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A review by biblio_jordyn
This Close to Okay by Leesa Cross-Smith
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This Close to Okay follows Tallie and Emmett. Two people who have met by chance and circumstance. Tallie is driving on a bridge and sees Emmett about to jump and she can’t just walk away. Emmett and Tallie both have their inner demons and this story is how they get This Close to Okay.
What could have been better?
Some parts of what was going on in the relationship with Tallie and Emmett. As a mental health provider parts of it didn’t sit well with me.
What I liked?
The presentation of flawed and relatable characters.
The discussion surrounding mental health and the grounding/therapeutic techniques that are interwoven within the story. They were both accurate and I feel like they could help others.
The constant reminder that it is OKAY to not be okay. Feel how you need to feel, feel it completely. There is no timeline on healing. There is no timeline on grief. There is no timeline on getting yourself where you need to be. Everyone handles things in their own time.
The idea that kindness goes a long way. That someone, somewhere cares and that there’s help out there.
Here are my two favorite quotes:
“Depression was a vacuum that sucked out everything — leaving nothing behind except the burdening of nothingness”
“You’re human and have to reconcile that with yourself somehow, forgive yourself. Allow yourself to feel everything deeply, to grow and learn.”
This book was, overall, a good read. One that I appreciate more the more I sit away from it.
What could have been better?
Some parts of what was going on in the relationship with Tallie and Emmett. As a mental health provider parts of it didn’t sit well with me.
What I liked?
The presentation of flawed and relatable characters.
The discussion surrounding mental health and the grounding/therapeutic techniques that are interwoven within the story. They were both accurate and I feel like they could help others.
The constant reminder that it is OKAY to not be okay. Feel how you need to feel, feel it completely. There is no timeline on healing. There is no timeline on grief. There is no timeline on getting yourself where you need to be. Everyone handles things in their own time.
The idea that kindness goes a long way. That someone, somewhere cares and that there’s help out there.
Here are my two favorite quotes:
“Depression was a vacuum that sucked out everything — leaving nothing behind except the burdening of nothingness”
“You’re human and have to reconcile that with yourself somehow, forgive yourself. Allow yourself to feel everything deeply, to grow and learn.”
This book was, overall, a good read. One that I appreciate more the more I sit away from it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Grief, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Child death and Racism
Minor: Infidelity