dorisxdw's review against another edition
5.0
I recieved this book from the goodreads first read programm.
Don't Touch is about a 15 year old girl Caddie. She goes through the separation of her parents and she created 'Games' inside her head as a way to kind of deal with it. This game is not to touch anothers person skin so that her parents might get back together.
I had high expectations for this book because it sounded so different but it definitely lived up to my expectations.
5 Things I love about this book:
- The way Shakespeares 'Hamlet' was a part of this book.
- The similarities between Caddie and Ophelia. (Even though it was frustrating that Caddie didn't tell her friends about her issues for so long.)
- Caddies and Peters relationship. They are so cute together.
- Mandy. (Could I have a friend like her please? She is fun and so caring, idk I just really like her)
- The Authors Note, which was just amazing.
I don't think I need to say more. I really enjoyed Don't Touch and definitely recommend this to everyone who is thinking about picking it up when it is released in September - you won't regret it!
Don't Touch is about a 15 year old girl Caddie. She goes through the separation of her parents and she created 'Games' inside her head as a way to kind of deal with it. This game is not to touch anothers person skin so that her parents might get back together.
I had high expectations for this book because it sounded so different but it definitely lived up to my expectations.
5 Things I love about this book:
- The way Shakespeares 'Hamlet' was a part of this book.
- The similarities between Caddie and Ophelia. (Even though it was frustrating that Caddie didn't tell her friends about her issues for so long.)
- Caddies and Peters relationship. They are so cute together.
- Mandy. (Could I have a friend like her please? She is fun and so caring, idk I just really like her)
- The Authors Note, which was just amazing.
I don't think I need to say more. I really enjoyed Don't Touch and definitely recommend this to everyone who is thinking about picking it up when it is released in September - you won't regret it!
sc104906's review against another edition
4.0
Caddie's father recently left and her family is left to pick up the pieces. Needing a sense of control, Caddie's OCD habits begin dictating her life. She begins making internal rules. For example, if she touches anyone, her dad will disappear.
Caddie has recently begun attending an art school, where she is able to take part in a drama program. The school is presenting Hamlet and Caddie desperately wants to play Ophelia. Can she fulfill this role without falling apart?
Caddie has recently begun attending an art school, where she is able to take part in a drama program. The school is presenting Hamlet and Caddie desperately wants to play Ophelia. Can she fulfill this role without falling apart?
greengaybles's review
5.0
I loved this so much. It was thoughtful and sensitive and funny, and it had that close group friend-family dynamic I’m such a sucker for. I don’t have full-blown OCD, but I do have anxiety with obsessive-compulsive tendencies and the portrayal here felt more nuanced and realistic than it often does in fictional media.
eclever's review
4.0
In this book, there was never a moment when I was disinterested in the story or feeling bored with it. The author exposed some very raw emotions throughout the book that were easy to relate to and were very realistic. The main character has a phsicological problem in the book, which causes her to think that if she touches someone on the skin ,or if they touch her, her dad will never come back home after he left her family because of relationship problems. Caddie, the main character, must brave her way through the new theater school she had been admitted to. As she tries to make friends and fit in, the secret gets harder and harder to keep. Then she meets Peter. Funny, cute, and gentle, he might be the only one to save her from the fate she has thrust upon herself. I read this book in one sitting because every chapter brought in some new aspect of Caddie’s life and also slowly revealed the reasons for her self punishment as the story goes on. I felt as if I was right with her the entire journey, and that is what makes this book so great. The problems this character faced are no different than our real life problems, which really helped me understand the book better.
siobhan27's review
4.0
I honestly did not know what to expect going into this book. I think I was expecting a paranormal, something like Shatter Me, but what I got was so much more than that. I got a contemporary book that is so real and honest about the struggles and hardships of OCD, a book that left me with so much heartache, sympathy and love for these characters.
Don't Touch follows the trials and tribulations of Caddie and her fear of being touched. This is not some small aspect of her life that we get a glimpse at, this is the all consuming part of her entire existence, and we watch as she struggles to not only live her life, but make friends. I loved Caddie as our narrator because her voice was so authentic and I at times felt the same struggles she felt in her everyday life.
Characters are my main focus when reading a contemporary, and outside of Caddie there were plenty to choose from. And i will admit that I wasn't a fan of some of them, and I think that was by design. I connected right away with Caddie so when we are introduced to new characters I automatically went to how they treated her, and when we met her BFF Mandy. Now Mandy has no idea about the OCD that Caddie suffers from so that is a point of tension right from the beginning, but I honestly wasn't a fan of how she treated Caddie in certain points in the book...the play in particular. But what I think I liked the most about Caddie and Mandy's relationship was how real it felt and how pliable it was. It showed that not all friendships are created equal and that they change over time, no matter how much we don't want it to happen.
Caddie does have a love interest and I loved it so much because it was not linear. Everything happened in a kind of zigzag pattern and I loved it, it seemed to real and innocent at the same time. And i loved that Peter, her love interest, was the reason that Caddie wanted to change, and for the right reasons. She wanted to be able to connect with a person on an intimate level and even though she knew it was worlds away, she wanted to try anyway. These two characters brought out the best in each other and I loved them together.
Overall Don't Touch is a heartbreaking look at OCD and its debilitating effects on a person and their everyday life. The author took a subject that never really gets the light of day and made it the center of everything, and honestly I am so glad that she did. I have so much respect with anyone dealing with OCD or anxiety because what they go through everyday is something we cannot even imagine and I loved getting a glimpse into that kind of life. Caddie's character changed me and the way I look at other people, because you never know what someone is dealing with on the inside. This book is a must read for sure!
Don't Touch follows the trials and tribulations of Caddie and her fear of being touched. This is not some small aspect of her life that we get a glimpse at, this is the all consuming part of her entire existence, and we watch as she struggles to not only live her life, but make friends. I loved Caddie as our narrator because her voice was so authentic and I at times felt the same struggles she felt in her everyday life.
Characters are my main focus when reading a contemporary, and outside of Caddie there were plenty to choose from. And i will admit that I wasn't a fan of some of them, and I think that was by design. I connected right away with Caddie so when we are introduced to new characters I automatically went to how they treated her, and when we met her BFF Mandy. Now Mandy has no idea about the OCD that Caddie suffers from so that is a point of tension right from the beginning, but I honestly wasn't a fan of how she treated Caddie in certain points in the book...the play in particular. But what I think I liked the most about Caddie and Mandy's relationship was how real it felt and how pliable it was. It showed that not all friendships are created equal and that they change over time, no matter how much we don't want it to happen.
Caddie does have a love interest and I loved it so much because it was not linear. Everything happened in a kind of zigzag pattern and I loved it, it seemed to real and innocent at the same time. And i loved that Peter, her love interest, was the reason that Caddie wanted to change, and for the right reasons. She wanted to be able to connect with a person on an intimate level and even though she knew it was worlds away, she wanted to try anyway. These two characters brought out the best in each other and I loved them together.
Overall Don't Touch is a heartbreaking look at OCD and its debilitating effects on a person and their everyday life. The author took a subject that never really gets the light of day and made it the center of everything, and honestly I am so glad that she did. I have so much respect with anyone dealing with OCD or anxiety because what they go through everyday is something we cannot even imagine and I loved getting a glimpse into that kind of life. Caddie's character changed me and the way I look at other people, because you never know what someone is dealing with on the inside. This book is a must read for sure!
noregrets4life33's review
3.0
This is a hearty, worth reading 3 stars.
Don't Touch is a book with lots of good insight into anxiety disorders. The author reveals @ the end that she herself has dealt with them, so kudos to her for laying herself bare here.
Go read the premise of this book to decide if it's for you. It's a good book with good characters, relationships, and honestly written about issues.
I really wanted to rate this 4 stars. So this is probably more of like a 3.5 to 3.75? It's a solid, middle of the road to above average book, if that makes sense... LOL
What held it back from greatness was that I just wish a few more *gasp* or exciting moments happened and that more happened in it to justify for the 400 pg length. But it wasn't boring, I wanted to keep picking it up, and I think the author showcased wonderful character growth in multiple characters.
This is a good one. Check it out if it appeals to you, especially if you suffer in any way that the MC does :)
Don't Touch is a book with lots of good insight into anxiety disorders. The author reveals @ the end that she herself has dealt with them, so kudos to her for laying herself bare here.
Go read the premise of this book to decide if it's for you. It's a good book with good characters, relationships, and honestly written about issues.
I really wanted to rate this 4 stars. So this is probably more of like a 3.5 to 3.75? It's a solid, middle of the road to above average book, if that makes sense... LOL
What held it back from greatness was that I just wish a few more *gasp* or exciting moments happened and that more happened in it to justify for the 400 pg length. But it wasn't boring, I wanted to keep picking it up, and I think the author showcased wonderful character growth in multiple characters.
This is a good one. Check it out if it appeals to you, especially if you suffer in any way that the MC does :)
anallama's review against another edition
I just found the writing to be so boring that I didn't bother to finish reading the book
zoesnicholson's review against another edition
4.0
Powerful and gripping, Don't Touch was virtually a favorite of mine simply from the concept itself as it follows two things that I find fascinating: theatre and psychology. Luckily, the execution itself is just as well-done as the synopsis, and Rachel M. Wilson creates a story that both lingers and provokes thought.
Ever since her parents divorced, Caddie has been afraid of being touched or touching someone else; believing that if she does, something horrible will happen to her family.
Don't touch protects me from pain. Like an overzealous bodyguard whose last client died shaking hands. There are so many things in the world that can make you hurt, and people - people do it best. If I can't touch them, they can't hurt me.But when Caddie signs up for drama class, she realizes that if she wants to play the role of Ophelia, she'll have to touch Peter, who is auditioning for Hamlet. Part of her would like nothing better than to touch him, but the other side of her just can't ignore the consequences of what might happen if she does...
Caddie herself is a wonderful character that you can't help but sympathize for. Her fear is illogical and nonsensical to us, and there are times when you will admittedly just want to kick her for not being able to see the obvious. But, mostly, you'll feel sorry for how badly she's been blinded by this fear; and you'll find yourself rooting for her to overcome it step by step.
The supporting characters are impressively developed as well. From Caddie's fabulous group of friends that take her for who she is, to her parents, to her younger brother - the development in them is not lacking one bit. They each have their own distinct personalities and backstories that make them incredible and intriguing in their own rights; and it just makes the story that much more vibrant and intriguing.
The romance is a big part of the story here, and, in my opinion, it absolutely delivered. The romance between Caddie and Peter is slow-burning, but once it hits, it doesn't stop coming. The chemistry between the two is absolutely fantastic, and I found Peter to be a fabulous and supportive love interest that complimented Caddie perfectly.
Few authors in the YA genre have the guts to write about a topic as personal and as distinct as OCD, but I found that Rachel M. Wilson handled it absolutely wonderfully. You really get a hand's on look at what it's like for people who have to live with this condition on an everyday basis, and it really gets you thinking.
I cannot recommend this enough - especially to those who suffer from anxiety or OCD themselves. This really changes your outlook on what these individuals have to go through, and you'll find Caddie's journey both inspiring and thought-provoking.
People talk about stage fright, but life is what’s scary. In a play, you know where to stand, what to say, and the ending’s already been written. I’ve played crazy characters, emotional wrecks, but no one of them ever stopped breathing.
islandgeekgirl's review against another edition
4.0
Caddie's starting a new school, one that geared toward the arts, and if starting a new school wasn't pressure enough, her parents have temporarily separated. This leads to a game Caddie plays, don't touch. Don't touch another person's skin or dad will never come home. Don't let anyone touch her skin or mom will get hurt. Everything is riding on her not touching and not allowing touch. This interferes with her dream of being an actress, and getting cast as Ophelia for the school play. Peter, auditioning for Hamlet, just might be the person most likely to ruin her game and change everything.
The concept of this book really intrigued me but also made me nervous. Would it be handled sensitively? Would it be pushed aside for romance? Would it have a lasting effect? Once I started, my fears disappeared. It was clear the author knew how to handle the subject of OCD, it wouldn't be treated as some plot device.
It was impossible not to feel for Caddie. She was this smart, mature, determined young woman who was very aware that the "games" she played and her fear of touch were not common and likely didn't matter in the end, but there was always that what if in her head. What if she did touch someone then something bad happened? It would be her fault for breaking her rules. Her anxiety any time someone came close to a touch was suffocating. It made my chest hurt. There were many times she could have told someone about Don't Touch to explain why she would jerk away from a friend or react unfavorably to a surprise touch - even through clothes, but telling was a huge risk and I understood why she wouldn't take it. Telling could have meant losing her friends, telling could have meant breaking a rule, telling could have meant someone not taking it seriously. I also loved that we saw Caddie make some progress then take a few steps back and all the signs that it wasn't something that would just go away forever and never come back. I really appreciated the fact that while it was obvious to the reader that Caddie had OCD, it wasn't the only thing about her that was focused on. She had friends, she had school, she had a family, she had dreams, she had a life.
Friendships were a huge part of the story. In particular, Caddie and Mandy, who were reconnecting after Mandy switched schools a few years earlier and now they were both at the same school again. Mandy was so sweet and supportive but also had her own issues to work through. Mandy's group of friends welcomed Caddie easily and she fit in really well. Livia and Hank were hilarious, especially together, Oscar took some time to grow on me but he was a good job - just a bit oblivious, Mandy's boyfriend Drew could be sweet but his anger was also a little scary. Then there was Peter, sweet Peter. The dynamic between him and Caddie was brilliant. I could go from smiling at their banter to panic that he was too close and might touch her in a second.
Throughout the plot, the group of friends were auditioning and then rehearsing for Hamlet. The audition scenes, rehearsals, backstage drama, the play were all part of the book and it was a lot of fun to read.
This was a book that will definitely stick with me and I'm definitely adding this author to my watch list.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The concept of this book really intrigued me but also made me nervous. Would it be handled sensitively? Would it be pushed aside for romance? Would it have a lasting effect? Once I started, my fears disappeared. It was clear the author knew how to handle the subject of OCD, it wouldn't be treated as some plot device.
It was impossible not to feel for Caddie. She was this smart, mature, determined young woman who was very aware that the "games" she played and her fear of touch were not common and likely didn't matter in the end, but there was always that what if in her head. What if she did touch someone then something bad happened? It would be her fault for breaking her rules. Her anxiety any time someone came close to a touch was suffocating. It made my chest hurt. There were many times she could have told someone about Don't Touch to explain why she would jerk away from a friend or react unfavorably to a surprise touch - even through clothes, but telling was a huge risk and I understood why she wouldn't take it. Telling could have meant losing her friends, telling could have meant breaking a rule, telling could have meant someone not taking it seriously. I also loved that we saw Caddie make some progress then take a few steps back and all the signs that it wasn't something that would just go away forever and never come back. I really appreciated the fact that while it was obvious to the reader that Caddie had OCD, it wasn't the only thing about her that was focused on. She had friends, she had school, she had a family, she had dreams, she had a life.
Friendships were a huge part of the story. In particular, Caddie and Mandy, who were reconnecting after Mandy switched schools a few years earlier and now they were both at the same school again. Mandy was so sweet and supportive but also had her own issues to work through. Mandy's group of friends welcomed Caddie easily and she fit in really well. Livia and Hank were hilarious, especially together, Oscar took some time to grow on me but he was a good job - just a bit oblivious, Mandy's boyfriend Drew could be sweet but his anger was also a little scary. Then there was Peter, sweet Peter. The dynamic between him and Caddie was brilliant. I could go from smiling at their banter to panic that he was too close and might touch her in a second.
Throughout the plot, the group of friends were auditioning and then rehearsing for Hamlet. The audition scenes, rehearsals, backstage drama, the play were all part of the book and it was a lot of fun to read.
This was a book that will definitely stick with me and I'm definitely adding this author to my watch list.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.