The OCD Games

A Christmas Romance Novella

By: Kayla Krantz

Narrated by: Raine Barrett

Erica struggles with her obsessions, to the point where her life is ruled by them. After losing her job, she seeks out a new one with the aid of her best friend Kara by her side. Change has always been tricky, but between support group and art classes, Erica finds she’s able to cope with everything.

With her head held high, she’s determined to make the best of her new job. Cue handsome yet mysterious Blaine. Erica does her best to avoid him, convinced that her OCD will be a barrier that he won’t understand.

Except, Blaine has his own obsessions. The more she learns about him, the more Erica realizes that she’s not alone. Her Christmas present is something she’s only been able to dream about for years - a partner who not only accepts her, but one who understands her, too.

©2020 Kayla Krantz (P)2020 Kayla Krantz

I wanted to give Erica a hug......

The OCD Games was completely different than I was expecting, but I really enjoyed it. Maybe this subject hit harder for me, since I have struggled with compulsions all my life, but I think the author did a beautiful job of portraying the daily struggles for people with OCD and other psychological issues. Erica is one of these people, and she suffers socially, emotionally and financially due to her compulsions. The story begins with Erica losing her office job due to her morning rituals always causing her to show up late for work. This loss sends her into a tailspin, but, with the encouragement of her support group and her best friend, she gathers the courage to apply for and receive a job as a convenience store cashier. One of her co-workers is a mysterious man named Blaine, and she feels an immediate draw towards him but believes she is too messed up to ever attract him. Amazingly enough, Blaine and Erica might just be the perfect answer for each other's problems and watching them come to this realization is a both sad and happy journey in equal measures.

Raine Barrett's narration is fantastic. She has a smooth and pleasing delivery, and she added the perfect level of emotion to this very moving story. The team of Krantz as the author and Barrett as the narrator results in a wonderful audiobook production.

I received a copy of this audiobook at my request in exchange for this honest review.

sweet love story; good OCD & anxiety rep; cliches

This is a sweet love story, and I have to give the author kudos for writing about OCD and anxiety in such a real way. It was painfully realistic. The awkward coworker attraction was cute and realistic and made me think of high school romances.

However, I was disappointed in the writing style, which was a bit clumsy and littered with far too many cliches. Sometimes they didn't even make sense in context, such as: "...afraid they'll bite me like a rabid dog if I make eye contact." With a bit more editing and removal of cliches, this could easily gain a star or two.

The conversations between the main character and her best friend were a little forced, and at one point her best friend grabs her from behind in a parking lot as she's bent over to get her purse and terrifies her, and this is passed off as "funny" instead of sexual harassment.

Also, though the OCD and anxiety felt very real, they were consistently represented in a very negative way, with phrases like "the worst of me." It's very clear the main character despises her anxiety and OCD, but the author's word choice makes them seem even worse. It just rubbed me the wrong way.

The narrator of the audiobook had a voice a little too breathy and monotone and littered the recording with weird pauses and accents that made it difficult to listen to.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review

Love it

A wonderful romance I thoroughly enjoyed.
Very well narrated I’ll definitely check out more from this author.

A Sweet & Delightful Story🎧 4.5 Wonderful Stars!🌟

I loved this novella, it is original and well written. Kayla Krantz fits a lot of story in her book, a story that immediately grabs your attention from the start. The storylines are interesting and realistic. The characters are likable and well developed. I could totally relate to Erica’s struggles, everyone needs an understanding friend like Kara. And swoon worthy Blaine, I loved the chemistry between him and Erica. This is my first novel with characters who suffer from OCD and the author nails it and presents it well. This story takes place around Christmas time but can be enjoyed year round. Kayla Krantz, thank you for this unique and great story.

I listened to the audible edition, Raine Barrett does a wonderful job narrating. She performs the voices of all the characters and brings them to life from the pages to your ears. Thanks for the great listen!!

as a person with OCD

the book was fantastic and marvelous it was romantic and sweet the anxiety in the book the OCD was described very well in such short time you need to remember this story wasn't a long one and though it wasn't a long story the author covered all of it and it was very good the narrator was great as well

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review