Despite the title, the 1960s setting, and the protagonist named Barbara, this book has absolutely nothing to do with Barbra Streisand's performance as Fanny Brice in Funny Girl on Broadway or on film. Though this misconception was why I picked up the book in the first place, I wasn't disappointed with the actual story -- a happy accident.

Barbara Parker wins the summer beauty pageant in her small town of Blackwell, but with an unexpected kiss from the mayor, she finds herself picturing a boring marriage and long life pushing a baby pram along the beach forever. Mortified, she rejects the crown and moves to London: a small-town girl in a big city following her dream to make it to TV as a comedy star. From a cosmetic counter to an agent, Barbara becomes Sophie Straw, a sexy and funny actress whose new show takes the country by storm while she navigates her own relationships, friendships, and fame. 

Hornby balances humor and sensitivity in a way that had me both laughing out loud and wanting to give the characters a big hug. I enjoyed the nostalgic writing style and the chapter jumps according to the seasons of TV. The structure worked for me and the characters were sweet, with fabulous and honest relationships that ebbed and flowed over time while still holding on to a deep sense of connection. 

This book was endearing and satisfying and a wonderfully comforting one-day read.