Member Reviews

Thank your for the ARC NetGalley <3

I loved this book! I felt it was very character which I love, especially when the main character is Pearl O'Reilly who likes salmon pink and has OCD. Pearl's character arc thought the book was just wonderful to see, there were tender moments, there were fun moments and moments I had tears in my eyes. One real standout was the found family/community aspect, I loved how they accommodated for Pearl without baby-ing her or pushing her away and how Pearl remained herself (aka no magic OCD cure)!!

This was a super fun read, I wouldn't hesitate to pick up another book by Claire Frances as I also loved the writing style and how PEarl spoke directly to the reader - it makes you feel even more involved in the story.

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This was a very different read for me and if I’m really honest initially I didn’t really get it but that’s more a reflection of myself rather than the writing, I’m so glad I persevered though as once I got into the book I became invested in Pearl and all her quirks even if they were very repetitive and difficult to understand to begin with.
I loved pearls progression through her condition and how she managed herself in difficult/ different situations and the people she met along the way.
A really good representation of OCD and its manifestations but told in a realistic, non judgemental,enlightened manner.
As the saying goes there is someone out there for everyone and Pearl and Nialls developing relationship and acceptance of each others foibles was brilliantly orchestrated.
Thank you NetGalley for this early read

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If Bridget Jones, Eleanor Oliphant, and a whole lot of chaotic charm had a love child, it would be Pearl O’Reilly. 💕 This debut by Claire Frances is a rollercoaster of relatable quirks, raw emotions, and laugh out loud moments that’ll steal your heart faster than Pearl counts her way down the stairs.

Pearl is 27 and navigating life with OCD—her routines keep her grounded, but they also keep her from truly living. That is, until one wild morning when she wakes up with a gorgeous naked man in her bed (yes, you read that right 👀), and everything starts to spiral in the most delightfully messy way possible.

This book is as much about friendship and personal growth as it is about romance. Pearl’s relationship with her best friend Una is goals—warm, funny, and perfectly imperfect. And while Pearl’s romantic journey is sweet and melts your heart, it’s her inner journey that makes this story unforgettable. Watching her step out of her comfort zone, confront her mental health struggles, and learn to embrace the chaos of life is as inspiring as it is deeply moving. As someone with OCD, it was so refreshing to read about a character and her journey and really feel like it resonated. I felt very seen and validated and I LOVE that about this book and what the author was able to do.

📖 What I loved:
✨ Pearl’s voice is everything. She’s awkward, funny, and so relatable that you’ll want to reach through the pages to give her a hug.
✨ The raw and honest portrayal of OCD. It’s not sugarcoated, but it’s handled with so much care and compassion.
✨ The balance between humor and heart. One moment you’re laughing at Pearl’s hilarious inner monologue, and the next, you’re tearing up at her struggles.
✨ The slow burn self-discovery paired with a romance that’ll leave you smiling!

If you love books that tackle mental health with warmth and humor, characters who feel like your new best friend, and stories that remind you it’s okay to be messy while finding your happiness, To Hell With It is a must read. 🧼💕

Thank you to NetGalley, Claire Frances, and HarperCollins/One More Chapter for the eARC of this book.

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I enjoyed this book. I thought the characters were well written and the storyline was engaging. I thought that the inclusion of OCD was appropriately and sensitively handled

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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Book review : To hell with it : by @clairefrancesbooks .
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Over view of the book :

Pearl O’Reilly is twenty-seven (nearly twenty-eight). She likes salmon pink, the number three and going to the pub with her best friend Una the same night each week. Thanks to her OCD, her other routines – from counting her way downstairs to obsessively washing her hands – pose more of a problem.

I am not to sure where to start with this book , I will be honest and said I picked it up out of curiosity. My oh my did it pass my expectations.
The emotions in this books , laughter , sadness , anxiety , happiness , it had it all .
Everyone I know has a favourite character from a book I think I may have found mine Pearl. She reminds me of the UK version of a ugly Betty in a good way .
I think Claire really did connect with the reader about mental illness and how controlling it can be. I really connected with someone who suffers with mental health .
She showed the good the bad and ugly of mental , must most of all you can be happy .
I really did not want the book to end .
I am hoping that we can read more about Pearl and her adventures .
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Thank you so much @onemorechapterhc for my copy and @clairefrancesbooks for your fantastic writing..
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#bookblogger #bookstagram #book #bookmail #bookaddict #bookstagram #booklovers #booknerd

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I enjoyed this book detailing how OCD can affect people and make their lives very difficult. I don’t think many know how severe this condition can be and although a story it is also very interesting. Definitely worth a read. I love Pearl and her adventures to understand herself.

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Pearl is living with OCD and this story is about her experience. I appreciate Pearls character which is serious and lighthearted simultaneously. I laughed, cried and screamed in frustration along with the plot. There are plenty of funny moments but also a few serious ones too. A well written book that made my day!

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"To Hell With It" introduces us to Pearl O'Reilly, a young woman whose world revolves around the meticulous rituals and routines necessitated by her OCD. From counting footsteps to compulsive handwashing, Pearl's life is a carefully orchestrated dance until an unexpected visitor disrupts her orderly existence.

The arrival of a handsome stranger in Pearl's bed sets in motion a series of events that challenge her structured world, pushing her to confront the fears and desires she had long kept at bay.

Claire Frances' debut novel strikes a delicate balance between humor and heartache, weaving an atmosphere that is both relatable and engrossing.

The characters are vividly rendered and authentic, with Pearl's OCD depicted sensitively and realistically. Her friendship with Una adds a layer of warmth and depth to the story, emphasizing the crucial role of support and understanding in overcoming personal challenges.

Frances' writing style is engaging and approachable, allowing readers to easily connect with Pearl's journey. Themes of love, friendship, and self-acceptance are interlaced throughout the narrative, providing an uplifting reminder of the value of embracing one's uniqueness.

While some may contend that the portrayal of OCD could benefit from more complexity or the romantic elements seem somewhat predictable, Frances' skillful blend of humor and weighty issues makes for an enjoyable reading experience.

In her debut, Claire Frances brings a refreshingly candid perspective to the genre.

Her personal investment in themes of mental health and self-discovery is evident in her passionate storytelling, making "To Hell With It" a rewarding read for those drawn to stories of personal growth and resilience.

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Pearl has OCD and she has her ways of dealing with that. One day, she decides she’s had enough and takes back the power over her life.

She is surrounded by people who love her. They encourage the steps she makes daily to overcome this struggle. It showcases the human decency that everyone should portray.

I appreciate the realness this story gives. It’s definitely an insight into what life is like and I’m glad it was about a character that owns it. It is empowering.

This story has some comedic elements and there’s some romance. It’s really a good story.

I can’t wait to read what the author decides to write next.

Thanks to #NetGalley and#HarperCollinsUK #OneMoreChapter for this lovely #ARC. The opinions and views expressed are my own.

#ToHellWithIt #Romance #ClaireFrances

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Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Pearl O’Reilly has OCD, and while she has coping mechanisms and strategies to get through the day, she longs for the freedom that many around her seem to have. When a chance encounter with a stranger sets off a series of events in Pearl’s life, she has a decision to make: continue to live in the safety of the life she’s created or venture on to something new.

I absolutely loved this book. The character arc was beautifully done. I appreciated getting a first hand look at the real struggles someone with OCD faces, and Ms. Frances captured that beautifully and sensitively. I really rooted for Pearl and admired her courage in facing her fears. She really put herself out there and challenged herself to not succumb to her compulsions. And it’s imperfect and messy and real. I loved her as a character and the humor she has regarding her OCD. This is told in the first person while breaking the 4th wall (theater term, not sure if it applies to books as well) and it absolutely works. It creates intimacy and connection between the reader and Pearl. This is a realistic portrayal of OCD and while making strides and having amazing character growth, the book doesn’t pretend that there is a cure for OCD or that Pearl has magically changed. I really appreciated that because it shines a light on the very real struggles those with OCD face.

It was lovely to see how Pearl’s community made things easier for her without any judgment. For example, one of the farmers that Pearl purchases eggs from leaves a small bottle of hand sanitizer for her because she knows that Pearl will need to sanitize her hands. Her best friend doesn’t infantilize her or enable her but rather lovingly challenges her to live outside her comfort zone in a way that is supportive and free of judgment. And the lovely gestures that Niall does for her are romantic and heartfelt.

This was an excellent debut novel, and I’m excited to see what’s next from Ms. Frances.

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This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. The characters were great and the story flowed smoothly. Will definitely read more books by this author in the future.

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