So yeah, you’re gonna cry at this one. It’s very grief-forward so you really need to be in the right mindset going in. Initially I wasn’t and had to set it down but the prose is Sussman at her best and the characters are wonderful. You’ll recognize more than a couple If you’ve read her debut, Funny You Should Ask.

I also think that while this is marketed as a romance it’s more of a women’s fic with strong romantic elements. Those looking for steam or lots of romance may find this focuses more towards the internal arc of healing and wading through grief with a side of hot movie star hero.

This was a beautiful ode to love, loss, and the beauty in both, but is not your next frothy beach read. This is the type of book that should be consumed in a cabin in the woods with moody grey clouds, a weighted blanket, and a warm beverage.

💭 ⓂⓎ ⓉⒽⓄⓊⒼⒽⓉⓈ
My favorite part of this book was the way Elissa Sussman portrayed grief and how she showed the grieving process through her characters. For me, the love story actually took a bit of a back seat. I enjoyed the reverse age gap dynamic between celebrity star Ben and widowed single mom Lauren, and while their relationship was sweet, I wished we got a little more backstory on Ben. Their chemistry wasn’t off the charts, but it was still enjoyable. One of my favorite characters was Lena, Lauren’s daughter, a young teen navigating both loss and her identity as a young queer girl. I also loved the crossover with Gabe and Chani from Funny You Should Ask. I got really emotional toward the end and highlighted so many beautiful quotes. Pick this one up when you’re ready for an emotional romance and don’t forget the tissues.

📚 𝚁𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚋𝚘𝚘𝚔 𝚒𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎:
🎥Celebrity romance
💕Second chances
⏪Reverse age gap
❤️‍🩹Navigating grief
😢Emotional
🏳️‍🌈LGBT rep
🏠Small town vibes
🔄Dual timelines

⚠️ 𝙏𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙜𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨: Death of a spouse, Death of parent.

❤️‍🩹𝕄𝕐 ℝ𝔸𝕋𝕀ℕ𝔾❤️‍🩹
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

💕Q U O T E: “𝐼 𝒹𝒾𝒹𝓃'𝓉 𝒽𝒶𝓋𝑒 𝓉𝑜 𝒷𝑒 𝓅𝑒𝓇𝒻𝑒𝒸𝓉 𝓉𝑜 𝒷𝑒 𝓁𝑜𝓋𝑒𝒹. 𝐼 𝒸𝑜𝓊𝓁𝒹 𝒿𝓊𝓈𝓉 𝒷𝑒 𝓂𝓎𝓈𝑒𝓁𝒻. 𝒜𝓃𝒹 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝓌𝒶𝓈 𝒸𝑜𝓂𝓅𝓁𝑒𝓉𝑒𝓁𝓎 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝓉𝑜𝓉𝒶𝓁𝓁𝓎 𝒻𝒾𝓃𝑒.”

🙏 Thank you NetGalley, Dell Romance, and Elissa Sussman for this ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts. 💕

Lauren Parker is weighed down in grief having lost her husband in a car accident three years ago. She’s struggling to parent her teenage daughter, Lena, and discover who they are as a family on the other side of loss. Then enters Ben, the first spark of attraction she’s felt since her husband died. The only issue? Ben is much younger than Lauren and also a famous movie star. Surely he’s not interested in moving to Montana to help Lauren run her bookstore and parent her daughter?

I’m a big fan of Elissa Sussman. I loved her last novel Once More with Feeling. Like in her previous two novels Sussman really shines when she writes chemistry — even as I struggle with Lauren and Ben’s somewhat unbelievable immediate attraction because “we both like cooking,”their chemistry is frothy and so fun to read. The story alternates between their budding romance and flashbacks to Lauren’s childhood and falling in love with her now deceased husband, Spencer. In this way, the story is a lot more about Lauren‘s grief, having also lost her father when she was a teenager.

Lauren’s progress through grief is so compelling and central, I don’t feel as invested in the love story between her and Ben. Sure, I want them to be together and I enjoy Ben’s “I-wear-all-black-and-drive-a-motorcycle-while-making-friends-with-everyone-in-town” vibe, but I feel like the story was built to answer the question— will Lauren be able to move on, to keep growing and changing as she accepts her husband’s death? The flashbacks of her love story with her husband pull me out of the present day so much that it is hard to really root for Lauren and Ben. I see how opening herself to love again allows some part of Lauren to heal, but even in that sentence it’s more about Lauren growing than her specifically loving Ben.

Another big aspect of the story is Lauren’s relationship with her daughter Lena. Lauren is struggling to solo parent her teenage daughter, and those were difficult scenes to read. Lauren is almost entirely reactive to her daughter and doesn’t seem to think proactively. Maybe this is also because of her grief, but her stubbornly independent and unemotional exterior really work against her clear desire to be a good mom at times.

Also, it was an unexpected surprise to me that Lauren‘s brother is Gabe Parker, the Chris Evans celebrity stand-in from her first novel (Funny You Should Ask). And the events of both novels take place at the same time. I don’t think you need to read her first novel to enjoy this one on its own, but the crossover was a fun addition.

In the end I enjoyed this risks this novel took, even if I’m left feeling more sad and conflicted than how I usually feel at the end of a romance. My warning would be to any fans of her previous books that this one is very different. A book that feels in a similar in the way it deals heavily with grief would be “How to Write a Love Story” by Yulin Kuang.

Thank you so much to Random House and Ballantine and NetGalley for the chance to read this much anticipated novel! I received an ARC for my honest review.

"If I've learned anything, It's that the heart is a miraculous, resilient thing. It's capable of so much. It can even expand if we give it the chance."

Elissa Sussman is incredible at writing romance and drama filled stories, that keep me hooked. This one was no different, only in the way that the tears I shed made this book so special to me. With the not so fresh cuts of grief Lauren has, she doesn't know what her life is now, full of just mindless day to day living, until her brother invites her to a shoot, and it's when she meets Ben Walsh, a famous actor, in which awes Lauren in more than his good looks.

Ben brings such a light to Lauren and her daughter Lena who were struck by grief and I just think that Sussman did more than an incredible job at writing grief and a second chance, not of love, but life.

With being struck with grief myself, this book was real and visceral feelings, this story was so real and touching in so many ways, and I am so happy to have read Elissa's most recent work.

Thank you to PRH Ballentine for an early review copy.

In "Totally and Completely Fine", Lauren Parker is a grieving widower trying to juggle having a teenage daughter. When she's invited to her brother's movie set, she meets his co-star, Ben Walsh. The book follows their romance as they navigate Ben's younger age and successful career, with Lauren's small town life. The book is a good examination of grief and growing up. Readers will enjoy the queer elements.

Wow. Wow. Wow. I already was a fan of Elissa Sussman's before this book, but reading this solidified that even more. Lauren was a complex and relatable character, and I loved that she was navigating her life in her 40s. Elissa handled grief so so well. The writing was beautiful, and the healing journey was even more special. I loved seeing Gabe and Chani in this book, and the ways they developed their relationship even more since meeting them in Funny You Should Ask. The chemistry between Ben and Lauren was great. Their love story started quickly, more physically, but I quite enjoyed their progression. This was such a stunning book, and I'm so glad I decided to pick it up when I did. I also loved the alternating timelines, as they helped bring the backstory to light without being overpowering. I will genuinely read everything Sussman writes and I loved this one so much! Thank you to Dell for the ARC to read and review!

I really liked the two timelines. It was a good story.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This book was a follow up to “Funny You Should Ask” and builds upon those characters. Not a true sequel, but I would recommend reading “Funny You Should Ask” first.
I like the characters and enjoy the Celebrity meets Normal Person trope. I thought this book was trying to cover too many topics all at once and parts of the backstory were hard to follow since it’s been a while since I read its predecessor, and my memory is foggy on Gabe’s story.
This book was fine but I definitely enjoyed “Funny You Should Ask” more.

I’m obsessed with a celebrity / normal person story and this book did not disappoint at all! This is my second book by this author. The first was funny you should ask, which isn’t necessary to read but was a great precursor especially for this particular story! Loved both books and can’t wait to read more by this author!!

Really appreciated this book. It was so much more than a rom-com and dealt with family dynamics and moving on after grief. I will continue to read every Elissa Sussman book the moment it comes out!

This book isn’t just one love story—it’s two. Told across past and present timelines, it follows widowed single mom Lauren; her late partner, Spencer; and her new love interest, Ben.

And honestly, it’s so much more than a romance. It’s the story of grief and spousal loss I didn’t know I needed.

I’ve read several books where the main character has lost a spouse or partner, but this is the first that fully tells both love stories while also exploring themes of parenthood, personal identity, and societal expectations.

It’s remarkable how many versions of ourselves we can become over the course of a lifetime. Lauren has been a rebellious wild child, the younger sister of a famous actor, a devoted wife and young mother, and a daughter watching her own mother endure the same kind of loss she now faces. In the wake of Spencer’s death, she’s left asking: who is she now? Is she someone who gives everything to her daughter and family—or is there still space for her own wants and needs?

Fair warning—this story arc deviates from traditional contemporary romance. While Ben is introduced early on, he doesn’t become a major presence until about halfway through the book. I found his character—and his chemistry with Lauren—absolutely worth the wait. He also serves as a thoughtful contrast to Lauren’s brother, Gabe (originally featured in Funny You Should Ask).

Speaking of which, I really wish the marketing had mentioned that this is a follow-up to Funny You Should Ask. While it can be read as a standalone, it works much better if you’ve read the first book. Gabe and Chani play a pretty significant role in the storyline here.

While the current-day romance occasionally takes a backseat to other topics, I still consider this a 5-star read.

Trigger warnings: spousal loss, parental loss, alcoholism, and themes of purity culture/sexual shame.

Thanks so much to Random House – Ballantine and NetGalley for the advanced copy, provided in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.

This heartfelt follow-up to Funny You Should Ask shifts focus to Gabe’s sister, Lauren. The story explores Lauren’s journey through grief after the loss of her husband and Gabe’s bestfriend, Spencer, along with her strained relationship with her teen daughter. It forces on the slow, tender process of healing—and how love helped her find herself again.

Ben and Lauren’s love story was incredibly sweet, and I found myself flying through the book. Without giving too much away, this book is full of small, emotional moments and sizzling romance. I especially loved how much of a presence Lauren’s daughter, Lena, had in the story—her character added so much depth.

It was also a treat to get more of Chani and Gabe woven in. Elissa Sussman really knows how to write messy, real, and ultimately beautiful stories about love, family, and growth. This one was sweet, sad, and left me feeling totally and completely full

Totally and Completely Fine
3.5 ⭐️

This summer has so many big books coming out and this was another I couldn’t wait to pick up!

Three years after her husbands death, Lauren is coasting through as she raises their 13 year old daughter. When she has a chance encounter on her brother’s set, she somehow hits it off with a movie star. While never anticipating she’ll see him again, the two somehow both end up in her small town in Montana.

This book had so much grief and LGBTQ+ representation. While the first half was really slow, it did pick up a little in the end. Maybe not my favorite of hers, but I’d still try again!

Thanks to @netgalley for this ARC!

This was a good read overall! I personally could not feel the deep connection between the main characters. I am also all for representation but felt like this go round it was really thrown in the readers faces. We understand the MMC is bisexual, but just continuously reminding us was overkill when it could have been related to the plot more. Also felt rushed at the end.

Thank you to @RandomHouse and #NetGalley for the DRC of #TotallyAndCompletelyFine. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

Romance is not a genre I read much, but this was an enjoyable read. Lauren is a fairly recent widow with a teenage daughter living in small town Montana. When her famous actor brother invites them to visit him on set, Lauren meets his co-star, Ben, and the attraction is instant. But the "will they/won't they" continues throughout the book and keeps you guessing on whether there will a happy ending for our protagonists.

This is NOT slow burn romance, so be prepared for short, descriptive bursts of intense action with saucy language. But Sussman builds a layered story that covers a lot of territory - grief, dating in middle age, single parenting, addiction, sexuality, family dynamics, fame. I'll likely be checking out more from this author.

Totally and Completely Fine by Elissa Sussman is a heartfelt and witty exploration of modern relationships and the messy journey of self-acceptance. The main character’s voice is sharp and relatable, with Sussman’s trademark humor shining through even in the more vulnerable moments. I loved how the story balanced laugh-out-loud scenes with genuine emotional depth, making the characters feel both flawed and lovable.

The pacing is brisk, and the dialogue sparkles, keeping me engaged from start to finish. While some plot points felt a bit familiar, the fresh perspective and clever writing more than made up for it. Sussman does a great job capturing the complexities of friendship, romance, and figuring out what it really means to be “fine.”

Overall, this is a charming, smartly written novel that’s perfect for anyone who enjoys character-driven stories with equal parts heart and humor.

Loved this book so much! I adored Funny You Should Ask and Once More with Feeling. Rom com as much as women's fiction, but in the deepest, most thought provoking way. Imperfect characters who struggled and came out on top. I missed some of the advance on this book and had NO idea it was about the sister., Lauren. I was so happy to get back with a different member of this family and check in. I love 96% of this book, but I did feel like the ending was a little rushed. Overall 9/10!

Another sweet story from Elissa Sussman (queen of top notch book covers). This book does a great job helping you love absolutely every character. There are explorations of grief and love after loss and all the complications that come with that.

This is told in a present timeline and a past timeline where you get to see Lauren's love story with her husband Spencer. It genuinely made me cry a few times. It just jammed so much heart into one book.

Another story of a famous person falling for a non famous person which is always fun to read. Someone blindingly hot with an Irish accent lusting after a widowed mom. Good for her.

This was a cute and sexy story. There's a lot about grief in here, as the main character is dealing with her husband's death and being a single mom. Her brother is a famous movie star, and after meeting his hot co-star, she begins a secret relationship with him. I liked the main character-she was feisty and funny, but the ending was a bit unbelievable. Still enjoyed this!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC copy!

Lauren is a 40 something widowed mother to a teenager and sister to a movie star. She’s working thru her grief as well as her daughters. She’s meets a younger man while visiting her brother and sets in motion a series of events that really changes her perception of being “totally and completely fine.”

I really enjoyed this book and I didn’t read the previous one about her brother Gabe, tho I do plan on it now. The story is told in dual timelines; one when Lauren is younger and falling in love with her husband and in present day where she’s just purely existing. The story really did a good job in blending humor with really powerful emotions. Especially with Lena and how she comes to terms with not only her father’s death but issues she has with her uncle. I also love a reverse age gap romance! We need more of those.

Overall this was a quick read that packed an emotional punch but was also quite funny. I did feel lost at a few points in the story but I attribute that to not having read the previous (interconnected) novel.