This Close to Okay by Leesa Cross-Smith: Book Review

Sometimes the days and months pass quickly and one day blends into another. At other times, life changes immensely in a matter of a few days. In This Close to Okay by Leesa Cross-Smith, Tallie and Emmett’s story is told over a long weekend which proved to change the course of their lives forever.

Plot Summary

Tallie Clark is a divorced therapist driving home from work on a Thursday night when she spots a man standing precariously over the side of a bridge. She convinces the man, Emmett, to get into her car and to join her for a cup of coffee. A relationship is begins, being built on trust as Emmett agrees to go home with Tallie to spend the night. Recognizing his need for a safe environment, she tries to learn as much about Emmett as he will disclose without revealing her own occupation. The one night stay turns into a long weekend stay with both Tallie and Emmett holding secrets throughout much of this time. Told from an alternating dual perspective, the pair eventually disclose these secrets as we learn about what brought these two together on that fateful night.

Book Review

While I found the idea of this book to be somewhat unrealistic, I really appreciated the story and engaging writing style of this author. The pacing of the book created a slow release of information about the characters, and always enough to keep my focus. There are a few dark moments in this book which are balanced with the uplifting theme of the book. I enjoyed the friendship that builds during the course of a few days, but question the ethics of the relationship given Tallie’s profession. Having said that, once I got pass this the book was an enjoyable read.

Audiobook Review

I listened to my library’s audiobook version of the book which was performed by Kamali Minter and Zeno Robinson. The narrators provided a convincing, articulate performance and I appreciated the sensitivity brought to their performances. I would not hesitate to recommend the audiobook version of this book to those who enjoy this format.

What I Liked About This Close to Okay: