Just for Laughs

by Kate Forest

Mark Lewis yearns to devote himself to his acting career, but his steady job as a social worker keeps him safe while fulfilling other people’s dreams.

As the “disabled daughter” of a mega star mom, Dana Helman never wants to be in the spotlight again, especially next to a man in show biz.

When Mark and Dana meet again, ten years after high school, passion must drive them to change fear to love, and dreams to reality.

62 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 14, 2019

About the author

Award winning author Kate Forest has worked in a psychiatric hospital, as a dating coach, and spent a disastrous summer selling above-ground swimming pools. But it was her over twenty-year career as a social worker that compelled her to write love stories with characters you don't typically get to read about. She lives in Philadelphia with her husband, two kids, and a fierce corgi.

Reviews

[Carol [Goodreads Addict] · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just for Laughs is a novella by Kate Forest. It’s about two people, both yearning for something more but afraid to take the risk to achieve it.

Dana Helman grew up the daughter of a famous mother in Hollywood. Dana has a physical disability she’s had since birth. So growing up in the spotlight next to her famous mom was difficult. People befriended her just to get closer to her mom. Now a lawyer, Dana just wants to meet a quiet man, have a home and kids and lead a quiet life out of the public eye. Is that so much to ask for?



Mark Ellis is a social worker who works with kids. His job is rewarding but his heart is somewhere else. In his spare time, Mark is a stand up comic and longs for his big break into show business. But his daytime job keeps a roof over his head so it limits his performance possibilities.

Mark and Dana knew each other in high school. Mark actually had dated Dana’s best friend. It’s ten years later and when Mark was performing at the comedy club, Dana walked in with a date. Mark would remember her anywhere. She was beautiful. Her date was awful. After the show, when Mark and Dana get to talk, there is a connection there and sparks fly.



It’s obvious to Dana that Mark has talent. He deserves to achieve his dream but it’s the farthest thing from what Dana wants. She knows Mark would never use her to get to her mom but a life in the public eye is not for her.

The connection between Mark and Dana is fast and strong. But, both are held back by their fears. It would be the biggest risk of Mark’s life to walk away from a safe career to attempt to succeed in his dream. And Dana would have to put aside her fears if she wants a life with Mark. Can these two overcome all of their obstacles for the lives they dreamed of, and for a chance at love?

This was a cute, well written story. It’s pretty short and is perfect for an afternoon read. I love these short books. They are so easy to fall into and I know I won’t have to wait long for my HEA.

For more about this book and so many more, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
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[Radd Reader · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a really short book but I didn’t much enjoy it.

Dana, 28, attorney:
- she spends a lot of time whining about her famous mother and how people use her. In addition, she has a disability and she spent quite a bit of time also whining about how people treat her different because of her disability. I had a mother who was disabled and she never complained and never cared if anyone treated her differently - so this just ticked me off.

Mark, 28, social worker and comedian
- Mark has a dream of being a big-time star one day, and he actually has the talent that may get him there. He’s a good guy who has a nice heart and a soft spot for kids in the foster care system.

Considering Mark spent his time with underprivileged children and those who have not had the best upbringing, listening to Dana whine about her life was insulting. She had a famous mother, so most likely had a nice, comfortable home. Additionally, her mother loved her and Dana ended up with a successful career. Offset that with kids who don’t even have a suitcase and keep all their belongings in a garbage bag, and it just made Dana come across as ungrateful. I just didn’t like her.

I didn’t feel the connection between Mark and Dana and they were boring together. It probably didn’t help that their sexy times were not descriptive and behind closed doors, but I didn’t feel any chemistry. Also, because this was such a short story I didn’t feel like there was an ability to really build some good character depth and I certainly didn’t feel like there was any character growth.

I know there’s only so much you can do with 60 pages, but I’ve read some really good novellas. Sadly, this fell short for me on many different levels.

Overview:
- POV: dual POV
- H likable? Yes
- h likable? Not really
- h virgin? no
- First time they kiss: 53%
- First time they sleep together: 54%
- First time they say I Love You end of book
- steamy? no
- OW/OM drama? no
- H/h cheat? no
- Did I skip pages? I skipped paragraphs. 😴
- Big secrets? no
- Did I cry? no
- Did I laugh? no
- Cliffhanger? no
- HEA? HFN
- Epilogue? no
- Recommend? no