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A review by lololovesthings
Never Been Better by Leanne Toshiko Simpson
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
4 stars!
Wow... "Never Been Better" by Leanne Toshiko Simpson is quite the book. Don't let the bright-looking cover fool you, this is an emotional, often difficult read, that's for sure. For those wondering, I DO NOT think this book is a rom-com. There are slight romantic elements and a ton of dark humor, but it IS NOT a romantic comedy. This book focuses on mental illness, hospitalization for mental illness and su1cidal ideations, rebuilding your life after institutionalization, and moving on when you can't quite get your brain to function "properly." I feel like these are extraordinarily relevant topics for the majority of us, and this was an extremely eye-opening read. The story of Dee, Matt, and Misa is tinged with dark, self-deprecating humor, a little bit of romance, and a lot a bit of vulnerability. Dee, Matt, and Misa met at a psychiatric hospital and became fast friends. Dee wants to be more than friends with Matt as she is smitten with him. A year after their subsequent releases, Dee is still in love with Matt, but Matt is about to get married to Misa, having formed a deeper bond with her after Dee was released early from the psych ward. Dee is invited to their destination wedding and reluctantly RSVPs, attending with the intention of breaking up their relationship and stopping their wedding. She winds up attending with her sister, Tilley, and things do not go as planned. This book is a beautiful ode to figuring life out when you've been saddled with mental illness. It's almost like the bipolar version of "My Best Friend's Wedding." Each of the characters struggles in their own way, whether it be with simple things like finding a job, recovering from trauma, attempting to balance medication, not knowing what the future holds, and whether or not "getting better" is even possible. This story touched me in more ways than one. In a sense, it felt relatable, and I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing?? These characters are deeply flawed and are all too aware of that fact, but are working on their recovery in different ways. This story is soft, harshly realistic, and amusing, and I think a balance is maintained well and successfully. I really liked this book, but I recognize that it won't be for everyone. Be sure to check the TWs and be sure to have tissues handy.
Thank you to NetGalley, Leanne Toshiko Simpson, PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, and G.P. Putnam's Sons for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
Wow... "Never Been Better" by Leanne Toshiko Simpson is quite the book. Don't let the bright-looking cover fool you, this is an emotional, often difficult read, that's for sure. For those wondering, I DO NOT think this book is a rom-com. There are slight romantic elements and a ton of dark humor, but it IS NOT a romantic comedy. This book focuses on mental illness, hospitalization for mental illness and su1cidal ideations, rebuilding your life after institutionalization, and moving on when you can't quite get your brain to function "properly." I feel like these are extraordinarily relevant topics for the majority of us, and this was an extremely eye-opening read. The story of Dee, Matt, and Misa is tinged with dark, self-deprecating humor, a little bit of romance, and a lot a bit of vulnerability. Dee, Matt, and Misa met at a psychiatric hospital and became fast friends. Dee wants to be more than friends with Matt as she is smitten with him. A year after their subsequent releases, Dee is still in love with Matt, but Matt is about to get married to Misa, having formed a deeper bond with her after Dee was released early from the psych ward. Dee is invited to their destination wedding and reluctantly RSVPs, attending with the intention of breaking up their relationship and stopping their wedding. She winds up attending with her sister, Tilley, and things do not go as planned. This book is a beautiful ode to figuring life out when you've been saddled with mental illness. It's almost like the bipolar version of "My Best Friend's Wedding." Each of the characters struggles in their own way, whether it be with simple things like finding a job, recovering from trauma, attempting to balance medication, not knowing what the future holds, and whether or not "getting better" is even possible. This story touched me in more ways than one. In a sense, it felt relatable, and I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing?? These characters are deeply flawed and are all too aware of that fact, but are working on their recovery in different ways. This story is soft, harshly realistic, and amusing, and I think a balance is maintained well and successfully. I really liked this book, but I recognize that it won't be for everyone. Be sure to check the TWs and be sure to have tissues handy.
Thank you to NetGalley, Leanne Toshiko Simpson, PENGUIN GROUP Putnam, and G.P. Putnam's Sons for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt