Everything's Fine...or is it?? Depicts an African American woman striving to "make it" in a man's world, only to find herself questioning everything, including her, and society's beliefs about what will make her truly happy.

Ultimately, she makes the predictable choice, but I will avoid a spoiler.

A quick, entertaining read, but doesn't give full service to the weightly subject touched upon.

First, this is not, in any way, an “electrifying” romance. The content is not “painfully funny” or “poignant.”

Josh is such a stereotypical, conservative, entitled, clueless white male that I couldn’t even take his character seriously.

Jess’s character is sad. She runs hot and cold, drastically moving from vociferously self-righteous to zero self-esteem and back again. I could have rolled with it, had her character arc been one that showed emotional growth. It didn’t.

In between the blatant and implied racism and insulting banter, we have a whole lot of talk about the inner workings of finance careers. I understand that this is the author’s own field, but I didn’t want to read a book about the daily minutiae of working at Goldman Sachs. (And how did the author even get away with slamming the company like she did?)

And, finally, I didn’t find anything about the writing engaging. I just kept wondering, What’s the point? Is there a story here, or is this just a thinly veiled author rant?

I’m sorry, but for me there was absolutely nothing good about anything in these pages.

I hate to say it but this was a disappointment. I really thought we were going to get a solid interracial love story but it almost felt to me that the MC was fetishized and that their "differences" were straight up racist, and the MC just had to be okay with that. The writing missed the mark too- but keep the workplace books coming.

This is not my usual genre - I'm more of a mystery reader but something in the description caught my interest and I decided to give it a try. I'm so glad I did. I would call this more a relationship book than a romance, although there is romance. I love the way the author explores some of the polarizing forces in the today's world through the eyes of an interracial relationship, Great characters, a fast paced plot, and intriguing insights kept me reading late into the night. Highly recommended.

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for an advanced reader copy.

This book has been described as a funny love story.  But, this book didn’t give me romantic or comedic vibes. 
Jess is being overlooked professionally and minimized in her relationship with Josh.  She is either quiet and says nothing, or she seems to cosign how she’s being treated.  When she had occasion to find her voice, it was exhibited through what came off as fake outrage.  There’s a disconnect between what the characters were supposed to be affecting and what is on the page.  A messy main character works sometimes, but in this case, it really didn’t work for me.  

It was frustrating to witness how this Jess was perpetuated page after page.  A narrative that upheld all of the negative things happening and being said to her, coupled with how she portrayed herself and what she subjected herself to, did not sit well with me.  Maybe I wanted Jess to find herself.  Maybe I was looking for Josh (who is clearly racist) to see the error of his ways.  Maybe I was looking for a redemption of sorts.  I am aware of the author’s intention with this story, but it did not translate for me.  Overall, I thought this story was missing its arc and its opportunity for a teachable moment… or few.

This is definitely a thought-provoking book. It was marketed as a romance with the enemies to lovers trope which is one of my favorites. This is not what this book is. Nothing about their relationship seemed feasible. They both needed therapy before entering any relationship. I think it was suppose to be a political satire, but it missed the mark in all areas for me.

I've seen some terrible reviews on Goodreads about this one calling the book problematic and the love interest a racist so I've decided not to give it a try.

Get ready for a wild ride of love, laughter, and unexpected twists in Cecilia Rabess's debut novel, "Everything's Fine." Picture this: Jess, a Black woman, lands a job at Goldman Sachs only to find out she'll be working with her college sparring partner, Josh, who's preppy, white, and conservative—basically, the worst.

But hold on tight, because things take an exciting turn. As the only Black woman on the floor, Jess faces challenges and underestimation, but guess who comes to her rescue? Yup, it's Josh, in all his imperfect glory. What starts as an unlikely friendship, complete with undeniable chemistry, soon blossoms into an electrifying romance that shocks them both.

Now, here's the deal. Despite their differences, Jess and Josh can't resist the magnetic pull drawing them together. And just when you think you've got it all figured out, it's 2016, and the cultural and political landscape shifts beneath their feet. Suddenly, Jess—who's still figuring out who she is and what she wants—has to decide how much she's willing to compromise for love. Is everything really fine?

Cecilia Rabess delivers a hilarious and heartwarming tale in "Everything's Fine," showcasing her blazing talent in the literary world. Prepare for moments that'll make you snort with laughter and others that'll tug at your heartstrings. Rabess skillfully explores love, identity, and the blurry line between happiness and being right.

This book isn't just about whether they'll end up together; it's about whether they should. Rabess's writing style is casual, fun, and bursting with wit. Her characters feel like friends you'd want to grab a drink with, flawed and lovable in their own unique ways.

So, grab a copy of "Everything's Fine" and get ready to embark on a rollercoaster journey filled with hilarious banter, heartfelt moments, and thought-provoking dilemmas. This novel will leave you questioning your own choices and celebrating the messy, beautiful, and sometimes complicated nature of love. Don't miss out on this delightful and captivating read!

Whoa.

That ending.

Everything's Fine was a wild ride. It's about Jess and Josh who attended college together. Jess sees Josh as her nemesis as he questioned everything she did or said. He also didn't think she was smarter than him. She lands a job at Goldman Sachs straight out of college, though she had to turn down her dream job at a liberal magazine because the pay was a joke. Much to her dismay, Josh is one of her colleagues and is apparently the golden boy in the office.

Jess is Black and a Democrat. Josh is White and a Republican (though he will shout at you and insist he is a Moderate).

I think some people went into this book thinking it was a romance, of the faithful enemies to lovers trope. To which i say, um... look at that cover. The squished strawberry looks like someone stomped on a heart.

This book is not a romance. It's a love story. It's a cautionary tale. It's about being young and idealistic but also compromising morals because the rent is due. It's about being in love with someone who is an a%^hole but the heart wants what it wants, am I right? It's about the hundreds and hundreds of microaggressions and just aggression aggressions women and people of color face every day. Just for existing in the world.

This book has some funny parts. But it's also a horror story.

And that final sentence. Chilling.

Thank you Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for the ARC for my honest opinion.

DNF, this was very frustrating racially and ignorant. this was just a lot of excuses to be racist and trying to romanticize it was utterly tasteless . I am unsure how this made it past so many editors and teams to actually publish this book.

This is a thought provoking story and there’s a lot I can’t comment on in this book but here are a few of my takeaways from reading. There are a lot of couples in relationships that are complete opposites in many ways and have successful relationships. The reasons those relationships are successful is the mutual respect the couples have for each other and their relationship.

I don’t think Jess respected Josh as a person at all in any point throughout this book. She constantly questioned him whether it was his actions, his inactions, or something he said or how he dressed. Do I think Josh was perfect in their relationship? Absolutely not but I do think he respected Jess as a person even though they disagreed more than they agreed on things. Regardless of what happened throughout this book, I think both Josh and Jess could use some therapy individually and as a couple to better improve their relationships with themselves and each other.


Thank you @simonbooks for this gifted ARC and @netgalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

This book was a NO for me. It is marketed as an enemies to lovers romance but it is not. Truth be told it reads more like a horror.

The premise of the book is a Black female liberal becomes involved in a romantic relationship with a White male conservative while working together at Goldman Sachs. While reading the book I found myself questioning the decisions the main character makes. Nothing in the author’s writing made me want to cheer for her. The character comes across as someone who is totally aloof to American society but wants to hold a strong political stance. Her actions do not line up with the liberal she claims to be. There is a lot of anti-Black sentiment in this book. Surprisingly much of it comes from the Black female main character. As a Black female reader this is upsetting especially since this is a book written by a Black female.

I would never tell anyone to not read a book, but I would suggest anyone who does not want to read anti Black books to skip this one.

I don't think I'm the audience for this book. I felt like both characters were not great people, and I didn't see the chemistry that we're supposed to believe they have.

I received an advance copy. All thoughts are my own.

BOOK: Everything’s Fine
AUTHOR: Cecilia Rabess
PUB DATE: 6/6/23 by Simon and Schuster
PAGES: 335
RATING: 5 stars
GENRE: Political Fiction/Romance Literary Fiction

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

AUTHOR RECOGNITIONS: Cecilia Rabess previously worked as a Data Scientist at Google and an Associate at Goldman Sachs. Her non-fiction has been featured in McSweeneys, FiveThirtyEight, Fast Company, and FlowingData, among other places. Everything’s Fine is her debut novel.

Instead of my usual review format, I wish to use my platform to write a personal note to the Author expressing my gratitude for her brilliant storytelling in this debut novel.

PERSONAL NOTE TO CECILIA RABESS: I want to first start off by apologizing for taking so long to read this manuscript. This year I committed to reading and reviewing ARCs prior to their release, and I let you down. I will be honest and say that I was approved to read it several months ago, and it’s my loss for not reading it sooner. I’m embarrassed to admit that I was put off by some negative controversy surrounding this novel, which I’ve now discovered to be inaccurate reviews primarily from individuals that vocally decided not to read this book based on reading a brief overview of the synopsis and thinking they had an indication of the real premise of what this book truly encompasses. Non-readers shouldn’t have been allowed to leave a 1-star review, let alone a review at all. It’s a shame, because I think there is so much to learn from this story, and it’s extremely compelling! It’s been years since I’ve read a book in one sitting. I couldn’t sleep last night because I was so wound up about what I wanted to say today, how I wanted to share it, and how I could get others to be more openminded to Just. Read. This. I could not put this down. It’s an extraordinarily brave debut with such beautiful storytelling, and I can’t imagine how difficult that had to be given that topics such as politics, and racism, and misogyny are very difficult matters to discuss. I do not openly discuss my political affiliation on social media, and I’m not doing that here today. Books are subjective, and everyone (who has read the story) is of course entitled to their own opinions. I’m so compelled to use my little corner of the net let you know how much this book moved me, and how proud I am to say that I read it AND I loved it. I believe no matter your political affiliation, there is so much to learn from this novel! I appreciated seeing both of the MCs grow and develop and learn from each other. Yes, this is a sincere love story, but it’s SO much more than that. It’s laugh-out-loud funny, unsettling, and intimate! It’s thought-provoking, sexy, sharp, and it’s also a romance that begs the question, “Can opposites really attract when fundamentals are so different?” “Can people change?” “Is love and compromise enough?”

I can’t stop thinking about this one and doubt I will for a long time. This is one I plan on re-reading. Thank you for sharing it so openly and bravely with the world. Stocking up on several copies and looking forward to reading everything else you write! ~Michele

Really interesting to see two opposites discussing their believes. Josh and Jess had so much in common but at the same time so many differences. I believe that the message from this book is that we are able to live in society thinking differently from each other as long as there’s respect. The opposites attract but if no respect is played they will repel.
Everything’s fine was really well written and caught my attention to their attention to detail and reality. However, when it reached about 80% of the book it felt like the story was dragging a little bit. Not going to lie, I didn’t like the end of it. It, it really went against the proposed idea throughout the book, which it was showing the two sides of the political spectrum. The end of the book was an attempt to make people to align and agree with one side, one party.

This book is all over the place. I couldn’t decide if Jess wanted to actively look for ways people could be racist or she just wanted to be bothered. Jess sometimes just fed into the stereotypes she was so offended with.

Here are some clips that just made me cringe:


“But Albie’s not like that,” Jess protested. “Is he? He doesn’t, like, objectify you in a specifically Asian way. Does he?” Miky had been hooking up with a graduate student named Albie Shumway, a Captain America from Salt Lake City.

So it’s ok for her to call this man a Captain America??? That’s hypocritical.

On a mission, Jess starts pulling things from racks until her arms are so full that one of the shopgirls is forced to attend to her. Through the fitting room door, they ask how it’s going, if she needs any sizes, and when Jess says she doesn’t, she can imagine them on the other side, giving each other looks like I told you so. And, in fact, when Jess steps back out onto the floor—clothes, shoes, bags, accessories in a disorganized jumble—and says, “I’ll take it all,” they seem stunned. And that feeling of—gotcha!—you think you know who I am but you’re wrong is one that Jess would pay a lot for, and indeed has. So now her bonus is gone, but she feels like a million dollars, even though her bonus is gone and she still doesn’t have a million dollars.

Here we go adding to the false stereotype. Does she want us to think people are just this irresponsible or want to keep up with the white people of the world, as if there is pressure to do so? What am I reading???


In the hallway she takes a deep breath, his words echoing in her head. Girls like you, he said. A girl like her. What kind of girl was that, anyway?


Why didnt she just ask him? She is otherwise outspoken



he introduces himself as Dano, a nickname Jess guesses he picked up in some frat house.

Just making assumptions about his nickname being Dano. It could just be from childhood.

Like the fact that she had a boyfriend that she’d never mentioned, which made her feel guilty for hiding him, but not quite guilty enough to stop lying.


More hypocrisy.

There are so many instances where Jess just could have walked away but chose not to. Then she was ok letting her conservative boyfriend pay for everything while hating everything about him, to an extent where she calls him racist. Hello? You can’t connect with anyone who is like you but everyone else is racist.


And then…. It’s probably because my mom died??????? That’s the reason she is the way she is?

Done. This book needs to be written again with better structure and clarity.

I struggled reading this book. Jess is not a likable person.

I will be thinking about Everything's Fine for a long time. A very thoughtful book about messy, complicated and very real people. I'm still in the decompression period after finishing this one and desperate for someone to discuss it with me. This book was absolutely destroyed on Goodreads for some really ignorant reasons (namely people judging it off the blurb), which is so ironic since the delicate treatment of ignorance within it's pages is at the core of the entire narrative. If you have come here questioning why this book is so polarizing, have the decency and intelligence to pick it up. It is provocative, infuriating, heartbreaking, twisted, and really fucking good. Do it. And then come talk to me, because I need someone to unpack it with me!

I enjoyed Cecilia Rabies’s’ style of writing; the dialogue between Jess and Josh was sharp and funny in the first half of the book, but the story fell a little flat for me. I think it tried to tackle too many themes including race and politics with a romantic story in the background.

Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for this ARC.

This is not your typical romance novel. It deals with hard issues, like what do you do when you see things from total opposite sides & are different races. It also deals with the importance of communication & honesty in a relationship. It was a good read.

Received advanced copy from the publisher & NetGalley and give my review freely

I liked this book about Jess and Josh who met in college and then end up working at Goldman Sachs. The bantering back and forth between them in college and then how it grows into something more later is just how it seems to work at times, the more time you spend with people the more you talk and some people actually open up and listen to the other person instead of being so ingrained in one set of ideas. Maybe it is just my take on this story maybe it is because I am older or maybe because I am in an interracial relationship for over forty years, but I found this to be a good read and I have heard the arguments or decisions about some of the topics for years that was discussed and I am glad someone wrote about them. A good book with good characters.