If you’re in the mood for a sweet, adorable romcom, grab this up immediately!

About the Book

Dumped by Instagram post. Not a whiff of a social life. Can it get any worse?

After a string of failed relationships – romantic and platonic – Lea’s had enough of watching life happen without her. When she bumps into Shep, a comedian at the Edinburgh festival in need of accommodation, it feels like destiny. And voilá – Lea now has a lodger and some company.

The two get on like a flat on fire, and Lea can’t resist falling for outgoing Shep. But she knows it’s a mistake that will cost her heart – he’s just another guy passing through, after all. And with Shep’s stand-up routine edging him closer to his big break, there’s no way he’ll stick around.

Love is no laughing matter as the festival draws to a close. Can Lea find the confidence to step up and confess her feelings to Shep? Will he want to stay?

A feel-good, heartwarming romance for anyone desperate to break out of their shell and find their true self. Perfect for fans of Beth O’Leary, Laura Jane Williams and Miranda Dickinson.

My Thoughts

This is a sweet romcom, and if you’re looking for a good read to take your mind off things – this might be it. That said, it involves a lot of drama, a big dash of loneliness, and a ton of awkwardness and potentially cringeworthy situations. If that, however, sounds like a fantastic beachy summer read, then you will not want to miss this awesome summer romance focused on Edinburgh Fringe Fest.

The story is a gorgeous exploration of loneliness and the human condition, especially the need for love, friendship, and support. Instead of just focusing on romantic love, it really delves into the need we have for platonic love. Our FMC Lea has just been dumped, which isn’t the exact end of the world. She’s more upset about the fact that all her “friends” are too busy to talk about it. So, when she sees a guy staring into his beer, looking sad, she sees it as a chance to be a good person.

Weirdly, this is kind of how I accidentally asked my husband on our first date – because he had broken up with his girlfriend and he was new in town, so I thought he’d be lonely. I didn’t realize it was a date. So, if you think it’s ridiculous – I can vouch for this storyline. 😀 Sometimes, trying to be nice can change the course of your life!

This was a bit of a bittersweet read for me because I’m also in a place with few in-person friendships. So, I felt that on a visceral level. It definitely gave me hope, though!

The book started off a little slow for me, but it quickly gained momentum. I enjoyed the growth both MCs saw in the story and enjoyed the journey to the sweet ending!

Who’s It For?

This is an absolutely adorable romantic comedy with massive amounts of awkward situational humor. If you love romance books, sweet/ awkward humor, and situational misunderstandings, this is a great read. It also has a lot of focus on platonic relationships and growth in all of these relationships. That said, it involves a lot of drama, a big dash of loneliness, and a ton of awkwardness. So, I know there are people – especially on the neurodivergent spectrum – who will find all of that especially difficult to handle, so please beware of that!

Content Warnings: Adult Language, Adult Situations, Betrayal, Dysfunctional Family, Dysfunctional Friendships, Loneliness,

Question of the Day

Have you ever been to Fringe Fest (or any other comedy shows)?

Answer of the Day

One time, my friend had some extra tickets to see Eddie Izzard here in New Orleans, and the show was absolutely amazing!!

About the Author

Nina Kaye is a contemporary romance author who writes warm, witty and uplifting reads with a deeper edge. She lives in Edinburgh with her husband and much-adored side-kick, James. In addition to writing, Nina enjoys swimming, gin and karaoke (preferably all enjoyed together in a sunny, seaside destination). Nina has previously published The Gin Lover’s Guide to Dating and has also been a contender for the RNA Joan Hessayson Award.

Amazon US: https://a.co/d/9u7Ynjs
Bookshop US: https://bookshop.org/a/25511/9781804366325
Amazon UK: https://amzn.eu/d/7xkWJ7b
Bookshop UK: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/stand-up-guy-the-most-uplifting-romance-you-ll-read-this-year-nina-kaye/7531374?ean=9781804366325
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/195611043-stand-up-guy
Author Website: https://www.ninakaye.co.uk/

As a Bookshop.org (US) Affiliate, I may earn on qualifying purchases. Bookshop.org purchases support local, independent bookshops. My chosen affiliate bookshop is Tubby & Coo’s Traveling Bookshop, a local, queer-owned bookshop in New Orleans.