Read this book for a gloomy dystopian America with an unexpectedly hopeful tone.  Confidently recommending to anyone looking for something character-led and beautifully written, when you're not after a fast-paced plot & thrills. Emotionally involving, but overall cheerful and satisfying. Does have a gutting euphemism for

suicide

, plus other grimness, check CWs as needed.

Has Station Eleven vibes (the "everything's crap, so let's be nice to each other" bit, not the "we've forgotten how solar power works" bit or "welp sorry, diabetics & others who rely on meds to live" bit.) Also perhaps a little of The Bear by Andrew Krivak.