Such a fun quick read! This is every high school choir kid/musical nerd’s dream book. I was captivated from the start and drawn into the story with the multi-flash back points between theater camp, height of the pop star career and ten years later trying to get a new Broadway show of the ground with the same core characters. The tension and conflict between the three main characters was palpable and I didn’t want to put it down.

Thank you for the eARC on NetGalley.

Fans of Elissa Sussman have not yet recovered from last year's Funny You Should Ask. In her new novel, teenage pop star Katee Rose has a life in the spotlight as she dates Ryan LaNeve, member of boy band CrushZone. They have a messy (and very public) breakup, and Katee fades from public life. Many years later, another member of CrushZone, Cal, hires Katee to be the lead in a Broadway musical, reigniting her career and possibly an old flame. The story is told in a dual timeline, with the past narrative taking place at a summer theater camp.

First of all, big thanks to Ballantine Books and Random House Publishing Group for gifting me with an ARC of this a few days before its release. It was a super highly anticipated read for me, and I'm so thankful you ended my misery a bit early!

Once More With Feeling is a solid, fun read, very much in the same vein as Sussman's first book (although I do think I prefer Funny You Should Ask).

As a theatre kid myself, and someone who works in the media, AND a New Yorker, I really hesitate before reading books in my world/s because it can be so cringe and awkward if the book gets it wrong... and honestly, NOT the escapism I usually crave, when done correctly. This book, gratefully, establishes its own world entirely. The cast of characters know each other in several different settings and periods of their lives — which is at times difficult to believe, but also messy in a believable way — so the story really revolves around their shared history moreso than the camp / pop star / Y2K / Broadway storylines. Those environments are always a backdrop, with the love story and relationships between the characters being the focus.

This book is not as inventive or satisfyingly analytical as Sussman's first book, although there are lines and notes of deeper meaning that I wish she had explored more. There was so many opportunities for this story to reflect on how the media mistreated women in pop culture, specifically in the 90s / Y2K. I was thinking this book would go there, that we could talk about how the MC is a psuedo Britney figure, but I just felt like the way it was addressed still left me trying to untangle and unpack myself. It still felt so messy. And like... are we not going to talk about the jealousy, pettiness, and cruelty between the story's women? I'm not asking for a "we should all be friends" / "women supporting women" friendship bracelet making moment... but it just shocked me that characters like Rachel could still be written so flat!? She could have been so many other things to the story, and instead, she just felt like the most stereotypical mean girl character come to life. I wanted her to be Regina George or Vivian Kinsington or Sharpay or Rizzo, but she was just a slutty villain for the sake of being a slutty villain. Yuck.

My biggest gripe with the book is Harriet's storyline, though. It felt like she was just kind of there to generate conflict with the MC. They have this one conversation where Harriet goes in wanting one thing and by the end of the conversation, wants the complete opposite. Honestly, I wasn't sold that she was a great friend to Katherine. In fact, she was kind of shitty to her at times. And Katherine too her! I'm not saying we need to write flawless female friendships, because the way they navigate their jealousy with eachother is lowkey #realistic and #relatable. It's moreso the way that they confront their issues has major plot holes, discredits my belief in their friendship as a reader, and is just not resolved in the end. Do we really have to do the gay characters this dirty?!

I'm making this book sound bad. It's not bad. I've just read a lot of similar books recently and this is not my favorite of the bunch. It has potential. Maybe I was just expecting something more reflective and depthier than I got. And you know, it's not fair of me to expect a feminist masterpiece from every rom-com I read. But, I guess given the subject matter AND THE PLOT OF THE MUSICAL AT ITS CORE, I just felt it didn't deliver the media-narrative-shattering, badass, powerful, fun, epic story I was for some reason expecting. And that's ok.

This book is fun. I love the little musical theatre inside jokes. I ship the main couple. I had fun. I honestly feel bad giving it a 3, but I can't quite give it a 4. Definitely will still rec Funny You Should Ask, but again... this one isn't a fave.

Once More With Feeling, Elissa Sussman (5/30/23)

I wanted to like this book, but I found the lead characters to be unlikeable throughout most of the book. Unfortunately, I am the type of reader that needs at least one likeable character that I can cheer for so Once More with Feeling became a struggle for me to finish. However, I did find the book to be well-written and is a good example of the lovers have a misunderstanding/fight and after an extended period of time meet again in a will they wouldn't they scenario.

Thanks to Net Galley and Ballantine for this book.

This might be a controversial opinion, but I liked this even more than "Funny You Should Ask" -- I think it built on the success of the first one in a way that really worked for me. And, being a sucker for a second-chance romance, this played right into my interest. I loved the idea of a pop singer and a boy band singer re-connecting, which is basically just bait for millennials who grew up loving Britney Spears and NSYNC.

My heart is so full after reading this book. Once More With Feeling is Elissa Sussman’s second adult romance book, and the perfect follow up to Funny You Should Ask.

Our main character is Kathleen Rosenberg, a former pop star who’s now attempting to make a comeback in her performing career after it crashed and burned years ago. Earning her dream role in a Broadway-bound show should be the second chance she needs- plus the opportunity to wow the world and perform in ways she was never able to in her pop star days. The only catch? The show is being directed by her “ex” of sorts, the man who had a hand in imploding her career the first time around. Throughout the book, the two juggle keeping their careers afloat with their storied past and deepening feelings for each other in a friends to lovers to enemies to lovers rom-com set against the NYC theatre scene. Once again, Elissa Sussman delivers a five-star, entertaining read!


Thank you Netgalley, Random House Publishing group - Ballantine, and dell for the advanced reader copy.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House for this ARC. I really enjoyed this read! I was skeptical because although I enjoyed Funny You Should Ask, I don’t think I liked it as much as everyone else. To my surprise I loved Once More Than a Feeling even more! The characters were fun, witty, and relatable. Who doesn’t love a good second chance romance? I have been recommending this read to all of my friends and have to keep talking myself out of buying a physical copy because the cover art is AMAZING!!!!!

I was afraid this wouldn't stand up to "Funny You Should Ask," but Elissa Sussman did it again! We spent FYSA in Hollywood, but now we're getting a peek into pop stardom and Broadway. As a theater nerd, this was made for me. Sussman is amazing at realistic, witty dialogue, and knows how to keep a story moving. No spoilers but I found the end very satisfying :) Perfect summer read!

Katee Rose was a successful pop star, who was dating Ryan Nave, a member of the boy band CrushZone. Although she likes her boyfriend, she also has her eye on another CrushZone band member: Cal Kirby. Cal and Katee have been friends since they were children, and have always shared an undeniable connection. After a scandalous night, Katee loses Cal, her career, and Ryan. Fast forward to many years later and Katee is now Kathleen Rose living a quiet life outside of the spotlight. Everything was going fine until she gets the opportunity to star in a Broadway Show that is being directed by Cal. Despite Kathleen's best efforts to ignore her connection to Cal, she just can't get him out of her head.


I was really excited to get the opportunity to read this book after I absolutely loved "Funny You Should Ask." I think this is an excellent follow-up. Kathleen and Cal had amazing chemistry that had me squealing at times. I enjoyed all the references to musical theater! I enjoyed the friendship between Kathleen and Harriett, which demonstrated that friendships have ebbs and flows just like relationship. Overall, I would highly recommend this book, and I can't wait to read it again soon.

Once more with lukewarm feeling.

This book was just okay with me. Celebrity stories can be kind of hit or miss for me and this one was no different. The story was really easy to read and get into, but I didn't feel the connection between the two main characters and wasn't excited to pick up the book.

Free e-ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher!
Okay, I'm about a month late to this one and that's fine because it was... just fine. I really enjoyed Elissa Sussman's first book more- this one didn't work as well with the split timeline (flashbacks to Katee/Kathleen's time at theater camp and as a popstar vs the present day Broadway production). The writing is good and the first 75% of the book flew by, once I was able to get myself into it, but the ending was tough to get through for me- I got the ick with the cheating stuff, and then kind of a rushed wrap-up to the friendship and relationship storylines. Overall, not a bad second chance romance, but it didn't hold up to Funny You Should Ask.

Oh no!!! Listen...I wanted to love this...so much...Funny You Should Ask was one of my favorite reads last year and I was so looking forward to this. I'm not sure if it's the theater aspect (musicals are not my thing other than Moulin Rouge), but it just fell so flat for me :( No one is more devasted about this than me. I think my main problem is the believeability of the relationship between Kathleen and Cal. The past and present wasn't working all that great with me, and the hatred between them in the present tense felt so..weak? I also didn't feel much of their chemistry for one another. It felt like there was a lot missing in between the lines. I kind of kept thinking...is this it? But even them arguing just felt like...people yelling at each other on paper. I couldn't envision it in my mind like I normally can. For a story about a musical, it felt like I couldn't grasp any of the passion coming from the page.

I will say, this still had all of the quirks and makings of an Elissa Sussman novel and I'm still a die hard fan. While I'm not overly sold on this one, I can't imagine not reading her in the future. I think this WAS fun and lively for the right reader. But it truly didn't feel like it was for me? It's like me, the story, and the characters didn't have the same interests and I didn't particularly see myself in any of them, so I think the connection to the story was just lost.

I'm so sorry, Once More with Feeling, it's not you. IT"S ME!!

Elissa Sussman, pls still love me. I still love you.

I loved Sussman's last book so I eagerly awaited her new book with batted breath. I was not disappointed. I enjoyed this newest story even more than I thought possible. Kathleen and Cal for life!

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Dell, and NetGalley for providing an eARC for a honest review.

This is a fun romance novel that follows two people that were famous in the 90s as a Britney Spears-like pop star and a boy band member. It goes back and forth between three timelines. In the present they reconnect to make a Broadway musical. Another timeline follows their pop career in the 90s. And the third timeline shows how they met at theater camp as teens. I loved all the theater references and 90s pop stuff. It was a fun super quick read. Elissa Sussman's books are so addicting because I always can wait to see what happens in each timeline in order to put the pieces together of the other story.

(Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for a digital ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.)

I loved Elissa Sussman’s first book, but Once More With Feeling fell flat for me. The dual timeline didn’t work, and I didn’t believe in the character’s chemistry. I think the characters themselves needed more feeling and depth.

Thank you Random House Publishing & NetGalley for this ARC!

I was so excited to be able to read Elissa Sussman's sophomore romance a bit early and even more excited when I and my millennial heart ended up loving it! Knowing Britney & Justin's breakup inspired this really sold it for me. I thought the dual timeline was cute, the dialogue was funny, and the cheating trope was handled pretty well compared to other romances I've read. Elissa Sussman just does light-hearted, fast-paced romance so well I just know I'll read whatever she writes.

Once More with Feeling is out now!

DNF at 89%

I can't remember ever DNF-ing a book when I was this far into it, but I just don't care about these characters or the story at all. I kept trying, but I just can't.

ONCE MORE WITH FEELING reads like a Disney Channel tween camp drama, but with adults. This includes a one-dimensional mean girl (she's so jealous!), a boy-band member with a heart of gold, a vapid and fame-seeking popular guy, a tortured heroine who is there on scholarship ("I have to get the lead or my parents sacrifices will be in vain!'), and a token gay best friend.

This book felt immature in story, characters, and writing style.

Once More with Feeling is Elissa Sussman's follow up to Funny You Should Ask and she really nails the celebrity world once again. Kathleen (aka Katee Rose) was a teen pop sensation a la Brittany Spears whose career imploded after an affair with Cal Kirby, a member of a boy band her boyfriend was also a part of. Ten years later, her best friend writes a Broadway musical Cal is directing and her role in the show forces them to spend time together and deal with their past. This is a fun, quick read with a great main character and an enjoyable "second chance" romance. Grab a copy for the beach this weekend!

4 🌟🌟🌟🌟/5 stars.

A very big thank you to @netgalley and #dellpublishing for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

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First of all this cover had a cat so I had to read it. Kathleen’s cat is naked Fish which was so cute.

I love a celebrity romance and I loved this one! The FMC was a former pop star named Katee Rose (Kathleen) and the MMC, Cal, used to be in a boyband which is so fun.

The story follows Kathleen’s POV and a then and now format. We alternate between what happened in the past and the present many years later. It also interweaves some scenes from when Kathleen and Cal were in musical summer camp together. The camp reminded me of Camp Rock. Did you ever watch Disney challenge original movies back in the day?!

I really liked Kathleen and she just felt so real and honest to me. I can’t relate to being a former pop star but I still connected with her.

And Cal didn’t make the best choices when he was younger but I loved him too. He was a great dancer and it made me smile imagining him.

Overall enjoyed and recommended if you like celebrity romance or second chance romance!

If you love
Second chance
friends to enemies to lovers
Dual timeline
Celebrity MC

Then this might be just for you. Kathleen had been adored by her fans once. Now she was getting the chance of a life time. Shed be the leading lady to her best friends Broadway production.

What she wasn't expecting was to come face to face with her past. The kind that had destroyed her career and broken her heart.

I loved Elissa Sussman's previous book. There were a lot of things I loved about this book but there was also something I didn't like but I'm keeping this spoiler free. Other than that the story was good there was tension and forced proximity. Hope you enjoy this book.