Back After This is out in the world today, and it was a fun and easy read. Cecily is a podcast producer about to star in her own podcast/dating show with the help of Eliza…an influencer/ relationship coach.

Right before Eliza sets her up on 20 blind dates, she has the cutest meet-cute with Will. Even though I didn’t feel their chemistry fly off the pages, I thought they were cute together. This seemed more of a women’s contemporary fiction with a side of romance.

I liked all the podcast elements and details of what a producer actually does. I went back and forth between the audio and ebook, and I preferred reading this one. The author narrates this one herself, and while I think that’s awesome…her voice just didn’t work for me.

Back After This is the story of a woman working in the podcast world when she gets put on assignment to go on 20 blind dates under the advice of a relationship expert and have the whole thing put on the podcast. I really liked this one. The dates made me laugh. The romance that bloomed (no spoilers) was very sweet and felt very authentic and real. And it was a heartwarming story about learning to love yourself and learning to trust again so you can find love and happiness again. Just a fluffy, cozy romcom.

i really loved this book! it was my first by linda holmes and i will definitely be reading her others! cecily was a great , and very real character. loved that she was in her 30’s and wasn't perfectly settled. i learned so much about the podcasting world that i honestly never thought of and i adored the maturity of the relationship between her and will. i cried, angry, sad and frustrated tears throughout the whole book. my jaw dropped a couple times, because what luck that you would have such an adorable meet cute, right as you’re starting a podcast, with a. dating coach and going on 20 first dates over the course of a few months, all while running into that same guy, over and over…

thank you so much to ballantine, random house, & netgalley for this arc of back after this!

Back After This is a true rom-com full of quick dialogue and tropey romance! I mean this in the best way! I enjoy LH’s writing style and the way her scenes feel fast paced and engaging.

I was entertained by the concept even though I wasn’t a huge fan of the execution in certain areas. Our main character is working with a dating coach and ends up going on twenty (!!!) dates for the sake of a podcast based on finding love. Unfortunately, we didn’t see much of the dates themselves which was the biggest sore spot for me!

I did love the romance in the end! I thought there was so much to love in the department of character growth and exploration. Especially in the idea that one person is not always what they seem on the surface.

The subject/setting in the world of podcasting was so fascinating and it was clear that LH knew her stuff when it came to that. It really added so much to the story - I loved it!

Back After This doesn’t top Evvie Drake for me but was a great read regardless!! I can’t wait to see what Linda does next.

Rated 3.5, rounded up to 4!

I’m obsessed with the ruthless specificity with which this book skewers mediocre men who take credit for women’s work. It also depicts the exhaustive and largely unacknowledged breadth of women’s work— including the executive functioning and emotional intelligence that so many women are forced to access to compensate for men behind the scenes. And there is a twist toward the end that will activate your sense of injustice about the unfair and misogynistic way the world judges and gaslights driven, single women of a certain age.

Cecily’s sheer competence is so incredible. Radio and storytelling, the medium of sound, are clearly a vocation for her. She’s so funny and her flaws are deeply relatable- the lack of boundaries that lets people walk all over you and then resent them for it, the idea that one’s worth is conditional and contingent on what one can do for others. I loved watching her build self awareness, take her power back, and learn not to second guess happiness.

Eliza, the influencer turned matchmaker, is a fascinating character. Nothing so clear cut as a villain but clearly an antagonist, she is still so smart and insightful. By example she shows Cecily how to be confident and assertive, while also illustrating how taken too far that can be a flaw (leads to judging, imposing of your values on someone else).

Will is charming but not perfect , a lovely compliment to Cecily. The feelings he evokes in her are a sweet combo of putting her at ease and giving her butterflies. I adore how not mansplainy he is. He isn’t teaching her or guiding her towards a revelation. Yes, he’s peripherally important to her self discovery but he doesn’t catalyze it. He just makes her happy !! Also, yay for obsessive listening to a flawed audio file as a grand gesture.

Overall Such a funny and real story! The world of this novel feels lived in, in a way clearly only possible because Linda Holmes knows the DC area and the world of audio production inside and out. She’s so clever, so rapid fire with sometimes insightful and sometimes scathing observations and humor, with cultural references from an Officer and a Gentleman to Ms Havisham to She’s All That. I’m always impressed by voice in internal monologue and dialogue, and here again Linda Holmes is second to none. This book is great.

Review: Back After This by Linda Holmes

Linda Holmes delivers another charming, heartfelt novel with Back After This, a story about love, career ambitions, and the tricky balance between following advice and trusting your instincts.

Cecily Foster, a talented podcast producer, has sworn off romance after a painful breakup with a colleague who stole both her heart and her best ideas. But when her unreliable boss finally offers her the chance to host her own show, there’s a catch—she has to document her dating life, following the guidance of influencer-turned-relationship coach Eliza Cassidy. Cecily isn’t thrilled about publicizing her personal life (or taking advice from someone so relentlessly upbeat), but when she realizes it’s the only way to protect a friend’s job, she reluctantly agrees.

As Cecily embarks on twenty blind dates, she unexpectedly connects with Will, a kind-hearted photographer with an uncertain future and a lovable lost dog. Their chemistry is undeniable, but Eliza and Cecily’s own doubts make her question whether she can trust herself to choose the right person.

Holmes brings her signature warmth, humor, and insightful character work to this story, making Cecily’s journey both relatable and deeply engaging. The novel blends romance, career struggles, and personal growth with ease, creating a story that feels both lighthearted and meaningful. Fans of Evvie Drake Starts Over will enjoy the return to Holmes’ cozy yet thoughtful storytelling, complete with sharp banter and well-drawn relationships.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 – A witty and heartfelt read, perfect for fans of contemporary fiction and slow-burn romance.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC!

I enjoyed reading Back After This by Linda Holmes. You will fall in love with all the characters. I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely. Happy Reading!

The world of audio has grown quite a bit since the days of long time listener, first time caller. Tune into the world of podcasting in NPR host and author Linda Holmes’s latest release, Back After This.

Cecily is married to her job as a podcast producer. She loves making podcasts, from pitching ideas to research to script writing to editing. And she’s good at it– really good. So good that her boss is always moving her from project to project, having her fill in here, there, everywhere. But the threat of layoffs forces Cecily in front of the mic. Cecily’s boss wants her to step up as host and guinea pig for a popular influencer’s dating/life coaching/self-help guru-ing. To save her coworkers’ careers, and maybe launch her own in a new direction, Cecily agrees. The problem is that Cecily doesn’t believe in self-help gurus, and hers is setting her up on twenty blind dates. That would, of course, be the time that Cecily might just meet someone all on her own.

Ever important to the world of audio, Cecily’s voice is delightful. As she narrates her story via first-person narration and the occasional podcast script, her heart, humor, and sharp wit shine. This voice, paired with classic Rom-Com elements (and the bonus of a fabulous dog!) makes for an enchanting read. With Cecily and Will’s absurd run-ins, Buddy the dog, and general thorny situations, this romantic-comedy is un-put-down-able.

Cecily is a flawed character, but still lovable. Her heart is in the right place, even if her actions fall short. It’s refreshing to see a woman not feel bad about caring about her career, as well as to see the risks of slowly falling into a rut illuminated. Cecily’s journey through self-awareness offers a counter-balance to the critique of influencer culture. Though that critique is fair, it also acknowledges the business acumen required to be successful.

Overall, this is a fun and funny read set in an interesting world. Full of realistic, relatable characters, wildly hilarious situations, a gentle romance, and with just the right amount of heart.

Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Ballantine Books/Random House publishing for an e-arc such that I could share my honest opinion.

Back After This will be available February 25, 2025.

Cecily Foster creates podcasts...but not about herself. Now she is on a dating podcast to save her job, her friend's job, and maybe her company. She has to go on 20 blind dates and discuss them on a podcast with her dating coach. There is a twist though; she keeps running into another guy that isn't hand-picked for her. What a fun read.

Thank you Random House Publishing Group and Netgalley for a copy of this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

I have never heard or read anything by Linda Holmes so I went in blind to her writing style. I enjoyed the book. It was predictable but very cute. My only problem was I had just read First Time Caller by B.K. Borison and this book seemed similar with a very close plot, just with a podcast. However, I still found the characters charming. This was a fun, light read for any romance lover.

Back After This focuses on Cecily who is a podcast editor. She is asked to be the subject of a show where a self help influencer/content creator gives her dating advice. She is also set up on 20 blind dates with the hopes of finding the one. While all this is happening, Ceciliy meets Will, a photographer, who she grows close to.

The story has so many twists and turns. You would expect this content creator, Eliza, to be vapid(Ceciliy did too) but she is very honest and focused. There are times where she rubbed me the wrong way but you do feel like she does have a soft spot for Cecily and wants her to be happy in the long run.

Cecily has a lot of growth and self discovery in the book. I loved that for her. She felt so fleshed out like someone who actually exists in real life. Will is great. The romance isn't too heavy but you can feel it. It is very natural and wholesome. There are some intimate scenes but they are very innocent so this book could be for everyone.

Linda Holmes did a fantastic job bringing this story, its characters and DC to life.

Thank you to Random House Ballantine, NetGalley, and Linda Holmes for the e-ARC of this book. This review is my own opinion.

Super fun and absolutely charming! LOVED all the meet cutes, was a sucker for Buddy the Great Dane, and the banter between Cecily and Will was soo good! I enjoyed the flow of the book and felt the romance was balanced well with Cecily’s finding comfort within herself.

Thank you again to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group Ballantine for a chance to read an advanced copy and give an honest review of this book!

I loved both Evvie Drake Starts Over and Flying Solo by Linda Holmes, so I was delighted to receive a copy of Back After This. I am also an ardent fan of podcasts and a survivor of the DC dating scene. The author's experience at NPR shines through and adds real depth to the story, and the ancillary characters are just as delightful as our protagonist and her suitors. This is one that will be great for book clubs.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me.

This was my first @lindaholmes97 adventure and I absolutely loved it.

Cecily is the work-obsessed, goal-oriented FMC with a jaded romantic history and a pain-in-the-ass boss. To her boss’s delight, she accepts an assignment to go on 20 dates for her very own show.

Enter Buddy. The 130lb Harlequin Great Dane— he bulldozes into her life with Will in pursuit. Will is the undecided, unsettled, but very sexy and talented MMC. This of course is TERRIBLE timing.

The banter is fabulous and this is so well written. There is implied spice but no descriptive on page.

Honestly, this would make an excellent movie.

Thank you Ballentine Books, @penguinrandomhouse, @netgalley & @lindaholmes97 for the opportunity to read this advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

I also posted on Barnes & Noble but it hasn't appeared yet under kcbookscapades.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for gifting me an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
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Cecily Foster loves to make podcasts. She fiercely protects her colleagues, dearly adores her friends, and never misses dinner with her sister. But after a disastrous relationship with a colleague who stole her heart and her ideas, she’s put romantic love on hold.

When the boss who’s disappointed her again and again finally offers her the chance to host her own show, she wants to be thrilled. But there’s a catch—actually, two catches. First, the show will be about Cecily’s dating life. And second, she has to follow the guidance of influencer and newly minted relationship coach Eliza Cassidy, whose relentlessly upbeat attitude seems ready-made for social media, not real life.

Cecily would rather do anything other than put her singledom on display (ugh) or take advice from the internet (UGH). But when her boss hints that doing the show is the only way to protect a friend’s job, she realizes she has no choice.

To make matters more complicated, once she’s committed to twenty blind dates of Eliza’s choosing, Cecily finds herself unable to stop thinking about Will, a photographer she helped to rescue a very big and very lovable lost dog. Even though there are sparks between the two, Will’s own path is uncertain, and Eliza’s skeptical comments about Cecily’s decision-making aren’t helping. On the one hand, Will seems great. But on the other hand . . . don’t they all?

As Cecily struggles to balance the life she truly desires and the one Eliza wants to create for her, she finds herself at a crossroads. Can Cecily sort through all the advice and find a way to do what she loves without losing herself in the process?
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This book was a very fun read. I am a big fan of podcasts, so the behind-the-scenes insight into them was enjoyable to explore, and I really liked getting to know Cecily and hearing her story. I am a sucker for any novel that has a dog in it, so Buddy was a welcome addition to the action. I also liked that it wasn't predictable...I was pretty sure I knew what the HEA was going to be, but I was never quite sure how we were going to get there.

There were also enough "bad guys" thrown in for me to have someone to root against, which upped the satisfaction I felt when our heroine ended up sticking it them in the end. My only complaint is that some of resolutions felt a little tepid after the consistent action of the first 3/4 of the book. All-in-all, however, I would definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys a smart romance with some humor thrown in.

Does anybody else feel like being a Podcaster is the dream job for all of the modern books leading ladies? Kind of like when I was growing up everybody in movies and books worked magazines. OK that’s my tangent over!

I’m a huge fan of Linda Holmes books and writing style. She does such a good job of developing her characters and building this cozy world that I want to be a part of. And in her latest book Cecily, a.k.a. the Podcaster is asked to go on 20 dates in order to save her job . Unfortunately, the timing is miserable as she’s just developed a crush for the first time in years. I was rooting for Cecily and wills, love story, and was very satisfied with the HEA!

Thank you #netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Ballantine Books and NetGalley for an electronic advanced readers copy of this novel.

Cecily works in podcasting, still recovering after her ex-boyfriend rode to success with a podcast that she helped create and perfect, leaving her behind. She works at a once-successful company who is struggling to get by.

As one of the only single people working for the company, she is pitched an idea - team up with social influencer Eliza Cassidy, who will vet and set her up on 20 dates to try to have her find her perfect match. Initially skeptical, she forces herself to open up - only she keeps crossing paths with a guy who she first met while he was chasing after a dog - someone else's dog that he didn't even know.

Back After This by Linda Holmes is a very entertaining novel. Linda Holmes, who also hosts a podcast, brings us into this fictional world that she probably knows a lot about. Her writing style is engaging and I really enjoyed the characters and the plot.

In her previous novels, she put in easter eggs references her other novels, but unfortunately I didn't spot any this time. Fans of her other novels will be happy to know that they won't be disappointed in this one!

4.5 ⭐️

Linda Holmes, host of NPR’s Pop Culture Happy Hour, is back with her signature witty banter, deep pop culture references, relatable characters, and an ode to her love of audio.

Will is a photographer, the hot waiter, and a little stuck.

Cecily is a hardworking producer of mediocre podcasts. She’s been working hard for more - the next promotion, a host opportunity, or just acknowledgment of what she brings to the table. Cecily just landed a podcast hosting gig, but she’ll be working with a social media influencer turned relationship coach as she embarks on 20 dates to find her person (the podcasts idea, not her

This romcom features so many meet-cutes, a loyal Great Dane, and explores themes around rebuilding your life, redefining what you want, and being sure of yourself in your mid 30s. As always, Linda’s characters are super relatable and this story was fun and a quick read.

🎙️podcast producer
📷 photographer
🎧 self-help guru
🤝 Friends to lovers

Thank you to NetGalley & Ballantine Books for this ARC!

This one was super cute! I didn’t love it as much as Eevie Drake, but I did like it. And enjoyed learning about the podcasting/audio business.

In Back After This, Linda Holmes' third novel, podcast editor Cecily is four years removed from her last relationship with a podcast producer/host that left her, taking their successful podcast--and credit for her work--with him. Cecily's boss ignores her ideas, leaving her stuck in her editor role, but admist financial troubles at the company manipulates her into hosting the Twenty Dates podcast. The catch? She's both the host and the subject, Social media influencer Eliza will choose twenty men for Cecily to go on first dates with and the podcast will follow her personal and romantic progress.

Before starting the dating, Cecily runs into waiter/photographer Will in an adorable meet-cute aided by Buddy the dog. The two keep running into each other and devlop a friendship that grows into more even though Eliza pushes Cecily away from him.

Holmes writes A+ banter! The dialog between Cecily and Will made me laugh out loud. Ceciily's friends and sister are the supportive relationships you hope to have. Eliza is an adversary but not a villain. Back After This is a warm blanket and mug of hot chocolate on a cold day and is my second 5-star read of 2025.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for an eARC. Opinions are my own.