CW: Trichotillomania ( )

(This review can also be found on my blog The (Mis)Adventures of a Twenty-Something Year Old Girl).


I wanted to love this book, I really did. The blurb made me think of Rainbow Rowell's Eleanor & Park. However, this book just fell a bit flat for me.

The title did catch my attention especially since it had the word Creepy in it.

I like the cover of the book. It's just so simple, yet interesting. I think it definitely fits in with the book since the two characters converse from their bedroom windows.

The world building was believable. Most of the story takes place within the confines of Creepy's window and sometimes from Maud's window. It's a very believable setting.

The pacing was really slow. I kept hoping it would pick up at some point, but it never did. At no point, did it pick up even a little bit.

I think the plot had the potential to be interesting. Creepy watches Maud from his bedroom window. Eventually, Maud notices, and they start writing notes to each other and put them in their bedroom window. Maud has a disorder where she pulls out the hair on her body. Creepy is just a strange teen. I just felt that their was no plot development. I kept waiting for some action or plot twist to happen, but nothing did. It's just two teens conversing from their windows.

I liked Maud and Creepy. They have their problems, but they are still likable enough. However, I felt there was no character development either. It would've been nice to have a bit more back story on both characters. All we're told is that Maud and Creepy's families hate each other. It is explained a little bit as to why at least.

Some of the wording is Australian phrasing which I had a hard time understanding. However, it only happens now and again, so the book is easy to understand for other cultures. There is some swearing, but nothing too bad. There is a little bit of violence but no sex or sexual references.

Overall, Creepy & Maud by Dianne Touchell just falls flat from lack of character and plot development. The writing itself wasn't bad though.

Personally, I wouldn't recommend this book unless it has some tweaking when it comes to the characters and the plot.


(I won this book from a competition. I was not required to write a review). ( )

Full review at http://thebookshelfgargoyle.wordpress.com/2013/07/01/whats-in-a-name-challenge-c...

At 3 stars, Creepy and Maud is definitely worth a look if you are searching for something a bit different in the world of YA.

Creepy and Maud is told from the alternating viewpoints of Creepy (not his real name…obviously) and Maud (not her real name….less obviously); teenage neighbours who conduct most of their interactions through the use of binoculars and messages flashed through their respective windows. The story explores how the friendship – if you can call it that – develops amidst the daily dramas of life in the teens’ less than idyllic family settings.

I found this one to be an engaging but unsettling read. It didn't really hit the mark for me in terms of being one to cherish and re-read because I found the characters to be a bit...well, unlikeable really. While I didn't want to abandon the book at any stage, I also didn't particularly connect with any of the characters in the book - possibly due to the spectacularly unhealthy relationship dynamics that abounded.

One to read and think about, rather than read and enjoy for my money.


( )

Well, I didn't think I was going to like it, but I did. A lot! Creepy and Maud are teenagers with social problems ( to say the least). Their home life is problematic. It all sounds too sad. But Touchell has found a voice for her characters that turns them into wise, insightful, yet still teenage, observers. That they seem obviously older than their years requires a little suspension of disbelief but I found it easy. This may be the oddest romance I've ever read but Touchell makes it true and real. I thought the ending was near perfect. ( )