What do you think?
Rate this book
Maybe Maby
Maby Armstrong has held it together long enough. Typically one to chase after her comfort zone instead of happiness, it takes facing her fear of the unknown head-on to realize her dreams. Her longtime wish of owning her own shop becomes a reality, and a newfound confidence gives her the boost she needs after dealing with what she calls her “dysfunctional mind.”Her life is finally aligning.Even after a long stretch of being alone, men are coming out of the woodwork.A longtime best friend, an ex, and her favorite coffee shop guy suddenly think they can’t live without her.Maybe it’s time Maby starts living.At times both laugh-out-loud funny and heart-wrenchingly painful, embrace the crazy with this quest for sanity and true love...
313 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 25, 2014
103 people are currently reading
2369 people want to read
About the author
Willow Aster
47 books4,625 followersWillow Aster is a USA Today Bestselling Author of emotional, angsty love stories with a side of quirk. She is co-writer of The End of Men series with Tarryn Fisher and co-writer of the G.D. Taylors series with Laura Pavlov.
Website: http://www.willowaster.com/
Facebook Author page: https://www.facebook.com/willowastera...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willowaster/
Living in the Pages podcast with our favorite authors: https://apple.co/2FraLVV
Pinterest:
https://www.pinterest.com/WillowAster/
Reader group on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/87097...
Newsletter:
http://www.willowaster.com/subscribe/
Website: http://www.willowaster.com/
Facebook Author page: https://www.facebook.com/willowastera...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willowaster/
Living in the Pages podcast with our favorite authors: https://apple.co/2FraLVV
Pinterest:
https://www.pinterest.com/WillowAster/
Reader group on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/87097...
Newsletter:
http://www.willowaster.com/subscribe/
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 263 reviews
August 4, 2014
3.5-4 stars!!
I just love it when a book takes me by surprise and I end up enjoying it more than I thought I would. Sprinkled with both humorous and swoony moments, Maybe Maby is a heartwarming tale of how one woman copes with her eccentricity and finds an unexpected, but lasting love in the process. I would recommend this out-of-the-box read; however, I do think you need to be in a certain mood to read this or Maby’s quirks and the story will bore and/or annoy you. This book is not a mainstream read nor was it written to be a crowd-pleaser – then again, none of Willow Aster’s books are.
“The only way I find any relief is by counting ... everything ... repeatedly.”
Maby is a 28 year old woman who suffers from extreme OCD. At first I didn’t realize how serious her condition was but it’s like this: I count to 10, she counts to 100. Twice. I count the number of steps from here to there – she counts it, memorizes it, and recites it on her way back. Her OCD, depression and anxiety only gets worse after a loved one passes away. At the same time, she literally loses everything else in her life: boyfriend dumps her, friends desert her, plus she loses her job. She pretty much hits rock bottom and all she has left is her OCD, the bane of her existence.
“My stupid compulsions make people run from me. They make boyfriends turn to other lovers. They make girlfriends who have stolen said boyfriends shove you into brick buildings while they tell you how worthless you are. They make the steady and rock solid friends avoid you for a year even after you’ve lost everyone.”
When her life can’t get much worse, Maby develops a tentative relationship with Coen, a sweet, considerate, and infinitely patient guy from the coffee shop. At first I got annoyed when Maby kept finding excuses to stay away from Coen, but it’s hard to stay mad at her whenever her OCD took effect. Reading about her loneliness and helplessness really gave my heart a squeeze.
“I stay awake all night organizing. I wash until I bleed. I count while I’m running until I sometimes pass out. I feel like I’m losing my mind…”
Coen couldn’t have been more perfect for Maby. He understood, accepted and loved Maby for the way she was and never tried to change her. While there wasn’t too much buildup to the place where their relationship began, it didn’t feel like insta-love either. Their connection just felt…right.
The only reason why this book isn’t at least a 4 star rating is because I had trouble reconciling the first half with the second half. I felt like this book was half life story, half romance and though neither overshadowed the other, the romance part was a little lacking compared to the life story part – there’s a love triangle in this book. See spoiler if you want details on the love triangle.
Even though there’s a triangle, the angst is pretty low. While there’s not a lot of steam present, heartfelt emotion and humor more than makes up for it.
Though this wasn’t my favorite book from Willow Aster, it’s a solid and refreshing read that I was in the mood for. If you don’t mind a slower read with quirky characters, give this one a go!
I just love it when a book takes me by surprise and I end up enjoying it more than I thought I would. Sprinkled with both humorous and swoony moments, Maybe Maby is a heartwarming tale of how one woman copes with her eccentricity and finds an unexpected, but lasting love in the process. I would recommend this out-of-the-box read; however, I do think you need to be in a certain mood to read this or Maby’s quirks and the story will bore and/or annoy you. This book is not a mainstream read nor was it written to be a crowd-pleaser – then again, none of Willow Aster’s books are.
“The only way I find any relief is by counting ... everything ... repeatedly.”
Maby is a 28 year old woman who suffers from extreme OCD. At first I didn’t realize how serious her condition was but it’s like this: I count to 10, she counts to 100. Twice. I count the number of steps from here to there – she counts it, memorizes it, and recites it on her way back. Her OCD, depression and anxiety only gets worse after a loved one passes away. At the same time, she literally loses everything else in her life: boyfriend dumps her, friends desert her, plus she loses her job. She pretty much hits rock bottom and all she has left is her OCD, the bane of her existence.
“My stupid compulsions make people run from me. They make boyfriends turn to other lovers. They make girlfriends who have stolen said boyfriends shove you into brick buildings while they tell you how worthless you are. They make the steady and rock solid friends avoid you for a year even after you’ve lost everyone.”
When her life can’t get much worse, Maby develops a tentative relationship with Coen, a sweet, considerate, and infinitely patient guy from the coffee shop. At first I got annoyed when Maby kept finding excuses to stay away from Coen, but it’s hard to stay mad at her whenever her OCD took effect. Reading about her loneliness and helplessness really gave my heart a squeeze.
“I stay awake all night organizing. I wash until I bleed. I count while I’m running until I sometimes pass out. I feel like I’m losing my mind…”
Coen couldn’t have been more perfect for Maby. He understood, accepted and loved Maby for the way she was and never tried to change her. While there wasn’t too much buildup to the place where their relationship began, it didn’t feel like insta-love either. Their connection just felt…right.
The only reason why this book isn’t at least a 4 star rating is because I had trouble reconciling the first half with the second half. I felt like this book was half life story, half romance and though neither overshadowed the other, the romance part was a little lacking compared to the life story part – there’s a love triangle in this book. See spoiler if you want details on the love triangle.
Even though there’s a triangle, the angst is pretty low. While there’s not a lot of steam present, heartfelt emotion and humor more than makes up for it.
Though this wasn’t my favorite book from Willow Aster, it’s a solid and refreshing read that I was in the mood for. If you don’t mind a slower read with quirky characters, give this one a go!
on-hold
April 11, 2017Putting this one on hold for now. 47%- The heroine is irking me. I love the writing so I may power through it later.
August 22, 2014
5 UNIQUE STARS
"Being with you makes me forget who I really am."
What a unique and briliant story!It was sweet and crazy!!!I really loved it!!I haven't read something like that before!I really didn't expected something like that when I start reading this!!It was refreshing and I didn't want to stop reading!!!The characters were lovable and made me want to know more and more about them!!I read it in one day!!!So you can understand how much I loved it!!!Before I start telling about the book I would like to say that I fell in love with Maby and Coen!!!!I will definately re-read this book again soon!!
Maby is not your typical character...she is a little different,she has a condition known as Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.She is counting her steps, locking and unlocking her doors and she is washing or sanitizing her hands.Also she lost the important people in her life!Her boyfriend who broke up with her,her mother who died, and she has no friends. Her character was so unique!I loved her so much!!She is funny,sweet and quirky!!
But what will happen when she will meet the cute barista from La Colombe coffee shop??
"Do you feel this Maby?I could almost swear that you feel it too."
Coen was so perfect for Maby!!He is such a cute guy!!He had me swooning all the time!!OMG I finished the book and I'm still thinking about him! *sigh* He wants her so much!!!But she was afraid that she will destroy him.
"How about you let me decide the risk I'm willing to take?No one is perfect.I'm certainly not.I have had pretty good luck with my intuition though and I've always had a really good feeling about you."
But he isn't the only one who is in her life!There is still her ex-boyfriend Dalton who I didn't like at all and I can't believe that someday she was with him!!!Really he is a jerk!And Saul who was her friend and something has happened with them..but he decide to stay back..Now he is back and tries to start something with her!!
Like I said before Coen is my favorite and the one that I wanted with Maby!!They were so cute together!!And Coen's family was so good!!!
Please you must read this book!!!It was so real and unique!!Everybody must give it a shot!!!I hope you will like it as much as I do!!!
September 14, 2015
3 stars
Maby Armstrong is in a difficult place in her life. She struggles with severe depression and OCD, which she has had a difficult time managing since experiencing a significant loss in her life. Out of nowhere, her ex boyfriend is sending her sleezy text messages, an old friend who wants to be more is back in her life, and she is having trouble with her boss. Thrown in the mix is a lovable, sweet coffee shop guy who has had a crush on her from afar. Does this sound like too much drama for a girl who has anxiety issues? It was too much for me, that's for sure!
I'm going to start with my big positive, which is that Maby's character was well developed, and her battle to manage her illness was well written. Willow Aster is an author who knows how to pull on your heartstrings, and I very much cared about and empathized with this character. It's not a subject matter I personally take lightly, so I was happy that it was written in a believable, realistic and respectful manner.
Romance wise, this book just had too much going on for my taste. I loved her main love interest and thought he was perfect for her, but their romance just never had the chance to properly develop. The problem was that the guys from her past kept showing up to stir up trouble, and I quickly grew annoyed with it. I more or less wanted them both to go away right off the bat because they were both assholes, but one of them was still an issue at the 91% mark. That is just too much angst for me and because of that, I never fully connected with the romance. My main emotion while reading this book was frustration.
As always, the writing was great, I just couldn't deal with the romance story line. I want to say that I am still a fan of this talented author, and her first two books, True Love Story and In the Fields were both 5 star reads for me.
Thanks for the buddy read Ami, I couldn't have coped with this one without you! x
Maby Armstrong is in a difficult place in her life. She struggles with severe depression and OCD, which she has had a difficult time managing since experiencing a significant loss in her life. Out of nowhere, her ex boyfriend is sending her sleezy text messages, an old friend who wants to be more is back in her life, and she is having trouble with her boss. Thrown in the mix is a lovable, sweet coffee shop guy who has had a crush on her from afar. Does this sound like too much drama for a girl who has anxiety issues? It was too much for me, that's for sure!
I'm going to start with my big positive, which is that Maby's character was well developed, and her battle to manage her illness was well written. Willow Aster is an author who knows how to pull on your heartstrings, and I very much cared about and empathized with this character. It's not a subject matter I personally take lightly, so I was happy that it was written in a believable, realistic and respectful manner.
Romance wise, this book just had too much going on for my taste. I loved her main love interest and thought he was perfect for her, but their romance just never had the chance to properly develop. The problem was that the guys from her past kept showing up to stir up trouble, and I quickly grew annoyed with it. I more or less wanted them both to go away right off the bat because they were both assholes, but one of them was still an issue at the 91% mark. That is just too much angst for me and because of that, I never fully connected with the romance. My main emotion while reading this book was frustration.
As always, the writing was great, I just couldn't deal with the romance story line. I want to say that I am still a fan of this talented author, and her first two books, True Love Story and In the Fields were both 5 star reads for me.
Thanks for the buddy read Ami, I couldn't have coped with this one without you! x
![Profile Image for [~Ami~]♥Sexy Dexy♥ .](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1388500902i%2F22427047._UY200_CR8%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
July 14, 2014
3 stars
Maby has lost everything, her boyfriend, friends, her mum. Stuck in a job she dislikes, she struggles to control her OCD tendencies.
How I feel about the book is best summed up by each characters:
Dalton (ex boyfriend): asshole
Saul (friend/love interest): sleazy
Anna (friend/boss): bitch
Coen (love interest/coffee shop guy): sweet, adorable
Maby (the heroine): frustrating
Ive rated 3 stars because despite not liking most of the characters, I liked the writing and there were a few fun swoony moments in the book. If you are up for a love triangle, frustrating heroine, low steam, give it a go.
BR with Jeanne xxx
July 25, 2014
"You have to live Mabel."
Maybe Maby tells the story of a lonely girl's transition from a girl to a woman. Even though Maby is twenty-eight years old, but I found her to be immature in many ways of the world. She's stuck in a dead end job with a boss who treats her like shit. Her ex cheated on her, but still tries to get into her pants. After she and her ex boyfriend broke up, their circle of friends abandoned her, and chose to remain friends with him instead of her. She battling a psychiatric illness that others arounds her sometimes find hard to understand. Besides all this, Maby's biggest problem is the grief that hovers over her like a dark cloud. She lost someone close to her, and since this tragedy she has reoccurring night mares. Her life seems to be going no where, to sum it all up she's stuck.
She's essentially alone in life. The only person there for her at times is Saul. Her friend/ occasional make out partner. Maby is ready to make a commitment, but Saul is running scared, and just wants to be friends with benefits.
Along comes Coen, one of the sweetest fictional heroes ever. Seriously, this guy is perfect, just typing his name makes me smile. Even though he's younger than Maby (he's twenty-five) he is very mature, smart, kind, funny and open. Coen has had his eye on Maby for a while. She frequently visits the coffee shop where he works, but she has never noticed him, until that changes one day when he asks her out.
A friendship and eventual tentative relationship develop between Maby and Coen but she dealing with a situation (sorry I'm being purposely vague here to avoid spoilers) that causes a rift between the two of them. Coen is determined to fight for Maby, but she continues to push him away. Will these two find their way to happiness? Sorry I'm not going to tell you.
"I'm not giving up on you."
I sympathized a lot with Maby for many reasons. We're close in terms of age, and I have at one point in my life felt the way she did throughout the book. The writing is of course wonderful, and the characters are likable and fun. This book shows what its like to truly be in love, to find that person who you just click with, the person who makes everything brighter and better.
Have you ever had someone love you so much and all you could think to yourself is "I'm not worth it", "why does he or she love me so much?" This book lets you know that you're worth it and so much more.
He makes me believe I can be good. Or at least that my ugly is really not so ugly at all.
Rating: 5
I will read ANYTHING Willow Aster writes.
July 13, 2014
I have to admit, I really love Ms. Aster's writing. The unique way she so effortlessly slips in a poignant metaphor or describes a place or character is nothing short of magical. I should also mention that I went into this book with no clue of it's premise. Nothing, nada, ziltch. And while I'm being honest, I should probably tell you that I've become extremely picky in my story reading. If a book doesn't capture me in the first few pages, I have a seriously difficult time getting through it and will probably take triple the time to finish. That so didn't happen with this book. I read the majority of it in one day.
Now let's move on to the main characters. They were all quite unique with their own set of quirks and playfulness. Yes, there was tragedy and lots angst and I'll admit to the heroine royally ticking me off a couple times. But once I took a step back and realized why she did the things she did, I couldn't help loving her again. My re-evaluation was also due to the amazing writing and development each character received. It became so simple to get inside their heads...and that ain't easy to do unless you're really good at story telling.
One more thing I feel compelled to mention--Ms. Aster brilliantly wrote an important story that needs to be told and subsequently, understood. People are fascinating and they handle circumstances, good or bad, in their own crazy way. Deciphering what to do about them is a choice only one's self and the loving people in their lives can ultimately face if they truly desire success.
Now let's move on to the main characters. They were all quite unique with their own set of quirks and playfulness. Yes, there was tragedy and lots angst and I'll admit to the heroine royally ticking me off a couple times. But once I took a step back and realized why she did the things she did, I couldn't help loving her again. My re-evaluation was also due to the amazing writing and development each character received. It became so simple to get inside their heads...and that ain't easy to do unless you're really good at story telling.
One more thing I feel compelled to mention--Ms. Aster brilliantly wrote an important story that needs to be told and subsequently, understood. People are fascinating and they handle circumstances, good or bad, in their own crazy way. Deciphering what to do about them is a choice only one's self and the loving people in their lives can ultimately face if they truly desire success.
July 15, 2014
“Being with you makes me forget who I really am.”
I always say that an outstanding writer can make me fall in love with pretty much any reality they create, as farfetched as their imagination will travel, but only a few can truly capture me with their words to such an extent that I feel the characters, empathise with them, understand their every thought process, and walk in their shoes cover to cover. Willow Aster is an author whose writing I simply adore, her perfect prose enthralling and astounding me every time I open one of her books, so it came as no surprise to me that this story, this quirky, unusual, out-of-the-box story held me so captive and made me love everything about it. A curious tale of self-discovery and learning how to cope with one’s idiosyncrasies, a rare but splendid kind of romance, a bittersweet comedy of sorts—Maybe Maby is a book I’d recommend to anyone seeking a story to warm their heart and add a tinge of hope to their everyday life.
“The only way I find any relief is by counting … everything … repeatedly.”
Maby is a young woman in her late twenties who suffers from an obsessive compulsive disorder, brought about by a particularly stressful event in her adult life and then exacerbated by subsequent traumas. Maby’s everyday compulsions, such as repetitive counting of everything around her, excessive hand-washing, or repeatedly organizing her closets, help to somewhat alleviate her anxieties and neutralise the urges that rule her every thought, but they do not help in any way with the intense sense of shame from having to carry out these persistent compulsions or the occasional bouts of depression caused by her mental condition. Behind all these oddities lies a heartbroken young woman who does not see herself as worthy of the love she dreams of finding, convinced that all that is ‘wrong’ with her would only inevitably end up damaging the people who get close to her.
“I don’t want to do this anymore. I don’t want to be anymore. I pray God will untether whatever is holding me afloat and just let me drift into nothingness.”
Maby lost control of most aspects of her life at the same time when her compulsions started, her love life and her career becoming casualties in the endless struggle that is her almost comical day-to-day existence. A fickle and selfish ex boyfriend, an unreliable best friend, a self-centred boss—Maby’s life is filled with barriers to her happiness and as it keeps getting more and more complicated, her condition also keeps getting worse and worse. One day, however, the right person steps into her life and for the first time since her only parent’s untimely death, Maby experiences the very thing she craved to feel the most—hope.
“There’s something about him that cuts through my hardened heart and makes me believe in more—something more than shattered fragments of a life and the endless emptiness.”
Torn between an all-consuming sense of helplessness and bleakness towards her own future, and the overwhelming joy from being loved, cherished, and never judged for her imperfections for once, Maby’s struggle to accept and feel worthy of the life that is being offered to her brings us to our knees as readers. Her every self-deprecating thought strikes us like a dagger, making us feel protective of this broken young woman who cannot make herself believe anyone could ever love her as completely as she hopes to be loved.
“He makes me believe I can be good. Or at the very least, that my ugly is really not so ugly at all.”
At the core of this quirky tale lies a truly beautiful love story—a story of patience, perseverance, honesty and unwavering affection. It’s a love that makes Maby believe she can have the things she never thought she could, a love that acts as an anchor in the stormy waters of her troubled mind, a love that she can depend on and draw strength from. I lived this story from beginning to end, I felt Maby’s pain in my soul, and I never stopped cheering for her. Ms Aster has also given us an extraordinary hero for our beloved heroine, a man who is almost too good to be true, but who perfectly balances someone as complex as Maby. This is a story that made my heart race, skip a beat, rejoice, shatter on so many occasions, and it never stopped making me love every word in it. A rare gem of a book, one I wholeheartedly recommend.
“This—this is the best night of my life.”
“You always say that.”
“I always mean it.”
See this review on my blog! | Follow me on Facebook! | Follow me on Twitter!
July 13, 2014
Maby is suffering from OCD and depression, she has 2 men in her life, one an ex and one a friend who could be more. Then she meets Coen, who has been in love with her from afar.
This book was a bit all over the place, she has 3 men lusting after her but she's in a really bad place mentally, and I failed to see the attraction. Another case of the golden vagina I guess.
I don't know, I didn't hate it, I thought it was OK, the mental health problems were dealt with in a believable manner but the intalove let it down.
Nothing exciting happens, it's a very easy read.
This book was a bit all over the place, she has 3 men lusting after her but she's in a really bad place mentally, and I failed to see the attraction. Another case of the golden vagina I guess.
I don't know, I didn't hate it, I thought it was OK, the mental health problems were dealt with in a believable manner but the intalove let it down.
Nothing exciting happens, it's a very easy read.
September 2, 2014
3 Maybe 3.5 Stars
Hmmmm....I think I would classify this book as good at times and ok at others. I felt like the plot was all over the place, but will get to that shortly.
So you read the blurb by now, you know Maby just has ZERO going for her. To recap:
Her piece of shit ex cheated on her...
With her piece of shit ex-friend.
Her piece of shit “male buddy with sometimes benefits” stopped talking to her.
Her piece of shit boss keeps treating her like a doormat.
A piece of shit murdered her mom.
She feels like a piece of shit cause she has major OCD, depressed etc.
Are you as overwhelmed as I am??
I think if we focused on say, 2 out of the 6 shit items here that would have been more manageable. With that said, Maby finally starts turning the corner, and she meets Coen. He is seriously an angel. He adores her and worships the ground she walks on, issues and all.
Now for some reason, once Coen enters the picture and Maby starts getting her shit together, we have a classic case of…
The guys are just flocking out of nowhere. It just didn't feel right and made all the above plot points more muddled in my opinion.
Now I felt like I was being super patient with Ms. Maby. I got she had a butt load of issues, but towards the 70% I think she earned her dumbass wings with this boneheaded move.
She does finally get her head on straight, grows a backbone, and boom story over. It was a happy for now I guess?? Not sure I will continue on to be honest and am torn on whether to recommend this since it was just ok. I think the heroine's antics could really grate on people's nerves, but I think the subject matter was refreshingly different and realistic as to the struggles someone with OCD has and how they cope.
Hmmmm....I think I would classify this book as good at times and ok at others. I felt like the plot was all over the place, but will get to that shortly.
So you read the blurb by now, you know Maby just has ZERO going for her. To recap:
Her piece of shit ex cheated on her...
With her piece of shit ex-friend.
Her piece of shit “male buddy with sometimes benefits” stopped talking to her.
Her piece of shit boss keeps treating her like a doormat.
A piece of shit murdered her mom.
She feels like a piece of shit cause she has major OCD, depressed etc.
Are you as overwhelmed as I am??
I think if we focused on say, 2 out of the 6 shit items here that would have been more manageable. With that said, Maby finally starts turning the corner, and she meets Coen. He is seriously an angel. He adores her and worships the ground she walks on, issues and all.
Now for some reason, once Coen enters the picture and Maby starts getting her shit together, we have a classic case of…
The guys are just flocking out of nowhere. It just didn't feel right and made all the above plot points more muddled in my opinion.
Now I felt like I was being super patient with Ms. Maby. I got she had a butt load of issues, but towards the 70% I think she earned her dumbass wings with this boneheaded move.
She does finally get her head on straight, grows a backbone, and boom story over. It was a happy for now I guess?? Not sure I will continue on to be honest and am torn on whether to recommend this since it was just ok. I think the heroine's antics could really grate on people's nerves, but I think the subject matter was refreshingly different and realistic as to the struggles someone with OCD has and how they cope.
June 4, 2014
I have a new book boyfriend and he resides within the pages of this book. Sharp wit, swoon-worthy romantic gestures and the tackling of difficult, but very real, topics come together beautifully in Maybe Maby. I adored this wonderful book and finished it within 24 hours!
May 13, 2019
Reviewed on: Ashes Books & Bobs.
Willow Aster’s Maybe Maby has been on my to-read list for a long, long time. I finally felt the need to dive into this story and I can’t say how glad I am that I did! I didn’t know much about this story going into it. Only the line, “I’m having a meltdown” and that alone was enough to make me excited. I love off-kilter characters, the ones who let readers see into their minds. It makes the world feel less lonely, even if it’s just a fictional character, to know that other people struggle too. I loved Maby for this exact reason. She was far from perfect but easy to love, even if she thought she was the opposite.
I love how realistic Willow was able to make Maby’s struggles. I’m sure most of us can relate to feeling a little crazy at times, like we simply can’t go on another minute, and our lives are not worth living. Despite that, she was able to keep on moving forward, even when it seemed impossible. She was able to draw strength from people who loved her. Speaking of those who loved her, while Maby is the star of the show, it’s impossible not to adore her friends and wish they were real-life people.
“Maybe I just remind you of who you want to be … who you are when you’re not trying to be something else.”
Not only were the characters, besides the obvious antagonists, incredible, but Willow shows she is a master of writing swoon-worthy romance. There is a bit of a love triangle going on in this story, but I was able to appreciate its significance in Maby’s life. I even loved both guys for their unique traits and was grateful for the way things worked out in the end. For me, the obvious choice was Coen. Can we just talk about this perfect book boyfriend? He was almost too good to be true, but I couldn’t help but adore his kind words and actions to follow them up. I loved their relationship and the family dynamic he brought to the table more than I can say, I could have read 200 more pages about these characters.
I can’t wait to catch up on the rest of Willow’s books I missed out on before I was avidly reading. Her love stories always make me feel all of the mushy-gushy feels.
Willow Aster’s Maybe Maby has been on my to-read list for a long, long time. I finally felt the need to dive into this story and I can’t say how glad I am that I did! I didn’t know much about this story going into it. Only the line, “I’m having a meltdown” and that alone was enough to make me excited. I love off-kilter characters, the ones who let readers see into their minds. It makes the world feel less lonely, even if it’s just a fictional character, to know that other people struggle too. I loved Maby for this exact reason. She was far from perfect but easy to love, even if she thought she was the opposite.
I love how realistic Willow was able to make Maby’s struggles. I’m sure most of us can relate to feeling a little crazy at times, like we simply can’t go on another minute, and our lives are not worth living. Despite that, she was able to keep on moving forward, even when it seemed impossible. She was able to draw strength from people who loved her. Speaking of those who loved her, while Maby is the star of the show, it’s impossible not to adore her friends and wish they were real-life people.
“Maybe I just remind you of who you want to be … who you are when you’re not trying to be something else.”
Not only were the characters, besides the obvious antagonists, incredible, but Willow shows she is a master of writing swoon-worthy romance. There is a bit of a love triangle going on in this story, but I was able to appreciate its significance in Maby’s life. I even loved both guys for their unique traits and was grateful for the way things worked out in the end. For me, the obvious choice was Coen. Can we just talk about this perfect book boyfriend? He was almost too good to be true, but I couldn’t help but adore his kind words and actions to follow them up. I loved their relationship and the family dynamic he brought to the table more than I can say, I could have read 200 more pages about these characters.
I can’t wait to catch up on the rest of Willow’s books I missed out on before I was avidly reading. Her love stories always make me feel all of the mushy-gushy feels.
July 14, 2014
3 Stars
This one was very hard for me and not because of the OCD issues the heroine has, but because of her very selfish and childish behavior. I think it is difficult to really enjoy a book when you want to beat the crap out of the person the story is being told through. I think Coen, his entire family, and Paschal are all great interesting characters, but Saul and over half the time Maby, UGH...no bueno. The struggles Maby faced we're heartbreaking and what she went through after her mother's death was overload, and did give some validation to her character...I'm just not sure if it was enough for me. I was looking for a fun read and this was not it.
This one was very hard for me and not because of the OCD issues the heroine has, but because of her very selfish and childish behavior. I think it is difficult to really enjoy a book when you want to beat the crap out of the person the story is being told through. I think Coen, his entire family, and Paschal are all great interesting characters, but Saul and over half the time Maby, UGH...no bueno. The struggles Maby faced we're heartbreaking and what she went through after her mother's death was overload, and did give some validation to her character...I'm just not sure if it was enough for me. I was looking for a fun read and this was not it.
June 18, 2015
3.5 - 4 Accepting Stars
I have read two other books by Willow Aster, True Love Story and In the Fields. I loved them both. In the Fields was one of my Favorites of 2014! I felt the writing in those books was truly extraordinary. So, it was really no question that I would purchase the very next book from this author.
First, let me say I LOVED the dedication to her mother at the beginning. It was a touching.
Mabel, Maby is a 28 year old woman, who is virtually alone in the world. She doesn't have any family left alive and has been left alone by her cheating ex. Her best friend and rock, left her as well, because he felt guilt over a romantic evening spent with her. (Even though she was planning on breaking up with her boyfriend). She also suffers from OCD and depression. Phew! How much can one person take? My heart was sad for her. Watching her struggle daily, was heartbreaking.
Maby has to learn to navigate through the world with her OCD and not become consumed with depression. It isn't until she meets Cohen, (well, acknowledges him really because he is the manager at the coffee shop she regularly goes to) that her life begins to improve. He provides the calm in her mind, and makes her feel loved and not alone. Cohen is AMAZING!!! His support and refusal to give up on Maby was awesome!
What didn't work for me, was the instant-love that I felt in the story. Not from Cohen, but from Maby. She went from self-loathing and feeling she wasn't good enough for anyone, to loving Cohen. It seemed too rushed to me. I also felt like the dialogue in this book was a little weak, especially compared to this author's other two books. (I hate comparing them, but it's difficult not to.)
As my rating suggests, this book didn't live up to the others for me, but I still enjoyed it. I will still happily purchase her next books.
If you're gonna laze the day away, at least save it for a cloudy day, she'd say. Otherwise, the sun will stop shining on you..."
I have read two other books by Willow Aster, True Love Story and In the Fields. I loved them both. In the Fields was one of my Favorites of 2014! I felt the writing in those books was truly extraordinary. So, it was really no question that I would purchase the very next book from this author.
First, let me say I LOVED the dedication to her mother at the beginning. It was a touching.
Mabel, Maby is a 28 year old woman, who is virtually alone in the world. She doesn't have any family left alive and has been left alone by her cheating ex. Her best friend and rock, left her as well, because he felt guilt over a romantic evening spent with her. (Even though she was planning on breaking up with her boyfriend). She also suffers from OCD and depression. Phew! How much can one person take? My heart was sad for her. Watching her struggle daily, was heartbreaking.
Maby has to learn to navigate through the world with her OCD and not become consumed with depression. It isn't until she meets Cohen, (well, acknowledges him really because he is the manager at the coffee shop she regularly goes to) that her life begins to improve. He provides the calm in her mind, and makes her feel loved and not alone. Cohen is AMAZING!!! His support and refusal to give up on Maby was awesome!
What didn't work for me, was the instant-love that I felt in the story. Not from Cohen, but from Maby. She went from self-loathing and feeling she wasn't good enough for anyone, to loving Cohen. It seemed too rushed to me. I also felt like the dialogue in this book was a little weak, especially compared to this author's other two books. (I hate comparing them, but it's difficult not to.)
As my rating suggests, this book didn't live up to the others for me, but I still enjoyed it. I will still happily purchase her next books.
July 11, 2014
I went in blindly and got the unexpected. I love Willow Aster's prior books and there was no doubt in my mind that I would love this one too - what a gem of a book! Emotionally beautiful, well written and deeply moving. Dare I say that this is my favorite from her to date!
Maby is quirky and eccentric and a deeply layered woman. Ms. Aster created such an amazing character that I took to her immediately and I loved being in her head and hearing her thoughts. I don't want to give away too much about Maby's character as I truly feel that you need to experience her for yourself but kudos to Ms. Aster for her magical writing that had me experiencing what Maby was experiencing and living her life. What I loved most about Maby was her deep need to heal herself and I enjoyed being with her on her journey to find herself and her own happy. She is a strong woman and this made me connect with her even more.
There are several characters that we meet throughout Maby's journey that are both good and bad for her...I don't want to tell you too much about them as I would like for you to experience her interactions with them yourself and form your own opinions. I will say that there is one in particular who made my heart soar. Not only because many of his interactions with Maby put a huge smile on my face but because when she was with him, she felt a sense of belonging and family. He was her home.
I will say that this book was so hard to put down that I consumed it within a day. Maybe Maby touches upon many real life situations including insecurity, loss, trust, love and most importantly the sense of belonging. I was an emotional mess while reading this book; I loved every aspect most especially how different, original and new this was. This is unlike anything you have read before.
Anyone looking for the next fresh read that is both captivating and heartwarming, look no further than Maybe Maby by Willow Aster. My hope beyond hope is that we will get more of these cast of characters who have embedded themselves into my heart and mind. This book is definitely one of my favorites of 2014 and I think it will be for you too! Read it and share it with your friends...this is a book that everyone should read at least once.
Maby is quirky and eccentric and a deeply layered woman. Ms. Aster created such an amazing character that I took to her immediately and I loved being in her head and hearing her thoughts. I don't want to give away too much about Maby's character as I truly feel that you need to experience her for yourself but kudos to Ms. Aster for her magical writing that had me experiencing what Maby was experiencing and living her life. What I loved most about Maby was her deep need to heal herself and I enjoyed being with her on her journey to find herself and her own happy. She is a strong woman and this made me connect with her even more.
There are several characters that we meet throughout Maby's journey that are both good and bad for her...I don't want to tell you too much about them as I would like for you to experience her interactions with them yourself and form your own opinions. I will say that there is one in particular who made my heart soar. Not only because many of his interactions with Maby put a huge smile on my face but because when she was with him, she felt a sense of belonging and family. He was her home.
I will say that this book was so hard to put down that I consumed it within a day. Maybe Maby touches upon many real life situations including insecurity, loss, trust, love and most importantly the sense of belonging. I was an emotional mess while reading this book; I loved every aspect most especially how different, original and new this was. This is unlike anything you have read before.
Anyone looking for the next fresh read that is both captivating and heartwarming, look no further than Maybe Maby by Willow Aster. My hope beyond hope is that we will get more of these cast of characters who have embedded themselves into my heart and mind. This book is definitely one of my favorites of 2014 and I think it will be for you too! Read it and share it with your friends...this is a book that everyone should read at least once.
August 4, 2018
Cute title, pretty cover and an author I'd been meaning to read for years — that was all I knew about Maybe Maby when I started reading it. I prefer to know as little as possible about the books I decide to read. Whether or not that's a good thing in this or any other case is questionable. Especially in this case. Maybe Maby was alternately a book I enjoyed reading and a book I thought I shouldn't have picked up. Hmm, that doesn't happen often.
This is the story of a young woman Mabel Armstrong or Maby and her bumpy road to happiness. At the beginning of the book, Maby's life was in a bad place. She was all alone — no family, no friends, no boyfriend — she hated her job, couldn't stand her boss, and she suffered from depression and OCD. Maby's life was in a very bad place. And then things started changing. First, some old and new people entered her life. Her cheating ex-boyfriend reappeared, as did the man who used to be her best friend, and a new man interested in her entered the scene. And if those changes in her life weren't enough, not long afterwards Maby lost her job. It was a lot for anyone, but for someone with depression and OCD like Maby it was worse.
Maby was not the easiest heroine to read about. I can't imagine what it must be like arriving home and then going back to wherever I'd started walking from just because I had forgotten to count my steps or washing my hands so many times in a row they start to bleed or organizing my apartment until it exhausted me. Or maybe I can imagine that last part. Whenever I feel anxious, I start cleaning, tidying up, arranging and rearranging things around me, and sometimes I get so anxious I can't do anything at all. It's not fun, and it wasn't fun being reminded of that. It was unsettling to see myself in some of the things Maby did and felt. She had it way worse, though. It pained me whenever her OCD would dictate her behavior. It also pained me when I'd get mad at her for stopping using the medication that was helping her. It happened over and over again. She'd get better from therapy and meds, and as soon as she'd get better, she'd stop using the medication and seeing her therapist.
Then there were the men. Three men were interested in Maby. Thankfully, rekindling the flame with the sleazeball ex was not on Maby's agenda, but Saul and Coen were in the game. That became frustrating. For me. I knew who she should be with, Maby knew who she should be with, he knew he wanted to be with her. Simple, right? Yet, Maby kept finding reasons not to go for it. Well, actually, she'd go for it, then balk. When she went pursuing a new business, I fully expected her to balk from that too. I kept waiting for the moment she would just give up like she gave up the man who made her happy. It never came. Eventually, she stopped balking from a relationship with that sweet, kind guy. So, in the end, Maby's life was in a far, far better place.
This book had a heroine that had a way of making me feel both sad for her and mad at her, a story what was sweet and frustrating, and a love interest that was just too adorable. I've rated it "I liked it", and I'm sticking with it. Overall, I liked it.
June 8, 2014
This book...wow!!! Willow has done if again. She has written a book that completely pulled me in and still hasn't let me go. Mabel is oh my goodness so awesome and she doesn't even realize how awesome she is. My new book boyfriend is a handsome coffee making man named Coen, who loves Maby inspite of her quirks maybe more because of them. This book had me crying, laughing, and laughing through the tears. Thank you Willow for writing another 5-star read. I continue to be amazed by you storytelling skills.
Want to read
June 14, 2014 New addition to the TBR!!
Mabel Armstrong is on the verge of giving up. But just when things feel bleakest, there seems to be a shift in the universe. People come out of the woodwork. Her ex won't leave her alone. An old friend finally tries to become more. Even the cute guy at the coffee shop starts paying extra attention.
Maybe Maby is a heartbreaking, and at times, hilarious story about coping with loss, finding love in New York, and learning to recognize hope in the middle of it all.
RELEASE DATE: JULY 13, 2014
Mabel Armstrong is on the verge of giving up. But just when things feel bleakest, there seems to be a shift in the universe. People come out of the woodwork. Her ex won't leave her alone. An old friend finally tries to become more. Even the cute guy at the coffee shop starts paying extra attention.
Maybe Maby is a heartbreaking, and at times, hilarious story about coping with loss, finding love in New York, and learning to recognize hope in the middle of it all.
RELEASE DATE: JULY 13, 2014
September 29, 2015
AMAZING! Loved Maby and Coen. I'd definitely recommend it.
July 5, 2014
As a reviewer, I read a lot of books. Some books I like, but I don't run to the computer and post a review immediately. Then after a while, I forget about the book as it fades into obscurity in my mind. This is NOT that book. Maybe Maby by Willow Aster is the opposite of THAT book. It is the book that has consumed my thoughts since I finished it a little more than 12 hours ago. It is the book that I had to just sit down and write about the wonderfulness that is inside its pages.
Maybe Maby is a story about hope and loss, overcoming huge obstacles, trusting yourself and others and ultimately, love. Aster always ties deep meaning into her books if you are willing to look for it. This one is no exception. Not only is Aster excellent in plot development, she writes intriguing, layered characters that are vulnerable, smart and quirky. This isn't a rehashed story that you've read a million times. This is a fresh look at contemporary romance.
This is Aster's third book, and the third that has blown me away. First things first. Willow Aster is an outstanding writer. She effortlessly writes believable dialogue full of charm and wit. Her books have a flow that keeps the reader invested and interested from beginning to end. She doesn't include superfluous narrative, yet she never skimps on the plot. I'll say it now....Willow Aster is a goddess.
The heroine of this book is Mabel Armstrong. She is 28-years old and living by herself in New York. She works for a "friend" at a boutique and is excellent at her job. Her mother passed away, and her serious boyfriend broke up with her (because he's a cheating bastard) all in the span of a year. This would be difficult for anyone, by Maby has a serious case of OCD. Her favorite things to do are to count and to organize. Aside from her compulsions, Maby deals with an overwhelming sense of guilt and loneliness. Sometimes Maby can handle her disease, other times...not so much. Aster does an excellent job of describing Maby's compulsions and explaining what OCD feels like in Maby's head. The research is very well done.
One thing I really love about Maby is that despite her mental illness, she tries so hard to "fix" herself. She has her bad days, but then her resilience shines through. She makes huge, life altering decisions on her own without anyone else's opinions. She may have OCD, but this certainly does not make her weak in any sense of the word. In fact, she is one of the strongest heroines I have come across lately.
We are introduced to most of the main players in this book early on. We meet Dalton, Maby's ex-boyfriend that is the most immature character in this book. The interaction with Dalton is funny, although Dalton himself is a different story. Saul is introduced as Dalton's best friend and also a close friend of Maby. Saul plays a large part in this book, and although in the beginning I genuinely liked his playfulness and banter with Maby, he ended up grating on my nerves.
Aster does an impeccable job of creating characters that make me swoon. Coen Brady fits that bill. We finally meet him later on in this book, and my only wish is that we could have met him earlier. Coen, oh Coen! I don't want to say too much and give anything away, but he is headed to the top of my book boyfriend list. He is handsome and intelligent, charming and fun. He was raised the right way with a loving and caring family. Although he is full of self confidence, Coen has an underlying vulnerability that gives him depth and makes him extremely likeable. He is no push over when it comes to Maby, though. He gives her honesty, even when she doesn't want to hear it. As this book progressed, I sympathized more with Coen than with Maby, even though she is the one with the mental illness. When you read the scope of Coen's and Maby's story, you will fall in love with him. I promise!
Maby's story is heartbreaking and fascinating, brimming with hope and reality. Willow Aster should be at the top of everyone's TBR list. She is THAT good. She killed me with anxiety in her first book, she tore my heart apart in her second and her third book as me all tied up with happiness, hope and the desire to see more of these characters. I can only hope that we see more of Maby and Coen in the future.
Maybe Maby is a story about hope and loss, overcoming huge obstacles, trusting yourself and others and ultimately, love. Aster always ties deep meaning into her books if you are willing to look for it. This one is no exception. Not only is Aster excellent in plot development, she writes intriguing, layered characters that are vulnerable, smart and quirky. This isn't a rehashed story that you've read a million times. This is a fresh look at contemporary romance.
This is Aster's third book, and the third that has blown me away. First things first. Willow Aster is an outstanding writer. She effortlessly writes believable dialogue full of charm and wit. Her books have a flow that keeps the reader invested and interested from beginning to end. She doesn't include superfluous narrative, yet she never skimps on the plot. I'll say it now....Willow Aster is a goddess.
The heroine of this book is Mabel Armstrong. She is 28-years old and living by herself in New York. She works for a "friend" at a boutique and is excellent at her job. Her mother passed away, and her serious boyfriend broke up with her (because he's a cheating bastard) all in the span of a year. This would be difficult for anyone, by Maby has a serious case of OCD. Her favorite things to do are to count and to organize. Aside from her compulsions, Maby deals with an overwhelming sense of guilt and loneliness. Sometimes Maby can handle her disease, other times...not so much. Aster does an excellent job of describing Maby's compulsions and explaining what OCD feels like in Maby's head. The research is very well done.
One thing I really love about Maby is that despite her mental illness, she tries so hard to "fix" herself. She has her bad days, but then her resilience shines through. She makes huge, life altering decisions on her own without anyone else's opinions. She may have OCD, but this certainly does not make her weak in any sense of the word. In fact, she is one of the strongest heroines I have come across lately.
We are introduced to most of the main players in this book early on. We meet Dalton, Maby's ex-boyfriend that is the most immature character in this book. The interaction with Dalton is funny, although Dalton himself is a different story. Saul is introduced as Dalton's best friend and also a close friend of Maby. Saul plays a large part in this book, and although in the beginning I genuinely liked his playfulness and banter with Maby, he ended up grating on my nerves.
Aster does an impeccable job of creating characters that make me swoon. Coen Brady fits that bill. We finally meet him later on in this book, and my only wish is that we could have met him earlier. Coen, oh Coen! I don't want to say too much and give anything away, but he is headed to the top of my book boyfriend list. He is handsome and intelligent, charming and fun. He was raised the right way with a loving and caring family. Although he is full of self confidence, Coen has an underlying vulnerability that gives him depth and makes him extremely likeable. He is no push over when it comes to Maby, though. He gives her honesty, even when she doesn't want to hear it. As this book progressed, I sympathized more with Coen than with Maby, even though she is the one with the mental illness. When you read the scope of Coen's and Maby's story, you will fall in love with him. I promise!
Maby's story is heartbreaking and fascinating, brimming with hope and reality. Willow Aster should be at the top of everyone's TBR list. She is THAT good. She killed me with anxiety in her first book, she tore my heart apart in her second and her third book as me all tied up with happiness, hope and the desire to see more of these characters. I can only hope that we see more of Maby and Coen in the future.
January 21, 2015
B+
Williow Aster has such a wonderfully poignant voice that speaks directly to the reader. Her stories are bittersweet with the perfect balance of angst, humor, emotional growth, and realism. Maybe Maby tells the story of a young woman whose life seems to be at an impasse. Diagnosed with depression and OCD, Maby has been caught in a whirlwind since her mother passed away. Her boyfriend cheated on her then left her, her best friend seems to have disappeared, and her selfish boss keeps piling more stress on her. When she meets a delightfully sweet and good looking barista who wants to date her, she begins to try and take back control of her life one wet wipe at a time.
I loved, loved, loved this book. Unique and crazy, Aster's honest observations coupled with her witty characters and engaging story lines made this a treat to read. Living with someone who is OCD and manic depression, it was very interesting in seeing it portrayed from the source (so to speak). Aster doesn't sugar coat Maby's issues nor does she make Maby a victim to be pitied. She is strong, intelligent, snarky, and self deprecating.
She's a survivor.
Williow Aster has such a wonderfully poignant voice that speaks directly to the reader. Her stories are bittersweet with the perfect balance of angst, humor, emotional growth, and realism. Maybe Maby tells the story of a young woman whose life seems to be at an impasse. Diagnosed with depression and OCD, Maby has been caught in a whirlwind since her mother passed away. Her boyfriend cheated on her then left her, her best friend seems to have disappeared, and her selfish boss keeps piling more stress on her. When she meets a delightfully sweet and good looking barista who wants to date her, she begins to try and take back control of her life one wet wipe at a time.
I loved, loved, loved this book. Unique and crazy, Aster's honest observations coupled with her witty characters and engaging story lines made this a treat to read. Living with someone who is OCD and manic depression, it was very interesting in seeing it portrayed from the source (so to speak). Aster doesn't sugar coat Maby's issues nor does she make Maby a victim to be pitied. She is strong, intelligent, snarky, and self deprecating.
She's a survivor.
June 8, 2014
I don't want to give too much away, because I believe everyone should go into this book a little blind and savor every single word. Willow Aster has such a unique gift for tuning into the heartbeat of her readers and she's outdone herself with Maybe Maby. From the first sentence, Maby had me by the heart. I want to be her friend...scratch that...I want to be her. Even broken and hurting, she has a gentle spirit that I adore and find myself wanting to emulate. I can't remember a time when I felt so deeply connected to a character that I shared so little life experience with. That is a gift, and a testament to how well written this story is.
Maybe Maby is a book I will pick up often, and fall in love with again and again. Well done, Ms. Aster. This is a masterpiece.
Maybe Maby is a book I will pick up often, and fall in love with again and again. Well done, Ms. Aster. This is a masterpiece.
June 14, 2016
4.5 stars
This is exactly the tupe of story I enjoy reading. Full of angst and with characters that captivated me from the start. Plus great writing.
Yeah, you can say I liked it! I regret not reading it when it was released. I clicked it, but somehow postponed reading it. What a waste of my time, because I could have fallen in love with Maby's story (and my new book boyfriend) a lot earlier!!
This is exactly the tupe of story I enjoy reading. Full of angst and with characters that captivated me from the start. Plus great writing.
Yeah, you can say I liked it! I regret not reading it when it was released. I clicked it, but somehow postponed reading it. What a waste of my time, because I could have fallen in love with Maby's story (and my new book boyfriend) a lot earlier!!
June 28, 2020
I've loved this book so much that I have already read it twice.
I feel as I have a lot in common with the main character,Maby.
She is strong enough to try to change her life and also if she sometimes goes back to struggling with her compulsions and depression in the end she makes the right choices to be happy.
I feel as I have a lot in common with the main character,Maby.
She is strong enough to try to change her life and also if she sometimes goes back to struggling with her compulsions and depression in the end she makes the right choices to be happy.
"Gardenias seem delicate,difficult to grow,but under the right conditions,they flourish.Stronger than they look."
June 8, 2015
stopped reading as soon as she cheated
urgh hate cheaters...especially when it's the main 'heroine'regardless of whether you think you are not exclusive...YOU ARE EXCLUSIVE UNTIL YOU HAVE DISCUSSED IT WITH YOUR PARTNER...and she had not!
Once a cheater always a cheater
Rant over
p.s. Coen has no balls...ok now rant over
urgh hate cheaters...especially when it's the main 'heroine'regardless of whether you think you are not exclusive...YOU ARE EXCLUSIVE UNTIL YOU HAVE DISCUSSED IT WITH YOUR PARTNER...and she had not!
Once a cheater always a cheater
Rant over
p.s. Coen has no balls...ok now rant over
April 10, 2017
Enjoyed the book to start out and adored the main character, however her love triangle issues got annoying and monotonous. I was glad I gave the book a chance but was ready for it to be over with.
July 19, 2014
"I repeat those words to myself 6 times.
Let my madness work for me. Let my madness work for me. Let my madness work for me. Let my madness work for me. Let my madness work for me. Let my madness work for me."
I really want to give this book 4 stars, but there's something pushing me to take a little back, and push through with only 3.5 stars. I did enjoy this read, but not as much as I wanted to. I absolutely loved my first Willow Aster book, and I was kind of hoping to love this just as much, but I didn't. This book was written just as nicely, but I didn't feel this story like I did with my first Willow Aster book.
I read this in between another book I was reading. I only have an ebook copy of this in my phone, and since I forgot to bring the book I was currently reading, I decided to start this instead. It was kind of a quick read for me, and I guess I can say that although I didn't really enjoy it to the extent of it being the cause to another book hangover, I still thought it was a good read.
"The cracks scream at me, until I have to go back and walk the last 7 tiles again. I walk it 7 times—left foot, right foot in each tile—until it feels right and I can move on."
The synopsis didn't really give away specific details, and I really liked that. I didn't have any clue that Maby had OCD, and I was really surprised there for a second. Although, one of my favorite things about this book was that Maby's OCD has been incorporated brilliantly. Even though she didn't exactly romanticize Maby's disorder, Willow still managed to build up a connection between her character with the readers.
"I count things. I count, like...obsessively. It takes over my life sometimes. Well, pretty much every day, it takes over in some way. And that’s not all. I struggle with depression, especially this past year with my mom and all. But even before that...I’m a mess..."
One main issue I have with this book is her relationship with the three boys in her life. At times, I felt some moments were too draggy, if not, a little too forced, most especially when she was already starting to build a blossoming relationship with Coen. I adored Coen, I really do...but there's something I find a little off with him. Maybe he was a bit too cheesy? I don't really know, but there's just...something. With Saul, he was sweet, I can give him that. But I just hoped he figured out his issues sooner, especially because I was rooting for him at the start of the book. Lastly, with Dalton....Yeah, he was just a big prick. Personally, I don't really go for love triangles, what more with three boys involved? So, I guess that's my main issue with this, but Willow was able to make it work. I just didn't really feel it that much because of personal reasons.
I like how it wasn't all about Maby's love life or about her disorder. It also tackled loss, grief, and family ties. I appreciated the addition of the familial atmosphere, especially with the Brady family. I mean, how nice would it be if your boyfriend's family was like that? (Just saying HAHA!)
The story, again, was thought nicely. I just wished there was more depth. It had a deep sense to it, but it lacked for me. The drama was okay, sometimes a little too much, especially with the exes issue. Moving on to the characters, they were okay. Some had appealing personalities, some didn't. One thing I really liked about this book was it had its funny moments, so there's that.
Still torn on what to rate this, so I guess I would have to go with a range of 3.5-4 stars.
"Sometimes there's an in-between place between being asleep and awake where I forget. I feel at peace. There is nothing clouding my mind. No numbers, no crazed need to clean or organize or declutter. My mind is an open field of possibilities."
July 28, 2014
http://www.angieandjessicasdreamyread...
Willow Aster attacks mental health with honesty, the brutal truth, the painful reality of it, but also with humor when the situation deems it appropriate. She certainly never makes light of it, never makes fun of it, but she does it by allowing the character, Maby, to laugh at herself, to see and know how manic she is behaving and allowing herself to attempt to be ok with it.
"The crashing waves calm me. It feels nice to know that somewhere it is more tumultuous than in my mind."
Written in first person narrative, and with short, quick, to-the-point chapters, Willow Aster tells the story of Maby. Maby's struggle with severe mental illness, her struggle with loss and abandonment, her struggle to find love in all the wrong and all the right places, her struggle to maintain friendships while simultaneously trying to keep a firm grasp on her floundering mental state. She tells it like it is, no nonsense, the invisible struggle with OCD and depression, the very real results of forgoing medication, and all the reasons that make a person do it. It's real and raw.
Willow Aster illustrates perfectly how mental illness can alter one's own sense of self, how it can make an individual feel like less of a person, not as worthy of love, happiness, good things. And she demonstrates with Maby's story how that distorted self image can change the course of her life... keeping her from taking what she truly wanted for far too long because she felt she was unworthy of it. She sacrifices her own happiness because if her distorted idea that everyone would be happier without her and her problems. Love. Friendships. A family.
"I think back to Coen saying 'No more running' and how ironic it was that Dr Still encouraged me run in the same day. Two very different messages, but I heard then both clearly."
Maby is frustrating and unlikable at times. I couldn't decide if it was her illness that made her that way, or if it was just her personality. Maybe both. But her inability to make decisions, inability to open her mouth, her failure to put Dalton in his place, her failure to make a decision about Saul, her failure to make a move regarding Coen, her failure to see reality for what it was... it all made me want to shake her. And I suppose that is what Willow Aster intended... to offer up a very real understanding of what it's like dealing with an individual struggling with these circumstances.
In true Willow Aster style, this story is unpredictable. It's original. It's refreshing and it will make you feel. That's pretty much the formula for every story delivered by this author and Maybe Maby is no different. You never really know where this book will go. I began by connecting with one man in Maby's life and I ended up falling in love with the guy I never saw coming. Maby's story is tough. She's been through a tragedy, and that combined with the OCD and depression she struggles with every single day makes for a difficult, sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes humorous, always unpredictable journey of self discovery and human growth.
Willow Aster attacks mental health with honesty, the brutal truth, the painful reality of it, but also with humor when the situation deems it appropriate. She certainly never makes light of it, never makes fun of it, but she does it by allowing the character, Maby, to laugh at herself, to see and know how manic she is behaving and allowing herself to attempt to be ok with it.
"The crashing waves calm me. It feels nice to know that somewhere it is more tumultuous than in my mind."
Written in first person narrative, and with short, quick, to-the-point chapters, Willow Aster tells the story of Maby. Maby's struggle with severe mental illness, her struggle with loss and abandonment, her struggle to find love in all the wrong and all the right places, her struggle to maintain friendships while simultaneously trying to keep a firm grasp on her floundering mental state. She tells it like it is, no nonsense, the invisible struggle with OCD and depression, the very real results of forgoing medication, and all the reasons that make a person do it. It's real and raw.
Willow Aster illustrates perfectly how mental illness can alter one's own sense of self, how it can make an individual feel like less of a person, not as worthy of love, happiness, good things. And she demonstrates with Maby's story how that distorted self image can change the course of her life... keeping her from taking what she truly wanted for far too long because she felt she was unworthy of it. She sacrifices her own happiness because if her distorted idea that everyone would be happier without her and her problems. Love. Friendships. A family.
"I think back to Coen saying 'No more running' and how ironic it was that Dr Still encouraged me run in the same day. Two very different messages, but I heard then both clearly."
Maby is frustrating and unlikable at times. I couldn't decide if it was her illness that made her that way, or if it was just her personality. Maybe both. But her inability to make decisions, inability to open her mouth, her failure to put Dalton in his place, her failure to make a decision about Saul, her failure to make a move regarding Coen, her failure to see reality for what it was... it all made me want to shake her. And I suppose that is what Willow Aster intended... to offer up a very real understanding of what it's like dealing with an individual struggling with these circumstances.
In true Willow Aster style, this story is unpredictable. It's original. It's refreshing and it will make you feel. That's pretty much the formula for every story delivered by this author and Maybe Maby is no different. You never really know where this book will go. I began by connecting with one man in Maby's life and I ended up falling in love with the guy I never saw coming. Maby's story is tough. She's been through a tragedy, and that combined with the OCD and depression she struggles with every single day makes for a difficult, sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes humorous, always unpredictable journey of self discovery and human growth.
February 1, 2015
3 Stars!!!
The moment that I heard Willow Aster wrote a new novel, I was ecstatic... but I don't know what's stopping me from reading this, the cover? I don't know but this book ended up sitting on my tbr, until now when I was trying to clean up all my supposed 2014 reads.
The first part was interesting, but somehow I've had enough with the conspiring universe with the overly exaggerating coincidence.... for me, it's just a bit over the top. The odds of not seeing or talking to Dalton and Saul for over a year but now they just seems to be everywhere and keeps on popping up every now and then? Give me a break! What's more, there is another guy to add up to this equation... it's like this...
Saul
|
V
Maby <---- Dalton
^
|
Coen
Get it? Just like what Maby had said, does she had a sign above her head saying she's available? To avoid any spoilers let me call them guy nos. 1, 2 and 3 with no names attached to them.
Question: What would happen to a person who's been celibate for quite sometime do when opportunity to finally having one is right in front of you? Answer: do stupid things because she is horny. Urgh! Totally frustrated about it.
She was planning to call it quits with guy no. 3 because she thinks guy no. 2 is probably the one? And when guy no. 3 pleads her to go out with him a couple of days or weeks later (totally forgot the time in between) that's the time she told him she loves him too! Come on.... you just planned to get rid of him and now " I love you? " argrrh and what's with guy no. 1? His relevance to the story would might as well be nil... I don't know why the author waste pages from this guy when she can added it to guy no. 2 or 3 which would have been better.
What I REALLY enjoyed in this book was how guy no. 3 poured his entire feelings towards Maby and wants her to finally decide what she wants and not to keep him dangling. It pains me to hear his pain.
Despite of it though, I find their relationship lacking... lacks depth and growth but I love how the author wrote about Maby's condition. At least for that part, I'd say it was perfectly written.
The moment that I heard Willow Aster wrote a new novel, I was ecstatic... but I don't know what's stopping me from reading this, the cover? I don't know but this book ended up sitting on my tbr, until now when I was trying to clean up all my supposed 2014 reads.
The first part was interesting, but somehow I've had enough with the conspiring universe with the overly exaggerating coincidence.... for me, it's just a bit over the top. The odds of not seeing or talking to Dalton and Saul for over a year but now they just seems to be everywhere and keeps on popping up every now and then? Give me a break! What's more, there is another guy to add up to this equation... it's like this...
Saul
|
V
Maby <---- Dalton
^
|
Coen
Get it? Just like what Maby had said, does she had a sign above her head saying she's available? To avoid any spoilers let me call them guy nos. 1, 2 and 3 with no names attached to them.
Question: What would happen to a person who's been celibate for quite sometime do when opportunity to finally having one is right in front of you? Answer: do stupid things because she is horny. Urgh! Totally frustrated about it.
She was planning to call it quits with guy no. 3 because she thinks guy no. 2 is probably the one? And when guy no. 3 pleads her to go out with him a couple of days or weeks later (totally forgot the time in between) that's the time she told him she loves him too! Come on.... you just planned to get rid of him and now " I love you? " argrrh and what's with guy no. 1? His relevance to the story would might as well be nil... I don't know why the author waste pages from this guy when she can added it to guy no. 2 or 3 which would have been better.
What I REALLY enjoyed in this book was how guy no. 3 poured his entire feelings towards Maby and wants her to finally decide what she wants and not to keep him dangling. It pains me to hear his pain.
Despite of it though, I find their relationship lacking... lacks depth and growth but I love how the author wrote about Maby's condition. At least for that part, I'd say it was perfectly written.
July 23, 2014
What a story! I was late on the game reading this but heard nothing but RAVE reviews upon its release (no shock there).
I know by now when diving in to a book written by Willow I will learn, I will cry, and I will be touched. Now, don't confuse this with predictability because someone who elicits such emotion as she does, is deemed an incredibly talented writer.
Maby...what a strong woman who thinks she is so weak. I wanted to shake her, yell at her and tell her she was better than what her mind was dragging her down in to. But then there is the relateable side, where you can understand where she is coming from in her struggles and feeling such defeat within herself. I was right there with her in this story, her struggles felt like mine, her coming alive again, and coming back to a new and improved her, it FELT like such a transformation, and it was beautiful to watch, but it didn't come easy for her.
I don't want to elaborate and produce spoilers so I will end this with telling you that this book is beyond touching, it's dialogue had me cracking up at times, and the other parts had me SWOONING. You will have read to see by who though ;)
I know by now when diving in to a book written by Willow I will learn, I will cry, and I will be touched. Now, don't confuse this with predictability because someone who elicits such emotion as she does, is deemed an incredibly talented writer.
Maby...what a strong woman who thinks she is so weak. I wanted to shake her, yell at her and tell her she was better than what her mind was dragging her down in to. But then there is the relateable side, where you can understand where she is coming from in her struggles and feeling such defeat within herself. I was right there with her in this story, her struggles felt like mine, her coming alive again, and coming back to a new and improved her, it FELT like such a transformation, and it was beautiful to watch, but it didn't come easy for her.
I don't want to elaborate and produce spoilers so I will end this with telling you that this book is beyond touching, it's dialogue had me cracking up at times, and the other parts had me SWOONING. You will have read to see by who though ;)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 263 reviews