It seems like funny and heartfelt essay collections that feel like chatting with a friend or listening to a podcast are all I want to consume lately, and R. Eric Thomas’s second nonfiction book definitely delivered on that.

Even though this was my first time reading from this author, it’s clear that he is masterful at storytelling. This book had such a distinct voice that effortlessly found humor and hope in the bleakness of grief, loss, pandemic, and the act of finding your way in the world despite it all.

I was surprised by just how chronological it was all laid out- it read more like a recounting or a memoir of a collective period of time rather than piecemeal essays, which was mostly a good thing. It at least made it super easy to follow, even if it did somewhat start to feel like “and then this happened, and then this happened…” etc.

Towards the end of the book, there is a lot of detail about buying a home, remodeling, renovating, home projects, etc. that I started to lose interest in. Not enough to make me stop reading or anything, but it definitely took a turn and found its way into a tone that was different from the beginning of the book that really hooked me at first.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC (advanced reader’s copy) of this book in exchange for an honest review! I would definitely like to pick up R. Eric Thomas’s first book of essays after reading this, as well as anything else he comes out with in the future!

I love R. Eric Thomas's brand of humor so much! This collection of essays is more or less a memoir of the years of his life since he wrote "Here For It" and touches on smaller events in the context of COVID-19 and his move back to Maryland. It's just bleak and thoughtful enough while still being a mostly positive and light read.

Some of the essays are a bit scattered and you can tell that some may have been thrown in to keep a thread going but overall it's cohesive.

Thomas writes of Baltimore from the obvious perspective of someone who grew up in one of the more impoverished areas and then intentionally moved away and spent most of his adult life avoiding his hometown. As a Baltimorean, I can empathize with why he chose that path, why he had some concerns about moving back, and even why he moved back to an area that would be considered one of the parts of the city that is barely Baltimore and finally moved to a suburb. I don't really see any of these experiences as disparaging or intentionally painting the city in any particularly negative light. He simply doesn't have a connection to the city at this point and this book doesn't focus on his feelings towards why that connection is gone.

Thomas does get a bit too optimistic at the end and nearly gives the notion that his life has been solved since he moved to a nice house with a big yard and a pond in the suburbs but overall, you still get the edginess and sense that he's ultimately a realistic person.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for a review.

This is a laugh out loud book about what comes after happily ever after. The book proves you can always go back home. The road back home may not be easy but in the end you will be glad you did. The book will make you think and even question situations in your own life.

I liked Thomas's first book, but I adore this latest book of essays. It's hard to decide whether to laugh or cry while reading his words, and I underlined too many sentences to count. Lots of wisdom in these pages. It's one I know I'll come back to again and again.

R Eric Thomas’s books continue to be a delightful, real-talk balm. What a gift!

Also, his personalized, pre-order note was so kind and this book will have a permanent place on my bookshelf. ❤️🌈

AH! I loved these essays by R. Eric Thomas. It was my first read of his and I definitely want to check out his previous essay collection. I really enjoyed the theme of coming back home after being away for a while. The high school reunion story was hilarious. R. Eric Thomas can make you cackle with glee one minute, and be weeping at the relatableness of his emotions the next.

There is a story that involves quite a bit of blood loss, so take caution for the faint of heart!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. What a sweet, well-written book. This isn’t my usual genre but I found myself really enjoying Thomas’s turns of phrase and humor, mixed in with some truly poignant and relatable moments. I highlighted quite a few more phrases than I expected to. Overall a great relatively quick read, quite uplifting with beautifully timed comedic moments.

This book was exactly what I needed to read this week—-full of humor, tenderness, and catharsis. In Congratulations, the Best is Over, Eric Thomas shares his reflections on life in the middle to perfection. Wrestling with the difficult to pinpoint challenges of loneliness, place, professions, relationships, parents and mid life, this book, while memoir, gives guidance and meaning to the reader. I resonated with so many of the stories from reunions, to losing parents (or in laws), to finding community and meaning in work and life….there is so much to love in this book.

What a charmer! I have not read R. Eric Thomas' work before, though after reading this impactful book of essays, I'll be diving into his backlist. While we are very different people, Thomas writes in such a relatable way that I'd venture that nearly anyone could find common ground with his musings on going home again, the onset of, and the acceptance one has entered middle age, the death of a parent, etc... The middle essays dragged a bit for me, though that may be my sensitivity to reliving COVID days, but I was hooked from the first chapter, and the ending essays were particularly moving. And, the Acknowledgements should not be missed - I often skip, though these were as enjoyable as any other segment. After hearing the author on a podcast this week, I will definitely revisit this book in audio - he is an absolute delight. 4.5 stars, rounded down.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

R. Eric Thomas is always such a delight to spend time with.

His first essay collection had more variety in terms of material, but this one is almost as good and while less laugh-out-loud funny, it’s just as clever and intriguing.

Thomas is great at transcending the thing that bogs down most memoir-style essay collections, which is that no one is inherently interesting enough to hold the reader’s attention through an entire book s worth of autobiographical essays. Thomas skirts this problem beautifully by couching his own experiences in broader context that is both more interesting and more relatable to the reading public.

But in the end, he keeps our attention for two reasons: He’s a gifted writer who blends humor and sentiment, and he’s just a very likable guy.

Outstanding! Truly laugh-out-funny, but also moved me to tears more times than I'd like to admit. Here For It, his previous essay collection, was an immediate favorite and I worried my expectations were too high for this one, but I shouldn't have. He is truly a gem of a writer. I needed this book right now. We all need it. Hilarious, moving, affecting, relatable, just an incredible and down-to-earth chronicler of the human condition and he makes it look so easy breezy.

I love R. Eric Thomas's humor in this book and the deeper moments. This book was no exception. I laugh/cried so hard in the Oprah chapter. I nodded so hard in others. One of my favorite reads of the year. Thank you to netgalley.com for the early release. Edited months later to add: I ordered a signed copy from Parnassus Books when I was in Nashville this summer.

Congratulations, the Best Is Over! by R. Eric Thomas--this collection of essays released today 8/8/23. Thomas writes about returning to his hometown of Baltimore with his husband. There are essays about friendship, family, home ownership, the pandemic, and what it is like to go back to a place you didn't think you wanted to go back to. The essays are funny, thoughtful, honest, and wise. Thomas is a good writer. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance digital copy of the book.

R. Eric Thomas does it again! Congratulations, The Best is Over! is another collection of heartfelt, poignant, vulnerable, and humorous essays. His lived experiences will make you shake your fist at the world's cruelty, as well as laugh and cry. A few of my personal favorites were when he shares about him visiting his grandparents graves, Oprah's favorite Things, his fishing trip and his engagement hike. Thank you so much to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is so good. It is a perfect balance of humor and heart. Thomas' voice is unique. He is extremely endearing and relatable and you feel like you know him. I thought the book would be all jokes but this one has much to say about survival, hope, and the anxieties of entering middle age. Highly recommend.

This is another memior from R. Eric Thomas written in his funny observant style. Each chapter is a different moment in his life and gives the reader a glimpse into what life is like when one struggles with depression and is trying to figure out their identity as a newly married couple. If you like stories about Baltimore, LGBTQ, and a mix of funny and real life then I recommend this!

This book was one of my most anticipated 2023 releases, and I'm happy to say it exceeded every expectation. I laughed out loud several times and teared up more than I thought I would. The writing is consistently engaging, smart, and full of great pop culture references. If you like humor and heart in equal doses, grab this book ASAP.

Thank you to NetGalley for a copy of this ARC.

R. Eric Thomas chronicles his move from Philadelphia to Baltimore in his next book of essays "Congratulations, the Best is Over!". He talks about various events after the move, including his apprehension about returning home to Baltimore, attending his high school reunion, moving into the suburbs into a house (something he never thought he'd do), and just about everything in between.

I'm not typically someone that gravitates towards reading books of essays, but this book has motivated me to explore not only more books by this author but also other books of essays of this ilk. Although Thomas and I are diametrically opposite in our lives (except maybe for living in the suburbs), I loved hearing all of the stories he told. There was wit and vulnerability, which I appreciated, and I liked the backstories of his life that provided context to his whole life. This is a clear indication that finding the humor and zest in life transcends our identifiers.

While I was reading this, I felt like I was sitting down with Thomas in a cafe, drinking coffee/latte/pick any other drink and just catching up with a friend that I hadn't seen in a while. I was so interested in what he had to say and frankly could read or listen to more stories from him in the future. I liked the Philadelphia references too as I live in the suburbs of the city.

If you want a cozy, witty book from an author that will tell you the most interesting stories, I would suggest reading this book!

Thanks to Ballantine Books and Netgalley for this EARC in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved Thomas' previous book Here For It, and knew I had to pick up his new work to review. He has a way with words that’s hilarious yet insightful. His books are a lovely time to read, I think everyone could enjoy these books.

In this new essay collection, Thomas dives into finding himself and a community after moving back to his hometown, Baltimore with his husband. He discusses lots!

My favorite essay was on Oprah's Favorite Things episodes, in which audiences go crazy once they learn their getting lots of goodies and Thomas watches these reactions back on Youtube. They give a sense of dopamine, which when I rewatched these reactions I definitely felt that lol.

Thomas also discusses his struggles with depression, finding a church and friends as an adult, learning about taking care of a home in a pandemic. I also really loved the essays about supporting his partner after the loss of his father. His writing is so easy to read, and full of funny quips but also powerful statements on finding oneself.

I just love Thomas' writing and if you haven't picked his work up yet, for fear of nonfiction, I think you should give this one a go.

"Congratulations, the Best is Over" by R. Eric Thomas is a hilarious and insightful collection of essays that navigates the complexities of modern life with wit and charm. Thomas's unique voice shines through as he tackles a range of topics, from personal experiences to societal observations, with a perfect blend of humor and introspection. His writing style feels like a warm and witty conversation with a close friend, inviting readers to laugh and reflect in equal measure. The essays touch on relatable themes such as identity, relationships, and self-discovery, often laced with a refreshing dose of pop culture references. Thomas's ability to find humor in the everyday and turn mundane moments into memorable anecdotes is a testament to his skill as a storyteller. "Congratulations, the Best is Over" is a delightful read that resonates with readers who appreciate smart, humorous, and heartfelt narratives that capture the essence of contemporary life. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced e-reader copy in exchange for an honest review.