A review by sfbookgirl
This Close to Okay by Leesa Cross-Smith

dark emotional sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

This story is about two strangers, Tallie and Emmett, and how their lives collide over the course of a weekend. I really enjoyed certain elements of the book (mental health awareness, racism, the relationship between the two main characters, and the alternating perspectives) but where the book falls short for me is the dialogue and the pacing. Despite this, the story is touching and beautifully articulates the power of relationships. 
 
The book begins with Tallie, driving on a bridge in Kentucky, when by happenstance, notices Emmett dangling over the edge, about to end his life. What follows is a weekend of relationship building and how these two strangers learn how to heal from past traumas together. Heartbreaking, this narrative showcases human vulnerability and the need for comfort.
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