As a repeat reader of Helen Ellis, I’ve always appreciated her sharp wit and ability to not take herself too seriously. Her latest collection of short stories captures her trademark humor and charm.

This collection focuses on themes of marriage, friendships, life during the pandemic, and, of course, her beloved cats. Set largely during the long, isolating months of the pandemic in New York, these essays and anecdotes are filled with relatable moments and plenty of laugh-out-loud humor.

While I appreciated the humor and found many stories entertaining, this collection wasn’t as memorable as some of her previous works. As an Alabama native and longtime fan of Ellis, I adore her witty perspective, but Kiss Me In The Coral Lounge didn’t quite become a favorite. That said, it’s still a delightful, quick read for anyone in need of a good laugh.

Such an enjoyable read from beginning to end! This is my first Ellis and won't be my last. I loved her voice and found this so readable and fun!

A witty, irreverent and unusual collection of mid-life marriage essays. Not my usual read, but I’m so glad I picked this one up. Perfect bite-sized reading for a long weekend at home!

This book was so strange but also kind of weirdly delightful. It's fun to read things outside of my normal genres and this one hit the spot for a little beach read.

This essay collection is equal parts insightful and quirky. We get a look into Helen's marriage and how it thrives in mid-life. I enjoyed the sense of time and place with Covid references (that didn't seem overwrought). Helen's writing is distinct, inviting, and a delight to read.

I adore Helen Ellis and I love her book Kiss Me in the Coral Lounge! The book title describes her NY apartment TV room - which she calls the "Coral Lounge" because it is painted "a shade of coral that borders on Starburst candy orange." Well, I also have a 'Coral Lounge" because my den is exactly the same orange shade she describes!

My favorite chapters include:
My Husband Snores and Yours will Too
An Emai to our Cat Sitter
May I Hold Your Grudge for You?

I highly recommend! Love this hilarious lady!!

Helen Ellis books are always hilarious. I feel like it's an old friend telling me funny stories.
All of her past books I've listened to on audiobook - which, I think is my favorite way to take her books in.
This is a nice collection of stories about her life and marriage. We get a peek into her life and relationships, and she's a great story teller.
I highly recommend.

I needed the humor that this book brought me. I read it while recovering from Covid and it brought sunshine into my day.
Many thanks to Doubleday and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

really good book and kept me on my on my toes of what would happen. really enjoyed the characters and their journey and would read this author again.

I always look forward to a new collection of Helen Ellis essays, and Kiss Me in the Coral Lounge has a nice premise (a happy marriage!) Ellis manages to be laugh-out-loud funny about a happy marriage, which is hard to achieve, and funny about COVID-19 isolation and quarantine. I've been recommending it to patrons who've read Ellis's other collections as well as those new to her, and both have been raving.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC of Kiss Me in the Coral Lounge by Helen Ellis. This is another short story collection by this author, which I think will make you laugh, especially if you have been married for any length of time. A shorter book, so you can quickly read or just read a story here and there.

Very cute and fun, I love Helen Ellis's writing. These could be read one at a time as a daily delight or just all in one go (like I did), and make for very enjoyable, light reading. I appreciated how she talked about love and friendship in middle age as well as making (tasteful) jokes about the pandemic and all of its craziness (like her becoming a plant lady, something I think a lot of us can relate to.) It didn't grab me quite as much as Southern Lady Code, and honestly, I wish it had been a bit longer, but it was still a lot of fun!

(4.25 rounded down to a 4)

Kiss Me in the Coral Lounge by Helen Ellis is a humorous essay collection and memoir about modern romance. I listened to the audiobook, which clocks in at a little over three and a half hours and is narrated by the author.

What a quick and lovely read! This was really enjoyable and heartwarming, and I laughed out loud several times.

The author does a great job with the narration. She sounds like someone I'd want to be friends with. I identified with a lot of what she Ellis wrote about.

If you like fun and quirky with a dash of Southern charm, you'll love this essay collection.

"Kiss Me in the Coral Lounge" by Helen Ellis is a collection of humorous and charming essays that captures the essence of lasting love and marriage. The vibrant Coral Lounge sets the stage for entertaining parties, but at times, the pace may feel slow. Nevertheless, the author's wit shines through, making it a heartwarming and delightful read, celebrating the joys of enduring romance. I appreciate Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for allowing me to read and review.

Kiss me in the Coral Lounge by Helen Ellis was a funny and delightful book. I found myself laughing out loud at each story. You are going to love it.

Kiss Me in the Coral Lounge by Helen Ellis is a lighthearted collection of essays about cats, husbands, friendships, and life in general. I absolutely loved every single one of these essays, although I will say I am particularly fond of "An Email to Our Cat Sitter." My cat is an orange cat, but definitely falls under the old cat category in this essay. So relatable!! This book made me chuckle to myself and smile like an idiot the whole way through. My family was convinced I'd lost it. Such a refreshing change of pace from my typical reads. Absolutely loved this!!

Aaaaand the stickers...oh my gosh the stickers are amazing. I now proudly display my Grown-Ass Lady sticker on my e-reader. Thank you so much to Netgalley and Doubleday Books for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

book featured here: https://www.instagram.com/p/Ct9jgAGLsz6/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Thank you to Net Galley and Doubleday for the early copy of this heartwarming book. I loved Helen Ellis’s tone and positivity, and have recommended this book to friends and read passages aloud to my husband. This series of essays captures a love of the 80’s, the south, commitment, and friendship with tenderness and reality. Very fast read that I very much enjoyed.

A quirky collection of essays about being a middle-aged lady still in love with her husband of 20+ years. Ellis is smart and funny and clearly great at telling a story. I didn't love-love this, but it was enjoyable and entertaining, and I think it would be extra fun as an audiobook.

Oh, Helen Michelle, you’re my favorite. I’ve said it before, and I will say it again, you have a direct line to my funny bone. You make my neighbors worry about me. They’re used to me laughing and talking to myself (I mean, my plants) as I wander around my flower beds, but my antics take on a whole new level when I’m listening to you.

While other authors’ humorous essays make me smile or chuckle, yours make me guffaw. Bark with laughter. Drop my pruning shears to bend at the waist to get control of myself. Stop my lawn mower because I can’t keep a straight line. Pause mid-step because I can’t walk, laugh, and NOT pee. My husband asked me not to listen to you while driving (but I ignored him).

To best describe the book to others, I offer a string of emojis you eft on a recent post (with a few additions). 💋🐈🐈‍⬛💊🧩🪴💤⭐️🦄🐰

Thank you for sharing the funniest parts of your life with us. Please keep writing! I will keep reading and laughing.