This book manages to be an heir to When Harry Met Sally's perfect banter, while also being a completely refreshing new look on what Happily Ever After looks like. What makes the hero "perfect"? Can the heroine be a workaholic and still be desirable? (Yes)

There are too many wonderful parts about this book to fit here, but I finished it in one sitting, but I have thought about it for weeks later. The writing may be Linda Holmes's best yet. The banter (the banter!) between the characters is tight and packed with jokes, but the way she tells the story itself is a masterclass in writing while being conscious of every single word. Pick any page and there is a mentor sentence anyone can learn from.

The (best?) part about this book is that it seems to be a reflection on the romance genre as a whole. Most long time readers will agree that Romance is fantasy. It offers situations, people, jobs that may mirror what our day to day looks like, but at most we would like just the surface level, just the least stressful parts, because why break that fantasy of happy? The FMC or MMC may struggle with money or their job, but in the end something even better will come along. This book (gently) invites it's readers to consider maybe there is pleasure to be found in the grueling day to day. Perhaps we can find love while stressed, that love is not something that cures all our hardships. And that idea is almost more fantastic that the expected happily ever after.

I loved this book. I love the characters, (the side characters!!!!) and I am so glad that Holmes in the conversation about what HEA can look like.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. I really enjoyed Linda Holmes other books but this one fell a bit short for me. I enjoyed the podcast/audio production setting, as that was new to me. The big dog was a fun character as well. The story felt a bit rushed and not as detailed as her other two. I would continue to read her novels because O enjoyed the others so much.

An engaging and sweet romcom - a story of self discovery that give you all the warm and fuzzy feelings.

Thank you NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and Linda Holmes for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Cecily Foster is a podcast producer and company go-to person. When business is hitting a rough spot her boss comes to her with an idea - Cecily hosting a self-help dating show with a famous influencer termed romance coach.

Cecily is about to say no, but her boss mentions potential layoffs and all her co-workers jobs at risk unless they get a hit show. Cecily agrees.

With 20 first dates heading her way she keeps finding herself running into Will, a handsome guy who she helped rescue a Great Dane recently.

There is a lot of podcast behind the scenes, some insight into some influence business, toxic/manipulative workplace and several awful dates.

The book was interesting and a cool concept with so many topical situations (podcasting, influencers, etc).

If this was a Netflix movie, I think it would have been perfect and fun and sweet. As a book, I just felt like it lacked the depth that I look for out of a novel. While the premise was fun and there were certainly some sweet moments (I loved Reddit rooting for the ‘Hot Waiter’), I just felt that it didn’t come to life. The banter and words were certainly funny and made me smile at times, but they didn’t really make me feel anything too lasting. It was kind of like candy, and while I like candy in movie form, I think I’m much more critical of it in book form. That being said, if you’re someone who likes light-hearted reads and just sweetness, then this might be up your alley! If it turns into a movie, I would definitely watch it. I did LOVE all the behind the scenes on podcasting though. That was interesting!

Some “If you liked” style comparisons: It somewhat reminded me of “Younger” with the advice for someone more ‘savvy’ (note that this is not a perfect comparison, but similar vibes)

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for the ARC.

I really wanted to love this book. And while I did think it was good and I enjoyed it, something was missing for me. Maybe having dual POV’s? I think hearing Will’s side would have been great too. I liked Cecily and Will but I didn’t feel the spark of their relationship. Cecily didn’t seem to have much of a spark really. I did not like Eliza and Toby. But I guess they did make the story. I think the story line is good, 20 blind dates is great for a podcast but it was just lacking something. Overall it was good and I would definitely read more from this author.

Back After This was a cute book with a satisfying ending. However, it lacked the usual talent that comes from Linda Holmes. The timeline seemed rush, which left it a little hard to connect with the characters. I loved Will, Jules, Molly and Pete. I hated Eliza. The “big eureka speech” that would typically make me feel something just left me feeling a bit disappointed. Even though the story wasn’t really about him, I wish Michael #2 would have been more likable. The premise was good. I just wished it would have been written better. I love Evie Drake, I have read it and listened to it too many times to count— it’s my comfort read, so maybe I’m always expecting that level of love from all of LH. Hopefully there’s another 5 star read for me from her in the future. I will forever read her books!

Linda Holmes' latest novel, Back After This, offers a charming and insightful journey into the world of podcasting and personal growth. As a fan of Holmes' work, I was eager to dive into this story. Although the narrative began at a leisurely pace, it gradually unfolded into a compelling tale that had me fully invested in the characters' journeys.

The protagonist, Cecily Foster, is a seasoned podcast producer who has always preferred working behind the scenes. When presented with the opportunity to host her own show—a series focusing on her own dating experiences—she faces a dilemma. Guided by the renowned dating coach Eliza Cassidy, Cecily must navigate the complexities of publicizing her personal life while staying true to herself. The plot thickens as she encounters Will, who unexpectedly enters her life, challenging her preconceived notions about love and relationships.

Holmes' expertise in the podcasting realm shines through, providing readers with an authentic behind-the-scenes look at the industry. The detailed insights into sound production and the intricacies of creating engaging audio content added a rich layer to the narrative, making it particularly engaging for those curious about the podcasting world.

As the story gains momentum, it becomes a heartfelt exploration of self-discovery, the importance of authentic connections, and the courage required to step out of one's comfort zone.

Back After This blends humor, romance, and insightful commentary on modern media culture. Holmes' storytelling prowess ensures that readers are not only entertained but also prompted to reflect on their own lives and choices. I highly recommend this novel to fans of contemporary romance and those intrigued by the behind-the-scenes workings of the podcasting world.

Side note - it's the second new romance I read in a row with a guest starring Great Dane!

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7202948619

Absolutely loved this story from start to finish!! Probably my favorite Linda Holmes novel to date. Great character development and storyline.

Very cheesy/hallmark-y - not my cup of tea but others will really enjoy. This book had some very funny moments and some very sweet ones.

Back After This by Linda Holmes

My internet is not the same internet as my wife’s internet. I asked her the other day if she knew who Linda Holmes was and she said “of course!” I didn’t know that Linda Holmes was on NPR and used to write for Television Without Pity. I just knew her as a guest and fan of the Flophouse, a bad movie podcast I love. She was really funny on her guest appearance and I learned that she had a book coming out, so I requested and received an eARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I’m so glad I did!

This book was like a romantic comedy movie in book form - and I mean that in the best possible way. A busy woman focused on her career in podcast production becomes the host of a dating podcast under the tutelage of a relationship influencer. There is a great dog, a meet cute, and many complications. The characters felt well rounded and I kept being surprised in all the good ways by this novel. Highly recommend!!

I’ve been a fan of Linda’s since her recapping days on TWoP and eagerly read her first two novels. I loved Evvie Drake and didn’t love Flying Solo so I tried to start Back After This with an open mind.

I’m happy to say that BAT falls in the love category for me. Although the direction of the book was clear fairly early on, Linda did the story justice by having it take appropriate twists and turns to make the ending more satisfying.

Also, I need a Great Dane in my life.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the opportunity to read and review.

Absolutely fantastic plot! I could not put the book down once I began reading it. I cannot wait for it to be released. I will recommend it to everyone.

Linda Holmes has done it yet again with another delightful, funny, emotional rom-com. Her book had me laughing out loud and also enjoying an array of quirky characters and absurdities of our podcast culture today, which felt pretty spot on.

The story is about Cecily, who works at a podcast company and is partnered with a life coach/dating guru for a new show to find her a man through a series of blind dates. However, life has different plans as she keeps bumping into Will and things develop with him. The book stays interesting by focusing more on everything but the absurd dates - while they are part of the story, it’s more about her career, life choices, and the people around her, which kept the story more grounded.

Overall a great read!

Thank you to Linda, the publisher, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This story was very relatable and also super dramatic in the best way. I felt like I was apart of the characters lives while reading and that is hard to do. I enjoyed this book on a rainy day and it was perfect.

Another winning tale by Holmes. This time she incorporates her podcasting experience as an important element of main character Cecily's life, providing details that authenticate this portrayal of work within the field. I was surprised that the podcast's titular twenty dates that Eliza organizes are breezed through so quickly, but the book is much more concerned with exploring Cecily's journey of discovery from being involved with this project. It felt like fate how she and Will kept running into each other, and their scenes together were always filled with delightful dialogue that showed them slowly building a close connection. The interesting secondary characters featured here successfully fill out this world, and I like how the climax gives Cecily an opportunity to stand up for herself and figure out what she truly wants. A very enjoyable read to sink into.

This was such a cute story about a podcaster who has had a disastrous relationship in her past and in order to save the company she works for from going under, she is asked to pair with an influencer to help her find love again and create a podcast about it.

I loved the podcast elements and insights from Holmes. I was also really rooting for most of the characters in the story. I especially liked the dog character in this book. I liked the themes and depth in the novel. From the start I was hooked but I will say there was a time in the middle that I struggled to pick it up and finish it and that is the reason I am rating it 4 stars instead of 5.

I do love the ways Linda Holmes can write a unique romance story with all the best banter. This time around she does it in a lane she knows well - podcasting. Cecily is a podcast producer who then becomes the focus of a show about modern dating where she goes on 20 blind dates. Outside of this ridiculous journey, she connects with Will, a dog rescuer, and as you might infer (correctly), that relationship involves some things. It was a light, fun read that also had some good feels. Thanks to NetGalley for the early look at this February 2025 release.

I really enjoyed two of this authors previous books, so I was pretty excited to receive this ARC. It was a little different than what I had expected and for some reason while reading I kept forgetting the FMC's name - Cecily! - but I really did enjoy this book. The book follows Cecily who is a podcast producer and in exchange for being the subject of a dating podcast Cecily's boss promises that she will have the chance to host her own show, However, things get complicated when she keeps running into the "Hot Waiter" Will. Will she stick to her promise of 20 dates and 12 episodes revolving around her personal life, or follow her heart?

This was a cute rom-com type story that I very much enjoyed. 4 stars for me. Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the ARC.

I really like these books by Linda Holmes. I really enjoyed her first on paper and then fell into the audio of Flying Solo. I intentionally waited for the audio on Back After This not knowing that it's indeed a love letter to audio. As a one woman podcaster, I was in it. I could see the sound waves when she described them. I understood her opinions on mouth sounds and as a coach, I also enjoyed (but stressed over) Eliza.

This book was just right just for me and I enjoyed it so much. Not all books about my specific lines of work come across well for me and this one landed just right. If you like dogs, found and real family, finding yourself and unexpected romance, this is your book.