I've heard you don't look mentally ill at least a half a dozen times from my former friends. I blame the media, stereotyping "mental illness" and calling every murderer since Manson crazy. People always seem to be expecting wide eyes and a kitchen knife dripping with blood. 
 The thing that compelled me the most to pick up this book was that the main character was refreshing- meaning, I haven't seen/heard of many books concentrating on agoraphobia very much. Mental health issues are obviously very tricky and complex things to write about, and it's difficult to relay the thoughts & emotions associated with mental illness into a character on paper. But, Louise Gornall did a fantabulous job! 
 I've never met anyone with Agoraphobia before, but Norah felt so real. I love love LOVE how she wasn't narcissistic about her illness, but rather very honest. I love how Norah's emotions towards her illness felt very real; she would often refer to & state how she is aware of certain things being "irrational", but things must be done the way they are, otherwise she would freak out. I love how she tried to fight her depression. I can only imagine how lonesome it must be to not be able to ever leave your house, or even walk outside, and I felt as though Norah the fact that Norah kept telling herself, basically, to not let the depression be a contribution to her already chaotic life. 
 Unfortunately, there are times where the depression wins. So, be forewarned that there are some triggering scenes in the book> 
 I NEED TO SAY HOW MUCH I LOVE LUKE. If I've ever had a book boyfriend, he would probably be the only one I would ever need. Seriously. He's charming, funny, patient, understanding.. He isn't pushy, he doesn't get agitated, he doesn't complain. He makes the story so full of hope & joy that it made me want to jump inside the book & pull him out into the real-world! 
 With this being said, don't get the wrong idea! Although the book has a romantic interest, it doesn't focus on the romantic part too much & even when it does, it still pursues Norah's agoraphobia. This isn't a book where the M.C meets a boy & he magically and inexplicably cures her of all her ailments and they trail off into the sunset. Nope. No, siree, Bob! But it IS adorable and it shows just how much of a learning experience Luke goes through to understand Norah & her condition. 
 And about that ending.......... HMMMMM ;) 
 I would absolutely recommend this book. Especially to those interested in Mental Illness focused books. It's been told that Louise has experienced the same conditions as Norah & she did an AMAZING job at portraying the illness on paper! READ IT, NOW!