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This Close to Okay
This Close to Okay: A Novel | Leesa Cross-Smith
From the award-winning Southern writer who Roxane Gay calls "a consummate storyteller" comes a cathartic novel about the life-changing weekend shared between two strangers: a therapist and the man she prevents from ending his life. 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 on the side 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. But what she doesn't realize is that he's not the only one who needs healing -- and she's not the only one with 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 in her own life -- This Close to Okay is a vibrant, powerful story of two strangers brought together by wild chance at the moment they needed each other most.
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readwithcori
This Close to Okay: A Novel | Leesa Cross-Smith
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Pickpick

A therapist and a man standing on the edge of a bridge. Beautiful, romantic, painful and emotional. A slow start but worth it to read until the very end. #LitsyLoveReads

TW: Suicide

25 likes1 comment
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Gryffleclaw95
This Close to Okay: A Novel | Leesa Cross-Smith
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Bailedbailed

It‘s been a long time since I DNF‘d a book, and sadly the time finally came where I had to. The synopsis of “This Close to Okay” seemed intriguing at first, however I did not like this book for a few reasons. From the beginning, I didn‘t really like the characters and I found Tallie very annoying. Most importantly, I strongly disliked how the book focused on Tallie, a licensed therapist, lusting over a person with current suicidal ideation.

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Lizthewiz
This Close to Okay: A Novel | Leesa Cross-Smith
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Pickpick

This book has been on my shelf for a while and I finally got around to reading it. Not many books give me enough feels for tears, but this one sure did. Glad I picked this one up. A beautiful story of the journey of healing.

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Jas16
This Close to Okay: A Novel | Leesa Cross-Smith
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Pickpick

When therapist Tally sees a man on a bridge preparing to jump she stops to talk to him but it doesn‘t end there. She also takes him home with her and over the course of the weekend the two begin to open up to each other. I can completely understand why this book frustrates so many people as both characters make really questionable decisions but I was still deeply invested in wanting them to heal. Thank you again @CBee for sending this one to me.

CBee You are so welcome! I‘m glad you enjoyed it ♥️😊 2y
44 likes1 comment
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Jas16
This Close to Okay: A Novel | Leesa Cross-Smith
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There is nothing better than coming home to surprise #bookmail. Thank you so much @CBee for brightening my day with a book I have been wanting to read! So lucky that Litsy brought such thoughtful friends into my life.

CBee You are so welcome! I haven‘t been able to write (to anyone) so wanted to send a happy. Hope you enjoy it ♥️ 2y
55 likes1 comment
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marleed
This Close to Okay: A Novel | Leesa Cross-Smith
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Pickpick

I imagine any therapist reading this book might just have to DNF because, omg, Tally, what were you thinking!? But as a reader/non-therapist I was able to parking-lot that significant discrepancy and enjoy two people experiencing a life-changing weekend. Also good if like me you are in the mood for a book with a small cast of characters.

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SW-T
This Close to Okay: A Novel | Leesa Cross-Smith
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Pickpick

A hard one to review. I loved the premise, the writing style, and how it showed the complexity of different kinds of grief. On the other hand, Tallie‘s therapy methods seemed questionable, she and “Emmett” based their relationship on lies, Emmett pretending to be Tallie and emailing her ex Joel was inappropriate and the ending felt abrupt and incomplete. For every plus there was a minus. Overall, glad I read it, but it was often frustrating.

LiteraryinPA I was frustrated too even though I was looking forward to this one. 3y
32 likes1 comment
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mcctrish
This Close to Okay: A Novel | Leesa Cross-Smith
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Pickpick

A book club pick I forgot about & grabbed from Indigo last weekend. A woman stops a man from jumping off a bridge, the story unfolds. I looked up reviews after I bought this and they were mixed. BUT I don‘t understand them. This book is lovely! It feels like a truthful look at how hard it is to get over/live with grief, and that signs are often there that we matter. Several times in this story I went WHAT?! and I just didn‘t want to stop reading

BookBabe Cute pic, and great review! It sounds interesting! 3y
60 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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mcctrish
This Close to Okay: A Novel | Leesa Cross-Smith
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Sunday goals ❤️❤️❤️

Zoes_Human Tell about this amazing looking pastry though 😍 3y
mcctrish @Zoes_Human it‘s a whole grain blueberry cheesecake danish and it was delish 3y
Zoes_Human @mcctrish OMG that sounds AMAZING. 3y
mcctrish @Zoes_Human it‘s from an awesome small bakery that started offering delivery on Fridays at the beginning of the pandemic. I put an order in every Sunday so I have a treat for the next weekend and usually one dinner for the week ( next week they are making French onion soup and I‘ve ordered a baguette too - the ‘treat‘ is pain au chocolate 🇫🇷) 3y
44 likes4 comments
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mcctrish
This Close to Okay: A Novel | Leesa Cross-Smith
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Next up

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mcctrish
This Close to Okay: A Novel | Leesa Cross-Smith
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We‘ve gone to Toronto and I found a bookstore 🛍

EvieBee As one does! 😍 3y
45 likes2 comments
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Kempfme
This Close to Okay: A Novel | Leesa Cross-Smith
Pickpick

A therapist stops a stranger from suicide, which changes their lives in one weekend. Beautiful and emotional.

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LiteraryinPA
This Close to Okay: A Novel | Leesa Cross-Smith
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Mehso-so

I guess I‘m going with so-so for this one. Part of it could be that I‘m not in a great place right now, but I think the book also had some issues. Both characters kept such major secrets from each other and made pretty questionable choices that lessened my ability to relate to them. It felt a little one note or unbelievable. But there were compelling parts too. Overall it‘s not one I‘ll recommend to people.

LiteraryinPA This was my #doublespin though, so that‘s good! @TheAromaofBooks 3y
TheAromaofBooks I always get frustrated when a lot of a book's “conflict“ could be resolved with ONE good conversation! 3y
tokorowilliamwallace I started this at the end of 2020 after I got in it in the mail from BOTM, but had to leave it up when I moved, and my previous roommate told me earlier this year he attempted it because of the themes it addressed. I needed an emotional book like it at the time, too! 3y
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HaleyG14
This Close to Okay: A Novel | Leesa Cross-Smith
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Mehso-so

This book was ok. There were a lot of things I didn‘t like about it including how as a therapist Tallie seems to be overstepping some boundaries. Also the ending just seemed a bit weak.

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booksaremyfavorite
This Close to Okay: A Novel | Leesa Cross-Smith
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Pickpick

Book 82...T stops E from jumping off a bridge and allows him to stay with her for the weekend. She is a therapist but doesn‘t tell her. He has secrets he isn‘t telling her either.

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Lynn541
This Close to Okay: A Novel | Leesa Cross-Smith
Pickpick

Beautifully written with so much warmth. It is a very descriptive read, and the author used many unfamiliar words that I had to look up, which was a fun bonus.

Talkie is a warm, loving person, who takes in the troubled Emmett. They are only together for four days, but it changes both of their lives. It might feel a little far-fetched how well they get along, and help each other through grief, but it works.

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Just.Linds
This Close to Okay: A Novel | Leesa Cross-Smith

“What color is your ex-husbands energy?”
“Slut red”
-30

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sharread
This Close to Okay: A Novel | Leesa Cross-Smith
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Pickpick

I liked this story, it goes between 2 main characters. The plot is slow, predictable but I liked the characters and how they compliment each other in a unique way. I seem to read faster on my tablet compared to a book. Has anyone else noticed that? #BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

In_the_stacks I notice that too, but I also notice that I find it a lot harder to focus on books that I read on my tablet or kindle vs physical books. I can usually read some light fiction or non-fiction on my tablet, but anything dense I have to read on paper! 3y
TheAromaofBooks @In_the_stacks - I totally agree - I have trouble concentrating on nonfiction or “dense“ fiction when I'm reading on my Kindle. So I'm not sure if I actually do read faster on my Kindle, or if it's just because I only read fluff with it! 3y
In_the_stacks @TheAromaofBooks haha yes, this is true for me re: fluff on the kindle 😄😊 3y
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Hooked_on_books
This Close to Okay: A Novel | Leesa Cross-Smith
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Bailedbailed

Tallie sees a man climb over a railing on a bridge and pulls over to stop him from jumping. What an awesome premise! But, sadly, absolutely nothing in this book is working for me. I don‘t like the style, the characters are either shallow or impenetrable, and it‘s reading like a bad romance novel. I‘m about a third of the way in and I‘m moving on.

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Floresj
This Close to Okay: A Novel | Leesa Cross-Smith
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Mehso-so

This was ok (finished it in one flight.) A therapist takes in a stranger and the novel walks their their decisions and lives over the course of a few days. Not light reading, but it‘s quick moving enough to keep the pages turning. There‘s a few preposterous lines/events to drop it to a 3/5 for me.

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S3V3N
This Close to Okay: A Novel | Leesa Cross-Smith
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Mehso-so

My book club met in person last night for the first time since the pandemic. 2 members were out of town and joined us via Zoom. We had a 50/50 vote on the book. Those who loved it really loved. I just felt it was so-so. I couldn‘t predict what would happen and that was cool. The book was slow to me and I just couldn‘t get into the way I like to get lost in a book. I‘m the first person on the left in the picture.

marleed I‘m thrilled you could meet in person - it must have felt great to gather with friends in someone‘s home again! Who would have thought that in 2021 traveling to another‘s home would be such a precious Kodak moment! 3y
S3V3N @marleed It felt so good! We were all excited. Everyone has been vaccinated and we had a great time. 3y
squirrelbrain Gorgeous picture - you all look so happy and how nice to see people gathering together again! 3y
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S3V3N @squirrelbrain Thank you! We were happy and had great conversation about the book. 3y
NikkiM5 Yay, glad y‘all could get together ❤️ 3y
S3V3N @NikkiM5 me too!🙌🏽LOL 3y
Reggie Good for you ladies! What a great pic! 3y
S3V3N Thanks @Reggie! 3y
31 likes8 comments
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megnews
This Close to Okay: A Novel | Leesa Cross-Smith
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Pickpick

This was a good book on the important topic of mental health but I had a lot of trouble suspending my disbelief at how the whole thing gets started.

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megnews
This Close to Okay: A Novel | Leesa Cross-Smith
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I‘ve read great reviews on this. 20% in. Hard to suspend my disbelief about an educated woman taking a random stranger into her home for the night. Also last time I read a book with parentheses every few pages, I DNF‘d. They‘re distracting and I don‘t understand the point.
Should I keep reading?

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Chelsea.Poole
This Close to Okay: A Novel | Leesa Cross-Smith
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Pickpick

I really liked this one. A definite character study that dives deep into the psyches of Emmett and Tallie, two strangers who come together in a dramatic way, right as the book opens. A contemporary novel about life itself. One I‘ll remember for quite some time.

CBee Must get to this one, especially after seeing your fab review 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 4y
97 likes1 comment
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Jemgirl2014
This Close to Okay: A Novel | Leesa Cross-Smith
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A great deal!

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triplem80
This Close to Okay: A Novel | Leesa Cross-Smith
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Pickpick

I was actually pretty ambivalent about this book for the first half, but I think that has more to do with my current disinterest in reading than the book itself. When I got to the second half, I couldn't put it down...if only to see how the protagonists would deal with their series of bad decisions!

And even though it's been a rough reading month (including my first DNF in basically forever), I finished my #doublespin pick!

@TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Yay!! Some months it's hard to find your reading mojo. 4y
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GidgetsTreasures75
This Close to Okay: A Novel | Leesa Cross-Smith
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4-13-21: My 37th finished book of 2021! Gosh, I loved this book! Trigger warning: suicide. A therapist, Tallie, comes across a man preparing to jump off a bridge. What happens next will change them forever. This book was beautifully written. All the characters were likable and while there were moments of intense sadness it didn‘t take away from the cathartic messages. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 👍🏼📖#️⃣3️⃣7️⃣ #thisclosetookay #leesacrosssmith

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Sydneypaige
This Close to Okay: A Novel | Leesa Cross-Smith
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Mehso-so

As a therapist, I always look forward and also dread books with therapist main characters. This story perpetrates one of the worst stereotypes: that therapists relate to everyone as clients/patients. The “case notes” parts of the book were very irritating to listen to, as if therapists diagnose and think about people in terms on insurance notes.
Otherwise, I was very entranced with the relationship between the characters and it was well written!

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Mccall0113
This Close to Okay: A Novel | Leesa Cross-Smith
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I have about 12 pages left! Photo cred: my 6yr old 💜

AkashaVampie U look so enthused. Is the book bad? 4y
Ruthiella So cute that your pup thinks he‘s a lap dog.🐶❤️ (edited) 4y
Bookzombie So cute! 💕🐶 Also, I see a cat tail too! 💕🐈‍⬛ 4y
See All 9 Comments
RebL Perhaps your 6YO has a future in candid portraiture? Put a b&w filter in this and it‘s art. 😉 4y
cozypunk I am feeling this pose! 4y
books_and_tea Ahh, such an adorable pup😊🐶! 4y
mabell So sweet!! 😍🐶 4y
Reggie Awwwww this is a great pic. 4y
Bette That pup is out. 😆. It‘s good when we can be furniture for our pets. 🤣 4y
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Annie1215
This Close to Okay: A Novel | Leesa Cross-Smith
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Mehso-so

This wasn‘t bad by any means, but following the last two books I read and really enjoyed, this one just didn‘t hit the mark for me.

I expected a bit more/something different from it

Getting some final books off my #bookspinbingo board this weekend...hoping for one more bingo 🤞🏻

TheAromaofBooks Great progress!!! 4y
TheAromaofBooks Great progress!!! 4y
TheAromaofBooks Great progress!!! 4y
See All 8 Comments
TheAromaofBooks Great progress!!! 4y
TheAromaofBooks Great progress!!! 4y
TheAromaofBooks Oh my gosh, Litsy is driving me crazy with the comments. 😂 I'm so sorry the same thing showed up multiple times............ I'm switching to Firefox to see if I can get it to work better here!!! 4y
Annie1215 @TheAromaofBooks haha I appreciate the accidental enthusiasm 😂 4y
TheAromaofBooks I am SERIOUS about cheering you on! 😂 4y
59 likes8 comments
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angel1
This Close to Okay: A Novel | Leesa Cross-Smith
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Winning a giveaway is so much fun!!😁 #bookmail #giveawaywin #thisclosetookay

mdemanatee What a great book to win too! 4y
30 likes1 stack add1 comment
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Copwithabook
This Close to Okay: A Novel | Leesa Cross-Smith
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I listened to the tagged book while taking a walk. My mother is doing better and will be coming home from the hospital on Friday. This is the first bit of reading/listening I‘ve really been able to do in several weeks. Glad I could usher in spring while I was at it.

Bookwormjillk That‘s great news! 4y
Crazeedi Love seeing the blossoming of spring. Glad your mom is doing better💗 4y
Jas16 Wonderful news! 4y
39 likes3 comments
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suzie.reads
This Close to Okay: A Novel | Leesa Cross-Smith
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Pickpick

Loved this book so much until the very end and then I was just annoyed by the ending. So many questions unanswered which is frustrating. Still a pick though!

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BookNightOwl
This Close to Okay: A Novel | Leesa Cross-Smith
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Pickpick

When Tallie catches a stranger on the side of the bridge ready to jump she does everything in her power to help prevent it.

I enjoy the story of two strangers meeting up and finding out about each other. This story had me hooked from the beginning. I felt it at times dragging but not too bad. I still wanted to pick it up and find out what was the secrets Emmett was hiding. B+

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ShananigansReads
This Close to Okay: A Novel | Leesa Cross-Smith
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Excuse the terrible pic taken on the fly today but I just wanted to tell you guys I got to actually walk around my local library today and it made me so happy! They have, fortunately, been open via curbside service for a good part of the pandemic but a few weeks ago they actually opened their doors. I had this book on hold but still took the time to walk about and soak up the atmosphere. Ana I actually didn‘t pick up any extra books! Go me. 😜

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suzie.reads
This Close to Okay: A Novel | Leesa Cross-Smith
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Reading with a prosecco 📚🥂 Literally loving this book I don't want it to end 😍

TrishB Sounds good 👍🏻 4y
54 likes1 stack add1 comment
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LaraReads
This Close to Okay: A Novel | Leesa Cross-Smith
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Keeping Miss Percy company today after her spay surgery & some icky post-op complications. Hoping she‘s on the road to feeling much better. Also, really enjoying this choice for #booked2021 #mustacheonthecover so far!

AmyG Hope she heals well....and fast. She is so pretty. ❤️ 4y
JanuarieTimewalker13 She‘s so cute!!!❤️ 4y
TheBookHippie awe, poor thing, .... hope she feels better. 4y
Crazeedi Awww, I hope miss Percy gets well soon💟 4y
LaraReads @AmyG @JanuarieTimewalker13 @TheBookHippie @Crazeedi Thank you all! She is doing really well! Definitely back to herself now! 😻 4y
52 likes5 comments
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Bookalong
This Close to Okay: A Novel | Leesa Cross-Smith
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Pickpick

I enjoyed this one. The story flowed at a great pace. The chapters alternate between the characters, giving us an intimate look at themselves and their time together. The subject matter of suicide felt very timely and how the author weaved this compelling story from a suicide attempt was well carried out. And the concept of strangers having a life changing affect on each other was touching. There are religious undertones to the story.

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Victoriahoperose
This Close to Okay: A Novel | Leesa Cross-Smith
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this book and feel like it did not get enough attention. This is a book about a woman who finds a man on a bridge ready to jump and they form a bond in a weekend together. This was a bit predictable, but the writing was excellent and the story was just so good. I didn‘t want this one to end because the characters were so easy to fall in love with and I wanted more still at the end.

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FelinesAndFelonies
This Close to Okay: A Novel | Leesa Cross-Smith
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Pickpick

This was closer to a romance book than I usually get. It was heavy on the drama but endearing overall. There was an ethical issue that rubbed me the wrong way so I waited to review it. I wanted to see if that issue changed how I felt about the book overall. It did not. It's not my typical genre but I still enjoyed the story, the complicated relationships, and the improbability of the whole situation.

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Kangaj1
This Close to Okay: A Novel | Leesa Cross-Smith
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Pickpick

This was my #doublespin for February and a 5-star read for me. This was the second of hers that I loved, and I think she will be an autobuy author for me. @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 4y
31 likes1 comment
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A_planNerd
This Close to Okay: A Novel | Leesa Cross-Smith
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Current Read: A bit slow paced for me but not enough to throw in the towel. Hoping it speeds up a bit and something unravels to finish strong.

Next Read: I‘m a sucker for a a little romance. The fact that both characters are writers is just icing on the 🎂

BennettBookworm LOVED Beach Read! 4y
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Lovesbooks87
This Close to Okay: A Novel | Leesa Cross-Smith
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Mehso-so

That‘s a wrap for February #bookspinbingo. The tagged book was just okay to me. Thanks to some snow days, delayed openings, and days off I was about to have a bingo blackout this month way before I thought I would!

Thanks @TheAromaofBooks for putting this amazing challenge together every month. Can‘t wait until next month!

candority Wow! Way to go! 🎉 4y
Deblovestoread Well done! 4y
Megabooks 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 4y
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TheAromaofBooks YAY!!! Look at you go!!! 4y
ravenlee Woohoo! 🎉👏🏻 4y
Kelly_the_Bookish_Sidekick Congratulations! 4y
48 likes6 comments
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mrozzz
This Close to Okay: A Novel | Leesa Cross-Smith
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Sigh. Loving this #BookMail 😌

BarbaraBB I enjoyed Burnt Sugar a lot! 4y
mrozzz I‘m glad!! It just came out in the US a few weeks ago 😊 @BarbaraBB 4y
71 likes2 comments
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mdemanatee
This Close to Okay: A Novel | Leesa Cross-Smith
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Pickpick

I manage to go on a tangent about stage directions. It's rooted in the text. But still. https://youtu.be/mpRhFlVH-GY

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Well-ReadNeck
This Close to Okay: A Novel | Leesa Cross-Smith
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60 likes3 stack adds
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Jemgirl2014
This Close to Okay: A Novel | Leesa Cross-Smith
Pickpick

I found this to be enjoyable and moving. I only wish the author hadn't written that one scene between Tallie and "Emmet". As a therapist who is trying to provide supportive friendship to him, I kind of feel she crossed the line. Even though they are both adults it did not sit well with me. Other that that one thing, I found this book to be a great read. ?

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ScrappyMags
This Close to Okay: A Novel | Leesa Cross-Smith
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ All these feels - wrecked and uplifted all in one. Psychologist Tallie stops a man about to jump off a bridge. Talking him down, she offers him a ride... the story evolves from there as Tallie befriends Emmett. Full review on ScrappyMags.com but this is a close to home with my own battles with mental health. Recommend to those who struggle or those who wish to understand...

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8little_paws
This Close to Okay: A Novel | Leesa Cross-Smith
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A fun giveaway by @Hooked_on_books for her #goodbyebotm giveaway. My book club choice would be life after life by Kate Atkinson. My book club had a great conversation about it!! I liked the book more after the discussion than I did before.

Hooked_on_books Thanks for entering! I love when a Bookclub discussion makes me think or like the book more. That‘s awesome! 4y
45 likes1 comment
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DimeryRene
This Close to Okay: A Novel | Leesa Cross-Smith
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“Didn‘t he have the right to be tired? After what he‘d been through? Regardless, his alligator tomorrows waited with open mouths, toothy snaps.”🐊

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