[11][12] Smith served in the U.S. Army during the Persian Gulf War, holding the rank of lieutenant.

Time magazine said, "You couldn't ask for a more entertaining drinking buddy – watch out for a memorable strip-club meltdown scene – but there's a deep, dark subway of despair running underneath his riffs, and that's what makes the book more than a standup routine... Love Monkey nails it.

"[20] On January 17, 2006,[21] a one-hour CBS TV series based on the book debuted; it was a dramedy also called Love Monkey.

The Wall Street Journal critic Joseph Bottum wrote, "For those who prefer their sentimentality seasoned with a dash of cynical wit, Kyle Smith's A Christmas Caroline may be a good selection.

Mr. Smith ... turns in a quick, enjoyable read about a selfish woman at a fashion magazine who is taught the true meaning of Christmas by three spooky visitors.