A review by sarahlillianbooks
Closer to Okay by Amy Watson

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.5

I very much enjoyed this. Amy Watson boldly shares what depression can be like through a character like Kyle. We all have a routine for better or worse. A routine to our life can mean reliable, but it can also trap us. Closer to Okay is a slice of life of someone in recovery. Rebuilding from hitting rock bottom. I loved that Kyle was a baker. That she had that passion and how she was able to use her passion in dealing with her depression, anxiety and stress. 

There were moments that I was frustrated with the characters like Eddie, Jackson and Jamie, even Dr Booth but more I thought about it the more I saw how real their reactions and behaviours were. Jackson seemed almost too perfect so it was good to see him be flawed and needing time to process Kyle’s choices. 

It would have been nice for more diversity with race, religion and disability, but still overall, a great book. I think if we got more background from a few more characters that would open the opportunity for more diverse characters. 

I applaud Watson writing a romance where the woman doesn’t use the guy to make her better or the guy magically heals her, but in fact, puts her recovery first. It’s refreshing. Also, representation of depression was refreshing too, not whiny or too much. How someone can seem okay, but is not okay. Furthermore, it was lovely to see someone reach out for a hug, needing comfort and not immediately being taken advantage of. 

Mental health is truly a journey and it’s not linear, especially when life serves the hard stuff like passing of a loved one like Kyle’s grandma, being laid off from work; life just happens and you can’t control it. You an only control so much in life. 

I highly recommend Closer to Okay, be sure to check for trigger warnings as we all need to take care of ourselves.

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