The Meaning of Okay by Cortney Raymond tells us the story of Kenny Ellis, a strong yet broken girl who thinks herself undeserving of love. Rhys Curran comes into her life and shows us she is much more than her past experiences. Together, they learn the true meaning of being okay.
Table of Contents
Review
It is not easy to let go of traumatic experiences. While not impossible, it is immensely tough for sexual abuse victims to overcome their demons. A strong support network is a must on their road to recovery. Cortney Raymond’s The Meaning of Okay brings to us the story of one such woman.
From the outside Kennedy Ellis is a strong, independent, and successful woman. However, on the inside, she is a fragile girl who thinks that she is broken beyond repair. Even after a decade had passed since her sexual assault, she is unable to heal. The incident opened up more traumatic experiences from her childhood. Kennedy blames herself and believes that she is incapable of forming any lasting healthy relationship. Lonely and plagued with nightmares, she has given up on love and life. Her only saving graces are her best friend, Dillon Kade, and her brother, Spencer. Erin is also a good friend to her. Dillon has taken the responsibility to reintroduce her to life and help her recover. Kennedy’s life takes an unexpected turn when Rhys Curran, Dillon’s childhood best friend, comes to town. Rhys has had his heart broken and is in San Antonio to start afresh. When Rhys and Kennedy meet sparks instantly fly. However, the two of them are broken souls who are unwilling to give love a chance.
Will Rhys be able to overcome his heartbreak and give love a shot with Kennedy? Will Kennedy let him? Will they be able to heal each other and have the life they deserve? Most importantly, will Kennedy be able to let go of her past demons and embrace the resilient young woman she is today?
The Meaning of Okay by Cortney Raymond is a heart-touching story that makes you both laugh and cry. It takes us on a rollercoaster ride of emotions. Kennedy has my heart. She is utterly broken. Yet, she has made something of herself. A successful business writer, she has even gone back to school to pursue her passion for astronomy. Though initially misunderstood by her parents, she has tried to build a relationship with them. Her relationship with her parents shows us that many a time the people who are supposed to love us the most may not understand us in our darkest hour. Kennedy’s bond with Dillon, Erin, and Spencer is beautiful. The interlude where Spencer came to visit with his family was heartwarming. Erin is a wise friend who always has the right advice. Dillon is the best friend that we all need. The cocky billionaire playboy is always there for Kennedy. He pushes her to live the best life she can. From their cute banter and deep conversations to their movie nights and getaway rituals, I absolutely love their bond. Dillon is undoubtedly my favorite character. Rhys is a one-of-a-kind boyfriend. Despite being heartbroken himself, he puts himself out there for Kennedy. He respects her and her boundaries even when she is unable to do so herself. Everyone deserves a Rhys in their lives. He teaches Kennedy the true meaning of being okay.
Cortney Raymond is a talented author. She enmeshes the reader in her story. Through the shifting first-person perspectives of Rhys and Kennedy, she makes us feel like a part of their lives. We relate to their heartbreak and desperation. We can feel their hope and happiness. Raymond beautifully depicts the plight of a sexually abused woman. She shows us it is not easy to heal, yet it is not impossible as well. We just need to give life a chance. A strong group of loved ones can do wonders. She also portrays the self-hatred and blame a victim put on themselves. The empathetic portrayal of Kennedy has my heart.
In her novel, The Meaning of Okay, Cortney Raymond weaves a tale of healing, self-discovery, and unconditional love. I highly recommend this book to fans of romance novels. People who enjoy reading stories of redemption and healing will love this book as well.
About the Author
Cortney Raymond may not be a morning person, but she has mastered the art of early rising. A true aficionado of all things planner-related, she balances her love for organization with a passion for reading and cherished moments with her family.
Cortney’s academic journey led her to earn a BA in English and an MS in Psychology, laying a solid foundation for her 15-year career as a technical writer. Her expertise in professional writing, honed during her college years, has allowed her to craft precise and impactful documentation across various fields.
When she’s not immersed in her work or organizing her life to perfection, Cortney can be found immersing herself in a good book or enjoying quality time with her loved ones. Her unique blend of skills and interests makes her a multifaceted writer with a deep appreciation for the written word and the intricacies of human behavior.
Book Details
- Title: The Meaning of Okay
- Author: Cortney Raymond
- Genre: Romance
- Theme: Second-chance, Self-discovery, Redemption, Love, Trauma, Abuse
- Publication Date: November 13, 2023
- ISBN or ASIN: B0CKZK7NT8
- Number of Pages: 265
- Minimum Audience Age: 18
Book Themes
(Note: 0=none, 1=a few, 2=considerable, 3=pronounced, 4=excessive)
- Sexual themes: 4
- Religious themes: 0
- Violence, self-harm, etc.: 4
- Crude language, expletives, swearing, etc.: 4
- Other adult themes: 4
Useful Links
- View the book on Goodreads here.
- Get a copy of the book via Amazon here.
- Get a copy of the book via Goodreads here.
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I recently read a phrase (I don’t remember where, so if someone knows the author, please add it to a comment) that says no one is broken beyond repair. And I think that’s the kind of message survivors of sexual abuse need to hear. We need to talk about the aftermath of it all, but also about the healing part. What a moving review!