Gone By Winter

Social anxiety sucks! Just ask Brandon, due to his inability to talk to people his life was a vast ocean of loneliness. He had come to terms with the fact he would spend the rest of his life alone in this small town, and he was okay with that. Then, one slow night at work, she walked in, and he was mesmerized. Summer's bright red hair was calling to him like a beacon in the night. His pulse began to race as he battles his anxiety and tries to start a conversation. After a rocky start, he finds out she had moved from Texas to his hometown, but would soon be leaving again for college. He thinks that even if she leaves he could at least make a new friend, and even though she warned him he wants to see where things go. They start off as church buddies, but can Brandon get past his social anxiety to make it more?Review by bookstabirb from Instagram:"Brandon suffers from social anxiety ever since his parents passed away. He despises being around people, until one day at work his life takes a sharp turn - he falls in love. But then, something happens and his anxiety gets the best of him, making him do something from which it was too late to turn back when he finally questioned it.This is an intense book from start to finish. All Brandon's emotions and thoughts are so intricately described, it seems we are on the rollercoaster of his life and the brakes have failed. I love how the story portrays exactly how annoying and persistent anxious thoughts can be in an anxiety disorder (here, social anxiety) and at every turn in the story I wanted to reach out to Brandon and pull him away from those thoughts, comfort him and help him think rationally.A very realistic, fast-paced, suspenseful short read. #bookrecommendation for anyone curious about anxiety disorders and for anyone who needs to be reminded they're not alone."