This was funny for a first book, chaotic and light. A good beach read. The cover got me. Vanessa was likable and enjoyable.

This was a fun read! I loved the silly plot, where Vanessa loses her job due to "her face", and together with her friends and a hilarious mum she becomes an accidental private detective, trying to figure out why so many people are sacked from her former work-place. The characters in this book were quirky and pretty memorable, and the plot was a mix of cute, funny, and interesting.

3.5/5.

This was so fun!! I really enjoyed reading this and I would definitely read more from this author again! This book would benefit from another round of edits but I don't think it affected my enjoyment a lot.

Super cute book that had a wonderful main character. The story draws you in and keeps you there for the whole book.

Thank you, Sourcebook Casablanca and Netgalley for a free E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This novel is heavy on the women's fiction / workplace mayhem and very light on the romance.
I thought the concept of her facial expressions being what got her fired to be interesting, but this book did not hold my attention enough to get through it in its entirety without skimming. I also found the MC annoying and immature at times, acting on impulse that could've gotten her into so much deeper trouble than just a horrible ex-boss not liking her face.

I received an ARC of this book quite a while ago and I found it htis week after I finished reading the second book she’s written. I’m embarrassed that it’s taken me so long to get to this big.

This is her debut book and I really enjoyed it, it’s so true, the book if for anyone who loves coffee and cats.

Vanessa aka Nessa works as a telemarketer in a toxic work environment and gets fire becuas she doesn’t smile enough at work. Nessa is surrounded by some wonderful friends and her mom as she works through being unemployed.

I thought this was a cute read and was able to get through the book quickly. There were times this book really had me laughing ad it’s a great book tor ead during a holiday or if you want something short and swee to read over a weekend. I rate it 3.5 stars.

3.75 but rounded up to 4 stars

Considering my bestie says I'm the queen of RBF I knew I had to read You Should Smile More. I've also worked in many toxic workplace environments so the story also hit too close to home. I agreed with with Vanessa so much. And I do love a good revenge story especially when it's against Vanessa's completely horrible boss. And so many others joined in on the fun which made it hilarious at times. I do wish there was a bit more romance but I do tend to go for more open romance stories. This was a good switch up from my normal reading moods. I definitely will recommend this one to any of my friends who can't stand their job or boss currently.

I received an ARC of this book quite a while ago and I found it this week after I finished reading the second book she’s written. I’m embarrassed that it’s taken me so long to get to this book.

This is her debut book and I really enjoyed it. It’s perfect for anyone who loves coffee and cats.

Vanessa, aka Nessa, works as a telemarketer in a toxic work environment and gets fired because she doesn’t smile enough at work. Nessa is surrounded by some wonderful friends and her mom as she works through being unemployed.

I thought this was a cute read and was able to get through the book quickly. There were times when this book really had me laughing and it’s a great book to read during a holiday or if you want something short and sweet to read over a weekend. I rate it 3.5 stars

Really enjoyed this book! Loved the characters and the writing.

Thanks NetGalley and Anastasia Ryan!

How many times have you been told this? “You’d be so pretty, if you’d just smile more!” I’ve been told that so many times I can’t even tell you. It’s like I’m expected to just naturally be happy all the time. It’s so frustrating, as I’m sure you know. I think you’ll enjoy my review of You Should Smile More by Anastasia Ryan, because it’s a book that takes this statement to a whole new level.

The characters in You Should Smile More are absolutely the heart. They drive the action, they make the decisions (some good, some bad) and they interact in a way that’s heartwarming, funny, and entertaining. Read about them more below.

Vanessa is the main character, and the one who is unceremoniously fired from her telemarketing job. Yes, my first question was, “If she’s on the phone all the time, what does that have to do with her face?” Well, that’s a very good question, and is answered in the “Then” portion of the book. The book is told in two timelines, but don’t worry, they’re clearly labeled. No confusion necessary. Needless to say, I love Vanessa, and have decided she and I would be very good friends. As much as she irritates me in a lot of ways, Jennifer Lawrence would be good in this role. She’s good at her own version of RBF, and has the snarky personality of Mystique to back it up.

Trish is my second favorite. She’s one of those people who you should never underestimate. As part of her helping the other ladies get revenge, she plants a bug in Xavier’s office, and gets transmitters for everyone, so they can all hear what’s going on. Mila Kunis would make a fantastic Trish.

Jane is my third favorite of the three. Not because I don’t love her, because I do, but because I don’t really have as much in common with her. I can be as diabolical (when necessary) as Trish, and I have what I call “focus face” which to most people looks like a scowl. Aly Michalka would be the best Jane. I loved her in iZombie and Phil of The Future, and think she has the best attitude to play someone like Jane.

The Cats
Oh, these cats. I love them so much. Vanessa is a volunteer at a pet shelter, and fosters cats on a regular basis. These five are waiting to grow up a bit, so they can find their forever home, and are so much fun! Vanessa was a Latin major in college, so has named the kitten one through five in Latin. That is: Unus, Deus, Tres, Quattuor, and Quinque. The kittens are extremely mischievous, and actually cause Vanessa no end of trouble. If they’re anything like my cat Simon, though, their cuteness makes up for a lot of it. They’re such a fun part of the story, and I’m looking forward to more stories by this author, to see if more kittens show up.

I read You Should Smile More in about 2 days, maybe 3. It was a lighthearted read, great for a palate cleanser. Plenty of it was funny, especially the parts with the Bridge Brigade. I didn’t feel like it was rushed at all, even if I felt like some parts were unnecessary. I loved the fact that Anastasia wrote the story in two timelines, which helped set the story for current time, and help solve any mysteries or plot twists as they came up. I had plenty of “ooooohhhh! THAT’S why!”

You Should Smile More was predictable, but in a different way than I thought. I was able to figure out a bunch of stuff early on, but that in no way ruined my enjoyment of the story. Results may have been what I expected, but the journey to those results was immersive, and so much fun.

Would I read another book by Anastasia Ryan?
Abso-freakin-lutely, I would! I love her writing style, her character creation, and her ability to take something as simple as RBF, and build an entire story around it. I hope to find other books by Anastasia, and check them out. And if this is her debut, I look forward to more stories in the future!

If you enjoy cozy, lighthearted stories, with fun, quirky characters, and despicable antagonists, you will love You Should Smile More. Especially if you’ve just finished a darker book, or even a big book. I tend to be attracted to fantasy books that are 500 pages or more, but when I find a book that’s less than 300, and promises to be a good time, I love those too. Like a moth to a flame, I’m telling you.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.

How do you get fired from a telemarketing job for resting bitch face? Seriously? That is how this novel starts off - Vanessa losing her job for that reason. She is not thrilled with the job, but it keeps a roof over her head and allows her to do what she loves, volunteering with the local animal shelter. However, when Vanessa and her work BFF Jane get fired, and their other friend Trish gets put on probation for being their friend, they start to wonder what is really going on. During a misguided night with some peppermint schnapps, they hatch a plan for revenge. Except they got more than they bargained for.

This book was hilarious. Part hijinx, part romance, lots of kitties, it was the best! I look forward to more books by this author.

If you're looking for a fun, light, outlandish comedy for new adults, this one's for you.

When Vanessa Blair is fired from her telemarketing job for her RBF, she is embarrassed, distraught, and... confused. Not only did she never realize she had RBF, but she works in telemarketing -- none of the potential clients she's calling can actually see her face. But her boss, Xavier -- the man who never wears shoes and makes them participate in weird events like Work Prom and Office Olympics after hours (and unpaid) -- sees her as a threat for some reason. But when her work friend, Jane, is also fired, along with several other female employees, and another coworker, Trish, is forced to write an apology letter for just knowing the two of them, Vanessa's spidey senses start tingling. Something else is going on here... Vanessa, Jane, and Trish are ready to declare war, with the help of Sun Tzu's The Art of War. Office bugging, glitter hijinks, kitty calamities, and a smidge of romance (care of Vanessa's cute unemployment caseworker) ensue while Vanessa learns how to stand up for herself and to figure out what she really wants in life.

Thoughts: Vanessa reminded me of Karen, Jim's short-term love interest in the early seasons of The Office, as did the ridiculous workplace environment. However, Xavier is no Michael Scott, and I found myself annoyed at times because she was so unfairly fired and Xavier is just so annoying! As a whole, the plot moved quickly, there was enough outlandishness to keep readers interested, and there were plenty of funny characters you'll either love or hate. If you're looking for romance, though, this isn't really it -- Vanessa and Carter's romance is barely there for most of the book, but he is an adorable character and the ending was perfect for them. Overall, this is a cute story for 20-somethings just getting into the corporate world, and may appeal to fans of Sophie Kinsella.

**Thank you, NetGalley and publishers, for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.**

"You Should Smile More" by Anastasia Ryan is a powerful and eye-opening exploration of the everyday sexism and microaggressions that women often encounter. Ryan's writing is both candid and thought-provoking as she delves into the challenges women face in a patriarchal society. The book's honest narratives and personal anecdotes create a space for readers to reflect on their own experiences and those of the women around them. Ryan's ability to articulate the subtleties of these issues adds depth to the narrative, offering a compelling insight into the importance of recognizing and challenging gender stereotypes. "You Should Smile More" is an important read that encourages conversations about equality and the need for change, leaving readers with a renewed sense of awareness and determination to promote a more inclusive society.

Fun summer office read. Just an enjoyable read and definitely a bit different than most other lighthearted reads.

This was a little too light on the romance, and too heavy on the toxic work situation. While I can understand wanting to get revenge, the reason for why she is fired is a little far fetched let alone borderline illegal. Carter was just about the only bright spot in this story.

Fun read! The characters were very well thought out and well written. The plot was fun and easy to follow. This is my first book by Ryan, but it won't be my last!

Thank you to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Casablanca for an e-ARC of this novel in exchange for a review.

"When Vanessa Blair is fired because of her 'resting bitch face,' her friends help her launch a revenge plan that'll bring down the whole company."

You Should Smile More reminds me so much of 9-to-5 mixed with The Office. If you loved Dial A for Aunties, pick this up--tons of wonderful supporting characters tackling a huge problem together
with very, over the top strategies. A camp-y read! PLUS... it has tons of cats!

Thank you to the author Anastasia Ryan, publishers Sourcebooks Casablanca, and NetGalley for a copy of You Should Smile More!

I would have rounded up to 3 stars, however there were Harry Potter references, that we should not be making in 2023.

I really wanted to like this one, but it felt like a rip-off of The Office, mixed with a disgruntled employee show. It also felt like it was in this awkward place between women's fiction and fiction, so it threw in a very secondary romance to shoe horn it into women's fiction.

Thank you to NetGalley for my ARC. This is my honest review.
Now this was my type of revenger book. Our main character Vanessa was fired from her job because she has a ‘resting bitch face’. I mean how mad would you be if that happened to you? This was a whole new level of romance comedy but without the typical rom-com feel. I love that this book conquers real topics and can be serious. This is a total recommendation for those who want this life.