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gwenswoons's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I loved this. It’s my first Curtis Sittenfeld book, and I am so impressed by the detailing and world building here – there’s something really absorbing about both the highly populated setting of the late night comedy show and about all of the relationships inside it that just worked so well for me. I love both of the main characters, and while I was kind of cautious about reading a Covid pandemic-set book, I actually found the use of the pandemic in the plot of this to work so well in framing and tension building. I loved the whole giant section of e-mails back-and-forth - just so funny and relatable and cute. I also think, in a funny way, that the conflicts and miscommunications in the third act (and even earlier in the book) were actually so real and relatable, especially for people were in their late 30s who haven’t dated a lot recently and have all kinds of complicated insecurities and routines of their own that they bring to the table even in a relationship that is basically good. I also just love all of the side characters, from the close friendships to the MC’s stepfather and especially his sweet beagle - such a cutie. Anyway, loved this and will definitely read more Sittenfeld in the future!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Fatphobia, Body shaming, Alcoholism, Grief, Death of parent, and Medical content
asymmetricwhale's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming
Minor: Alcoholism
kleinekita's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Panic attacks/disorders, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Medical content
Moderate: Death of parent, Alcoholism, and Excrement
Minor: Addiction, Suicide, Pregnancy, Cancer, and Eating disorder
cinnamxnstick's review
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Romantic Comedy is an absolutely hilarious will-they-won’t-they romance and the definition of a page-turner!
I loved this book so much, it was the most perfect holiday read! I completely binged half of it on the plane, and then throughout the rest of my trip I picked it up during every piece of spare time as I just wanted to find out where we were going with this!
I absolutely adored the character development of the FMC, especially how natural and realistic it felt. A lot of the themes and character development resonated deeply with me so I felt very connected to the story.
I have found reading books set during the Covid-19 Pandemic unsettling or upsetting at times, but I found that Sittenfeld used it well and perfectly navigated the nuance within many of our experiences during this time.
I’m excited to dive into the rest of her books!
I loved this book so much, it was the most perfect holiday read! I completely binged half of it on the plane, and then throughout the rest of my trip I picked it up during every piece of spare time as I just wanted to find out where we were going with this!
I absolutely adored the character development of the FMC, especially how natural and realistic it felt. A lot of the themes and character development resonated deeply with me so I felt very connected to the story.
I have found reading books set during the Covid-19 Pandemic unsettling or upsetting at times, but I found that Sittenfeld used it well and perfectly navigated the nuance within many of our experiences during this time.
I’m excited to dive into the rest of her books!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical content and Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Eating disorder, Addiction, and Alcoholism
miahenry's review
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The general premise of this book is not new although the setting/circumstance was original (to me.) I’ve read a few rom coms now about famous people/celebrities dating normal folks. There is a little more nuance here since both characters are in the entertainment industry with agents and managers, so it is a bit different. Love between a front of the camera person and a behind the camera person was new to me.
The main character, Sally, is the narrator (which I like more than third person but less than dual POVs). Since she is VERY imperfect, her telling of the story did endear me to her a little bit. Her insecurities were relatable, I liked her politics (unapologetically liberal), and I liked how she treated her friends and loved ones. It was clear she was a badass at work and a mess otherwise and I get that.
The love interest, Noah, was not very memorable for me when he first appeared, but boy does he turn it around later. I loved his character as it was revealed - the sweetness and maturity never got old. He was so good at being honest and vulnerable with Sally while maintaining respect for himself. He really was the full package and I was here for it. I liked Noah more than Sally which negatively affected my overall rating of the book because I like to like both main characters about the same.
This book is divided into three very distinct parts marked by dates that precede then happen during the Covid-19 pandemic: 1) meeting 2) reconnecting 3) conflict + resolution
The first third of this book was tedious. It was interesting to learn about the schedule of people working on the SNL-like show, the dynamics between folks given their roles, and just generally learning how the sausage is made. However, there were too many characters and details which made it hard to follow the budding romance. It helped when I started reading it like a behind-the-scenes account instead of a rom com.
However, the second part of the book (all email exchanges) was adorable and the third part really paid off. The dialogue in the last third was fantastic. I liked how Sally thought one thing, but (wisely) said another. She started facing her fears and becoming a better person. However, I do believe she could use some therapy sessions like my main man Noah. I would have liked to have seen therapy for Sally in the epilogue.
Also, the descriptions of life during the pandemic were well done. Things happened quickly at the end, but I believed in the connection, primarily because of their ages. I loved the fact that they were both almost 40 and were so open with one another about past relationships.
It’s 3.5 stars for me. It was almost 2 stars, but then I liked the end so much I bumped it to almost 4 stars. I grew to love this book, but will likely put it in the neighborhood’s little library.
The main character, Sally, is the narrator (which I like more than third person but less than dual POVs). Since she is VERY imperfect, her telling of the story did endear me to her a little bit. Her insecurities were relatable, I liked her politics (unapologetically liberal), and I liked how she treated her friends and loved ones. It was clear she was a badass at work and a mess otherwise and I get that.
The love interest, Noah, was not very memorable for me when he first appeared, but boy does he turn it around later. I loved his character as it was revealed - the sweetness and maturity never got old. He was so good at being honest and vulnerable with Sally while maintaining respect for himself. He really was the full package and I was here for it. I liked Noah more than Sally which negatively affected my overall rating of the book because I like to like both main characters about the same.
This book is divided into three very distinct parts marked by dates that precede then happen during the Covid-19 pandemic: 1) meeting 2) reconnecting 3) conflict + resolution
The first third of this book was tedious. It was interesting to learn about the schedule of people working on the SNL-like show, the dynamics between folks given their roles, and just generally learning how the sausage is made. However, there were too many characters and details which made it hard to follow the budding romance. It helped when I started reading it like a behind-the-scenes account instead of a rom com.
However, the second part of the book (all email exchanges) was adorable and the third part really paid off. The dialogue in the last third was fantastic. I liked how Sally thought one thing, but (wisely) said another. She started facing her fears and becoming a better person. However, I do believe she could use some therapy sessions like my main man Noah. I would have liked to have seen therapy for Sally in the epilogue.
Also, the descriptions of life during the pandemic were well done. Things happened quickly at the end, but I believed in the connection, primarily because of their ages. I loved the fact that they were both almost 40 and were so open with one another about past relationships.
It’s 3.5 stars for me. It was almost 2 stars, but then I liked the end so much I bumped it to almost 4 stars. I grew to love this book, but will likely put it in the neighborhood’s little library.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Alcoholism
Minor: Body shaming, Racism, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
stormeno's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcoholism, Death of parent, Sexual content, and Death
caitlin_d33's review
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The structure of the book was unique! Chapter one in a harsh timeline. Chapter two as just emails. And Chapter three more traditional first person narrative.
Unfortunately I didn’t love the book. It was relatable to an extent. And the first book that I’ve read that really incorporated the Covid pandemic into the main storyline. Which isn’t my first choice since I like my books to be very “escapist” and be able to disregard my reality 😂
But ultimately, the characters just kind of fell flat for me. I was reading to just get through it. Not because I was so invested.
Unfortunately I didn’t love the book. It was relatable to an extent. And the first book that I’ve read that really incorporated the Covid pandemic into the main storyline. Which isn’t my first choice since I like my books to be very “escapist” and be able to disregard my reality 😂
But ultimately, the characters just kind of fell flat for me. I was reading to just get through it. Not because I was so invested.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Alcoholism
samcanuel's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Did I like this book because I’m a cheese ball and I am a sucker for the celebrity rom-com trope? Yes. Did I somewhat dislike this because Sally, the narrator, and the modernity of it pissed me off? Also yes! However, I really did enjoy the concept of a late night comedy show writer falling in love with the celebrity guest/host of the show. I found the plot to be questionable and overall the book felt incomplete to me, but I would not dissuade others from reading it - it just wasn’t my cup of tea!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content and Pregnancy
Moderate: Addiction and Alcoholism
Minor: Death, Medical trauma, and Death of parent
rebecca_arielle's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
A MAN THAT GOES TO THERAPY!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pandemic/Epidemic, Medical content, and Excrement
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Pregnancy, and Death of parent
ariana3's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This book took me a LONG time to get in to. I was going to give up, but I stuck it out, and it definitely paid off in the end! This book is an easy, light-hearted, funny, beach-read type book. It was hard for me to get over some parts, but once I accepted the premise and knowing essentially how the story was going to go, it was much easier to read and I enjoyed the last two-thirds of the book! The book is split up into essentially 3 parts. The first part feels chaotic, with too many characters being introduced and confusing and slightly annoying. However, I was sucked in during the second part, and then I found myself being pulled back to the book to find out how it ends.
Plot summary:Sally works at The Night Owls (TNO), which is so obviously a rip-off of SNL. This was the biggest part for me that was so hard to get over. It felt annoying and stupid that the writer would put this story within a show that is so obviously something nonfiction that it was irritating. However, I eventually got over this and just accepted it. Anyway, Sally has been a writer at TNO for the last 9 years. She's in her mid-thirties, has previously been married, and just doesn't date because she no longer trusts her instincts and has settled into the fact she won't find love. Noah Brewster, a mega-hot, mega-famous star hosts TNO and she spends a considerable amount of time with him for the week. She feels like there's a flirtation but she must be crazy. At the after-party, she thinks he's going to kiss her, so she freaks out and says something a bit snarky as a jab (since her coping mechanism is snarky comments/humor, obviously). He feels hurt, their flirty friendship ends, and that's that. BOOM - Covid hits 2 years later. The entire 2nd part is in the format of emails to each other back and forth. Noah reaches out to Sally to rekindle a friendship, it gets honest and emotional, as two people during the pandemic are longing for a human connection. It's raw, emotional, honest, and their feelings are shared. These emails span over 5 days, which then leads into the 3rd part. The 3rd part, Sally and Noah start Facetiming and speaking on the phone. It's still early covid times, and she agrees to go out to LA to visit him. When she gets there, its kind of a will we/won't we hook-up, what are we doing, confusing mess. However, the feelings and conversations are so adult and mature, and they're primarily initiated by Noah which is a refreshing take on heterosexual relationships. Sally eventually comes around and shares her honest feelings and thoughts with him instead of her snarky quips. So, they obviously sleep together, they confess they love each other, etc. etc. Sally's stepdad gets sick so she flies out there to nurse him back to health and make sure he's okay. Noah comes out to help, and that's when they both realize, I think, they want to be with each other. It was his "grand gesture" to her to show that yes he loves her, yes he wants to be with her, yes this is real. There's also an epilogue which says they get married a year later, and her stepdad and his beagle eventually move out to LA and live with them. I think I just love how wholesome the book turns out to be. There's plenty of ways it could take a dark turn or end a little bittersweet, but everything ends so happy and lovely! I wanted to give this book a lower score initially, but that fact alone bumped it up at least another star once I finished the book. And then I came through and bumped it up another 1/4 star haha
Plot summary:
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Classism, Alcohol, Body shaming, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Alcoholism
Minor: Eating disorder, Death of parent, and Cancer