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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
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 against another edition
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
bellsdixon's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Medical content, Death of parent, Body shaming, and Pregnancy
Minor: Cancer
libraryofmoss's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I’m sure someone out there enjoys the idea of romcom SNL fan fiction but that person is not me. The middle section reading Covid isolation email correspondence was straight up boring. Audiobook provided adequate entertainment while doing chores and that’s about the most I can say for it.
CN: Covid
CN: Covid
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content
samcanuel's review against another edition
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
nuuamuikkunen's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pandemic/Epidemic and Sexual content
Moderate: Drug abuse, Medical content, Addiction, Eating disorder, and Death of parent
Minor: Pregnancy and Gaslighting
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
amanda_reads13's review against another edition
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
2.0
Sally is a comedy writer who has sworn off love until she reconnects with Noah, a pop star.
So this IMHO is not a romantic comedy. It is called such because Sally writes for a SNL like show. I didn't really find it funny per se, but the "behind the scene" look at the SNL lifestyle was interesting.
This book felt like it was one giant political statement about how it's unfair that less attractive men can reel in gorgeous women without anyone saying a word, but it's a scandal if the opposite happens. It was rammed down our throats. We get it.
Sally believes that she is unworthy of love because she isn't pretty enough to get the guy. We are hit over the head with this over and over. She is so awkward and I cringed at so many things she said. No matter how much validation Noah gives her, her insecurities get the best of her. She is a successful, Emmy award winning writer who has such little self-confidence. There is zero character development. This woman needs therapy to work through her issues.
The second half of the book takes part during the pandemic. Noah reaches out to Sally via email and they become pen pals. Their email correspondence is all over the place. ALSO it's never really explained why he reaches out after 2 years of no contact...
She is such a a hypocrite, she accused Noah of dating models younger than him while setting her friend up with a doctor 20 years her senior. ALSO calling herself a feminist while constantly belittling other women.
COVID is used as a plot device to push the characters together (not in a good way). We see them get together in this COVID "bubble", not real life. Their "real life" is squashed into a short epilogue. I would have preferred to have seen the progress of their relationship without COVID thrown in. It was unnecessary.
There is a whole section in their emails that felt so preformative. "Did you for to a BLM march?" Was basically the whole conversation. Why have two white characters mention this if that is going to be the whole conversation.
Tropes: workplace, celebrity romance
So this IMHO is not a romantic comedy. It is called such because Sally writes for a SNL like show. I didn't really find it funny per se, but the "behind the scene" look at the SNL lifestyle was interesting.
This book felt like it was one giant political statement about how it's unfair that less attractive men can reel in gorgeous women without anyone saying a word, but it's a scandal if the opposite happens. It was rammed down our throats. We get it.
Sally believes that she is unworthy of love because she isn't pretty enough to get the guy. We are hit over the head with this over and over. She is so awkward and I cringed at so many things she said. No matter how much validation Noah gives her, her insecurities get the best of her. She is a successful, Emmy award winning writer who has such little self-confidence. There is zero character development. This woman needs therapy to work through her issues.
The second half of the book takes part during the pandemic. Noah reaches out to Sally via email and they become pen pals. Their email correspondence is all over the place. ALSO it's never really explained why he reaches out after 2 years of no contact...
She is such a a hypocrite, she accused Noah of dating models younger than him while setting her friend up with a doctor 20 years her senior. ALSO calling herself a feminist while constantly belittling other women.
COVID is used as a plot device to push the characters together (not in a good way). We see them get together in this COVID "bubble", not real life. Their "real life" is squashed into a short epilogue. I would have preferred to have seen the progress of their relationship without COVID thrown in. It was unnecessary.
There is a whole section in their emails that felt so preformative. "Did you for to a BLM march?" Was basically the whole conversation. Why have two white characters mention this if that is going to be the whole conversation.
Tropes: workplace, celebrity romance
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Death of parent, and Pandemic/Epidemic
karolinez's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical content and Pandemic/Epidemic