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A review by k_lenn
This Close to Okay by Leesa Cross-Smith
2.0
I'm rating this a whole two stars (instead of just one) simply because Brilliant decision from the author IMO.
Licensed therapist Tallie makes several unprofessional and unethical choices in This Close to Okay, and male lead Emmett (though I don't believe he should be held to the same standards as a mental health professional) was frustrating sometimes too. Huuuuge lack of boundaries and common decency on both sides.
I can forgive Tallie inviting somebody in a crisis into her home. While unprofessional and very risky, therapists aren't perfect and I definitely know extremely empathetic people who'd do the same. What I can't forgive, however, is everything else:, etc. A single unprofessional or unethical choice is one thing, but several is another.
Also, I feel like the author/editor/publisher knew what criticism was coming and made an attempt at covering their bases. When Tallie lusts after a suicidal man, the book proclaims that depression isn't sexy... and then portrays Emmett as a tragically-broken-but-perfect dream guy. Later, Emmett insists she didn't take advantage of him because he's a "grown man". Remember- Tallie is a licensed mental health professional who took him home in a state of vulnerability after talking him down from suicide, lied about her profession, How is that not taking advantage?
And also... "lilac puff energy", "lesbian half the time,".... I won't even get myself started on those two.
I personally didn't find this book helpful or inspiring- I struggle with my mental health and definitely wouldn't appreciate being in Emmett's shoes. But if this book helped YOU in any way, I'm very glad for its existence.
Spoiler
they don't end up together at the end.Licensed therapist Tallie makes several unprofessional and unethical choices in This Close to Okay, and male lead Emmett (though I don't believe he should be held to the same standards as a mental health professional) was frustrating sometimes too. Huuuuge lack of boundaries and common decency on both sides.
I can forgive Tallie inviting somebody in a crisis into her home. While unprofessional and very risky, therapists aren't perfect and I definitely know extremely empathetic people who'd do the same. What I can't forgive, however, is everything else:
Spoiler
a mental health professional going through a stranger's pockets and stealing his personal letters after "rescuing" him, taking him to a Halloween party instead of a hospital for professional evaluation, having sex with somebody clearly in a crisis and using him so her family "gossips positively" about her, leaving a very suicidal man alone (after promising to drive him to the bridge he had his last suicide attempt on),Also, I feel like the author/editor/publisher knew what criticism was coming and made an attempt at covering their bases. When Tallie lusts after a suicidal man, the book proclaims that depression isn't sexy... and then portrays Emmett as a tragically-broken-but-perfect dream guy. Later, Emmett insists she didn't take advantage of him because he's a "grown man". Remember- Tallie is a licensed mental health professional who took him home in a state of vulnerability after talking him down from suicide, lied about her profession,
Spoiler
and then slept with him.And also... "lilac puff energy", "lesbian half the time,".... I won't even get myself started on those two.
I personally didn't find this book helpful or inspiring- I struggle with my mental health and definitely wouldn't appreciate being in Emmett's shoes. But if this book helped YOU in any way, I'm very glad for its existence.