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All the Things I Cannot Say
Perfect for fans Jordan Sonnenblick and This is Us, comes the quiet journey of a boy who realizes he can’t hide his intrusive thoughts and obsessive behaviors forever.
Logan Clark has always had issues. Going all the way back to being four-years-old and crying after stepping on a sidewalk crack. He’d been good at hiding it, though—great friends and a spot on the school football team.
But his façade is starting to crack, starting with his mother deciding that his therapist simply isn’t cutting it. Now off the football team, he’s going to a treatment center four times a week and having breakdowns in front of his friends.
None of which is helped by the fact that he’s been paired up with an old friend (who hates his guts now) for a school project. An old friend who has the uncanny ability to see right through him.
With a dose of self-deprecating humor, debut author, Sab Ay, has crafted a a fiercely hopeful coming-of-age story that is sure to resonate with audiences.
Logan Clark has always had issues. Going all the way back to being four-years-old and crying after stepping on a sidewalk crack. He’d been good at hiding it, though—great friends and a spot on the school football team.
But his façade is starting to crack, starting with his mother deciding that his therapist simply isn’t cutting it. Now off the football team, he’s going to a treatment center four times a week and having breakdowns in front of his friends.
None of which is helped by the fact that he’s been paired up with an old friend (who hates his guts now) for a school project. An old friend who has the uncanny ability to see right through him.
With a dose of self-deprecating humor, debut author, Sab Ay, has crafted a a fiercely hopeful coming-of-age story that is sure to resonate with audiences.
462 pages, Paperback
Published May 6, 2025
9 people are currently reading
124 people want to read
About the author
Sab Ay
2 books34 followersSab Ay is a passionate storyteller and advocate for mental health. Growing up neurodivergent, Sab found solace in the world of books and writing. This evolved into crafting narratives that explore the profound journeys of self-discovery, resilience, and the complexities of adolescence.
When Sab isn't writing stories she hopes make the reader cry, she can be found reading obscure middle grade and young adult books not typically seen online, drinking obscenely sweet iced coffees, or listening to Taylor Swift and drawing her characters.
When Sab isn't writing stories she hopes make the reader cry, she can be found reading obscure middle grade and young adult books not typically seen online, drinking obscenely sweet iced coffees, or listening to Taylor Swift and drawing her characters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
February 13, 2025
— 4 stars. ⋆˚𝜗𝜚
Thank you to Sab Ay for the opportunity to read an arc copy of your book. It was an amazing experience and I’d love to continue reading your works in the future.
Characters. ⊹ ˚ .
Personally, I loved Logan. He had this indescribable ‘fullness’ that made him seem like a real person. The way he reacts and responds to things around him felt authentic, creating a relatable, flawed main character, something I value heavily in books. His struggles are so genuine, helping the reader connect with his emotions and become invested in his story. To be honest, I didn’t really care for his friendship or family issues, even though I feel as I should have, seeing as I can relate. However, the little touches of romance were so adorable, perfectly placed but not overdone.
Plot. ⊹ ˚ .
This book is very character driven. I think everyone should know that before coming into this story because if you’re looking for an intense plot, you won’t find that here. I’m not saying there isn’t a plot. I’m just saying it’s not dramatic, typically choosing the more realistic route.
Final Thoughts. ⊹ ˚ .
The OCD representation was so well done and consistent throughout the book. Even as someone with OCD, I learned a lot about Logan’s specific disorder and found his struggles with said disorder very impactful. Alas, I did read an ARC copy and found multiple grammar/spelling mistakes but I’m hoping those will get corrected before this book is published. I would hate for someone to never hear Logan’s full story all from a silly error. Lastly, I do want to note that this book is centred around 8th graders in the American school system, placing it in between the Middle Grade and YA categories. Do not come into this book expecting adults. The ‘young’ feel of the story is somewhat prevalent, despite the character struggles. Nonetheless, I thoroughly enjoyed being in Logan’s head, even if it was just for a brief moment, and hope that everyone will at least check out this literary masterpiece.
@ preread !
— start date: january 10th, 2025
i started reading this book a few days ago but couldn't mark it as currently reading until now since goodreads hadn't added it. so so grateful for the arc. i've heard amazing things from both eva and sana <3
Thank you to Sab Ay for the opportunity to read an arc copy of your book. It was an amazing experience and I’d love to continue reading your works in the future.
Characters. ⊹ ˚ .
Personally, I loved Logan. He had this indescribable ‘fullness’ that made him seem like a real person. The way he reacts and responds to things around him felt authentic, creating a relatable, flawed main character, something I value heavily in books. His struggles are so genuine, helping the reader connect with his emotions and become invested in his story. To be honest, I didn’t really care for his friendship or family issues, even though I feel as I should have, seeing as I can relate. However, the little touches of romance were so adorable, perfectly placed but not overdone.
Plot. ⊹ ˚ .
This book is very character driven. I think everyone should know that before coming into this story because if you’re looking for an intense plot, you won’t find that here. I’m not saying there isn’t a plot. I’m just saying it’s not dramatic, typically choosing the more realistic route.
Final Thoughts. ⊹ ˚ .
The OCD representation was so well done and consistent throughout the book. Even as someone with OCD, I learned a lot about Logan’s specific disorder and found his struggles with said disorder very impactful. Alas, I did read an ARC copy and found multiple grammar/spelling mistakes but I’m hoping those will get corrected before this book is published. I would hate for someone to never hear Logan’s full story all from a silly error. Lastly, I do want to note that this book is centred around 8th graders in the American school system, placing it in between the Middle Grade and YA categories. Do not come into this book expecting adults. The ‘young’ feel of the story is somewhat prevalent, despite the character struggles. Nonetheless, I thoroughly enjoyed being in Logan’s head, even if it was just for a brief moment, and hope that everyone will at least check out this literary masterpiece.
@ preread !
— start date: january 10th, 2025
i started reading this book a few days ago but couldn't mark it as currently reading until now since goodreads hadn't added it. so so grateful for the arc. i've heard amazing things from both eva and sana <3
February 2, 2025
All the things I cannot say is an incredibly beautiful and devastatingly raw middle grade novel. Sab Ay’s characters are all complex and realistic, I had to remind myself that they were fictional. I just know that this book is going to help so many people <3
January 24, 2025
4.5 ⭐
"They all end with a feeling of hope. I like that, you know? You get this sense that they're going to be okay, despite all the crap they've been through."
Before I begin I want to thank the author, Sab Ay, for giving me this ARC.
This is a beautiful story and I loved every second of it. Every single detail is so well thought out and I'm in love with how everything is written. I want to read every single book that's mentioned and listen to every single song.
The best thing about this book is obviously the characters. None of them were flat or just there. No, every character had a certain amount of depth. The whole time it felt like I was in the MC's, Logan, head (what probably the intention was).I really liked how OCD is portrayed here and how realistic it feels.
I cried at the end. There I said it. This book is just so relatetabel, even if you don't have OCD. It was sad in a way that's relatable.
In conclusion, I really loved this book and I would definitely recommend it.
༻Tropes༺
✧ mental health rep
✧ childhood friends to enemies to lovers
✧ being know is being loved
✧ forced proximity
✧ he knows how to ball, she knows Aristotle
"They all end with a feeling of hope. I like that, you know? You get this sense that they're going to be okay, despite all the crap they've been through."
Before I begin I want to thank the author, Sab Ay, for giving me this ARC.
This is a beautiful story and I loved every second of it. Every single detail is so well thought out and I'm in love with how everything is written. I want to read every single book that's mentioned and listen to every single song.
The best thing about this book is obviously the characters. None of them were flat or just there. No, every character had a certain amount of depth. The whole time it felt like I was in the MC's, Logan, head (what probably the intention was).I really liked how OCD is portrayed here and how realistic it feels.
I cried at the end. There I said it. This book is just so relatetabel, even if you don't have OCD. It was sad in a way that's relatable.
In conclusion, I really loved this book and I would definitely recommend it.
༻Tropes༺
✧ mental health rep
✧ childhood friends to enemies to lovers
✧ being know is being loved
✧ forced proximity
✧ he knows how to ball, she knows Aristotle
April 3, 2025
Received an ARC copy and read it in a day. So good I couldn’t put it down. Logan and Molly made me giggle, I love Elliot, I need friends like Calvin, Piper and Natalie and Zac was the best brother. This book touched me especially since I used to have similar issues and it’s really made me think about my life and how I respond to people.
July 31, 2025
ARC Review
A.T.T.I.C.S is a must-read for anyone who's ever wondered why their brain works differently than others. Plus well honestly everyone. OCD is such a misunderstood disorder. All the things I cannot say does a wonderful job at showcasing how it really is living with it. These characters are some of my favourites ever. I found myself relating to Logan from the very first page. His struggles with OCD are things I deal with every day, and it felt so unbelievable amazing to see myself represented on the page. His and Molly's relationship captured my heart. It had me giggling and kicking my feet. Their the epitome of adorable and awkward at the same time. The rest of the characters, too, omg. Logans friend group is honestly the best they were all there for logan throughout the course of the book even if he didn't always want their support. Zack and Becca, too. I love their relationship and definitely want to learn more about it.
Sab ay did such an exquisite job writing Attics I found myself forgetting it was fiction. You get absorbed into Logans story. When I first stumbled on Sabs insta account, I never thought it would turn into me sobbing over her books and characters, but here we are. This book will send you on an emotional roller coaster, but it's so so worth it. I'm going to make every single person I know read this book. It's definitely one of my new favorites. Sab Ay is a terrific author, and I look forward to reading whatever she writes next. If you need me, I will be re reading this book over and over.
A.T.T.I.C.S is a must-read for anyone who's ever wondered why their brain works differently than others. Plus well honestly everyone. OCD is such a misunderstood disorder. All the things I cannot say does a wonderful job at showcasing how it really is living with it. These characters are some of my favourites ever. I found myself relating to Logan from the very first page. His struggles with OCD are things I deal with every day, and it felt so unbelievable amazing to see myself represented on the page. His and Molly's relationship captured my heart. It had me giggling and kicking my feet. Their the epitome of adorable and awkward at the same time. The rest of the characters, too, omg. Logans friend group is honestly the best they were all there for logan throughout the course of the book even if he didn't always want their support. Zack and Becca, too. I love their relationship and definitely want to learn more about it.
Sab ay did such an exquisite job writing Attics I found myself forgetting it was fiction. You get absorbed into Logans story. When I first stumbled on Sabs insta account, I never thought it would turn into me sobbing over her books and characters, but here we are. This book will send you on an emotional roller coaster, but it's so so worth it. I'm going to make every single person I know read this book. It's definitely one of my new favorites. Sab Ay is a terrific author, and I look forward to reading whatever she writes next. If you need me, I will be re reading this book over and over.
January 14, 2025
There aren’t enough words to describe how much I loved this book 🥹. Coming into this book I did not know much about OCD so while for some Logan’s journey with OCD felt like a mirror of their own, this book for me was like a window into the different aspects of OCD and just how much it impacts people’s lives. Along with the great mental health awareness, this book also had a few of my favorite characters. The relationships and dynamics between the characters were well written and by the end I could clearly see how much all the characters had grown. Sab cleverly portrays the complex relationship with your family while also creating a wholesome friendship between Logan and his best friend Calvin. I absolutely loved their relationship because I can’t remember the last time I read a story where two teenage boys were portrayed to be vulnerable around each other and let me just say it was so beautiful. Overall I’m so so glad I decided to read this book because it had everything I look for in a good book and depicts life as it is, with ups and downs. And personally I cannot wait to read the rest of this series.
May 6, 2025
This book is a contemporary coming of age 'mental health fiction' . It revolves around Logan Clark, a teenager who's suffering from OCD , and about his life and how he decides to cope up. This book is not just about Logan, but every kid who has faced a disorder or mental sickness, but chooses to live. It's not easy, it's never comfort around you, being with family, friends and insecurities clouding you every damn time. But amidst all this discomfort, you find hope that you are enough, and in authors words 'to be known is to be loved'.
This boy explores it all, the family dynamics, the ugly confrontations, facing reality, insecurities being friends with your own people, the fear clouding and everything which is way too relatable and raises awareness about these disorders, and fosters challenging stigmas around us. It will help a reader develop his emotional intelligence, empathy, deeper understanding and importance of mental health and to know, that you are not alone even when you feel so. Logan just fits so right.
And no, it isn't boring, it will keep you engaged with enemies to lovers troupe, though love isn't the main focus, small town and oh, they were childhood bestfriends too.
Teens are confusing, meant to explore, figure things out, chase, fall apart yet planning to rise again - this book covers it all.
If you've lived your teens like that, this book is for you. Grab your next read now.
This boy explores it all, the family dynamics, the ugly confrontations, facing reality, insecurities being friends with your own people, the fear clouding and everything which is way too relatable and raises awareness about these disorders, and fosters challenging stigmas around us. It will help a reader develop his emotional intelligence, empathy, deeper understanding and importance of mental health and to know, that you are not alone even when you feel so. Logan just fits so right.
And no, it isn't boring, it will keep you engaged with enemies to lovers troupe, though love isn't the main focus, small town and oh, they were childhood bestfriends too.
Teens are confusing, meant to explore, figure things out, chase, fall apart yet planning to rise again - this book covers it all.
If you've lived your teens like that, this book is for you. Grab your next read now.
March 25, 2025
I have to start this review by saying that this book was completely out of my comfort zone.
I don’t often read anything other than fantasy, sci-fi, or dystopian, never contemporary, or even romance, so when I got the chance to read this book as an ARC reader, I was more than a little nervous.
Was it going to be actually good?
Would it have a solid storyline? Developed characters?
Would I actually enjoy reading it, or would it be a chore?
The answer to all of these questions. . . Yes.
I have truly never read anything like this book before. Sab is an incredible writer, and I don’t say that out of bias.
There are four important characters in this book:
Logan: Our main character, he struggles immensely with OCD, and this book is about his journey with it. He is a teenage boy, and is written like it, which more than I can say for some certain mainstream authors.
Molly: The love interest, I initially didn’t like her, but it became apparent to me that she is three-dimensional and full of depth. She adores Logan as he is, and that made her solid in my eyes.
Calvin: Logan’s best friend, Calvin is an important member of this little friend group. But he’s not just the best friend, he’s got his own struggles, hurts, and emotions, and there’s no stereotyping going on here. The growth of the relationship between Calvin and Logan is incredible to read, and I hope I can write a relationship as well as Sab wrote this one.
Piper: Kind of our comic relief character, she’s an absolute angel, and I adored our interactions with her on the page. I’m so excited to see where Sab takes her next!
At the end of the day, this is a book about teens, from someone who remembers being a teen, and it's not without awkward or embarrassing moments. Every single theme, every scene, every interaction, is so full of life and a voracious honesty, that I found myself in a state of shock from the pure poetry of it all. This is not a book that glides over hard subjects for the sake of being easy to read, and personally, it healed a little something in my soul.
“Being known is being loved.”
This isn’t an empty phrase used for marketing, and Sab makes a point of helping us understand her characters through intense dialogue. We aren’t just watching things go down, we’re in the middle of it, hurting and sobbing with these characters that are each unique, each beautiful, each powerfully real.
I have never had the struggles that are talked about in this book, so I couldn’t really relate, but the beauty of the way it was written is that you don’t have to relate to it to root for Logan.
I didn’t relate, but I felt for him. I didn’t read this book because Logan was a pathetic protagonist that incited my sympathies. I read this book because despite every embarrassing thing and hurtful interaction he had, he kept going, and eventually, he glimpsed the light at the end of his tunnel. I felt real empathy for him, I wanted him to succeed for his own sake, not because I wanted the book to have a good ending.
All I can say. . . this is worth the read. Wow, is this worth the read.
There’s a lot of mediocre books out there, I’ve stumbled and DNF’d so, so many of the recent BookTok hits that it’s hard not to approach every contemporary romance with a preordained opinion that it’s gonna suck.
This book is a breath of fresh air. It is healing, honest, and comforting, right down to the bones.
So please, please read this book, I beg of you.
I don’t often read anything other than fantasy, sci-fi, or dystopian, never contemporary, or even romance, so when I got the chance to read this book as an ARC reader, I was more than a little nervous.
Was it going to be actually good?
Would it have a solid storyline? Developed characters?
Would I actually enjoy reading it, or would it be a chore?
The answer to all of these questions. . . Yes.
I have truly never read anything like this book before. Sab is an incredible writer, and I don’t say that out of bias.
There are four important characters in this book:
Logan: Our main character, he struggles immensely with OCD, and this book is about his journey with it. He is a teenage boy, and is written like it, which more than I can say for some certain mainstream authors.
Molly: The love interest, I initially didn’t like her, but it became apparent to me that she is three-dimensional and full of depth. She adores Logan as he is, and that made her solid in my eyes.
Calvin: Logan’s best friend, Calvin is an important member of this little friend group. But he’s not just the best friend, he’s got his own struggles, hurts, and emotions, and there’s no stereotyping going on here. The growth of the relationship between Calvin and Logan is incredible to read, and I hope I can write a relationship as well as Sab wrote this one.
Piper: Kind of our comic relief character, she’s an absolute angel, and I adored our interactions with her on the page. I’m so excited to see where Sab takes her next!
At the end of the day, this is a book about teens, from someone who remembers being a teen, and it's not without awkward or embarrassing moments. Every single theme, every scene, every interaction, is so full of life and a voracious honesty, that I found myself in a state of shock from the pure poetry of it all. This is not a book that glides over hard subjects for the sake of being easy to read, and personally, it healed a little something in my soul.
“Being known is being loved.”
This isn’t an empty phrase used for marketing, and Sab makes a point of helping us understand her characters through intense dialogue. We aren’t just watching things go down, we’re in the middle of it, hurting and sobbing with these characters that are each unique, each beautiful, each powerfully real.
I have never had the struggles that are talked about in this book, so I couldn’t really relate, but the beauty of the way it was written is that you don’t have to relate to it to root for Logan.
I didn’t relate, but I felt for him. I didn’t read this book because Logan was a pathetic protagonist that incited my sympathies. I read this book because despite every embarrassing thing and hurtful interaction he had, he kept going, and eventually, he glimpsed the light at the end of his tunnel. I felt real empathy for him, I wanted him to succeed for his own sake, not because I wanted the book to have a good ending.
All I can say. . . this is worth the read. Wow, is this worth the read.
There’s a lot of mediocre books out there, I’ve stumbled and DNF’d so, so many of the recent BookTok hits that it’s hard not to approach every contemporary romance with a preordained opinion that it’s gonna suck.
This book is a breath of fresh air. It is healing, honest, and comforting, right down to the bones.
So please, please read this book, I beg of you.
September 8, 2025
This book was absolutely incredible. Sab Ay really did a fantastic job of portraying OCD, treatment, family, love and friendship. I liked how she wrote about a type of OCD that is lesser known. Logan had my entire heart, and I was so invested in his progress and journey. I did in fact cry, like, five times over this book. I would recommend this book to people with OCD, and people wanting to learn more about it, whether it's because they know someone with it or they just want to be more informed. Overall, fantastic read, and I can't wait to read the next book in the A.T.T.I.C.S series.
February 6, 2025
This book killed me in the best way… I felt connected to the characters in a way that is hard to describe but they feel like a part of me. Their stories were all well fleshed out and I love them all dearly, even the ones that only show up a handful of times. The characters felt young, too, which I find is not common in the middle grade/YA genres because authors have a hard time making them sound young, but Logan is believably 13. I immediately ran and read “where we end and begin” :)
May 8, 2025
This book is sweet, charming, and so so real. It’s something I wish I could give my 13-year-old self, and that healed my 22-year-old self in ways I didn’t know I needed. This is one of those stories that will stay with you long after you put the book down. As an OCD-haver and a human being, I want everybody to read this book.
January 23, 2025
OH MY GOSH.
honestly, there will never be enough words to explain how much i LOVE and absolutely ADORE this book to pieces! this was my first 5-star read of the year AND first in a LONG time. genuinely, i have NOT had a book i was THIS obsessed with in AGES. from logan and his struggles to watching him grow and learn and then finally find peace at the end just makes my heart melt i squealed so many times. while its targeted for more lower ya and middle grade, its SUCH a good read and one of the better maybe even BEST mental health representations i’ve ever read or seen. its also perfect for fans who adore rick riordan’s writing style but also want just something “more” i could hardly put it down and each page kept me hooked, craving more and i cant wait for the official release and to arc even more works by the author <3
*note: this was an e-arc read*
honestly, there will never be enough words to explain how much i LOVE and absolutely ADORE this book to pieces! this was my first 5-star read of the year AND first in a LONG time. genuinely, i have NOT had a book i was THIS obsessed with in AGES. from logan and his struggles to watching him grow and learn and then finally find peace at the end just makes my heart melt i squealed so many times. while its targeted for more lower ya and middle grade, its SUCH a good read and one of the better maybe even BEST mental health representations i’ve ever read or seen. its also perfect for fans who adore rick riordan’s writing style but also want just something “more” i could hardly put it down and each page kept me hooked, craving more and i cant wait for the official release and to arc even more works by the author <3
*note: this was an e-arc read*
February 1, 2025
This book was amazing! Everything about it was perfect from the way it was written to the plot! This book is targeted at a younger quarries however is written in a way that anyone can enjoy. It deals with some serious topics such as ocd but it was written in such a well said way. Reading this book opened my eyes up to the lives of those who live with ocd and gave me a better understanding. It also balances teenage angst and the beginnings of growing up so perfectly. I also absolutely loved Logan and mollys relationship and was teary eyes watching them help eachother through their tough times. This book was so much more than just a romance book and I believe that everyone should read it .I definitely recommend <3
March 22, 2025
Thank you so much for this opportunity to read your ARC*
Review 5⭐️
I loved this book with my whole heart and soul.
The characters felt so real I wanted to jump into the books and hug all of the characters, the writing was amazing at putting you into the life of a middle schooler and the emotions that everyone experiences when in middle school going into high school.
This book is a more character driven story than a plot driven story, there is still a plot but the book is more focused on the characters emotions.
My final thoughts: I love this book with my whole heart it just felt so real and like I was watching a movie.
Be sure to go check out her book when it comes out on May 6
Review 5⭐️
I loved this book with my whole heart and soul.
The characters felt so real I wanted to jump into the books and hug all of the characters, the writing was amazing at putting you into the life of a middle schooler and the emotions that everyone experiences when in middle school going into high school.
This book is a more character driven story than a plot driven story, there is still a plot but the book is more focused on the characters emotions.
My final thoughts: I love this book with my whole heart it just felt so real and like I was watching a movie.
Be sure to go check out her book when it comes out on May 6
January 15, 2025
GUYS I GOT TO BETA READ THIS BOOK AND IT WAS SO GOOD 🥺🥺🥺.
ok i got that out. guys. this is actually my favorite book ever?? i found sabs account after finding a reel where she introduced her book about a young kid named logan clark with ocd. as a teen who struggles with ocd, this is my favorite book representation of the illness. logan is super relatable and i love how he accurately portrays ocd subtypes that arent typically discussed.
i loved logans relationship with his family while they struggle to adapt in order to best care for logan.
and, ofc, my favorite part of the book was logan and his best friend molly (logolly for life!!! 🥰🥰🥰). logan’s struggles with his thoughts, esp when concerning molly, show how much intrusive thoughts impact our daily lives, while also giving him another narrative besides just living with ocd.
past representations of ocd i’ve seen depict the most extreme side of it. while it’s important to understand how bad ocd can be, i related more to logan, since his ocd isn’t perpetually debilitating even when his thoughts are present. this depiction felt more real to me.
also. octavia and ivan. i hate them. but i love how they are used to characterize ocd, especially since i try to separate my ocd thoughts from my actual thoughts by envisioning them as bullies too!!!
lastly (i could talk about this book for hours but i won’t), logan’s relationship with treatment, medication, and his therapist felt literally like a reflection of what was happening to me at that point. sab perfectly shows his thoughts on treatment and she describes thoughts and emotions that i feel. while i struggle personally to verbalize my thoughts, now i don’t have to!! sab did it for me 😁
i loved this book. second one pls?? 🥺🥺🥺 (love u sab 💜💜💜)
ok i got that out. guys. this is actually my favorite book ever?? i found sabs account after finding a reel where she introduced her book about a young kid named logan clark with ocd. as a teen who struggles with ocd, this is my favorite book representation of the illness. logan is super relatable and i love how he accurately portrays ocd subtypes that arent typically discussed.
i loved logans relationship with his family while they struggle to adapt in order to best care for logan.
and, ofc, my favorite part of the book was logan and his best friend molly (logolly for life!!! 🥰🥰🥰). logan’s struggles with his thoughts, esp when concerning molly, show how much intrusive thoughts impact our daily lives, while also giving him another narrative besides just living with ocd.
past representations of ocd i’ve seen depict the most extreme side of it. while it’s important to understand how bad ocd can be, i related more to logan, since his ocd isn’t perpetually debilitating even when his thoughts are present. this depiction felt more real to me.
also. octavia and ivan. i hate them. but i love how they are used to characterize ocd, especially since i try to separate my ocd thoughts from my actual thoughts by envisioning them as bullies too!!!
lastly (i could talk about this book for hours but i won’t), logan’s relationship with treatment, medication, and his therapist felt literally like a reflection of what was happening to me at that point. sab perfectly shows his thoughts on treatment and she describes thoughts and emotions that i feel. while i struggle personally to verbalize my thoughts, now i don’t have to!! sab did it for me 😁
i loved this book. second one pls?? 🥺🥺🥺 (love u sab 💜💜💜)
February 14, 2025
I got the pleasure of beta-reading this, and should have finished reading it ages ago because this book is so good, but here we are‼️
Where to even start man. I love how real this book is. I'd been dealing with some stuff a little while ago, and thinking about this book and Logan and the techniques he was taught/uses in this book genuinely helped me so much I can't even explain it. Intrusive thoughts are the actual worst, and reading about Logan dealing with all of it was as heart breaking as it was interesting.
Logan Clark you are the main character of all time. Often times I find male MC's in this kind of genre of books can come off as boring pretty easily, at least thats been the case with my recent slew of books. But Logan completely defies that. Hes so interesting, not just in his struggles but also in his hobbies and demeanor, and dynamics with the rest of the cast. My floppy haired blonde cringe fail son. I just know he gets WAY too serious about spotify wrapped.
The rest of the cast was just so awesome too. I especially loved the twins, Piper and Calvin, and their dynamics with Logan. Best trio tbh, Logan spurring on Piper's chaos while Calvin tries to reel them in? I love them your honor.
This book is really about the little things. Running a bath, and bumping shoulders, and crying when your sad, and drinking a caramel mocha, and sitting by the 7-11 parking lot. Theres a ton of stuff you can't get the courage to say, but there's also a ton of stuff that just goes without saying, and this book captures that perfectly.
Finished: Jan 18, 2025
Where to even start man. I love how real this book is. I'd been dealing with some stuff a little while ago, and thinking about this book and Logan and the techniques he was taught/uses in this book genuinely helped me so much I can't even explain it. Intrusive thoughts are the actual worst, and reading about Logan dealing with all of it was as heart breaking as it was interesting.
Logan Clark you are the main character of all time. Often times I find male MC's in this kind of genre of books can come off as boring pretty easily, at least thats been the case with my recent slew of books. But Logan completely defies that. Hes so interesting, not just in his struggles but also in his hobbies and demeanor, and dynamics with the rest of the cast. My floppy haired blonde cringe fail son. I just know he gets WAY too serious about spotify wrapped.
The rest of the cast was just so awesome too. I especially loved the twins, Piper and Calvin, and their dynamics with Logan. Best trio tbh, Logan spurring on Piper's chaos while Calvin tries to reel them in? I love them your honor.
This book is really about the little things. Running a bath, and bumping shoulders, and crying when your sad, and drinking a caramel mocha, and sitting by the 7-11 parking lot. Theres a ton of stuff you can't get the courage to say, but there's also a ton of stuff that just goes without saying, and this book captures that perfectly.
Finished: Jan 18, 2025
August 14, 2025
this book is what makes OCD so representative. never have seen so much resemblance to my life in a long time. It’s not just your stereotypical OCD triggers like contamination, it’s how your intrusive thoughts conflict with activities. That even though it’s only in your head, it can be manipulative and vile to the point where you think there’s a plausible reason why you’re having them, that you can actually be twisted up in the head. the medication and the treatment center addition hit really close to home.
i love the friendship that logan has with all his friends, and even though he has doubts about their passion progressing through high school, he still finds the will to stick with them rather than stray away.
there are some things that i would have changed, but overall it is a very good coming of age debut that is my OCD daniel ❤️
i love the friendship that logan has with all his friends, and even though he has doubts about their passion progressing through high school, he still finds the will to stick with them rather than stray away.
there are some things that i would have changed, but overall it is a very good coming of age debut that is my OCD daniel ❤️
May 6, 2025
All The Things I Cannot Say, ARC review
This book taught me so much. I've fallen in love with every single character, and I rarely ever reread books, but I sometimes go back to read this just to smile. Sab Ay's writing style is simple and beautiful, which made me zoom through the book and I loved every moment of it. I'm absolutely reading whatever work she puts out next 💕
10 stars ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
This book taught me so much. I've fallen in love with every single character, and I rarely ever reread books, but I sometimes go back to read this just to smile. Sab Ay's writing style is simple and beautiful, which made me zoom through the book and I loved every moment of it. I'm absolutely reading whatever work she puts out next 💕
10 stars ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
March 7, 2025
Early review of the eARC!
All the Things I Cannot Say is an exploration of adolescence and mental health. It follows Logan through the first half of his 8th grade school year. He has recently quit football, leaving him with no extra-curriculars. He has also started more intensive outpatient care for his OCD. This book was very raw and emotional, yet silly at times (we’re in the head of a thirteen-year-old boy).
One of the best parts of the story was Logan’s support system. Friends, family, mental healthcare providers. They were all fantastic and realistic. They did not have 100% perfect reactions to Logan’s behavior or solutions for his problems, but they offered anything they could to the best of their abilities. It made the characters seem like real people and made the story all the better.
This book is about middle-schoolers, which I am not, so take what I say with a grain of salt. Some instances did NOT feel very 13-year-old made this decision. MOST did, I can’t even remember what made me feel this way just that the moments briefly shook me out of the narrative. Another thing that is an entirely me problem, is my need for more. More details please. The storylines that weave Logan’s life together were often riddled with plot points that I wanted more details on. His friendships, his musical journey, his science fair project, etc. Alas, this is not a 1,000 page tome so I am left disappointed (haha).
The strongest part of the book was probably Logan’s relatability. Questioning the validity of his OCD, whether HE should have it, and why he has to deal with it is probably something that most people with anxiety have done in some regard. The authenticity of his struggles made this the gem that it is. This story took us through a tumultuous few months, and I feel like we are only at the beginning of Logan’s journey. But what a lovely place to be.
Overall, I really loved this book. It feels like an echo of the 2000-2010s YA literature about health/mental health but aged down for middle grade. I think it will truly help others see themselves in a character.
All the Things I Cannot Say is an exploration of adolescence and mental health. It follows Logan through the first half of his 8th grade school year. He has recently quit football, leaving him with no extra-curriculars. He has also started more intensive outpatient care for his OCD. This book was very raw and emotional, yet silly at times (we’re in the head of a thirteen-year-old boy).
One of the best parts of the story was Logan’s support system. Friends, family, mental healthcare providers. They were all fantastic and realistic. They did not have 100% perfect reactions to Logan’s behavior or solutions for his problems, but they offered anything they could to the best of their abilities. It made the characters seem like real people and made the story all the better.
This book is about middle-schoolers, which I am not, so take what I say with a grain of salt. Some instances did NOT feel very 13-year-old made this decision. MOST did, I can’t even remember what made me feel this way just that the moments briefly shook me out of the narrative. Another thing that is an entirely me problem, is my need for more. More details please. The storylines that weave Logan’s life together were often riddled with plot points that I wanted more details on. His friendships, his musical journey, his science fair project, etc. Alas, this is not a 1,000 page tome so I am left disappointed (haha).
The strongest part of the book was probably Logan’s relatability. Questioning the validity of his OCD, whether HE should have it, and why he has to deal with it is probably something that most people with anxiety have done in some regard. The authenticity of his struggles made this the gem that it is. This story took us through a tumultuous few months, and I feel like we are only at the beginning of Logan’s journey. But what a lovely place to be.
Overall, I really loved this book. It feels like an echo of the 2000-2010s YA literature about health/mental health but aged down for middle grade. I think it will truly help others see themselves in a character.
January 14, 2025
All The Things I Cannot Say ARC review🪐📖🎧
5/5⭐️
This book broke my heart into a million pieces, and then put it back together again. I don’t even know how to explain all the emotions this book made me feel. I was completely hooked from page one and was unable to stop thinking about it until I had turned the very last page. Even after that I still continued to think about the story and the characters that had become sources of strength and hope for me.
Sab Ay writes with so much depth and emotion. The story and characters come to life, making you feel as if you are a part of the story and the characters aren’t just characters, but your friends. I fell in love with Logan, Calvin, and Piper. With Molly, Natalie, and Elliot. And with Zack, Bernadette, and Lucas. Each character was so different, but I somehow saw a part of myself in each and every one of them.
I love how this book highlights the importance of family, friends, and love. But also shows how hard these relationships can be, especially as a teenager. And the metal health aspect? Mental health can often be a difficult topic, but Sab Ay did such an amazing job not just telling the readers about the struggles mental health can bring but showing them. It really felt like a window into what it feels like to have OCD and I feel like I have learned so much.
Thank you so much for the ARC Sab Ay! This book was so beautiful and had the coziest vibes. It has become a new favorite comfort book of mine! I cannot wait to see what’s in store for Sab and her amazing writing🫶
5/5⭐️
This book broke my heart into a million pieces, and then put it back together again. I don’t even know how to explain all the emotions this book made me feel. I was completely hooked from page one and was unable to stop thinking about it until I had turned the very last page. Even after that I still continued to think about the story and the characters that had become sources of strength and hope for me.
Sab Ay writes with so much depth and emotion. The story and characters come to life, making you feel as if you are a part of the story and the characters aren’t just characters, but your friends. I fell in love with Logan, Calvin, and Piper. With Molly, Natalie, and Elliot. And with Zack, Bernadette, and Lucas. Each character was so different, but I somehow saw a part of myself in each and every one of them.
I love how this book highlights the importance of family, friends, and love. But also shows how hard these relationships can be, especially as a teenager. And the metal health aspect? Mental health can often be a difficult topic, but Sab Ay did such an amazing job not just telling the readers about the struggles mental health can bring but showing them. It really felt like a window into what it feels like to have OCD and I feel like I have learned so much.
Thank you so much for the ARC Sab Ay! This book was so beautiful and had the coziest vibes. It has become a new favorite comfort book of mine! I cannot wait to see what’s in store for Sab and her amazing writing🫶
January 14, 2025
I don’t know where to start but firstly but I’ve been wanting to read this book every since I found your account and I’m so glad I finally got to read it . This book taught me more about mental health and OCD I didn’t know much about OCD before reading this . Attics is one of the cutest books I read in 2024 and one of the bests I love every single character (except the mean ones ) and most of all I love Molly and Logan they are the cutest people every and I feel like I can relate to Molly and Piper I love theater like Piper and I love astrology like Molly but there are many other reasons too.
The cabin scene was amazing and adorable. Logan is just a good example for a teenager boy and is telling people that not all boys are annoying or mean in middle school and some can be really sweet and could be struggling with mental health. This book also can teach people that OCD could be different than the cleaning part everyone thinks of when they hear OCD. This book also shows such amazing friend ships and not fake ones and that the characters actually care for each other. The scenes with his friends are amazing and I love them . This book is just truly so incredible and I hope that I can write as good as you some day.
The cabin scene was amazing and adorable. Logan is just a good example for a teenager boy and is telling people that not all boys are annoying or mean in middle school and some can be really sweet and could be struggling with mental health. This book also can teach people that OCD could be different than the cleaning part everyone thinks of when they hear OCD. This book also shows such amazing friend ships and not fake ones and that the characters actually care for each other. The scenes with his friends are amazing and I love them . This book is just truly so incredible and I hope that I can write as good as you some day.
January 23, 2025
In terms of coming of age style novels, I can confidently say this sits as one of my favorites of all time now.
The characters felt well-developed, as if they were real people I could actually meet in my community.
The mental health representation was stunningly written. A beautiful job done of telling us Logan’s struggles without romanticizing them (as is so often done with mentally ill characters)
There’s healthy friendships between boys which is something I rarely see in books so that always makes me extremely happy.
The voice this book is written in is WONDERFULLY humorous (in a sarcastic sort of way) without detracting from the heavier parts of the book.
And the romance?? AHH that had me kicking my feet and GIGGLING.
Long story short, I will be recommending this book over and over again.
The characters felt well-developed, as if they were real people I could actually meet in my community.
The mental health representation was stunningly written. A beautiful job done of telling us Logan’s struggles without romanticizing them (as is so often done with mentally ill characters)
There’s healthy friendships between boys which is something I rarely see in books so that always makes me extremely happy.
The voice this book is written in is WONDERFULLY humorous (in a sarcastic sort of way) without detracting from the heavier parts of the book.
And the romance?? AHH that had me kicking my feet and GIGGLING.
Long story short, I will be recommending this book over and over again.
January 29, 2025
Thank you Sab Ay for an ARC of this amazing book, you should be very proud!
I love Logan so much. I saw myself in him, despite not having OCD myself (though I do struggle with an anxiety and depressive disorder). I keep thinking how my life might've been different if I had this book or one like it when I was 13. Still, at age 18, I felt very seen.
All of these characters were very compelling, and importantly, believably aged 13. The character voice and relationships were so potent and real, warming my heart with how wholesome they were.
Sab did a wonderful job showing the importance of love from family and friends to those who struggle with their mental health. This is but one representation of one boy with OCD, but I have no doubt that countless people will feel seen with this portrayal.
You bet I'm going to be buying this book the moment it releases on May 6 and recommending it to everyone I know.
(Halfway through January and I already found the best book of the year.)
I love Logan so much. I saw myself in him, despite not having OCD myself (though I do struggle with an anxiety and depressive disorder). I keep thinking how my life might've been different if I had this book or one like it when I was 13. Still, at age 18, I felt very seen.
All of these characters were very compelling, and importantly, believably aged 13. The character voice and relationships were so potent and real, warming my heart with how wholesome they were.
Sab did a wonderful job showing the importance of love from family and friends to those who struggle with their mental health. This is but one representation of one boy with OCD, but I have no doubt that countless people will feel seen with this portrayal.
You bet I'm going to be buying this book the moment it releases on May 6 and recommending it to everyone I know.
(Halfway through January and I already found the best book of the year.)
January 31, 2025
i absolutely loved this book! it was fascinating to me, but also so sad, to get to learn more about OCD through Logan. I really enjoyed the story, the characters, and of course the sweet little romance! definitely check this out if you’re interested
June 20, 2025
5 stars °♡
~ I started this book after a months long reading slump and wow. The characters were all so intriguing and Logan just immediately stole my heart. I wanted things to get better for Logan so badly I read this entire book within a single day, and the rest of it was spent thinking about it. Even as a person with anxiety, this book hit close to home in many aspects. ~
would recommend for: people with OCD and/or anxiety, character-story readers, and anyone in a reading slump looking for an easy to read but still deep storyline.
•°
~ I started this book after a months long reading slump and wow. The characters were all so intriguing and Logan just immediately stole my heart. I wanted things to get better for Logan so badly I read this entire book within a single day, and the rest of it was spent thinking about it. Even as a person with anxiety, this book hit close to home in many aspects. ~
would recommend for: people with OCD and/or anxiety, character-story readers, and anyone in a reading slump looking for an easy to read but still deep storyline.
•°
May 5, 2025
Told through the perspective of anxious 13-year-old Logan Clark, All the Things I Cannot Say by Sab Ay is a refreshing read — it’s wonderful to see a portrayal of mental health that’s accurate without falling into clichés, and Ay does this exceptionally well.
Poignant, funny, and moving, this is an amazing debut. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a cozy, enemies-to-lovers, mental-health-centered read! As someone who isn’t very familiar with OCD and its many types, this book was eye-opening and gave me valuable insight into what people with OCD experience. I quite literally couldn’t put it down — each chapter was better than the last, and I found myself reaching “THE END” in just one day. That’s how good this book is.
Poignant, funny, and moving, this is an amazing debut. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a cozy, enemies-to-lovers, mental-health-centered read! As someone who isn’t very familiar with OCD and its many types, this book was eye-opening and gave me valuable insight into what people with OCD experience. I quite literally couldn’t put it down — each chapter was better than the last, and I found myself reaching “THE END” in just one day. That’s how good this book is.
July 17, 2025
For all the Gary D. Schmidt fans and 2014 Tumblr kids. Logan’s story is truly authentic, delivering a raw portrayal of OCD as well as the emotional highs, lows, and fears of middle school existence. All the characters are real and fun and I love being able to feel how much fun the author had creating them.
This book lived up to the hype and I’m so excited to read more about all the other characters!
This book lived up to the hype and I’m so excited to read more about all the other characters!
February 6, 2025
There are so many things I can say about this book, but let me start with my favorite. I'm the same age as the main character, Logan, and I find it hard to find books written about people my age that aren't fantasy or middle school propaganda. This book deals with very real topics, and seeing someone my age going through things similar to me means SO much. I can tell that a lot of younger teens will cherish this book just as much as I do.
Moving on, I really can't find one unlikable character in this book (Except for you Derek, you know what you did). Each character, especially Logan and his friend group, is so unique and different. You can 100% tell so much love was put into each and every one of them. Logan also had a very distinct POV that was always entertaining to read! I felt like I was always there along with him as he experienced everything.
I haven't read many coming-of-age stories like this, but I can easily say that this was one of the best books I ever read. When it comes out, I'll be recommending it to everybody my age. Thank you so much for the ARC!
Moving on, I really can't find one unlikable character in this book (Except for you Derek, you know what you did). Each character, especially Logan and his friend group, is so unique and different. You can 100% tell so much love was put into each and every one of them. Logan also had a very distinct POV that was always entertaining to read! I felt like I was always there along with him as he experienced everything.
I haven't read many coming-of-age stories like this, but I can easily say that this was one of the best books I ever read. When it comes out, I'll be recommending it to everybody my age. Thank you so much for the ARC!
January 15, 2025
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
let’s start this off by saying this. I LOVE THIS BOOK, THESE CHARACTERS AND THEIR DYNAMICS, AND THE REPRESENTATION
sab you have done it, made me fall in love with yet another genre. this book was so nice to read and learn about the ocd experience. this taught me about ocd and gave the experience of a boy with it, giving me a greater understanding. even me, as an audhd person, could relate in some aspects of logan.
logan felt so real to me as a teenager and his struggles. sab writing this also started to show the struggles of everyone else, allowing more some in the series to expand in the next books—which im genuinely excited in. she showed how everyone else also had their own problems and still had them be united as friends.
this book was absolutely amazing and if you haven’t read it, you absolutely should!
let’s start this off by saying this. I LOVE THIS BOOK, THESE CHARACTERS AND THEIR DYNAMICS, AND THE REPRESENTATION
sab you have done it, made me fall in love with yet another genre. this book was so nice to read and learn about the ocd experience. this taught me about ocd and gave the experience of a boy with it, giving me a greater understanding. even me, as an audhd person, could relate in some aspects of logan.
logan felt so real to me as a teenager and his struggles. sab writing this also started to show the struggles of everyone else, allowing more some in the series to expand in the next books—which im genuinely excited in. she showed how everyone else also had their own problems and still had them be united as friends.
this book was absolutely amazing and if you haven’t read it, you absolutely should!
March 9, 2025
Even though I read the ARC a few months ago, I still think about this wonderful story all the time. Logan helped me learn more about my harm OCD, and I loved reading his experience of it through Octavia and Ivan. I love everything about this book and I could rant about it for hours because the characters feel so real and alive and the OCD feels so intimidating until you learn ways to combat it. Logan, Molly, Calvin, and Piper will live in my head forever and I can't wait to see what Sab writes next. (SAB ILY!!!! :D)
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