I was previously granted access to never been better by Leanne Toshiko Simpson through netgate for review I did not nor will I receive any compensation for this review. All thoughts and opinions written here are my own.
When I was originally granted access to this title. I didn't get a chance to finish it in time for a timely review. But I have to say I have a thing about finishing what I start. So apologies to you dear readers for not having this out in a more timely way.
Never better is a story. Very personal to me. As I am very connected with the mental health community in my area and I was very much looking forward to enjoying this book . I often look forward to reading things that share a different perspective on mental health Care in different parts of our country, and its effects on a cultural level are also very interesting to me.
I am slightly disappointed however that I didn't enjoy this book as as much as I was hoping to, it seemed to be full of tropes,and predictable patterns, which, I suppose for someone who isn't used to digesting the different stories of the mental health community might be difficult. So maybe the author did this for the reader's benefit, I feel it kind of took away from the story,. Also, I feel like this story is kind of the middle between A prequel and a sequel. Even though everything was closed up neatly in the end, I feel like we could have had a better understanding of the characters and their interactions if we actually had the full story of events and what led to the main character being hospitalized in the first place and the Dynamics between the main character and her sister . The last point I'll make on this is I feel like there could also be a sequel telling us how the main character grows, heals and essentially recovers. Also mending the relationships between the other characters, the story and building on new ones.
For those that don't know, recovery is not an end State for those of us going through these kinds of challenges. It's an ongoing ever work in progress. It's not like a broken leg or something that can be mended and then it's done. It's an ever-evolving work kind of like life itself. Recovery just becomes part of your life. I wish the author had illustrated this a little better. Maybe they were focused more on the cultural aspects. I'm not sure. Also, the author touched on generational trauma which can play a role in how quickly or the banner in which someone recovers or doesn't from mental illness. I hope the author chooses to carry these characters through into other stories so that we can see if and how they evolve and heal.
I didn't become as invested in these characters as I would have liked the tropes just kept popping up as kind of a distraction. Maybe the author was trying to cover everything all in one book.
Still, it's a good read if you just want a basic understanding of mental illness on some level and a peak through a cultural window. Even though it is, I feel probably just barely a crack. It's a start
Thank you very much for granting me access to this book and allowing me to review it

This book is truly unique! It follows Dee, Misa, and Matt, who met in a psych ward. Dee and Matt are best friends, but Dee wants more. Things get complicated when she's invited to Matt and Misa's destination wedding. Dee, with her hilarious sister Tilley (my favorite!), navigates being secretly in love with her best friend who's marrying her frenemy. The author handled this difficult subject with so much care; I was glad to see Dee and Misa find a path forward.
This isn't a traditional romance, but a beautiful story about all kinds of friendships. I was completely invested in the characters and loved the focus on mental illness, learning things that helped me understand my own family. Leanne made every character multi-dimensional and likable, even when messy.
Full of comedy and humor while addressing deep issues like mental health, love, friendship, and boundaries, this fabulous debut novel flew by. I wholeheartedly recommend it!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an advanced copy of this new version in exchange for my honest review!

I really enjoyed this book—it had a great balance of compelling characters and an engaging plot that kept me hooked. The writing was clear and vivid, making it easy to get lost in the story. Overall, it left me thinking about its themes long after I finished the last page.

The writing was off, the protagonsit was absolutely unberable (along with her sister and every goddamn character) and the talk and description of mental illness was not my favorite. She did not deserve a happy ending.

This one’s heartfelt, chaotic, and unexpectedly funny. Dee is heading to her best friend’s destination wedding—which would be fun, except she met the bride and groom in a psych ward, and she’s secretly in love with the groom. So yeah, not exactly a chill trip.

The book balances heavier themes like mental health and grief with sharp humor and complicated friendships. Dee’s voice is messy and real, and even when she makes questionable choices, you get it. It’s also got sister bonding, found family vibes, and some really tender moments.

This book was written for you if:
1. You love a little wedding-weekend chaos with big feelings.
2. You’re into messy, lovable main characters trying their best.
3. You want a story that mixes mental health, humor, and heart.

I'm somewhere between a 2 and a 3 with my rating - so I rounded down.

𝗧𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦
As someone who personally navigates anxiety and depression, I was drawn to Never Been Better for its focus on mental health. I appreciate the author's intent to shed light on these topics, and it's evident that there's a genuine effort to portray the complexities of mental illness.

However, the narrative heavily relies on dialogue, which often felt more like exposition than organic conversation. This "tell rather than show" approach made the interactions feel somewhat forced and less authentic. While open communication among characters is commendable, the resolutions to deep-seated issues appeared overly simplistic, especially considering the nuanced realities of mental health struggles.

The characters, though central to the story, lacked depth and development. Their journeys didn't resonate with me as profoundly as I'd hoped. While the book aims to balance humor with serious themes, the execution sometimes fell flat, making it challenging to fully engage with the story.

In summary, while Never Been Better brings important conversations to the forefront, the storytelling approach didn't fully capture the intricacies of its subject matter for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy of Never Been Better by Leanne Toshiko Simpson in exchange for my honest review and opinion. The cover drew me in and had me so excited to read this book. I went into the book thinking it was going to be a funny rom/com and it was funny at times but there are some much deeper topics discussed - mental health. I will say the book had me cheering for all the characters and I at one point had tears in my eyes. This is for sure a good read just know the cover is sort of deceptive to what lies behind it! :)

This book was a bit of a ride, we were recommend to read and we did. Our staff found that it hit them different, some enjoyed it some did not get it. But books do that. We loved the mental health representation in this book, especially through someone adulthood trying to figure out relationship, friendships, and living life in a wild way. Definitely a god read.

This is far from a traditional romance book and I think that's why it really helped me get out of a reading slump. Sometimes I just need something different to spark my love for books once again. I don't think I ever read a book where the romantic entanglements started in a psych ward. I loved that the author wrote about mental health in such a thoughtful way but not afraid to include some dark humor too. There was a lot of stuff going on at once and I think the pacing could've actually been slowed a bit. However, I still really enjoyed this one and will look for more from the author.

I am sorry to say that I didn’t love it. The overall writing style wasn’t for me, personally, but if you have interest in a love triangle between friends brought together by their mental health needs, give this one a try.

What I liked:
-Song titles as chapter titles and a playlist included at the beginning for music lovers
-Destination wedding setting
-Some funny dialogue
-Close and supportive sister relationship (interesting caretaker dynamic)
-Misa’s Japanese Canadian family and community

What I didn’t like:
-Excessive alcohol consumption by characters on medications who are dealing with serious mental health diagnoses
-Jealousy and vindictiveness within friendships
-Characters who whine and complain about everything

The main characters in this story met during mental health hospitalizations.
This novel is not for those uncomfortable reading about depression, self-harm, suicide attempts, and manic episodes. I appreciate the author sharing the topic of mental health and the characters’ experiences with mental healthcare

I absolutely loved this book. The way the character development continued to evolve throughout the story was perfect! Once I started reading this book I literally could not put it down (I tried i really did). I can't wait till I can read more from this author

Thank you to Net Galley and the Publishing Company for this Advanced Readers Copy of Never Been Better by Leanne Toshiko Simpson!

This one was just okay for me. I felt the characters were a bit underdeveloped and and the story tried to tackle too many big issues at once.

Definitely not a romance, a road to self discovery is more accurate. Which in itself is beautiful. I just didn’t care about the characters there was nothing really interesting about them. Clever chapter headers though.

Totally different book from my normal choices, but I requested this one based on an email I got and I was hooked after reading the synopsis.

Three Canadians who become fast friends after spending time together at a psychiatric facility. I really enjoyed the parts of the book that took place while they were in the hospital. I liked the character development throughout the book, from being in the facility to back out in the "real world" to being at the swanky resort for Matt and Misa's wedding. I feel like the book accurately portrayed what it's like to deal with mental illness, especially when it is coming from an author who lives with bipolar disorder and founded a reflective writing program at Canada’s largest mental health hospital. Also, how is this a debut novel?? I want to read more from her!

The cover drew me in initially, as well as the description: My Best Friend’s Wedding meets The Silver Linings Playbook. The plot wasn't quiet like I expected, but not in a bad way. I found most of the characters to be unlikable.

This author did a great job creating buzz around the release of her book and the synopsis made me anxious to dive right in! I am not sure I would classify this book as a romance, but it was a beautiful story about three friends who met under particular circumstances. I loved the mental health discussions as I wish more people were open about their mental health struggles and help they receive. Overall, the book kept me engaged and I was literally laughing outloud at parts!

Even when you don't share the same health concerns as your character group, it can be challenging to read a book focusing on mental health (and illness) and the way people grow and change through that. Leanne tackles these themes with a surprising lightness that still retains the respect and care needed to take on these difficult topics. We're lucky she put her words into the world!

This story was very touching. I really felt connected to the characters and their personal struggles. I loved the journey that the main characters went on.

A well-written book with firsthand experience, so VERY realistic. The characters are therefore relatable and their feelings and issues believable. I truly enjoyed reading it.