"I must have shut grief out. Found it in books. Cried over fiction instead of the truth. The truth was unconfined, unadorned. There was no poetic language to it, no yellow butterflies, no epic floods. There wasn't a town trapped underwater or generations of men with the same name destined to make the same mistakes. The truth was vast enough to drown in." 
 'We are Okay' is a devastatingly poignant and poetic exploration of grief, transformation, acceptance, relationships and ultimately hope that resonates well past the final page. There's just something about Nina LaCour's work that I adore, a consistent quality to her writing that is so quietly evocative - almost dreamy and nostalgic - and emotionally raw. I love her sensitivity, her emotional authenticity and the almost immersive quality of her writing that draws you deep into the story. 
 Through the use of a dual narrative, weaving together memories of the past with the reality of the present, 'We are Okay' perfectly captures the aching sense of loneliness and isolation, as well as a powerful sense of uncertainty and fragility that accompanies a deep, life altering loss. There is something intensely personal, profoundly human and incredibly relatable about this story, about the emotional journey that leads you back from the dark places, about what leads you to run away and about finding your way home. 
 Beautifully written, hauntingly atmospheric and deeply emotional. 
 Loved it. Adored it. Needed it. 
 Highly recommend, especially for lovers of young adult contemporaries.