The Unlikely Hero of Room 13B by Teresa Toten

The Unlikely Hero of Room 13B
Written by Teresa Toten
Realistic Fiction, Mental Illness
Published May 1st 2015
272 Pages
RATING ★★★
When Adam meets Robyn at a support group for kids coping with obsessive compulsive disorder, he is drawn to her almost before he can take a breath. He's determined to protect and defend her, to play Batman to her Robyn, whatever the cost. But when you're fourteen and the everyday problems of dealing with divorced parents and step siblings are supplemented by the challenges of OCD, it's hard to imagine yourself falling in love. How can you have a 'normal' relationship when your life is so fraught with problems? And that's not even to mention the small matter of those threatening letters Adam's mother has started to receive...
The young adult obsessive compulsive disorder group is a safe haven for teens, including Adam Ross. Then Robyn breezes in. She's the most beautiful girl he's ever seen and for the first time in his almost fifteen years, Adam has goals. To grow taller. To get well and to marry Robyn. In that particular order. Within the group the teens choose their own persona, each adopting an alter ego in a mixture of Marvel Avengers and Justice League characters. So when Robin chooses to become Robin, Adam feels the need to be her hero, her savior, and dubs himself Batman. Her Batman.

While the support group may provide an outlet for teens to share their illness, Adam's home life is anything but calm. His father having walked out seven years ago, now he has his own family and five year old son affectionately named Sweetie. While Adam's mother drowns in a sea of hoarding, their small house cluttered to the point of bursting. Adam is determined to reign in his compulsion, which includes tapping, counting and not being able to enter buildings, including his own. And as Adam and Robyn form a tentative friendship, he knows that she needs him and there's nothing he won't do to save her from her own illness, sacrificing his own in the process.

But by saving Robyn, Adam finds his own illness deteriorating and made worse by the threatening letters his mother hides. His step brother Sweetie is also ill, and the only person who can reason with the intelligent and aware five year old is Adam, expected to calm the boy down whenever he's called upon. Even with the support of his merry band of superheroes, Adam's illness is spiraling out of control. The letters arriving more frequently, his medication no longer working and now he's developing new symptoms, including not being able to access the threshold of his own house at all.

Something has to give. As Adam's friendship with Robyn develops into something more, he sees that Robyn doesn't need him anymore. She's well, and Adam's goal of bringing his illness under control is little more than a pipe dream. He needs to let Robyn go, he needs to now concentrate on his own recovery and to tell someone about the letters that threaten to derail his mother, before his illness swallows him whole.

MY THOUGHTS

Adam Ross. Remember his name, because there is no doubt you'll fall in love with him.

The Unlikely Hero of Room 13B is a beautiful, poignant and an incredibly playful read that's written with a loving hand, dealing with a very serious and very real issue of obsessive compulsive disorder. Almost fifteen year old Adam falls in love the moment Robyn breezes into the room. She also suffers from the same illness, and has just been released from a residential program and has joined the group to increase her chances of recovery. Each member has taken on a different persona of strength, with all but one choosing a superhero alter ego. So naturally Adam has become Batman, fiercely protective of Robyn, putting aside his own recovery in a selfless plight to save her. 

Adam lives between his father's new home, with new wife and son. Wendell is five, affectionately called Sweetie and already displaying symptoms of anxiety and finds comfort in numbers. Sweetie is highly intelligent, but relies heavily upon his big brother for comfort. His mother is a hoarder, their home cluttered which only increases Adam's illness to cross the threshold. Although Adam is determined to battle his own illness, he never puts himself first. He takes on the grievances of those around him, including the disturbing and threatening letters his mother has been receiving. I felt fiercely protective of Adam, his tender personality of selflessness left me on tenterhooks, worried about his loving nature being taken advantage of. The Unlikely Hero of Room 13B was written with such care and a respect for those who suffer from this debilitating illness. I was drawn into Adam's world and read the book in it's entirety in almost one sitting. It was not only entertaining, but so incredibly engaging and left me emotionally exhausted.

THE VERDICT

Borrow, buy or beg for a copy. This isn't another young adult novel about teens dealing with illness, it's an experience. Where most novels in the genre usually veer towards showing the debilitating side of mental illness, The Unlikely Hero of Room 13B shows obsessive compulsive disorder in a new light. That suffering from a mental illness is more than a feeling of darkness, it's also about learning to ask for help and learning to live in the moment, whether you're Adam, Robyn or even Batman. It was simply perfection.

39 comments

  1. OH MY GOODNESS, this book LOOKS amazing! I saw the awesome cover and then read the blurb and now my hands are all itchy. Thanks so much for introducing it, Kelly! It simply ooks unique and different in a good way. Glad to see you loved it!!!

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    1. It was Faith, I absolutely loved it. It was so emotional, but still really lighthearted and ADAM! This is one little superhero that you can't help but fall in love with. I can't wait to see what you think of it.

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  2. How. Good. Does. This. Look!? Gah, your review has made me even more excited to read this one Kelly. Lovely review! There aren't many books out there that deal with OCD (or ones that I've read, anyway) so I'm quite looking forward to this. ^_^

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    1. It's absolutely lovely Kara, and no doubt you'll love it just as much as I have. It's so beautifully written and funny, not all doom and gloom and I think that's the big difference here. it was written with such care.

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  3. How is it possible that I've never heard of this book before?! It seems amazing and exactly like something I would enjoy. I'm going to the bookstore today so I hope I can find this one!

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    1. It's absolutely incredible Sophie. Not only one of the best I've read this year, but ever!

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  4. This books looks so beautiful. I love how, the main character, Adam is always caring for others but not himself even though he is the one who needs to be cared for the most. I felt my heart sink a little bit after reading the synopsis and I know that if I read this book I would probably be crying myself to sleep about it!
    Naomi @The Perks Of Being A Bookworm

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    1. It's an incredibly emotional read Naomi, but it's also so, so much more. It's funny, entertaining and also brings those suffering from OCD into the discussion spotlight as well. I can't wait for you to grab a copy and to see what you think of it.

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  5. I saw this on the shelf at my library but I never read the inside, so I didn't know what it was about. It sounds great and Adam seems like a fantastic MC. I'm always a bit nervous to read books about OCD though because I have my own OCD tendencies, and I don't want to adopt any new ones or feel too uncomfortable reading. I might have to try this one though.

    -Lauren

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    1. Next time you're in there Lauren, definitely check it out.I have no doubt you'll absolutely adore it as much as I have. I think you'll be safe with reading about Adam's symptoms. His triggers are pretty severe, especially towards the end. My heart broke for him, but he's such a remarkable character.

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  6. "This isn't another young adult novel about teens dealing with illness, it's an experience. " That's a very deep sentence there, Kelly, and highly convincing to boot! I love the sound of this one, esp. since I personally know OCD people and I know how anxious they can get when they feel there is chaos in their world of order, and I never really understood what they felt and am really wanting to understand where they are coming from. Hopefully this book will help me in that department!

    Faye at The Social Potato

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    1. It really will Faye. It shows how debilitating the illness truly is. I think we use the term OCD too loosely these days. I've loved a lot of characters over the years, but without a doubt that Adam is the one that I've felt the most for. I was so emotional with this fierce need to protect him.

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  7. It's going to make me cry my eyes out isn't it!!! but ok, you got me, I've added it to my TBR list.

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    1. Oh no, it's not that kind of sadness. There is far more positive and funny moments Sarah, you might not even need tissues for this one.

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  8. Oh my gosh Kelly!!! You sure know how to convince a girl :D This isn't even on my radar. Its the first time I've heard of this. See, this is why I visit your blog!! Hopefully, I don't have to beg. I'm gonna pre-order a copy or buy it immediately if its already available in kindle :) Amazing review, Kelly! <3

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    1. It's been out for a while I think Paula, so you should be able to grab a Kindle copy on Amazon. It was absolutely brilliant and so beautifully written as well. Not often do I recommend a book so highly that everyone can enjoy, but this is definitely one of them. i can't wait to see what you think of it.

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  9. This sounds great. How is this the first time I'm hearing of it? Anyway, thanks Kelly for bringing it to my attention and for the lovely review. Also, love the new design! So fresh and clean :)

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    1. Thanks Rebecca. And YES! You'll absolutely adore this one. So beautiful and heartfelt. Wait until you meet Adam, you'll want to keep him too.

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  10. You've convinced me Kelly, I am definitely getting this as soon as this gets available here in the Ph(or maybe it's already here? eeek! Have to check!). This sounds like something that will tug my heart, but I don't care. The way you describe your experience upon reading this got me sold. Putting this on top of my to-buy list. Thanks Kelly for reviewing this. :)

    Ella @ The Filipina Booknote

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    1. I know it's available on Kindle, but not sure about whether it's available in paperback over there. Best to give your local bookstore a call and check. Fingers crossed. It's beautiful, and now one of my favourite books. Ever.

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  11. This book sounds beautiful Kelly! Sometime back I read a review of this book and thought that it was interesting,but your review has now hooked me completely! I am dying to read this book now.
    Wonderful review luv!

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    1. I can't wait to see what you think of it Mishma. It was utterly gorgeous and really an emotional ride. Adam was such a beautiful character, someone that readers will cherish and invest in his story.

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  12. Sounds like a great read, thanks for sharing.

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    1. It was incredible! Even try to borrow a copy from your local library, but definitely worth taking a chance on.

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  13. GAH! So many people have been reviewing this one, and they've all been mentioning how much they love it. I'm definitely going to have to read it and experience it for myself! I'm always suspicious about YA books dealing with mental disorders - especially nowadays - because all too often they seem to be almost romanticized, but I'm glad to hear that doesn't necessarily happen here. Thanks for sharing Kelly and, as always, fantastic review! Going to put a hold on this at the library right now! xx

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    1. I think we've got John Green to thank for that, starting off the trend of lovely illness related novels where girls swoon. I mean, when a main character is essentially dying, the last thing I want to do in my emotional state is swoon. Stupid John Green. But this one is absolutely gorgeous. Wait until you meet Adam and his band of superheroes. My goodness, I was laughing my head off Zoe.

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  14. I literally JUST saw this at the bookstore earlier, and now I'm regretting not buying it. :( I really love fun and playful books that still manage to get some deeper points across. Plus it's a book about mental illnesses and overcoming it with help and support from others--bonus points! I won't even think when I see this next time. I'm adding it to my shopping cart IMMEDIATELY.

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    1. Oh no, quickly run back and buy it. It's one of the few books that have absolutely NO FAULTS. Everything from the writing, the prose, the characters and even issues addressed was perfected. I love this book fiercely.

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  15. This is the first time I'm hearing about this book, I'm not sure what rock I've been living under. You always seem to find some gems that are underrated :) I love the take on mental illness though, thank you for putting this under my radar now & as always fantastic review :) <3 Benish | Feminist Reflections

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    1. I was lucky enough to be surprised with a copy from Walker Books Australia and hadn't heard of it before that either. But my goodness, it was utterly beautiful Benish. Hunt down a copy, you'll absolutely adore it!

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  16. In light of my recent plight with heavy-weighted topics of discussion, it seems as though this one was delivered with grace and sufficiency. I may have to add this to my TBR pile, but for a later date, my emotions are quite drained and I’m in desperate need for some fantasy. Which reminds me! I’m loving Splintered! I have this sudden urge to wear vibrant colored petticoats ha ha! :D

    Lovely review Kelly <3

    Claudia @ My Soul Called Life

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    1. It was simply beautiful Claudia. It's not sad, but paints the boy behind the illness. But it was really heartbreaking to see him struggle, but the funny and really lovely parts far outweigh those.

      Splintered is one of my favourite books, right behind Alice in Wonderland. Book three, yeah, not all that fond of. Wait until you read Unhinged, that was my favourite of the series.

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    2. I just discovered that the boy I thought was going to be her main squeeze in the prose, is Morpheus! I remember you naming him as a threatening villain! What was I thinking!? Ha ha!

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  17. I AM SO GLAD YOU ENJOYED THIS ONE BECAUSE IT IS LITERALLY ONE OF MY NEW TOP FAVOURITES. *hugs this book violently* It basically broke me. Adam...such an adorable adorable thing. Batman and Robin. Like is there anything in this book that is less than excellent?! NOPE. I even love the honey comb cover. Idek, maybe it's not honey comb? It looks like it. My first glance I assumed this book was about Sherlock and a beehive, but, ya know, I'm mostly illiterate.

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    1. It was absolutely brilliant. Beehive and all. Adam is one of the loveliest characters I've ever had the privileged of reading about. I wanted to pop him in my pocket and mother the poor little thing. I already want to reread it.

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  18. OMFG WHY DID I NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS BOOK???! I WANT IT, I NEED IT LIKE NOW! First of all, I absolutely love the male perspective. While some female MC's in YA lose my connection and irk my nerves, the boys never let me down, and I have a feeling this will be NO different. I'm adding this to my amazon wishlist as we speak because I am so intrigued to pick this up. Wonderful review Kelly, there is NEVER a time where I come to your blog and don't want to spend some coins lmao.

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  19. KELLY CAN I HAVE YOUR COPY THEN? hahahah just kidding. I'm loving the fact that this is putting together "superheroes" and mental illness, even though it's not really about superheroes. But still. I WILL HAVE TO GET MY HANDS ON THIS :D

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  20. I love the sound of this book - there's really not enough written about mental illnesses (in a sympathetic and first-hand way). I'll check it out.

    Deb

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  21. I don't think I'll be adding this to my tbr, even though your review is stellar, I will, however, pick up a copy if my library gets it in. It sounds incredibly interesting and I'm so happy to hear that it focuses on mental illness' with realism and delicacy. That is a huge bonus. I do have an inkling this wouldn't be a book I'd enjoy, though, and through your review- don't know if I'm picking this up from nowhere or not- I get the feeling it has certain creepy elements to it. Maybe it's just the mention of the letters.
    Anyway, I'm happy this was such a wonderful read for you! I hope plenty more people find it thanks to your review! x

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