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This Close to Okay cover art

This Close to Okay

Written by: Leesa Cross-Smith
Narrated by: Kamali Minter, Zeno Robinson
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Publisher's Summary

A powerful, vibrant novel about the life-changing weekend shared between two strangers, from the award-winning writer Roxane Gay calls "a consummate storyteller."​

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.

Book of the Month December Pick

Good Housekeeping Book Club February Pick

Marie Claire Book Club March Pick

Most Anticipated by Elle, Today (according to Goodreads), The Millions, She Reads, and Real Simple

Recommended by Refinery29, Shondaland, Oprah Daily, Washington Post, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Electric Literature, Bookriot, Parade, Harper's Bazaar, and more
©2021 Leesa Cross-Smith (P)2021 Hachette Audio
Literature & Fiction Women's Fiction World Literature Literary Fiction Genre Fiction
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What the critics say

"One of those rare feel-good novels that also crackles with wisdom, This Close to Okay introduces readers to two characters who will come to feel like cherished friends.... Over the course of a single weekend, their many conversations on love, loss, grief, and joy coalesce into a primer on human goodness.” (Elle)

“Leesa Cross-Smith’s This Close to Okay navigates difficult subjects with great tenderness and the beautiful, emotionally rich language she’s known for. By turns heartbreaking, charming, surprising and funny, Cross-Smith deftly explores what it means to be okay in the face of what life hands us.” (Elizabeth Crane, author of The History of Great Things)

"An emotional, uplifting tale of hope, chosen family, and the healing power of human connection, especially at the moments when we’re most determined to be alone.” (Good Housekeeping)

What listeners say about This Close to Okay

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Profile Image for Mae L.

An addicting audiobook

Wow! I really enjoyed this one! My favourite genre is usually mystery/ suspense but wow! Kamali Minter and Zeno Robinson did excellent with the narrations of the main characters Tallie and Emmett. I loved Zeno Robinson’s narration of Black Buck. When I saw he was one of the narrators for this novel, I knew I had to download it right away! After listening, I am also now a fan of Kamali’s narrations.

I can only imagine how well written the novel is. Leesa Cross-Smith did well on keeping me on edge and wanting me to listen more. The whole setting mainly revolves around one entire weekend. Leesa did well describing the emotions and intimacy of the characters. I appreciated that many real life issues of depression, mental illness, suicide, insecurity, jealousy, family, relationships, loss of faith, infertility and infidelity were embedded throughout this novel. The ending was not predictable for me, but I was happy that it ended on a positive note. I have not decided if I was happy with novel ending the way it did or if I would have liked to listen to more. I cannot get into depth about my thoughts on the ending without any spoilers, so I will hold off. I do think if the novel went on to be longer, the ending would have likely been predictable. I highly recommend this book/ audiobook. Keep in mind it may not be for everyone, especially with triggers (mental illness, depression, suicide, infidelity and infertility).

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Profile Image for Anonymous User

Terrible

Really poor grammatical structure and elementary writing, this novel read like a pulp fiction book quickly written without much thought to storyline or writing.

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