Upasna Barath’s short novel is a reminder that we do not need to be our ideal selves before taking a leap in love and life. We don’t need to wait to have the perfect career, correct bank balance, best body before finally allowing ourselves to connect with someone. I think our generation (Millennial & older Gen Z) forgets that we don’t have to have everything figured out and that the journey is the point.

This story is poignant and relatable as it details the life of imperfect Naina who has just relocated to NYC to pursue a creative career, to leave behind her long term relationship, to explore her sexuality and to find who she is and what she wants.

Thank you to @831storieshq @netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. This title is available on January 28th!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
Book: Comedic Timing by Upsana Barath
Genre: Romance

Ahh this book made me feel like I was chatting with a close friend! I was in a reading slump and this cute little novella helped me get out of it from the very first sentence. The author, Upasna Barath, totally nails how messy and confusing relationships can be, especially when you are trying to understand yourself. The book digs into some heavy stuff like grief and identity, but it does it with this awesome, down-to-earth vibe.

The story is about Naina Rao, a young woman trying to figure out her life when she moves to New York City from Chicago after a tough breakup with her girlfriend. When she meets David, things get complicated - in the best possible way. You end up rooting for these characters even when they are not great at communicating, because let’s face it, that is how real relationships often work. The story captures the whole “what am I doing with my life?” vibe that pretty much everyone in their twenties goes through. If you are into character-driven stories that are honest about modern love and identity, with a sprinkle of NYC magic, Comedic Timing is definitely worth checking out! It will leave you feeling nostalgic and craving more from 831 Stories!

Thank you so much to #NetGalley @netgalley, @831storieshq and the author @upasnabarath for sending me this lovely ARC of #ComedicTiming in exchange for my honest review.

I’ve been loving these novellas but this story was not my favorite. Naina was a character i struggled with, and her, for lack of a better word, constant whining. Lots packed into this story though!

This was a surprisingly complex novella given its length; a brief glimpse into the lives of realistic characters. Hope there’s another one in the works with other characters!

This story is about Naina who moves from Chicago to NYC after a major breakup with her girlfriend. She’s hoping for a fresh start at a new job in a new city. Then she meets David.

I really enjoyed this novella. It felt a bit more like literary fiction with a side of romance. Naina is grappling with her queer identity, and trying to understand her relationship with David and what that means. Grief is also a major topic interwoven into this story, and how that has impacted their lives and relationships. Both characters felt raw and relatable, the story felt messy but true to life. It made me nostalgic for my twenties, when we are trying to figure out who we really are.

This was such a lovely story! It was fast paced and extremely charming. Our two main characters are some of the loveliest humans I’ve ever read about. Naina’s self discovery journey was beautiful and David is such a gentle soul. I wish it was longer!!

✅Naina, fresh off a breakup with her long term girlfriend, has moved to New York for a job in marketing and to pursue her writing career
✅ David, works in advertising, wants to be a filmmaker
✅ after a disastrous first meeting, they slowly become friends, with Naina trying to figure out her sexuality
🌶️: yes

This novella moves quickly, and will keep you turning the pages - I finished it in a few hours!

This is my first novella from 831 Stories and I’m looking forward to reading the rest! This is a realistic story of two people with flaws trying to figure out how they can change and grow in the midst of starting a new relationship. The discussion of trying to sort through the FMC’s chaos surrounding her identity was so real and I truly appreciated that.

Thank you NetGalley and the author for this ARC.

This book follows Naina, fresh off a breakup and newly relocated from Chicago to New York. She meets David at a house party and is thrown off by the fact that he's the first guy she's ever found herself attracted to. I've loved the 831 novellas but Big Fan remains my favorite. Both of these characters just had so much angst I had a hard time getting into it which might just be reflective of me looking for a lighter read but I can see how it would be appealing to a lot of people.

Thank you to 831 Stories and NetGalley for the ARC of Comedic Timing by Upasna Barath! I absolutely loved this novella, and it’s officially my favorite 831 publication to date.

The story follows Naina, a young woman new to New York from Chicago and fresh off a breakup with her girlfriend of five years—the only relationship she’s ever been in and one that shaped much of her understanding of her queerness. When Naina finds herself unexpectedly drawn to David, a man who makes her feel safe, seen, and wanted, she’s left grappling with a wave of confusion. She’s never been attracted to a man before, but there’s something undeniable about their connection.

What makes Comedic Timing so special is its ability to navigate the complexities of relationships and identity with such authenticity. Upasna Barath captures the messiness and beauty of attraction, reminding us that it often transcends labels and exists in the emotional spaces where we feel most understood.

The Brooklyn setting adds an extra layer of charm for me, as I always enjoy stories rooted in the borough’s vibrancy and diversity. The characters felt incredibly real, their emotions deeply relatable, and their reactions honest to the challenges they faced.

This novella moved me with its exploration of safety, vulnerability, and the evolving nature of love. It’s a sharp, heartfelt, and profoundly human story that I can’t recommend enough.

Comedic Timing by Upasna Barath is a heartfelt and refreshing novella that perfectly captures the charm and chaos of life in New York City. As someone who loves books set in NYC, I found this story to be a delightful exploration of the small quirks and tender moments that define the city. Barath’s ability to weave the vibrant energy of New York into Naina’s personal journey of growth and healing adds a layer of richness to the narrative. The novella’s brevity doesn’t detract from its emotional depth—each chapter feels purposeful, painting a vivid portrait of grief, friendship, and unexpected romance.

What sets Comedic Timing apart is how it delves into the lingering presence of grief and the ways it shapes our relationships. Naina’s loss of her mother is a subtle but ever-present undercurrent that informs her hesitations and desires, especially as she navigates new friendships and romantic entanglements. Her relationship with David unfolds organically, a slow-burn connection built on shared experiences and unspoken pain. I appreciated how Barath resists the urge to rush their relationship, allowing their bond to grow through quiet, intimate moments rather than grand gestures. The story’s authenticity shines through in its depiction of mid-twenties uncertainty—nights spent at house parties, questioning life choices, and yearning for connection.

Despite some moments where Naina’s impulsiveness felt frustrating, her flaws made her feel real and relatable. David’s imperfections, including his occasional lack of awareness, only added to the authenticity of their dynamic. I found myself rooting for them even when their communication faltered because their relationship reflected the messy, beautiful nature of real-life connections. Comedic Timing is not just a love story—it’s a coming-of-age tale about embracing vulnerability and the courage it takes to open up to someone new. This novella left me feeling nostalgic and eager for more from 831 Stories. If you enjoy character-driven romances with emotional depth and a touch of NYC magic, this book is a must-read.

Thanks NetGalley and 831!!!

I'm a sucker for a book set in New York and this one was the perfect book to capture the little quirks of the city.

Upsana Barath's Comedic Timing expertly explores how grief is ever present, especially as we make life decisions and form relationships with others. Naina lost her mom many years ago and I think this loss definitely shapes how she approaches forming relationships. She's had one serious relationship with a woman five years older than her and it was a bit of toxic relationship. She moves to New York for work and meets David. They don't instantly connect, it's more of slow burn friendship that turns into two people connecting over shared grief.

I've loved 831 Stories' debut into the publishing world with these short novellas and their relatable messages. Overall, this novella hit the spot and I can't wait to read more from 831 Stories!

Reading this book made me so nostalgic for my twenties — that time in life when you were still searching and figuring out who you were, while also attending house parties. I loved this little story. Even though, and I know he’d hate to hear me say it, David is a bit of a f*ckboy, and Naina’s little moment of weakness at the end had me furious, these felt like real people trudging through real problems, just with the sparkle of romance that we love about the genre.

Thank you to Net Galley for a free ebook in exchange for this honest review.

Comedic Timing is yet another exciting and easy to devour romance novella. In this we follow Naina, freshly arrived in NYC and out of her only real relationship as she attends a party at a friend of a friends. There she meets David whom she feels an instant connection that gives her more questions than answers - does she like him romantically and thus has to question her sexuality or is she just seeking validation from someone. They begin to develop a connection and learn more about each other. Naina is a refreshingly real character who has emotional outbursts and makes mistakes - it was a fun look at modern dating and the dynamics of new relationships.

I really enjoyed this short story romance. The dialogue was very fresh and modern and both the main character and love interest had great chemistry from the very beginning. Naina's inner dialogue was very well written and helped the plot flow naturally.

I’ve been devouring these 831 books. I loved the vulnerability and emotional aspect of this story. A bonus is the book being based in New York, would 10/10 recommend anyone to read.

I have been OBSESSING over these 831 stories novellas!!

Comedic Timing was definitely not my favorite, but it was still a good and quick read. There was a lot jam packed in there and I disliked Naina lol She was whiny AF, but David was fine. I don’t think the two of them are meant to be together, but their little sexiii time was 🥵

Looking forward to Set Piece next!! Thank you 831 for my eARC.

I enjoyed Comedic Timing. It really captures the sadness and difficulty of being in your mid-twenties. It was beautifully written and I liked that the love between the main characters wasn’t easy and clear cut.

eARC provided by NetGalley!

I enjoyed this newest 831 Stories installment. I thought the romance was lovely and real, but often times their communication and dialogue was awkward and confusing. I enjoyed that the characters weren’t perfect but it felt like the ending was a bit rushed and they didn’t fully have the character development they needed to be ready to be together.

Overall I did enjoy reading this quick NYC love story.

This book was difficult for me to get through. I believe that is partially due to the fact that I am not the target audience for the humor that appeared (it seemed very millennial flavored), but also the fact that the dialogue and narration seemed so strange to me. Many times it felt weirdly forced, like the author wanted to include these facts and feelings but didn’t know how to naturally do such a thing, so instead it was just dumped there. The main character was certainly imperfect, but that was ~heavily~ acknowledged, so it didn’t seem as offensive.