This was pretty good! a mostly lighthearted story with elements of a rom-com that also deals with grief, touches on the me too movement, and has well fleshed out characters. Presley was not my favorite, but as the story went on, she grew on me. The audiobook was well read, and I love a happy ending.

"Cat Shook’s 'Humor Me' is a delightful exploration of grief, friendship, and the unexpected connections that bring light into life's darkest moments. Through the lens of protagonist Presley Fry, we embark on a journey filled with laughter, heartache, and the healing power of comedy.

Presley’s witty narration invites readers into her world as she navigates the complexities of adulthood, juggling her career at the Late Night Show with the lingering grief of her mother's passing. Shook skillfully captures the bittersweet essence of loss, portraying Presley's journey with authenticity and empathy.

The introduction of Susan Clark, Presley’s late mother's best friend, adds a layer of intrigue and unexpected twists to the narrative. As Susan endeavors to guide Presley through her grief and nudges her towards unexpected connections, readers are treated to a charming tale of self-discovery and unlikely friendships.

At its core, 'Humor Me' celebrates the transformative power of humor in healing wounds and forging bonds. Shook masterfully weaves moments of laughter and levity throughout the story, balancing them with poignant reflections on love, loss, and the resilience of the human spirit.

With its endearing characters, witty dialogue, and heartfelt exploration of life’s ups and downs, 'Humor Me' is a captivating read that will leave readers both smiling and reaching for the tissues."

I hadn’t read the author’s previous book but did a buddy read with a friend for Humor Me.

I enjoy books set in New York and romances as well although this one isn’t a straightforward romance. I’d say the friendship between Presley and Isabelle is more of a theme than the romance. I do love books on friendship and would have liked even more on their connection.

I did enjoy this book but got a little sick of the main character by the end of the book. I felt like she over analyzed everything and it was hard to watch her have such a hard time with commitment as well. It was probably a solid 4 stars for 70% and then just started to go downhill for me.

I also felt like the book just ended and I would have liked an epilogue. There was a plot point of Presley and a male friend that also felt like it was left unfinished to me.

I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed the narrator. Overall it was a cute easy read but nothing special.

Thank you NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed Cat Shook's first book and was so excited to listen to this one. It was equally as good and I loved the characters and how much they are in love with New York.

Presley is an assistant at a late night show while mourning the death of her mother. She's lived with her best friend Isabelle and has never had a serious relationship.

I really felt for Presley trying to figure her life out -- but it made me so happy I am not in my mid-20s anymore. Cat Shook captures that age really well - all the self-doubt and overthinking. I enjoyed the side characters as well -- especially Clark. I loved the friendship depictions and especially what happens with your best-friend is suddenly in a relationship -- something we've all dealt with.

The romance aspect of this book is secondary but it ended up being pretty sweet and swoony - some of the parts really made me smile.

I'm a sucker for New York books and this one made me want to be in the city immediately.

I loved the narrator of the audiobook as well, I will definitely listen to more books narrated by her. And I look forward to reading everything Cat Shook writes in the future!

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book!

Excruciatingly, exhaustingly Gen Z coded. Not at all badly written, this book just may not have been written for me, specifically (the main characters would consider me annoyingly um, well, elder). I still did find myself caring about the relationships, enjoying the New York setting, and appreciating the inclusive feminism and sex positivity. I loved the pacing and (no spoilers) the non-ending ending.

It will be interesting to see how this book ages. The pop culture references and much of the language make it very, very now. As in, will it feel like a time capsule or more like a dinosaur in a few short years?

The narrator is charmingly effective,. May need to correct a proper noun pronunciation or two—Zabar’s and Ina Garten come to mind. Her youthful insight more than makes up for the occasional flub.

Humor me is a romance novel featuring Presley, an assistant for a Late Night comedy show. Presley and her roommate Isabelle each have their own ways of not getting serious with anyone. Isabelle uses dating sites and quickly drops the women she's even a little interested in. Presley, generally, is into hookups with no ties and rarely. Each of them are in their mid twenties. Presley is navigating her feelings about her mother's death. She grew up in a southern town where her mother was always drunk and often neglectful, verging on abusive. Her grandparents gave her stability, while her mom knocks the pins out from under her. It's in this context that, when she runs into her mother's childhood best friend, Susan Clark, Presley is unable to enjoy the giant hug or to easily feel a closeness to Susan. For closeness, she has only Isabell and her grandparents. Although Adam, a guy at work, is becoming a friend.... or more. Susan reels Isabelle in, hoping she'll match her up with her son, Laurence and in need of some care for herself around her old friend's death and how she may have failed her. Susan also gets caught up in a marital mess not of her making and very much of interest to the public.

This was an enjoyable book throughout. The title comes from the fact that Presley's current assignment is to look for up and coming standup comedians and pitch them for spots on a Friday night segment. This is a really fun Manhattan based story. Uptown, downtown. bar scenes, apartments, lifestyles, etc. The characters are a bit unbelievable but in a way that is fun to escape into and they are nicely created for us. I read the audible version of this novel and enjoyed the narrator.

Funny, honest, relatable, and well-written. I would highly recommend this pleasant surprise from my Netgalley shelf! There was nothing predictable about this coming-of-age meets romance (but not really) with a strong friendship theme novel. I found the characters endlessly charming and real and loved the backdrop of New York's comedy scene. Cat Shook also grazes on the "Me Too" movement with poignant grace.

I listened to this on audiobook and the narrator was great.

The romance kept me guessing, but the friendship with Susan, Presley’s mom childhood friend was sweet and wholesome. Narrators did a great job on the different character parts.

This title is wildly inaccurate because it is the furthest thing from funny. Humor me? More like bore me.

This book was a four and a half out of five stars for me. The element of Presley working very hard to go from an assistant within a late night show comedy company to a producer, I found to be very intriguing. She has met with a lot of bumps in the road to achieving this promotion. Friends who turn out to be more manipulative than friendly, people that are out to promote whomever they want, even though they haven’t worked near as hard, or just being made to feel like she’s subpar to anyone else. Presley is .by no means someone that is looking for love. She likes to have a good time, but her focus is getting this promotion. Sadly, dealing with the grief of her mother’s loss is very much swept under the rug. Along comes Susan Clark, who was her mom’s best friend years ago. Married to the CEO of the company, Susan starts to take Presley under her wing. But she has a bit of an ulterior motive. Her son Lawrence Clark is single and so is Presley. But what about Adam, Presley‘s best friend at work. Hints are dropped that make her think Adam might think of her a little bit more than just a friend. As she maneuvers through all of this, she also has to heal; but it’s the hardest thing she’s ever done.

The story has healing from past trauma and present, feminism, loving who you are where you’re at, and just ultimately growth of knowing that you can let people in. Everyone needs someone even if you’re trying so hard to not. I really enjoyed Presley seeing the value of growing closeness in multiple ways.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Macmillan audio, and author, Cat Shook, for the ability to listen to the advanced audiobook.

Cat Shook’s Humor Me is a heartfelt exploration of grief, friendship, and the unexpected paths that lead to love, all wrapped in the world of stand-up comedy. For fans of Curtis Sittenfeld’s Romantic Comedy, this novel delivers a mix of humor and emotional depth, although it doesn’t quite hit all the high notes.

The story revolves around Presley Fry, an assistant at the Late Night Show who is grappling with the recent loss of her mother. Presley’s life is a mix of professional stagnation and personal avoidance, marked by her “business casual” approach to dating and a reliance on her outgoing roommate, Isabelle, to navigate social interactions. Shook captures Presley’s sense of disconnection and her slow journey towards re-engagement with life through the lens of stand-up comedy—a world Presley loves but doesn’t actively participate in.

Presley’s emotional landscape is vividly rendered, particularly her grief over her mother’s death, which remains a constant, painful undercurrent in her life. The unexpected entrance of Susan Clark, her mother’s childhood best friend, and Susan’s son, Lawrence, injects new energy into Presley’s world. Susan’s attempts to mentor Presley and push her towards Lawrence—who is decidedly not her type—add a layer of comedic tension and charm.

One of the novel’s strengths is its portrayal of the healing power of friendship. Presley’s interactions with Susan, Lawrence, and the comedians she discovers bring warmth and genuine connection into her life. Shook excels in depicting how shared laughter and new relationships can help mend a broken heart. The scenes involving stand-up comedy are particularly well-crafted, highlighting the joy and catharsis found in humor.

However, Humor Me sometimes struggles with pacing and character development. Presley’s journey can feel slow at times, and while her grief is palpable, it occasionally overshadows other elements of the story. The romantic subplot with Lawrence, while sweet, lacks the depth and chemistry that might have made it more compelling. Presley’s resistance to romantic and social engagement is understandable, but her eventual warming up to Lawrence feels somewhat predictable and underdeveloped.

Despite these shortcomings, Shook’s novel has many redeeming qualities. The writing is sharp, and the comedic elements are genuinely funny, providing much-needed levity. The secondary characters, especially Isabelle and the comedians Presley encounters, add vibrancy and diversity to the narrative. Shook’s depiction of the comedy scene is insightful and adds an interesting backdrop to Presley’s personal growth.

Humor Me by Cat Shook is a solid read that offers a blend of humor and heartfelt moments. While it may not fully satisfy all readers with its romantic elements or pacing, it succeeds in portraying the importance of friendship and the healing power of laughter. Presley Fry’s journey is relatable and touching, making this novel a worthwhile read for those who enjoy stories about personal transformation and the unexpected ways we find connection and joy in life. I would give it 3 stars.

I had some doubts with this book because I wasn't totally into it until about halfway through when Presley starts to value her feelings and worth. This had real-life emotions, growth and grief. On one hand, I wanted to dislike the decisions Presley was making and the thoughts she was having about her work life and personal life, but on the other hand I can understand her hesitations and hang ups around relationships and getting close to people because she lost her mom and I can't say I wouldn't approach things more trepidatiously, too.

I think the book could have done without the "me too" movement tie in. It felt a little forced at times, and didn't make all that much difference in the plot aside from introducing Susan and establishing her relationship with Presley, but it could have been just as easily identified without that component.

I also wish there was a less abrupt ending, or an epilogue that provided some updates but sometimes it's better to leave us, the readers, wondering what comes next.

If you liked Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld, definitely read this! I think Presley is a more likable main character than Sally, but the vibe is similar.

One note on the audiobook narration - I loathed the voices the narrator was using for all other characters aside from Presley. Each took on an almost mocking tone and felt way too forced for me to stay focused on the story rather than the increased emphasis on the delivery. This might be one I would pick up a physical copy of instead of the audiobook.

This was a really cute and fun read. Presley works for a late night television comedy program as an assistant. In her role she is determined to find new comedic talent to fill their Friday comic showcase and ends up finding herself along the way.

I found all of the characters to be well fleshed out and likeable, with the exception of the few we aren't supposed to like. The story is engaging, well paced, and interesting. I devoured this book. Great for any rom com lover!

This was an interesting read but I felt it could have been shorter. The main character, Presley whines a lot and talks too much about her mother, which I know is a main plot point but it was too much. The relationship with her roommate and a friend of her late mothers was nice. There were some funny parts especially since she is an assistant in the entertainment industry. I was rooting for Presley and Clark - disliked Adam a lot. Good beach read for the holiday weekend. I enjoy Curtis Sittenfeld novels and I would not say it was anything like her books.

Presley is an assistant for a late-night talk show who gets to scope out new comedians to bring in for the Friday night coveted slot. I really liked the parts of the novel that focused on her career and working in the entertainment industry. She loves living in New York, and has adopted it as her home, even though she was raised in a small town in Georgia.

Susan, a wealthy childhood friend of Presley’s deceased mother, befriends her after a scandal rocks her privileged world. One of Susan’s sons, a former frat boy, not at all Presley’s type, surprises her with his genuine appeal. Presley does have coworkers, and a roommate, in the same age bracket that she hangs with, so the time she spends with Susan is initially awkward for her. But after a positive psychedelic experience and a round of karaoke, they seem much more compatible.

This is a book for fans of romantic comedies. I prefer this genre to the heart wrenching emotional or steamy love stories since there is at least witty dialog and humorous interiority.

And of course, I must give props as a Dolly Parton fan to the homage they included of the most epic female celebrity of our time. Overall, I enjoyed listening to this audiobook and getting a taste of the bright lights of the big city, with a few laughs and a believable love triangle. Presley had been through a lot in her life already and she was a protagonist that I rooted for to find a happily ever after.

3 stars

I enjoyed Shook's previous effort and was excited to read this one. While the latest didn't thrill me, a better suited reader will find some gems here.

Presley, the m.c., is an assistant at the Late Night Show. She's a NY transplant (originally from the South), she's experienced with Tinder dates but not really meaningful or long-term romantic relationships, and she's processing complicated feelings over the relatively recent passing of her mother, an alcoholic with whom Presley had a challenging past.

When the novel begins, readers learn that Presley has a solid friend and roommate, so she's not afraid of intimacy; that she's really trying to make something of herself (and others) professionally; and that she is SO into someone who isn't into her. This is not a spoiler. Instead, this is an everyone can see this but you kind of situation, and that particular thread becomes tiresome (at least it did for me) so fast. Unfortunately, this motif overtakes just over the first half of the book. There's also a seemingly random rekindling with her mother's former friend who just so happens to be married to a guy who's on the verge of cancellation, and it JUST SO HAPPENS they have a single, age-appropriate son, and, well, readers know where this is going instantly. For me, all of these events and plot points combined into an unusual situation. On one hand, there's extreme predictability and slow pacing. On the other, there are all of these odd, disconnected details that never come together in a meaningful way. I cannot get my head around some of these choices.

I nearly DNF'd this book multiple times during the first half and had I not had the audio version, I think that would've been the outcome. I'm glad I persisted, but I also wanted a more unified and fulfilling final product overall.

Was so excited to read this book as I’d been hearing about it. It’s such a good romantic feel good book. Reminds you of friendship and building real relationships which is always a good thing to watch grow and blossom. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

This book has a little bit of everything from humor, friendship, romance to grieving the death of a parent. Presley works as an assistant to a comic and is just sort of drifting through life. She bumps into her mom's childhood friend and they form a friendship that was a lot of fun to see. I felt bad for Presley who was pining for her coworker and seeing how that played out. I love how Clark came back into her life being Susan's son and seeing their friendship.

Fardelle Capistrano did a great job on bringing the story to life. Thank you @celadonbooks @macmillan.audio @netgalley for a copy of the audio book.

This was very lackluster. I felt 20% in that I was bored and not at all engaged. I had way higher hopes for it!

Karaoke as catharsis, stand up comedy as career advancement, friends of the family who meld into more. @catshook_ has written a book I didn’t want to end.

I want to run into Presley at a comedy show and see her face as Clark throws his head back in laughter, see her order white wine with Susan when she’d rather have an old fashioned, see her accept the good and the bad, and let herself be happy.

In a weird way, this gave me a similar vibe to Definitely Better Now by @avarobinson - a woman not trying to overcome her past but learning to live within it. Finding a way to admit she deserves to be happy.

If you’re looking for a romcom, this isn’t for you. It’s got such depth that to pigeonhole it is a mistake. It’s about a woman - coming of age - learning to love herself. It also features a man, Clark, who won’t let her shut him out, patient and kind - my favorite kind of romantic partnership.

Presley is surrounded by the characters in her life: Isabel, her best friend and roommate, Adam, a coworker she has an inconvenient crush on, Patty, her dead mother, Susan, her mother’s best friend and maybe her new friend, Clark, Susan’s unrelentingly charming son, New York City, the place of dreams.

——
Presley is living the dream in NYC; a tiny walk up shared with her best friend, a dream job in late night TV, and a friend at work to flirt and banter with.

She’s also dealing with the recent death of her alcoholic mother, the reemergence of her mother’s childhood best friend, and the maleness of her chosen career path.

As she tries to reconcile a difficult childhood with the warmth of a perfect female friendship, Presley lets herself admit she might want - and deserve more.

I loved this book. Top ten of the year, I bet. Immediate pre-order.

Highly recommend the audiobook, too. I love how the narrator captures Presley perfectly.

Thanks to @netgalley, @macmillianaudio for the audiobook and @celadonbooks for the eARC. This will be published July 9, 2024.