Thanks to NetGalley, Randy Rainbow, and St. Martin's Press for allowing me to read an advanced copy of Low-Hanging Fruit in the return of an honest review. I received an advanced reader copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Randy Rainbow kept me laughing throughout the pandemic with his musical parodies. I adore him so much. This book gives us what feels like an honest look into his life with hilarious stories. It is a very quick read that I wish was longer because of how funny it is. I recommend this book to anyone that already loves Randy Rainbow or to anyone that wants to bring joy into their lives. I do not recommend this book to anyone that is a fan of Donald Jessica Trump though.

Comedian Randy Rainbow provides the laughs in his second compilation of essays. While most of the chapters offer laughs at the foibles of a minor celebrity, there is also a bit of more experimental writing with chapters from the point of view of his cat and even the “missing” letter a from Barbra Streisand’s name. A quick read that kept me in stitches, ‘Low-Hanging Fruit’ is another delight from Mr Rainbow.

I enjoy Randy Rainbows videos. Clever and witty. I thought his first book was amusing so had high expectations for Low changing fruit. Unfortunately, this book did not work for me. The book self indulgent and I became bored by it. Had to push myself to finish it.

As a fan of Randy Rainbow’s hilarious satirical music YouTube videos, I was thrilled to get my hands on his newest digital book, Low-Hanging Fruit . After being in a book slump, thanks to a hiatus due to too much television – first, the summer Olympics followed by the amazing DNC – I was looking forward to laughing up a storm.

Alas, that didn’t happen for me. I struggled mightily through at least the first five chapters. Sorry, Randy; maybe you were just getting warmed up, or maybe I was. I wasn’t ready for sensitive language, personal info about your body, and so on. I’ve loved the Pride events and drag shows, so getting the inside scoop from a real pro is fine, but really? Some of that behind-the-scenes personal stuff was too much for me. I know others may disagree, so take it with a grain of salt.

My interest piqued, though, with the chapter on the childhood friend and her nail polish! Any gay or lesbian who had to deal with peers has experienced some sort of pressure, if not harassment, or worse –today’s political climate, who knows what? And the cat! Tippi! Oh, my! That chapter was purr-fect! Yes, I’m a childless cat lady. The interview with his mother Gwen was stellar as well. She’d be someone I’d love to know. Finally, anyone who is a grammar police “gurl” is someone with whom I can identify. Randy, you rock! I had smatterings of chuckles here and there but were there raucous belly laughs? Um. No.

However, beyond the lack of humor, one should not overlook the value of this memoir. This is a man who is courageously, blatantly OUT. Even though being out of the closet in this era is certainly much more commonplace and acceptable than ever, it is not considered “normal” by everyone. Kudos to Randy Rainbow for overcoming his introverted nature and sharing his creative talents with the world.

Finally, readers: Be aware that there is sensitive and sexual language in this book.

I received a digital copy of Low-Hanging Fruit in exchange for my honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Randy Rainbow.

3 stars

As a big fan of Randy Rainbow, I loved this book! His humor is so refreshing and it was very easy to read in his voice and imagine his exact facial expressions. I got through this collection of essays in no time, and laughed out loud at several parts.

I'm a late passenger on the Randy Rainbow train, but I'm enjoying the ride very much. I'd only recently discovered his parody videos on YouTube when this book became available on NetGalley, and I jumped at the chance to read it. What comes through when you read the book is the humor and sarcasm, of course, but also the anxiety and insecurity that he, as an introvert, feels, and that was unexpected. As an introvert myself, I related to everything he said. His essays run the gamut from tales from his childhood and a conversation with his mother, to some of his sexual partners and their relationships, but everything was told with a humor and self-deprecation that made you laugh along with him.

All in all, this was a very quick read, and I loved every minute of it.

Highly recommend - 5/5 stars.

*** I would like to thank NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Randy Rainbow for the opportunity to read and review this book.

How this man manages to travel and tour is beyond me. Not only is he introverted, he suffers from anxiety and what many of us would call "being too nice". People may walk all over him or annoy him to death, often just by trying too hard, but he still feels compelled to, as my grandmother would say, "play nice". I cracked up at his effort to right a perceived slight to an airport greeter and guide. Being famous or, as he notes sorta famous, has its perks but also annoyances, too. That's actually good in this case as it gave him lots of things to whine and be aggravated about, his words not mine. I mean, re-read the title. That says it all. Randy Rainbow, far from living the worry/stress-free live of a star, seems to be in a constant state of anxiety. Even worse, despite the rider in his contract, unlike those of mega-stars, his simple requests are rarely fulfilled. I somehow doubt Taylor Swift would be shorted a humidifier in her hotel room if she requested one but, well, you'll see just how far being famous but not on the A-List gets you.

While I'm not sure I enjoyed this one as much as the first book, if you read closely you'll pick up more about what the real Randy Rainbow is really like. He's insecure, a dreamer, fretful, introverted, anxious when he has to travel, wants to please, and, well, the list goes on. The running theme of this book is, of course, of him complaining, so I'm happy to say he does in his usual funny way. Is it possible to be both lighthearted and serious? Somehow he manages. I've read countless books by comedians and they often appear to be some of the saddest people around, so a hint of melancholy isn't a surprise. He's still looking for the one true love but does adore his cat, Tippi, who gets a chapter to sound off about life with Randy, and obviously adores his mother, Gwen. She has a chapter, too, though she denies losing him as a child at a mega entertainment complex (hint, Randy lived in FL prior to moving to NYC). There are even a couple chapters in verse. Nope, not telling. You're just going to have to read the book.

Bottom line, I thoroughly enjoyed spending more time with Randy Rainbow. While I wouldn't want to live his life (although I'd have a constant supply of chocolate on my contract rider), it's a fascinating one to visit. I do feel compelled to offer a trigger warning to those offended by sexual talk, although he handles his less than stellar romantic episodes in a light, breezy way. I actually found myself laughing along with him, even when he delved into his bodily worries. Hey, admit it. We all wish we could be more perfect. Thanks #StMartin'sPress for allowing me to share an early peek at the current status of Randy Rainbow. I know he's on tour as I type, so hope the hotels remember that humidifier and his water.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review on Netgalley


Randy Rainbow is a pleasure to read because he is authentic. Comedy and cultural knowledge shines on every page. He is a great social commentator of our times. Recommended!

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read and review this advance copy.

I read Randy Rainbow's first book and I gotta say - I think I liked this one more! I laughed out loud in a few places. He's obviously very smart and super witty. I enjoyed his cultural observations and the peek into his life as a celebrity who is not quite A list. He gets very personal and honest revealing his body issues. I think the book is a little longer than it needs to be; some of the chapters written in rhyme were probably not necessary.

If you are not liberally-minded then this book is not for you....but you might learn a few things!

3.5 stars

Randy Rainbow has consistently made me laugh since 2020 (when my husband introduced our teens and I to his youtube channel) - his videos helped keep me (relatively) sane during the pandemic and the presidency of one Donald Jessica Trump. I think he’s an amazing performer - he’s wildly creative and makes his viewers think and laugh (and I appreciate anyone whose political ideologies align with my own so seamlessly).

So, when I had the chance to read an early copy of his second book, I certainly did. And I’m glad I did. While I absolutely love to listen to Randy roast the ever-increasingly unhinged GOP in his videos, I really enjoyed this engaging and full of humor essay collection (I think I would have enjoyed it even more listening to Randy narrate the audiobook).

Recommended!


Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the DRC

DNF. Randy is fun to listen to, but reading his book is just not my thing. If he does an audiobook, I may try again. But reading comedy sketches is just not my thing. Sorry.

Thanks to the publisher for the ARC to review.

I love Randy Rainbow, the quintessential homosexual male, especially his satirical song parodies of right wing politicians. I certainly do not fill his usual audience metrics, although I do fill the “childless cat lady” slot that seems to bother JD Vance so much. And I know which (JD or Randy) I would rather spend time with. Randy makes me laugh. Does JD even know how to laugh?

Anyway, this book is funny, light and pokes at the right (and the correct) people. There is so much nastiness out there in the world right now, we are in dire need of something to laugh at.
Randy happily admits to having an agenda, and was probably banned from Florida a long time ago - and that is Florida’s loss, for sure! Part of his platform is packing the Supreme Court with drag queens. I think that could only be an improvement on what we have now and I can’t wait to see Kavanaugh’s discomfort when surrounded by swishing and sparkling queens! No more black robes, I am sure, rainbows all the way.

Another thing I love about this book is that I am now on first name terms with Randy’s Mom!
Hi Gwenny! Boy, did Randy get lucky with you!

So, if you want some grins and giggles, this is the book for you.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers, St. Martin’s Press for providing me with a free e-copy of this book for my honest review.

I received a copy of the book "Low Hanging Fruit" from NetGalley. I am a fan of Randy Rainbow. I have found him to be funny and talented at writing satire political songs that came from many different musicals. This book is more like essays of his life and how he feels about different subjects. He writes of what he finds annoying like the inconsiderate upstairs Apartment neighbor who keeps him up every night very loudly walking and listening to music. Airports can be frustrating especially when he pays the extra money for a "greeter" who is supposed to make things easier for him but gets to chatty. He is also not happy with bad grammar. I liked the chapter about his responses to those who have wrote him something annoying. to him. He had some good comebacks. He wrote a whole chapter with his a mother that he interviewed. He wrote of many other subjects as well in his essays. I found this book enjoyable. Like any book, I liked some chapters more than others.

Randy Rainbow is all that wrapped up in a perfect gay bow, and entertaining to excess. This is a quick read, with short chapters and I was able to devour it in a very short time. His stories about his cat Tippi, his mother and his overall ability to be annoyed at the slightest thing, as well as find the humor in just about everything is refreshing. He makes me laugh out loud.

I read his previous book, and found this just as entertaining. Thank you to Net Galley for this early download. The opinions are my own.

My thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy of this collection of essays by a man whose take on the news is both refreshing, different, funny, and leaves one with a song in their heart and hope for tomorrow.

Comedy is hard. This is something that many people don't realise, including quite a few people who say they are comedians. Parody too is also hard to do. One can have jokes about their family, that usually doesn't get moved out of the news cycle quickly, but a parodist has to be on their game, to see something that few notice, or that the world is confused by. The have to make the joke clear, who this is about and why should we laugh. And get this out before the next public embarrassment happens. Fans expect a lot, and the pressure can be high, but as Donald O'Connor sings, "Make em Laugh". That's precisely what Internet sensation and only reason to keep Twitter or X Randy Rainbow does. Plus he makes one think. And that's even more dangerous. Rainbow's second book Low-Hanging Fruit: Sparkling Whines, Champagne Problems, and Pressing Issues from My Gay Agenda is a collection of essays looking at the world, the Internet, the people who make us laugh, the people we should fear, and of course a few words about cats and moms.

Randy Rainbow started small on the Internet making almost prank interviews with celebrities, a few that became popular and started giving him a following, as he tried to make his career on the stage. 2016 was a year for a lot of people, and Rainbow started to make more comedic parodys about the politics of the time, presidents, hangers-on, those that deserved it soon became the focus of his musical parodies. This book continues Rainbow's adventures from the first book with essays detailing is life, fame, friends, enemies, and well everything. A few of the essays detail how fame has come to him, and how life has changed. Of course there are some words from his mother, and even bit from his cats.

This is the kind of book that people know if they are going to like or not. I liked it, found it funny in places, corny in others, but a lot of fun. Being old some of the references went over my head, being dull a lot of the naughtier things went so far over me they are probably in orbit. And while I liked the jokes about the current state of affairs, I enjoyed the more personal essays also. Reading one appreciates the work that Rainbow puts into his videos, finding songs, making them work with what he is thinking, and presenting it to the world. Rainbow is a good writer, able to make a comment, get a laugh and move on without interrupting the flow of the book, or just seeming like a series of one liners, like the dirty joke book that we read in school. One can see the care and ideas put into these essays, just like his other media work.

Comedians are some of the saddest people one can met. And usually the smartest and most caring. In these essays Rainbow shows that he is all that, and proud of who he is. Which is the best thing one can say about anyone.

Randy Rainbow is an absolute character! His "letter" to his audience at the beginning confused me for a few moments, but it became a lot more clear throughout the book. He is just as witty and hilarious as he depicts in his videos.

I adore Randy and loved this book as much as his first! His humor and wit shine all throughout. I never hesitate to recommend him to others.

Comedian, entertainer Randy Rainbow hones some of his best jokes into this volume, Low-Hanging Fruit. It is full of amusing stand alone stories that really are a relief in these stressful days of late! Recommend!

Well, this is exactly what I expected. Randy Rainbow is hilarious and a lot of fun and I really wish I could meet him. I loved the stories, especially about how he deals with traveling -- I can't imagine not taking all the free things, but it's healthier to choose what makes me feel better instead.
So much personality, and I love that I can watch his videos any time I want when I need a giggle. The videos are clever, political, and so rewatchable.
Thanks so much to NetGalley for letting me read this

Randy Rainbow is simply delightful! I love the vignettes of his life and I know that anyone who reads this book will be as amused as I was. Randy is unique.