Michelle Rojas Is Not Okay

by Ashley Soto Paniagua, Guillermo Zouain, Wendy Muniz

Michelle Rojas is not okay. In fact, she’s burnt out.

With a PsyD from Yale and a job at a renowned Connecticut therapy practice, Dominican psychologist Michelle Rojas is a Washington Heights success story. When she gets fired for lashing out at co-workers and giving patients questionable advice, Michelle returns home.

Ashamed yet bullish, she lies to her family and friends: Michelle—voiced by Dascha Polanco (Orange is the New Black, Samaritan)—opens a therapy practice in a local bodega under the false pretense of expanding the therapy practice from Connecticut to New York.

But where she’s from, people just don’t go to therapy. It’s a struggle to pierce the tough resistance from the community, even with support from her free-spirited cousin Dora (Darlene Demorizi) and her quick-witted childhood friend Niño (The Kid Mero).

Michelle Rojas Is Not Okay follows Michelle as she struggles to grapple with both her professional and personal identities. Throughout her journey, she faces setback after setback before it slowly becomes clear that she’s there not only to offer help to her community, but also to receive it.

Michelle Rojas is not okay, but will she be?

Genres: Fiction, Audiobook, Comedy

4 pages, Audible Audio

First published February 9, 2023

Reviews

[Jane RJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much fun! I loved the characters, hearing the voices of so many talented Dominican/Latinx artists and Michelle’s journey home to Washington Heights and there’s even a Mozart LaParra cameo!

[Sundria (Sundi) McCormick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read about finding yourself and staying true to it while navigating all the relationships in your world.

[Cassandra Joseph · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think it could have been a good story, but it jumped all over the place and it was hard for me to follow.

[Emmalynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are some great ideas in this short performance and definitely some social issues that needs exploration. The availability of black/minority therapists/ medical professionals, stigma of therapy in the community, overcoming bias and prejudice, micro aggressions and so much more.

[Jenn Palomino · Rating 4 out of 5]

Breezy little listen about community and how as humans we need each other 🥲

[Therese Pram · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun, quick Audible listen. I enjoyed listening to the Dominican banter even when I didn’t fully understand it.

But it drops to a 3 bc this story used one of my biggest pet peeves… the main character made a seemingly unnecessary lie/miscommunication at the beginning that totally spiraled out of control, when they could have easily either told the truth from the start or told the truth earlier as soon as it started to spiral.

[Molly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much audio! Is that possible for an audiobook? Yes. I get that the sound is part of the story but it was overwhelming and distracted from the plot.

[Destiny B · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.75 ⭐️ I enjoyed the plot but was bored with a lot of the story.

[ReadingTilTheBreakOfDawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.
I picked up this Audible Original last year because the whole idea of therapy and the stigma for and against it was intriguing. But Ashley Soto Paniagua had a lot she was trying to say and such a short time to navigate it.
First, I love the play in audio aspect. We had a full cast of characters and the sounds of the streets, the bodega and all the people. It was a play for the ears. Not for everyone, but very well done.
The setting and the characters. From the people that would never seek out therapy to the fully supporting cousin and friend, it was fun to see Washington Heights come alive. The block party and even the way the police definitely had better things to do, but still had a certain sort of prejudice toward a community.
But the big story was about a woman from one area to get out and "make a name for herself" only to return under the guise that she was helping her therapy practice grow. Yes, that was a big stretch, but the author dealt with the stigma of therapy within her community back home AND having minority health care providers readily available for that same community. These were great ideas that I wish were explored more.
Overall, the performances were amazing and I loved that she took such big and important subject matters to deal with. She definitely could've dived in deeper, but the taste we got opened the readers eyes just a bit. Still really liked the audio play as a whole and the way the author had a lot to talk about. Just wish it was longer and explored more because these are all important topics.

[RONI FIELDS-OWEN · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed listening to this audiobook. It gave laughter, comedy, some drama, and a big decision for two of the main characters in the end.

I wasn't sure in the beginning if it was going to be my cup of tea, because of how it started. But, once I listened to the 1st chapter, I was hooked and it was non-stop listening from there.

All the writers who had a hand in this brought their "A" game and produced a WINNER!!!

And all the narrators were Top 5-⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️s readers in my book. They all stayed in character throughout, making me believe I was there on the streets of the Bronx with them.

I recommend this audiobook to others to listen and form their own opinion of course. It's a Winner in my book!

#imronigirl

[Tehteh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got this in my library att Latino month. I was looking to epand my horizons. I ended up listening to this much later. The story is fairly straightforward - a young black latina is at a crossroads after her career hits a roadblock and she is forced to go home to the Heights.
This is a recording of her own therapy sessions, as well as her journey rebuilding her life and career and her clients' stories. It is fairly insightful and funny. Definitely well acted. But for some reason I didn't connect to it. Maybe because these experiences aren«t really something I related to.
But I enjoyed trying something different.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved It!

This is more like a radio play than a conventional audiobook.

I really liked the setting, the way the story is told, the feel of the neighborhood and how the main character felt about it, really came alive for me.

Also, the discussion of mental health felt realistic. Actually that's one thing I would have liked a bit more of, because unfortunately she wasn't able to treat that many patients.

And the professional struggles of the main character, struggling to navigate spaces were they felt excluded, felt very real and relatable.

This was different but refreshing.

[Shilo Parcel · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book offered an intriguing storyline and explored the journey of Michelle Rojas, a psychologist facing burnout as she endeavors to support her community. The narrator's performance effectively conveyed the characters' emotions, but I found the pacing to be slow-moving, and certain aspects of the story could have been more extensively developed, leaving me wanting a deeper and more engaging experience.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this a lot. The characters are engaging and it’s an enjoyable, interesting story. It dragged for a bit in the middle but it was a pretty quick listen. Not a bad way to spend a few hours in the car.

[Dayamarali Espinosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg Bello. Beautiful audible that I ever heard. I love this, it has a song, Spanglish, and more. It make me dance, laugh and omg it relate to my identity as a Latina woman. If you are Latinx, or love international culture I recommend you this audiobook on audible app. ❤️

[Evy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tremendo audiolibro, debería convertirse en una mini serie o película. Mucha representación sobre la comunidad latina en U.S. y la importancia de la salud mental. Lo disfruté muchísimo. Excelente música y voces.

[Baje Bookclub - Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was a good one about Michelle’s life and recognizing what is important. I had a bit of difficulty differing between female characters especially Michelle and her cousin. It was funny and felt like a really good community.

[Christa Seeley · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were some interesting characters but the pacing was a little chaotic and there was too much going on in a short period of time. It was hard to keep track of everything and no one felt very fleshed out.m

[Laurie Barshay · Rating 5 out of 5]

A trip for the listener to Washington Heights and an invitation to stay. Michelle Rojas is caught between two worlds…until she realizes she’s home. A place to use her gifts for her community and receive the ultimate gifts…love and support.

[Juan Rivera · Rating 1 out of 5]

⭐️

Hoy manejé tres horas de chofer de mis hijas y decidí tratar de hacer algo productivo. Pensé: este audiolibro de “Audible” podría estar bien, y sobre todo que es de regalo.

Bueno, casi me duermo…. Pero lo terminé y les puedo decir…. No aprendí nada…

[Shu.reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

So colorful and vibrant and the latinx narrators did a great job. A story about finding yourself, the power of therapy and the complexities of Caribbean/latinx society’s views on mental health. However it felt a bit rushed. The story had so much potential

[Gail Blanco · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really didn’t enjoy the background noises. Perhaps if I was longing for the hustle and bustling sounds of NYC, I wouldn’t have found it so annoying.
The plot line was good, I just didn’t enjoy the audio.

[~Vixhen~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was awesome. I loved the representation of family and the neighborhood. It was so real. The message about removing the stigma of therapy was so important. The cast was perfect!

[Lynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A raucous and fun story about the importance of mental health awareness.

[Tonya Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating 3.5.....free on Audible and a quick funny listen.

[Tammie Fowlkes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved all the family relationships and spanish tradions.. I also liked how it focused on mental health and making sure you're okay before being able to help others.

[Joji Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny, witty, Sexy & Hilarious.

[Bonnie Fournier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such fun

[Tania Florimon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A most read! Great book for a glimpse of the dominican culture!

[Teih Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this one! I loved how they really incorporated the Dominican culture and the importance of helping family and therapy!