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katharina90's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.5
I was mostly bored with this novel. Part of the issue was that I dislike standup comedy so that aspect of the story didn't capture my attention.
The characters were cute but the lengthy inner monologues about each character's insecurities felt very repetitive. The third act conflict was overblown and could have been solved by communicating just a tiny bit, so it mostly fell flat for me.
The characters were cute but the lengthy inner monologues about each character's insecurities felt very repetitive. The third act conflict was overblown and could have been solved by communicating just a tiny bit, so it mostly fell flat for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Mental illness, Grief, and Death of parent
carlyjoann's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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? Yes
4.5
This was such a sweet love story with lots of humor thrown in at all the right moments. I found myself almost crying and also laughing on the same page at multiple points.
I truly loved the comedian aspect of this book. I thought it felt well done and was more introspective on the field than I thought it would be. I find the crass humor and cursing to be funny most of the time so I really enjoyed those parts of the FMC’s personality. Her anxieties were well written and relatable. Although I felt that her self esteem issues were a bit much by the end and got a little annoying.
The MMC was a great counter to the FMC. They clicked in all the right places but had differing personalities that strengthened their dynamic. He was also a great dad and I love that.
The “conflict” at the end was easy to see coming. It felt real to Farley’s character for her to react that way but it did still annoy me. I’m glad they worked it out but I wish we had gotten to see them make up a little more than just a time jump.
I truly loved the comedian aspect of this book. I thought it felt well done and was more introspective on the field than I thought it would be. I find the crass humor and cursing to be funny most of the time so I really enjoyed those parts of the FMC’s personality. Her anxieties were well written and relatable. Although I felt that her self esteem issues were a bit much by the end and got a little annoying.
The MMC was a great counter to the FMC. They clicked in all the right places but had differing personalities that strengthened their dynamic. He was also a great dad and I love that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Death of parent
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Ableism and Bullying
gracescanlon's review
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
4.5
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: Sexual content and Death of parent
Moderate: Ableism, Death, Grief, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Bullying, Cancer, Terminal illness, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
kiala's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Ableism and Physical abuse
Minor: Grief
jamiejanae_6's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Bullying, Death, Grief, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
shannonfarleyy's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Emotional abuse, Grief, and Death of parent
takarakei'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A fellow book club member has been campaigning to get everyone to read this for so long and I’m glad I finally did!
- Friends to lovers
- Workplace romance (but they work in comedy so not an office setting)
- Deaf representation
- Dad with a kid love interest
- Fake dating setup kind of? they clearly love each other from the start so it didn’t feel very fake date-y to me, which is good cause it’s not my fav trope
- So freaking funny- like yes it’s a book about comedians but it’s actually really laugh out loud funny
- Has the taking care of when sick trope
The authors note says she wrote this book for anyone who had ever felt “too much” and there were parts of this book that just hit so hard. Just please read it. It will make you squeal with joy, and give you all the feels.
4/5🌶️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Grief and Alcohol
Minor: Ableism, Death, and Pregnancy
thefatpaperback's review
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: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Grief, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail