Member Reviews

This was a fun book to listen too. I felt like Ferdelle Capistrano did a great job telling the story. Her voice was very smooth and entertaining. The characters in were well written, relatable and enjoyable. You will be rooting for them as they go through their own situations. I loved the relationship between Presley and her moms old friend Susan. Presley's love life was a fun ride to go on. This book was fun, will have you laughing and have a few heartfelt moments. I would definitely recommend this audiobook!

Thank you McMillan Audio and NetGalley for allowing me to listen to this ARC for my honest opinion.

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You can be friends with your dead mother's friend. All your friends don't have to be your age. Actually having the variety in ages will give you variety in experiences. You can end up saying yes to people you thought you won't even talk to. People don't usually show their vulnerabilities when you are just acquaintances

Presley got a boring job and it was not getting any better. With her mother's passing, life was slapping her left and right. Susan Clark was mother's best friend and happened to be her boss' boss' boss' wife. Susan wanted to be the mother Presley lost and made sure that she was looked after. Presley was bit reluctant as she saw this friendship as Susan's way to connect her son and Presley. However, there was much more Presley didn't see in this friendship.

Presley seemed like lacking motherly love. Her mother was not lovey, dovey mother. While Susan's attention felt too much at the beginning, it was something she was craving. Change in her reactions and her maturity was displayed very well. If you like coming of age novels for late 20 year olds, this could be the read for you.

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Humor Me by Cat Shook

Presley Fry is a long-time assistant at the The Late Night Show. Presley enjoys finding new talent in comedians. She just needs to find the right one to get the promotion she wants.

Susan Clark is Presley's deceased mom's close friend and wife of the head of the network. She tries to befriend Presley.

Presley isn't sure how to handle the grief of losing her mom and how friendships can change in unexpected ways.

This is a very relatable book as we all navigate friendships, romance, and grief.
Thanks to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the early copy!

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Thank you so much to Macmillan Audio for the free audiobook!

This one sounded right up my alley and I was so excited for it!

While there were a few scenes that resonated with me, I struggled to connect with the story and found myself continuing to get irritated while listening to this one.

The audio production itself was well done so the rating is not a reflection of the audiobook itself, just that the story was not for me.

This will be out July 9th and I'm sure will be a good fit for many!

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Thanks to Macmillan audio and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this audio book. Humor me is a story about relationships and expressing yourself with friends, parents, significant others. It didn’t resonate with me but I think others in the mindset of the character will find a connection.

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This book was good. It was nice to see the heroine to go through real life dating while also dealing with trauma. I just felt like there was something missing for me. I didn't quite get her relationship with Clark. The ending left me unsatisfied. It felt like there should have been more.

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Humor Me, read by Ferdelle Capistrano is due out July 9th

Presley, daughter of an alcoholic single mother, was essentially raised by her grandparents while also caring for her mother. She thrives on staying busy and not getting too close to anyone. She doesn't share any of the grief she feels about her mother's recent death, even with her best friend and roommate Isabelle. Until a chance encounter with her mother's closest friend from childhood, Susan, starts Presley down a transformative road.

Though I initially felt a friendship between these two women couldn't work, they fit into the places they were each needing someone, and it really worked for me. I loved the steady building of Presley's place in her world - how she cast off what wasn't helping her and began to make peace with her losses.

Thank you to Macmillan audio and NetGalley for the audioARC of this novel.

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If you're on the hunt for a contemporary romance that will make you laugh out loud and tug at your heartstrings, look no further than "Humor Me." This delightful novel masterfully blends humor and seriousness, creating a story that's as entertaining as it is poignant.

"Humor Me" stands out in the romance genre with its unique approach to humor. The author weaves in laugh-out-loud moments seamlessly, bringing joy in ways that feel fresh and unexpected. It's not just about the jokes, though—the humor here is smart, situational, and deeply tied to the characters' personalities, making it all the more enjoyable.

But don't be fooled by the lighthearted title. This book also delves into more serious themes, exploring family dynamics, friendships, and trauma with sensitivity and depth. The protagonist's journey is one of growth and self-reflection, navigating the complexities of her past and how it shapes her as an adult. The way the story addresses these issues feels genuine and heartfelt, offering readers both entertainment and emotional resonance.

One of the most touching aspects of "Humor Me" is how relatable it is. Many readers will see reflections of their own lives in the protagonist's experiences, making her journey all the more impactful. Whether it's dealing with family challenges, fostering meaningful friendships, or overcoming personal trauma, this book touches on experiences that many of us can connect with on a deep level.

In conclusion, "Humor Me" is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a well-rounded story of personal growth. It's a perfect blend of humor and heart, offering a refreshing take on contemporary romance. So, if you’re ready to laugh, cry, and cheer for a character who feels like a friend, add "Humor Me" to your reading list. You won't be disappointed!

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Thanks NetGalley for the audiobook ARC. Solid contemporary read, riddled with feminism. It really shows the slew of emotions we go through in our 20’s and the doubt that comes with. (thank God I’m done with my 20s).

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Literally no plot, I was so bored. I kept increasing the speed just to finish the book.
I was hoping it would make me laugh out loud. It did not.

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A story of a young woman who is still processing her alcoholic mother's death and healing from the pain she suffered as a child of a struggling mother, Presley Fry is determined to not let her past derail her. She has a steady job at a late night show in New York, but she's itching to be promoted and be able to have more creative control. She still has her former college roommate, now apartment roommate, by her side, and she doesn't do relationships because she refuses to get hurt again, and much prefers casual dating.

And that crush on her co-worker? Nothing she can't handle.

When Presley finds herself befriending her late mother's childhood best friend Susan, she finds that she learns more about her mother than she ever thought she would. And despite Susan's best efforts to play Cupid, Presley tries to resist the pairing with Susan's son, Lawrence. But could the Clark family be breaking Presley down? With Susan's motherly instincts and Lawrence always being at the right place at the right time, Presley begins to wonder if maybe she's been handling things wrong after all.

Told with humor, sarcasm, and just the right amount of romantic will-they/won't they, Humor Me is the second book I have read by Cat Shook, and I found it to be another enjoyable story that entertained me from beginning to end. The narrator did a fantastic job of keeping the dialogue fast-paced and fun to listen to. Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the advanced digital audio copy of this book!

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Genuinely funny and moving, Humor Me tells the story of Presley Fry, currently scouting standups for her job at a late night show, living with her best friend (Isabelle), crushing on her coworker, quietly grieving the loss of her alcoholic mother, and reconnecting with a friend of her mother's (Susan). There was a lot that I liked about Humor Me, particularly the sharp writing, solid friendship between Presley and Isabelle, and the relationship between Susan and Presley. I went in expecting more of a straight up romance, and while the romance was there and satisfying, I was glad that it didn't overtake other relationships.

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This was just plain lovely.

Presley is in love with her best friend. Something she’s only recently come to terms with. But she has a big commitment phobia. Her mom passed away 18 months ago. Because of their tumultuous relationship and her mom’s addiction issues, she is conflicted and not dealing with her loss. On happenstance, she runs into her mom’s high school friend at the park and can’t tell her no when she invites her to meet up. How could she? She helped her land her dream job seeking out comedians for the night show. Just like NYC, a lot is packed in between the pages of this book.

The audiobook was perfectly done by Ferdelle Capistrano. Her intonation was captivating without being distracting.

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Presley is a young woman living out her dream in NYC, working for a late night comedy show (I’m thinking SNL) as an assistant. She has gone through the loss of her alcoholic mother, and is befriended by Susan, an old friend of her mom’s.

Presley is a likable character who is trying to make it in the big city. She has depth as a character, and as a reader I was rooting for her. I enjoyed following her throughout her days, learning about her past and present relationships with friends and family. This is not a romcom, so the happily ever after is not the exact way I thought, but it fit the story. I wanted to keep picking this one up to see what Presley was doing in each chapter, like she was someone I knew in real life. The audio narration was really fun too, and I felt the narrator brought Presley to life.

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Read by the youthful Ferdelle Capistrano, Humor Me tells the story of Presley Fry. Presley is an assistant for a New York based television show, charged with helping find new comedy acts to book. Presley's southern mother passed away recently and while she's not quite come to terms with her mother's death, she is soldiering on.

Presley loves the comedy scene and has a crush on one of her co-workers, who considers her a good friend and recruits her to help gift shop for his girlfriend. She's hurt but not ready yet to give up her hopes of someday being with him. When Presley runs into one of her mother's friends from their hometown, she isn't quite sure how to handle it. The woman's husband put in a good word when Presley was job hunting but now he's been publicly accused of sexual hanky-panky and Susan Clark needs a new friend. Presley becomes her new confidante. While Presley enjoys Susan's generosity and reconnects with her sons, she is somewhat uneasy, especially when Susan gets drunk and calls Presley by her mother's name. It's an odd relationship but the two seem to be able to help one another work through some issues. Presley finds heartwarming romance where she isn't expecting it.

Though young adults will enjoy this one, it isn't for everyone due to the somewhat raunchy nature of some of the comedy and descriptions of sexual encounters.

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It is not the fault of this novel that I am mostly over stories featuring a 20-something-year-old woman who is in the process of figuring out her life. Also, I am one of those people who never had the slightest desire to live in NYC, so this book, which is a love letter to life in the city, just didn't quite do it for me. I did really appreciate Presley's strong character as she navigates life, love, and a career as a talent scout, all while dealing with lots of big and conflicting feelings about the death of her alcoholic mother. I loved her friendship with both her best friend and her mom's old high school friend, and there are some very funny scenes. Ferdelle Capistrano did a good job with the audiobook narration but struggled a bit with Southern accents. Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an audiobook review copy.

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Thank you to NetGalley and Celadon Books for the E-Arc!

"Humor Me" by Cat Shook is a delightful, heartwarming read that expertly blends humor with heartfelt moments. Presley Fry, stuck in her assistant role at the Late Night Show, finds joy in discovering new comedians while avoiding the pitfalls of modern dating.

The story takes a charming turn when Presley's late mother's best friend, Susan Clark, steps in, determined to mentor Presley and introduce her to her son, Lawrence. Despite Lawrence being the opposite of Presley's type, their interactions are filled with unexpected warmth and laughter.

Shook's writing shines as she captures Presley's journey through grief, new friendships, and the healing power of comedy. "Humor Me" is a feel-good novel that reminds us that laughter and love can come from the most unexpected places, making it a perfect pick-me-up read.

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4.75 stars rounded up. This was a wonderful rom-com that I didn’t know I needed!

Presley is closed off to love and talking about her mom and spends a lot of time avoiding both until she cannot. She’s an assistant working a late night comedian’s tv show and it’s a big part of who she is and how she spends her free time.

Presley is from Georgia, which gives her two friends we get to know in this book. Susan, a friend of her mother, and Isabelle. Honestly? They were both friends that *i* wanted! Their relationships with Presley are supportive and reciprocal which was really nice to truly feel through the characters actions + dialogue.

Thanks to Humor Me, I’m a Cat Shook fan! This book was a true delight and the audio was excellent!

Advance reader copy provided by Macmillan Audio and NetGalley but all opinions are my own.

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Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and author. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I ended up attempting this book via the audio as I was gifted an eARC and ALC. Unfortunately both the physical and audio was boring for me. It got me through a work day but I didn't relate to the story or characters at all.

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"Humor Me" had a promising premise, but unfortunately, it failed to deliver. Despite its title, the book lacked the humor I anticipated, particularly in the stand-up comedy bits, which were not funny at all. I don't believe the narrator helped with the execution of the jokes either, as comedy has so much to do with timing and delivery. As someone who enjoys a good laugh, this was a major letdown. Additionally, I went into the book expecting a typical rom-com experience, only to find that it deviated significantly from that genre. While I eventually adjusted my expectations and tried to appreciate it for what it was, I couldn't shake off the initial disappointment. The romance aspect felt rushed and unnatural within the narrative. It seemed to be hastily wrapped up without much consideration for development or believability. Even though I saw it coming, it didn't integrate seamlessly into the story. The late-night show and comedy setting had the potential to shine, offering plenty of opportunities for humor and entertainment. However, the execution fell far short of expectations. Overall, "Humor Me" failed to live up to its potential and left me wanting more from both its comedic elements and its romantic storyline. I wanted to love this story and wish it had met my expectations.

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