HUMOR ME by Cat Shook

4 stars

Presley Fry has escaped small town Georgia to New York City where in her mid-20’s she’s slowly making her way up the assistant chain at a late-night comedy show. Presley helps book talent for the show and has recently been tasked with discovering the newest rising comedian to showcase on air. Besides hanging out with her best friend and roommate Isabelle in the East Village, she spends her nights in underground stand-up comedy venues and open mics on the hunt for who’s ready to be showcased on national TV.

Underlying the fun 20-somethings who intensely love New York City vibe are serious elements: Presley’s still reeling from the death of her alcoholic mother, having been brought up by her grandparents, and also she’s been recently befriended by an old childhood friend of her Mom’s, Susan Clark – whose powerful husband has just been denounced for sexual bad behavior at work.

There’s also a Gen Z romance burbling along: between Presley and Adam, a fellow assistant at the late night show, whose boyish sensitivity have them both struggling to break out of best friends’ mode to a relationship.

A fun summer read, blending humor with a feminist twist.

Thanks to Celadon Books and NetGalley for an advanced reader’s copy.

Stacy DeBroff

Stacy DeBroff, founder and CEO of Mom Central.com and social and digital consultancy, Influence Central, is a social media strategist, attorney, and best-selling parenting author. A sought-after expert for national media, she trend-spots regularly with national brands and speaks frequently to national and international audiences on a wide range of subjects, including influencer marketing, social media, entrepreneurship, and consumer trends. A passionate cook, gardener, reader, and tennis player, she adores this new chapter of post-college-age parenting.