Everything Will Be Okay

by Sean J. Gebhardt

Everything Will Be Okay is a raw, unflinching exploration of addiction, mental illness, and the search for redemption set against California’s opioid crisis.

The story follows two men—Nick Wagner, a twenty- year-old battling addiction and the fallout from his recent incarceration, and Henry Foster, a disillusioned psychiatrist struggling with his own mental health after a painful divorce. As Nick falls deeper into addiction and fractured relationships, Henry uncovers secrets in his ex-wife’s diary that threaten to unravel his fragile grip on reality.

Both men are trapped in spirals of self-destruction, searching for a way out.

As gripping as it is heartbreaking, this novel bleeds onto the page, daring readers to face the darkest corners of the human psyche in search of a glimmer of hope.

‘Sean Gebhardt cuts to the core of the human heart, and all the complications inside it.’ Lauren McQuistin

Genres: Mental Health

328 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 4, 2025

About the author

From the California suburbs, through the depths of the heroin crisis throughout the Golden State, and to the edge of an all-too-real Hell and back, Sean J. Gebhardt wonders every day why he's still alive when so many have been lost to the opioid epidemic. But, for better or worse, he lives—writing late into the night, trying to silence that question through storytelling.

By day, he goes to work, pretending his job matters exactly as much as he needs to so he and his wife—who is absurdly out of his league—can provide for their strange and bewitching young daughter.

Everything Will Be Okay is his debut novel, a poignant, scathing reflection on broken lives and the elusive promise of healing.

Reviews

[Constantine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Literary Fiction

This is the author’s debut novel, which is a good start for him. Everything Will Be Okay is a story that follows two connected male characters: a doctor and his patient. Nick Wagner is a young man struggling with addiction and the consequences of his past actions, including incarceration. On the other hand, his doctor, Henry Foster, is a disillusioned psychiatrist grappling with his own mental health issues after a painful divorce.

The novel is narrated in the third-person style and follows the lives of these two characters in the present while shedding some light on their pasts and struggles. Towards the end, there is also a focus on Nick’s mother, Marion, a single mother who also has her own problems, including dealing with her addicted son.

This is a literary fiction, and I appreciate how the author realistically depicted the different struggles of addiction and how they affect a person’s physical and psychological health. There is a lot of focus on mental health, too, including the doctor’s mental health after his bitter divorce.

The author did a great job with the characters. They are realistic, compelling, and well-developed. Reading their stories and hardships makes them relatable. You must’ve faced people like them in your life.

I liked the author’s writing and look forward to reading more books by him. His writing is raw and authentic, which makes you engage well with the story. If I have to critique something about the writing, it would be the excessive use of the F word. I understand the need to present Nick Wagner in a certain way for the story, but using the F word 335 times (counted on Kindle) is a little overboard. The other thing that might not go well with some readers is the open ending. I personally liked it, but some readers prefer a resolution for the characters.

Overall, this is a solid, captivating, character-driven novel. It is emotionally intense, thought-provoking, and sensitive, so be sure you can handle it.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with the ARC of this book.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

We follow two main characters. Nick is a young man with an addiction to Class A drugs and Henry, a middle-aged therapist.

This book is a real deep dive into the relationship between counsellor and client and how, in many cases, the lives of the trained are as equally messed up and toxic as those of their clients.

I think this book had some real insight into these topics and has a good amount to say on it. However, it was executed poorly, in my opinion.

The narrative here is its strong point. The dialogue is terrible. The dialogue, while immature and lengthy, is primarily being used to make points to the reader as if we need educating. I prefer more of a show, not tell approach personally.

I feel like I've been yelled at for 300 pages.

With a decent edit and some maturity in the dialogue, this could really be something.

Two stars.

[Nicole Fegan]

I have spent a lot of my life as a reader and editor devouring books that deal with mental illness and addiction, and from the moment I started Everything Will Be Okay, I knew it was something special. Gebhardt draws you right into the lives of these two men who are as insufferable as they are sympathetic, their flaws and the reasons for their flaws ablaze on every page. His style is uncompromising; there is very often nothing clean or demure about debilitating mental illness, and the (surprisingly controversial, for some reason) frequent cursing and relaxed prose allow the reader to truly feel like they're inhabiting these men's lives.

Life is difficult and life is painful, and sometimes it feels impossible to help ourselves, but this book reinforces the importance and possibility of helping others and not allowing hope to die. A beautiful book for fans of My Year of Rest and Relaxation, Norwegian Wood, Stoner, and Chuck Palahniuk's novels (especially his early, non-gory works).

[Robin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Man, I'm genuinely so moved by this. An incredibly gripping story, no matter how foreign its matter may be to me. Gerbhardt made me feel sympathy for these deeply flawed characters, painting a painfully realistic picture. Now I have to sit and ponder the Emotions this book gave me. Damn. Real good stuff.

[em · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really struggled with this. I thought it was overwritten, underdeveloped and a chore to read. I’ve seen the other 5 star reviews and can’t help but feel like I’m missing something because this was not it for me! Henry and Nick were both incredibly boring to read about, neither of them kept me interested and I only ended up finishing the book for the sake of finishing it. They both made the same mistakes over and over and Henry’s inner monologue especially was infuriating to read. I understand that the author was trying to make a commentary on drugs and addiction, but that fell short for me as well.

The time jumps and narrative choices were questionable as were the side characters. The writing was okay (except for the excessive swearing that was thrown in at random points), however the plot dragged. I usually love emotive, character driven books but this was a drag to read from start to finish.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for kindly providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. #EverythingWillBeOkay #NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[LX · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Sean for sending me a copy!

4 stars!

My favourite thing about this was how relatable some of the parts about mental health was. It's a very depressive, bleak story to be honest, the slight hope within it is within the lines of the characters and their own stories rather than the conversation between them.

I didn't really like Henry or Nick as characters, they're flawed, they're human, they made/make mistakes, but still could't help but shake them at times and relate to them on another level.

The dialogue between them wasn't my favourite as Nick would just come across a very different way to how he comes across in his own story, this might because he's hostile to talking to Henry but it felt just to the way he would speak sometimes.

Regardless of this I found it an interesting read and really ended up highlighting a while bunch of lines for myself LOOOL

[BookTrib.com]

We fear this is going to make us cry. Still going to read it.

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything Will Be Okay is literary fiction—not a poppy plotline full of drama. The inherent drama is inevitable, of course, squarely set in the context of the opioid epidemic and with plenty of nods to present-day mainstream American culture; anyone paying attention would bend at least slightly to the appeal of nihilism as an unholy escape. Everything is a high-brow portrait of psychological suffering presented with characters who, objectively, experience life in a gutter-low fashion. Through the complexity of this philosopher/junkie-high/low juxtaposition, the reader is treated to a treatise on meaning. An examination of suffering and craving, this novel captures the essence of substance abuse in all of its forms—truly, all of them. (Love addict, anyone?) Any careful reader with sufficient self-awareness will recognize themself in these pages. The reader is challenged to take in the ugly depths of despair the author beautifully illustrates. Every word carries out the meaning that isn’t to be missed. My recommendation: don’t miss this philosophical masterpiece. (Unless of course you have no interest whatsoever in psychology or the meaning of life. Then, by all means, sure, move along.)

[Bruce N LeLaurin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was beautifully written. It really makes you think- the prose is authentic and quick paced. This author’s ability to pull beauty and pain into the text is magnificent. And there is a specific part that sensationally describes the pain that is just waking up in the morning- I have never heard that articulated before. And possibly not everyone relates, but I sure do. This book delves into its characters in a way that is refreshing; they are dynamic and multi faceted. They are relatable in the sense of their struggle with humanness. Gebhardt constructs a narrative that immerses the reader in the painful aftermath of trauma and the difficult, often isolating, journey toward healing. Big time recommend this novel.

[mh · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was very sad. I enjoyed the last third, but it felt like a long road to get there. Would have loved to see more about Marion and Nick instead of so much about Henry.

Nick's story reminded me a lot of Rue's addiciton story in Euphoria.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy.

[Kyle Pollock · Rating 2 out of 5]

“Everything Will Be Okay” tells two interwoven stories that follow very troubled lives. One story centers on Nick, a teenager battling addiction, identity struggles, and the weight of social expectations. The other follows Henry, psychologist whose life is falling apart. Although the book paints vivid pictures of their inner battles, many of the other characters remain only half-developed.

Nick’s Story

Nick is portrayed as a typical misfit—a teenager who uses drugs and struggles with anxiety and insecurity. His world is filled with punk rockers, misunderstood peers, and a constant tension between the image he puts on and his real inner pain. Nick’s journey is filled with moments of rebellion, regret, and fleeting hope. He even clings to memories of a girl he loved who once promised him a way out of his chaos. However, despite these intense personal moments, Nick’s character feels confined by his addiction and the limited exploration of the other figures in his world, such as the brief glimpses of a supportive relationship with his mother Marion and a fleeting connection with another troubled girl.

Henry’s Story

Henry is a conflicted psychologist, tormented by his own failures and mounting personal problems. Once driven by a desire to shake up the status quo, Henry now finds himself overwhelmed by depression, self-loathing, and a reliance on alcohol and sedatives. One of the most significant and devastating events in his story is when he loses his license to practice. This loss isn’t just a professional setback—it symbolizes the collapse of his life as he fails to live up to the expectations he once set for himself. Henry’s day-to-day life becomes a blur of missed appointments, erratic decisions (like waking up on the office floor and running red lights), and haunted memories of failed relationships, particularly with his ex-wife, Gretchen, and a past affair with a former patient. His internal monologue often reflects his view of himself as a fraud, trapped in a cycle of self-destruction that only deepens his despair.

The novel’s strength lies in its exploration of two contrasting yet parallel journeys. On one side, we witness the raw, painful struggle of adolescence where identity and self-worth are constantly in flux. On the other, we see a mature, yet broken, individual whose life is crumbling under the weight of personal failure and lost opportunities. The narrative touches on themes of social performance—how Nick and his peers wear masks to hide their vulnerabilities—and the harsh reality that even those with the best intentions, like Henry, can fall victim to their inner demons.

Despite these compelling insights, the novel stumbles in its overall execution. While Nick and Henry receive deep, introspective portrayals, the supporting cast (including characters like Alison and Marion) is not given the same care. Their roles seem more like background details rather than fully fleshed-out lives, which leaves the reader wanting more context and emotional depth from these secondary figures.

A final sticking point is the ending. Instead of offering clear resolutions or a satisfying conclusion, the ending leaves too many questions unanswered. Readers are left to wonder about the true fates of Nick and Henry and whether their struggles will ever be overcome. The abrupt conclusion, combined with lingering plot threads, contributes to a sense of confusion and incompleteness. For a novel that takes such an ambitious dive into the complexity of personal failure and redemption, this lack of closure can be particularly frustrating.

Everything Will Be Okay is a novel of bold ambitions and intense character studies. It shines in its raw depiction of personal despair and the pressures of modern life, especially through the eyes of Nick and the troubled psychologist Henry. However, the narrative falls short by focusing too narrowly on its two main characters, leaving secondary figures underdeveloped and the ending confusing. Henry’s dramatic loss of his license to practice serves as a key moment of downfall, encapsulating the collapse of his professional and personal world—a collapse mirrored in the chaotic, unresolved lives of the other characters. Ultimately, while the novel has moments of powerful insight, its uneven character development and ambiguous ending leaves unfulfilled promises.

I’m revising my rating to two stars. The writing feels immature and underdeveloped, particularly in part two, which only kicks off around page 260 with the introduction of Nick’s mother—a section that comes across as uninspired.

Both of Nick’s love interests are frustratingly underdeveloped, which makes their attraction to a self-destructive addict hard to understand. Lia, for example, is constantly ignored and ghosted by Nick—even though he hardly offers anything positive, she clings to him until her breaking point is reached, culminating in the moment she throws a mug at his head after Alison overdoses. Meanwhile, Alison’s inexplicable allure, despite his constant drug use, sleeping all day, and overall lack of ambition, is never properly explained. Their behavior feels forced, as if the narrative uses them merely to accentuate Nick’s flaws rather than presenting fully realized, believable characters. The lack of backstory and nuanced motivation makes it difficult to grasp why they would be drawn to someone portrayed as a loser in every sense.

Henry, the psychologist, appears to have no real grasp of his own inner workings, making his character frustratingly shallow. And then there’s Gretchen—Henry’s wife—whose role is baffling: she does nothing substantial yet suddenly divorces him without any real explanation. Overall, the narrative struggles to deliver a compelling character study or a coherent storyline.

[clementine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a captivating and highly relevant novel that I couldn’t put down. It made me cry more than once, but the author brings a sort of levity that also had me laughing at times.
I highly recommend if you’re looking for something thought-provoking, gripping, heart-wrenching, and just beautifully written. The author is clearly a unique talent and I can’t wait to see what they publish next.

[Barbara Tsipouras · Rating 2 out of 5]

Where is the hope other reviewers talk about? I couldn't find it. I find this book utterly depressing and except Marion, Nick's mother, I couldn't relate to the characters.
Addiction is an ugly beast that will destroy your life and the life of those around you. But if those who are supposed to help you are addicted and desperate themselves, there's really no hope.

[july · Rating 1 out of 5]

ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Too full of embellishments that actually mean nothing.
I don’t know the author, but the idea I unconsciously made of them is that the book was written by someone born around the year 2000, somebody who hasn’t got enough experience in writing, which is an art form and like all arts it takes years to master; prodigies exist, but they’re not the norm. I felt it was written in the edgy fanfiction phase of someone’s life and edited only superficially, if at all, shown by both the vernacular expressed in the conversations between the two main characters and the trying-to-be purple prose that neither manages to be actually purple nor to say anything that’s relevant at all. (There’s also the self-pity that seems to be characteristic of our generation.)
I feel like everybody’s had the experience of having had to write a 5000-word essay and, having managed to write and make your point in only 500 of them, you now had to lenghten it by substituting simple and direct language with words that made a text with sense become senseless, and by adding points that are actually pointless.
I never managed to care for any of the characters; no, that’s not the full truth – I couldn’t stand them. They’re angsty for angst’s sake, without an actual reason nor a meaning to it.
Even the ““mature[-r]”” character, or the one that should be at least a little more so, the one who’s responsible of the other… is only another masked edgy teenager. And I’m not saying that by your thirties you should have your life together, nor am I saying that as a psychiatrist you can’t have a mental disorder or any kind of problem that veers on the psychological (as a matter of fact, I’m of the idea that if they have one, they’re bound to care and to make a better job). No, what I’m actually saying is that you should be able to approach things with a certain maturity/responsibility.
And what makes all of this worse is that I actually saw a potential to the story…
My advice would be to publish the book 2+ years from now, and to work on it in the meantime. This batch felt too rushed.

[RedReviews4You Susan-Dara · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s something about the raw honesty of Sean J. Gebhardt’s novel that softens the weight of its pain—turning heartbreak into something deeply human, deeply felt. With unflinching clarity, Gebhardt examines the shattering reality of America’s opioid crisis, crafting a story that is both empathetic and brutally real, a testament to the power of literary fiction. And yet, through nuanced character development, Gebhardt effortlessly transports the reader to the streets and treatment centers of California—immersing us in a world that is both unflinchingly real and deeply intimate.

This book is an asset—not just for those with personal ties to mental health struggles or addiction, but also for readers seeking a nuanced, unfiltered look at the complexities of treatment, recovery, and human resilience.

But what sets this book apart, in my opinion, is its dual perspective on therapy—in Nick, we witness the individual navigating treatment, confronting pain, seeking hope. In Henry, we follow the therapist, offering solace, guidance, and his own quiet burden. This contrast allows Gebhardt to explore the depth of addiction’s reach—not just for those suffering, but for those trying to help.

And just when the story feels settled, Marion, Nick’s mother, is introduced—complicating everything, adding layers of love, guilt, and impossible choices that elevate the novel into something more expansive, more deeply personal.

Powerful. Emotional. Unforgettable.

This book challenged me—it asked me to sit with the harsh realities of addiction and its ripple effects. Though told in third-person, its shifting perspectives allow us to see the true scope of this crisis—the individual, the caregiver, and the family caught in between.

It isn’t an easy read, but it’s an essential one.

[Fanni · Rating 3 out of 5]

I went into this book with high expectations, and I was really enjoying it for the first half. The dialogue, although sometimes hard to follow, felt incredibly authentic—especially for someone like me who's familiar with communities similar to Nick's. The way words get tossed around without much substance is spot on.

However, after the midpoint, the story started to feel a bit stagnant for me. It seemed like we weren't moving forward. By that point, I felt like I'd already grasped the book's main message, and it started to feel repetitive.

I think the story has a lot of potential, but it might have been even more effective as a novella. Overall, it's a great concept, and I appreciate the author's effort to capture the essence of California’s opioid crisis.

I'm still considering this book as a potential pick for our Fresh Off The Press Book Club. In the meantime, I encourage all readers to give it a try if they come across it.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Following two men who have to come to terms with their own struggles amidst the opioid crisis of California, Everything Will Be Okay switches back and forth between two narratives which are asking questions we’ve all wondered, without giving us an easy escape or a quick solution. Both characters seem to have the room to make mistakes and live their consequences, and I think this is what made the book so readable. There were some bits that didn’t flow as well as others, either due to excessive swearing that didn’t feel necessary or over-explanation, but for an uncorrected proof this didn’t affect my reading too much and I still raced towards the ending. A therapist/patient narrative that I feel is done quite well without too much overlap.

thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

[Kelley Does · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everything Will Be Okay was a book that came into my life at the right moment. I don’t struggle with addiction personally, but the musings about life and mental health perfectly gave words to feelings I have had often during my own mental health struggles.

This story is heavy, but absolutely worth your time. It is a touching story that shows how addiction affects everyone related to the addicted person.

I also appreciated seeing the “acceptable” addiction to alcohol and how dangerous alcoholism can be.

You will not find a happy ending here, but you will find hope.

The one thing I would have liked to see more of is Henry and Nick’s conversations. I thought their relationship would be more of a core part of this book and was surprised that it didn’t go beyond those few conversations.

Overall this was a beautiful, devastating read that I really enjoyed.

[Carrie Lebigre · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this text, Gephardt takes us on a sharp, darkly funny, and unexpectedly tender exploration of hope in the face of chaos. With keen wit and an eye for the absurd, he dissects the modern condition—its anxieties, contradictions, and small mercies—offering a voice that is both deeply human and refreshingly irreverent. He doesn’t shy away from the messy parts of existence but instead finds meaning, humor, and even beauty in them. A must-read for anyone who enjoys smart, emotionally resonant writing with a rebellious heart.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was real, self aware, and provocative. Felt like a window into what it's like when you start dancin' with the devil. I love art that makes me uncomfortable, and it was definitely worth the read.

[bookishmarcos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley and Dark Room Press for the ARC.

4.5 ☆

An incredible debut novel for Gebhardt. It focus on the two character Nick Wagner and his therapist Henry Foster, the story takes us through their every day struggles with addiction, divorce and mental health. I would have enjoyed for there to have been more details and conversations with the two main characters during their therapy sessions, they had great chemistry with each other. While not all stories have a happy ending, this one being on of them, in a way it felt like it ended in a way that gives the readers hope. Overall, this was an incredible read for me.

There are times when I believed the Thesaurus could have been put down though.