Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld @csittenfeld #KristenSieh @ReesesBookClub @PRHAudio

the setup…
Sally Milz is living what she believes is her best life. She’s a sketch writer on The Night Owls (TNO), a Saturday night television comedy show (yes, think SNL). It’s the job she’s held for almost ten years and the one she dreamed of for years. She’s content with her occasional hook-ups, having given up on love after a few dismal heartbreaks. That is until music legend Noah Brewster is signed to the show as both the musical and guest host. Sally and Noah work together on a couple of sketches and she can’t ignore what seems to be his interest in her (and her of him!). But at the after party, her insecurities push her to blow up any opportunity to pursue more. Transition two years forward to the beginning of the pandemic and Sally is back in her hometown Missouri with her stepfather when she gets an email from Noah. They begin a communication that forces her to deal with the man that threatens to upset the comfortable world she’s created for herself.

the heart of the story…
I’m a fan of SNL so I was intrigued from the start with Sally’s job on TNO. I wish I had the kind of mind that could create brilliant comedy so this aspect of the story was fascinating, especially those scenes where Sally and Noah were working together to develop and tighten the sketches. Sally really is the heart of the story as outwardly she’s self confident, really comfortable in her own skin and has a wicked wit. But when faced with opportunities to explore romantic possibilities, her insecurities skyrocket into the neurosis zone. The idea that someone like Noah whose not only famous but gorgeous and could have his pick of glamorous women could be interested in someone like her was not something she could fathom. In fact, she created a whole sketch around the conundrum that the reverse is often true for men. I liked exploring how this extraordinarily talented woman could have such deep rooted doubts about herself when it comes to romance because she’s not alone in this. It was a smart analysis, highlighting the realities that create these feelings. However, it got to a point where her continued testing of Noah (who I adored) got old.

the narration…
The narrator was beyond outstanding, capturing the essence of the performers in a late night comedy show that felt real! She could transition from that rapid fire dialogue to more normalcy in an instant. And, she made Sally relatable while handling the host of other characters with distinction. If I see her name associated with another book, she’ll be a tipping point.

the bottom line…
I’ve steered clear of stories that focused on the pandemic because I’m living that life and wanted to escape it but this landed just fine. I liked Sally and really enjoyed the TNO portion of the story. Some have been off put by the few political references, which didn’t really add anything to the story. I expected them because it’s a staple of the show so it didn’t bother me but it was an unnecessary distraction. It was the exporation of Sally that gives the story substance and hooked me, the examination of how extraordinarily talented, confident women can be so imbalanced when it comes to romance. This isn’t a romantic comedy…that’s just how Sally (and others) imagine romance playing out in her life. I know this woman! And, this would make a great movie.

Book Info

• Release Date: April 4, 2023
• Narrator: Kristen Sieh
• Audio Length: 9 hours, 5 minutes
• Publisher: Random House Audio

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