Somehow, without paying attention, I read two spring releases back-to-back that were written by comedy writers and not just any comedy writers, but two who both wrote for the same show, Arrested Development, a show I loved. But while the tone and voice of both these writers was funny the plots weren’t, leading me to think being a great television comedy writer doesn’t always translate to writing novels.
Go Gentle by Maria Semple
Published by G.P. Putnam's Sons
Publication date: April 14, 2026
Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Humor 
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Adora is a divorced, middle-aged woman living in NYC with her teenage daughter. She’s a Stoic philosopher who teaches the practice to the teenage sons of an outrageously wealthy couple. More importantly, she’s also trying to turn her floor in her landmark apartment building into a coven for diverse, single, menopausal women. Sounds absolutely fabulous and if Semple had not veered from that premise into a black-market art conspiracy and international intrigue I would have loved this novel. As it stands, Semple has a sharp wit and can write dialogue like nobody’s business, but by the 90% point the mystery felt silly and not in a good way.
Like This, But Funnier by Hallie Cantor
Published by Simon & Schuster
Publication date: April 7, 2026
Genres: Fiction, Humor
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An out-of-work comedy writer married to a therapist, stumbles onto her husband’s patient notes and uses them in a pitch she thinks will go nowhere, like the rest of her recent scripts. Instead, the TV executives love it and she spends the rest of the novel scrambling to get out of what could be an ethical, marriage ending nightmare. This lands in an awkward space between comedic and kind of sad. Caroline is so riddled with angst and self-doubt it’s hard to cheer for her, especially as her actions become more and more foolish. There’s an I Love Lucy feel of screwball comedy, but sadder and more frustrating than funny. There’s enough sharp, dry humor and dialogue that I rated the book 3 stars, but the plot felt more like a 30-minute sitcom than a full-length novel.
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*I received a free copy of these books from the publishers in exchange for an honest review.*
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