This book was such a fun, unexpected read that I couldn't put it down. I loved how beautifully messy and real the characters and their problems/lives were. I learned a lot about grief and healing though this story, along with being okay with letting yourself be you. I was a little apprehensive of the age difference romance between Lauren and Ben but they were so perfect together that it ended up not mattering as much as I thought it would.

Elissa Sussman's writing is so incredible that she has become an auto-read author for me.

TOTALLY AND COMPLETELY FINE was a really beautiful, moving read! You might remember Gabe's sister Lauren from Elissa Sussman's debut novel, and now she's stepping into the spotlight as the star of her own story about learning to live—and love—again. Lauren is still grappling with the sudden, tragic loss of her husband Spencer, and also figuring out how to connect with her daughter, Lena, who has mostly shut her out ever since. When Lauren meets charming, handsome actor Ben Walsh on the set of her brother's new movie, their initial spark soon blossoms into an undeniable connection. But soon, a fun flirtation becomes something more, and amidst the complications of her relationship with Ben and all the other aspects of her life, Lauren must figure out a way to appreciate the past, enjoy the present, and move forward towards the future. Can she hold onto her old self while also growing into the person she's meant to be?

Just like in her previous books, Sussman incorporates the celebrity romance trope and alternating "then-and-now" chapters into the story, both of which I (as always) loved! I flew through the book, and was completely absorbed in Lauren's journey. I really enjoyed her as a character—how unapologetic she is about who she is, how fiercely she loves her family and friends, how she slowly opens her heart to finding fulfillment, love, and joy again, even after experiencing something so painful. I will say that this book felt distinctively less "romance-y" than the other two, despite the two love stories being told, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, just not what I was expecting! Sussman definitely gets readers invested in both Lauren's past relationship with Spencer and her current one with Ben, showing how both are so different, yet equally special and important. She also does a great job of fleshing out other aspects of the story beyond the romance, exploring themes of family, self-discovery, and grief, among others. However, I found myself wishing we got more of the relationship between Lauren and Ben—they clearly had this immediate chemistry and complemented each other so well, but the development of their relationship feels somewhat quick, and then they spend quite a bit of the book apart. I really liked them together, so selfishly, I would have wanted more!

However, I think if you go into the book expecting more of a contemporary fiction story with a side of romance, you might feel differently, and if you tend to enjoy those types of books, I would especially recommend this one! Lauren's healing journey was so beautifully done, and in my opinion, is the true heart of the story. I would also recommend reading FUNNY YOU SHOULD ASK beforehand if you haven't yet, since some of the characters reappear in this book, so it just adds to the reading experience! Thank you to NetGalley and Random House/Dell for the ARC.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for gifting me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Phew. That was quite the emotional read, which is not exactly what I was expecting after reading Sussman's first two books previously. The grief that Lauren is experiencing is palpable throughout, and that made some points of the book challenging to read from an emotional standpoint. I think there is definitely a leg of the romance genre that feels incredibly far-fetched, and this was not that AT ALL. I felt like I was reading something that someone actually went through and to me, that made the book all the better.

I am docking one star because the romance between Lauren and Ben felt purely physical and nothing more. Maybe that's all she was capable of? But I just felt like it needed something more to really feel believable.

Four stars!

beautiful book! thank you Dell and NetGalley for the opportunity to read early.

the exploration of family dynamics and navigating grief throughout this book were so well done.

without spoiling anything, I’ll say that I found myself gravitating more to the “then” chapters than the “now” chapters in terms of romance. I almost wish this were a women’s fiction book with more focus on Lauren and Lena! or that the book was a tad longer to further flesh out the “now.”

all that being said, I really really enjoyed this read! flew through it in three sittings! now I want to go back and read Funny You Should Ask

Such a good follow-up to Funny You Should Ask, I really enjoyed seeing Lauren and Lena on page again! In Totally and Completely Fine, Lauren and her daughter Lena are visiting Lauren's brother Gabe on a movie set. Lauren is still grieving the death of her husband, Spencer, and she and Lena are together trying to find their new normal. When the very handsome and much younger actor Ben Walsh shows interest in her, Lauren decides to try something new and have a fling with Ben, but when he shows up in her small hometown, the situation gets a lot more complicated.

I absolutely loved seeing Lauren's evolution from traumatized teenager in the flashbacks, to confident 40-year old in the present. We also get to see the evolution of her relationship with Spencer which I loved -- it added so much depth to her character to see how they had grown together. The backstory of Lauren's struggles in high school, and her current strained relationship with Spencer's mother, also seemed quite realistic. Lauren makes the best of it, but understands that some people can't change their world views.

Overall a 5-star read from me! It was sexy but heartening, and I thought the characters seemed very real. Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC! Very much looking forward to Elissa Sussman's next book.

Elissa Sussman is an absolute delight, and Totally and Completely Fine was no exception. Deftly handling grief and dating as a widow with child, I adored this book (as someone whose father passed when I was young, and watched my mom go through her own journey).

This was a nice follow up to “Funny you should ask”. Dealing with grief, moving on after the loss of a parent and spouse, parenting a teen, dating again. I thought it was cute but sometimes when dealing with these heavy topics it ran around in circles at a surface level. Yes teenagers can be monosyllabic but they are also very sensitive and can be deep and complex. It was fine but left me wanting a little more.

Lauren’s husband died three years ago and she is still grieving and trying to raise her teenage daughter. When her movie star brother invites her to visit his latest film set, Lauren unexpectedly clicks with his gorgeous co-star. Amazingly, this gorgeous co-star agrees to move to Montana for a couple of months (where Lauren lives!) to help her brother put on a theater production.

There were parts of this I enjoyed (I was rooting for Lauren and Ben, however implausible their love story), and parts I didn’t think worked as well (some of the flashbacks between Lauren’s life with Spencer and the present were abrupt). I think readers looking for a insta-love/celebrity/age-gap romance that weaves in a story of grief and second love may enjoy. This can be read as a standalone and if you’ve read Funny You Should Ask, you’ll be able to check in on Gabe and Chani. 3.5 stars.

Thank you to Random House Ballantine and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a copy.

I don’t know why I even try with Elissa Sussman anymore. Her first book was good, but these past two have been so bad. I don’t understand how anyone can cause such secondhand embarrassment, but she has managed to do it. It was just a no for me

I would read Elissa Sussman’s grocery list ok?

Totally and Completely Fine was so beautifully written and navigated grief so, so well. Mingling it with love, both old and new, it really is evident that grief is complex and a journey.

As I get older, I really enjoy reading stories about women around my age. And the women that Elissa Sussman writes are complex and funny and still so freaking cool. In a world where we aren’t supposed to look like we age, reading about women with stretch marks and grey who are still desirable makes me feel so seen.

I LOVED that this was the same universe and family as Funny You Should Ask. It was like getting a sneak peek into Gabe and Chani, but integrating them into Lauren’s experience.

Beautiful. Five stars. I’d give it a million if I could.

Death of a Spouse
Alcoholism
One-Night Stand
Reverse Age-gap
Gender Sexuality
The emotional price of fame and celebrity

All of these topics are dealt with humorously and tenderly in the newest book by one of my one-click authors, Elissa Sussman, TOTALLY AND COMPLETE FINE.

The title is a misnomer because none of the main characters in this book are fine. Either totally, completely, or any other way.

The Parker family has known tragedy in spades. Lauren and Gabe lost their father at a young age; Lauren lost her husband Spencer, who was Gabe’s best friend, and now she is dealing with a confused, frightened, and moody teenager as a single mom. She lives in a small town and we all know how vicious and gossipy those can be.

Gabe is a mega movie star and invites them both to a movie shoot where Lauren meets his much younger bisexual costar, Ben Walsh. Sparks fly and the two (Lauren and Ben) enjoy a very hot interlude. Just once.

That’s enough for Lauren. Or so she thinks.

I don’t want to give out any spoilers, but this book was an emotional rollercoaster after that one-night stand that was so filled with drama balanced with humor that I had to finish it in one sitting.

Thanks to Netgalley, the author, and Random House for a sneak peek at this wonderful book. 5 stars from me. I highly recommend this author’s works and this book.

Totally and Completely Fine is the first book I've read by Elissa Sussman, but it most definitely won't be the last.

Lauren Parker is a tragically widowed young mother who finds herself floundering since the death of her husband, Spencer. When she goes on set to her brother, Gabe's movie, she meets Ben and sparks fly. She decides to give into the chemistry with Ben and what she thinks is going to be a short fling turns into more.

I generally don't like books that have now/then flashbacks, but they made this book so much more than it would have been if just in the present time. We got to know Lauren, her family, and how those dynamics helped her during her time with Spencer and into the present.

I laughed and I didn't just cry, I sobbed through this book. I'm going back to find the other works by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this book. All opinions are my own.

I was really intrigued by Lauren and Lena when I originally read Funny You Should Ask so of course when I found out about this book I was ecstatic. I am a sucker for books that will undoubtedly make me sob and this book did exactly that. It is such a brutally honest depiction of grief and hope and love and family and it was absolutely beautiful. It’s so easy to care and root for every character from page one. Elissa Sussman crafts stories that immediately hook you in and make you love these characters because of how relatable and down to earth they are. This is a book I will be recommending to every one I know the second it comes out.

What struck me most about this book was its exploration of family dynamics, often overshadowing the romantic elements. I particularly enjoyed the moments spent with Gabe and Chani through Lauren's eyes, which enriched their backstory and gave readers a deeper understanding of their roles, especially for fans of "Funny You Should Ask." However, I found the subplot involving Lauren's daughter to be somewhat lacking. Her character felt flat and unrelatable for the most part, and the resolution of her conflict with Lauren seemed rushed and not quite satisfying. Overall, while the novel excels in many areas, some aspects left me wanting more depth and nuance.

I absolutely loved this book! Elissa Sussman writes such fun, sexy dialogue that has me absolutely kicking my feet while I read. It even took me a few chapters in to realize that I had met some of these characters before. Based on the synopsis, I wasn't sure this storyline was going to be for me, but I fell in love. Elissa writes adult characters as real mature complex adults (which is rare). It's romantic and fantastical and Hollywood, but it also feels like the best kind of love story you hear from a couple who you meet at a bar. Do you know what I mean?

Read this book - I kept going back to it days and days later to reread my favorite parts. I want to know more about Ben and his mother, and his days in Ireland. I can picture him so clearly that I feel I should become a casting director for this specific film. Call me when it gets picked up.

Totally and Completely Fine Review
5/5 stars

Wow! I have been (not so) patiently waiting for Lauren’s book since it was first announced. Let me be the first to tell you: this book was so worth the wait.

Lauren Parker, older sister of movie star Gabe Parker (from Funny You Should Ask), has spent the last three years since the death of her husband trying to survive. On a trip with her teenage daughter to visit her brother on the set of his upcoming movie, Lauren meets Ben Walsh, a handsome, up-and-coming actor. From the start, the two have undeniable chemistry, jumpstarting feelings Lauren hasn’t felt in years during their “one-time” tryst. Except Ben shows up weeks later in her hometown to star in her brother’s play. As the two continue to feel the pull towards one another, it begs the question: does Lauren’s heart have space for one more?

I loved Funny You Should Ask - in fact, I re-read it for the third time in preparation for reading this book. And I am so glad that I did. There’s something just so captivating about Elissa’s writing that completely draws me in and I end up forgoing the world around me for the one she created with her words.

This book was told in two timelines: then - which provided a glimpse into Lauren’s history with her late husband, Spencer, and now - as she navigates the world without him. At its surface, this book is a story of two romances, one between Lauren and Spencer and one between Lauren and Ben. But even more than that, Totally and Completely Fine is a story about loss, grief, and how to find happiness and love in a time when it feels like both are impossible.

I thought Elissa did such a beautiful job with this story, interweaving grief with hope. I felt all the emotions alongside Lauren, who felt so real and raw to me. I also really loved the portrayal of Lauren’s relationship with her daughter Lena, and their small town community in Montana.

Do yourself a favor and preorder this one with your tissues ready!

So many thanks to NetGalley and Dell for the ARC!

Totally and Completely Fine is a beautiful exploration of love, grief, and family. I loved following Lauren as she navigates falling in love again after the tragic death of her first husband. The small town setting further complicating that attempt. It was also great to continue to get more insight into Gabe from Funny You Should Ask. Highly recommend this book.

RATING: 3.25/5 STARS

Totally and Completely Fine left me with mixed feelings. Elissa Sussman's writing has a singular sharpness and candor that I enjoyed. Lauren and Ben were unapologetically themselves, and their dynamic and interactions had a propulsive edge that had me tearing through this book. This story became messy and dramatic but it also felt very real in its imperfection. I would say for a romance novel, this book explored familial relationships as much as or even more than romantic ones. I loved seeing Gabe and Chani through Lauren's perspective. This added a wonderful additional dimension to their characters from Funny You Should Ask, especially since Gabe was featured quite heavily in this book. But I feel that the storyline with Lauren's daughter, a core aspect of the novel, was very one dimensional. Frankly, for how unlikeable she was throughout, the resolution of her anger and bitterness towards her mother was underwhelming.

Thank you Netgalley and Random House for the ARC! While I did not connect with this one quite as much as Funny You Should Ask, it was a cutie lil rom-com. Totally and Completely Fine also dealt with the complexities of grief and family dynamics (whew!).

Thank you to NetGalley and Elissa Sussman for the ARC copy of this book.

4 ⭐️
2.5 🌶️

Elissa Sussman is quickly becoming a new favorite for me. I enjoy the banter in her books, and the way her books are *more* than just a romance. Take this book for example, so many interesting themes to navigate - loss, single-parenting, teenage-parenting (I hear that isn't for the faint of heart), finding love again after grief, and social issues like being queer and purity culture.

The book itself - I loved Lauren as the FMC. She really just owns who she is and takes no prisoners. She's older and wiser, and it really shows in her internal monologues. NO YA here haha. One thing I loved was the "piece of chewing gum" sex ed conversation she has with her daughter. As someone who has religious trauma, and grew up very religious, I had a similar conversation as a young adult. You know the one - young girls are like a piece of gum, no one wants one after it's been chewed up and spit out. I like that Elissa as an author doesn't shy away from criticizing this, and that Lauren's deceased husband, Spencer, had to navigate that as a man as well. I love the way she described Lauren's feelings about sex while she was in high school, how her own feelings about herself and society's didn't align, the way she was miscast as being loose or having low morals. These are really important topics to deconstruct. Sex is sex, it's fun, and it doesn't make a woman any less worthy the higher her body count is and it should be normalized. And I love how she brings up that we don't do the same thing to young men, addressing the double standard is so important.

I also really enjoyed the age gap. I love a younger man for a mature woman. Ben just seems like such a breath of fresh air for Lauren. He's fun, playful, sweet, but he's also able to break down her walls and catch her off guard and I love that he sees her.

What I didn't love about this book is the actual romance itself. I just don't buy it. Not because of the age gap, which is a stretch, or even the mega-star man and the normal girl next door mom also a stetch, but it just felt really rushed. There is not one ounce of slow burn here, it's quick and bright. I feel that this book is more women's literature than a romance. It's women's literature with a romance subplot. And it was good, but it just missed the mark for me, by a little, on both counts. Like, while reading this book I was really missing the love story between Chani and Gabe and then I was just wishing that I was reading that book again. Like, there was so much more tension and pining in that book, we didn't really get much of that here. But I see where this was all going, I get the appeal. I think this book is really a lot more about grief than anything, and BOY did it serve that up. Emotional damage.