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fkshg8465's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.25
Infinitely cute. Noah is everything I’d want in a partner (in character - I could live without fame and wealth, and character is what makes someone “hot” to me). I’d still want to date if I could find more people, men in particular, who are like Noah. So even though he’s fictional, it was a pleasure getting to know him alongside Sally.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Body shaming, Confinement, Drug abuse, Drug use, Fatphobia, Suicide, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Pandemic/Epidemic
tigertheory's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Didn’t realize this book was in large parts about Covid. That’s fine, but too soon for me. Character descriptions are good but also overall rather boring, and for a book of this title, it’s really not that funny.
Alright read, I guess.
Alright read, I guess.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Death, Sexual content, and Death of parent
Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, and Sexism
daniofthewood's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body shaming, Confinement, Cursing, Fatphobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Excrement, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Drug use, Eating disorder, Racism, Suicide, Police brutality, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Classism
quiet_reader's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Medical content, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Sexual content and Medical content
Minor: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Fatphobia, Death of parent, and Alcohol
danielcrogers's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cancer, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Excrement, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Pandemic/Epidemic
penandpaper's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Interesting premise - disappointing execution. There are a few annoying tropes (insta love, miscommunication, and a perfect love interest who ever makes the wrong move) and particular disappointments (the attempt to be politically correct without any self-awareness). But on the whole, it’s just disappointing. I can’t say there’s any of the growth you expect, nor can I say the romance was particularly gratifying when it’s just awkward until the very end. Realistic, maybe, but frustrating, definitely. The final pages made me happy, but I almost DNFed the book multiple times. I wish this had been just a little bit different because it had potential.
For me, COVID is also a trigger, so the explicit illness was too almost much.
For me, COVID is also a trigger, so the explicit illness was too almost much.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness
Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Suicide, Terminal illness, and Death of parent
Minor: Sexism
kelly_e's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Title: Romantic Comedy
Author: Curtis Sittenfeld
Genre: Romance
Rating: 2.75
Pub Date: April 4, 2023
T H R E E • W O R D S
Observant • Light • Clever
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Sally Milz is a sketch writer for "The Night Owls," the late-night live comedy show that airs each Saturday. With a couple of heartbreaks under her belt, she’s long abandoned the search for love, settling instead for the occasional hook-up, career success, and a close relationship with her stepfather to round out a satisfying life.
But when Sally’s friend and fellow writer Danny Horst begins dating Annabel, a glamorous actor who guest-hosted the show, he joins the not-so-exclusive group of talented but average-looking and even dorky men at the show—and in society at large—who’ve gotten romantically involved with incredibly beautiful and accomplished women. Sally channels her annoyance into a sketch called the "Danny Horst Rule," poking fun at this phenomenon while underscoring how unlikely it is that the reverse would ever happen for a woman.
Enter Noah Brewster, a pop music sensation with a reputation for dating models, who signed on as both host and musical guest for this week’s show. Dazzled by his charms, Sally hits it off with Noah instantly, and as they collaborate on one sketch after another, she begins to wonder whether there might actually be sparks flying. But this isn’t a romantic comedy; it’s real life. And in real life, someone like him would never date someone like her...right?
💭 T H O U G H T S
Well, well, well if Romantic Comedy isn't the first 2023 release where I fell complete victim to an intriguing title, catchy cover, and false marketing. This book was not on my radar until it started to pop up absolutely everywhere and was selected as a BOM pick. And I'll be the first one to admit it sounded promising - not the case!
What I like:
• characters in their 30s. It was a breath of fresh air to be introduced to more mature, thriving adults.
• a healthy romance. Sally and Noah's relationship felt mature with open communication, and a mutual respect and understanding for one another.
• the email corresponding. I am here for epistolary (in this case emails) novels every. single. time. As someone who communicates better in written form, I appreciate this aspect in a new relationship.
• the friendships. There are some seriously strong friendships sprinkled throughout and I liked these better than the actual romance.
What I didn't like:
• the chemistry. I definitely wasn't convinced. Maybe it was the structure. Maybe it was my lack of caring about the two characters involved. I'm really not sure. The romance definitely takes a back seat.
• the structure. There's a prologue, three 'chapters' and an epilogue divided over 300 pages. Even without doing the math, it's easy to tell those aren't really chapters! Each section jumped in time and it felt scrambled and rushed at times. It just didn't seem to work.
• it's not all that funny. A couple of funny lines from characters with cameo appearances and that's about it.
• the extensive detail. There's so much detail on the creative process and behind-the-scenes of working in the industry that I just didn't need or enjoy.
A solid plot idea but very poorly marketed and executed. Additionally, at this point in time I am just not sure I'm ready for novels with a focus on the pandemic as a central theme and plot. If you're looking for a book with romance and/or comedy this likely isn't it.
**Reminder to self: falling victim to the buzz surrounding books not already on your radar rarely works out.**
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• SNL fans
• readers looking for a take on modern love
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"It was a belated realization to have, but it occurred to me that perhaps this was how grown-up conversations worked—not that your communication didn’t falter, but that you both made good-faith attempts to rectify things after it had."
Author: Curtis Sittenfeld
Genre: Romance
Rating: 2.75
Pub Date: April 4, 2023
T H R E E • W O R D S
Observant • Light • Clever
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Sally Milz is a sketch writer for "The Night Owls," the late-night live comedy show that airs each Saturday. With a couple of heartbreaks under her belt, she’s long abandoned the search for love, settling instead for the occasional hook-up, career success, and a close relationship with her stepfather to round out a satisfying life.
But when Sally’s friend and fellow writer Danny Horst begins dating Annabel, a glamorous actor who guest-hosted the show, he joins the not-so-exclusive group of talented but average-looking and even dorky men at the show—and in society at large—who’ve gotten romantically involved with incredibly beautiful and accomplished women. Sally channels her annoyance into a sketch called the "Danny Horst Rule," poking fun at this phenomenon while underscoring how unlikely it is that the reverse would ever happen for a woman.
Enter Noah Brewster, a pop music sensation with a reputation for dating models, who signed on as both host and musical guest for this week’s show. Dazzled by his charms, Sally hits it off with Noah instantly, and as they collaborate on one sketch after another, she begins to wonder whether there might actually be sparks flying. But this isn’t a romantic comedy; it’s real life. And in real life, someone like him would never date someone like her...right?
💭 T H O U G H T S
Well, well, well if Romantic Comedy isn't the first 2023 release where I fell complete victim to an intriguing title, catchy cover, and false marketing. This book was not on my radar until it started to pop up absolutely everywhere and was selected as a BOM pick. And I'll be the first one to admit it sounded promising - not the case!
What I like:
• characters in their 30s. It was a breath of fresh air to be introduced to more mature, thriving adults.
• a healthy romance. Sally and Noah's relationship felt mature with open communication, and a mutual respect and understanding for one another.
• the email corresponding. I am here for epistolary (in this case emails) novels every. single. time. As someone who communicates better in written form, I appreciate this aspect in a new relationship.
• the friendships. There are some seriously strong friendships sprinkled throughout and I liked these better than the actual romance.
What I didn't like:
• the chemistry. I definitely wasn't convinced. Maybe it was the structure. Maybe it was my lack of caring about the two characters involved. I'm really not sure. The romance definitely takes a back seat.
• the structure. There's a prologue, three 'chapters' and an epilogue divided over 300 pages. Even without doing the math, it's easy to tell those aren't really chapters! Each section jumped in time and it felt scrambled and rushed at times. It just didn't seem to work.
• it's not all that funny. A couple of funny lines from characters with cameo appearances and that's about it.
• the extensive detail. There's so much detail on the creative process and behind-the-scenes of working in the industry that I just didn't need or enjoy.
A solid plot idea but very poorly marketed and executed. Additionally, at this point in time I am just not sure I'm ready for novels with a focus on the pandemic as a central theme and plot. If you're looking for a book with romance and/or comedy this likely isn't it.
**Reminder to self: falling victim to the buzz surrounding books not already on your radar rarely works out.**
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• SNL fans
• readers looking for a take on modern love
🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
"It was a belated realization to have, but it occurred to me that perhaps this was how grown-up conversations worked—not that your communication didn’t falter, but that you both made good-faith attempts to rectify things after it had."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Fatphobia, and Sexual content
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Eating disorder, Sexism, Excrement, Medical content, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Cancer, Death, Grief, and Death of parent
divorcesebradley29's review against another edition
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Pregnancy
Minor: Alcoholism, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Sexual content, Medical content, Death of parent, and Alcohol
purplepenning's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
A literary ROMANTIC COMEDY in three parts: the romance of comedy, the romance of communication, and the romance of life. In part one, we get a detailed week-in-the-life account of what it's like to be a female comedy writer for a live SNL-like show. Sally, our narrator, is a complex, sharp, bold writer and slightly neurotic and uncertain person who meets Noah, a gorgeous, good-natured, too-good-to-be-true (?) crooner who is the host and musical guest that week. Against all odds and the rules she wrote for her own skit (hot women can date normie slubs, but hot guys don't date normies), they seem to hit it off. Until Sally sabotages it. In part two, time and COVID protocols have turned them into pen pals and the connection is even more obvious. In part three, real life finds them and maybe they find their real selves.
With a gender-swapped Notting Hill trope, a bit of writer's life catnip, and a touch of A-list celebrity fan fiction feel, Romantic Comedy is perfect for fans of Nora Goes Off Script, Taylor Jenkins Reid, Emily Henry, and Olivia Dade.
With a gender-swapped Notting Hill trope, a bit of writer's life catnip, and a touch of A-list celebrity fan fiction feel, Romantic Comedy is perfect for fans of Nora Goes Off Script, Taylor Jenkins Reid, Emily Henry, and Olivia Dade.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Cursing, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
Minor: Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, Drug use, Fatphobia, Sexism, Sexual content, Excrement, and Death of parent
COVIDskudiklier's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I loved this book! I read it all in one day, and while honestly I've done that for books I ended up not really liking, this one was definitely one I enjoyed. I've really liked Curtis Sittenfeld's writing for a long time, and this is probably my favorite out of her books that I've read. She's so good at getting in people's heads and writing about complicated awkward interactions in such a compelling way, and the characters in this book are realistic and flawed but still likable. I love romance novels but I have problems with a lot of them, and this one found really great ways of getting around those problems. I would definitely recommend this book and I'm so glad I read it.
Thank you to Netgalley and Random House for the chance to read and review this ARC.
Thank you to Netgalley and Random House for the chance to read and review this ARC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Sexual content
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cursing, Death, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Transphobia, Police brutality, Grief, and Pregnancy