What do you think?
Rate this book
Late Night Love
She has her dream job…but her cohost is a nightmare.Emily Beckerman has the dream job as a writer on Live From New York, a world-famous sketch comedy show. But what she really wants is to write for the legendary Weekend Update segment. When it becomes clear that the current hosts will never give her that chance, Emily takes matters into her own hands and replaces one of their jokes with her own. She never expected that her moment of revenge would cause an on-air meltdown that got the show’s Head Writer fired. Emily is even more surprised to learn that she’s going to be his replacement, because Live From New York is dangerously close to being cancelled.
The only problem is Chris Galloway, the other Update host and Head Writer. Emily and Chris are both convinced that they know the best way to save the show, and neither of them is happy about being forced to work together. But Chris isn’t who Emily thought he was, and when their animosity gives way to white-hot chemistry, she realizes that Live From New York isn’t the only thing at risk.
The only problem is Chris Galloway, the other Update host and Head Writer. Emily and Chris are both convinced that they know the best way to save the show, and neither of them is happy about being forced to work together. But Chris isn’t who Emily thought he was, and when their animosity gives way to white-hot chemistry, she realizes that Live From New York isn’t the only thing at risk.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 20, 2024
40 people are currently reading
775 people want to read
About the author
Chayla Wolfberg
1 book23 followersChayla Wolfberg (pronounced like Kay-luh) is a writer originally from Chicago, but now living in LA. By day, she works as an assistant in the entertainment industry. By night, she fights crime. Just kidding—she watches TV, reads romance novels, and tries to find the perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe. You can find her on Instagram and TikTok @chaylawolfbergwrites.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews
June 7, 2024
why is michael white
June 14, 2024
1.5⭐️ (?)
This work of published Colin Jost/Michael Che fanfiction is about as good as one would expect from an author that also replaced Michael Che with an all too obvious self-insert.
It’s overly repetitive in every possible way. These Weekend Update anchors (on the hit sketch comedy show Life From New York!) have the same conversation on a neverending loop on top of the already millions of mentions of the same character motivations we saw from the beginning.
This was also, unfortunately, doomed from the start because this novel centering comedians/comedy writers sharing jokes from start to finish isn’t funny. Like at all. Not a single joke was clever or all that interesting OR fresh despite the author’s many attempts to insist that our main character’s humor is just too edgy.
Blegh.
The smut was fine (?) and the relationship is boring despite many attempts to make the reader believe that there’s any passion present.
CW: explicit sexual content, misogyny, anxiety
This work of published Colin Jost/Michael Che fanfiction is about as good as one would expect from an author that also replaced Michael Che with an all too obvious self-insert.
It’s overly repetitive in every possible way. These Weekend Update anchors (on the hit sketch comedy show Life From New York!) have the same conversation on a neverending loop on top of the already millions of mentions of the same character motivations we saw from the beginning.
This was also, unfortunately, doomed from the start because this novel centering comedians/comedy writers sharing jokes from start to finish isn’t funny. Like at all. Not a single joke was clever or all that interesting OR fresh despite the author’s many attempts to insist that our main character’s humor is just too edgy.
Blegh.
The smut was fine (?) and the relationship is boring despite many attempts to make the reader believe that there’s any passion present.
CW: explicit sexual content, misogyny, anxiety
February 26, 2024
“You are impossible to ignore, Emily Beckerman.”
Wow. I truly have no words for how excellent of a read this is. It has all the tropes I love and the dialogue is 10/10. Chayla Wolfberg is an author that will be on everyone’s WANT TO READ list. I know I’m counting down until Chayla’s next novel, but for now I’ll just keep dreaming of Chris Galloway.
If any future husband doesn’t kiss me in front of an entire Jewish congregation I’ll be pissed!
Wow. I truly have no words for how excellent of a read this is. It has all the tropes I love and the dialogue is 10/10. Chayla Wolfberg is an author that will be on everyone’s WANT TO READ list. I know I’m counting down until Chayla’s next novel, but for now I’ll just keep dreaming of Chris Galloway.
If any future husband doesn’t kiss me in front of an entire Jewish congregation I’ll be pissed!
February 7, 2025
I went into this book already knowing it’s published SNL fanfiction and also aware of who Chris Galloway is supposed to be, and since I’m a big fan of SNL I said “why not”. There’s good things and bad things about this book and we will start with the good things.
LONG REVIEW AHEAD
The male MC (Chris Galloway) is quite charming, I found myself agreeing with him and understanding him way more than I did the female MC. I feel like his personality is pretty well fleshed out and complex, I liked his backstory with his sister and his parents, especially since this type of past isn’t usually given to the guy in romance books but typically to the girl instead. He’s the right mix of stubborn, funny, wary of change, charismatic yet emotionally closed off at times to make him believable as a real male personality type, which was a nice thing to see — usually the guys in romance books are always kind of caricatures of brooding, mysterious guys with dangerous pasts or, on the other extreme, way too goofy and unserious best friend types, so it was great to see a guy with balanced personality traits that I could reasonably believe actually exists out there.
There were some really nice moments of the two main characters interacting which I really enjoyed, like when they talk about his past after they go pick up his sister from the party or when they bond before her first Update appearance. I also enjoyed their fight after she overhears him and the showrunner and finds out the “twist” — again, it felt like something that could very much happen in the showbusiness industry.
Now onto the bad. The female MC is quite annoying in the first half of the book mostly, but also later on, at times. She praises her own humor as being this unique, really funny thing that everyone else just doesn’t get and the whole time that humor is just edgy, semi-doomerist humor that I can find on an american millennial woman’s twitter after 3 scrolls through her profile. Not anything mindblowing or revolutionary, and I found myself agreeing with Chris most of the times when he said it should be toned down and not used too much on their show. And I also agreed with him — just because something isn’t really controversial doesn’t mean it’s “lazy humor”. There were some stuff I enjoyed like the drag queen sketch in particular, but most of her other jokes just felt way too preachy, as if she barely bothered to turn her opinions into something vaguely resembling a joke… again, very Twitter-esque. In a bad way.
She’s also very …arrogant, for a person that had worked there for 2? 6? whatever years by that point and did not manage to get one single joke into the Update segment so far, and only sometimes manages to get a sketch filmed, and also can’t even co-write with her fellow cast members because she’s unlikeable and mean to them and they all hate her — which I 100% don’t blame them for! What the hell. When Chris and her were fighting over the office AC temperature and she said something like “you should dress for the temperature *I* want this office to be at” I had to actually do a double take at her audacity, and I’m surprised Chris didn’t immediately tear her ass up — I would’ve. Bitch, that was HIS office YEARS before it was yours. You’ve been here TWO WEEKS you need to calm the fuck down and cool it with the entitlement. Again, what the hell.
When she had to get his keys from his pocket and she acted SO weird about it… cringe. Be normal? I don’t know, cringe is just a very very good word to describe it, it was written SO weird. I pity anyone that actually acts like that in real life.
Also a last thing that bothered me is that Alex Nabakov, the villain, didn’t really feel like a real person because even rotten people in the industry are at least nice to SOME people around them. It was weird that he was a dick not only to the cast members, but ALSO to his college best friend who he got hired alongside him and who he worked with for YEARS… It would’ve seemed way better written and more realistic if he was an asshole to everyone, but not to Chris. It would’ve made for a very interesting moral dilemma especially beneficial for Chris’ complexity — he sees how badly his best friend treats everyone around him, and he wants to say something but is conflicted because he personally benefits from Alex.
Anyway, this review is already way too long, but I wanted to get most of it off my chest. The book did entertain me somewhat though, so 2* feels like a good fit for it.
LONG REVIEW AHEAD
The male MC (Chris Galloway) is quite charming, I found myself agreeing with him and understanding him way more than I did the female MC. I feel like his personality is pretty well fleshed out and complex, I liked his backstory with his sister and his parents, especially since this type of past isn’t usually given to the guy in romance books but typically to the girl instead. He’s the right mix of stubborn, funny, wary of change, charismatic yet emotionally closed off at times to make him believable as a real male personality type, which was a nice thing to see — usually the guys in romance books are always kind of caricatures of brooding, mysterious guys with dangerous pasts or, on the other extreme, way too goofy and unserious best friend types, so it was great to see a guy with balanced personality traits that I could reasonably believe actually exists out there.
There were some really nice moments of the two main characters interacting which I really enjoyed, like when they talk about his past after they go pick up his sister from the party or when they bond before her first Update appearance. I also enjoyed their fight after she overhears him and the showrunner and finds out the “twist” — again, it felt like something that could very much happen in the showbusiness industry.
Now onto the bad. The female MC is quite annoying in the first half of the book mostly, but also later on, at times. She praises her own humor as being this unique, really funny thing that everyone else just doesn’t get and the whole time that humor is just edgy, semi-doomerist humor that I can find on an american millennial woman’s twitter after 3 scrolls through her profile. Not anything mindblowing or revolutionary, and I found myself agreeing with Chris most of the times when he said it should be toned down and not used too much on their show. And I also agreed with him — just because something isn’t really controversial doesn’t mean it’s “lazy humor”. There were some stuff I enjoyed like the drag queen sketch in particular, but most of her other jokes just felt way too preachy, as if she barely bothered to turn her opinions into something vaguely resembling a joke… again, very Twitter-esque. In a bad way.
She’s also very …arrogant, for a person that had worked there for 2? 6? whatever years by that point and did not manage to get one single joke into the Update segment so far, and only sometimes manages to get a sketch filmed, and also can’t even co-write with her fellow cast members because she’s unlikeable and mean to them and they all hate her — which I 100% don’t blame them for! What the hell. When Chris and her were fighting over the office AC temperature and she said something like “you should dress for the temperature *I* want this office to be at” I had to actually do a double take at her audacity, and I’m surprised Chris didn’t immediately tear her ass up — I would’ve. Bitch, that was HIS office YEARS before it was yours. You’ve been here TWO WEEKS you need to calm the fuck down and cool it with the entitlement. Again, what the hell.
When she had to get his keys from his pocket and she acted SO weird about it… cringe. Be normal? I don’t know, cringe is just a very very good word to describe it, it was written SO weird. I pity anyone that actually acts like that in real life.
Also a last thing that bothered me is that Alex Nabakov, the villain, didn’t really feel like a real person because even rotten people in the industry are at least nice to SOME people around them. It was weird that he was a dick not only to the cast members, but ALSO to his college best friend who he got hired alongside him and who he worked with for YEARS… It would’ve seemed way better written and more realistic if he was an asshole to everyone, but not to Chris. It would’ve made for a very interesting moral dilemma especially beneficial for Chris’ complexity — he sees how badly his best friend treats everyone around him, and he wants to say something but is conflicted because he personally benefits from Alex.
Anyway, this review is already way too long, but I wanted to get most of it off my chest. The book did entertain me somewhat though, so 2* feels like a good fit for it.
February 20, 2024
4.5 stars rounded up ⭐️
my incredible friend Chayla wrote the most adorable SNL inspired rom com and it comes out on TUESDAY 2/20!!!!
Late Night Love has everything you need in a romance—banter, plot, spice and jewish rep that is done so tastefully. thank you Chayla for sending me an advanced copy, i can’t wait for everyone to read this!! 💖💖💖
my incredible friend Chayla wrote the most adorable SNL inspired rom com and it comes out on TUESDAY 2/20!!!!
Late Night Love has everything you need in a romance—banter, plot, spice and jewish rep that is done so tastefully. thank you Chayla for sending me an advanced copy, i can’t wait for everyone to read this!! 💖💖💖
March 7, 2024
Thank you to the author for sending me an eARC. All thoughts and feelings are my own!
Late Night Love is a fantastic love letter to SNL and Weekend Update. I thought Chayla did a phenomenal job of establishing Emily and Chris up as actual enemies before moving their relationship into the "lovers" phase. The banter was bantering! And it continued bantering as the author began building tension - I laughed out loud a lot. It also has great Jewish and plus size representation.
Late Night Love is a fantastic love letter to SNL and Weekend Update. I thought Chayla did a phenomenal job of establishing Emily and Chris up as actual enemies before moving their relationship into the "lovers" phase. The banter was bantering! And it continued bantering as the author began building tension - I laughed out loud a lot. It also has great Jewish and plus size representation.
June 12, 2024
2.5 stars. I want to acknowledge that this is (what appears to be) a self-published debut, and I commend the author for having the confidence to pursue her dreams. I noticed that the reviews are almost all glowing, but unfortunately this one will not be. Noting my review is quite long and not everyone wants to read that, I suppose my review can be summed up as this: some parts of this book were promising, but I think the author was let down by her plot and characters. I feel this book could have been much better if it hadn’t been clearly self-insert SNL fanfic (which the author now denies) and had instead focused on a different sort of workplace. I think the author has great potential, but I recommend she dive deeper into the themes she wants to represent in future books. Unfortunately, both MCs were unlikable to me, and I did not think Emily was funny. This is all explored further below, but it is quite long so up to you if you want to read it.
There were some parts of this book that I disliked, but there were a few things that I think this book did well. Since it’s a debut I will do my best to focus on providing constructive criticism, but I can’t ignore the negatives and some of the positives are actually tied in with negatives. I picked this book up because I was very perplexed by the concept. I saw a tweet about this book that made me go “hmmmmm what a weird way to phrase this”. I know that the author joked that this is a self insert SNL Weekend Update fanfic, but made a video denying that, however it definitely feels very much like a self insert fanfic. It was also described as a Michael Che/Colin Jost inspired book in her allegedly joking Tiktok. Originally I thought this was a genuine fanfic between the two, but for some reason Michael Che has been turned into a white woman. Or Michael Che was supposed to be Alex, which feels really weird. Why would you make a Black man who has spoken extensively about his experience as a Black man, white?? And make him a tyrant, at that?
Some of the positives were that I genuinely enjoyed the writing. It felt well done and like I could see how the author was trying to get us to connect with the characters. Unfortunately I did not like her characters, but I can see what she was trying to do. I did enjoy the romance part later on in the book, but I much preferred Emily and Chris when they hated each other. Their banter back and forth at the beginning was great. I also liked that both MCs were complex and flawed and that they worked through some of those flaws as they settled into their relationship. They did feel like real people with real issues and I appreciated that because I know that can be hard to accomplish, especially for a debut author.
I thought the various aspects of representation in this book were done relatively well. I really liked the sprinkles of Emily’s Jewish culture throughout. I feel like I very rarely see books with Jewish MCs, and growing up Catholic in a very Catholic/Protestant province I didn’t get to experience much Jewish culture so it was definitely a welcome change. The body positivity was both a negative and a plus for me, but this is the positive section so here is my positive review of it: I thought the section toward the end where she was thinking about how Chris never said anything to her about her size or her body, and how she felt more comfortable in her skin after doing calorie counting apps etc when she was younger, was very relatable. I am the same size as Emily and it really is life changing when you find a partner who embraces all of you, including your rolls and softness. However, Emily claimed multiple times that she thought she’d never be put in front of the camera because of her size. My immediate thought upon reading that was “does Aidy Bryant not exist? Is her success meaningless to this author?”. My feelings towards this sentiment grew even more negative upon finding out about Faith, a cast member who is on screen, is also fat. Why does Emily think she can’t be on the screen when there is already immediate proof that her body is not what’s causing the issue?
I think one of my biggest issues with this book was that I found Emily to be incredibly unlikeable, and at no point did I feel her character became likeable. This was for many reasons, but primarily because of the way her anxiety was described and implemented. I have struggled with severe anxiety my entire life and have only recently been able to function at a reasonable level of success. Due to this, I felt like Emily used her anxiety as a reason to be a bitch. Emily purposely could not connect, create, or collaborate with her peers at a show where working together is central to its success. I do not understand how Emily was still at the show, considering she could not write with anyone. I’m unsure how she could succeed at Live From New York when she could only submit sketches she had written herself, considering there are not many sketches as is and there were plenty of other incredibly talented cast members, and also when she created a negative reputation for herself. I do not think you can use your anxiety as an excuse to not work with others. In fact, Emily also says in the book that her personality frequently gets in the way of her success. So what is it, is her anxiety impeding her ability to succeed, or is it her personality?
I felt that many lines in the book indicated that Emily was not actually funny. I did not feel that Emily wasn’t getting sketches and jokes approved because of misogyny, fatphobia, or because her “personality” was unlikable, which is the way Emily portrayed it. Emily frequently mentions that her jokes are supposed to not only ruffle feathers but blow them straight off. I did not feel that Emily’s jokes were as edgy as she believed them to be, and when Emily mentioned that she was disliked in high school because her humour was borderline insulting it actually made me like her less. If your humour requires insults to your peers, it is likely not very funny. The jokes she did write were not original or very humorous, but perhaps that is because the only comedy I consume is by queer and trans people (people who are genuinely edgy and “ruffle feathers"). This does mean, in a win for the author, that I thought the Weekend Update sketch with the drag queen was quite good.
As for the third act conflict, I thought it was a cop out. I felt that the author had no better idea of what to write for the third act conflict than that. Maybe it wouldn’t have felt so cheap if it wasn’t literally the plot of After, but considering this is a fanfic (much like After) I guess it shouldn’t have surprised me so much. I also was annoyed that Emily had to apologize to Chris so many times, as it felt like he rarely took responsibility for his actions and how they negatively impacted her. I personally believed he should have groveled for the entire summer, instead of forcing her to apologize to him after he lied to her so gravely. I too would be pissed off by what he did and I would not have been able to trust him again so easily, and I also would not have apologized for my reaction to his lies.
When it comes to overarching themes throughout the book, I thought some of the social commentary was too heavy handed, but also very much from the perspective of a white woman trying too hard to avoid offending any marginalized groups. Misogyny is a prominent theme throughout this book, one that I think is very important and well-placed in a book about the high stakes comedy world in which women and gender diverse people already struggle so much. Yet, I felt that this theme was not done justice. Once again, I did not feel like it was misogyny holding Emily back, but instead her attitude and her refusal to collaborate. Emily uses her anxiety as an excuse as to why she can’t collaborate with anyone and therefore hasn’t collaborated with anyone in 6 years, which to me would explain why she isn’t well liked by anyone at the show and why her jokes never get approved. I thought misogyny as a theme could also be more intriguing in this book considering the gender reversal of Lorne Michaels into Jessica. I think that having a woman as the showrunner/creator should have had more impact on this theme, and perhaps if Emily and Jessica had had a conversation about difficulties breaking into comedy as women the theme would have felt more complex and it would have made it more believable that misogyny was hindering Emily’s career.
There were some parts of this book that I disliked, but there were a few things that I think this book did well. Since it’s a debut I will do my best to focus on providing constructive criticism, but I can’t ignore the negatives and some of the positives are actually tied in with negatives. I picked this book up because I was very perplexed by the concept. I saw a tweet about this book that made me go “hmmmmm what a weird way to phrase this”. I know that the author joked that this is a self insert SNL Weekend Update fanfic, but made a video denying that, however it definitely feels very much like a self insert fanfic. It was also described as a Michael Che/Colin Jost inspired book in her allegedly joking Tiktok. Originally I thought this was a genuine fanfic between the two, but for some reason Michael Che has been turned into a white woman. Or Michael Che was supposed to be Alex, which feels really weird. Why would you make a Black man who has spoken extensively about his experience as a Black man, white?? And make him a tyrant, at that?
Some of the positives were that I genuinely enjoyed the writing. It felt well done and like I could see how the author was trying to get us to connect with the characters. Unfortunately I did not like her characters, but I can see what she was trying to do. I did enjoy the romance part later on in the book, but I much preferred Emily and Chris when they hated each other. Their banter back and forth at the beginning was great. I also liked that both MCs were complex and flawed and that they worked through some of those flaws as they settled into their relationship. They did feel like real people with real issues and I appreciated that because I know that can be hard to accomplish, especially for a debut author.
I thought the various aspects of representation in this book were done relatively well. I really liked the sprinkles of Emily’s Jewish culture throughout. I feel like I very rarely see books with Jewish MCs, and growing up Catholic in a very Catholic/Protestant province I didn’t get to experience much Jewish culture so it was definitely a welcome change. The body positivity was both a negative and a plus for me, but this is the positive section so here is my positive review of it: I thought the section toward the end where she was thinking about how Chris never said anything to her about her size or her body, and how she felt more comfortable in her skin after doing calorie counting apps etc when she was younger, was very relatable. I am the same size as Emily and it really is life changing when you find a partner who embraces all of you, including your rolls and softness. However, Emily claimed multiple times that she thought she’d never be put in front of the camera because of her size. My immediate thought upon reading that was “does Aidy Bryant not exist? Is her success meaningless to this author?”. My feelings towards this sentiment grew even more negative upon finding out about Faith, a cast member who is on screen, is also fat. Why does Emily think she can’t be on the screen when there is already immediate proof that her body is not what’s causing the issue?
I think one of my biggest issues with this book was that I found Emily to be incredibly unlikeable, and at no point did I feel her character became likeable. This was for many reasons, but primarily because of the way her anxiety was described and implemented. I have struggled with severe anxiety my entire life and have only recently been able to function at a reasonable level of success. Due to this, I felt like Emily used her anxiety as a reason to be a bitch. Emily purposely could not connect, create, or collaborate with her peers at a show where working together is central to its success. I do not understand how Emily was still at the show, considering she could not write with anyone. I’m unsure how she could succeed at Live From New York when she could only submit sketches she had written herself, considering there are not many sketches as is and there were plenty of other incredibly talented cast members, and also when she created a negative reputation for herself. I do not think you can use your anxiety as an excuse to not work with others. In fact, Emily also says in the book that her personality frequently gets in the way of her success. So what is it, is her anxiety impeding her ability to succeed, or is it her personality?
I felt that many lines in the book indicated that Emily was not actually funny. I did not feel that Emily wasn’t getting sketches and jokes approved because of misogyny, fatphobia, or because her “personality” was unlikable, which is the way Emily portrayed it. Emily frequently mentions that her jokes are supposed to not only ruffle feathers but blow them straight off. I did not feel that Emily’s jokes were as edgy as she believed them to be, and when Emily mentioned that she was disliked in high school because her humour was borderline insulting it actually made me like her less. If your humour requires insults to your peers, it is likely not very funny. The jokes she did write were not original or very humorous, but perhaps that is because the only comedy I consume is by queer and trans people (people who are genuinely edgy and “ruffle feathers"). This does mean, in a win for the author, that I thought the Weekend Update sketch with the drag queen was quite good.
As for the third act conflict, I thought it was a cop out. I felt that the author had no better idea of what to write for the third act conflict than that. Maybe it wouldn’t have felt so cheap if it wasn’t literally the plot of After, but considering this is a fanfic (much like After) I guess it shouldn’t have surprised me so much. I also was annoyed that Emily had to apologize to Chris so many times, as it felt like he rarely took responsibility for his actions and how they negatively impacted her. I personally believed he should have groveled for the entire summer, instead of forcing her to apologize to him after he lied to her so gravely. I too would be pissed off by what he did and I would not have been able to trust him again so easily, and I also would not have apologized for my reaction to his lies.
When it comes to overarching themes throughout the book, I thought some of the social commentary was too heavy handed, but also very much from the perspective of a white woman trying too hard to avoid offending any marginalized groups. Misogyny is a prominent theme throughout this book, one that I think is very important and well-placed in a book about the high stakes comedy world in which women and gender diverse people already struggle so much. Yet, I felt that this theme was not done justice. Once again, I did not feel like it was misogyny holding Emily back, but instead her attitude and her refusal to collaborate. Emily uses her anxiety as an excuse as to why she can’t collaborate with anyone and therefore hasn’t collaborated with anyone in 6 years, which to me would explain why she isn’t well liked by anyone at the show and why her jokes never get approved. I thought misogyny as a theme could also be more intriguing in this book considering the gender reversal of Lorne Michaels into Jessica. I think that having a woman as the showrunner/creator should have had more impact on this theme, and perhaps if Emily and Jessica had had a conversation about difficulties breaking into comedy as women the theme would have felt more complex and it would have made it more believable that misogyny was hindering Emily’s career.
March 6, 2024
Thank you to Chayla Wolfberg for sending me this novel in advance of publication for review consideration. All opinions are my own. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars for review purposes.
Emily is a staff writer on Live from New York – essentially a Saturday Night Live show. Her dream is to write for the Weekend Update, and she finally gets the chance, thanks to a sneaky plot, to write for it, star in it and co-head the writing team of the entire show. However, in true enemies to lovers fashion, she and her co-head/co-host, Chris, do not get along at all and they have to learn how to work together for the good of the show.
I am not really a Saturday Night Live fan but I’m always curious about the behind-the-scenes of tv and movies. This book kind of reminded me of a show I love – Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip – for those Aaron Sorkin/Bradley Whitford/Matthew Perry fans out there, in that it was the behind the scenes of the show and focused a lot on the writing. I really liked reading all The Weekend Update jokes and kudos to Chayla Wolfberg for writing them all!
As I’ve mentioned, enemies to lovers isn’t really my favourite trope, but I definitely got a laugh out of some of the creative things Emily did to drive Chris crazy. I was impressed with this debut novel, although I did think it was missing a few elements, including the fame (and maybe fortune) Chris and Emily would have experienced being the actual co-hosts of the segment on the show. I also thought it was a bit odd that Emily got put right onto the show in one of the most coveted spots, as co-host of The Weekend Update, when she had no acting experience. But I’ll buy into it for the purposes of the story.
I enjoyed the Jewish representation, positive mental health representation, and body insecurity/plus size representation. I look forward to seeing what Chayla Wolfberg writes next.
Emily is a staff writer on Live from New York – essentially a Saturday Night Live show. Her dream is to write for the Weekend Update, and she finally gets the chance, thanks to a sneaky plot, to write for it, star in it and co-head the writing team of the entire show. However, in true enemies to lovers fashion, she and her co-head/co-host, Chris, do not get along at all and they have to learn how to work together for the good of the show.
I am not really a Saturday Night Live fan but I’m always curious about the behind-the-scenes of tv and movies. This book kind of reminded me of a show I love – Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip – for those Aaron Sorkin/Bradley Whitford/Matthew Perry fans out there, in that it was the behind the scenes of the show and focused a lot on the writing. I really liked reading all The Weekend Update jokes and kudos to Chayla Wolfberg for writing them all!
As I’ve mentioned, enemies to lovers isn’t really my favourite trope, but I definitely got a laugh out of some of the creative things Emily did to drive Chris crazy. I was impressed with this debut novel, although I did think it was missing a few elements, including the fame (and maybe fortune) Chris and Emily would have experienced being the actual co-hosts of the segment on the show. I also thought it was a bit odd that Emily got put right onto the show in one of the most coveted spots, as co-host of The Weekend Update, when she had no acting experience. But I’ll buy into it for the purposes of the story.
I enjoyed the Jewish representation, positive mental health representation, and body insecurity/plus size representation. I look forward to seeing what Chayla Wolfberg writes next.
February 20, 2024
I just finished reading this book, and I'm still smiling and tempted to hug my Kindle. I was laughing out loud at parts of this delightful story, loving the jokes that the author wrote for the main characters Chris and Emily to say on camera on the set of the SNL type show that features heavily in the book. If you ever wondered what it takes to put on SNL every week, then you should read this one. The initial rivalry between Emily and Chris was so fun, I laughed at the craziness they pulled on each other (a room full of differently scented candles?!). Then their relationship developed and you found yourself rooting for them, and waiting to see what happened. I should mention though that this book gets quite steamy in parts, though I don't know that those scenes are so essential to the story that you can't skip past them if that's not your jam. I read like 60% of the book in one day, I couldn't stop reading. I also have to mention the subtle Jewish representation that felt so realistic, Emily is just Jewish and it isn't a major part of the story. The mentions of antisemitism that she faces as a public figure and a Shabbat dinner scene, but otherwise it doesn't define her completely. I encourage you to pick this one up, it's for sale on February 20, 2024. Thank you to the author for sending me an advanced e-copy.
February 19, 2024
I loved this book with all my heart. From the nod to "SNL," to the pop culture references to the NYC backdrop there was so much to love. Besides that, I adored the Jewish representation. It was done so well and I not only felt seen through that, but also through Emily as a character. Also, Tracey's Jewish guilt was hopping right off the page and it was FELT. I loved how Emily and Chris went from enemies to colleagues to lovers. It was a great progression and a strong development. The humor was top-tier and I really felt like I was watching Chris and Emily banter back and forth. Back to being seen through Emily. This was a character who felt like she was too much or couldn't be romantically loved, and I thought that was such a real and vulnerable moment. I was tearing up a little, for sure. This had a layer of spice I wasn't expecting and it was fabulous. The chemistry between Emily and Chris was undeniable and I loved them instantly. Can't get enough of this book and I'm so excited to see what Chayla will do next. Absolute 10/10, thank you Chayla for sending me an ARC to read an review!
February 18, 2024
Enemies to lovers + Jewish FMC + workplace romance!
Emily Beckerman lands her dream job as a writer on her favorite sketch comedy late night show. But what she wants more than anything is to write for her favorite segment of the show.
When she takes matters into her own hands, gets one of the hosts fired, and then learns she’ll be his replacement, Emily realizes she’ll have to fight for more than just the show that’s on the verge of being cancelled.
She’ll have to fight with her new co-host. Chris Galloway is a nightmare. But their enemies to lovers banter gives way to tension, and she realizes more is at risk than just the show.
Read if you love…
✨enemies to lovers
✨forced proximity
🎬late night talk shows
✨last names as nicknames
✨MCs in their 30s
✡️Jewish holidays
✨workplace romance
✨banter
Y’all. I freaking loved this book!!
It’s rare I see enemies to lovers genuinely done well and Chayla slayed this. The banter was perfection. Their inability to see eye to eye and attempt to get along was so good. The combination of forced proximity & being coworkers was just 10/10!
I love the anxiety rep as it was so relatable for me. I loved seeing the little glimpses of Emily being Jewish and I love her family!
Knowing basically nothing about late night talk shows & comedy, that whole aspect (basically the plot) was so much fun and I loved learning about it!
I loved Chris’s flaws, his backstory, why he is the way he is, and his character growth, and the way Chayla woven that in without it being dual perspective.
Absolutely recommend you put this one on your TBR!
PUB day: February 20th!
📍New York
✨Rep: anxiety; Jewish FMC
‼️Content: toxic family relationship
Emily Beckerman lands her dream job as a writer on her favorite sketch comedy late night show. But what she wants more than anything is to write for her favorite segment of the show.
When she takes matters into her own hands, gets one of the hosts fired, and then learns she’ll be his replacement, Emily realizes she’ll have to fight for more than just the show that’s on the verge of being cancelled.
She’ll have to fight with her new co-host. Chris Galloway is a nightmare. But their enemies to lovers banter gives way to tension, and she realizes more is at risk than just the show.
Read if you love…
✨enemies to lovers
✨forced proximity
🎬late night talk shows
✨last names as nicknames
✨MCs in their 30s
✡️Jewish holidays
✨workplace romance
✨banter
Y’all. I freaking loved this book!!
It’s rare I see enemies to lovers genuinely done well and Chayla slayed this. The banter was perfection. Their inability to see eye to eye and attempt to get along was so good. The combination of forced proximity & being coworkers was just 10/10!
I love the anxiety rep as it was so relatable for me. I loved seeing the little glimpses of Emily being Jewish and I love her family!
Knowing basically nothing about late night talk shows & comedy, that whole aspect (basically the plot) was so much fun and I loved learning about it!
I loved Chris’s flaws, his backstory, why he is the way he is, and his character growth, and the way Chayla woven that in without it being dual perspective.
Absolutely recommend you put this one on your TBR!
PUB day: February 20th!
📍New York
✨Rep: anxiety; Jewish FMC
‼️Content: toxic family relationship
February 20, 2024
This was a really great debut! The overall story and plot was gripping right from the start. It is obvious that both characters had major issues that they needed to work through, and by the end they did.
Our main character went through the biggest character development. She starts off the book by being a bit annoying and off putting, even to the reader. When she is put into a situation where she is a bit of a fish out of water she begins to understand that she needs to ask for help and that it is okay to rely a but on others. The friendships and other relationship she develops is because of this character development.
The spice was amazing. The way Chris never makes Emily feel self conscious and instead worships her made me swoon. The tension between the two was top-tier, and their relationship actually made each other better. Emily made Chris step out of his comfort zone and bit, and Chris made Emily reign it back a bit. They balanced each other out in terms of life and their comedy styles.
As someone who has always been a huge fan of SNL, this book was great. I was able to perfectly imagine every scene, especially when doing their segments. Throw in a Jewish FMC and I felt like I new her on a spiritual level.
Overall, great quick and fun book. So impressed that this was a debut.
Thank you to the author for an e-arc of this book!
Our main character went through the biggest character development. She starts off the book by being a bit annoying and off putting, even to the reader. When she is put into a situation where she is a bit of a fish out of water she begins to understand that she needs to ask for help and that it is okay to rely a but on others. The friendships and other relationship she develops is because of this character development.
The spice was amazing. The way Chris never makes Emily feel self conscious and instead worships her made me swoon. The tension between the two was top-tier, and their relationship actually made each other better. Emily made Chris step out of his comfort zone and bit, and Chris made Emily reign it back a bit. They balanced each other out in terms of life and their comedy styles.
As someone who has always been a huge fan of SNL, this book was great. I was able to perfectly imagine every scene, especially when doing their segments. Throw in a Jewish FMC and I felt like I new her on a spiritual level.
Overall, great quick and fun book. So impressed that this was a debut.
Thank you to the author for an e-arc of this book!
February 19, 2024
MY FRIEND WROTE THIS AND IT’S WONDERFUL!!!!!!
March 18, 2024
Loved this debut novel! Emily and Chris go from Enemies to Friends to Lovers while working as writers an SNL-like show. Loved the NYC setting and the Jewish rep from Emily and her family. I do think it helps to be a fan of SNL but it’s not necessary to enjoy this. The pacing was well done and I loved all the side characters too. Zoe book next?
The only thing keeping me from giving this a 5 star review were the periodic editing issues(spelling and continuity errors). They weren’t enough to keep me from enjoying the book but they were enough to be noticeable. I’m still looking forward to reading whatever Chayla writes next.
The only thing keeping me from giving this a 5 star review were the periodic editing issues(spelling and continuity errors). They weren’t enough to keep me from enjoying the book but they were enough to be noticeable. I’m still looking forward to reading whatever Chayla writes next.
February 6, 2024
I absolutely adored this book! I had a lot in common with the MC, Emily, which made the book such a fun read. Emily and Chris' banter and developing romance was definitely a highlight, and I really enjoyed watching their relationship grow both on-camera and off-camera. Outside of the two, Zoe was my favorite character. I loved her sass!
Overall, this was a five star read and I would highly recommend! I read the book in two sittings. It was a quick and fun read, and I loved the Jewish representation.
(Shoutout to the joke about how long Rosh Hashana services are)
Overall, this was a five star read and I would highly recommend! I read the book in two sittings. It was a quick and fun read, and I loved the Jewish representation.
(Shoutout to the joke about how long Rosh Hashana services are)
February 24, 2024
I received the book an early copy (many thanks to the author). I have never enjoyed a book so much, so witty and full of crazy chemistry between the main characters. Looking forward to reading more of her books!
March 25, 2024
Late Night Love by Chayla Wolfberg
Standalone Romantic Comedy
affiliate links
I have been a Saturday Night Live fan for as long as I can remember. I remember trying to stay up as a kid but I invariably fell asleep during the musical act. But I have always tried to make it to the Weekend Update part, the highlight of SNL. A book based on a show I have loved my whole life? YES PLEASE. It was just a bonus that the heroine happened to be Jewish and mid-to-plus size.
I planned on reading Late Night Love by Chayla Wolfberg anyway, but she was kind enough to send me a paperback (I still bought it for my Kindle of course). I was so disappointed to find a spelling error on page 1. Then the author info-dumped the character’s background in the first 10 pages which I thought was an author’s note at first, but it was the FMC giving us her background. There was no hook to lure you in—a sure sign of a freshman author. I have to be honest…if she hadn’t sent me the book I’m not sure I would have continued to read.
BUT I AM SO GLAD I DID. After a rough start, I fell in LOVE with Late Night Love!
“Humor saved me and damned me. Growing up, I was the girl who made weird, borderline insulting jokes under her breath. Maybe if I’d been a boy, I would have been the class clown.”
Emily Beckerman dreamed of nothing else her whole life but writing for her favorite sketch comedy show “Live From New York”, but the idea of being the Weekend Update host was beyond anything she would dream of, as a size 18-20. She had been working as a writer for the show for years when the co-head writer position/Weekend Update host came available.
Emily was not a team player, she liked to write solo and wasn’t friends with any other writers. She wasn’t 100% likable in the beginning. She certainly didn’t get along with the other head writer and Weekend Update host, Chris Galloway (I couldn’t help but picture Colin Jost). Even worse, they were pitted against each other—only one would get the job next year. There was so much competition, banter and pranks to make the other one crazy, and I loved it.
Emily knew she had to work with the other writers to get the job and she changed and grew throughout the book. As Emily and Chris both loosened up around each other, they found they had a good balance—while he was too safe, she tended to be too risque. Together they were fabulous. Maybe that animosity between them was hiding an attraction?
I loved Emily as the book went on. She was so relatable to me as a plus-sized Jewish woman and I totally understood her body positivity on one hand and her self-doubts on the other, especially with her handsome co-star. She is also a romance book lover!
“I’ve made peace with the parts of my body that I used to try so hard to erase, but I never imagined that someone could find them worthy of such worship.”
Though Emily was Jewish, I would not consider this a Jewish book at all, just one of the characters happened to be Jewish. I mean let’s be real: it is New York and comedy tends to lean heavily Jewish. I think it fits perfectly in the story and it was not a main focus at all, (though there was an amazing scene during the High Holidays) just like the way it should be in life.
“When this season is over, I’ll read whatever books you want me to,” he promises.
“That is literally the sexiest thing you’ve ever said to me.”
There was some good spice in this book as well, but if that’s not your thing and you love SNL, just skim it. It’s worth it.
Likes:
•About a show like Saturday Night Live.
•Lots of fun banter.
•The pranks when they try to sabotage each other.
•A lot of jokes were written for the show.
•Emily’s growth throughout the book.
•Anxiety Disorder was handled well and therapy was positive.
•The Jewish representation without it being a Jewish book.
•Her relatable self-doubts as a plus-sized woman.
•A funny cinnamon roll hero.
•She loves smutty romance books and shares them with her mom.
Dislikes:
•Not only did it need another round of editing, the first chapter needed to be reworked completely.
•There was no audition, not even an official rehearsal. She went from writer to on-screen in the most important segment of the show without anyone knowing how she would be in front of a camera.
The Down & Dirty;
Are you a Saturday Night Live fan? Late Night Love is a love letter to SNL featuring a romance between writers who host Weekend Update.
Once I got through the first chapter or two, Late Night Love by Chayla Wolfberg was fabulous! I laughed, I cried, I swooned and I had to fan myself. I loved how the show’s jokes were in the story. Honestly, after getting over the initial hump in chapter one, it was close to a 5-star read for me with everything I love in a book. So make sure you give it a chance and don’t give up too quickly.
I don’t think you have to be a Saturday Night Live Fan to love this book, but if you are a fan I would say Late Night Love is a book you NEED to read.
Rating: 4.25 Stars, Heat 3.5
Purchase Late Night Love by Chayla Wolfberg
Kindle | Paperback
April 7, 2024
✨“When I’m reading romance, it reminds me that everyone has their own baggage. We’re all crazy, in our own ways. And someday there’s going to be someone who sees all of me and loves me for it. Exactly as I am.”✨
I loved this SNL inspired romcom! The representation in this book was wonderful! There were themes such as: sexism, Jewish rep, plus size rep, anxiety/mental health rep, fractured families, and more. This was very witty and had all the swoony and steamy moments you could ask for, but the MMC just didn’t really work for me. I just didn’t vibe with him 🤷🏼♀️ but I adored the FMC. She was strong, determined, hilarious, and bookish.
Also, enemies to lovers usually don’t *truly* work unless it’s a fantasy novel, but it actually did work here! I absolutely believed their hatred for each other. Some people say enemies to lovers is “miscommunication in a trench coat”, but I genuinely think it was done VERY well in this book. This book did a great job of exploring the double standards with women in comedy and it was a total love letter to romance readers. 🥰
All in all, I thought this was a really entertaining and funny romcom & I enjoyed reading it. Thank you so much to the author for the finished copy. This was lovely! 🫶🏻
I loved this SNL inspired romcom! The representation in this book was wonderful! There were themes such as: sexism, Jewish rep, plus size rep, anxiety/mental health rep, fractured families, and more. This was very witty and had all the swoony and steamy moments you could ask for, but the MMC just didn’t really work for me. I just didn’t vibe with him 🤷🏼♀️ but I adored the FMC. She was strong, determined, hilarious, and bookish.
Also, enemies to lovers usually don’t *truly* work unless it’s a fantasy novel, but it actually did work here! I absolutely believed their hatred for each other. Some people say enemies to lovers is “miscommunication in a trench coat”, but I genuinely think it was done VERY well in this book. This book did a great job of exploring the double standards with women in comedy and it was a total love letter to romance readers. 🥰
All in all, I thought this was a really entertaining and funny romcom & I enjoyed reading it. Thank you so much to the author for the finished copy. This was lovely! 🫶🏻
February 15, 2024
As a fellow curvy Jewish comedy writer who struggles with imposter syndrome and body image, you could say that Emily’s insecurities really hit home. While I felt Emily’s pain, I really appreciated how her attitude toward her body is never mirrored by other characters. They see and value her strengths *and* find her beautiful. Emily is objectively smart, talented, funny, and desired.
And then there’s Chris Galloway. What a man. I’m a huge fan of “The Mindy Project” and while there are obvious parallels to “Saturday Night Live” in this premise, I found myself more appreciative of the Mindy/Danny-like banter and slow burn that Chris and Emily have. Also… you gotta love a man who loves puzzles.
I won’t lie, some moments had me LIVID with Chris but… it’s true. The men be mening. And he more than makes up for his shitty moments by being the big softie that he is. Galloway stans, unite.
Beyond excited for more novels from Chayla Wolfberg. Until then, I’ll be rereading “Late Night Love!”
And then there’s Chris Galloway. What a man. I’m a huge fan of “The Mindy Project” and while there are obvious parallels to “Saturday Night Live” in this premise, I found myself more appreciative of the Mindy/Danny-like banter and slow burn that Chris and Emily have. Also… you gotta love a man who loves puzzles.
I won’t lie, some moments had me LIVID with Chris but… it’s true. The men be mening. And he more than makes up for his shitty moments by being the big softie that he is. Galloway stans, unite.
Beyond excited for more novels from Chayla Wolfberg. Until then, I’ll be rereading “Late Night Love!”
February 21, 2024
I really loved the first half of this book! I was completely hooked on our characters, the setting, the banter.. it was so fun and addicting! As I continued, I found myself skimming during parts and slowing becoming less interested in what was going on. Overall it is a book and concept! I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a quick, easy read. I think this is her debut novel and I look forward to reading her future work!
January 28, 2025
Finished with an hour to spare before book club! This book was absolutely adorable and tailor made for me with my tv-loving Jewish heroine heart. I had so much fun reading this and I highly recommend for anyone else on a quest for Jewish joy.
February 18, 2024
Enemies to lovers, workplace romance, Jewish representation, and body positivity, Late Night Love has some of my favorite things all in one book! Chayla Wolfberg's debut book is one I cannot recommend enough!
The book revolves around a show, Weekend Update, which is a fictional version of Saturday Night Live. When one of Emily's jokes leads one of the co-anchor's of Weekend Update to lose his cool on camera, Emily gets promoted to take his place and be co-head writer with one of her nemesis, Chris. Both of them are vying for the head writer position for the next season, and as they struggle to find a way to work together, the banter between them is absolute perfection!
You really get to know Emily and Chris throughout this book, which I loved. There is anxiety representation, and Chris's backstory really helps to build who he is and why he does things throughout the book. Both characters are flawed, but that is also what makes you root for them. I absolutely loved this book and cannot wait to read what Chayla writes next! Thank you so much to Chayla for an advance digital copy.
The book revolves around a show, Weekend Update, which is a fictional version of Saturday Night Live. When one of Emily's jokes leads one of the co-anchor's of Weekend Update to lose his cool on camera, Emily gets promoted to take his place and be co-head writer with one of her nemesis, Chris. Both of them are vying for the head writer position for the next season, and as they struggle to find a way to work together, the banter between them is absolute perfection!
You really get to know Emily and Chris throughout this book, which I loved. There is anxiety representation, and Chris's backstory really helps to build who he is and why he does things throughout the book. Both characters are flawed, but that is also what makes you root for them. I absolutely loved this book and cannot wait to read what Chayla writes next! Thank you so much to Chayla for an advance digital copy.
February 10, 2024
If you took Weekend Update, gave Colin Jost a cohost like Scarlett Johansson…but before they were actually together…and made one of them Jewish? That’s this book.
Steam? Yes. Spice? 4 chilis. Grand gestures? Yes. Enemies to lovers? Yes. Witty banter? On every page. Female friendships, body positivity, and family who’s annoyingly normal? Also yes. A man who even loves the amazingness that is a PSL? Yes.
This book had literally everything I was hoping for in a rom-com, and I could not put it down. I thought the banter was so funny/fun. The slow burn for the first 60% was perfect. And when Emily and Chris finally got together, slow burn no more, and I’m here for it. (An aside, can we get more open door romance with Jewish characters please?!) Yes, there was miscommunication and trust issues (deserved but a little over the top, though they were resolved well!), but all-in, this was a perfect read to sit with for an afternoon!
Steam? Yes. Spice? 4 chilis. Grand gestures? Yes. Enemies to lovers? Yes. Witty banter? On every page. Female friendships, body positivity, and family who’s annoyingly normal? Also yes. A man who even loves the amazingness that is a PSL? Yes.
This book had literally everything I was hoping for in a rom-com, and I could not put it down. I thought the banter was so funny/fun. The slow burn for the first 60% was perfect. And when Emily and Chris finally got together, slow burn no more, and I’m here for it. (An aside, can we get more open door romance with Jewish characters please?!) Yes, there was miscommunication and trust issues (deserved but a little over the top, though they were resolved well!), but all-in, this was a perfect read to sit with for an afternoon!
February 16, 2024
I didn’t know much about this book going into it but I did enjoy it. I love a good banter / enemies to lover type book and the idea of the late night show hosts getting together is definitely a fun one.
This is funny while still delivering what you want out of a romance book for sure. I enjoyed it overall!
This is funny while still delivering what you want out of a romance book for sure. I enjoyed it overall!
February 8, 2024
Chayla Wolfberg’s freshman novel will leave you laughing out loud and cheering Emily Beckerman on - as she gets her dream job of not only head writer but anchor of Weekend Update. One problem - she despises her co-anchor/head writer Chris with a vengeance.
Wolfberg takes us on a journey through one season of the show where Chris and Emily are tasked with saving the late night show. Can they manage to get along for more than one minute without trying to kill each other? Can they put their hatred aside long enough to not only write together, but be on air together?
But it is more than just surface for both characters. They are both flawed an the author does a good job taking us through Emily’s anxiety, and Chris’ past family drama.
I read this novel in a few sittings. It was an easy, funny, charming, heartwarming story. I can’t wait to read what Chayla Wolfberg writes next!
5-star read!
Wolfberg takes us on a journey through one season of the show where Chris and Emily are tasked with saving the late night show. Can they manage to get along for more than one minute without trying to kill each other? Can they put their hatred aside long enough to not only write together, but be on air together?
But it is more than just surface for both characters. They are both flawed an the author does a good job taking us through Emily’s anxiety, and Chris’ past family drama.
I read this novel in a few sittings. It was an easy, funny, charming, heartwarming story. I can’t wait to read what Chayla Wolfberg writes next!
5-star read!
March 17, 2024
Okay I have been obsessed with Michael Chang and Colin Jost on SNL for so long, so when I saw that this was a weekend update inspired rom-com, of course YOU KNOW I HAD TO READ IT.
I really enjoyed Late Night Love! This book took the fun, edgy comedy style of SNL and blended it with a unique enemies to lovers story. There was something so wholesome about this story and I truly appreciated the take on mental illness as well.
There is always something so great in seeing representation of all types in books and I think this one really killed it with having a unique, relatable FMC.
I loved the found family that slowly developed throughout this story and how everyone was meddling in the main love story!
I would definitely recommend this book to the comedy lover!!!
I really enjoyed Late Night Love! This book took the fun, edgy comedy style of SNL and blended it with a unique enemies to lovers story. There was something so wholesome about this story and I truly appreciated the take on mental illness as well.
There is always something so great in seeing representation of all types in books and I think this one really killed it with having a unique, relatable FMC.
I loved the found family that slowly developed throughout this story and how everyone was meddling in the main love story!
I would definitely recommend this book to the comedy lover!!!
March 22, 2024
“You are impossible to ignore, Emily Beckerman.” 🥹😭
Witty. Fast paced. Heart-warming.
Emily is one of the staff writers for the show Live From New York- very similar to Saturday Night Live. Her dream has been to be the head writer for The Weekend Update. After many years of not being heard and her ideas being pushed aside, an opportunity arises when she sabotages the final joke of the segment, that results in one of the co-hosts completely acting like a fool-live on air.
Emily is now the co-head writer and costar, but her and Chris aren’t immediately able to see eye to eye and work together for the sake of the show. It’s clear Emily and Chris are equally stubborn, and believe their own ideas and ways of thinking are correct. In true enemies to lovers fashion, there are many moments of sabotage, annoying the other and an intensity that cannot be ignored.
The close proximity and their livelihoods being at stake (because the future of Live From New York isn’t certain) forces Emily and Chris to get along, and they form an undeniable chemistry and bond that even the viewers have commented on.
When it all becomes too real and motives behind behaviours are revealed, will it be the end before their relationship really even started?
Thank you to @chaylawolfberg for this book! I enjoyed the heck out of it, and look forward to reading more from you. I loved the mental health representation, body positivity representation, plus size representation, and Jewish culture/representation. I loved the relationship Chris had with his sister Zoe, and how their dynamic shaped how he viewed family and relationships.
Witty. Fast paced. Heart-warming.
Emily is one of the staff writers for the show Live From New York- very similar to Saturday Night Live. Her dream has been to be the head writer for The Weekend Update. After many years of not being heard and her ideas being pushed aside, an opportunity arises when she sabotages the final joke of the segment, that results in one of the co-hosts completely acting like a fool-live on air.
Emily is now the co-head writer and costar, but her and Chris aren’t immediately able to see eye to eye and work together for the sake of the show. It’s clear Emily and Chris are equally stubborn, and believe their own ideas and ways of thinking are correct. In true enemies to lovers fashion, there are many moments of sabotage, annoying the other and an intensity that cannot be ignored.
The close proximity and their livelihoods being at stake (because the future of Live From New York isn’t certain) forces Emily and Chris to get along, and they form an undeniable chemistry and bond that even the viewers have commented on.
When it all becomes too real and motives behind behaviours are revealed, will it be the end before their relationship really even started?
Thank you to @chaylawolfberg for this book! I enjoyed the heck out of it, and look forward to reading more from you. I loved the mental health representation, body positivity representation, plus size representation, and Jewish culture/representation. I loved the relationship Chris had with his sister Zoe, and how their dynamic shaped how he viewed family and relationships.
March 9, 2024
IF YOU HAVEN'T READ LATE NIGHT LOVE, you're missing out on the most perfectly written raw yet humorous love story. As a kid, every Saturday night I watched SNL with my parents and would look forward to Stefon's New York's hottest club bit!!! Safe to say I am obsessed.
December 24, 2024
While some elements showed promise, the book ultimately felt like a missed opportunity. The story could have been more impactful if it hadn’t leaned so heavily into what felt like a self-insert SNL fanfic. I would have preferred a different workplace setting that allowed the author to explore her themes more deeply. Despite the negatives, I do think the author has potential, and I hope she dives deeper into her themes in future works.
One of the book’s strengths was its writing style. The author has a way of crafting engaging scenes, and I could see the effort to make the characters relatable. However, this is where my main issue arises: I didn’t find the main character likable. Emily, in particular, fell flat for me. Her humor, which is supposed to be edgy, often felt forced and unoriginal. I understand that the author intended to portray her as flawed, but her flaws made her difficult to root for, mainly when her anxiety was used as an excuse for her behavior.
I did appreciate the representation of Jewish culture and body positivity, though these aspects had downsides. Emily’s repeated assertion that she couldn’t be on screen because of her size felt off, especially in a world where someone like Aidy Bryant exists. The romance was enjoyable in parts, mainly when Emily and Chris were at odds, but I felt the third-act conflict was a letdown, lacking originality and depth.
The social commentary, particularly on misogyny, was heavy-handed and could have been more nuanced. I wanted more complexity in exploring these themes, especially given the gender reversal of a critical character. Ultimately, while I can see the author’s potential, this book didn’t quite hit the mark. I hope her next work delves deeper into its theme and offers more easily connected characters.
One of the book’s strengths was its writing style. The author has a way of crafting engaging scenes, and I could see the effort to make the characters relatable. However, this is where my main issue arises: I didn’t find the main character likable. Emily, in particular, fell flat for me. Her humor, which is supposed to be edgy, often felt forced and unoriginal. I understand that the author intended to portray her as flawed, but her flaws made her difficult to root for, mainly when her anxiety was used as an excuse for her behavior.
I did appreciate the representation of Jewish culture and body positivity, though these aspects had downsides. Emily’s repeated assertion that she couldn’t be on screen because of her size felt off, especially in a world where someone like Aidy Bryant exists. The romance was enjoyable in parts, mainly when Emily and Chris were at odds, but I felt the third-act conflict was a letdown, lacking originality and depth.
The social commentary, particularly on misogyny, was heavy-handed and could have been more nuanced. I wanted more complexity in exploring these themes, especially given the gender reversal of a critical character. Ultimately, while I can see the author’s potential, this book didn’t quite hit the mark. I hope her next work delves deeper into its theme and offers more easily connected characters.
February 20, 2024
When I heard that this book is an SNL-inspired, enemies-to-lovers workplace romance, I was instantly enchanted by the storyline and the concept. Emily’s witty jokes and spitfire personality captivated me and with her impulsive attitude, I was hooked from the first page.
I love that this story focuses on Emily fulfilling her career aspirations and truly captures the reality of attempting to fulfil your dreams and the accompanying workplace environment and imposter syndrome that follows.
Chris as a main character was very interesting to get to know. I loved his boyish charm, but I wanted more from him in the story. While we get the important first kiss and subsequent development of his relationship with Emily, I feel like the little, domestic moments of their relationship occur in between the chapters, which kept me from falling head over heels for Chris.
Both Emily’s blood family and the found-family she is adopted into at work truly rounded out the story and added camaraderie that offset the arguing and banter between the main characters. I adored Emily’s cousin Rachel who is a pseudo mom/sister and her coworker Riley, whose moments on the page always had me laughing hysterically.
Fair warning, there is a third-act breakup which felt a little unnecessary, especially since the blatant miscommunication didn’t make a whole lot of sense. There is being irrational when you’re hurt and then there is totally blowing things out of proportion and that was something that definitely frustrated me about Emily as a character.
Overall I enjoyed this book immensely. It was interesting to read about a character in the same field as me and I loved the concept of a late-night show and hosts that slowly fell in love with each other over the course of the season. It was a wild ride and I loved every moment of it.
Huge thank you to Chayla for reaching out and sending me a copy of her book in exchange for a review.
Four out of five stars.
I love that this story focuses on Emily fulfilling her career aspirations and truly captures the reality of attempting to fulfil your dreams and the accompanying workplace environment and imposter syndrome that follows.
Chris as a main character was very interesting to get to know. I loved his boyish charm, but I wanted more from him in the story. While we get the important first kiss and subsequent development of his relationship with Emily, I feel like the little, domestic moments of their relationship occur in between the chapters, which kept me from falling head over heels for Chris.
Both Emily’s blood family and the found-family she is adopted into at work truly rounded out the story and added camaraderie that offset the arguing and banter between the main characters. I adored Emily’s cousin Rachel who is a pseudo mom/sister and her coworker Riley, whose moments on the page always had me laughing hysterically.
Fair warning, there is a third-act breakup which felt a little unnecessary, especially since the blatant miscommunication didn’t make a whole lot of sense. There is being irrational when you’re hurt and then there is totally blowing things out of proportion and that was something that definitely frustrated me about Emily as a character.
Overall I enjoyed this book immensely. It was interesting to read about a character in the same field as me and I loved the concept of a late-night show and hosts that slowly fell in love with each other over the course of the season. It was a wild ride and I loved every moment of it.
Huge thank you to Chayla for reaching out and sending me a copy of her book in exchange for a review.
Four out of five stars.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews