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gracescanlon's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Much to love here!
I’m a big fan of the friends to lovers, single dad, grumpy-sunshine, and workplace romance tropes. I’m not a fan of the fake dating trope usually, but when it’s two besties who’ve been pining after one another for years? That, apparently, is the fake-dating scenario for me!
I know it was frustrating that these two didn’t fully confess their feelings for years, but honestly, I felt it was beyond realistic. I’d definitely believe two best friends did the same in reality, especially two best friends with a professional relationship, and even more so if one of them is a single parent. Also, their repressing their feelings and rationalizing away each other’s signs was really the only instance of the miscommunication trope, so often over-utilized and poorly (annoyingly) done. I will admit that this particular miscommunication was a major through-line for most of the story, but again, it was incredibly believable, so I forgave it. Additionally, Meyer and Farley were otherwise fabulous communicators, which is just *chefs kiss.*
The Deaf representation was awesome! I loved that Farley was already fluent in ASL before meeting Meyer and Hazel. I felt that her learning ASL was both a ringing endorsement for and an effective normalization of studying the language, which more people should do (myself included). Hazel was so smart and funny, but still realistic. Meyer was a dad doing his best — and his best meant he was a great father in general. Hazel and Farley’s relationship was lovely — I wanted a little more of it, even though the story was about Farley and Meyer. I simply demand more Hazel, and more Hazel and Farley time!
Farley’s character growth throughout the novel was a joy to see. She was always unapologetically herself (love!), but to see her gain confidence in her abilities, and receive much-deserved support and success were both wonderful too. Also, women supporting women is the best! For Shauna and Kara (and Farley) to do so in a competitive, male-dominated field was a delight. They refused to be pitted against each other, supported and respected each other, and enjoyed each other’s company.
All stories have flaws, so here’s the handful I encountered in Funny Feelings:
I’m a big fan of the friends to lovers, single dad, grumpy-sunshine, and workplace romance tropes. I’m not a fan of the fake dating trope usually, but when it’s two besties who’ve been pining after one another for years? That, apparently, is the fake-dating scenario for me!
I know it was frustrating that these two didn’t fully confess their feelings for years, but honestly, I felt it was beyond realistic. I’d definitely believe two best friends did the same in reality, especially two best friends with a professional relationship, and even more so if one of them is a single parent. Also, their repressing their feelings and rationalizing away each other’s signs was really the only instance of the miscommunication trope, so often over-utilized and poorly (annoyingly) done. I will admit that this particular miscommunication was a major through-line for most of the story, but again, it was incredibly believable, so I forgave it. Additionally, Meyer and Farley were otherwise fabulous communicators, which is just *chefs kiss.*
The Deaf representation was awesome! I loved that Farley was already fluent in ASL before meeting Meyer and Hazel. I felt that her learning ASL was both a ringing endorsement for and an effective normalization of studying the language, which more people should do (myself included). Hazel was so smart and funny, but still realistic. Meyer was a dad doing his best — and his best meant he was a great father in general. Hazel and Farley’s relationship was lovely — I wanted a little more of it, even though the story was about Farley and Meyer. I simply demand more Hazel, and more Hazel and Farley time!
Farley’s character growth throughout the novel was a joy to see. She was always unapologetically herself (love!), but to see her gain confidence in her abilities, and receive much-deserved support and success were both wonderful too. Also, women supporting women is the best! For Shauna and Kara (and Farley) to do so in a competitive, male-dominated field was a delight. They refused to be pitted against each other, supported and respected each other, and enjoyed each other’s company.
All stories have flaws, so here’s the handful I encountered in Funny Feelings:
- The main characters’ names were odd. I understand their first and last names made reference to famous comedians, but I just didn’t like them. (That said, the nicknames they used with each other were adorable! “Fee,” and “My?” Or Meyer calling Farley by her last name — “Jones,” “Jonesy,” etc?? SO cute!)
- I felt that Farley’s relationship with her father, especially after her mother passed, was woefully underdeveloped. Her dad was mentioned three times: he showed up once, and Farley addressed their relationship in one of her POV chapters, and she discussed him with Meyer in one of Meyer's POV chapters. I think the author should’ve committed more fully to fleshing out their dynamic, or should’ve said even less about it. Honestly, the story function performed by her father's character could've been done more concisely and effectively without him, perhaps using the misogyny and sexism faced by female comedians writ large. It could've been another (perhaps potential) manager that led Meyer to take Farley on as a client spur-of-the-moment.
- The details and descriptions of the intimate scenes were inconsistent. The author would write perfect erotica, without being explicit or crass, but then the description would become much more vague. I just wanted consistency — either a continuation of the more detailed descriptions, or the use of more vague language — throughout the book.
In all, fun and emotional and heartwarming. I had so much fun reading this, and felt satisfied by the story when I finished it. Funny Feelings is, I think, the first romance I’ve read that didn’t overuse or misuse the miscommunication trope, and had relatable characters with realistic dynamics, and fleshed out more than just the two leads, all in the same novel. Brava!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Sexual content
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Death, Ableism, and Grief
Minor: Abandonment, Bullying, Cancer, Pregnancy, and Terminal illness
sebradley29's review against another edition
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Cursing
Moderate: Death, Alcohol, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Bullying, Chronic illness, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Ableism, Physical abuse, and Sexism
Minor: Violence, Toxic relationship, and Vomit
ambercunningham's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Infinite stars. Maybe my favorite romance…ever? Meyer and Farley could not be more perfect. Meyer is top tier book boyfriend. Fee is stupidly funny but also so vulnerable and pure. Hazel? So awesome and funny and adorable and insightful. The one-liners. The therapy representation. The tension and build-up. The MUTUAL PINING omg. Perfection. I have literally no notes. THE most feel-good book ever. I’m just so glad to live in the same world as Tarah DeWitt.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexism, Ableism, Alcohol, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
meganpbell's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Foul-mouthed up-and-coming comedian Farley Jones gets her big break with one catch—she has to fake date her manager, the perpetually frowning Meyer, good friend, former star comic, and hot, older single dad, for publicity. The dating may (or may not) be fake but the mutual pining is all too real in this steamy friends-to-lovers story! I loved the stand-up show biz setting, the Deaf representation, and ALLLL the feels, funny and otherwise, this smart, sexy romance puts in the spotlight.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, and Sexism
Minor: Bullying, Pregnancy, Ableism, and Violence
purplepenning's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism, Alcohol, Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual content
Minor: Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Pregnancy, Death, Bullying, and Ableism
sami_leigh's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Overall a wholesome, quick read featuring friends-to-lovers, fake-dating, and a found family you will fall for. Representation for mental health and the stigma dealt with by comedians -particularly female comedians - in a career where all they seek to do is show others some laughter, yet they are so often met with ridicule.
My is a well developed character and I enjoyed his journey, and the relationships with his daughter, Hazel. Hazel and Fee’s relationship is a winner from the start, though I was hoping for more growth or exploration of Fee’s story; it felt like a bit of a quick fix at the end then a skip and a hop to the epilogue.
Quotes from comedians prologuing each chapter is a wonderful touch, and foreshadows what is to come in each chapter. The first person dual POV serves this story well, and the time jumps are easy to follow.
🌶🌶
My is a well developed character and I enjoyed his journey, and the relationships with his daughter, Hazel. Hazel and Fee’s relationship is a winner from the start, though I was hoping for more growth or exploration of Fee’s story; it felt like a bit of a quick fix at the end then a skip and a hop to the epilogue.
Quotes from comedians prologuing each chapter is a wonderful touch, and foreshadows what is to come in each chapter. The first person dual POV serves this story well, and the time jumps are easy to follow.
🌶🌶
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death, Violence, Pregnancy, Death of parent, and Sexism
thefatpaperback's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
5.0
Such a fun and heartwarming read!! Get mental health rep here too. If you love romances that have an appropriate age gap, single dad trope, and grumpy/sunshine trope—you’ll love this one!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Death of parent, Grief, Mental illness, and Sexual content
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