This book is filled with friendships, a little romance, some self discovery, and coming of age. Honestly there's a LOT going on. Seeing Presley navigate a relationship while dealing with some strong emotions was very real and raw. I appreciated that side of her! Somewhere along the way it kinda lost me. I had a hard time focusing on it in spots I guess. I didn't feel really connected until I was over halfway through the book. I did enjoy the lessons learned and the friendships! I felt like I was just continuously questioning where the story was going with everything going on. Then it ended quite abruptly. Personally I was just hoping for more. I felt like some of the topics needed to be dove into more than they were. But that's just my thoughts. Overall a good story and audio.

Another compelling story from Cat Shook. While the picture of loss and grief wasn't the same picture I have, the feelings it evoked were real and complex.

Humor Me turned out to be quite different from what I expected. The book blends romance, friendship, self-discovery, coming-of-age themes, and elements of the "me too" movement. Despite its title, I didn't find it very humorous, though I appreciated the inclusion of stand-up comedy.

The story required a higher level of suspension of disbelief than I anticipated. While the author explained how Susan and Presley reconnected, it felt somewhat forced. A more organic start to their friendship would have been more believable.

Though I enjoyed parts of the book, there were moments when I felt underwhelmed. I didn't understand the obsession with Adam, and at times, Presley's feminism came across as immature and grating. Her jealousy and over-the-top reactions were often frustrating.

Overall, Humor Me offers some charm and insight but dragged in places and didn't quite meet my expectations.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an ALC in exchange for an honest review.

Humor Me was a very different read and not quite what I was expecting. A little bit of romance, a lot of friendship, some self-discovery and coming of age, and some "me too" movement - this book had a lot going on. For a book with humor in the title, I didn't find it very funny but I did appreciate the stand up comedy elements.

There was more suspension of belief in this novel than I anticipated. Shook did a good job explaining how Susan and Presley reunited and bonded but it still took me a while to believe it. Part of me wished there wasn't the backstory of Presley's mom and Susan and that Presley and Susan just kick started their own friendship. That would've felt more genuine for me.

I enjoyed this book but there were times when I was a little underwhelmed. I didn't get the Adam obsession nor did I really feel invested when she finally saw the light and had enough. I liked Presley's feminism generally but at times found her grating and immature. Her reaction to her best friend finding love, her jealousy issues, and her general demeanor toward men was often frustrating and obnoxious. Also if I heard the word "gag" one more time or read about one of Presley's very unnecessary dramatic reactions to just about anything I was going to lose it!

I listened to this novel and didn't particularly love the narrator - her voice was a little obnoxious and immature which was maybe perfect for Presley or just added fuel to the fire for me!

Overall, I did enjoy this book but it's not one that will likely stick with me. I may have enjoyed it more had I not listened to the audio so I'll be curious to hear my fellow book club members' opinions!

Thank you to Celadon Books, MacMillan Audio, and NetGalley for the copy.

Humor Me was a solid women's fiction novel that blended several themes. I saw it described as a love letter to stand up comedy in NY City and I would definitely agree with that analysis. But it was so much more. It was also a romance but not a typical one because our main character, Presley had to figure out how to love herself before she could love anyone else. The book was also a heartbreaking story of loss in that Presley is grieving her mother. Even though she tries to downplay it by mentioning her mother's alcoholism casually as if it's so matter of fact and no big deal, It was just so very sad. I could feel her underlying anguish and was saddened for her.

Meanwhile, there were other side plots going on that all blended together to truly pull this story together into something special. From the issues regarding her co-worker, Adam to the accusations made against her mother's friend Susan's husband to her blossoming relationship with Susan's son, Lawrence, Presley had a great deal to balance. All of this was going on while she was trying to get an up and coming female stand up comic discovered.

This book was just like a warm blanket that you enjoy covering your self with.

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: The audio was done very well and truly captured to spirit of the book itself. I was engaged throughout and really felt that the narration was spot on. 4 1/2 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley for early copies of both the ebook and audiobook.

I was excited to receive a copy of Humor Me. Unfortunately, it did not live up it its expectations. The writing was OK but this was too much of a slow-burn for my liking. Presley Fry, a 25-year-old, is navigating her work, social and dating life in NYC. It felt like nothing really happened throughout the book. I was waiting for the story to grab me, and it didn’t. I love the setting in NYC and some of the side characters. This read more like a literary fiction novel. The negativity inside Presley’s head was not where I wanted to be. I think I needed a more positive story at this time in my life. Maybe I am too old for a 20’s not caring attitude in a book? Who knows.

I really enjoyed this character driven novel and the way the author handled the topic of grief and the individual uniqueness of the experience for those grieving. Presley is has the interesting job of scouting comedic acts and develops a not necessarily wanted, but intriguing relationship with her late mother's friend Susan. Susan is trying to fix her up with her son Lawrence much to Presley's dismay. I loved getting to see the development in these characters and the way they grew on each other. The humor is spot on and the audiobook narration is fantastic.

Presley Fry is an Assistant at a late-night comedy show, but she wants to work her way up, and be "more". So of course there is little time for her love-life. Presley also wants to throw herself into her work, because she loves it, and it keeps her mind off the recent death of her mother and their very complicated relationship. So when out of the blue her mother's old friend emerges into Presley's life, it is not completely welcomed... but is it something that she needs...?

I was really surprised with how much I enjoyed this novel. Presley was a well-thought out and developed character. I was also fond of the empowerment throughout the novel. Susan was a complete polar opposite from Presley, but at the same time they each had something to lend to the other, and found ways to help each other through the difficult times. Presley and Susan's relationship had me laughing from the start, and I loved seeing the dynamic of friends of all ages and genders working through the difficulties of their lives.

I also found the audio quality to be good and the production to be enjoyable to listen.

I would recommend this audiobook to anyone that has a soft spot for rom-coms, and female empowerment.

An enormous thank you to MacMillan Audio for sending me this audiobook. I am voluntarily leaving a review, all opinions are my own.

I really really enjoyed Presley as a main character. This book felt so real to me in navigating friendships, relationships, grief, and work life.

Not every little moment had its closure, but that’s how real life works. We got enough that I was satisfied with how things shaped out to be.

Presley was wonderful and really did so much growth over the course of the book in working through some of the bottled up grief she’d been holding on to; she realized how crappy her friend was that she’d been harboring a crush on, and actually created boundaries. She stood up for herself in moments that I think we all need reminders for it being OKAY to not be okay or happy and to stop trying so hard to please others.

This book was an absolute pleasure to read and I’d definitely read more from this author.

Presley Frey is an assistant on a late-night television show. She loves the comedy scene, especially discovering talented up-and-coming stand-up comics. In her personal life, Presley guards her heart and is trying to cope with grief from her mother’s death last year. When an unexpected friendship comes her way in the form of her mother’s old best friend Susan, it brings growth and healing into Presley’s life.

I really enjoyed this character-driven novel. I loved the found family aspect of Presley’s relationship with Susan; their dynamic provided both sweet moments and laugh-out-loud ones. Presley’s character arc is the star of the story, and Cat Shook does such a great job of making Presley feel authentic and relatable. Although there are some heavy topics here (grief, infidelity, #MeToo), there are many funny and tender moments too, and the overall vibe is heartfelt and hopeful.

Ferdelle Capistrano narrates the audiobook, and she does a great job embodying Presley! I also love the way she voices Susan, making her sound like the well-meaning but slightly out-of-touch upper cruster she is. A great listening experience!

If you loved Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld, you’ll love this homage to the NYC comedy scene. Many thanks to Celadon Books and Macmillan Audio for the advance review copies.

This book was my first by this author and I enjoyed it! I thought there was a lot going on and some of the plot lines were underdeveloped so the book felt a little unfinished. I thought the characters were interesting and I really enjoyed Presley and Susan's relationship and their ability to bond about their shared past with Presley's mother. I didn't necessarily enjoy the romance subplots of this story. I am glad she stood up for herself and recognized her value but I just didn't enjoy that plotline.

Humor Me is not a laugh-out-loud comedy style read, so if that’s what you’re looking for, I’d suggest going elsewhere. However, if what you seek is a lovely, well-written story of love and life and grief and feeling lost and friendship and family and trying to find direction, and yes a dose of humor, then I definitely recommend this book.

Humor Me is a tale full of life’s complexities and a relatable and sympathetic heroine. It deals with so many serious issues yet manages to remain a relatively light and enjoyable reading experience. I found Presley easy to root for and was pleasantly surprised at the depth I found within these pages. This would make a nice, more substantial summer beach read, but could also easily be appreciated year-round.

Ferdelle Capistrano did an excellent job narrating the audiobook.

Many thanks to Cat Shook, Celadon Books, and Bookish First for the gifted copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

I listened to this book with my book club,. I enjoyed the flow of the storyline, the character development, and the characters in general. I would definitely recommend to others for an enjoyable read.

A fun, lighter read that still contains depth. Early on, I felt like this was Curtis Sittenfeld-esque, and it has that rom-com flare. However, I actually liked this author more. She developed the characters in depth, built the relationships solidly and didn’t use the setting to prop up her story. Solid rec.

The narrator on the audiobook, Ferdelle Capistrano, really made this shine.

Humor Me tells the story of Presley Fry, twenty-something standup comedy enthusiast and assistant at the Late Night Show, set against the backdrop of New York City as the Me Too movement is gaining more and more momentum. In many ways it’s a love letter to New York from the perspective of a transplant to the city, a study in coming to terms with grief, and a story of how much one is still growing up in their 20s.

The synopsis description of Presley as “jaded” is certainly apt. She’s not a warm and fuzzy type, and she keeps most people at arm’s length. I loved watching her friendship develop with Susan, Presley’s late mother’s friend, and especially adored how Clark interacts with Presley.

I appreciated the depictions of grief, the complicated feelings associated with it, and the different versions of it—grief over a loved one, who meant different things to different people, and grief over changing friendships and relationships.

There are romantic elements to the story, but they aren’t the focal point. Humor Me is more about Presley coming of age and her evolving friendships.

Ferdelle Capistrano’s narration captures Presley’s personality so well. I enjoyed her vocal choices for the other characters, too, especially how she portrays Susan’s warmth and Clark’s affability.

I received an advance copy of the audiobook from Macmillan Audio. All review opinions are my own.

Humor Me is such a unique & original read. Yes, it is a Romcom, but it is also, was so much more!

Presley, in her mid-20's, is working as an assistant to a producer of a TV comedy show and trying, unsuccessful, to overcome her deep grief over the recent loss of her alcoholic mother.

The New York setting was absolutely perfect and just screamed SNL! It truly was so atmospheric and makes me want to visit NYC so much, now!

Despite all this, the novel is filled with humor… and the spice was so well done!

I also loved the more difficult topics including the Me Too and office politics discussions.

Thanks to Netgalley and Celadon for my ALC and Macmillan Audio for my ALC in exchange for my review!

Thank you, NetGalley and Macmillan Audio, for the advance listening opportunity of *Humor Me* by Cat Shook. Presley Fry is an assistant on a late-night show, scouting for comics in hopes of landing her big break. Throughout the story, Presley navigates a whirlwind of emotions, often unsure how to handle them. Her journey leads her to form a wonderful relationship with Susan, and she surprises herself by becoming more open-minded about relationships. The narrator did an outstanding job, making it impossible to stop listening. Download this audiobook ASAP and dive into the adventure that is Presley Fry's life! From career ambitions to personal growth, *Humor Me* is a captivating and heartfelt story you won’t want to miss.

ℝ𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 𝔽𝕠𝕣𝕞𝕒𝕥: 𝐸-𝐵𝑜𝑜𝓀 & 𝒜𝓊𝒹𝒾𝑜𝒷𝑜𝑜𝓀

ℝ𝕖𝕧𝕚𝕖𝕨: 𝑯𝒖𝒎𝒐𝒓 𝑴𝒆 𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐥𝐞𝐲 𝐅𝐫𝐲, 𝐚 𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐲-𝐟𝐢𝐯𝐞-𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐍𝐘𝐂 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐭 𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐲 𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐛. 𝐈𝐭 𝐥𝐚𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐝𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐚𝐲-𝐭𝐨-𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬, 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐯𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬, 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐫, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐬𝐡𝐞’𝐬 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫.

𝐂𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐥𝐲, 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐭 𝐚 𝐛𝐢𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐞. 𝐈𝐧 𝐚 𝐥𝐨𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬, 𝐢𝐭 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥 “𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐭.” 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐡𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠-𝐨𝐟-𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲, 𝐢𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐚 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠-𝐨𝐟-𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐢𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐞𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐲 𝐆𝐞𝐧-𝐙. 𝐈𝐭 𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐭, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐨𝐫 𝐟𝐞𝐥𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐦𝐲𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐭 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐥. 𝐈 𝐞𝐧𝐣𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐭 𝐚 𝐥𝐨𝐭 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐈 𝐬𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞-𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧; 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐝𝐢𝐝 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐦 𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐞, 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐰𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐚𝐰𝐤𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝.

𝒯𝒽𝒶𝓃𝓀 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓉𝑜 𝒞𝒶𝓉 𝒮𝒽𝑜𝑜𝓀, 𝒞𝑒𝓁𝒶𝒹𝑜𝓃 𝐵𝑜𝑜𝓀𝓈, 𝑀𝒶𝒸𝓂𝒾𝓁𝓁𝒶𝓃 𝒜𝓊𝒹𝒾𝑜, & 𝒩𝑒𝓉𝒢𝒶𝓁𝓁𝑒𝓎 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒜𝑅𝒞! 𝒜𝓁𝓁 𝑜𝓅𝒾𝓃𝒾𝑜𝓃𝓈 𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝓂𝓎 𝑜𝓌𝓃.

I kind of fell in love with Cat Shook’s latest novel, “Humor Me.” I really wasn’t expecting that - I don’t mean that in a negative way - I thoroughly expected to enjoy this book from the beginning, but by the end, I was completely hooked on all of the characters, New York, the comedy scene, and the found family that Presley surrounded herself with.

A coming of age story about Presley Fry, a 20-something assistant at The Late Night Show who scouts comedians in New York; Presley navigates work, friendships, grief, and even relationships as she begins to come into her own. I loved the emphasis this storyline had for female friendships and all the subtleties within. Presley’s relationship with Isabelle is an authentic female friendship with all the love, angst, and support that you hope for from your besties. I thought the pacing was realistic allowing each of the novel’s relationships (platonic and romantic) to develop at a natural pace that lent itself to becoming truly connected to the characters. Susan is delightfully awkward as she tries to befriend Presley and set her up with Susan’s son even as she navigates family changes and unwanted media attention in the midst of the me too movement.

A heartfelt story that even made me a little teary, “Humor Me” is a must read that I cannot recommend enough! I loved audiobook narrator Ferdelle Capistrano who expertly brought each of the characters and storyline to life, particularly Presley. I’ll definitely be watching for other books she narrates. I switched back and forth between the audiobook and ebook; thanks @macmillan.audio @celadonbooks and @netgalley for the opportunity to read #humorme by @catshook_ I am a fan!

#celadonbooks #macmillanaudio #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #fiction #comingofagebook #humorme #humormebook #catshook #ferdellecapistrano #audiobooknarrator #netgalley #bookrecommendations #bookreview #highlyrecommend #strongfemalecharacters #youshouldreadthis #bookgeek #booknerd #imnotreadytomakenice #dixiechicks

Humor Me by Cat Shook is her sophomore novel. Her debut novel did not disappoint, and neither does this one. Whereas the first centered mostly on the relationships within a biological family, this one centers on friendships and the family that the protagonist constructs. The setting is the New York City comedy scene, hence the title. We journey with Presley Fry as she navigates the grief of her deceased mother and grappling with whether she can do an intimate relationship, other than the one with her best friend, with humor softening many blows. Ride with Presley as she figures it all out.