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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was an interesting read that largely takes place over the span of a weekend. I was intrigued by the italicized sections and it definitely made more sense towards the end. I was able to guess a good bit of what was going on before the reveal but was still surprised by a particular twist I didn't see coming so I liked that I wasn't able to guess everything.
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
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
This Close to Okay is full of twists and turns that will make you smile and break your heart. Tallie & Emmett weekend of healing, is what I liked to call it, had so many great conversations. I love Tallie's character and she makes me think of myself in so many silly and meaningful ways. A solid 4/5.
Reached page 81 and it’s a definite no for me I’m afraid. The story is too slow and drawn out, not to mention very unrealistic.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
This beautiful novel opens as a recently divorced therapist, on her way home from work, sees a man about to jump off a bridge. The rest of the novel takes place over a single weekend, a slow burn of learning who the other is, the secrets they are keeping, and which of them really matter. I read the first half of the book a little at a time throughout the week and then the second half all at once late last night, finishing it in full sobs after midnight. Somehow heartbreaking and heartwarming all at the same time, in every single page. Can’t recommend it enough.
Or, according to the note my grandma left in it for me “I loved this book. So sweet all the way through.” 🤣 #BobbieTalksBooks
Or, according to the note my grandma left in it for me “I loved this book. So sweet all the way through.” 🤣 #BobbieTalksBooks
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt
This book captivated me from the beginning and I loved how the stories of Tallie and Emmett were woven together and loved that it touched on the important topic of mental health. I also loved that the author is from my hometown, Louisville, and that is where the book took place, so made it a little extra fun to read.
If a book can hold my attention and I can finish it in a day, it must be pretty good. I like reading about relationships and this was a woozy.
Tallie Clark, a licensed therapist, quickly stopped her car after spotting a man, Emmett Aaron Baker, on the edge of a tall bridge in Louisville getting ready to jump. Her instincts went in gear. She immediately stopped her car and got close enough to try to convince him otherwise. As a therapist, her goal was always "to help people be kinder to themselves and others; to make the world a safer, sweeter place" and she felt like she was doing her job.
She somehow managed to convince him to go to a coffee shop and talk. And yet she calculated her responses carefully not giving him a hint on what she did for a living. She was 40 years old, married once but now single. He, too, just happened to be single, a little younger and good looking. It wasn't easy for her to get him to open up but little by little, he told her things. And she shared bits and pieces about her life as well. Then the story got a little more interesting.
All along, I was hoping for Tallie and Emmett to fall in love and be happy together. That's what the all American love story is all about. But we also know that unexpected things can happen. Overall, I enjoyed this book. The author made the words flow like a fast moving river as the characters came alive.
I will look forward to reading other books by Leesa Cross-Smith in the future.
Tallie Clark, a licensed therapist, quickly stopped her car after spotting a man, Emmett Aaron Baker, on the edge of a tall bridge in Louisville getting ready to jump. Her instincts went in gear. She immediately stopped her car and got close enough to try to convince him otherwise. As a therapist, her goal was always "to help people be kinder to themselves and others; to make the world a safer, sweeter place" and she felt like she was doing her job.
She somehow managed to convince him to go to a coffee shop and talk. And yet she calculated her responses carefully not giving him a hint on what she did for a living. She was 40 years old, married once but now single. He, too, just happened to be single, a little younger and good looking. It wasn't easy for her to get him to open up but little by little, he told her things. And she shared bits and pieces about her life as well. Then the story got a little more interesting.
All along, I was hoping for Tallie and Emmett to fall in love and be happy together. That's what the all American love story is all about. But we also know that unexpected things can happen. Overall, I enjoyed this book. The author made the words flow like a fast moving river as the characters came alive.
I will look forward to reading other books by Leesa Cross-Smith in the future.