Sussman delivers another fun, heartfelt celebrity romance.

Kathleen Roseburg, the faded pop-star once known around the world as Katee Rose, is looking for her next big break. This time on her own terms. This time, instead of world tours she wants a Broadway stage. With her BFF writing what should be the next Tony award winner (and creating a leading lady written specifically for Kathleen), this is her chance.

But we wouldn't have book if there wasn't a catch, and that catch is Cal Kirby. Kirby, a former pop-star himself, 1/5 of the dynamic dance sensation CrushZone, and Kathleen have history. History that predates even their epic tabloid scandal that left Katee Rose's reputation irreparably damaged. Now Cal is directing Kathleen's show, and it's causing some long forgotten feelings to make a comeback.

Once More With Feeling doesn't shine quite as bright as her debut but is still full of sexy tension and redemption. Looking forward to many more from Sussman.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing for an advance reader's e-copy in exchange for my honest review.

4 stars - I really enjoyed this story between Kathleen and Cal, with a side of Harriett and boy band drama to boot.

We meet former popstar Kathleen Rosenberg at the beginning of her reappearance in the public eye. She has history, and lots of it. Her best friend wrote her a part in a play that will hopefully make it to Broadway, yet her BFF Harriett forgets that she's got the guy who made her world implode all those years ago to be the director.

Cal. What a handsome, dreamy hero. He's so thoughtful, humble, sweet it makes my gums hurt. Kathleen is a little rough around the edges these days, but Cal doesn't seem to mind.

The two main characters are both famous in their own ways, and I feel like that put them on equal footing to have this love/hate relationship based around their past mistakes. They were equals, and that made the tension so much stronger.

If you love famous people, big drama, a little self-consciousness pop princess, boy bands, and young adult drama with a side of now-grown-up-adult drama, you'll enjoy this one!

3.5 - This second chance romance follows Katee Rose, a former teen pop star who fell out of the public's favor when she was caught cheating on her boyfriend, former frontman of a beloved boy band. The twist - she cheated on her boyfriend with his bandmate, Cal. Years later, Cal asks Katee to start in a broadway musical that he's directling, even though the two haven't spoken since the cheating scandal.

I thought the plot was fun and engaging, and I really enjoyed Elissa Sussman's first book. I felt like some of the plot lines were disjointed and not fully developed and left me unsatisfied at times. Overall, if you like celeb drama and/or second chance romances, you'll find this enjoyable but it's nothing that will wow you.

The deal: Kathleen was a pop star whose career was thrown in the gutter after she cheated on her awful boyband boyfriend with a less awful member of his boyband. Years later, she gets a second chance at the career she really wants (Broadway) with a musical written by her bestie and directed by now-nemesis “less awful boyband member.” Of course, they all went to theater camp together as kids, too. There is HISTORY.

Is it worth it?: Sure, if you like musicals even a little and are into this premise. I think this would have been more successful with a dual POV, a lot more growth/accountability for both leads, and stronger character development for the supporting cast (especially BFF Harriet), but otherwise, I devoured it in 24 hours.

Pairs well with: your choice of “bimbo justice” content (Pamela: A Love Story on Netflix, Open Book by Jessica Simpson, etc.)

B-

Second-chance romance with a dual timeline between two former pop-stars as they make their way to Broadway... Frankly, what more could I want?! I loved Kathleen and Cal's love story and they way their relationship grew after they were reunited in the present. Elissa Sussman delivers another fun celebrity romance full of emotion and well-developed characters you can't help but root for, and I enjoyed every moment.

*Thank you Netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you so much for an advanced copy of this book! I loved Funny You Should Ask, so this was one of my most anticipated May books. I'm happy to say it delivered on all fronts!

I love the way Elissa Sussman writes a gripping, connected couple with a strong backstory in such a short(ish) page length. Her stories really hone in on the details without being repetitive, highlight the couple's past and present, and provide strong emotional connections. I was hooked from the very beginning in this one. Formula wise, it is quite similar to Funny You Should Ask...there are dual timelines, two celebrities with a scandalous backstory, and a second chance love. Honestly, the characters were so good in this book that didn't bother me, though! Their connection, banter, and chemistry was just perfection, and I was okay with the book being a similar formula to Funny You Should Ask. This book was an easy five stars for me because I just could not put it down. I read it in one day, and I was glued to the pages.

Rating: 5⭐️

Thank you NetGalley for the early copy of this book!

Once More with Feeling was such a pleasant surprise- I loved it so so much! I was a big fan of Funny You Should Ask, so I really shouldn't have been shocked that I loved this one was well, but WOW. I'll be thinking about this book for a long time.

It follows Kathleen, formally known as pop sensation Katee Rose, a decade after an enormous scandal ended her career. She was practically shunned from the industry until her best friend writes a debut musical in which she'll star in. Things are finally looking up, until she finds out the boy who not only broke her heart, but had a hand in the destruction of her career is directing the play.

Things I loved:
- the dual timeline and how we really don't find out what happened all those years ago until much later in the book.
- Cal. I loved him so much. Since it wasn't dual POV, and we didn't find out the cause for the tension, you kind of go through the book with mixed feelings about him and his intentions, but I adored his character
- Harriet and Kathleen's friendship was incredible and wholesome
- You couldn't help but root for Kathleen and her growth during the book. She was talented and confident, without being cocky. You got to see her doubts and insecurities as she was trying to rebuild her life, and I enjoyed her throughout all the stages of her life that were portrayed.

I seriously couldn't put this book down- it was incredible. Excuse me while I go pre-order my physical copy.

This is a story about second chances.  Several years ago, Katee Rose was one of America's biggest pop stars -- famous, adored by fans across the country and across the world, and subject to constant media fascination.  Her fame only grew when she started dating Ryan LaNeve, one of the stars of a popular boy band, CrushZone.  But as she struggled with the pressures and expectations of stardom, she found herself spending more time with another CrushZone member, Cal Kirby, who Katee had been friends with before either of them were stars.  One night, their relationship changed, leading to the end of Katee's relationship with Ryan and, in light of the public reaction to the split, her career.

In the present day, Katee is back to her original identity as Kathleen Rosenberg, comfortable living a quiet and private life in New York.  But then, Cal comes back into her life, directing a new Broadway show with a starring role written especially for Kathleen by her best friend, Harriet.  Kathleen is eager to star in the show and have the opportunity to show the world her true range of talents, but she is concerned about what it would mean to work with Cal again -- especially as they have not spoken since Katee's career blew up and Cal did nothing to help her.   Kathleen is cast in the show and suddenly she and Cal are spending almost every day together.  Kathleen is committed to keeping her distance as much as possible, but soon finds the two drawn together -- and old feelings re-emerging.  Is it worth risking a second chance at love with the person who perhaps hurt you the most ... especially if it may put your second chance at career success at risk?

I loved this book!  It was such a fun premise, and the author executed flawlessly.  It is terrific to go on Kathleen's journey, as we see the ups and down of her initial stardom and her experience mounting a comeback in the type of role that she always wants, but weighted down by everything that happened to her in her past.  I thought that the exploration of the relationship between Kathleen and Harriett, her best friend and the writer of the musical, was particularly well done -- showing the richness of a lifelong friendship that has been subject to the ups and downs of each of their careers and the ways their careers intersect.  The book also offered an interesting exploration of fame and its different dimensions.  The juxtaposition between Katee and Cal's experience when they were young, when tabloids were dominant, to the present day, where social media plays a much more central role in shaping fame and parasocial relationships with celebrities, was a thought-provoking exploration of how the nature of fame can change for individuals over the courses of their lives and careers, and how it has changed more generally over time.  

Very highly recommended!

Such a fun read. Elissa is the queen of second chance romance with a tad enemies to lovers. And I typically do not enjoy second chance! And the banter was *chefs kiss* And the MMC, to die for. I will forever read every book she writes.

🌟: 4.5/5

This book checked all the boxes for me. Second chance romance? Check. Dual timeline? Check. Musical theatre setting? Check. Elissa Sussman was able to wonderfully walk the line between the emotional, or angst-filled moments, with the sweeter scenes of Cal and Kathleen’s romance. I appreciated the way she shed light on how unfriendly the industry can be to women, whereas men are able to get away with more without facing the same level of criticism. All the characters were imperfect, particularly the protagonist Kathleen, which was something I actually appreciated. She has so many complicated feelings to navigate, both in the past and in the present, and naturally she makes some mistakes along the way. I loved watching her reconnect with Cal just as much as I enjoyed watching their connection build at other stages of her life. Not to mention I absolutely flew through this book. Elissa Sussman’s writing style has a way of hooking you immediately, and not letting you go until you have turned the final page. If you want a fast-paced romance, then this is the one for you.

I will say, as hard as I tried to not compare this to Funny You Should Ask, I really did not succeed. While this was an enjoyable cute read, it just felt like there were a few too many storylines jumbled together and sometimes that took away focus from the main pairing. But I would recommend this as a fun read if someone needed a celeb romance type book.

Thank you to Net Galley and Random House Publishing Group for the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I read Funny You Should Ask by Elissa Sussman in 2022 and really enjoyed it, so I was excited to read another book by her. This book did not disappoint. As a theater and Broadway lover, I absolutely adored all of the theater references and Kathleen's journey to Broadway. I felt like I really got to know and connect with Kathleen and all of the layers of her character. I enjoyed Kathleen and Cal's connection as well and felt like I really understood their connection. I am not a fan of a cheating trope, so that was not my favorite; however, I overall really enjoyed this book and would 100% recommend it :)

Here’s what to expect from Once More With Feeling:

🎵 childhood friends to lovers
🎵 enemies to lovers
🎵 second chance romance
🎵 celebrity romance
🎵 Broadway musical theater vibes
🎵 past flashbacks and present timeline

This book had a LOT of tropes I love with one trope I really don’t like, but overall the story carried it through so I didn’t bother me as much - on paper this should have been a home run for me, but the reason this book didn’t work for me was I was hoping for more of an emotional connection with their relationship development, instead of just fights and kissing and that’s it. I love character development and prefer emotional romance over physical, in my opinion you really need both.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House for the ARC!You

DNF. I really liked the premise but the writing did not work for me at all. It wouldn't be fair to the book if I finished reading and gave it a low rating.

Once More With Feeling by Elissa Sussman is a captivating tale that takes readers on a journey through the lives of Cal and Kathleen, two former teen idols whose paths diverged dramatically (think Britney and Justin in the early 2000s).

The story unfolds through alternating timelines, as these estranged celebrities are reluctantly reunited to work together on a play that holds the potential to reignite their careers. Faced with unresolved anger and betrayal, they must navigate their complex history while striving to balance personal desires and professional aspirations.

This book is a delightful choice for those who have a background in theater or a fondness for second chance romances. The combination of enemies-to-lovers and friends-to-lovers tropes adds an enticing layer of complexity to the narrative, making it all the more engaging.

Additionally, I anticipated a more prominent exploration of misogyny and double standards in the entertainment industry, as it seemed to be an important theme hinted at throughout the book. Unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations and remained more of an observation rather than a powerful commentary. This aspect of the story felt like an underdeveloped idea, a missed opportunity for a meaningful denouement.

Despite these minor shortcomings, "Once More With Feeling" remains a fun read. The book is undeniably good, even if it didn't quite deliver the impact I had hoped for after the author's previous work, "Funny You Should Ask." While it may not reach the same level of resonance, it still offers an enjoyable experience and provides a glimpse into the complexities of fame, relationships, and the pursuit of dreams.

I’m love, love, loved this book!! Second chance romance, adult love, and career redemption all wrapped up into one fabulous book. For two years in a row, Sussman has written in one of my top 10 favorite books of the year. Also for all the musical theater geeks out there in the world this is the book for you. Additionally, it is so important when books show the importance of friendships, as well as romantic relationships.

Thank you #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Things I loved:
-Jewish Representation (incl. a Jewish pop-star not wanting to perform Christmas music - thank you - this is how I feel every time I get pitched a Christmas romance...)
- Second chance romance - who does not love a second chance at first love!
- Female friendships - always love this component in a romance!
- LGBTQIA+ representation

Things that did not quite work for me:
- The theater. I am not a theatrical or musically inclined person (besides listening to 90s/2000s hip-hop on spotify constantly) so a lot of the book being set in the theater world (choreography, directing, acting, etc) was lost on me.

Ultimately, I enjoyed Once More with Feeling, but not quite as much as Sussman's debut!

Thank you to Random House for an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

thank you NetGalley for my copy of Once More With Feeling!

i was excited for this book because i knew it was the same timeline structure as her other book & i liked the past & current stories lining up. but i had no idea that it was centered around musical theater. i am not a huge fan of musical theater & i only know the basics of the musicals, but i enjoyed this aspect of the story a lot. it did not encapsulate the story too much that i was out of the loop since i did not have much prior knowledge, but it made perfect sense & i loved it !

kathleen was at the top of the world as a pop star, until it broke out that she cheated on her boyfriend who was in a popular boyband. her career plummeted & her ex rose to fame. but in the present, she get an opportunity from someone who she went to camp with when she was younger, cal. kathleen & cal have a history & seeing it u fold in the past & present timelines was so fascinating.

i do think this book was one where i needed more from the ending. there are time where i love everything about the book, but the ending is lacking in detail so it doesn’t feel as finished to me. but this was such a great story, the writing was captivating, & the characters were very interesting.

A fun light romance- perfect for a summer read. I liked the theater setting and the multiple timelines of their relationship. Sill look forward to reading more from the author!

Funny You Should Ask was one of my favorite reads of 2022! I think because of that I expected SO MUCH from this year's release and while I really enjoyed this, like a lot, it wasn't as fab as FYSA...but that is a me thing.

This book was well writte, fun to read, enjoyable from start to finish and had characters that were just so relatable in their own way.

Thank you for the advanced copy! I am a Sussman fan for life!