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kelseylovesbooks's review against another edition
3.0
Stay Up with Hugo Best can't help but bring to mind comparisons to other, real-life late night hosts. The world of the rich and famous is shrouded for those of us who have no ties to it, and this book manages to feel like you are getting a bit of an inside peek into the world of a washed-up comedian. That brings about funny, sad, and poignant moments, all helping to remind readers that money cannot necessarily buy happiness, but it can buy a lot of other things.
I struggled to feel attached to the main protagonist, June. She's 29 and decides to spend the weekend with Hugo, and it seems she would understand what that implies. However, she often feels like an aloof character, both proclaiming her desire to be successful in the world of comedy, but also bumbling around with no real idea of how to go about that, other than maybe spending the weekend with an aging comedian. Her character felt a little one dimensional and lost at times, which would pull me away from the story. I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I struggled to feel attached to the main protagonist, June. She's 29 and decides to spend the weekend with Hugo, and it seems she would understand what that implies. However, she often feels like an aloof character, both proclaiming her desire to be successful in the world of comedy, but also bumbling around with no real idea of how to go about that, other than maybe spending the weekend with an aging comedian. Her character felt a little one dimensional and lost at times, which would pull me away from the story. I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
jilljemmett's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this new literary story. It has some humourous parts, but it is also sad.
The characters developed in different directions in the story. It takes place over a weekend, but you really get to know them in that short period of time. June goes from a quiet assistant writer to a confident young woman. Meanwhile, Hugo moves from being a late night comedian to a lonely, friendless old man. June grew up, while Hugo deflated.
Some of the story was difficult to read. There were some depressing parts. June gets to live this fancy life for a weekend, where she can pretty much have anything she wants. However, she knows it will end. She has always idolized Hugo, but he isn’t really the person she has always fantasized about. Hugo loses his career and his friends over the space of a few days. They have both lost their jobs, but June’s youth gives hope for her future.
This was a good story with a satisfying ending.
Thank you Simon and Schuster Canada for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The characters developed in different directions in the story. It takes place over a weekend, but you really get to know them in that short period of time. June goes from a quiet assistant writer to a confident young woman. Meanwhile, Hugo moves from being a late night comedian to a lonely, friendless old man. June grew up, while Hugo deflated.
Some of the story was difficult to read. There were some depressing parts. June gets to live this fancy life for a weekend, where she can pretty much have anything she wants. However, she knows it will end. She has always idolized Hugo, but he isn’t really the person she has always fantasized about. Hugo loses his career and his friends over the space of a few days. They have both lost their jobs, but June’s youth gives hope for her future.
This was a good story with a satisfying ending.
Thank you Simon and Schuster Canada for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
tvisser's review against another edition
2.0
Not quite sure why I picked this up. It was just an ok read for me.
acouplereadss's review against another edition
3.0
I can’t say I’ve ever been quite so put off and scowling while reading a book before. I kept getting involuntary shudders while reading Stay Up With Hugo Best. All of these weird odd feelings were very effective for the story.
I’m a bit confused because this was pitched as a humourous title but I did not find it funny. Nor did I find it had a dark humour vibe to it. It was such a melancholy read and really put me in a down mood for the rest of the day while reading it. The character seemed so lost and aimless and I am sure many people, regardless of whether they are a “milennial” or not can relate. Flawed characters and strange undertones fuel this story. If you like that angle definitely grab a copy for yourself.
This is a book for those of us who make choices that ultimately lead them to a “how did I get here” moment. This is a book for those of us who have experienced life and think to ourselves “well, let’s see where this will take me” or “I want to see how this ends”.
The writing is excellent and will definitely make you feel discombobulated. You have to be in a specific mood to read this one but I do recommend it for a completely different reading experience.
**Thank you Scribner for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.**
I’m a bit confused because this was pitched as a humourous title but I did not find it funny. Nor did I find it had a dark humour vibe to it. It was such a melancholy read and really put me in a down mood for the rest of the day while reading it. The character seemed so lost and aimless and I am sure many people, regardless of whether they are a “milennial” or not can relate. Flawed characters and strange undertones fuel this story. If you like that angle definitely grab a copy for yourself.
This is a book for those of us who make choices that ultimately lead them to a “how did I get here” moment. This is a book for those of us who have experienced life and think to ourselves “well, let’s see where this will take me” or “I want to see how this ends”.
The writing is excellent and will definitely make you feel discombobulated. You have to be in a specific mood to read this one but I do recommend it for a completely different reading experience.
**Thank you Scribner for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.**
hanndegs's review against another edition
1.0
Meh. That’s about all I can say about this book. I was so excited to read this after winning a free copy in a giveaway, but it was so underwhelming that I was forcing myself to read it just to finish it. I feel like everything was half baked - the plot, the characters, the ending. Everything was weirdly sexualized and yet so bland and not thrilling. I feel like nothing happened over the long weekend that June stays with Hugo and the scene on the boat at the end honestly made me a little sick to my stomach. June’s tension with Hugo’s son (who was 17) was also a little off putting for my taste. I just really didn’t like any of the characters or the “””resolution””” of the story at all.
mollskb87's review against another edition
5.0
Erin Somers has written a fascinating story with an ending I wasn't accepting but was so perfect for the book. Her characters are real and flawed and elicit your sympathy even as you see their faults. This book was so compelling that I had to finish it in two days. Stay Up with Hugo Best was fascinating and pulled me in from beginning to end. The book is a quick and easy read while also challenging you to consider mortality, legacy, and the feeling you're left with when something doesn't meet your expectations.
read_watch_sarah's review against another edition
3.0
Mixed feelings about this one. Super timely and interesting!
lindsayp's review against another edition
2.0
Won a free copy of this through a Goodreads give away and really wanted to like it! Unfortunately, it's worth about 1.5 stars. Its not bad, but there isnt anything about the story that stands out--characters are kind of boring and storyline doesnt really keep your interest.