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meredith_williams_'s review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
I read this because I had a terrible week and needed something light and silly to distract me from the bleakness of the world. Unfortunately, this book was also rather bleak. I will give the author credit for mental health and disability rep, but everything else about the romance gave me pause. The 10 year age gap that left the FMC with an undeveloped frontal lobe and unresolved daddy issues did not help the already questionable power dynamics at play with the MMC as her manager!! Nor did it help the fact that the FMC was only 15 years older than the MMC’s 10 year old daughter!! The addition of a completely unnecessary fake dating trope that lasted for approximately 5 chapters, a years long miscommunication, a grand gesture that came off less romantic and more creepy, and a third act break up 25 pages from the end is what really made this unbearable. I should have DNFed at chapter 10 when the author tried to incorporate a “relatable” conversation about being a Swiftie and then had the FMC say her favorite song was “Run”.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
thecactusprincess's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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
3.5
I think I was expecting more plot than smut 😅.
I personally don't really read spicy scenes so the fact that I ended up skipping 40% of this book is disappointing. Other than that it's a cute book... just not for me.
I personally don't really read spicy scenes so the fact that I ended up skipping 40% of this book is disappointing. Other than that it's a cute book... just not for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
garbage_mcsmutly's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
5.0
⭐ 5/5
🌶️ 3/5
I definitely recommend this one! It's low angst and funny.
📝 This story follows two stand-up comedians who are already close friends/practically family, who then have to start fake dating (which of course turns real pretty quickly). He is kinda famous but has been out of the spotlight for years, and she's an up-and-coming comic. They both have their own issues to work through, which makes things harder. And the MMC has a daughter who already adores FMC so they don't want to mess that up either. There are some professional and personal speed bumps that the couple have to overcome.
🎧 I really liked both narrators in this! Nelson Hobbs and Stephanie Bentley. Dual POV.
🌶️ There were a handful of explicit scenes, and many references to more activities off page.
🏳️🌈✊ Disability rep: MMC's daughter is Deaf and she is a huge part of both of their lives so she's woven in throughout the book. I didn't notice much in the way of racial, cultural, or lgbtqia+ diversity.
🌶️ 3/5
I definitely recommend this one! It's low angst and funny.
📝 This story follows two stand-up comedians who are already close friends/practically family, who then have to start fake dating (which of course turns real pretty quickly). He is kinda famous but has been out of the spotlight for years, and she's an up-and-coming comic. They both have their own issues to work through, which makes things harder. And the MMC has a daughter who already adores FMC so they don't want to mess that up either. There are some professional and personal speed bumps that the couple have to overcome.
🎧 I really liked both narrators in this! Nelson Hobbs and Stephanie Bentley. Dual POV.
🌶️ There were a handful of explicit scenes, and many references to more activities off page.
🏳️🌈✊ Disability rep: MMC's daughter is Deaf and she is a huge part of both of their lives so she's woven in throughout the book. I didn't notice much in the way of racial, cultural, or lgbtqia+ diversity.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content
Moderate: Ableism
Minor: Bullying, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
aqtbenz's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
theverycraftyvegan's review against another edition
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
4.0
A slow burn that gets spicy fast once the characters realize what they want.
There’s a bit of an age gap between Farley and Meyer. Their ability to communicate and reconcile after a misunderstanding was refreshing. I do wish I had laughed more at the comedy in this book, since both MCs are comedians, but all in all it was a wonderfully sexy read.
There’s a bit of an age gap between Farley and Meyer. Their ability to communicate and reconcile after a misunderstanding was refreshing. I do wish I had laughed more at the comedy in this book, since both MCs are comedians, but all in all it was a wonderfully sexy read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Mental illness, and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Ableism, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
tashagrimaudo's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
kb33's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
5.0
I do not give out five star ratings easily, but I want to give this one six stars. I just finished and I think I’m going to open it back up to the beginning and start again. I think I’ve done that three times in my whole life. There were so many funny parts and swoony parts, and the emotional maturity had me relaxed knowing there wouldn’t be any cheap drama.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Alcohol
Minor: Bullying, Vomit, and Death of parent
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
4.5
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
ariel_99's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
achristi's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content