This Close to Okay

Genre: Contemporary

Book Type: Physical

Author: Leesa Cross-Smith

Pages: 320

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing (February 2, 2021)

Book Description:

On a rainy October night in Kentucky, recently divorced therapist Tallie Clark is on her way home from work when she spots a man precariously standing at the edge of a bridge. Without a second thought, Tallie pulls over and jumps out of the car into the pouring rain. She convinces the man to join her for a cup of coffee, and he eventually agrees to come back to her house, where he finally shares his name: Emmett.

Over the course of the emotionally charged weekend that follows, Tallie makes it her mission to provide a safe space for Emmett, though she hesitates to confess that this is also her day job. What she doesn’t realize is that Emmett isn’t the only one who needs healing—and they both are harboring secrets.

Alternating between Tallie and Emmett’s perspectives as they inch closer to the truth of what brought Emmett to the bridge’s edge—as well as the hard truths Tallie has been grappling with since her marriage ended— This Close to Okay is an uplifting, cathartic story about chance encounters, hope found in unlikely moments, and the subtle magic of human connection.

Thoughts:

Sometimes there is a book that gives a refreshing perspective of how beautiful the world could be if we all focused on caring and understanding versus judging. This was a beautiful story about two strangers who cross paths and forever change their lives. We need some more Tallie’s in this world. Her outlook on life, ability to love and lack of judgement made me feel there is good like this that is out there. She starts out yelling, “Hey! I see you! You don’t know me, but I care about you!”… I mean, how many lives can be saved with these words told to someone going through a difficult time?! This was a beautiful story on the act of forgiveness: the forgiveness of others and of oneself. I wanted a little more in the end, but overall, great book!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

#chicklit #Contemporary #drama #mentalhealth