perceptive about the outside world and other people, which makes it all the more intriguing that she sometimes appears almost willfully unaware, or at least less perceptive, about the dysfunction in her own home. This contrast adds complexity to her character, though at times it creates a slight dissonance, as she seems more naive about her personal circumstances than her broader insights would suggest.

Overall, Picky is a strong debut that balances emotional depth with psychological realism. Kinn has crafted a story that not only sheds light on ARFID but also captures the intricate, often messy dynamics of family life with honesty and compassion.

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.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

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.)

An unusual story with unusual characters. Zillah made for a fascinating read, with her picky habits and restrictions. Few people realise how much a phobia can restrict your life. This is a heartwarming story that angers you on behalf of Zillah, and saddens you on the struggles so many quietly face everyday. An important read for empathy and awareness.

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.

Quirky, a bit funny, a bit sad. There was much more of a mental health theme than I anticipated but it was handled well. The author is a clinical psychologist which I felt made the book more believable.

I was initially drawn to reading this because of the mother/daughter relationship. But it quickly became obvious this was going to be much more. Zillah's journey as a picky eater wanting to start the next chapter of her life beyond her mother seems like a simple desire that is relatable to many. But all is not as it seems we find out. I found myself cringing at the things the mother and daughter do through most of the story. But it also drew me in more the deeper the story went. It was compelling. Zillah is a unique young woman. Both frustrating and sad at times. I enjoyed seeing a world through her eyes...and I suppose her stomach too. It's been over a week since I finished reading and I keep thinking back to things that take place. It is a memorable story that I can tell will stay with me.

This book blew me away and surpassed expectations! I loved the characters and the plot. I felt like Zillah and Paula were well developed characters and I really enjoyed the way this was written from Zillah’s perspective. This book hits close to home for some of us who have a parent with mental health issues, so I would suggest adding trigger warnings at the beginning of the book. I loved this book so much I would love to see it become a movie or TV show!

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.

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 this ARC. It was so very enjoyable.

My Selling Pitch:
OCD nature vs nurture in a quirky girl lit fic family drama. The audiobook is a must!

Pre-reading:
I love messy girl lit fic.

(obviously potential spoilers from here on)
Thick of it:
So a neurotic Mom, and is this OCD or autism or both?

I too am weirdly afraid of stairs I think largely because my balance is so bad.

I fear this book is diagnosing me lol.

An ironic kickball league! Oh my god, she read him for filth!

She’s just like me, for real!

Painting a personal O’Keefe over flick the bean is so good.

I touched a cantaloupe, and I liked it!

This is reminding me so much of Big Swiss.

The dog vs cat people made me guffaw.

I would die for Halsted.

I love bratty banter.

I thought she couldn’t eat the applesauce because there was lemon in it?

Detritus sin

Stahging like hodge not staging like a play, no? Or is that just my restaurant? (Audiobook mispronounced it. Just a hiccup I noticed.)

Ben and these kids are really cute.

So much about pooping in this book.

I think this is a 3.5 I’ll round up. Just a good character study.

The audiobook is so well acted, especially with the shrill mother character.

A red cap in this political environment is a choice.

I’m surprised how common thinking you ran someone over is with OCD. I was just reading the Noah Kahan article where he talks about his experience with it.

I think fiestaware is hideous.

Post-reading:
A solid little character study. I always enjoy quirky lit fics. I like inhabiting a character’s consciousness and watching them spiral. I think this book did a really good job at representing OCD and how it’s not really about obsessive cleanliness but rather distressing, almost magical thinking. I think it was a unique spin to ask how much of an anxiety disorder is nature vs nurture. I wish we got a little more backstory as to how Elise developed all of her phobias besides one traumatizing incident.

I think the audiobook was phenomenally acted. The shrill voice she put on for Paula is appropriately annoying and grating.

I think there were some great food flavor and texture descriptions in this, and they never felt overdone which I think would’ve been an easy trap for a book about a picky eater to fall into. There was however way, way too much about bathroom habits and poop. It’s icky the first time, but it was mentioned constantly.

I think the pacing for this book was also excellent. It moves at a steady clip, and the short chapters propel you through it. There’s no annoying time jumps just to flashback. You just get to plow through the piece.

It’s not a new favorite, but I really enjoyed the story, and I’m glad I read it. I think if you like quirky girl lit fics, you’ll probably like this one too. It’s got that Fleabag, deadpan humor that a lot of this genre uses, and I enjoy it every time.

Who should read this:
Quirky lit fic fans
Mental health representation fans
Family drama fans
Character study fans

Ideal reading time:
Anytime

Do I want to reread this:
Maybe? I feel like I would reach for other similar titles before this one

Would I buy this:
Yes!

Similar books:
* Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman-lit fic, family drama, autism
* Interesting Facts About Space by Emily R. Austin-lit fic, cozy mystery, family drama, queer romance, autism
* Big Swiss by Jen Beagin-lit fic, queer romance
* Open Wide by Jessica Gross-lit fic, psychological horror, family drama, autism
* Cleaner by Jess Shannon-lit fic, family drama, autism
* Sky Daddy by Kate Folk-lit fic, family drama, autism
* Paradise Logic by Sophie Kemp-lit fic, psychological horror, autism

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

My Selling Pitch:
OCD nature vs nurture in a quirky girl lit fic family drama. The audiobook is a must!

Pre-reading:
I love messy girl lit fic.

(obviously potential spoilers from here on)
Thick of it:
So a neurotic Mom, and is this OCD or autism or both?

I too am weirdly afraid of stairs I think largely because my balance is so bad.

I fear this book is diagnosing me lol.

An ironic kickball league! Oh my god, she read him for filth!

She’s just like me, for real!

Painting a personal O’Keefe over flick the bean is so good.

I touched a cantaloupe, and I liked it!

This is reminding me so much of Big Swiss.

The dog vs cat people made me guffaw.

I would die for Halsted.

I love bratty banter.

I thought she couldn’t eat the applesauce because there was lemon in it?

Detritus sin

Stahging like hodge not staging like a play, no? Or is that just my restaurant? (Audiobook mispronounced it. Just a hiccup I noticed.)

Ben and these kids are really cute.

So much about pooping in this book.

I think this is a 3.5 I’ll round up. Just a good character study.

The audiobook is so well acted, especially with the shrill mother character.

A red cap in this political environment is a choice.

I’m surprised how common thinking you ran someone over is with OCD. I was just reading the Noah Kahan article where he talks about his experience with it.

I think fiestaware is hideous.

Post-reading:
A solid little character study. I always enjoy quirky lit fics. I like inhabiting a character’s consciousness and watching them spiral. I think this book did a really good job at representing OCD and how it’s not really about obsessive cleanliness but rather distressing, almost magical thinking. I think it was a unique spin to ask how much of an anxiety disorder is nature vs nurture. I wish we got a little more backstory as to how Elise developed all of her phobias besides one traumatizing incident.

I think the audiobook was phenomenally acted. The shrill voice she put on for Paula is appropriately annoying and grating.

I think there were some great food flavor and texture descriptions in this, and they never felt overdone which I think would’ve been an easy trap for a book about a picky eater to fall into. There was however way, way too much about bathroom habits and poop. It’s icky the first time, but it was mentioned constantly.

I think the pacing for this book was also excellent. It moves at a steady clip, and the short chapters propel you through it. There’s no annoying time jumps just to flashback. You just get to plow through the piece.

It’s not a new favorite, but I really enjoyed the story, and I’m glad I read it. I think if you like quirky girl lit fics, you’ll probably like this one too. It’s got that Fleabag, deadpan humor that a lot of this genre uses, and I enjoy it every time.

Who should read this:
Quirky lit fic fans
Mental health representation fans
Family drama fans
Character study fans

Ideal reading time:
Anytime

Do I want to reread this:
Maybe? I feel like I would reach for other similar titles before this one

Would I buy this:
Yes!

Similar books:
* Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman-lit fic, family drama, autism
* Interesting Facts About Space by Emily R. Austin-lit fic, cozy mystery, family drama, queer romance, autism
* Big Swiss by Jen Beagin-lit fic, queer romance
* Open Wide by Jessica Gross-lit fic, psychological horror, family drama, autism
* Cleaner by Jess Shannon-lit fic, family drama, autism
* Sky Daddy by Kate Folk-lit fic, family drama, autism
* Paradise Logic by Sophie Kemp-lit fic, psychological horror, autism

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Picky is a deeply character-driven exploration of Zillah’s life with OCD, anxiety, and intrusive thoughts, told in a way that feels uncomfortably real at times. I actually struggled with the audio format because of how immersive her thought spirals are, but switching to ebook helped me process it better — which honestly feels fitting for a book so focused on how differently people experience and process the world.

What stood out most for me was how the story slowly reveals the weight of generational trauma and learned behavior within Zillah’s relationship with her mother. What initially looks like overprotection and dependence becomes something much more layered, messy, and inherited. I loved how the book doesn’t isolate Zillah’s struggles as existing in a vacuum, but instead shows how deeply family systems shape them.

I also really appreciated the nuance in how OCD is portrayed — not as a single behavior or quirk, but as something that shows up across routines, food restrictions, intrusive thoughts, and emotional dependence. It felt honest and carefully observed.

What didn’t work as well for me was the sheer intensity of being in Zillah’s head for long stretches. The repetition and anxiety loops are intentional, but they can be exhausting depending on how you engage with the story.

Overall, this was a thoughtful, sometimes difficult, but ultimately hopeful read about self-awareness, family patterns, and slowly learning to separate yourself from inherited fear.

★★★★☆

Some books feel like getting hugged by someone who also immediately overshares their worst intrusive thought. That's Picky.

This story is tender, weird, deeply funny and painfully relatable. Julie Kinn writes OCD and mental health with an accuracy that feels lived in rather than performative. The compulsions, the spiralling, the exhaustion of trying to exist while your brain runs twenty tabs at once. It is all handed with so much care.

Zillah absolutely got to me. She's awkward and vulnerable. Trying so hard to become an adult while surrounded by people who honestly are borderline abusive. I spent most of the book wanting to wrap her in a blanket and tell everyone around her to back off for five minutes.

Despite dealing with heavy themes, this book is incredibly warm and genuinely human. Messy, uncomfortable, hilariously human. A strange little weird girl novel full of anxiety and tenderness. I loved it.

Thank you to Netgalley and Kennedy Creek Press for this ARC in exchange for my review.

I love loved love this book. As a therapist what an amazing perspective on anxiety, codependency, trauma, etc. Beautifully done! Moments of laughter mixed in with the sadness made a nice balance. Also filled with hope and positive refrarming which I very much appreciated!

3.75 rounded up to 4 stars. Wow, this book was not what I had expected it to be, but in a good way! As someone with family members who live with OCD, and have my own struggles with anxiety, this was at times both familiar and horribly sad. Zillah is a character you can root for even as you cringe at some of her choices and thoughts. Overall I enjoyed it and would recommend it to someone who likes a character driven story with a mental health theme.

Such a great, quirky and vibrant book! The protagonist is so likeable and real, and the plot is intriguing and very different to anything I’ve ever read before (in a good way!). Will definitely recommend this to my friends.

This made me so uncomfortable in a good way. I could feel the anxiety through the whole story. I liked seeing a portayal of mental health that wasn't just depression. At times I was frustrated by how enmeshed Zillah and her mom were. I cheered when she dumped Cliff.