THIS IS MY BRAIN IN LOVE by I.W. Gregorio is a unique combination of love story and mental health issues. Will and Jocelyn meet when Will applies for a job opening at Jocelyn's family's Chinese restaurant. Worry about the restaurant's financial situation prompted Jocelyn to seek out help with marketing the business.
The two hit it off as they brainstorm ways to promote A-Plus Chinese Garden. Will is welcomed as part of the business until Jocelyn's father catches the two kissing after a movie date. Both the teens are disappointed that their budding romance is derailed, but it could be for the best as they both discover they each have anxiety/depression issues that might cause future problems.
Will has been in therapy for years and has a fairly good handle on his anxiety. He hasn't had a panic attack for quite some time. His feelings do seem to be accelerated by his desires for Jocelyn and his need to do his job well and increase business for the restaurant.
Jocelyn's mental health has taken second place in her desire to please her family and not bring shame on her Asian immigrants. When Will wants her to face her depression, she withdraws leaving them both questioning their relationship.
Author I.W. Gregorio shares her own mental health struggles in comments at the conclusion of Will and Jocelyn's story. Many other books end with hotline numbers to call, but Gregorio goes a step further to provide what she calls "warmline" services and a connection to sources that deal with cultural attitudes toward mental health.
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