ROMANCE

Totally and Completely Fine

by Elissa Sussman
Dell. Jul. 2025. 448p. ISBN 9780593725177. pap. $18. CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
COPY ISBN
Recently widowed single mother Lauren Parker has always chafed at the confines of her small Montana hometown, where she’s now best known as the sister to famous actor Gabe Parker. While visiting the set of her brother’s newest movie, Lauren meets an actor named Ben Walsh, and sparks immediately fly between them, but Lauren is hesitant to dive into her first romance since the death of her husband, Spencer. Then Ben comes to Montana to help Gabe open a new theater, and Lauren finds herself at an unexpectedly complicated crossroads. She must figure out whether she can have more than one true love in a lifetime and if she can honor her past with Spencer and find new love with Ben—or will grief force them apart?
VERDICT Told in two timelines that show the evolution of Lauren’s relationships with both Spencer and Ben, Sussman’s signature sharp writing shines in this gripping, emotional read, even if she leans to much on telling readers what’s happening instead of showing them. Longtime fans of Sussman’s work will also appreciate catching up with Gabe and Chani from her 2022 novel Funny You Should Ask.
Reviewed by Whitney Kramer , May 01, 2025
Comment Policy:
  • Be respectful, and do not attack the author, people mentioned in the article, or other commenters. Take on the idea, not the messenger.
  • Don't use obscene, profane, or vulgar language.
  • Stay on point. Comments that stray from the topic at hand may be deleted.
  • Comments may be republished in print, online, or other forms of media.
  • If you see something objectionable, please let us know. Once a comment has been flagged, a staff member will investigate.

RELATED 

MEDIA

Deep End
by Hazelwood, Ali
MEDIA

Showmance
by Beguelin, Chad
MEDIA

The Holiday Honeymoon Switch
by McKay, Julia
MEDIA

A Winter Wish
by Stone, Emily
FICTION

The Austen Affair
by Bell, Madeline
FICTION

Only Lovers in the Building
by Gonzalez, Nadine
More
ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?

We are currently offering this content for free. Sign up now to activate your personal profile, where you can save articles for future viewing

ALREADY A SUBSCRIBER?