Off beat love story that is hard to put down
Reviewed by Bernice Leahy on June 22, 2026 on Amazon.uk
Love is the Punch Line by Kathleen Jones is an offbeat, aspiring romance between jaded comic Josh Steinberg and Holly Brannigan, a Canadian businesswoman.
Short, fat, and balding, with his career on the wane, Josh has never had much luck with the ladies until he meets the savvy Holly, who sees another side to the washed-up comic.
I loved the sometimes subtle and at other times laugh-out-loud humour peppered throughout the novel. The fledgling romance between Josh and Holly is a joy to read. These characters, along with others in the book, are extremely well-developed and multifaceted. The relationship between the two main protagonists was intriguing and relatable. Both characters are wonderfully written. The pace was reassuringly consistent, and I loved Josh’s self-deprecating humour. The author creates a vivid picture in your mind, allowing you to immerse yourself in this fabulous love story.
I thoroughly enjoyed Love is the Punch Line and would recommend it for many reasons, including the story itself, the in-depth character development, and its vivid descriptions. Proving that love can triumph in the end.
Great job.
Kathleen Jones, The Quirky Novelist 