(April 5, 2012) -- When I first picked up Lexapros and Cons, the debut teen fiction novel by Aaron Karo, I was a little afraid it was going to be another formulaic and boring tale of a teenager and his or her neatly packaged love interest. I was quickly pulled into reading by its strangely frank opening and was surprised to find myself several chapters in and still charging ahead.

Lexapros and Cons is primarily a teen book, focusing on the struggles of Chuck Taylor, a senior in high school trying to deal with his severe Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). In his final year of school, Chuck is just trying to keep his head down so he can get out and leave for college. His efforts are only hurt when his family puts him in therapy, his best friend has to deal with a bully, and he becomes smitten by the new girl. The novel is told from Chuck’s perspective, and his voice is what really makes this book great.

Although it has a lot of the tropes from regular teen fiction, the unique elements and Karo’s style make it supremely engaging. It took me only two reading sessions to finish this book, and it left me wanting more. At first, I didn’t know if I would suggest the book to anyone.  The subject matter is very specific, and OCD is not an easy topic to understand. But as I read, I realized that this is a book that anyone can read, and really help one understand OCD from the perspective of someone who has OCD.

Chuck is a relatable character for any teenager, not just somebody suffering from OCD. His emotions seem real, and his language feels real. Because of this authenticity, the book includes a lot of profanity. If you’re uncomfortable with curse words, I suggest considering a different book. There is also a lot of sexual content in the book, beginning on the very first page. There isn’t any explicit sex, but if you’re sensitive about suggestive language or innuendo, you may want to pass on this book.

Other than that, this book is a fantastic teen novel.  Karo has brought a lot of his own experience and personal style to this book, making Lexapros and Cons standout among its peers. If you’re looking for a good love story or an honest novel about teen life with OCD, then Lexapros and Cons is definitely a good book to pick up.