I absolutely loved this book! I most often love reading stories about writers, and this one was no exception. A young writer trying to make it lands an interview with an actor who's just in the process of making it big, and the interview that's published [a multi-part story spanning the weekend they spent together bopping around LA] launches her career and certainly helps his as well. Ten years later, they sit down for a follow-up, both of them pretty battered and weary from the past decade.
I loved almost all of the characters in this. Chani was great but felt a little out-of-reach at times [something about her backstory and the supporting characters around her felt a bit flat], but Gabe was wonderful and very endearing and I found myself just absolutely rooting for him in several aspects throughout the book. Through the story, there's a reliance on that trope that truly drives me up a wall, where miscommunication [and here we see a good amount of running away] is used as a tool to further major plot and character development. Not a fan of it anywhere, including this book, but the gems that are still in it regardless make this a robust 4 stars. I can't wait until this comes out and I can read again. Thanks to NetGalley for an advance copy to tear through in exchange for an honest review. Add this to your lists!

Such a delightful novel! I haven’t read too many rom coms so far this year and so I was very pleased this one hit the spot. It was exactly what I was in the mood to read!

Chani, an aspiring journalist, lands a huge gig interviewing one of Hollywood’s biggest heartthrobs. The interview evolves into a weekend soirée. It is this very interview that makes her career and the one that makes the public fall even more in love with Gabe; especially after the controversy over casting him as the new James Bond. As the reader we are piecing together what happened over that weekend and what was actually only half truth in what was published in that interview. It is also a dual timeline story that also takes place 10 years later. Gabe and Chani reunite over yet another interview and both are coming to terms with drastic career changes, personal struggles, and failed relationships.

I thought both characters were likable. I don’t typically gravitate towards celebrity novels but this one worked. Gabe’s precarious career, addiction, and search for happiness made him interesting. I loved that Chani has a quirky side to her and is on a journey of discovering her self-worth. Reading this book just felt effortless. I thought it was also so neat that blog posts and articles are featured throughout the book. It was such a clever way for the reader to get up to speed on what happened over the past decade and also get a better backstory.

Overall, such a clever and cute story! Definitely one to add to the list if you are looking for a feel good ro

I loved this book! I was so excited to receive an ARC from NetGalley because this had been on my radar for some time. It checked a lot of my contemporary romance boxes (famous people dating non-famous people, timeline jumps). If you're a fan of Kerry Winfrey and Christina Lauren books, I think you'll love this one!

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC!* Review also posted on my GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4464360654

6 STARS! SQUEE!

A treasure. A gem. A peach. A bright, shiny star. Just a few words to describe this book.

Everyone that knows me knows Beach Read is my favorite book. That feeling when I first read it—I haven’t been able to replicate it. But this book right here…okay, so I got those sweet, sweet feelings again. Do you ever wish you could read a book for the first time over and over and over again? Yeah, that’s me with this one. I want to read it every day for the first time. I will buy the Kindle version and the physical book when it comes out and read both of them repeatedly. I will highlight everything and mark up all the pages.

I honestly don’t know how to accurately sing the praises of this book & author. I devoured this. I laughed, I smiled, I cried, I cringed, I sighed. My heart broke, and then magically got put back together. This was so intimate and lovely. Apparently I’ve been really into celebrity romances lately, and this one hit the spot. Usually back-and-forth timelines/narratives in books bother me, but this one really, really worked. It’s interspersed with article snippets. We switch back and forth between the past, *the article*, and the present. There was a ton of jumping around but it really, really worked. Beautifully executed. It built suspense and made my stomach hurt (a lot). I JUST WANTED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED!! I WANTED TO READ THE WHOLE ARTICLE CHANI WROTE! It was so worth it in the end. And, my god there is grovel—GROVEL, PEOPLE. We love good grovel. The story spans 10 years, so I feel like I really knew these people. I love Chani. I LOVE HER. She’s amazing. I love her big eyes and her smart mouth. And of course I love Gabe. Sweet, sweet Gabe…he had a hard time. *TW* Addiction is never easy. He owned up to his mistakes. The author’s take on the heavy subject matter was delicately handled—and exceptionally well at that.

So, basically, I love this book. Elissa needs to write another one ASAP. This book is going to be my whole personality for the next year or so (sorry y’all). I could go on and on, but honestly my emotions are a mess over this one, so I just need to stop. Highly recommend if you're looking for a book to fall in love with from start to finish.
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Chani is a journalist who ten years ago, had her career made when she sat down for an in depth interview with then up and coming heartthrob (and next James Bond) Gabe Parker. Chani and Gabe end up spending the whole weekend together and her subsequent article launches her career and helps Gabe win over the public (who don’t think he should have been cast as Bond). Over the course of the decade that follows, the two speak rarely, but think of each other often. Now, ten years after their first meeting, the two are being asked to come back together for a sort of anniversary article. Both of their careers have taken twists and turns, as well as their personal lives, and both have their own reasons for wanting to do the piece, and also resisting the idea. It becomes clear when they meet up again that there are lots of unresolved *feelings* they must sort out as they hash out the past and discover what might be possible in the future. And this is a romance, so they get their ish together in time to make it all work out!

Okay. So this book is brilliant. Literally one of those that by the time I got to the end of the first chapter, I was completely hooked. The book is told in dual timelines, which I sometimes have trouble with because I can never remember which time we’re actually in, but the way Elissa merges the two stories is totally seamless and yet the past and present stories are each totally distinct. One of my favorite things about the book is that in the present day, Chani and Gabe are both older (like late thirties, he might even be forty gasp!) which is just something we don’t see enough of in romance. But mostly what I loved about this book is how I just completely lost myself in their world. You know I am here for Hollywood romances, and this one just felt so real. Like the gritty, not so glamorous side of Hollywood that we don’t often see. The LA vibes are captured here so perfectly (if you’re a fan of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s LA set books, you’ll love this one). The voice, the characters, the setting, the way the story unfolds, it was all perfect and I didn’t want it to end! I cannot wait to read this one again (and again and again).

This book gave me so many feelings! I didn't know what to expect with the title and the summary. It is described as a romance, but it is so much more than that.

Chani was a young writer who gets the biggest break of her life, to interview actor and the next James Bond, Gabe Parker, for a profile piece. The resulting piece, that covers one weekend, makes Chani's career. 10 years later, everything she accomplishes is brought back to that piece. When she and Gabe are asked to reunite for an interview to celebrate 10 years since the first, Chani is hesitant. That weekend with Gabe holds so many memories and meant a lot to her, did it mean anything to him?

The book jumps between their weekend 10 years ago, the present interview and articles about Gabe/excerpts from articles Chani has written over the years, The chemistry between Gabe and Chani jumps off the page from their first interaction. The tension builds all book and I could viscerally feel it in my chest. The build-up in my mind between what happened back then and what is going to happen now, caused anxiety. I could not put it down. The emotions Elissa stirred in me reading about these two people, the lives they led since they last saw each other, the things they have thought about since then and the questions in both of their heads that they are too afraid to ask... I don't remember the last time a book so completely and totally sucked me in.

I will say, the title didn't do it for me. I don't think it really meshed well with the story. But otherwise, I really loved this book.

This was a delight! I can't believe how much I enjoyed it. Ok, so you have a young journalist who wrote an interview about the Hollywood It man. There were rumors but we weren't sure what their relationship entailed years before... but it becomes pretty clear they were more than just friends. Gabe Parker is a great celebrity crush and I was totally hooked on the story. Sometimes romance reads can be too saccharine, that wasn't the case here. All good for this reader!

This isn't a straight forward romance novel. It's part romance, part social commentary on gender and celebrity.

It was a quick, enjoyable read, with some decent humor. The structure is a bit choppy with going back and forth between "then" and "now," which is ten years later, plus all the articles that are in between chapters.

Overall, I never felt emotional connection to Chani and Gabe or their relationship. I never felt them falling for each other. I also wasn't crazy about the level of slut shaming Chani received. It made me uncomfortable, which was the point but she wasn't necessarily likable enough for me to root for her either.

With all that being said, I did like the book a fair amount. I would recommend it for readers who enjoy stories about celebrities, and those looking for something different in the romance genre.

Celebrity romance is not a genre I generally enjoy, but the "10 years later" storyline caught my attention and enticed me to give this one a try. I'm glad I did. Real, flawed, but likeable, characters and a sweet slow burn made this worth reading. The supplemental articles/reviews etc. really helped propel the story along. Overall this was well-written and very sweet. Will recommend!

Sweet, funny, charming...a smidgeon of angst/drama thrown in. Everything I love in my contemporary romances. And when they are done well, as this one is, it makes me remember why I love to get lost in this genre.

This was a cute, fun story! I enjoyed the main character. She felt real and easy to connect with. The plot was light and had some funny moments that had me laughing out loud. I enjoyed that the story was told through the past and the present, it helped round out what was happening. I would recommend this one!

My favorite read of 2022 so far!

Reminiscent of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid, "Funny You Should Ask" gives you glimpses of both sides of Hollywood –– the polished, public-facing view as well as the messiness that happens behind closed doors.

"Funny You Should Ask" is about Chani Horowitz, a "puff piece" writer, and her chance to interview her Hollywood crush, Gabe Parker. The story spans ten years, as we follow Chani and Gabe's first meeting and blossoming romance to them living separate lives and reuniting ten years later to face their history and missed opportunities.

Main reasons why I loved this book:

1. There's something so familiar about Chani, from her star-stuck awkwardness to her sense of impostor syndrome when it comes to her writing skills. I also like that she was different from the picture-perfect love interest –– she has self-doubts, she struggles to move past tough memories, and she even showed up to an interview with pit stains. I adored her as a main character because I saw a lot of "me" in her. I think a lot of other readers will too –– she's relatable, even as she's interviewing and spending time with movie stars.

2. The slow burn romance. The way that Sussman writes this book, you get clues about what's going to happen throughout the entire novel. But it takes nearly 3/4 of the book to actually get the full story! I devoured this book for that very reason –– I needed the satisfaction of finding out *what* actually happened between the two ten years ago!

Slight complaints:

1. The romance was slightly insta-love-y. Not a huge complaint, but it definitely got a small eye roll from me when the "I love yous" came along.

2. The ending felt a little rushed, but I didn't mind it too much because the "third act conflict" was just a few pages. I was thrilled it didn't last much longer than that because I loved Chani and Gabe's relationship.

All-in-all, "Funny You Should Ask" was a fun, sweet, spicy romance, and I can't wait to read more from Sussman!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the ARC. I really enjoyed Funny You Should Ask. I liked the way the story kept going between the past and present. I wish the lead character had a bit more confidence in herself, as her complaints did become a bit repetitious. Otherwise, the character descriptions were good and there were some really fun parts to the book, particularly from the past. The game they play sounds really fun! I would give this 3.5/5 stars, if that was an option.

This book was fine. I've read some other books that bounced between now and then (Love and Other Words, People We Meet on Vacation...) that did a better job of getting me invested in the characters during both timelines. So I'd recommend it but it didn't wow me and wasn't memorable.

I'd love to know what happens with Gabe's sister and his co-star. Also how the Cooper theater does. Will it turn into the mountain version of New England summer stock?

*I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher and I am required to disclose that in my review in compliance with federal law.

This book … tears emoji, love emoji, book emoji, film emoji … thank goodness for this book because I was starting to think I'd never get out of a bad review slump. This will be, thankfully, a fantastic review.

At first glance I passed over FUNNY YOU SHOULD ASK in NetGalley's "find titles" pages. But, then, I started seeing it on Instagram and the rave posts convinced me to ask for a copy to review. I'm so glad I did.

Chani is a features writer who is given the task to interview the next James Bond actor - Gabe. The plot weaves the weekend they spent together (for the interview) to a decade later.

Naturally, they find their way back to each other, but it's the HOW they do it that is full of all the emojis.

I thought the concept of the timeline was a bit hard to follow - we get snippets of Chani's articles, celebrity articles about Gabe, reviews of Chani's written work, gossip pieces and chapters of what happened ten years ago and the present.

I liked how everything was sewn together, but I think it would have worked better if Elissa had kept things in a chronological order. But THEN AGAIN, we learn from our past mistakes and I think that was the point she was trying to make with the timeline.

I LOVE second-chance romances, particularly when a decade or more has passed. Most of us change over a decade - even our hard-core traits change slightly. So to see the two of them battle hard years (his alcoholism, her bitter marriage) made it all worthwhile.

FUNNY YOU SHOULD ASK is the best of the slow-burns I've read so far this year. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for a copy to review.

I rate FUNNY YOU SHOULD ASK five out of five stars.

This is a second chance romance between a famous actor and journalist. There are multiple timelines (past and present), both set in one weekend the main characters spent together. My only criticism is that I am not a huge fan of romance where miscommunication (or lackthereof) hinders romance.

Thanks to NetGalley and publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Funny You Should Ask by @elissa_sussman tackles one of my favorite, lesser used tropes: Celebrity/not famous person. Maybe its bc I always feel like I’ve deserved a beautiful, rich, famous man to sweep me off my feet and make me his super down to Earth, averagely gorgeous girlfriend (#fantasies #entitled). In this case plebeian Chani is an intelligent, introverted, celeb magazine journalist tasked to interview misunderstood actor, Gabe- who is as equally famous as he is gorgeous. Chani ends up spending an entire weekend with Gabe and writes an article about him that propels both of their careers. They go their separate ways, but meet up again 10 years later for yet another interview. Bouncing back and forth between past and present, with different magazine articles, blog posts, and movie reviews interspersed throughout the book, we slowly get the story of what happened during that fateful weekend and how their lives progressed over the past decade. It’s clear from the get go that Chani and Gabe are hot for each other and sparks fly, but the journalist/celebrity relationship messes everything up. This book has a sexy and intense love making scene that both the characters and the readers deserve…the wait was worth it for everyone!!

When I finished this book I grabbed my chest and exclaimed out loud “OMG that was so friggen good!” I felt like I needed to smoke a cigarette…and then take a pregnancy test which was positive. I’m officially impregnated with pure book bliss. I plan to recommend this book to anyone who asks (and also to those who don’t ask) and be super annoying about it, bc good books deserve to be shoved down everyone’s throats. Do yourself a solid and read this book and if you don’t, I will find you and go full on Will Smith Oscars 2022 on you (#unhinged).

Smut- 2 stars
Romance- 5 stars
Story- 4.9 stars
When a book knocks you up (with joy)- 345 stars

This one was a solid romance novel about a Hollywood actor and a celebrity reporter whose careers take off after their interview. It gave me Taylor Jenkins Reid meets November 9 by Colleen Hoover.

I enjoyed this one a lot, and it was a quick read. However I just felt like it was missing something, and it probably has to do with the fact that these two characters only spent a total of 6-7 days together. As a result, the story felt very rushed. Specifically, I wish the time spent between the first and second celebrity interview contained more interactions between the two main characters. I also wish we got an epilogue to see what comfortable reality the two characters settled into and whether Chani wrote her fiction/fantasy novel.

There are Then and Now timelines, but they don’t alternate back and forth like a typical novel would. The author tells the story of the first day of the first interview weekend in several chapters, followed by the first day of the second interview that takes place 10 years later, and then reverts back to the second day of the first interview weekend and so forth. There are short, relevant celebrity news articles and tabloid reports sprinkled in between. This format took some adjustment, but there’s no better format in hindsight to tell this story as is.

3.5 stars

This book is a second chance romance featuring Chani, an author and Gabe, Hollywood star. Truthfully, I was not that invested in our main couples relationship and I found them (especially Chani) to be quite boring. I am also not a huge fan of novels that go back and forth in time as this one did.

I became more invested in the book once we got to the present day scenes where Chani and Gabe were both split from their former partners, but it seemed like that took forever. All in all, it was just an okay read.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley.

Thank you Netgalley and Dell for an advance copy of Funny You Should Ask by Elissa Sussman.

This is my first time reading a famous person/non-famous person romance and I devoured it. Yes, it is a romantic story, but I also felt that both Chani and Gabe grew up in the ten years from the first time she did the infamous interview.

I really enjoyed the juxtaposition of the then and now timelines. I think it pushed the book farther along quickly and made you want to keep reading to see what happened in the past but also what would happen now.

While Chani was a strong character in the now timeline, you could see how much she had grown from the then timeline as a twenty-six year old journalist. Both she and Gabe struggled with divorce and for Gabe sobriety and public struggles.

There were not many supporting casts in this book. You got to see Chani’s ex in her thoughts but never actually met him. But Ollie was a huge supporting character and I loved everything about him. I would read a book about his life story because he was so interesting.

The descriptions of Los Angles and Montana were both perfect. I felt like I was at the house party and premiere and then freezing my butt off in Montana.

Overall, this book was one of my favorite romance novels I have read this year. I know that some complaints could be made that these characters only knew each other for a total of six days (three from the now timeline) but I think it was a matter of love at first sight and a growing attraction from affair while both Gabe and Chani were keeping track of each other’s lives without communicating. I think Chani and Gabe needed that ten-year break to really be ready for each other. I cannot wait to recommend this book to everyone.