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 Fringe 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 Fringe 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.
Nina Kaye is a contemporary romance author who writes warm, witty and uplifting reads with a deeper edge.
Nina started writing her first novel when she was seventeen (and locked in her room, supposedly studying for her future). It was a short-lived experience that ended as soon as Nina’s exams did, but the dream of writing never left her.
Nina 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).
I always feel harsh rating a book lower than 2 stars, but sometimes needs must 😩
The main issue I had with this one is that being in Lea’s head was straight up anxiety inducing. She was so negative about every aspect of her life, and when a romance book is told from one character’s POV, the reader needs to have a mixture of tones to feel fully immersed in the story. A lot of Lea’s inner thoughts were just so pitiful that it was genuinely a bit depressing getting through them.
I didn’t buy into the romance, really - it was very whirlwind, and I didn’t expect her and Shep to get together as quickly as they did. It spoiled any potential build-up of chemistry and I wasn’t rooting for them at all.
I did very much enjoy the comedy show parts of the story, however. I thought that the author did a great job with this aspect of the storyline; there was clearly a lot of thought that went into Shep’s routines, and I liked reading about them.
Overall, though, this book was a swing and a miss for me. I hate romances where I feel like I can’t get on board with the main characters’ relationship, and this unfortunately fell into that category.
This is genuinely my new favorite romance novel. No miscommunication tropes, just two adults telling each other how they’re feeling consistently. *chef’s kiss*
This will not be my last Nina Kaye novel! Amazingly written dialogue, thoughts, and characterizations. It made me so excited to go to Edinburgh, and I won’t even deduct points for the love interest sharing a name with my ex 🫡
Almost DNF so many times. Got through this solely for the setting. Quite immature and repetitive writing style throughout. I didn’t really buy into the romance as such as it was very whirlwind. Overall, this book was a miss for me and was quite flat.
I have hoovered up all of Nina Kaye's books so far, and Stand Up Guy was no different. Lea, the MC, has been dumped rather unceremoniously, and she is finding life hard with no other close friends around her. It happens to be the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where she lives, and a chance encounter with another person who looks down on their luck changes the projection of her life. Shep is a comedian, trying his luck doing free shows to build his experience. But he has no support from his own family, and thanks to an emergency at his accommodation, it looks like this chance might be scuppered too. Lea offers her spare room to the relative stranger and the developments over a short period cause all sorts of havoc in her life. I loved this whole story. Lea is a sorry character at the beginning, but you see her develop into a great character as she increases her circle. The side characters are great too, and bring another layer to the story. The romance that develops is a brilliant 'will they/ they?' story, and I was totally on board. A wonderful read and highly recommended. Many thanks to NetGalley and Canelo for an ARC.
Read and reviewed for Nina Kaye, Netgalley, Canelo, Canelo Romance and Rachel's Random Resources.
Publication date 18th January 2024..
This is the first book I have read by this author but it most definitely will not be my last!!
This novel consists of 37 chapters and an epilogue. The chapters are short to medium in length so easy to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
What an absolutely fantastic laugh a minute, heart warming, stunning must read!!! Absolutely loved it fair play!!! This book has fantastic descriptions that set you straight in the scenes. The cover, title and synopsis suit the storyline perfectly.
The storyline itself was absolutely unputdownable so make sure you clear your schedules before starting to read it!!
OMG!!! I absolutely love, LOVE, LOVED this absolutely gorgeous book!!! I must say it has got to be one of the best romances I have ever read!! In this gorgeous book we meet Lea who loves her work but not her non existent social life. She is embarrassed by the fact that she has no friends and to make things worse she has just found out that her boyfriend is moving to Australia which she discovered via social media. She decides to cheer herself up by going out when she sees a man who looks like he is having as bad a day as her. After a not so cute meet she finds out his (nick)name is Shep, his family looks down on him, he is a stand up comedian but has nowhere to stay so is giving up. Lea offers up her spare room so he has somewhere to stay and she has some company but when things start looking up for Shep Lea starts questioning her feelings. Will Shep's comedy routine take him away? Has Lea set herself up for another heartache? To find out you'll just have to grab your copy of this stunning book today!! The first thing I have got to say is congratulations Nina on taking the difficult topics of loneliness and bullying and highlighting the impact of them both while still managing to weave them into a fantastic storyline that both makes the reader laugh out loud while seeing the difficulties someone with loneliness faces. I really resonated with Lea in the fact that I am in the same position when it comes to having no go to friends and Nina does an amazing job of the struggles Lea faces with having nobody to talk to about the ups and downs of the day or just going out with a friend. Anyway, sorry, I went on a bit there but I just wanted to say well done. I absolutely loved this beautiful slow burn romance that had me hooked from the first word to the last. It is absolutely rammed with humour, love, friendship, heartache, laughter and just absolutely anything and everything you could ask for in a stunning page turner! I love that the main characters were so realistic and both jumped out of the pages at me. They are amazing characters separately as well as together and I just loved seeing their characters and relationship grow throughout the book. It really is a stunning read with beautiful characters and I was gutted when I came to the end. I was completely invested in the characters and the storyline throughout. This is a stunning book by Nina with multiple layers and many unique and unforgettable characters as well as so much going on!!! Nina's fantastic evocative descriptions ensures the reader can see and feel everything that the characters are feeling and seeing and it felt like I had been sucked into the storyline with them. This is a story and characters that will stay with me for a very long time!! Pick up your copy of this stunner and get ready to jump on a rollercoaster ride of emotions from love, laughter, happiness where you will laugh out loud and cry with happiness!!! I was absolutely addicted to this book and just could not put it down!!! There was no chance of just one more chapter and I ended up devouring it in a day!!! I cannot wait to get the rest of the books by this extremely talented author!! The setting and atmosphere was absolutely gorgeous and I loved watching the characters relationships change throughout while discovering the absolutely amazing Edinburgh and it's festivals. The majority of the characters were amazing but I could not abide Paul or Sal who were bot absolutely horrid. I cannot abide bullies and there is just no excuse for the behaviour seen in this book. However, you cannot love everyone in a book and it wouldn't be as much fun if you didn't love to hate someone!!! Regardless of how I felt about them they all played their parts perfectly and will live in my mind for a long time!! It really is one of those feel good books that is perfect to read curled up in front of a fire or lying on the beach. I could go on and on but seriously just get your copy and get sucked in. Your really won't regret it!!
An absolutely stunning, page turning MUST READ!!
A MASSIVE WELL DONE to Nina on a HUGE success!!! I loved every page of your book and I cannot wait to read more past and future amazing books. This is exactly why I would like to welcome to you to my top 3 romance author list!! Here's to your next success 🥂!
Overall an unputdownable, unforgettable, stunning romcom that will have you staying up late at night to finish it.
297 pages.
This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle and £8.09 in paperback via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
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I’m a huge fan of cheesy romance but this was not it. Almost DNF so many times but kept wondering if maybe the ending would somehow make up for some of it.
Sounds like it was written by a 12 year old. Very repetitive and strongly disliked “Shep” from his very first line. I feel like they tried to give both main characters a background but for me it all fell very flat.
Normally I don’t read romance, but I guess the appeal of a book set in Edinburgh (my hometown) during the Fringe did seem very appealing to me.
Whilst I did enjoy it, there are also many things that really got under my skin too.
The Good: - The setting was done perfectly. The way the author describes Edinburgh and especially Fringe Edinburgh (even if many of the restaurants and other locations the characters hung out at aren’t actually real) was really well written. There are so many intricacies for what the festival feels like for Edinburgh locals and this book I feel just perfectly encapsulated them. - The girl group in this book is really supportive of each of each other. Even though they were set up in the most awkward of circumstances by Lea’s boyfriend, they still were really fun to read and their antics together did bring a smile to my face. Their kind group messages to Lea when she was going through the trenches were also really sweet too. - Lea, the protagonist, was a really well developed character. The book goes into a lot of detail discussing her childhood and how she got the point she was at with regards to how she views relationships and her struggles with friendship etc. As a person I think she grows quite a lot throughout the book, learning to stand up for herself, learning who she is and what she wants towards the end which was nice to see. - Shep (the main love interest) (I mean what kinda name is that?.!??!) was a comedian working a free fringe show. He was pretty funny and provided some decent one liners that cracked me up a bit. The scenes about his comedy sketches were also really well done too and I liked them a lot.
The not so good: - These two people are absolutely not good for each other! Win the beginning both Lea and Shep communicated very openly about their feelings and whereabouts and I loved this. Their relationship started off so not toxic, but then he just dumped her? Because of one bad show. This behaviour was just so problematic on his part. It also felt that Shep only wanted her for sex most of the time (as he said on multiple occasions: ‘you’re top-notch in bed’) - verbatim. I’m cringing just writing this. And then when they got back together, I felt so mad for these guys, him in particular. -the ending just felt rushed. Shep says sorry to Lea and she falls for him again… girl, grow a backbone…. And Shep… bro stop being such a twat please. - Sal (the mean girl of the friend group) just ground on me wayyy tooo much. I get that was her point, to antagonise the characters and show how good everyone else was, but her behaviour just came out of nowhere and even if she wasn’t there, I feel the book would’ve been better. -The romance felt very whirlwind (they got together in three days), which I think is way too quick. Obviously I get that they were in a precarious spot and it was meant to feel like a summer fling type, but if that was the case, why would he get back together with her at the end of the festival? -the boyfriends of the girl group. There was talk they did some ‘bad things’ and then little other mention of them after that. And then in the end of the book, one of the girls is dating her ex again and we’re supposed to just accept that he’s not ‘as bad’ anymore even though we know nothing about him as a character.
Overall a fun little book that got me out of a months-long reading slump but I think it wasn’t fully for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Full disclosure: I read this almost solely because of the setting - the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Which is one of my favourite things and favourite places, in the history of things and places.
So it gets a little rating bump from me just based on the fact that I could vicariously get a little of that Fringe vibe through reading it, imagining myself having fish and chips on Rose Street, traversing The Meadows to go see a circus show or navigating all the people handing out flyers up and down The Royal Mile and soaking up the collective creative energy. It's been far too long...
Aaaanyhoo, back to the review. It's a sweet and mildly amusing romance - starring Lea, AKA No Mates Norma - a young scientist who feels alone and adrift after all her uni mates have moved on, and Kieran Shepard (don't trust me on the spelling as I listened to the audio version) - AKA Shep, a Northern Irish stand-up comedian who suddenly finds himself without accommodation and facing the very uninviting prospect of having to leave the festival early before he's had a chance to make his mark. But never fear, Lea just so happens to have a spare room! Well, you can see where this is going, right? It is fairly predictable, which is kind of OK for a romance honestly.
I appreciated how the book dealt with the subject of loneliness among young people with both depth and sensitivity, and could easily imagine myself having ended up in Lea's circumstances with a few minor adjustments to my post-uni life. And like I said, I appreciated the setting.
Although it had a few amusing moments, I had really expected to laugh more, given that one of the main characters is a stand-up. And I guess I didn't really see Shep's charm/their chemistry.
I enjoyed seeing Lea form new friendships, but the whole Sal situation seemed over-the-top to me, and written kind of like a childish revenge fantasy - like maybe the author was bullied and this is some kind of wish fulfillment - but I am absolutely willing to accept that I'm reading too much into this as a previous victim of bullying myself. And I do understand how you can become friends with someone and sort of stay friends with them throughout the years without fully noticing that you're not compatible just because you've been friends for such a long time.
It was a sweet story with a nice ending, but not a stand-out.
‘The path to true love is a winding little bugger, isn’t it?’
I hate giving negative reviews but man this was…not good. By about halfway through I’d realised I couldn’t in good faith give it more than 4 stars because I couldn’t actually feel the romance? There wasn’t any particular build up, just a ‘no I don’t like him’, ‘now I do’, and I couldn’t feel any real spark between the characters. In the third quarter I was starting to get a little annoyed with the characters and I’d marked it down to three stars, but the ending made me knock it down to two stars because she allows him to walk all over her and just instantly forgives him because he’s a smooth talker, once again with no real spark there.
I also have to say I hated most of the characters 😭 love to Tess, Becca, and Tanya who were all icons but everyone else sucked. Lea is just one of those people who refuses to tell anyone what’s going on then gets sad that she’s isolated in her feelings, and whilst I empathised with her at first, she sort of came across as a bit pathetic by the end of the book, especially with the reunion. Shep is just a bit of tw*t; very unserious constantly, which isn’t a major issue but more of a side point, but the way he treats Lea throughout, especially at the climax of the book, is just not on. Sal was a colossal bitch, which I know is the point, but she grated on me too much. She claims to be trying to protect her friends or whatever but her friends say she doesn’t really interact with them even when Lea’s not around; she’s just a trashy human being.
The plot was alright? And I did like that Kaye made Shep seem untrustworthy to the reader when Lea didn’t trust him then he got more trustworthy as Lea trusted him more, but other than that, not a good romance and not a generally good book.
A beautifully written lighthearted read I really enjoyed the pace the humour the characters were very well thought of.Lea I can relate to she just wants to help people she's kind and caring and sees the best in people.i felt for lea being isolated not having friends to go out with.Lea really did help shep so he could live his dream of being a comedian.Shep was a wonderful guy with plenty of humour.his family didn't support that he wanted to be a xomedian when the rest of his family were doctors.they didn't believe in him.lea believed in shep she gave him the support and encouragement he needed to become a good comedian.I loved how lea stood up to aa bully who was intimidating her and being so horrible and mean towards lea.it was great to see lea have a good group of friends she was always working long hours then going home to her empty flat.this was a fun read I'm going to search what other books nina has written.this made my days geel brighter especially as rhe weather has been grey and gloomy
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I was immediately drawn to this book by the fun front cover. I was looking for some great summer romances to read over this season and this was a great addition to my list with the perfect combination.
I was instantly drawn into Lea's world and the story of her life. She was super relatable, which made me want to read on and root for a great outcome for her.
There were no great surprises in the plotline, but that's totally the point of books in this genre and don't we just have the best time along the way!
I loved Shep and his stand up sets. Just an all round funny guy and it was easy to see the attraction growing between the pair - as well as Lea's confidence. There were definitely some laughs to be had throughout.
This was a super quick read and this was further helped by the short chapters which had me sneaking just another and another before bed one night...
This is the first book that I've read by this author but I really enjoyed the writing style which was light-hearted and fun and made for an easy read which I devoured over a couple of sittings. Will be checking out other work in the near future.
I really enjoyed this book! First, there were a couple of comedy sets that were just hilarious. Most of the characters were enjoyable, sans Sal and Lea’s dad (at first). Did I think Lea was nuts inviting a stranger to stay with her? Yes, I probably wouldn’t do it. BUT it made for a great novel.
I felt Lea. I’ve been the lonely girl with no friends. I wish I had the bravery and courage she had to go out on her own, and really put herself out there. It was so admiring. I felt her awkwardness at times, but really, she was just a VERY real character. This author handled loneliness in such a fantastic way. It was very honest.
No, onto the romance! She fell first, which honestly was a little refreshing since I’ve read a lot of he falls first books lately. These two characters were honest with each other about where things were heading and what they were feeling. That’s not normal; I love that there was no miscommunication trope here. They were swoony. They were believable. And I LOVED the end!
Well, Stand Up Guy definitely had me standing up... to walk away from the book. 😅 I really wanted to enjoy this one, but it felt like a comedy of errors, and unfortunately, not the good kind. The characters were about as lively as a wet cardboard box, and the plot? Let’s just say it moved slower than my grandma on a scooter.
I mean, I get it—some books are supposed to be light and breezy, but this one was more like a breeze that took a nap halfway through. The dialogue was trying to be witty, but ended up feeling like a dad joke marathon that lasted way too long.
There were a couple of decent moments, but for the most part, it was a little too predictable and a little too "meh" for my taste. If you're looking for something to read while waiting for a microwave to finish, this could be your jam. But if you're in the mood for something with substance... well, you might want to stand up and look elsewhere.
A romance set at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival? That was enough to make me want to read this book. Well that and the fact I’ve read all of Nina’s other books, and enjoyed them very much and I’m happy to say this was no different.
This book had me in tears twice in the first three chapters as I totally understood where Lea was coming from. It didn’t put me off, in fact quite the opposite, and I eagerly read the rest of the book. I was totally invested in Lea’s story and wanted to know how things turned out.
Loneliness is not a typical subject that comes to mind when thinking of romance but the cleverly woven story handles the theme well. It also gave me personally some food for thought.
Well crafted characters who I was sad to say goodbye to at the end.
I really hope this a smash hit as it totally deserves to be.
Thank you to Canelo and NetGalley for my advanced copy. This review is my own honest opinion
Honestly, I loved this so much. I didn't want it to end, but equally couldn't put it down - hence the fact I read it in a day. It's definitely one of the best rom-coms I've read all year. In fact, it might just be my favourite.
I found Lea so relatable. If I was a character, I would literally be her. I was so rooting for her and Shep's relationship and was willing them along to find their happy ending - they're one of my favourite bookish couples ever.
Biggest thank you to NetGalley and Canelo for my eARC of this one ♥️
Lea + Shep 🫶 Edinburgh, Scotland 📍 Lea is a research assistant at a local university; Shep is trying to make a career as a stand-up comic. This was a cute and light read, featuring many relatable themes such as loneliness, difficulty making adult friends, dating, etc. Overall, this was a 3.5. I felt like the story was unique but was missing something “more” here aside from the obvious FMC development. ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 🌶️
A fast paced romance with a hint of a bully which actually ended up been the thing I despised about this book. I just felt it didn't need this added in. Loner Lea helps Comedian Shep with a place to live whilst he is there for the Edinburgh fringe festival who seems to fall for each very quickly. But we don't see much of personality from either character nor anything that could be anything but lust.
This was such a fun, quick and delightful romcom!! Ciaran and Lea worked so well together, the communication actually existed and I can relate to Lea on a personal level, I thought the character traits made them more real and relatable!
thank you to netgalley for providing me an ARC of this book!
Kaye's 'Stand Up Guy' captivates with its relatable portrayal of Lea's struggle with isolation and personal growth. Lea's journey, her fear of forging new friendships, and her evolving relationship with Shep make for an engaging and heartwarming read. Kaye beautifully navigates Lea's path to self-discovery, making this book an easy yet compelling page-turner.
I loved this book it was such a lovely read and a real palate cleanser. It tackles adult issues like loneliness in a lovely, thoughtful way that keeps the story enjoyable. The delivery is charming and doesn’t drag the plot down. But seriously, Sal can do one!"
Stand Up Guy.... This story was so good. This book follows the life of Lea, who has had a string of bad relationships and some downs in life. She meets Shep who is a comedian and some friends. Shep and Lea share a spark and romance blossoms with an end date. Shep is leaving in a month. Shep's family also doesnt support him. Lea helps build Shep up by being there to support him, something he isn't used to because of his family. Shep has been getting positive reviews and feels things are headed in the right direction. But what happens when Shep gets a negative review? We also follow Lea becoming great friends with Tess and Becca. Well Lea thinks everything is coming together so well for her, another break up happens and a friend she thought was a friend treats her horribly. Lea is always a kind and caring person., but feels she needs to do something to stand up for herself. This is a great book. I was able to both laugh and have some tears. I felt so bad for Lea at times. My heart breaking for her, but she remains true to herself and finds her happy ending.
I'm such a sucker for HEAs😭 I think it's cause I've been in Lea's situation so many times but my Shep always decided to leave never to come back. Was a fun read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
"Stand Up Guy" by Nina Kaye isn't just a romance; it's a cup of warm cocoa on a chilly evening, a tale that wraps around you like a cozy blanket. Lea, the protagonist, feels like that friend you share your deepest secrets with, and her journey is a mirror reflecting the messy, beautiful reality of womanhood.
What I adore about this book is its genuine portrayal of life's quirks. Lea isn't a flawless heroine, and that's what makes her so relatable. In her struggles and triumphs, I saw shades of my own story, and it felt like Nina Kaye had somehow stepped into the pages of my life.
"Stand Up Guy" keeps it refreshingly real. No overblown drama or exaggerated crises—just a heartfelt narrative that captures the rhythm of everyday life. The connection between Lea and Shep unfolds with a sweet simplicity, reminding us that love isn't always grand gestures but the quiet, genuine moments.
Shep, the stand-up comedian, injects humor into the story like a burst of laughter shared with girlfriends. His chemistry with Lea is both charming and authentic. The Edinburgh Fringe Festival serves as a vibrant backdrop, and Kaye paints the atmosphere with such vividness that you can almost hear the laughter and feel the energy.
As a woman who cherishes stories with heart, "Stand Up Guy" left me with a contented sigh. It's a narrative of self-discovery, friendship, and the bravery it takes to embrace love, even when it feels fleeting. Lea's journey is a comforting reminder that sometimes, the most magical moments happen when you decide to stand up and be your authentic self.
In a world that can be chaotic and demanding, "Stand Up Guy" is like a retreat into the warmth of a good book. It's a 5-star read that nestles into your heart, leaving you with that lovely afterglow of a beautifully told story—a true gem for any bookworm. 📚💖
Lea falls for Shep- an outgoing comedian who is staying with her for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Will their relationship continues when the festival is over?
Love the LOL scenes. The humour is terrific. Lea and Shep are both fun characters. I really like both of them. I enjoy the story a lot.