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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
condls27's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
This was cute as shit 🥺 I was laughing, crying and kicking my heels the whole time
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Death of parent
sebradley29's review against another edition
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content
Moderate: Ableism, Bullying, Chronic illness, Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexism, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Toxic relationship, Violence, and Vomit
luna_lovelace's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Such a sweet and funny romance book! I thought the hand holding scene was so adorable, the way Meyer used a fork to eat sushi just so he could continue holding Farley's hand was everything! I thought it made some serious topics into something we could laugh at to make the situation just a bit better.Like when her mother passed away, a bird crapped on her casket and all Farley could do was laugh. It seemed like something that could totally happen because life isn't picture perfect.
Only part that I was meh on was the chapters of them in the past. I get why it's important to see how long they've known each other but I think as a reader we have an idea how close their relationship is by just the amount of time they've known each other. I would have preferred more of the present because their love story was so cute!
Only part that I was meh on was the chapters of them in the past. I get why it's important to see how long they've known each other but I think as a reader we have an idea how close their relationship is by just the amount of time they've known each other. I would have preferred more of the present because their love story was so cute!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Death of parent
marisabenn's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This genuinely made me laugh out loud! But I wanting something more out of it. It felt a little... surface level? There wasn't a whole lot to it. No conflict or anything. Which can be great, but not what I wanted out of this.
I loved seeing Meyer get out of his shell and Farley grow her career. But I mean... there isn't a whole lot here to say.
A little disappointed, but overall don't regret reading this.
I loved seeing Meyer get out of his shell and Farley grow her career. But I mean... there isn't a whole lot here to say.
A little disappointed, but overall don't regret reading this.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Death of parent and Pregnancy
ashbearly's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent and Alcohol
carebearmoseley's review against another edition
5.0
i read this in one day! this book features another one of my fav tropes (fake dating). i appreciated the representation of the deaf community in Hazel’s character. great book with real, raw themes!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
rachelshubin's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
What can I say, FF just didn’t live up to my expectations. I felt like the plot was very, very loose (like what was the plot???) and the pacing was all over the place. I had to skim the last 60 pages because I just couldn’t take it any more. Typical 3rd act break up. Just didn’t work at all for me. The ASL rep was great though.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Death of parent
ms_brie3's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.5
Funny, emotional, introspective and a beautiful HEA for some quirky but lovable characters! Loved the set up of the Stand Up Comedy world and the tension between the MCs was mostly well done. By the HEA I was yelling at them to “get it together already!”
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
jamiejanae_6's review against another edition
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