Reviews

Content Warnings: Heavy themes of grief and death, loss, abandonment, mental health issues, underage (high school teen) sex mention, alcohol mention, suicide (implied), parental death, drowning, cancer (mention), blood, smoking.

This book rended my heart open. By the time I finished it, all of the tears that I've been holding in for weeks and weeks were spilling down my cheeks. This one hit a deeply personal note with me in regards to the main character, and for her story. Sometimes the authors do that. And while the tone of the book was heartbreaking in and of itself, it's the oh. moment at the end of the book that had me holding onto my pillow for dear life.
As far as the writing goes, I cannot find a single fault with the way this story was told. It was relatable, a fairly easy read - a believable one with realistic struggles and trajectory. The author has clearly mastered the art of storytelling - because I had gotten a vague idea of what was transpiring, but I didn't know any of the major plot points until I knew them.
It's a quick read. Audiobook is about 5 hours long if you listen to it at regular speed. But it packs all of the feelings into those five hours and my heart aches for anyone who finds themselves in this story. Please consider yourself hugged and supplied with a warm blanket and beverage.
Anyone looking to find whether this book is age-appropriate should use their own discretion. The book contains really heavy themes of grief and complex emotions, and does contain a blip of a sex scene and deals with themes surrounding a sexual/romantic relationship. I would say high-school and up appropriate, but again, use your own judgment. The main character is 18, though there are flashbacks from the time she was 14-17 throughout the book.
I would write a more eloquent review but would you believe that I'm still crying and touched and moved so deeply by this book that I will let the five stars and my silence speak for the respect and love I hold for this read.
I honestly do not think the author could have done a better job in telling this story, and teaching the lessons that it meant to teach and showcasing what this book was about. Beautiful.

nikikuki's review against another edition

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4.0

A short good read

matheamae's review against another edition

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5.0

Pleasantly surprised by this one! Not often am I swept away by a YA Book like I was with "we are okay"... The depiction of grief, the relationship with her grandfather... Overall a five star book for me. The last page did bring the waterworks, can't deny.

felicia__ortins98's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

squilvia's review against another edition

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emotional sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

It was okay. A couple of my friends suggested this book to me while I was looking for a book that deal with grief and loneliness. The writing is simple and easy to digest. But was it emotional? Not really.

But my anger issue 📈📈📈 when Mabel asked whether Marin was interested in anyone and when she said no, Mabel had the audacity to double down by suggesting Marin should think about it because her words: 'It would make me feel better, and it would make YOU feel better too.'

And then she just keep going! 😒 mind your own business. Marin barely keeping it together after her grandpa passed, and here you are trying to convince her to consider getting into a relationship. Let her heal first ffs. If I'm not mistaken with the timeline, grandpa died and Marin ran away for about four months and she already moved on that FAST and found someone to replace Marin without a proper break up text? Like, I know she ain't replying, but STILL. And don't bs me by saying they're in a situationship. They kissed and slept together for so many times, known each other for years and apparently they just become sisters at the end? 😂 Weird. Anywayyyyyy.

Just be happy with Jacob and leave Marin alone to heal in peace and at her own pace. Life is not just about romantic relationship.

"I thought I'd never love another person." -Mabel
"I thought that, too." -Marin
"I guess we should have known better." -Mabel

Me: 🤨🤨🤨🤨🤨 gurlll, you know she ain't over you yet. Why you said that??

There are also other dialogues that make me dislike her character so much such as her explanation which on why she got with Jacob:

"It's not that I met him and forgot about you. I was trying to move on. You didn't give me other options... All it would have taken was one word from you and I wouldn't have gone (on a date with him)... I'm not trying to make you feel guilty. I'm happy now, with him (okay? 😒) BUT I wouldn't be with him if you'd answered me."

EXCUSE meeee? I mean, sure, Marin just disappeared, but both of them would eventually have gone their separate ways regardless since they studied so far away from each other. Just say that you can't wait, you're lonely, or you naturally lost feelings for Marin because of the distance between the two of you. No need to be passive aggressively blaming Marin when she already apologized for so many times too.

Screw you Mable. But hey, I think I'll be okay. Maybe. Random rant over. 😂 love Marin though.

esmuldi's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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