So, in all honesty, I DNF'd at just past a quarter of the way through, but I truly don't think it was the book's fault. I didn't feel connected to the characters, personally, but I think the disconnect was less the characters themselves and more me. And I've enjoyed a few really great moments. That scene at the NYE party when he left the voicemail for his girlfriend and got caught? I straight up cackled for like a full 10 minutes over that. For this reason, I've been recommending it to other people and hearing great things in return, because even though it wasn't my thing, I completely believe this is going to be a favorite for a lot of people. I'll probably pick it back up later when I'm in a different space and can maybe connect better. 4 stars for the laugh and the recs.

This new rom-com picks up the baton of the queen of the genre, “When Harry Met Sally” and launches the premise in today’s landscape—wrestling with queries of romance in the modern age when marriage statistics are hopeless, the definition of love is more fluid, and everyone is just as clueless but the context has changed. Wry, grounded, and full of heart, it honors its inspiration without minimizing its own voice. A refreshing addition to a genre that can feel repetitive and shallow on its bad days; reminding us that on its good days, it gets to the heart of the human condition.

This book was definitely not what its hyped up to be. Both of the main characters were so so so immature and did not grow at all during the story at all. I see the similarities between when harry met sally but the story didn't hold me and I couldnt get past the main characters being consistently terrible.

I’ve been hearing mixed things about this book ever since early reviews came out and I was very intrigued to gather my feelings on it. I’m not gonna lie, I actually DNFd this 36% in, I really wasn’t feeling it. However, I picked it back up because I was curious to see how everything came to a head. And I still wasn’t feeling it. I couldn’t connect to either Josh or Ari; I just found them to both be annoying, especially Josh who was mean to people for no good reason. I couldn’t connect with the romance either, because I could not (for the life of me) buy into why they were even interested in each other.

However, with all that being said, if this author does write more books I’d still be interested in checking them out. ‘Cause I’m thinking, You, Again, was not for me.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgally and Random House for the advanced copy.

This book captured me in a way I wasn’t expecting. As soon as I started reading I felt like I apart of their world and the orbit they had around each other. I loved that it followed them for like 10 years. You really got to see the growth they both went though. Both characters and specifically Ari felt really vulnerable and raw. As you read more you got to understand them and their problems more. I loved the aspects of New York City feeling like its own character in the story. It really felt like a powerful back drop to the story and to Ari and Josh’s relationship. I adored the ending and thought it was perfect ending to this love story. I loved this one!

Thank you @netgalley for the ARC of You, Again.
This is a nice romance story, Ari and Josh are two people who hate each other, and end up crossing paths due to haveing the same lover. They meet several times over the years, until finally understanding they can be friends, and eventually lovers.
The plot is quite simple, but it is entertaining. It's very emotional as well.
I wish Ari was more developed than she is. Her whole personality revolves around sex. While Josh grows a lot through the book, even going to therapy, Ari was just...smoking weed most of the time. She isn't a bad character, but she felt very shallow as a character.
These characters are mid 30s, but they're quite immature...Even in the way they talk. If these characters had a mature conversation like adults, their issues would've been solved much earlier.
Overall, it's a nice romance book with a cute relationship, but it could be better at some points.

TW:sexual content, drug use.

I had such a delightful time with this When Harry Met Sally retelling. It has all the charm and wit of the Nora Ephron classic, so much so that I watched the movie as soon as I finished this book.

If you’re familiar with the film, you know how this story goes. Ari and Josh first meet each other (incidentally because they’re sleeping with the same woman!) and they can’t stand each other. Then through the years and the emotional upheavals in their own lives, they become (reluctant) friends. And then… well. We know.

I loved that Ari was queer in this. It added so much to me that she was just so open about her sexuality and what she wanted. And Josh! The poor tortured soul with his restaurant! The dynamic between the two was so wonderful that whenever they fought, I groaned and giggled. A high compliment!

This book was so fun that I ran a 5k on New Year’s Eve this year, a thing deeply important to this book.

this book got the when harry met sally reimagining down right and that’s about it. I just couldnt find the rest of it bearable. this book was not for me. I just also despise 3rd pov.

I tried many times to like this; unfortunately it was a disappointment. The dialogue and plot felt awkward and boring. I had a hard time caring about either of the main characters.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t get into this book. I loved the premise, but it didn’t work for me. I skimmed through it. I know others will love it though!

I enjoyed this book! It gave me when Harry Met Sally vibes, I liked seeing these two characters continuously meet throughout their lives and how their perception of each other changed over time!

Im sorry but this one was not for me.
I adored Kate at the beginning but very quickly the soapbox of inclusion was over the top and over shadowed the development of the story! I appreciate diversity on novels but not when it added just for the sake of checking the box, the chemistry was missing and I just did not enjoy this book. Thank you netgalley for the arc

You, Again is a revered retelling of When Harry Met Sally. The FMC, Ari, is a bisexual woman who is anti-relationship when she meets the MMC, Josh, a romantic, who is currently dating her roommate, who she is also hooking up with. They start off on a bad foot and hate each other. Eventually they become friends and then lovers. While both main characters, especially Ari, are often times quite unlikable I found that added to the realism of the book. The book felt very true to New York. A romance novel where the rose colored glasses are removed but the romance still exists.

This book grabbed me due to being enemies to lovers. It spans over years and multiple meetings. It had definite When Harry met Sally vibes. I like the different meeting aspects but sadly Ari wasnt my favorite character.- honestly that was the biggest failing for me/ the characters just weren't that likeable. This book was readable but not a fave for me personally

This is one of those times where I’m so excited to write a review, because I absolutely adored this book.

📕 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: You, Again by Kate Goldbeck

📙 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀: Standalone

📗 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀: E-book through NetGalley

📘 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: Contemporary Romance

📔 𝗧𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝘀: Opposites attract, right person / wrong time, enemies-to-friends-to-lovers

📖 𝗦𝘆𝗻𝗼𝗽𝘀𝗶𝘀: The universe keeps throwing Ari and Josh together. First, it’s when they meet because they’re dating the same woman. Then Josh fires Ari‘s best friend, earning him a drink to the face, but the next time they meet there, both struggling in life, and they form a bond and friendship.

🌟 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄: This book was messy. It was messy and romantic and heartbreaking and an ode to New York and Billy Joel. It was the kind of book that hurts to read, and when you put it down, you have to stare at the ceiling for a little bit before going to bed.

I loved how deeply flawed and modern both Ari and Josh were this book, was like taking a peek into the worst times of someone’s life, and coming out with insight into who they are, why they are the way they are, and exactly step by painful step how they fell in love.

You will find it hard, not to fall in love with Josh and his vulnerability. You’ll find it impossible not to root for Ari to get her shit together. When the choir sings, and you get the happily ever after, everything feels right in the world.

And that, to me, is a damn good book.

𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

𝗦𝗽𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹: 3/5 🌶🌶🌶

𝑰 𝒓𝒆𝒄𝒆𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒏 𝑨𝑹𝑪 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒊𝒏 𝒆𝒙𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒂𝒏 𝒉𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒓𝒆𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘.

Ari & Josh
Opposites attract
Years in each other’s orbit
Modern Day When Harry Met Sally
🌶️🌶️🌶️

I like that the characters were sex positive. Although it seemed like Ari went out of her way to be unconventional in her sex love and sec partners. I didn’t like her very much as a person until she pulled her head out of her ass…so for like 80% I didn’t care for her. I cared the Josh was hurt by her and I wanted him to be happy.

So obviously, I really liked Josh…stoic fastidious and uptight. He fell for her first. And it was heartbreaking and super angsty to see how they find their way back to each other. I didn’t get much of the Reylo references (thank goodness) aside from Josh being described as “ugly hot”. I did catch a lot more of the When Harry Met Sally’s references.

I love a book that is geographically accurate. My mind is not good at world building so it was great to read about downtown Manhattan and know exactly where the locations were and the sight sound smells.

There were lots of things I really liked about this book. The NYC setting, the fall vibes on the cover, the sarcasm, great supporting characters, and deep emotion. I highly recommend it.

I received an ARC from NetGalley. This is my honest review.

The buildup of nemesis to friends to lovers, was really well done. I especially loved when they were miserable together and thus began their friendship going on ikea trips together. They are chaotic messy characters just trying to figure out their lives and I loved all of it.

This book was steamy, cute, feisty, and gave ALL the feels! Classic romance tropes but with a spin that you don't see coming. Enemies to friends to lovers? Yes, please. Team Ari and Josh forever!

Thank you so much to Dial Press, Netgalley, and PRH Audio for the advanced copy of this! All thoughts and opinions are still my own.

Look. These characters were Messy with a CAPITAL M. But I nearly cried like 3 times 🥹❤️

This book isn't going to be for everyone. It's way less rom-com-y than I expected based off the pitch and synopsis. The characters are unlikeable hot messes. And most of the plot is based off these 2 making bad choice after bad choice.

But somehow I fell in love with the story anyways.

Kate Goldbeck built a world and characters that, while frustrating, were also endearing idiots. Both characters see each other at their worst and find a way to love each other anyways.

The slow build of their romance across years, made me desperate for the moment they finally acted on their feelings. That first kiss?...

Nearly sobbed.

I think the discussions of love even at your worst, loud characters, and decades long build of the romance, made this story feel fresh still giving the cozy feel of classic 90s romance. And I can't wait to check out what this author does next.

Content Warnings: Divorce, Death of a parent, Parental neglect (in past)