I was a blubbering mess throughout the entirety of this book (I am also totally and completely fine). I could not put this down, I love this book so much. I have read all of Elissa Sussman's books and this is definitely my favorite. It was so fun to revisit Chani and Gabe's story. I went into this blind and I didn't realize the stories were connected so it was a delightful surprise.

This book explores grief, the complexities of families, and new love in such a beautiful way. You are going to want to run to your local bookstore on July 8, 2025.

5 STARS ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 10/10, no notes.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this e-arc in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoyed revisiting the same world from her book on Chani and Gabe. This one was a bit of a slow start but once I got into it I enjoyed the way she handed romance and grief.

Seriously will read anything Elissa Sussman writes, I feel like she’s in a league of her own when it comes to romance. The story slowly unfolds giving you details that fill in the blanks as we flip from the past and the present. It had romance, grief, a touch of smut … and I cried. TY NetGalley, will 100% be reco’ing to the book club when it publishes.

I loved Elissa Sussman’s adult romance books, so I was excited to read Totally and Completely Fine.

You meet Lauren, sister of an actor, who lost her husband three years ago. As she works through her grief, she also faces a rough patch with Lena, her teenage daughter.

When Lauren visits Philadelphia to see her brother on set, she meets Ben—another actor with whom she shares an instant attraction. When Ben comes to her small Montana town, is there a chance her one-night stand can become a more serious relationship?

Overall, this book seemed more like women’s fiction than romance. It’s a realistic portrayal of grief and addiction. I also recommend you read Funny You Should Ask before her latest novel. There’s crossover between the books.

Read if you like:
🩵 Celebrity romance
🩵 Small town romance
🩵 Older woman/younger man

Thanks to Dell/Penguin Random House and NetGalley for an eARC of Sussman’s latest work!

Totally and Completely Fine is a love story, but not just for romantic love. It’s a love story about grief and hope and friendship and healing. Elissa writes stories that dig deeper than a regular romance novel. She writes with meaning and intention and intertwines fiction with the ugliness and beauty of reality that makes you feel like you’re a part of the story. Lauren’s story stole my heart within the first page. A grieving widow with the whole world on her shoulders, but still pushing through everyday with the hope that one day her lie of being “fine” will be true. As someone whose best friend is grief, I connected to her journey through grief and healing intimately. No one can write about grief in this way without going through grief themselves. Elissa, your writing is a gift that keeps on giving. Every story you write reminds me why I love the romance genre as much as I do.

Thanks for the chance to review this romance, but it wasn’t for me. Between the style of writing, the fact I didn’t read the first book, and my absolute indifference to the characters and the plot, I had a hard time finishing the book. But not every book is for every person.

I absolutely loved Funny You Should Ask and when I found out there was going to be a sequel about Gabe’s sister I was so excited!!!

I really enjoy how fast paced Sussman’s writing is — her books truly fly by! I do think this does lean more woman’s fiction than romance and I wish I knew that going into it. It deals heavily with grief with a subplot of romance. I don’t think I was in the best headspace to read about grief but the romance was super sweet!

I also loved the family dynamics and how that grew towards the end.

Overall I didn’t love this as much as Funny You Should Ask, but it was still a good book!

Totally and Completely Fine by Elissa Sussman is a novel of grief, love, and self discovery. Lauren Parker is adrift in her small Montana hometown burdened by loss. When she meets Ben Walsh, their fiery chemistry pulls her out of her comfort zone and into the possibility of something new. This book alternates between Lauren’s memories of her late husband and her new blooming connection with Ben. It’s the perfect balance of humor, heartbreak, and passion. Great read!

I have loved Elissa Sussman's previous romance books (Funny You Should Ask / Once More with Feeling) so I was so so so thrilled to get a chance to read her third as an ARC. Thank you Netgalley!!!! I loved this one, too. I loved getting to see Gabe from "Funny" but from his sister's perspective. I loved Lauren and Ben's romance. I would've loved a bit more flashbacks or clearer flashbacks, perhaps. But this is such a minor quibble. I LOVED THIS BOOK!

Elissa Sussman writes the best feelings packed love stories. I highly recommend.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. I would read her grocery lists if allowed.