Totally and Completely Fine

By Elissa Sussman

“From the bestselling author of Funny You Should Ask comes an inspiring romance novel about honoring the past, living in the present, and loving for the future.

In her small Montana hometown, Lauren Parker has assumed a few different roles: teenage hell-raiser, sister of superstar Gabe Parker, and most recently, tragically widowed single mother. She’s never cared much about labels or what people thought of her, but dealing with her grief over the loss of her husband, Spencer, has slowly revealed that she’s adrift in her own life.

Then she meets the devilishly handsome actor Ben Walsh on the set of her brother’s new movie. They have instant chemistry, and Lauren realizes that it has been far too long since someone has really and truly seen her. Her rebellious spirit spurs her to dive headfirst into her desire, but when a sexy encounter becomes something more, Lauren finds herself balancing old roles and new possibilities.

There’s still plenty to contend with: small-town rumors, the complications of Ben’s fame, and her daughter’s unpredictable moods. An unexpected fling seemed simple at the time—so when did everything with Ben get so complicated? And is there enough room in his life for the woman Lauren wants to be? Alternating between Lauren’s past with Spencer and her present with Ben, Totally and Completely Fine illuminates what it means to find life-changing love and be true to oneself in the process.”

Notes from Cole:

Elissa Sussman was one of the very first romance writers I ever read, and her work will always hold a special place in my heart. Her writing is sharp, her titles are modern, and she knows how to capture what it means to live and love through complexity.

Her latest novel, Totally and Completely Fine, is exactly that: a story that blends romance with grief in a way that feels both tender and accurate. This isn’t a quick fling of a book—it’s emotionally resonant, layered, and grounded in the stakes of real-life. Widowhood, dating again, suddenly becoming a single parent of a teenager, navigating career upheaval—it’s all there.

This is a poolside read for the millennial soul: deep enough to feel like a true companion, but still breezy enough to keep you turning the pages. It’s us; for us, by one of us—and it’s totally and completely worth your time.

--Cole Imperi, Thanatologist, Author of "A Guide to Grief"