THE romance book of the summer!! A second-chance love story with the wit and humor of Gilmore Girls and all the heart in the world!

Well, this was just delightful.

Things go south in the Big City so Del heads home to recoup and prepare for the Big Gig that will change her life. And do things ever go as planned? It did take me too long to finish this book. That's not the author's fault. I'm reading outside my genre house. But this was a nice foray into the romance realm and I'm just gonna make myself comfy. Apparently, I like second chance romance.

The characters are well developed and grow in their relationship with themselves and each other. I like the chapters that show the reader the Before Times that brought about this second chance. Overall, I think this is a solid debut for Ms. Corrello.

3.5 stars rounded up.

This book was certainly a fun read as it’s beginning to feel more like summer. The author did an excellent job setting the scene and made me wish for a Summertime beach day. I also really liked modern day Eddie and Del, even though Del was sometimes a bit hard for me to relate to. These two had great chemistry.

I also love dual timelines. However, this aspect fell a bit short for me in this book. I feel like the high school relationship and fall out was a bit anti-climatic. I understand big feelings were involved, and I felt those feelings along with the characters, but I had a hard time understanding why the characters had such a bug split from one another. I also think it would have helped if we learned a bit more about Eddie’s background and why he did some of the things he did.

This book tackled some really tough topics and did it in a great way. The comedy shore storyline created a perfect excuse for Del to bring levity to a lot of the difficult things going on in her life. There were a few times when I literally laughed out loud.

This book was an adorable and funny romcom about a comedian and a bartender. They were childhood friends, enemies and lovers all rolled into one. Because of this their feelings for each other were complicated but seeing each other ten years later was a chance to rekindle what they were never really able to have. The story is funny and poignant and altogether a wonderful quick read.

Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager and Netgalley for an ARC of this book! I’ve willingly read and reviewed it. All opinions are my own.

I’m so disappointed in myself for not reading this book earlier because, as I discovered, it ticks so many of my personal Things-I-Love-Reading-About boxes:
-Set in NJ in a positive way
-Comedian main character
-Single dad love interest

In addition to all of that (and even more tropes that I can’t get enough of!), the story kept me engaged from the first page to the very last. We get to follow Del as she’s forced to return back to her Jersey shore hometown after a breakup that comes right before she’s set to appear at a big comedy festival. The problem? Most of her jokes revolve around her relationship and it feels disingenuous to showcase those jokes on the biggest night of her career. So she sets out to write new ones, delving into the aspects of her life she refused to poke at because they were too painful—estranged father, mom who passed away when Del was too young, and the on-again/off-again crush from high school who now owns the local bar with the only performance space and who she can’t stop thinking about.

The writing in SUMMERTIME PUNCHLINE was also incredible. As a native to the Jersey shore, I could picture the boardwalk and beaches, hear the waves and seagulls and carnival rides. But the characters, too, were so fleshed out, readers won’t be able to help but fall in love with Del’s quick wit, big feelings, and her banter with Eddie, a man who definitely makes it on to an increasingly long list of book boyfriends. I loved getting to see their relationship evolve from when they were young, told in flashbacks, and in the present as they navigated their seemingly different lives.

My only teeny, tiny issue as, again, a born-and-raised Jersey girl, specifically from the Jersey shore area, is that the location of the fictional town where the book takes place doesn’t make any sort of sense. Perhaps it is intentional so readers can’t assign it to any specific place, but with the information given, mentions of nonfictional towns like Surf City and Long Branch and an exit 30, the town of Evergreen, geographically, is impossible. However, this minor (truly so minor) detail in no way impacts my absolute love of SUMMERTIME PUNCHLINE and hopes for a continuation of Del and Eddie’s story. A novella? A second epilogue? Anything for more time spent with these two characters and the ones they love.

I can’t wait to have a physical copy of this on my bookshelves and to read more from Betty Corrello in the future!

Right off the bat, this book’s title jumped out to me. A play on a Lana del Rey song? SIGN ME UP!!! Looking at it more closely, it’s more than just a romcom. It has healing and refreshingly funny characters—nothing cringey or stuff that made my eyes roll.
The references were giving Gilmore girls and I LOVED every minute of it! Lines like “Mythologized? Who am I, Aesop? Quick, get me a stone freaking tablet. I have some fiction to transcribe.” And “free balling … lips to the wind” AND “can I compliment you? / Sure? Not too much, or I’ll start fanning myself in a very think southern accent” made me CACKLE.

This romcom of a second chance at love pulled on my heart strings. Plus, it has a female MC trying to make it in comedy and she ACTUALLY IS funny!

The male love interest is also my people! She took a Puerto Rican dude and—THANK GOD—didn’t make a cardboard cutout cliche out of him. Love love loooove.

Oh! And in terms of spice, this book is NOT closed door nor fade to black. It actually has scenes but they’re not too graphic. The “leading up” is what has the juice!

If you’re into Bo burnham, quick zingers and references like Lorelai & Emily Gilmore, READ THIS RIGHT NOW.

Del has to quit running. She ran away from her hometown and her past to make it big in comedy. However, she’s broke, homeless, and back in Jersey. Enter old flame Eddie, who has gone through some stuff as well.
Sometimes when two people are right for each other the timing is all wrong. But maybe the timing is right on this time for Eddie and Del.
I thought Del’s character developed a lot during the story. She learned you have to take chances and can’t always get hung up on the past.
I thought Eddie was very real. He admitted his mistakes but was committed to being there for the people who mattered to him.
What he did at the end of the book sealed the deal for me.
A good delivery is essential in a comedy show and a book, this one definitely has it.

Every now and then a book comes along and truly shocks you with authentic characters that are multi-faceted and leave a lasting impression on you. That was Summertime Punchline and I am a fan of Corrello's writing style!

This book is a such refreshing take on contemporary romance! Corrello's portrayal of small town life dives deep into the complexities of small-town life is so beautiful and authentic and is the perfect place for Del's journey to take place. Her chemistry with Eddie is electric, and their second chance at love is both heartwarming and realistic. This is definitely the summer beach reach for 2024! Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

"I'm not supposed to want to be here. I'm not supposed to see myself here. I'm not supposed to forgive my dad, and I am not supposed to fall in love.."

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐢𝐬𝐭:

In "Summertime Punchline," Delfina Silva-Miller is determined to escape the confines of Evergreen, New Jersey and start fresh. Despite her grandmother's efforts to keep her grounded, Del can no longer tolerate her unreliable father and the complexities of her crush, Eddie Rodriguez.

Now, Del finds solace in humor, using her misfortunes as material for her stand-up comedy act. However, a series of setbacks forces her to return to Evergreen, where she encounters Eddie once again, revealing a changed man from the one she knew years ago.

As Del navigates her past and present, she must confront the possibility that her dreams may be closer than she thought. Set against the backdrop of the Jersey Shore, "Summertime Punchline" is a poignant and comedic tale of love, resilience, and the impact of relationships on our lives.

𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐬 & 𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬:
💕 Second chance romance
🤣 Laugh-out-loud humor
🫂 Friendship & family dynamics
💪🏼 Self discovery
🗣️ Witty banter

𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝕝𝕠𝕧𝕖:
✳︎ Relatable and well-developed characters
✳︎ Smiling at the page as you read
✳︎ Jersey Shore setting

𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:

I was captivated by the author's ability to craft authentic and multifaceted characters in this book. Del's journey to overcome her past and strive for a better future resonated deeply with me, while Eddie's growth and evolution throughout the story brought a sense of warmth and hope.

The exploration of love, friendship, and the intricate dynamics that influence our lives added depth to the narrative. The vivid portrayal of the Jersey Shore setting transported me to the bustling boardwalks and serene beaches of Evergreen, enhancing the overall reading experience.

"Summertime Punchline" is a delightful blend of humor and vulnerability, serving as a touching love story that leaves a lasting impact. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to those seeking a heartening read that highlights the significant role relationships play in shaping our lives.

𝕄𝕪 ℝ𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (𝟺.5/𝟻)

𝚃𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚔 𝚢𝚘𝚞, 𝙽𝚎𝚝𝙶𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚎𝚢 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝙰𝚟𝚘𝚗 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝙰𝚁𝙲!

I love love love a good second chance romance story and this was definitely one of them.

I don’t want to give too much away, but I love the comedy, the quirkiness, and I love how relatable the characters are. - Honestly would be interested to see Eddie’s point of view.

Thank you for the ARC 🦋

This is unlike anything I've read in a contemporary romance novel -- and that is the biggest compliment I could give a book.

I am so sick of small towns that are cutsey, but that are so unrealistic. This was a small town that was in the middle of a renaissance but was STRUGGLING and Corrello does not shy away from the issues of small town, working-class America. Racial tensions, addiction loss and recovery, the desire to get back versus the desire to LEAVE, intragenerational families and friendships, the tensions of redevelopment.

Del was one of the most relatable female main characters I've read in a long time -- she's messy and passionate and hilarious and just trying to do her damnest. Her friendships are strong and beautiful, but imperfect, and she puts her foot in her mouth all the time. In a word -- she's REAL and her friends and family and EDDIE love her anyway.

Eddie is also relatable, but also flawed. This is not a book where the man is perfect and loves the woman for her flaws -- this is a book where both characters have and continue to make mistakes and work to better themselves, both independently and as a couple. I closed this book and believed that they would last, that they would be able to co-parent, they would be collaborators, and would make a life for themselves.

This book works as a standalone, but I would read a million more books in this town.

Have you ever been reading a book and you realize that your heart is swelling? And you’re smiling the whole time? That was me throughout Summertime Punchline.

So much of this story resonates with me on a personal level and for that I am so thankful. In her acknowledgements, Betty wrote that she wanted to target a very specific audience with the character that is the FMC - it worked.

This book is full of love, hope, humor, second chances, and real-world problems. On top of that the writing is great and Betty doesn’t adopt the “usual formula” of pacing and tropes we see so often.

I am so thankful to have read this book and am dying for a physical copy come
pub day!

Thank you NetGalley & Betty Corrello for the eARC of Summertime Punchline. This was a quick, sweet read with the perfect Jersey Shore setting. I like when books have two timelines, I liked knowing how these two met. I really wish we could have heard Eddie's perspective or more of his backstory. I will recommend this to anyone who is looking for the quintessential beach read.

Summertime Punchline is sure to be a strong contender for everyone's summer beach vacation read, but don't be fooled, this book is more than it appears, and it tackles more than just a second chance romance.
Delfina Silva-Miller, aka Del, is an aspiring comedian, recently awarded a spot in a highly coveted comedy festival, quits her job but in quick succession finds herself broken up with her boyfriend and homeless, forced to return home from NYC to Evergreen, NJ for the summer. All of her material for the festival is ruined thanks to her relationship ending and she's left trying to figure out new material, while also tackling past trauma and finding a second change at love with her high school frenemy, Eddie Rodriguez.
Betty Corrello is a skilled author, despite the fact that this is her debut. She deftly wove the story with details to really place me on a boardwalk in NJ, and managed to tell a story full of laughs, and chemistry between the Del and Eddie. My only complaint would be that I wanted to know more from Eddie's perspective, especially about his behavior towards Del when they were in high school. This is a minor complaint, and overall I very much enjoyed this book.
Thank you to Book Club Girl, Avon and Harper Voyage, and NetGalley for the electronic ARC of this novel for review.

I thought this was a fun book! The characters were easy to connect with. The chemistry between Del and Eddie didn’t seem forced, I could actually feel why they like each other which can be hard to come by in stories these days. There was the just right of comedic undertone and jokes landed where I felt like they were always appropriate. It was a fun and easy read, great for those summer beach trips!

I was a little hesitant about starting this and losing interest, but after the first chapter I was hooked. The writing is good and the first few chapters are emotional for the heroine, Del. She spots the hero, Eddie, at a Wawa and the entire scene was so well-written and relatable. I couldn’t put it down.

The story jumps between present day and high school. I love the high school flashbacks and all the 2000 references like Dashboard Confessional (ha!). The time hopping kept the story interesting.

Definitely worth the read and Betty Corrello is my favorite debut author of 2024!

This is a super sweet book about second-chance line with a little bit of quirk thrown in. I enjoyed the flashbacks to high school and always appreciate avoiding the third act breakup. Highly recommend for a quick beach read!

When I was in high school, there was this kid who was good at everything he attempted. My favorite teacher, Dr. Wackes, called him a "Renaissance man." It stuck with me, that title--as did my bitter envy over the ease with which said kid excelled to the tippy-top of the teacher's pet list, landing above my own name and bowing deeply as he did.

The first thought that entered my brain after putting down Summertime Punchline was this: Betty Corrello is a Renaissance woman.

Where's my evidence? Well, it can be easily accessed between the pages of this book, her debut. The characters she introduces us to are charming and rich--they feel tangible, real, like they're truly living an entire life somewhere on the Jersey Shore. This, in a time when a lot of the people I meet in the folds of fictional narratives feel boring, bland, one-dimensional? A true blessing, then, to experience such a strong pull toward Delfina Silva-Miller, who I have adopted as my very own sister-girl. Not only are the characters well-crafted--and I don't mean just Del; my favorite character of the entire book might well be Nan, and Eddie's sisters, though they only appear in a few sprinkles, are delightful to be around--but the story is, too. Equal parts charming and poignant, Del's story of return--the return to Evergreen, her Saturn's return, the return to herself, the return to her past--had me cackling, and then blushing, and then tearing up, and then, somehow, laughing again. Looking back on my highlights, the majority of them are one-liners and jokes, comments tossed over Nan's shoulder that had me wheezing, jabs lobbed by Del that had me shaking my head in loving disbelief.

We watch as Delfina Silva-Miller arrives in Evergreen, New Jersey, sure she won't be staying any longer than the summer. Desperate, at first, to not be staying. We begin to understand why, as we are offered ample flashbacks to Del's high school career, her fraught on-again, off-again friendship with a certain Edgardo Rodriguez, who plays a very large part in both her past, and her present. We watch as she tries something new, as she opens up her heart, as she sheds the hurt of the 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯 for the healing of the 𝘯𝘰𝘸.

Summertime Punchline was a theatrical experience, a full-body experience. I felt the sand on my skin, tasted the boardwalk pizza, heard the low tones of a certain song playing from the Billiards speakers. 𝘞𝘩𝘰'𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘭𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘪𝘳? 𝘞𝘩𝘰'𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘤𝘢𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘥𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘺 𝘥𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯? If you're on the hunt for a low-stakes, high-reward story, soaked in sunshine and warm summer nights, to read while on the shore (or dreaming of the shore), look no further. You've just found the punchline.

So, a closer look at the evidence: Betty Corrello is an adept and inspired author, a deft and capable humorist, and a wonder with words--of all kinds. She is a lyricist, a poet, a comedian. An all-around artist. A triple threat, A Renaissance woman whose journey I cannot wait to follow.

"𝘚𝘦𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵 𝘮𝘺 𝘢𝘳𝘮, 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘪𝘮 𝘤𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘦, 𝘐 𝘧𝘦𝘭𝘵 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨—𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘐'𝘥 𝘭𝘦𝘧𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘨𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘯."

Overall a very sweet story! Loved the tender romance between Del and Eddie.
Del was a very loveable character and funny! Loved the storyline of her being a comedian.
Absolutely loved the side characters and would gladly read a book with each of their stories as well.
Thanks to Net Galley for allowing me to read this book, was a great summertime read.