I have loved Linda Holmes first two books, so I was very excited to get a chance to read her latest which did not disappoint. I love the DC setting and the neighborhood and building references that are throughout as we don't get many romances set in DC. Cecily's journey, similar to Holmes' other protagonists, doesn't just go on a romantic journey but also one of finding her place in the world. It was a very fun light read, I highly recommend.

I'd read Linda Holmes before so I had a feeling I would really enjoy this novel. This is the story of Celeste, a podcaster, who in a last ditch effort to save not just her job but her good friend's job, agrees to do a podcast where she is the central character and agrees to have a wellness coach and go on dates. A rather silly premise to be sure. The wellness coach is supposed to introduce her to the perfect man for her, but of course she serendipitously meets a great guy the very first time she is out. And keeps running into him again and again. I learned so much about the craft of podcasting/audio in this book. No surprise since the author works for NPR and it wasn't boring and fit really nicely into the story. Will, the love interest, is very lovely and kind. And I almost liked when the wellness coach called Celeste out for being dishonest and manipulative herself!

Linda Holmes totally nailed it with Back After This! This book is an absolute joy, full of charm, laughs, and all the feels. It follows Cecily Foster, a podcast producer who somehow ends up as the subject of a wild dating experiment hosted by an influencer. Cue awkward dates, hilarious banter, a Great Dane, and a stranger who might change everything. Cecily’s journey isn’t just about finding love—it’s about figuring out what she really wants from life, and it’s so relatable. Holmes’s humor and heart are all over this, and the D.C. setting makes it even more fun and not as dull as the city feels.

Cecily is a podcaster writer, producer that has never hosted her own show. In an agreement with her boss in order to get a shot at her own show and to help the struggling company, she agrees to be the subject of a new podcast where she is sent on 20 first dates by a social media influencer who is going to pick the dates and give her advice on dating. Meanwhile, as the show gets going, Cecily keeps running into a guy and his great dane who is part waiter, part photographer and all round good guy.

There is not a lot of surprise in this light rom com but we do get an inside look at the podcasting world. Cecily's friends and family are delightful as are Will the waiter and Buddy the dog. I enjoyed the growth we saw in Cecily but wished we could have seen it a little sooner. I must admit I enjoyed the authors earlier two books better than this one, but if you are looking for a light romance in the world of dating and podcasting I would encourage you to give this one a try.

Thank you to net galley and the publisher for the e galley in return for an unbiased reveiw.

as a person who has never regularly listened to a podcast but i was eating this drama up. like any linda holmes book, this is so much more than a romance and is filled with self-discovery, doubt, and insecurity. this is only my second book I've read by holmes but i ate it up so much I will be reading the rest of her books.

A meet cute romance that I just couldn't put down, it was so sweet and funny. Cecily is relatable and I was rooting for her and Will the entire time. I got a little upset with her lack of confidence in the workplace but it doesn't take away from the fun romance .

I enjoyed the heck out of this book. Will is a great character, as is Eliza, and they both expanded Celia's world view convincingly. My only trouble is that I kept picturing Celia as Linda, which probably won't be a problem for the average reader. Thank you for allowing me to read this.

I would classify myself as a picky romance reader, as some of the more common tropes really annoy me and take me out of the story - but Back After This cements Linda Holmes as an auto-buy author for me. There were so many things I loved about this book, but the characters were the top of the list. Cecily is a flawed main character who feels realistic and easy to root for, and I appreciated that we got a deeper look at Eliza and her motivations instead of making her a caricature. I also really appreciated the brief blurbs about the many dates Cecily went on vs getting deeply into the weeds with each one - it made it feel fun while keeping the focus on the main romance. I also felt like the behind-the-scenes podcasting information was super interesting without feeling too deep. Ultimately, I really loved this one - 4.5 stars rounded up!

I have pretty much given up on contemporary romance these days. Most so-called romcoms rely on overused tropes, unbelievable conflicts and/or forced humor. Fortunately, NPR podcaster Linda Holmes' third novel reminds me that there is still hope for the genre.

Cecily Foster is a skilled podcast producer and editor who has long yearned to trade her behind-the-scenes roles for a chance at the microphone. Her boss Theo dangles a double-edged hosting opportunity - a podcast about dating in which Cecily will also be the subject. The hook is that she will be coached by Eliza Cassidy, a successful influencer who has a no-nonsense strategy for finding a compatible life partner. Cecily is reluctant to waste her debut hosting effort on such a shallow topic, but she makes a deal with Theo: she'll go on 20 dates and discuss the experience on-air. In return, her next gig will be as podcast host on a topic of her choice, and she can bring along her favorite colleague as lead producer.

Right now you are probably thinking, oh no, not 300 pages of bad date hijinks! Fortunately, the entire dating process is a montage of brief anecdotes that are dispensed with in one chapter. The problem is that Cecily has already experienced a meet-cute with a great guy. He's a part-time photographer and waiter who crosses Cecily's path when he is chasing down a runaway Great Dane. (Fortunately Cecily wields a Mary Poppins-like purse that contains a jar of peanut butter, stopping the cow-sized dog in his tracks.) Cecily and Will Cecily banter adorably, and Fate keeps putting them in each other's path. But Cecily is committed to her 20 podcast dates, and laid-back Will is not ambitious enough for Cecily even if she were free to explore a possible relationship.

Back After This is wonderfully grounded, in contrast to the silly romcoms that I've encountered lately. Holmes' sense of humor is primarily cerebral not physical, and the characters, especially Cecily's protective but blunt older sister, feel like real people instead of romcom archetypes. Eliza could easily have come off as a shallow snake-oil saleswoman, but she's never villainized or minimized. Cecily herself is inarguably flawed, deluding herself that she knows what's best for the people she loves and is therefore justified in keeping secrets from them.

Holmes adds just enough information about the art of podcasting to keep things interesting without overwhelming readers with every minor detail. The sex scenes convey passion and connection without focusing on the mechanics. The novel's only minor misstep is the stereotyped Evil Ex, although his final comeuppance is admittedly delicious.

I follow the author on social media, but I never felt like Cecily was a thinly disguised version of herself (or at least the self she presents online). Holmes' Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast has a regular feature called "What's making us happy." Back After This definitely deserves to be on that list.

I loved this book!

Cecily is a talented podcaster, but has always stayed in the background, even when her boyfriend broke up with her and took the podcast they had made together simply because he was the voice.

But when she is approached with a new project, a dating podcast, she steps into the spotlight for a chance to save some jobs, and hopefully have her own show after she makes it through this. She expects 20 blind dates, but life has its own surprises when she’s definitely not looking for them.

This book was so cute, I LOVED the witty banter between Cecily and Will, I only wish she would have seen it sooner!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Back After this is another hit from Linda Holmes. I loved Evie Drake and Flying Solo. Her new novel delves into the world of podcasting and the complexities of modern dating. Holmes, as always, creates excellent banter and rich, multifaceted characters.

Back After This introduces us to Cecily, a podcast producer who embarks on a unique journey with an influencer to explore finding the perfect partner. Holmes takes us on a fascinating exploration of the world of podcasting, adding a unique twist to the narrative.

Cecily is given a choice to take on a new podcast where she is the podcaster by partnering with an influencer (Eliza), who promises to find her love. She takes on the challenge because she's afraid her best friend might lose her job if she doesn't. The premise for the podcast is that she go on 20 first dates, and hopefully because they are curated and she's making a systematic approach this will lead to love.

Meanwhile, she keeps running into Will. A waiter/photographer who keeps showing up in her life, first when he rescues a dog who's run away, and then as her waiter when she's on her her first 'date' as part of the podcast project. He just keeps appearing, he's the photographer she was sent to for her new headshot, he comes to the influencers Christmas party, and finally they seek shelter together during a rain storm.

She thinks she's doing this for all the right reasons, and even though things are not going as expected, she's committed to sticking it out and creating a podcast hit. That is until she realizes that she was duped by everyone. That's when the question Eliza had asked her, "What does she want?" hits home. Eliza had asked about it in the context of a partner and the podcast. However, Cecily reframes that question to what she wants in life and takes control of her life and the podcast.

I found Back After This to be even more captivating than Holmes's previous novels. The depth of the characters and the unique podcast premise kept me engrossed from start to finish.

Thank you to Netgalley and Ballantine Books for an advanced copy in return for an unbiased review. Look for BACK AFTER THIS in February 2025!

I loved Evie Drake written by Linda Holmes but her follow up book Flying Solo wasn’t for me so O wondered where Back After This would land. I would say somewhere in the middle. Lots to love. I feel that the FMC had a lot of growth in her self confidence and it made for a triumphant ending. There is a love story in there but it’s quietly humming along in the background and I feel like the main story is all about the control Cecily finds in her life. 3.75 stars rounded up.

I enjoyed the latest Linda Holmes! Things I enjoyed: the setting in Washington, DC, the dog, Will and Eliza's friendship, and the commentary on gender in the workplace.

This was not super memorable, but a fun and engaging read.

4/5 stars

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 a 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.

This book gave me warm fuzzies. While the premise is tropey and cliche, it was well-written, and Cecily's character was believable - even relatable. Will was great, but the Great Dane stole the show for me. I'll always fall in love with a match-making meddling pet! Super adorable and fun story. Highly recommend it! 4⭐

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced digital reader's copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review!

I requested Back After This since I really loved Evvie Drake Starts Over, but I was disappointed by this one. I enjoyed the writing style, but I feel like the characters weren't developed enough for me to care about them. I also didn't really feel a connection between Will and Cecily and the conflicts in the last 30% of the story went on for too long in my opinion. It felt more like chick lit/contemporary fiction than romance, but it still wasn't an interesting story.

Having read this chick’s previous two books and finding them to be ‘cozy middle aged lady books’ it was good timing to get this from NetGalley for Cozy Reading Szn.

The setup for this one was much more conventional (well, modern-rom-com conventional): podcast producer hosts series on modern dating. Or to put it the way she does: ”You want me to host a show where somebody teaches me how to get a boyfriend. And it’s going to be sponsored by eating alone, drinking alone, dying alone, and cat toys.”

This would have been more interesting 15 years ago when podcasting (and online dating and life coaching) was new and exciting.

But it was pretty adorable and definitely fluffy. She meets a guy randomly at the beginning of the process, so she’s torn between liking him and having to do the show. I didn’t love Cecily but I LOVED Will. He was adorable and direct (direct is my kink) and funny and sweet. Fast read, lots of good dialogue. Cozy AF.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this arc.

I wanted to like this book. I did. I found it boring. I liked the banter between Cecily and Will, they were both likeable characters. The plot itself seemed interesting but overall the execution was purely boring.

I loved this! The world of podcasts was interesting to read about from the inside. I love when a fmc's growth in her romantic life mirrors a growth in her career life. I would have appreciated a bit more Will and Ceci scenes. Eliza was a fascinating secondary character!

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I have been a fan of Linda Holmes since Evie Drake Starts Over. This is another great addition to her catalog. I like that her books have substance but aren’t emotionally heavy. You want good things for the main characters and comeuppance for a certain character. I’m a sucker for a story involving podcasts because I enjoy listening to them so it’s interesting to me to get some behind the scenes perspective. The meet cutes were such fun!

When I'm really enjoying a book, I post updates as I'm reading. Back After This is classified as romance / woman's fiction. I started today and am at 35%. The premise seems is one that I've read several times ... situation where a woman agrees to go on X many dates. Love how light and fun this book is. It is really the breath of fresh air that I need after a couple heavy reads. :)

Cecily Foster loves making podcasts. In exchange for being the focus of the dates, one of her friends will edit and produce the podcasts with her (protecting her from likely layoffs). Great characters. And you never know what Cecily might pull out of her bag.

Updated ... Love books by Linda Holmes! I really enjoyed Evvie Drake Starts Over and Flying Solo. Finished Back After This. It was a fun light read, perfect! This was a quote that struck me as I was reading, and it seems fitting here as well ... "When I was around it, I wanted to eat it, almost, like a cupcake. Happy kids, happy dogs, happy crowds, they were irresistible."

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Books for approving my request to read the advance read copy of Back After This in exchange for an honest review. Approx 320 pages; release date is Feb 25, 2025.