Thank you Net Galley for the ARC.
This is a story of love, grief and figuring out how both can coexist at the same time. I like how the dual timelines show us Lauren’s rebellious teen years dealing with the death of her father and past love story with her husband Spencer, her present day dealing with being a windowed single mom and falling in love with her brother’s costar Ben, and how one has influenced the other. This cast of characters are raw, a little messy and each dealing with their own griefs in a way that felt authentic.

📖 ARC/ALC REVIEW 📖

Thank you @prhaudio and @dellromance for an early copy of Totally and Completely Fine by @elissa_sussman. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. 🤍

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐.5/5
Release date: July 8th, 2025

🛑Read on with caution; review may contain spoilers🛑

Totally and Completely Fine highlights single parent Lauren’s grief and loneliness, as well as her letting herself fall in love all over again, as she tries to move on from her husband Spencer’s death three years ago while navigating and adjusting to her hormonal teenage daughter. The story is told in dual timelines, showing the readers Lauren’s life with her husband Spencer in the past, and her present beau Ben. While I enjoyed Lauren’s story with Spencer and how raw and emotional and romantic their love has been, her reluctance in pursuing a relationship with Ben was what hindered me from feeling the depth of their romance. I seriously think that her fear of being talked about in her small hometown is all in her head, and that if she truly wanted to keep Ben, then she should go all out. She did so eventually towards the end of the story, but it kinda felt lackluster.

What shone in the story for me was Lauren’s relationship with her daughter Lena, and how open Lauren was with Lena’s sexuality when she found out about it, judgement out the door and nothing but love and acceptance for her daughter.

Totally and Completely Fine was a heartfelt story about love and grief, and about family. While I think some parts of the story was underdeveloped, I enjoyed it overall. The narrator also added some heartfelt emotion and humor to the story, giving a bit of life to the story.

When I requested TOTALLY AND COMPLETELY FINE, I forgot that I had read and not loved FUNNY YOU SHOULD ASK. While this book was a better read for me, in the end it was just totally fine.

The story is told in alternating "then/now" chapters. The "then" chapters tell Lauren's relationship with her late husband Spencer, while "now" deals with her relationship with Ben, an actor/friend of Gabe.

The Lauren/Ben story just didn't hit for me. There wasn't much there beyond "I want to climb him like a tree," and I needed more than that to believe in it. I was much more interested in Spencer and very much enjoyed the "then" chapters.

Sussman tried to pack a lot into this novel: grief, depression, coming out, 2 love stories for Lauren, fallout from alcoholism, evil grandmothers...it was so much that I didn't think any aspect got a full fair treatment.

Still 3 stars for the Lauren/Spencer half of the story.

Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Dell for an eARC. Opinions are my own.

Before I start the review, it should be mentioned that this is a companion novel to 'Funny You Should Ask'. The present timelines are happening concurrently; however, you get to see things from Lauren's point of view.

Again, like with all of her novels this isn't just about a love story. This is a story about grief. This story is told in dual timelines. As she is growing up and coming of age. Meeting her husband Spencer and his subsequent death. Then the other timeline is them dealing with the grief caused by his death and her meeting, dating Ben.

Thanks to NetGalley & the publisher and early in exchange for an honest review all words are my own.

Totally and Completely Fine, a novel by Elissa Sussman, available July 8, 2025!

If you could come up with a book where you can link Funny You Should Ask and Once More with Feeling, it would be Totally and Completely Fine! If you were missing Gabe and Chani, well, they’re back, baby! (Also, there’s a theatre and Ollie, who I think we met in OMWF…I could be wrong!).

Lauren is Gabe’s sister who lives in Montana with her daughter Lena, currently grappling with the death of Spencer, Lauren’s husband and Gabe’s best friend. Amid the now and then timelines, you learn about Lauren’s life; from losing her dad to being the talk of the town, and then having a famous brother, and trying to figure out her life after losing her husband. Enter Ben, Gabe’s dreamy co-star, who’s destined for the big screen and has the hots for Lauren after meeting on set in Philadelphia. Even with an age gap, these two are so horny for each other. And Ben is just…that guy. Charming, nice, thoughtful – everything someone could want in a man. Right? Well, Lauren may not be ready for that, but Ben sure is when he moves to Montana to perform in Gabe’s play. The will-they/won’t-they will keep you turning the pages right to the end.

P.S. Bring tissues! The depiction of grief and loss is central to the story, particularly in its impact on Lauren and Lena’s relationship. I thought this was done so well, but it could be triggering for some!

P.P.S. Spencer’s mother is the worst. She can hug a cactus.

Thank you so much to Ballantine/Dell and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read an advanced (e-)reader copy and a chance to rate and review this book!

4 ⭐️ 1 🌶

Reading this book was a lovely opportunity to revisit a cast of characters that I was fond of years ago when reading "Funny You Should Ask". I was genuinly (and pleasantly) surprised by our lovers, but I will say I wish that I was given a richer description of our heroine and hero outside of their romantic life. I think this might have been because we were focusing too much on referring back to the companion piece, but overall I am a big fan of how Sussman writes romance - witty, genuine, and moving.

Elissa Sussman is quickly becoming an auto by author for me. I really enjoyed this book. In it, we have Lauren, the sister of Gabe her previous protagonist. Gabe is a superstar actor who’s dealing with alcoholism and finding happiness with his soulmate. Lauren has recently lost her soulmate in a devastating car accident. This book deals with death, grieving, and moving on. Lauren gets her shot at moving on with actor Ben, who is younger than her and obsessed! There are so much going on with this book including really interesting family dynamics. Overall, I really enjoyed this! Also, I love all of her book covers. They are so gorgeous.

Thank you #netgalley for the ARC and exchange for an honest review.

No no Lauren isn't fine and neither is her daughter Lena because they are mourning Spencer, beloved husband and father who died three years ago. They are however navigating and that starts with a visit to Lauren's brother Gabe on the set of his new movie where she meets Ben. Know that this leans in on physical relationships in both of its time lines. One tells the story of Lauren and Spencer, as well as Gabe while the other is grounded in the present. There's a lot to chew on here and know that there's a naturally heavy emphasis on grief and grieving. There's also alcoholism. And there's teen angst (for all of them in both time lines.) It's a double love story and Lauren's second chance. Sussman writes in a conversational storytelling style that fits her plain speaking characters. There's just enough small town atmospherics and I really liked the book/craft store idea (and get the organization thing). Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A very good read.

This is a heartfelt, thought-provoking novel that dives into the messy, beautiful, and often painful realities of grief, love, and starting over. It’s the kind of story that stays with you because it feels so real and relatable.

I wouldn’t recommend this if you’re looking for a traditional slow burn romance, I’d even argue it’s more for a contemporary fiction fan than for a romance reader. It delves more into grief, discovery and healing through a romance than the actual romance itself.

I really enjoyed this one. The characters felt authentic, layered, and refreshingly imperfect in all the right ways. Elissa Sussman has a knack for writing people you want to root for, even when they’re messy, awkward, or not totally sure what they want. The relationships in the book (both romantic and otherwise) had a relatable depth that kept me engaged from the start. The story hits a sweet spot between humor and heart. I enjoyed the back and forth between then and now. It really let you get to know the Lauren and where she is coming from most of the time. It's very poignant when she thinks back to then and the development of her love story with Spencer. In the now, you get to see how she's doing a few years after losing him along with their daughter. I'd absolutely recommend it to readers who love character-driven fiction with emotional honesty and a touch of wit.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for advanced copy, and I give my review freely

Lauren has a teenager who can barely look her in the eye, a dead husband, a famous brother & lives in the same small town that she grew up in. Her life is not glamorous and she spends most days just trying to survive. When she meets up with her brother, one of his friends catches her eyes (and his, her) and they are off to the races on their steamy romance. Will their romance be able to survive the ups and downs of a chaotic life and the eyes of a small town? Do they want it to?

This author is an auto-buy for me. I have loved each of her previous books, and this one is no exception. I loved the depth the characters had, the dual-timeline story telling method, and the story itself. While the insta-love of it bothered me a bit at the beginning, I loved the two main characters so much I didn’t even care by the end. I laughed, I cried (wept), and believed in true love yet again. Highly suggest picking this up if you enjoyed the author’s previous works, or enjoy other celebrity/normal person, small town or hot & steamy romances!

Thank you to the publisher for a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

I devoured this with the enthusiasm of a woman who tells herself she’ll just read “one more chapter” at 1 am, and ends up seeing the sunrise. I'll be working to get my sleep schedule back on track for weeks now, but it was worth it!

The book follows Lauren Parker, sister to Gabe Parker from Funny You Should Ask. Lauren is trying to juggle her grief, her career, and her family, until Ben Walsh (a young, hot man) strolls in and turns everything upside down. As young, hot men should.

I loved the structure of dual timelines showing Lauren’s past with her late husband, Spencer, and her present with Ben. But because of the format, we don’t get as much time with either of the men as we do with Lauren herself. But honestly? That feels like the point. This was her story.

That said, I would have loved to spend more time with Ben. The physical chemistry between him and Lauren is spicy, but I wanted a little more emotional development between them beyond that.

This is still a heartfelt, beautifully written story about grief, growth, and letting yourself want things again.

Full disclosure! I hadn't read Funny You Should Ask (the first book) prior to reading this- and I think my rating may be even higher if I had.

I loved Funny You Should Ask and enjoyed Once More with Feeling, so when I saw Elissa Sussman had a new book coming out I was THRILLED to get my hands on an advanced copy.

Totally and Completely Fine releases on July 8th, 2025!
This book is about Lauren, sister of superstar Gabe Parker (loved that crossover!!) and a widowed single mother to a teenage daughter. She meets Ben Walsh on the set of her brother's newest movie and sparks fly.

Premise seems amazing, right?! I may have had my hopes set too high based on her other books, but this story was just "meh" for me. I didn't really feel the chemistry or get consumed by the banter between Ben and Lauren. I know these two were supposed to be a couple that didn't match and that's why they worked but I just found myself not really seeing it? I'm sad to report this was just a mediocre read for me. I will definitely continue to pick up Sussman's books in the future!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House/Dell for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. This book releases 7/8!

Reading Totally and Completely Fine by Elissa Sussman felt like being wrapped in a cozy blanket while your heart quietly breaks and mends itself, page by page. It’s witty, charming, and delightfully snarky—but beneath all the sparkle is a raw, honest look at grief, healing, and figuring out how to live when someone you love is no longer there.

What really gives this story its emotional weight is the loss of Spencer. His absence is felt in every corner of the book, and the way the characters—especially the protagonist—grapple with that loss brings so much depth and tenderness to the narrative. The story doesn’t shy away from the messy, complicated parts of grief, but it also shows how love, laughter, and awkward, real-life moments can coexist with sorrow.

Elissa Sussman has a magical way of writing characters who are broken in relatable ways but still hopeful. It’s a book that will make you laugh, cry, and maybe hug your favorite people a little tighter.

A heartwarming, heart-aching, totally and completely beautiful read.

Totally and Completely Fine totally and completely touched my heart with its mix of emotional depth and lighthearted moments.

Lauren is a widow, single mom, and sister to a celebrity - her brother Gabe was the focus of Sussman's prior book Funny You Should Ask. When Lauren meets a younger man named Ben on the set of Gabe's new movie, she starts to feel like she might be ready to open her heart again after the loss of her late husband Spencer.

Sussman pours plenty of heart into this book, and it is an unflinching look at the messy and complicated emotions that grief brings. One minute Lauren is losing herself in the immediate zing of the chemistry between she and Ben, then the next she is second guessing absolutely everything, stopped in her tracks by indecision.

Lauren's teenage daughter Lena is going through her own flurry of emotions as she continues to grieve her father and worries about what he would think about her sexuality and her choices. The small town Montana setting brought in plenty of busybodies and judgmental onlookers, putting additional pressures on this family navigating tough moments, and I really felt for these women as I read.

Sussman does dialogue incredibly well, and I loved the conversations the characters had throughout the story as they supported one another through it all. Also loved the Gabe and Chani cameos!

Read if you enjoy:
💗 Finding love after loss
💗 Single mother
💗 Grief representation
💗 LGBTQ+ rep
💗 Celebrity romance

Elissa Sussman is unparalleled in her ability to convey the messy emotions of being human. Totally And Completely Fine is another masterclass in the intricacies of human emotion. Lauren Parker, a widow and single mom, keeps her grief buttoned up while tip-toeing her precarious relationship with her still grieving teen daughter. When her family is invited to her movie star brother’s set, she meets Ben Walsh with whom she has instant chemistry. When she finds herself willing to do something for herself since being widowed, she’s confronted with feelings of the past, the joys of the present, and the grief that keeps tucked away.

The writing once again blew me away. I’m usually not a fan of dual timelines, but it is done so well. The little glimpses of the past serve purpose without dragging the main plot down. I enjoyed every bit of this story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group Ballantine/Dell for a chance to read and give a honest review an advanced copy of this book.

I really enjoyed Elissa Sussman's follow up to her debut, Funny You Should Ask, with Totally and Completely Fine following Gabe's sister Lauren, who lives a very different life than her Hollywood star brother. She still lives in their Montana hometown, where she manages a local store with her mom and tries to live a life free of drama. Her husband (and Gabe's best friend) Spencer died three years ago. and she and her teenage daughter Lena are still reeling and struggling. At the beginning of the book, she and Lena go to visit Gabe on his film set, where Lauren meets Ben Walsh, a younger rising actor. They have an instant, intense attraction, but Lauren doesn't believe it can turn into anything. Months later, Ben turns up in town to do a play with Gabe, bringing him into Lauren's every day life.

Despite the length of the book, the end section of their relationship felt rushed and lopsided in pacing, such as their first date not happening until the last quarter. He was charming, fun, and understanding, but I felt like we didn't learn enough about Ben and what Lauren falls for beyond their instant chemistry. Regardless, I found Lauren and Ben enjoyable to follow, and Lauren had real concerns that had her holding Ben at arm's length.

Beyond the romantic storyline, I thought Sussman did a fantastic job depicting Lauren and Lena's shared and different grief, their dynamic, and their relationships with those around them, from Gabe to Ben to Lena's best friend/girlfriend Eve and the larger town. It was nuanced, sensitive, and raw, and the standout part of the book. The frequent flashbacks to Lauren's teenage and young adult years with Spencer, her family, and high school did a great job filling out her background and personality as well as showing the depth of Lauren's devastation. Unfortunately, that did highlight to me how we only get a fraction of that with Ben.

There were moments in this book that were so raw, deep, and real. There was a tender juxtaposition between Lauren’s relationships with Spencer and Ben. It just felt like these were interrupted and detracted by the random sex scenes, evil mother-in-law plot, and Lena’s coming out. The whole story just didn’t feel like it pieced together quite right.

Totally and Completely Fine had a really promising premise, but overall it didn’t fully land for me. The first half of the book was a little hard to get into and honestly was tough for me to stay fully engaged. I appreciated the themes of grief, identity, and fresh starts, but this one just didn’t hit quite as hard as I’d hoped. I absolutely loved Elissa Sussman’s first two books, especially Funny You Should Ask. I still love her writing and am a big fan of hers.

Unfortunately, this one wasn’t for me. The writing felt heavy on the instalove, and the emotional pacing didn’t land for me—especially jumping so quickly from grief to instant chemistry. I’ve enjoyed this author’s work in the past, so I was hopeful, but I think this just wasn’t the right book at the right time. DNF.