Reviews

Alles okay by Nina LaCour

cera_novak's review against another edition

medium-paced

4.0

blurrypetals's review against another edition

3.0

I've seen this book in Barnes and Noble every time I've gone there for the last while and every single one of those times I've either tucked it under my arm with the intention of buying it only to set it down and remind myself I couldn't afford it OR I've taken a photo of the cover so I'd remember to add it to my Goodreads and, maybe, my wishlist. So, when I got the text that my library had a copy of the audiobook held and ready for me to pick up, I was pretty excited. Especially after stumbling upon Adam Silvera's achingly lovely and LGBTQ+ contemporaries and seeing, "If you liked History is All You Left Me and They Both Die at the End, then you might like We Are Okay, which only stood to make me even more excited. Was this going to be a cute love story wrapped in a tragic plot? I hoped so.

And I was disappointed. Not nearly so much that I hated it, but just enough that, when I got to the end, I felt underwhelmed by just about everything that wasn't the narrator's voice and the gorgeous, eye-catching cover. The prose was occasionally lovely but it wasn't consistently so. The "plot twist" came off as forced and wasn't nearly impactful enough for me as a reader to feel as duped at Marin felt. The romance was cute, sure, but there wasn't enough to call it a romance and there wasn't enough of anything else to categorize it under. It felt like something that should have been a bit longer, a bit more sugary in some places, and a lot more bitter in others. The emotions just ended up feeling distant and dull to me as a reader. I never felt that connection with Marin, or even with Mabel, and the events just sort of came and went without leaving much of anything behind. I wanted to learn more about the ceramics shop keeper, I wanted to hear more about Marin and Mabel's friendship and blossoming romance, I wanted more.

But all I got was just a slice of what could have been the best cake ever. It tasted pretty good while it lasted, but by the time the plate was empty, I was left feeling disappointed and wanting the rest.

tenshifae's review against another edition

4.0

4.5* rounded down

I think this book is the best that it could be, I highly recommend it. I don't think there is anything that could be changed to make it better, but yet I do not think it is a 5 star book. I think perhaps with more time - more explanations and more exploration I would rate it a 5 star, but as it is it is very lovely.

I initially didn't care as much for the book, but as it progressed I became more and more interested. I related a lot to Marin, and it made me want to try to heal, change, or just live for a single moment. We will be okay... we are okay.

luxsona's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful sad slow-paced

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

4.0

Beautifully written. It sort of reminds me of the game, Omori, in that both novels tackle very similar themes about nostalgia and the past.

What I enjoyed most about this book:

• The voice: This book is written in first person, and almost every single word reveals something about Marin's character. 
• The pacing: Nina LaCour knows how to pace this book really well. There were moments where we see brief flits of emotion and description, but there were also incredibly tense moments that hooked me in throughout. I remembered standing up straighter throughout several moments.
• The characterization: This is a very character-centric book. The focus of this novel sits entirely within the characters and gets in their heads quite a fair bit, so life-like characters are vital. Fortunately, Marin, Mabel, and all of their friends and family feel incredibly life-like. You can understand what they go through throughout the entire novel.

Notes:

• (Spoilers for the ending of the novel!)
  The one thing that confused me just slightly was the ending. It felt like the novel was trying to emphasize this idea of "moving forward", and accepting the past. However, the novel ends with Marin accepting the idea of returning to Mabel's family home. This plot-beat feels slightly off-kilter when compared to the rest of the novel and the theming that it was going for. This is just a minor nitpick, though.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment

Moderate: Alcoholism, Terminal illness, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , and Alcohol

tell_them_stories's review against another edition

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

4.5

buecherkroete's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

rip2myyouth_'s review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

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

4.0

such a good story on loneliness and grief and how a girl tries to overcome it, it truly touched my heart </3

oatmilk_enjoyer03's review against another edition

3.0

3.5/5 This was a good book. Not incredible, but I enjoyed it.

indiaplumtree's review against another edition

5.0

Wow, I’m shook. I want to give this book a hug and hold it forever. This book broke me and put me back together. There were so many types of love in this book and my heart has just melted. This was the best Christmas book, it was subtle in that sense but so thoughtful and meaningful with the context added.
I love books that include friendship and this was it, but the love included just.. wow.

I ordered this book after seeing a 5 ⭐️ review and I’m so glad I did, ordered it from America and it took a month to come but oh man it was SO worth the wait.

Everyone should read this, I have no words with how whole I feel.

coco43cl's review against another edition

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.5