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georgiajala's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
The writing for this book just felt really lazy. There were several lines where it seemed metaphors were just thrown together but didn’t add any actual meaning. For example, when Emmitt/Rye describes his wife he says, “Her beauty: spectacularly normal, timeless. Practical and clean, like a girl on a bar of soap.” (113). What does that mean?? Who wants to be described as a bar of soap? I don’t know but a lot of the writing just felt really off to me.
I also couldn’t get past the fact that Tallie’s character just felt so cheesy and unrealistic. She’s described as an “empath” and just overly trusting because she can read people’s energy??
My expectations for this book were low to begin with just going off the cover but I was hoping for something fun and easy to read. This story just felt very bizarre and had characters that didn’t feel real to me at all.
I thought the ending was cute though.
Also, Emmitt was married to a woman but didn’t know what a pencil skirt was?? The writing made it seem like he was an alien or something.
I also couldn’t get past the fact that Tallie’s character just felt so cheesy and unrealistic. She’s described as an “empath” and just overly trusting because she can read people’s energy??
My expectations for this book were low to begin with just going off the cover but I was hoping for something fun and easy to read. This story just felt very bizarre and had characters that didn’t feel real to me at all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Chronic illness, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
caitlyn_baldwin's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This novel was beautiful and poignant. It was cathartic to watch the characters work through their struggles and finally address the things they've been running from. There were some not completely expected twists that really built this piece up, my only personal preference would be to have a little bit stronger of an ending. I like seeing things wrapped up with a bow and while this did not necessarily scratch that itch, I did appreciate the possibility that was left open.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death, Death, Infertility, Mental illness, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, and Suicide attempt
garrisonabbey's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-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
4.75
ahhhhh!!!! this was a seemingly peaceful read for a book filled with topics so heavy. the writing truly sucked me in, both main characters dwindled around each other so perfectly. this book is a perfect example of exploring new relationships and finding yourself within other people.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Child death
adelinegrace's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Infertility, Mental illness, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
Minor: Trafficking and Alcohol
reneethebookbird's review against another edition
hopeful
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Infertility, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Alcohol
kaylasoos's review against another edition
inspiring
fast-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
5.0
Loved this book. Emotionally intense, but hopeful and moving.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Child death, Infertility, and Infidelity
evelync's review against another edition
4.75
This book broke me in every possible way. It is such a heavy book but it felt therapeutic at the same time. My heart broke so many times for our characters and I just wanted to console them. While they both did questionable things that they felt were justified it was hard to actually be mad at them for doing what they did. The author's note is so important! And I truly hold this book in a special place!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Infertility, Infidelity, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
cyrinw98's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Infertility, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Sexual harassment
ribbitingreads's review against another edition
4.0
Reading This Close to Okay by Lessa Cross-Smith was the equivalent of going to therapy for me. This was a heavy read as it deals with topics such as death of a child and wife, suicide attempts, and depression. This is not an easy read at all, but I feel like I got so much more out of it because of that.
The story starts with Emmett sitting on the edge of the bridge, ready to jump off into the lake. Tallie, a therapist on her way home during a rainstorm, spots him and convinces him off the edge. Thus, their lives begin to entangle as they begin to heal from their individual pains.
I related a lot to Emmett’s way of thinking throughout the book surprising. I understood it and I had times where I believed to same things. I never wrote and mailed my family a goodbye letter though. This novel reminds me of the quote by Louis and Champagne: “There will always be a reason why you meet people. Either you need to change your life, or you’re the one that’ll change theirs”.
Both Tallie and Emmett were catalysts for each other. Cross-Smith did a beautiful job to capture the essence of grief and the aftermath of loss.
The story starts with Emmett sitting on the edge of the bridge, ready to jump off into the lake. Tallie, a therapist on her way home during a rainstorm, spots him and convinces him off the edge. Thus, their lives begin to entangle as they begin to heal from their individual pains.
I related a lot to Emmett’s way of thinking throughout the book surprising. I understood it and I had times where I believed to same things. I never wrote and mailed my family a goodbye letter though. This novel reminds me of the quote by Louis and Champagne: “There will always be a reason why you meet people. Either you need to change your life, or you’re the one that’ll change theirs”.
Both Tallie and Emmett were catalysts for each other. Cross-Smith did a beautiful job to capture the essence of grief and the aftermath of loss.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death, Death, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
mbailee's review against another edition
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The main message I took away was that things happen to us regardless, it out responsibility to give those things meaning or let them go to serve our own development.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt