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A review by amanda_reads13
Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld
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
2.0
Sally is a comedy writer who has sworn off love until she reconnects with Noah, a pop star.
So this IMHO is not a romantic comedy. It is called such because Sally writes for a SNL like show. I didn't really find it funny per se, but the "behind the scene" look at the SNL lifestyle was interesting.
This book felt like it was one giant political statement about how it's unfair that less attractive men can reel in gorgeous women without anyone saying a word, but it's a scandal if the opposite happens. It was rammed down our throats. We get it.
Sally believes that she is unworthy of love because she isn't pretty enough to get the guy. We are hit over the head with this over and over. She is so awkward and I cringed at so many things she said. No matter how much validation Noah gives her, her insecurities get the best of her. She is a successful, Emmy award winning writer who has such little self-confidence. There is zero character development. This woman needs therapy to work through her issues.
The second half of the book takes part during the pandemic. Noah reaches out to Sally via email and they become pen pals. Their email correspondence is all over the place. ALSO it's never really explained why he reaches out after 2 years of no contact...
She is such a a hypocrite, she accused Noah of dating models younger than him while setting her friend up with a doctor 20 years her senior. ALSO calling herself a feminist while constantly belittling other women.
COVID is used as a plot device to push the characters together (not in a good way). We see them get together in this COVID "bubble", not real life. Their "real life" is squashed into a short epilogue. I would have preferred to have seen the progress of their relationship without COVID thrown in. It was unnecessary.
There is a whole section in their emails that felt so preformative. "Did you for to a BLM march?" Was basically the whole conversation. Why have two white characters mention this if that is going to be the whole conversation.
Tropes: workplace, celebrity romance
So this IMHO is not a romantic comedy. It is called such because Sally writes for a SNL like show. I didn't really find it funny per se, but the "behind the scene" look at the SNL lifestyle was interesting.
This book felt like it was one giant political statement about how it's unfair that less attractive men can reel in gorgeous women without anyone saying a word, but it's a scandal if the opposite happens. It was rammed down our throats. We get it.
Sally believes that she is unworthy of love because she isn't pretty enough to get the guy. We are hit over the head with this over and over. She is so awkward and I cringed at so many things she said. No matter how much validation Noah gives her, her insecurities get the best of her. She is a successful, Emmy award winning writer who has such little self-confidence. There is zero character development. This woman needs therapy to work through her issues.
The second half of the book takes part during the pandemic. Noah reaches out to Sally via email and they become pen pals. Their email correspondence is all over the place. ALSO it's never really explained why he reaches out after 2 years of no contact...
She is such a a hypocrite, she accused Noah of dating models younger than him while setting her friend up with a doctor 20 years her senior. ALSO calling herself a feminist while constantly belittling other women.
COVID is used as a plot device to push the characters together (not in a good way). We see them get together in this COVID "bubble", not real life. Their "real life" is squashed into a short epilogue. I would have preferred to have seen the progress of their relationship without COVID thrown in. It was unnecessary.
There is a whole section in their emails that felt so preformative. "Did you for to a BLM march?" Was basically the whole conversation. Why have two white characters mention this if that is going to be the whole conversation.
Tropes: workplace, celebrity romance
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Death of parent, and Pandemic/Epidemic