This Close to Okay

A Novel

By: Leesa Cross-Smith

Narrated by: Kamali Minter, Zeno Robinson

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

Critic reviews

"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)

A good enough easy read (but TW: suicide)

At first, I was concerned about the overt religious references and did not want to keep going if it would continue. It did, but not at a high frequency. It just felt like it didn't fit. The story itself ks quite intetesting and the alternating narration works well. The end is a bit messy and inexplicable.

heart-warming

This is my first time writing a review and this book deserves it. 5 stars all the way!

We're they supposed to be black??

Sounded like this book was written to portray a white story line but they decided at the last minute to make the characters bi-racial?! The story didn't align with real-life black characters at all. Very white washed.

A Melancholy Story

This was a well-written story with strong character development. It was a bit too melancholy for me. Hence, 3-stars. It was OK.

See Help

A story with a lot of twist and turns. Like to see made into movie.

Wasn't What I Expected!!!

I personally loved the storyline. Kept me engaged,the narrator was good also. Look forward to more reads/listens by this author.

These VOICES!

I loved the performances of the words. So much of this work is beautifully done.

It had potential

I was prepared for a predictable storyline due to the beginning but it wasn't typical. It fell flat. My joy stopped after they arrived at the hospital. So much could have been done but wasn't. I don't even have a quote or lesson that I learned. I'm walking away with nothing to remember this book by. The narrators were okay.

Beautiful and Intimate

I loved both main characters and this book was a great listen! Love her use of language.

Helping him helped her

This was an interesting read don't want to give anything away. I will say the weekend they spent together helped her just like she saved him from making the ultimate decision.