Cryer's Cross by Lisa McMann

The community of Cryer’s Cross, Montana (population 212) is distraught when high school freshman Tiffany disappears without a trace. Already off-balance due to her OCD, 16-year-old Kendall is freaked out seeing Tiffany’s empty desk in the one-room school house, but somehow life goes on... until Kendall's boyfriend Nico also disappears, and also without a trace. Now the town is in a panic. Alone in her depression and with her OCD at an all-time high, Kendall notices something that connects Nico and Tiffany: they both sat at the same desk. She knows it's crazy, but Kendall finds herself drawn to the desk, dreaming of Nico and wondering if maybe she, too, will disappear...and whether that would be so bad. Then she begins receiving graffiti messages on the desk from someone who can only be Nico. Can he possibly be alive somewhere? Where is he? And how can Kendall help him? The only person who believes her is Jacian, the new guy she finds irritating...and attractive. As Kendall and Jacian grow closer, Kendall digs deeper into Nico's mysterious disappearance only to stumble upon some ugly—and deadly—local history. Kendall is about to find out just how far the townspeople will go to keep their secrets buried.

Summary taken from Goodreads

I loved this story. It was a super unique idea and I don't think anyone but McMann could have played it off. Her writing style is fantastic. She has such a lyrical style that flows so beautifully. The imaginary is so vivid. I think she could an idea that could have been laughable by other authors and turned it into something great.

Kendall was a unique main character, to say the least. She has extreme OCD that effected every area of her life. And she just accepted it as part of herself and was coping with it. I've had no personal experience with OCD but it sounds terrible. Kendall was an extremely strong person for living with it like she was.  

I wish we could have seen more of her and her best friend slash boyfriend's relationship. It was clear he was wonderful to her and they loved each other very much. It sucked that he went missing so quickly before we could really get to know him. Kendall's reaction when he went missing broke my heart so much. I couldn't imagine losing my best friend, but not knowing if he was alive or dead?  That would be a million times worse.


Her and Jacian's relationship was so wonderful. You could tell it was hard for Kendall to let him in, but she was trying so hard. I thought it was so cute and genuine. Jacian was kind of a jerk when he first entered, but once he let his guard down I couldn't get enough of him.

I can't really say much about the missing kids or the desk, because it's all too spoilery. But I will tell you I've never read anything like it. I loved how it all came together. All in all, what a wonderful book!