Kate’s Practically Positive Review of: We Are Okay by Nina LaCour

Hi! I’m going to kick off my practically positive book reviews with one of my unexpected favorites, We Are Okay by Nina LaCour.

Genre: YA contemporary

One-Sentence Summary: College student Marin navigates the memory of a recent traumatic loss when her best friend comes to visit.

My take: This book broke my heart and glued it back together slightly askew, the way books about grief do. I lost my father unexpectedly seven months ago, and this book was a welcome companion during the early months.

My (likely subjective due to crippling grief) star rating: 5 stars

Pros:

1. Very little happens in real-time in the book, but the journey in Marin’s head is so engaging that I couldn’t stop listening. Which brings me to #2.
2. Jorjeana Marie, who narrates the audiobook, has a soft and genuine voice that rings true for Marin’s character.
3. Marin’s heartbreak and depression were so real. I recognized them in myself.
4. Marin’s fractured memories not only formed a fascinating puzzle, but
5. Marin comes to realize that “we are okay.” Even on the brink of hell, there are people who love you who can pull you back and into a hug.