(minor-maybe-major spoilers ahead - you have been warned)

look, i want to preface this by saying i REALLY enjoyed the first chunk of this book. I think it’s an interesting premise (yeah i am in fact a SNL lover, so this was like, the perfect book at first) and the pacing and most characters (besides Sally because, man, she could be really unlikable and not-like-other-girls at times - but respect where it’s due, she’s a powerful and strong career woman) were quite well done. it’s such an interesting place for a story like this to take place, because of the fast paced nature of live sketch comedy shows and it offers a unique set up for a story that could take place over a number of years and episodes of said show. like i give that first chunk 4 stars - so fun.

but man. that second chunk starts with the emails, and i just lost all interest. i just, truly, don’t see why it had to be set during 2020. like, i skimmed through a bit of the rest of the book and really, i think it could have worked much better as a story of these two weaving in and out of each others lives, crossing paths, until they realize their feelings and so on. i truly don’t think it being set in the global pandemic served the book well - it, in fact, made me immediately lose interest because, well, i lived through that time so very recently and i honestly don’t want to read a romance novel set during that time now or in the near future (and, probably, not ever). like i really believe this book could have been 5 stars for me in another life, if only it went down slightly different path, one that felt less - and this isn’t the right word but bare with me until i can find the right one to edit this review with - cringey.

i did, genuinely, enjoy that first chunk, but sadly, the rest just didn’t do it for me - which sucks because, again, as an SNL and rom-com fan, this novel should have been perfect for me.