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dinipandareads's review
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I put off reading this for years because it gave such sad read vibes that I knew I had to be emotionally prepared for it. But seeing as January 2024 seems to have me in my sad read era, I finally picked it up and yep, we are not okay, Nina LaCour. 🥲 That is, this book was beautiful, sad, touching and healing and I'm so glad that I finally read it.
This was a short, well-paced and fast read. It's a character-driven story and it focuses on Marin's journey of acceptance and the beginning of her healing. Despite being incredibly heartbreaking, profoundly sad and achingly lonely, there is hope at the end of this book and it is much needed after the last 15% hits you with all the emotions. There's nothing particularly special about the writing but LaCour infuses this deep sense of quiet stillness and grief in her very simple words that set the atmosphere well. We're not distracted from the pain by pretty overly philosophical words, it simply is what it is.
The author steadily builds up our curiosity (and admittedly dread) as to what happened with Gramps and how Marin got to where she is today, separated and alone from everyone she loves. Although the incoming sadness is often alluded to in various flashbacks and as Marin unveils the tale to Mabel, we don't find out everything until the very end. While flashbacks aren't necessarily my favourite, in this, we don't go back years only months and I thought it was well done to illustrate the difference in Marin before and after. As an emotional reader, of course, I cried buckets of tears at the end and my heart hurt for her so badly. But I think anyone who has had to deal with grief, loss, and heartache in some form, will be able to relate to this story and our characters' emotions.
This was a short, well-paced and fast read. It's a character-driven story and it focuses on Marin's journey of acceptance and the beginning of her healing. Despite being incredibly heartbreaking, profoundly sad and achingly lonely, there is hope at the end of this book and it is much needed after the last 15% hits you with all the emotions. There's nothing particularly special about the writing but LaCour infuses this deep sense of quiet stillness and grief in her very simple words that set the atmosphere well. We're not distracted from the pain by pretty overly philosophical words, it simply is what it is.
The author steadily builds up our curiosity (and admittedly dread) as to what happened with Gramps and how Marin got to where she is today, separated and alone from everyone she loves. Although the incoming sadness is often alluded to in various flashbacks and as Marin unveils the tale to Mabel, we don't find out everything until the very end. While flashbacks aren't necessarily my favourite, in this, we don't go back years only months and I thought it was well done to illustrate the difference in Marin before and after. As an emotional reader, of course, I cried buckets of tears at the end and my heart hurt for her so badly. But I think anyone who has had to deal with grief, loss, and heartache in some form, will be able to relate to this story and our characters' emotions.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Terminal illness, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Death and Death of parent
alequitos's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
"We Are Okay" is such a heartwarming book! It skillfully touches on our human emotions - grief, loneliness, and healing. The story unravels gently, but authentically, making it easy for us to connect to the themes it explores.
The characters in this book are wonderfully crafted. Each one contributes a unique flavor to the storyline, thanks to their distinct backgrounds and personalities. They come alive in the pages!
The author has a knack for clear and expressive writing. The story flows effortlessly from one scene to the next, making it a pleasure to read. It's a four-star book that will leave an indelible mark on your heart.
The protagonist, Marin, is someone you'll find yourself rooting for. The title "We Are Okay" takes on a poignant significance once you've finished the book. Marin may not be okay right now, but she's on her way there. It takes her a while to come to this realization, but when she does, it infuses the narrative with hope.
I actually cried in the end. I was angry at Marin’s grandfather, at his lies, at his obsession with “Birdie” and specially how he kept Marin’s own mother from her, the memories, everything, just like she was, but in the end, things were going to be okay, she was going to be okay.
I actually cried in the end. I was angry at Marin’s grandfather, at his lies, at his obsession with “Birdie” and specially how he kept Marin’s own mother from her, the memories, everything, just like she was, but in the end, things were going to be okay, she was going to be okay.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Mental illness
garfield_eats's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Suicide
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders
nns25_'s review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Death, and Grief
kalinczi's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death, Terminal illness, and Death of parent
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Alcohol
sammirosewater's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
a_sleepy_berry's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Abandonment, and Death
Moderate: Religious bigotry and Blood
renlikestoread's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Take a drink every time you read the word “bowls” ;) JK, I do NOT recommend that!!
The tone of this book is slow, dark, and heavy, so initially I found it hard to get into. This is a book about grief, loss, and isolation, and the author did a great job of conveying those feelings. She also accurately portrays the messiness of Marin’s life following her traumatic experiences, but because of that, the book gets confusing at parts and at other times nothing happens. Overall, the characters and their feelings are well written, but sometimes the story gets lost.
The tone of this book is slow, dark, and heavy, so initially I found it hard to get into. This is a book about grief, loss, and isolation, and the author did a great job of conveying those feelings. She also accurately portrays the messiness of Marin’s life following her traumatic experiences, but because of that, the book gets confusing at parts and at other times nothing happens. Overall, the characters and their feelings are well written, but sometimes the story gets lost.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Abandonment, Grief, and Mental illness
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Cancer
maiahhtratchh's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This story is a reflection of grief and the impacts of our actions, or non actions, on the ones around us. It is gut wrenching as it explores Marin’s life both before and after she left San Francisco to New York. The symbolism of the shells and ocean are mixed with the solid of snow and New York (a bustling city which, at its core, can be quite hollow). The relationship between Marin and Mabel left an ache in my chest and, although it appears that they will move forward together in a different capacity, it still broke my heart, the last chapter of the book. The ending was so beautiful, I kept repeating to myself that something good better happen because it’s just so heartbreakingly awful what Marin went through and, although it wasn’t the fairytale happily ever after it was a realistic portrayal of familial love. I will have to reread this in the future
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Abandonment and Suicide
Minor: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders
Emotional neglect is a strong theme in this bookcgibson25's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Panic attacks/disorders