Humor Me is a love letter to New York City and a poignant story about grief, friendship, career, and romance.

Presley felt relatable and I got to relive my mid-twenties vicariously through her. I was involved in the Chicago comedy scene at twenty-five, taking improv classes and spending a lot of time at Comedy Sportz. Presley's career is a lot cooler than mine was at that age though. I also related to her friendship with her mom's best friend. I have friends of all ages, but I have connected most often with women twenty to thirty years older than me.

Some parts of the story felt slow to me, but it held my attention for the most part. It was more for the bits I couldn't connect to as much. I did still find myself caring for Presley and getting angry on her behalf at times.

Overall, this is an interesting story that is worth checking out! Great for fans of Romantic Comedy and Dear Eliza.

(Trigger warning below.)

Movie casting suggestions:
Presley: Rose Reid
Isabelle: Renee Rapp
Susan: Mary Louise Parker
Clark: Joseph Quinn
Adam: Jacob Elordi
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TW: Drug/alcohol addiction (for a family member)

Humor Me by Cat Shook was an interesting read for me. The pacing of the story was on the slow side but it did include themes of humor and real emotion. The topics hit hard and are true to life. The characters were well developed and you want to feel a real connection to them. A very well written novel.

I tried really hard to read this one as I enjoyed her previous novel and love these types of novels. But I just could not get into this book or connect with the characters, especially the main one.

Maybe I will return to it at another time or try it in another format, such as an audiobook.

Thank you to Celadon books for a complimentary digital copy of this novel.

Cat Shook’s Humor Me is a heartwarming and laugh-out-loud contemporary novel that centers on themes of family, grief, and the healing power of humor. It tells the story of a large Southern family as they navigate the aftermath of a tragedy, each member dealing with their loss in a uniquely personal and often humorous way.

The novel is filled with quirky characters, each adding their own flavor to the story. The protagonist, Winnie, is an endearing young woman who has returned to her hometown after a difficult breakup. While she’s grappling with her own personal issues, she’s also thrust into the chaotic dynamics of her family. The family itself is as colorful as they come, with larger-than-life personalities, awkward situations, and heartfelt moments that make you both laugh and cry.

Shook’s writing is witty and sharp, delivering a perfect balance of comedy and emotional depth. She has a keen sense of humor that brings levity to even the most challenging moments in the story. The novel shines in its dialogue—quick, witty exchanges between family members reveal the complexities of their relationships while keeping the tone light and entertaining. The humor feels natural and never forced, making the characters more relatable as they navigate grief and dysfunction.

But Humor Me isn’t just about laughs. Beneath the comedic surface is a story about love, forgiveness, and resilience. Each character, while funny in their own way, also has emotional baggage to unpack. The novel thoughtfully explores how people cope with grief, often highlighting the absurdity of life even in the face of loss. Shook beautifully shows how humor can be a survival mechanism, helping people get through the toughest times.

One of the novel’s strengths is its ability to depict a wide range of emotions. It moves seamlessly from laugh-out-loud moments to heartfelt, touching scenes that resonate with anyone who has experienced loss or complicated family dynamics. Shook handles these transitions with grace, ensuring that the emotional beats feel earned and never out of place.

The Southern setting adds a charming backdrop to the story, providing a vivid sense of place that complements the family’s eccentricities. Shook captures the warmth and quirks of Southern life, from the small-town gossip to the close-knit community where everyone knows each other’s business.

Overall, Humor Me is a delightful and refreshing read that blends humor and heart in equal measure. Cat Shook’s debut novel is a testament to the importance of family, the absurdities of life, and the power of laughter to heal. For readers who enjoy stories about imperfect families, witty banter, and finding light in the darkness, Humor Me is a must-read. It’s a book that will make you laugh, cry, and reflect on the beautifully messy nature of life.

As someone who loves SNL, the premise of this book was so exciting to me! I loved the first person POV and the entire way that Cat Shook presents the #MeToo movement from her characters experience.

Humor Me is a very well written novel that feels incredibly relatable. While it is a slower burn and the pacing a tad on the slower side for my usual taste, I thought it was done right and grabbed onto the reader, making me invested in the characters easily on. I felt myself rooting for the fmc and really relating to her struggles in life. The book touches on common themes such as relationships, friendships, grief, alcoholism, and cheating. This felt like you were reading a diary and you really got to know the fmc well. I will say it feels very character driven. This book ended up making me laugh quite a bit, tear up at times, and there was even some romance. It had it all. I do recommend if you like chick lit.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

Cat Shook has transported me to a world that I have always wanted to know more about with Humor Me. It was fun and enlightening to see a glimpse into the worlds of the late night talk shows that I grew up watching and seeing how comedy greats got their break. Although this is not a book I would put in the Romantic Comedy category that I have seen so many erroneously compare it to, this is a wonderfully written humorous Women's Fiction Novel. The difference between the two is that this is a human comedy of life, love, and finding your way in New York City and the adult world whereas the former is just a funny snapshot of one contrived moment there for a laugh.

Shook will draw you in and make you feel a full range of emotions for Presley Fry. You will root for her to get her promotion, feel for her as she finds her way in the world, and be drawn in with the compassion she feels for those she books and has in the circles of work and friendship. This is a beautiful exploration of not just growing up, but growing into yourself.

This is a story for anyone who wants to see what it is like to be young or r experience the world der and frustration of our early carrers!

This is a nice come of life story about an assistant at a tv show that works finding comedy sketches for the show (hence the title). She recently lost her mother and have to navigate her adult life without her presence. She ends up finding a new unexpected friend in one of her mother’s friends, and from there she starts to rethink what she really wants for her life to get back on track.

While the title and setting of this book is comedy, I found this book charming and sweet. It is funny as Presley looks to find act for the comedy television show she works for, however her neurotic tendencies and general people pleasing finds her in unique situations, yet you love her because of the nature of her "do good" personality. I enjoyed this book a lot.

this book felt more like a personal diary but in a boring way. i read over 50% of the book and nothing was happening. main character had similar days with almost identical interactions. and while i enjoyed seeing her talking to different people, i had no desire to continue this book. i couldn’t grasp what the idea was or what could possibly happen further. nevertheless, i was interested in her work because what she does sounds so fun but also i wouldn’t survive having so much tension finding comedians for the tv show.

This was really sweet! I loved how friendship was emphasized in this book. Don’t get me wrong, the romance was cute too. It is true chick lit.

This was a 2.5 read for me, pushing to a 3. Humor Me follows Presley as she navigates life in New York, dealing with her career, the loss of her mom, and an unrequited crush. The story has a nice balance of humor and emotional moments, especially when Presley reflects on her relationships.

There are some sweet connections with friends and family that bring warmth to the story. If you enjoy lighthearted rom-coms with a bit of self-discovery, this is worth picking up.

I loved “Humor Me.” I fell in love with many of the characters who had such depth and development. I would love to be a part of their world.

A must-read for anyone seeking a dose of laughter and joy! Plus, the book cover is just beautiful! Will be recommending this to all my bookish friends. Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher, for the eARC!

Humor Me follows a 20 something living in NYC and working as an assistant at a late night show during the me too movement. After a chance run in at a cafe, she strikes up an unexpected friendship with her late mother’s childhood best friend.

I think this had so much potential. The setting was great, and I loved that we were following this character working at a late night show. The biggest positive of the book was definitely Presley’s relationship with Susan. I wish it would have played out a little differently, but I think it was such a fun friendship.

What held me back from really loving this was how slow paced it was. It took so long for anything to start happening. I was also very thrown off by Presley’s negative reaction to her roommate’s relationship. It made me really not like her or want to root for her.

Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon for the ARC!

The hardest part about getting through this book was dealing with the pessimistic main character. It was exhausting. No one can have a good time and anyone who says they are is lying. I did enjoy the New York City setting and I enjoyed her job at a late night studio.

Haven’t had a visceral flashback to my former embarrassments as strong as this since I watched “8th Grade.”

Even though I’m now extremely happily married and moved out of NYC after one soul crushing year, I *felt* this girl. A workplace crush that flirts with you even though they’re dating other people? Check. An embarrassing cab make out after a drunk UES karaoke session? Check. A willingness to do anything other than admit your feelings to another person? Check.

Watching DUNKIRK at Village East? I did that!!

This girl is me. I am this girl. Or was. Very happy to be 30 and married and on the other side. But buy howdy did this book take me back there.

Thanks to Celadon & NetGalley for a free ARC.

Cat Shook has a real gift for getting you interested in characters that might be a bit prickly on the surface. Humor Me is the story of 25 year old Presley Fry, who lives in NYC and is an assistant working for a late night show. She is standoffish and smart, and really trying to avoid mention of her dead mother, who passed a year ago and with whom Presley had a very complicated relationship. The book is also set around 2016, so mentions of the Me Too Movement and the 2016 election abound. Within that context, Presley begins developing a friendship with one of her mother's old friends.

I really got a sense of who Presley was through this book - she felt like she could have been one of my friends (although I probably would have called her out on some of her BS earlier than her friends do!). I liked that it showed her processing how to grieve someone whom she struggled with when they were here. I adored Susan and their burgeoning relationship. Overall, Presley had very gracious friends who give her a lot of space, because BOY does she shut down quickly! In fact, my only frustration was how frequently conflict is created by Presley refusing to acknowledge and address her feelings. Luckily, this is an area in which she grows. I adored the romance aspect of the book, and if anyone has had a complicated will-they-won't-they friendship, you will definitely recognize one part of this book.

I can't wait to see what characters Cat Shook comes up with next. Based on her last two books, she's become an auto-buy author for me.

This was a good uncomplicated listen where the main character is living in NYC in her 20s, and going through all the growing pains that are inherent to that decade of life. Fleshed out characters and decent dialogue make it a pretty interesting read.

ARC from the publisher via NetGalley but the opinions are my own.