"Humor Me" was a perfectly okay rom-com-y book.

It definitely had elements of "Romantic Comedy" (by Curtis Sittenfeld). but in this book the main character works at a late night talk show (instead of a weekly sketch comedy show that airs on Saturday nights), and she's only a couple years out of college (instead of having approximately a decade of experience).

While I enjoyed most of the book, and chuckled at plenty of the jokes. I'm not a fan of the very abrupt ending. It doesn't exactly end on a horrible cliffhanger, but there were plenty of things that could have been addressed/wrapped up with a pretty quick epilogue.

HUMOR ME by Cat Shook and narrated by Ferdelle Capistrano was a light read perfect for summer.

I paired the digital with the audio, which added to my enjoyment.

Quick overview: Pressley works in a late night comedy show and enjoys finding the talent, but is worried about her assistant status. She is grieving the loss of her mom when she comes across Susan, a friend of her mom's who forms a connection with her. Pressley is working to come to terms with her changing reality.

This is a story about grief, family, friendships, and love. Normally this would be a great combo for me. This one didn't quite give me the depth I was hoping for. I thought her relationship with Susan was odd. It felt a bit desperate instead of compelling, and I really wanted to love the intergenerational friendship. I did enjoy her journey of acceptance of relationship changes with her best friend and with Susan's son.

Maybe it was just my mood. If those aspects sound like a good fit for you, please give it a try! I did enjoy it, just hoped for more.

Thank you to @netgalley @celadonbooks for sharing this light summer read that is out on July 9th!

I really enjoyed this book! Not so much a rom-com as it is the story of a woman living her life and dealing with her grief. The characters were lovable (although I could have done with less "I don't like girly stuff" from the MC) and the setting of 2017 NYC was perfect for some of the characters stories. As someone who has never lived in NYC, I really appreciated the way the author made it sound cozy even though you're in a city of millions.

However this one just... ended. I have so many questions! I don't need to see every single conversation had within a relationship, but I would like some more time spent with a new person. Did the roommate go to the wedding? How did it go with the comedian on her official taping? Did the mom and the MC stay friends?? I just needed a small epilogue and I would have been satisfied.

If you're on the hunt for a contemporary romance that will make you laugh out loud and tug at your heartstrings, look no further than "Humor Me." This delightful novel masterfully blends humor and seriousness, creating a story that's as entertaining as it is poignant.

"Humor Me" stands out in the romance genre with its unique approach to humor. The author weaves in laugh-out-loud moments seamlessly, bringing joy in ways that feel fresh and unexpected. It's not just about the jokes, though—the humor here is smart, situational, and deeply tied to the characters' personalities, making it all the more enjoyable.

But don't be fooled by the lighthearted title. This book also delves into more serious themes, exploring family dynamics, friendships, and trauma with sensitivity and depth. The protagonist's journey is one of growth and self-reflection, navigating the complexities of her past and how it shapes her as an adult. The way the story addresses these issues feels genuine and heartfelt, offering readers both entertainment and emotional resonance.

One of the most touching aspects of "Humor Me" is how relatable it is. Many readers will see reflections of their own lives in the protagonist's experiences, making her journey all the more impactful. Whether it's dealing with family challenges, fostering meaningful friendships, or overcoming personal trauma, this book touches on experiences that many of us can connect with on a deep level.

In conclusion, "Humor Me" is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a well-rounded story of personal growth. It's a perfect blend of humor and heart, offering a refreshing take on contemporary romance. So, if you’re ready to laugh, cry, and cheer for a character who feels like a friend, add "Humor Me" to your reading list. You won't be disappointed!

Presley is an associate producer for a late-night talk show. Her job is to scout new comedians for the Friday night segment. Her mother has recently died, and they had a complicated relationship. When one of her mother's close friends from childhood runs into Presley in the city (and is having her own family troubles), she and Presley form an unlikely friendship.

This book is pretty different than what I thought it would be. It is not just a rom com (although it does have those elements), it is not just a coming-of-age story of a millennial in NYC (although it does have those elements), and it is not just a story of an unlikely cross-generation friendship (yes, it has that too.) I really enjoyed this book. I loved Presley's job and how she got to go listen to stand up and her work politics and motivations. I liked her complicated friendships and the found families. Mostly, I liked that it was some new territory and not the same old story but also familiar and warm. I liked Cat Shook's previous book, but I thought this one was even better and I can't wait to read whatever she writes next.

Thank you to Netgalley for the advance copy for review.

I enjoyed Humor Me and thought it was well-written and engaging. The characters were fun to meet and I liked the NYC setting and the "Me Too" era time period. However, I also thought that the book was about too many things. There was romance (unrequited and requited), female friendship (both same age and navigating across generations), a bit of career angst, show business, men behaving badly, and ongoing grief and thinking about a difficult childhood. As a result, the narrative sometimes skirted the surface and resolution of issues didn't always seem well-earned. However, it was definitely an enjoyable, generally light read.

I don’t know about you, but before I read a book, I take the synopsis and the genres assigned to it in Goodreads into consideration to see if it strikes the mood. When books differ from those descriptors (in my subjective opinion), I feel the need to set the record straight, as it were.

I went into this book thinking that because it was about a woman working for a late night comedy show, it was going to have me laughing throughout. It did not. While it has some humorous lines and situations, this is book is too heavy to be considered funny. It also said it was a romance. While it has elements of the genre, romance is not the focus, though there are a couple of sex scenes (3 flames) and she does get her HEA, so there’s that. Also, that cover gives me heart eyes.

I went into this book expecting one thing and as a result, I had a hard time getting into it. When I let my expectations go and just let the story take me where it would, I ended up with so much more out of this book than I was expecting.

This book covers some heavy topics that might be triggering to some readers, like alcoholism, death of a parent and substance use. It also takes place in the entertainment industry around the emergence of the #metoo movement, which features heavily in the subplots. That’s some heavy stuff right there.

Our MC, Presley, is definitely living up to her “jaded” characterization from the synopsis though, so it did get that right, and this book is definitely a love letter to NYC and comedy. Presley is cynical, acerbic, and sarcastic, but has a heart of gold. I actually really liked her and found her incredibly relatable. In fact, all the characters were so well drawn that I felt like I knew them. I loved Izzy and think everyone needs a friend like her in their life. Susan was neurotic but so loveable. Their relationship was less about taking Presley under Susan’s wing (as per the synopsis) and more about seeking something in one another that is missing in their lives with the death of Presley’s mom. But I loved her unlikely friendship with Presley.

I enjoyed how the author called out problems in society in dealing with bias, prejudice, and injustice. Right at the beginning of the book, when Presley and Izzy are discussing how all they see in the news right now is talk about Weinstein, there’s a line where Izzy says “It’s been just enough time for a subject to be exhausted on Twitter, but not enough for actual societal or cultural thought.”

While there was so much I loved about this book, which focuses on healing from grief as well as friendship and letting people in, I do feel like the pacing was a little slow at times. I also felt a little bereft with the ending. I’m not sure if it was intentional or not, but the way things just cut off felt unfinished. Maybe that’s the point, life goes on, go out and live it, but to me, it felt unfinished.

Still, if you enjoy exploring female friendships and want to travel to NYC without leaving your couch, this is a great book to do it with. I had Mrs. Maisel vibes, but contemporary and not from the comedian’s POV, just the late night show aspect and the comedy bar scenes. I really liked it and encourage you to give it a try!

This was a story about healing. It’s told from the point of view of angry, judgmental, introverted, and lonely Presley Fry. She’s still growing up and learning how to be kind despite other people being human. She spends most of her time disconnected from her feelings and trying to be perfect at work. She walks through panic attacks, making uncomfortable connections, learning that she doesn’t know everything, and acting on a crush for the first time ever.

I liked the chapter where Clark makes the boundary that she has to make the next move if she wants to see him again. Other than that, I had a really hard time connecting with this story and staying interested. I thought it would be funnier and fast paced. It was more sad and I didn’t always like Presley.

Thank you Celadon Books and Netgalley for lending me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Usually with my reviews, I include a quick synopsis about the plot of the book. With this one, I’m not really sure what the plot was. All I know is that it was unfortunately a struggle for me. There are some great reviews out there, so this book definitely has an audience! Please just read my review if you’re looking for a different perspective. My intention is not to sway anyone away, but express my feelings as I read this. I did consider DNF’ing if I’m being honest.

For me, while the writing style was good, the book felt kinda all over the place in terms of plot. She loves her job, she hates everything, she has a crush on her coworker, she ignores her grief, she befriends her mom’s childhood friend, she gets a different love interest… you see where I’m going with this? I thought it would be a fun romcom, but I don’t really know what it was. The main character was also so hard to enjoy. She was too much of a hater, girl who is “not like other girls”, acting like a bad friend at times. Good ol Susan was the saving grace of this story for me!! She was a national treasure and I wish her the world! Ending was also super quick trying ro wrap things up, but I kinda just felt like what just happened?

I appreciate the opportunity to early read/review!

Presley Fry is determined to be a jaded, pretentious, hipster twenty something in New York City, which means as a character she’s exceedingly annoying to everyone that doesn’t actually have those “qualities” in real life. Her mother Patty was an alcoholic that died about a year before the book takes place, and some of Presley’s personality likely stems from growing up in the environment she did. Which makes it a little easier to be sympathetic, but doesn’t make her less annoying. The book creates its momentum by having Presley run in to an old friend of her mother’s, who is incredibly wealthy but in a state of uncertainty after her husband is outed for an affair and sexual harassment. Presley is determined to not make a deeper connection with Susan, but she actually really needs it. And Susan is an unexpectedly happy, genuine and selfless person that wants to make the relationship work. She also has a son that is exactly the type of significant other Presley could use in her life if she’s willing to get over her crush on her equally pretentious as well as immature coworker. I’m glad I finished this and had the opportunity to see Presley gain perspective and people in her life that are good for her, but it was a slog getting there and I don’t know how willing I would have been to do it if I hadn’t been reading this book for review.

Presley Fry has what was once her dream job, an assistant on the Late Night Show supporting one of the producers responsible for finding comedians to feature on the program. But after working there for several years, she is beginning to grow frustrated and wondering when she'll take the next step in her career. It does not help that she is still struggling with the death of her mother and has fallen in (unrequited) love with one of her co-workers at the show.

One day, Presley unexpectedly runs into Susan Clark, who was her mother's childhood best friend and happens to be married to the head of the network where Presley works. Susan seems determined to become Presley's friend. Despite their connection through Presley's late mother, the two could not be more different. But as they spend more time together, Presley finds herself discovering there is more to Susan than it first appears, and that their friendship may finally help her take the next steps in personal and professional lives.

This is a well-written and engaging story. It offers realistic and often funny portrayals of unlikely relationships while exploring interesting themes around grief, friendship, love, and what it takes to make it in New York.

Highly recommended!

Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon Books for the ARC of Humor Me by Cat Shook. I picked this one up when I saw it compared to Romantic Comedy (a book I adored). This book was a gem - flawed, lovable characters and a romance plotline that wasn't the show's main star (but still one you fell in love with). It also had character development like none other, and I loved the love letter to NYC. Humor Me also did a great job exploring raw grief, especially with a complicated familial relationship. I highly recommend this one as a thoughtful, funny, and witty read.

This wonderful summer read deals with female friendships, unexpected love and really good comedy. A must add for your summer book stack. Friendships can occur and be made when you least expect them. The book teaches us to be prepared and ready for this.

Humor Me - Cat Shook
Pub Date: July 9
4/5 Stars

Reading this made me vividly remember the feeling of being in my mid-20s and I LOVED it. Seriously, the writing in this book felt so descriptive and real that I was transported to New York City. Yes, this book is a romantic comedy but it is really much more. The main character, Presley, is in her mid-20s and works as a production assistant on a nighttime comedy show. Presley is slowly trying to process (aka ignore) the death of her alcoholic mother, while also struggling to work her way up at work by trying to find promising comedies, and also being attracted to her favorite co-worker, Adam. Presley has a lot going on. Out of nowhere, Presley runs into Susan, her mother’s old best friend/now NYC socialite. Susan and Presley work to form a very interesting friendship.

I will say this book has funny moments but it is definitely a more “real life” rom-com. The characters were flawed and real but that made me enjoy this story even more. I think romance that feels real is the best. The romance aspect of the story went a totally different direction than I expected. but I loved it! Presley finally realizing her worth and standing up for herself felt very human and well-done. . Also, the author touches on very poignant subjects in this novel including bias and sexism. There were some absolute brilliant lines but I think my favorite was regarding the MC and her sex life. The main character narrates “Business casual sex, Izzy calls it. It’s a rebellion against the horseshit I heard in Bible study growing up: that as a woman, I would find it impossible to separate my feelings from sexual interactions.”

Thank you to Celadon Books and NetGalley for the ARC.

Humor Me was a really great read. Presley reminded me of a younger and more reserved Liz Lemon, which I consider a pretty high compliment. It was more of a
Coming of age story than a romance, though it definitely had romantic elements. Some of the interactions with Presley and Susan were bizarre and unrealistic but incredibly fun to watch unfold. I LOVED Clark, and their chemistry seemed so natural and romantic in this really low key way. Cat Shook’s writing style is really lovely. All in all I really liked it- my only criticism would be to speed it up a little. Oh and maybe add more Clark but that’s a personal preference. Thanks the the publisher and NetGalley for the e-arc.

All the points for well developed characters in Humor Me by Cat Shook. Going into this one I wasn’t sure what genre to expect as it has an illustrated cover which makes me think of light and romcom but I would say it is a contemporary/literary mashup.

I adored the main character of Presley who lost her mom just over a year ago to alcoholism and is now contacted by her mother’s best friend from youth and the wife to a recent Me Too target. Susan is also grieving Patty’s death and threatens to tear down some of the walls Presley has built up.

Presley and her best friend Isabelle are roommates in New York City and both have sworn off dating until one of them meets someone. Presley works for The Late Night Show and is tasked with finding up and coming comedians for their Friday slots. She has a good friend in Adam who also works for the show and begins to examine her feelings for him more closely.

I loved the complicated thought processes that Presley struggled with in her feelings for others. They seemed genuine. Office politics and the beginning of the #metoo era are observed thoughtfully. The friendship between Isabelle and Presely and the one between Susan and Presley were interesting and warm and I often had tears for the depth of emotion. The ending comes rather abruptly but also makes sense once I sat back and thought about it for a moment.

Thank you to @celadonbooks and @netgalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions. Humor Me comes out July 9, 2024.

I was interested to read this based on the comparison to Romantic Comedy. Though I see the similarities, it’s definitely its own book. I love the humor mixed in when very serious issues: the loss of one’s mother, the fear of relationships, sexual harassment, etc…. I would have enjoyed one extra chapter with Clark. Parts of the book made me feel really old, when she was on Hinge. Very hard for me to relate to that. But the partying I. Your twenties trying to make ends meet were so relatable. Great read! I enjoyed this very much! Thank you for the chance to read it.

You can be friends with your dead mother's friend. All your friends don't have to be your age. Actually having the variety in ages will give you variety in experiences. You can end up saying yes to people you thought you won't even talk to. People don't usually show their vulnerabilities when you are just acquaintances

Presley got a boring job and it was not getting any better. With her mother's passing, life was slapping her left and right. Susan Clark was mother's best friend and happened to be her boss' boss' boss' wife. Susan wanted to be the mother Presley lost and made sure that she was looked after. Presley was bit reluctant as she saw this friendship as Susan's way to connect her son and Presley. However, there was much more Presley didn't see in this friendship.

Presley seemed like lacking motherly love. Her mother was not lovey, dovey mother. While Susan's attention felt too much at the beginning, it was something she was craving. Change in her reactions and her maturity was displayed very well. If you like coming of age novels for late 20 year olds, this could be the read for you.

This book was not for me.
I did like how Presley advocated for herself with Adam and did it in such a strong female manner! I loved Susan and Izzy but overall I struggled with this in one. I didn’t care the judgmental, negative FMC and the love interest was equally as bad. There was no plot and the ending was so abrupt. I really did try to enjoy this one! The writing was great just the content wasn’t there for me. But lots of people seem to be enjoying this one so this might just be me!

Thank you NetGalley and celadon books for an advance readers copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
Release date: July 9th

After the initial pages, I found myself not connecting with the story or characters, so I decided to pass on this book. Did not finish