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A review by melledotca
Funny Guy by Emma Barry
3.0
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. I'm very much of two minds on this one, as there are several things I think the author did really well, and several that are just not my cup of tea in stories. I think Barry walked the fine line of Bree's pining that was certainly part of and informed by childhood trauma bonding and long-time friendship, but made it believable that she really did love Sam and their dynamic wasn't just habit and clinging to the past.
Bree was a good balance of grown up and a competent professional, and a solid, caring friend, but still a bit of a mess on some fronts, with trouble believing in her own competence and in that she makes a difference in the world. Even if it's something you don't personally relate to, it feels like a common issue and you probably know someone who struggles that way.
Sam I found fairly exhausting, but then, comedians are pretty often very messy people. The book does get across that for a variety of reasons, as talented and hard-working as Sam is, it's amazing his world hasn't completely crashed and burned already. It definitely sets you up to expect that; it's just a matter of when and how. Plus, as much as he loves and relies on her, Sam pretty clearly doesn't deserve Bree as a partner as he is.
A lot of angst is not really my thing in romance, and there was too much of it for me in this story, but it was well handled in showing how often people can and will just keeping walking on a broken leg, so to speak, until something happens to knock them over hard. I don't know that Sam's big gesture was quite right or enough, but that's just opinion and I'm sure others would think it's perfect.
I had trouble staying in the story when the comedy or sketches were included, because I don't think that's something that translates well to a book. I understand it kind of had to be there, but it's so contextual and such an individual experience. What's supposed to be funny never is to me; song lyrics don't sound catchy, etc. (And really, authors don't tend to be songwriters or standup comedians.) It's not unique to this book. It's something I tend to scan through quickly.
Bree was a good balance of grown up and a competent professional, and a solid, caring friend, but still a bit of a mess on some fronts, with trouble believing in her own competence and in that she makes a difference in the world. Even if it's something you don't personally relate to, it feels like a common issue and you probably know someone who struggles that way.
Sam I found fairly exhausting, but then, comedians are pretty often very messy people. The book does get across that for a variety of reasons, as talented and hard-working as Sam is, it's amazing his world hasn't completely crashed and burned already. It definitely sets you up to expect that; it's just a matter of when and how. Plus, as much as he loves and relies on her, Sam pretty clearly doesn't deserve Bree as a partner as he is.
A lot of angst is not really my thing in romance, and there was too much of it for me in this story, but it was well handled in showing how often people can and will just keeping walking on a broken leg, so to speak, until something happens to knock them over hard. I don't know that Sam's big gesture was quite right or enough, but that's just opinion and I'm sure others would think it's perfect.
I had trouble staying in the story when the comedy or sketches were included, because I don't think that's something that translates well to a book. I understand it kind of had to be there, but it's so contextual and such an individual experience. What's supposed to be funny never is to me; song lyrics don't sound catchy, etc. (And really, authors don't tend to be songwriters or standup comedians.) It's not unique to this book. It's something I tend to scan through quickly.