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maiahhtratchh's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This story is a reflection of grief and the impacts of our actions, or non actions, on the ones around us. It is gut wrenching as it explores Marin’s life both before and after she left San Francisco to New York. The symbolism of the shells and ocean are mixed with the solid of snow and New York (a bustling city which, at its core, can be quite hollow). The relationship between Marin and Mabel left an ache in my chest and, although it appears that they will move forward together in a different capacity, it still broke my heart, the last chapter of the book. The ending was so beautiful, I kept repeating to myself that something good better happen because it’s just so heartbreakingly awful what Marin went through and, although it wasn’t the fairytale happily ever after it was a realistic portrayal of familial love. I will have to reread this in the future
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Abandonment and Suicide
Minor: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders
Emotional neglect is a strong theme in this bookalice_lackoflife's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I geniuently can't decide if i hate this or love it. Part of me hates this so much but only because of how much it made me feel. Part of me loves it because of well everything
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Grief
Minor: Abandonment
sarahcothron's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Abandonment, Death of parent, and Mental illness
ghostlyprince's review
emotional
reflective
tense
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, Death, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Abandonment and Terminal illness
Minor: Alcohol, Sexual content, and Suicide
lapetite's review against another edition
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? It's complicated
4.0
I loved how quiet and devastating this novel was. I loved how it surprised me with its simplicity, the sucker punch of emotion and how gently yet viscerally grief is explored. I cried a few times while reading this, mostly because I wished I could go into the page and hug Marin. Her pain is both foreign and familiar to me, but I am glad I read this novel now after silently admiring LaCour's work for years but never daring to read one of her works for fear that it would hit too close to home. To be fair, it did hit close to home, but I made it through.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment and Grief
Moderate: Death of parent and Terminal illness
Minor: Suicide
urnkurtz's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Abandonment, and Mental illness
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Terminal illness
ilona_cupfulofpoetry's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Before I begin my review let me just preface by saying that this book is incredibly triggering, and if you like me went through depression in the past then be careful reading this.
This was the favorite book of a friend of mine who too, one day vanished without a word. Now over a year later I finally got the opportunity to read it myself. It was as achingly beautiful as I expected, and more so. The different relationships between the characters were fascinating to read and study, and I adored our main heroine with my whole heart. The literally references were also well done, and I liked the ghost symbolism. Overall a stunning book, will definitely be returning to it.
This was the favorite book of a friend of mine who too, one day vanished without a word. Now over a year later I finally got the opportunity to read it myself. It was as achingly beautiful as I expected, and more so. The different relationships between the characters were fascinating to read and study, and I adored our main heroine with my whole heart. The literally references were also well done, and I liked the ghost symbolism. Overall a stunning book, will definitely be returning to it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Abandonment and Death
Minor: Sexual harassment
reading_rainbows's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book slowly unfolds, mirroring the process of grieving. Don't read this if you don't want to cry.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Death of parent
lindseyhall44's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
“I know that I am always lonely, even when surrounded by people, so I let the emptiness in.”
“We are Okay” follows Marin before and after an experience which will change her life forever. Utilizing flashbacks to contrast with present day, Marin tries to reforge a bond with her old best friend Mabel, digging up betrayal and pain throughout the process.
I related to many aspects of the novel, which made it such a compelling read. Grieving was portrayed with such insight, and the relationship dynamics expressed that family can mean more than those who we share blood with. The prose was beautiful as well, which surprised me, because third person narrative is almost always my favorite.”
What bumped down the rating was a few plot holes that were underdeveloped or ignored; but, this novel is character driven so more emphasis was put on emotional growth.
“We are Okay” follows Marin before and after an experience which will change her life forever. Utilizing flashbacks to contrast with present day, Marin tries to reforge a bond with her old best friend Mabel, digging up betrayal and pain throughout the process.
I related to many aspects of the novel, which made it such a compelling read. Grieving was portrayed with such insight, and the relationship dynamics expressed that family can mean more than those who we share blood with. The prose was beautiful as well, which surprised me, because third person narrative is almost always my favorite.”
What bumped down the rating was a few plot holes that were underdeveloped or ignored; but, this novel is character driven so more emphasis was put on emotional growth.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Grief, Mental illness, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Abandonment, Terminal illness, Suicide, and Sexual content
Minor: Alcohol and Drug use
thecourtofreading'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? Yes
4.75
"what i mean is, don't be a person who seeks out grief. there is enough of that in life."
this story is so beautiful and so underrated. i've hardly seen anyone talk about it, but this book moved me to tears several times. following the tragedy of her past life, marin flees los angeles to start university in new york. nobody really knows what happened to her in the events leading up to her departure, not even her best friend mabel. but mabel comes to visit marin in her snowy new york dorm, and marin can't keep her demons inside her forever. sooner or later you have to face them.
"i listened to the same heartbroken song the entire bus ride home, because it was still a summer when sadness was beautiful."
it follows a dual perspective, the author detailing the present and the past, leading up to what happened to marin that left her so empty. the way nina lacour writes grips you, reels you in, and then you're hanging onto every word she's saying. grief is interwoven between the lines, and this book is one of those ones that really makes you think about life. it reminds me of those vulnerable 3am moments where everything you say feels different than if it was said at 3pm in the afternoon. it's very deep and reflective and it's going to be on my mind for a long time.
"these are all the things that change a person. if we endure them and we aren't changed, then something is wrong."
i loved all of these characters dearly. each one is so fleshed out that they almost feel real, like i'm really there on ocean beach with marin and mabel, like i'm really in marin's house with her gramps, like i'm really sitting there in marin's dorm room. i did find myself crying and i'll admit that. it was one of those sad books where you're sitting there, thinking "can this can any worse", and although it doesn't, things don't really seem to get any better. the ending was satisfying though. although fairly open ended, it was what i needed after such a rollercoaster of emotions.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death, and Mental illness
Moderate: Abandonment, Death of parent, and Suicide