Reviews

Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld

jthorne's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

emvanalt's review against another edition

Go to review page

medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

jennnafziger's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

Meh! I think my biggest problem is that romance must not be my genre. I just never felt engaged in the story… I wanted it to be cuter. Instead, I feel like the author got lost in describing things that were not important to the plot.

brohloff23's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny lighthearted

2.75

 Listen there were some parts that were funny, and parts that were cute but this just wasn’t for me. 
I felt like sally couldn’t just enjoy her life when it was good. But Noah was mature about her little insecurities and anxieties which was cute. 
Maybe this wasn’t for me? Maybe I am just in a slump. 
I also really enjoyed the side characters of Viv and Henrietta!

casperino125's review against another edition

Go to review page

hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

joyce409's review against another edition

Go to review page

funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

4.0

Super cute and fun to read

rheavf's review

Go to review page

lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

melyssa57's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing medium-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

4.5

Read all of my reviews at bit.ly/PageBedtime
Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars


Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld was recommended by Anne Bogel's Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club as a 2023 Summer Reading Guide pick. I snagged a copy from Book of the Month, but I didn't get around to reading it until this spring. When I procrastinate and the book is this good, I just want to kick myself for waiting so long. But the upside is the recommendation was solid and it was a good read, so I win ... sooner or later!

Romantic Comedy is about Sally, a sketch writer on a late-night skit show (think Saturday Night Live) called The Night Owls. With a couple of superficial relationships post-divorce, Sally has no intention of engaging in the business of love. While on the job she writes a bit called the Danny Horst Rule, which is based on average-looking Joes who are somehow able to create relationships with glamorous women (think Pete Davidson and Kim Kardashian). As fate would have it, pop music star Noah Brewster guest stars on The Night Owls, and Sally thinks they might have had a brief connection during his one-week preparation and appearance on the show. Has the Danny Horst Rule come to her front door? The remainder of the book allows the reader to explore their interactions.

I really enjoyed this story. The writing was clever, and the emotions were very true to heart. The book is set during the dreadful Covid-19 years, but it was fun to watch the relationship between Sally and Noah blossom over email. People don't really write anymore; they text or video call, so this was refreshing. But the characters are both writers, so it wasn't too much of a stretch. As a lover of words, I enjoyed the discourse and the overall story.

Recommendation: To be honest, as a book with the word comedy in the title, I thought it would be a little funnier. Having said that, it did not take away from the story for me. It is heavier on the romance aspect, but I really enjoyed how it was presented in this book. That slow burn that leads to the excitement of getting to know someone especially made the book engaging. Upon completion, I listened to the author chat on the Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club platform, which made this story an even more richer reading experience for me.

Until next time ... Read on!

Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.


Read all of my reviews at bit.ly/PageBedtime

liinley's review against another edition

Go to review page

lighthearted medium-paced

3.0

A cute and easy listen, but I was hoping it would be funnier or have more romance.

scooper21's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

3.5/5 ⭐️ ( forever wishing half star ratings were allowed )