Romantic Comedy

By Curtis Sittenfeld,

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

11 authors picked Romantic Comedy as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Whip smart funny and touching. I cannot believe this is the same author who wrote The American Wife. An entirely different book both in subject matter and tone. A romantic story for those who do not generally read romances. A romantic heroine who does not believe in romance. The biggest obstacle to Sally’s happiness if her inability to believe that Noah is really attracted to her. Described with such honesty, precision and affection that it leaves you gasping. Set in the world of sketch writers for a fictional copy of Saturday Night Live. A novel that shows it is possible…

I found this novel to be an original take on the romantic comedy genre, and a clever commentary on the modern and often hypocritical world of dating. The dialogue hums with acerbic wit and banter between two people who are inexplicably drawn to each other.

Romantic Comedy was everything I want from a romantic comedy. Sittenfeld does an incredible job building the world of a TV show modeled after SNL. The details made it come alive. And the characters are ones you root for. 5 star read for me!

Love Love TV

By Gabriel Ruesso,

Book cover of Love Love TV

Gabriel Ruesso

New book alert!

What is my book about?

Christopher Jope was supposed to be the next great celebrity heartthrob. But then he was demoted to third wheel in the supernatural throuple romance he starred in years ago. Now, he’s a B-list celebrity at best, struggling to find success in his work or love in his personal life. 

Things are looking up, though, when Christopher is tapped to be next season's star of the best trashy reality show on television. In Star x Lovers, ten bachelors and ten bachelorettes compete to try and win Christopher's heart and mind. The show is run by the charming yet jaded host Ted…

Love Love TV

By Gabriel Ruesso,

What is this book about?

Love Love TV is a 1st person bisexual romance novel that quickly morphs into a 'whodunnit' murder mystery. Fans of Agatha Christie meets Black Mirror will love this modern story about love, loss, reality TV, and being so famous it hurts.

Star x Lovers is the best trash reality show on TV. Twenty bachelors and bachelorettes on a gorgeous island try to win the heart of Christopher Jope, the B-list celebrity from an old, popular supernatural teenage series. Love Love TV, the secretive television network behind Star x Lovers, does a masterful job at getting as much drama out of…


Romantic Comedy proves that romance novels can be smart, sophisticated, and brilliantly written! I fell in love with Sally and Noah's love story. Sittenfeld is so skilled at conveying subtle emotions and thoughts, so I felt completely immersed in the world and character interiority. Plus, it's laugh out loud funny, and I love a good, old-fashioned happy ending.

Curtis Sittenfeld has been a go-to author for me since I read and loved her debut, Prep, in 2005.

Her latest, Romantic Comedy, centers on Sally, a comedy writer at The Night Owls (a stand-in for Saturday Night Live) who finds herself the subject of affection of a very famous singer, Noah. I am a longtime fan of SNL, and I loved the inside look at sketch development and the hierarchy and competition among the writers and actors.

I alternated between relating to Sally and wanting to throttle her for not recognizing her own worth, but in a…

There was a moment when everyone I knew seemed to be reading this book, and I just had to join the club. I’m glad I did; Sittenfeld’s portrayal of working in television comedy is so gripping and cool. In fact, I enjoyed that aspect of it so much I didn’t need the romance part!

But the relationship between Sally and Noah is so intriguing; it’s a kind of fantasy played out, and I willingly suspended disbelief as a reader that someone as famous, hot, talented, funny, and kind as Noah could exist. I want Sally’s celebrity boyfriend, AND I want…

I liked cynical Sally Milz. She's a writer for a show that sounds to us like Saturday Night Live. It’s The Night Owls, which, like SNL, has a weekly A-list guest host.

Often, the female hosts are beautiful, the sort of women who could land any male on the planet. And guess what? These women often fall for men who are subpar in the looks department. Sally is convinced an average-looking woman scoring a gorgeous guy would never happen. But when Noah Brewster comes to host and actually likes Sally and flirts with her, what is she to make of…

From Carolyn's list on that have a beating heart.

For the last couple of years, I have had one rule: no books about Covid! So, it was a good thing going in that I had no idea what to expect from this book going in. The main character, Sally Milz, is a lot like you and me, only a lot funnier.

She has a fear of commitment and a dump truck full of insecurities. One of those insecurities is that she’s not good enough to date one of the guest hosts on her comedy show, even if he’s openly flirting. Even if they have all the chemistry, he’s too…

I haven’t read a book by Sittenfeld that I didn’t love. This book was no different.

I needed a lighthearted read between some dark material, and Romantic Comedy did not disappoint. The story was both an escape from reality and a harsh reminder of it. I always feel a little awkward when I put something about bodily functions in a book, in this story Sittenfeld reminded me that it is always relatable. 

I’m a big fan of Saturday Night Live and sketch comedy, and I once took a stand-up comedy class for fun, so this book was right up my alley.

This book features a female writer for a sketch comedy show, and provides many interesting insights about the goings-on behind the scenes. I laughed many times at the main character’s sometimes irreverent sense of humor. Her struggles with how best to deal with annoying coworkers, a competitive and sometimes sexist work environment, and finding love and satisfaction were relatable.

I liked that the show’s guest host – a popular singer –…

Want books like Romantic Comedy?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 79 books like Romantic Comedy.

Browse books like Romantic Comedy

Book cover of The Hunger Games
Book cover of Dear Committee Members
Book cover of Nothing to See Here

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,187

readers submitted
so far, will you?

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in Saturday Night Live, stand-up comedy, and pop music?

Stand-Up Comedy 12 books
Pop Music 48 books