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A review by verybooksessed
Closer to Okay by Amy Watson
3.0
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Kyle Davies is a pastry chef admitted in a mental health facility, where she’s joined by other fellow patients struggling with various mental issues. Dealing with depression, Kyle experiences a myriad of turbulences during her stay and tries to navigate through her emotions and anxiety whilst desperately searching for her life passion. When she visits The Coffee Shop, a coffee shop just across the facility that Kyle peers at from her window, she meets its owners, Jamie and Jackson. As Kyle slowly begins to form a potentially deep connection with Jackson, her recovery journey puts her through some difficult situations that would help her grow as a person.
I liked this book for a number of reasons.
First, I really liked the light shone on mental issues and its honest approach. It provides more insight into how people go through these ups and downs during their recovery journey, and how their mental illnesses get the best of them.
I really think that this realistic portrayal truly helps to spread more awareness on this issue and the social stigma that is attached to mental health issues.
Second, the book being very character-driven is a yes from me. Kyle’s relationship with each patient in the facility is painted in such a compassionate and sincere way.
It just goes to show how in such difficult times, they understand one another and never hesitate to provide emotional support despite the struggles they individually face. We get a glimpse into each patient, shining a light on various mental issues and their effect on a person’s mental state of mind.
Also, Kyle’s relationship with Jackson is really sweet and endearing. However, I don’t feel like the miscommunication trope was properly captured, and the pacing was kind of all over the place so I had difficulty in keeping up with their story.
I feel like we could’ve gotten more context on the foundation of their relationship, because personally, it lacked character, and it happened way too fast. Like there was so much to unpack but it was just brushed off. That’s just me.
And I wasn’t a big fan of Kyle’s “angry child-like stomping” behavior to Jackson. I cringed. Not for me.
For a much younger audience, the writing would be considered most appropriate, but it felt just a little bit immature and simple.
Still, the message behind the book is a strong and necessary one, which deserves the 3 stars.
Kyle Davies is a pastry chef admitted in a mental health facility, where she’s joined by other fellow patients struggling with various mental issues. Dealing with depression, Kyle experiences a myriad of turbulences during her stay and tries to navigate through her emotions and anxiety whilst desperately searching for her life passion. When she visits The Coffee Shop, a coffee shop just across the facility that Kyle peers at from her window, she meets its owners, Jamie and Jackson. As Kyle slowly begins to form a potentially deep connection with Jackson, her recovery journey puts her through some difficult situations that would help her grow as a person.
I liked this book for a number of reasons.
First, I really liked the light shone on mental issues and its honest approach. It provides more insight into how people go through these ups and downs during their recovery journey, and how their mental illnesses get the best of them.
I really think that this realistic portrayal truly helps to spread more awareness on this issue and the social stigma that is attached to mental health issues.
Second, the book being very character-driven is a yes from me. Kyle’s relationship with each patient in the facility is painted in such a compassionate and sincere way.
It just goes to show how in such difficult times, they understand one another and never hesitate to provide emotional support despite the struggles they individually face. We get a glimpse into each patient, shining a light on various mental issues and their effect on a person’s mental state of mind.
Also, Kyle’s relationship with Jackson is really sweet and endearing. However, I don’t feel like the miscommunication trope was properly captured, and the pacing was kind of all over the place so I had difficulty in keeping up with their story.
I feel like we could’ve gotten more context on the foundation of their relationship, because personally, it lacked character, and it happened way too fast. Like there was so much to unpack but it was just brushed off. That’s just me.
And I wasn’t a big fan of Kyle’s “angry child-like stomping” behavior to Jackson. I cringed. Not for me.
For a much younger audience, the writing would be considered most appropriate, but it felt just a little bit immature and simple.
Still, the message behind the book is a strong and necessary one, which deserves the 3 stars.