I received this e-book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and the author/publisher for the copy!

Although this book has a slow start, it ended up being a quick read! It was an interesting journey following Dee to discover herself. This was a cute story that was also funny here and there, but just not my favorite.

This was a fun and lighthearted read even though it delved into mental health issues. I loved the character development and the overarching themes of accepting yourself.

I enjoyed this book! My main gripe however is that it was marketed as a romance and I felt it was more about friendships and relationships in general. The focus on mental health was very meaningful but did make me need to be in "the mood" to read it.

Never Been Better by Leanne Toshiko Simpson is a brilliantly offbeat and tender comedy that explores the complexities of love, friendship, and mental health with a deft touch. The novel follows the journey of Dee, a bipolar woman determined to prove she's turning her life around, amidst the backdrop of a seaside wedding where chaos seems inevitable.

The story kicks off with Dee, Misa, and Matt, former “three musketeers” of the psych ward, reuniting a year after their discharge. Matt and Misa are getting married in the picturesque Turks and Caicos, and the secrecy surrounding their meeting place doesn’t sit well with Dee, who has harbored unrequited feelings for Matt. Dee’s emotional struggle is palpable as she navigates her desire to confess her love and the fear of disrupting the delicate balance of their friendship and support system.

Simpson masterfully portrays Dee’s internal conflicts and her messy search for stability and affection. Dee is a refreshingly complex protagonist—hilariously candid yet profoundly vulnerable. Her journey is both relatable and heart-wrenching, and Simpson’s nuanced depiction of bipolar disorder adds depth and authenticity to the narrative. Dee’s highs and lows are portrayed with empathy, capturing the erratic yet earnest quest for love and self-acceptance.

The novel’s setting in a luxurious seaside resort contrasts sharply with the tumultuous emotional landscapes of its characters. Simpson’s vivid descriptions bring the idyllic surroundings to life, enhancing the escapism of the narrative while also highlighting the internal storms brewing within Dee. The resort, with its beautiful beaches and opulent amenities, serves as a compelling backdrop for the unfolding drama and comedy.

Supporting characters add richness and texture to the story. Tilley, Dee’s high-voltage sister, is a delightful whirlwind, providing both comic relief and heartfelt support. Her dynamic with Dee underscores the complexities of familial bonds, especially when one sibling struggles with mental health issues. The chemistry between Dee, Matt, and Misa is palpable, their history adding layers of tension and loyalty to the plot. Simpson skillfully handles the trio’s intricate relationship, making the stakes of Dee’s potential confession feel real and significant.

Simpson’s writing style is a perfect blend of humor and poignancy. Her sharp, witty dialogue keeps the narrative lively, while moments of introspection offer profound insights into Dee’s psyche. The balance between comedy and emotional depth is well-maintained, making for a compelling and engaging read. Simpson’s ability to inject humor into serious topics without trivializing them is commendable, providing a refreshing perspective on mental health and recovery.

The plot’s pacing is generally well-executed, though there are moments where it slows down, particularly in the middle sections. Some readers might find the resolution a bit predictable, but the journey there is filled with enough twists, heartfelt moments, and laugh-out-loud scenes to keep the story engaging. The ending, while somewhat anticipated, is satisfying and offers a sense of hope and continuity for Dee’s journey.

In conclusion, Never Been Better is a wonderfully offbeat and emotionally resonant novel that tackles the complexities of love, friendship, and mental health with humor and heart. Leanne Toshiko Simpson has crafted a story that is both entertaining and thought-provoking, making it a memorable read. Dee’s messy, sincere quest for love and stability is sure to resonate with anyone who has ever felt like they’re falling apart while trying to keep it together. Highly recommended for readers who appreciate a blend of comedy, romance, and genuine exploration of mental health.

DNF @ 20%

I'm not sure whether it was the plot, the writing, or both. But after reading some top tier books, I just could tell I wasnt into this one and didnt want to force it.

i loved the mental health representation in this but honestly, that's all I liked. it really wasn't for me, but I will be giving the author another try in an upcoming release.

This wasn't a love, it wasn't a hate. I just feel kind of ambivalent about it. I wanted to really love it - the cover is crazy cool and I always want to love books that share mental health awareness - but I just found that the characters' lack of communication was too much. And maybe some of it hit close to home and made me sad. I think the second half was much better than the first, though!
Thank you to Putnam and Netgalley for the advanced copy. All thoughts are my own.

Leanne Toshiko Simpson's Never Been Better is a book I picked solely on its cover, and while the cover is appropriate to the content of the book, it is said content that I just cannot get behind. This book dealing primarily with mental health is a heavy read, and while that in itself is not a deterrent for me, the execution of this book was. The characters, their personalities, and motives were less than memorable, and I unfortunately found myself disengaged with the majority of this book due to its failure to connect with me on an intrinsic level.

My first thought seeing this cover was romance especially when I read a destination wedding on the Turks And Caicos was at the center. But this was not romance in the strictest sense, and definitely not romcom - it's a story of unrequited love, it is also a story about mental health written by an author who is open about her own struggles with bipolar disorder.
This background made me careful with this story because I have lived my life as the child of someone with that same disorder but it has been handled delicately and accurately here, I just needed the courage to start reading ! Out since March 5th !
Dee, Matt, and Misa met a year prior to this story taking its start when they were patients in a psych ward. Now, Matt and Misa are getting married which is causing Dee to spin out. Dee is in love with Matt (and has been for the past year). They've both been each other's rock when they were at their lowest. Her feelings are unrequited and she doesn't want to lose him.
Through flashbacks we watch the relationship between Dee and Matt develop and begin to understand why she feels the way she does about him but also see where things went wrong ... feeling needed and being loved is not the same thing. But, it's easy to get confused about love and being a crutch or an enabler.
Friendship with Misa is another big point in this story, where did things go so wrong ??
Not wanting to ruin the special day for her two friends, Dee is torn on how to deal with her feelings for Matt while trying to be happy for Matt and Misa.
With her sister Tillie the biggest advocate for telling the truth and the advice and support of various people she meets at this destination wedding it's up to Dee to decide what's right for her even if it means that she's going to have to risk her friendship.
Heartbreaking at times and lighthearted at others this story about friendship, the relationship between sisters, acceptance, and love was definitely a worthy read !

The mental health representations and discussions in this book aren't like anything else I've read before and it was really refreshing to see such vivid descriptions of thoughts the characters struggled with, depictions of treatment and recovery, and to have them work out a lot of their issues with mental health stigmas directly on the page. I liked that this focused more on the friendships and relationships Dee had with those around her and how those were impacted by improvements and setbacks in her mental health, rather than solely focusing on the love story between her and Matt. However, I have seen this book marketed as a romance and I think that it can't really be called that by genre definition as the main couple that we follow throughout the book is not really Dee and Matt and they don't actually end up together. I think this book very heavily leans women's fiction and could be labeled as a love story but would definitely be misleading readers when pitched as a romance, and especially at that a romcom given how heavy some of the mental health discussions are. I love that those discussion are there, and I do think there's a lot of dark humor there, but I think it's very different than a reader's usual expectations of a classic "rom-com".

I thought this was an interesting story of three friends who met while they were on an inpatient unit and two of them fall in love while the third friend Dee is in love with the guy Matt. She’s invited to their wedding and is hoping to get Matt to fall for her and cancel his wedding. The story sagas their journey of mental health and how coming to recognition in one’s journey.

When a group of three people Dee,Matt & Misa meet after being in a psychiatric hospital they soon become very close. But a year after being discharged Matt & Misa
Decide to get married Suddenly Dee feels left out and her feelings for Matt might jeopardize their close friendship.
This story does dive into mental health issues and the struggles that go along with it. And how it affects family and friends. You will find yourself laughing one moment and crying the next. The author did a great job with the characters in the book.
Thank you netgalley

This was really a great book! I don't think I have laughed so much with any other book as I did with this one! Friends from the psych ward, what could go wrong!! I definitely would recommend this book.

Never Been Better
by Leanne Toshiko Simpson
4 stars

Three friends that met at the psych ward, Dee, Misa, and Matt. After a year of discharge Dee wants everyone to think she is better, and nothing is ever wrong. Matt and Misa are about to be married.
Dee is determined to put an end to the wedding. After getting to the weekend wedding fun, Dee and her sister are on an adventure to figure out what to do to stop the wedding or keep Dee's feeling locked up.

I enjoyed this after the first half it got a lot better and was much more entertaining. Dee's sister is my favorite she is supportive, loud, crazy and does what she wants and is always watching out for her sister.
Thank you, Net Galley and Penguin Group Putnam for the eARC for an honest review

Dee, Misa, and Matt were inseparable during their stay in a psychiatric hospital. A year after being discharged, Matt and Misa are getting married and Dee can’t help but feel left behind. At their beautiful Turks & Caicos destination wedding, Dee finds herself struggling and wanting to confess her feelings for Matt, but also doesn’t want to jeopardize her friendships.

This book is not the rom com I was expecting from the cover/marketing - it is much more focused on mental illness and life after hospitalization. I suggest going in prepared, because it was much darker than I was expecting when I picked it up. That being said, it is an incredibly vulnerable book about finding yourself and learning to deal with your traumas. It is heartbreaking yet hopeful and I definitely needed tissues at the ready. While it was not what I was expecting, the ending really made up for my surprise.

Thank you to Putnam Books and NetGalley for the advance copy.

This is a story that combines humor, friendship, and family with hard won wisdom about mental health. The dialogue is sharp and concise with amusing scenes that will put a smile on the readers face.
Many thanks to PENGUIN GROUP Putnam and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Never Been Better is a decently entertaining read. I found Dee a bit unlikeable and therefore hard to root for, but I appreciated the mental health rep side of the story.

Thank you Leanne Toshiko Simpson, G.P. Putnam's Sons, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

This book was surprising because while it was labeled as romance that was the secondary plot. The author did a great job of developing the characters throughout the story and had such great representation of different mental health struggles.

Dee, Misa, and Matt met in an unlikely place - the psychiatric hospital. All struggling with bipolar, they each ended up in the same hospital and forged a friendship that is deeper and more complicated than most. When Misa and Matt end up getting engaged, Dee feels left out and like she’ll never recover. After ignoring their invitation and phone calls to come to the wedding, Matt shows up on Dee’s front step to convince her to come. The only problem is, Dee is in love with Matt and just wants to sabotage the wedding by telling him how she feels. After finally convincing her, Dee and her sister Tilley travel to an all inclusive resort for the weeklong wedding festivities. Lots of hard feelings come to the surface and there are lots of moments it looks like the 3 won’t remain friends. But hopefully they have learned and grown enough to figure it out.

This book is a great look at bipolar disorder and the ways it affects friends and family. The author has her own struggle with bipolar and writes from the heart. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

This book shines a light on the struggles that come with mental illness but still maintained a lighthearted vibe. The tropical setting was fun, but I am not into love triangles so I took a star away for that. But overall would recommend this.