Back After This
by Linda Holmes
Pub Date: Feb. 25, 2025
Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
From the New York Times bestselling author of Evvie Drake Starts Over and Flying Solo, a podcast producer agrees to host a new series about modern dating—but will the show jeopardize her chance at finding real love?
I am not a typical rom com reader but this one was great. I recommend it for people who enjoy podcasts. I enjoyed this latest release by Linda Holmes. A light, fun and non-spicy rom-com. I needed a break from my thrillers and this one fit the bill perfectly!
I loved the humor Holmes throws in.
If you like romance, comedy, near misses, fixer-uppers, date fiascos and OR are a podcast lover - this is surely a book for you. Here's to a fabulous book that could be an extra fabulous movie and here's to Linda Holmes !

Linda Holmes' Back After This is a poignant and beautifully written novel that delves into the complexities of love, loss, and the power of second chances. The story follows a group of friends who reunite after a tragic event, navigating the challenges of life, love, and the enduring bonds of friendship.

Holmes' characters are richly drawn and deeply relatable. Each character's journey is filled with both joy and heartbreak, as they confront their pasts and embrace their futures. The author's keen observations of human nature and her ability to capture the nuances of relationships are truly remarkable.

The novel's exploration of grief, forgiveness, and the enduring nature of love is both heartwarming and thought-provoking. Holmes' writing style is both lyrical and insightful, making Back After This a truly immersive reading experience.

Linda Holmes does it again! I'm a big fan of her backlist work, especially Evvie Drake Starts Over, so I was thrilled to see Back After This pop up on NetGalley. It didn't disappoint! The premise was entirely unique, and I loved getting to know the main character Cecily through this lens. The behind-the-scenes of the podcast industry was also delightful.

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for the ARC!

Holmes' book had a lot of moments that were funny in such a precise way that they really made this work, even when sometimes it felt like it wasn't sure how it wanted to handle, for example, the plot with social media influencer Eliza, which felt a touch uneven to me.

I absolutely loved “Evvie Drake Starts Over” so I was so excited to read this book by the same author, Linda Holmes. This story follows Cecily whose new job offer means she’ll have to exploit her dating life. I really enjoyed following our FMC through all of her struggles with love and career and life through this story. Thank you so much for the chance to read this story!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this novel, even more than Holmes’ previous ones. The banter was adorable and I liked learning more about the world of podcasting. Highly recommend.

I loved “Back After This” - yet another hit from Linda Holmes who has firmly cemented herself as my favorite author. Cecily and Will were the perfect pairing and I found myself totally engrossed anytime they were interacting. I can’t wait to buy and read this again when it’s released and will be recommending to all of my friends!!

Great story about a podcaster who is roped into making her dating life the center of a podcast series.

3.5 stars for me. A detailed look into how a podcast is made led to this being an interesting rom-com for me. We know how this story will end, and some of the lessons that will be learned, but the journey to get Cecily happily ever after was filled with humor and friendship.

Linda Holmes DOES IT AGAIN. This book is about a podcaster who agrees to do a show about her own dating life, only to fall for someone the show's host didn't agree on. The main characters, Cecily and Will, are so real and lovable and complex and the dialogue is outstanding. Fans of Evvie Drake Starts Over will love this one (note: I didn't love Flying Solo as much, but this one is on par with EDSO).
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis: Cecily, a podcast producer, agrees to host a 20 first dates show to help her find her soulmate in exchange for a chance to pilot her own show and save her mentee from a possible layoff.

Thoughts: Linda Holmes is an excellent writer. Not only did I find the writing laugh out loud funny and relatable, but I learned so much about the podcast/ audio world.  The story leans heavily into the women’s fiction genre, focusing more on Cecily’s career and personal growth than her love story. I was perfectly fine with this, especially since I didn’t connect as deeply with Will’s character as I had hoped. Perhaps the story would have benefited from having chapters from his POV, or maybe I just struggle with too many chance encounters feeling too coincidental. Still, this is a great read for fans of modern dating, podcasts, witty banter, and strong character growth.

Read if you like:
-Podcasts and dating shows
-Strangers to friends to lovers
-Modern love stories
-Cute dogs
-DC setting

Thank you random house for the early copy!

I enjoyed the premise of this book. I wish we would have gotten to the heart of the story a little more quickly, I would have liked a little more emphasis on the relationships in the story and less on the work details, which felt a little mundane at times. Overall, a solid read.

This book is good, but it didn't make me want to read more. It took me a while to nail down exactly why I felt to "meh" about and I finally realized that it is very realistic and ordinary. This story could be about you, or your sister, your friend, your coworker, etc. When I read a book, I want to escape into that book, leave my own life and get lost in someone else's. It doesn't have to be magical or unrealistic, but this book just felt like the everyday story you hear someone else telling about themselves.

Also, I picked this book up based on the cover, because I love books with dogs in them, and love great danes. The dog in this book, Buddy, is great, but the book needs 500% more dog. I want more dog involvement.

Thanks to Ballantine for the gifted copy of this book!

I always love knowing that an author is writing a book in an area of their expertise — in this case, podcasts. BACK AFTER THIS is a really unique look into the world of podcasting, told from the perspective of Cecily, who is a podcast producer and ends up being the star and host of a self-help podcast where she goes on 20 dates to try to find a partner.

During the course of the podcast — and actually right before the podcast — Cecily runs into Will, a photographer and waiter, in quite a few chance situations. These serendipitous meetings make for a fun way to build a relationship.

BACK AFTER THIS, while a romance with dates and intimacy and an HEA, felt more like women’s fiction to me with the heavy focus on podcasting, personal development, and career… or maybe more like a Mhairi McFarlane-style romance where it’s there, but not always at the forefront. Maybe part of it was the single POV, or that while in their mid-30s, the main characters seemed to me more like mid-forties.

I would’ve liked a little bit more at the end and in the epilogue, and Will’s POV could have been nice, but I’m glad we did end up getting a podcast episode transcript in there! That was a fun addition with that huge focus in the book.

While this doesn’t beat EVVIE DRAKE, I did like it significantly more than FLYING SOLO.

Back After This by Linda Holmes is such a beautifully written and heartfelt novel! The story has that perfect mix of warmth, humor, and emotional depth that Linda Holmes is so great at.

The characters feel incredibly real, with their quirks, flaws, and all the little things that make them relatable. The journey of self-discovery and second chances is woven in so seamlessly, and it’s easy to get completely wrapped up in their lives. The relationships—both romantic and platonic—are full of heart and nuance, making the story so satisfying.

The writing is thoughtful and easy to fall into, with moments that make you laugh, reflect, and maybe even tear up a bit. I’ll definitely be recommending this one to my library patrons who love stories about fresh starts, meaningful connections, and a touch of romance. It’s a book that sticks with you in the best way!

I loved the inside baseball on podcasting and found the characters charming. I even liked the way the twenty dates were laid out, and that easily could have felt gimmicky. I felt like Michael 2 character wasn’t consistent throughout and the ending didn’t feel like it was in line with the rest of the book—I keep thinking about endings I would have found more satisfying.

The book follows Cecily Foster, who’s been working at a podcast company doing primarily behind the scenes editing and producing projects. She’s pitched numerous projects to her boss, Toby, but they’ve always been sidelined, until he calls her in and suggests her to be talent for a self help dating podcast where she goes on 20 dates ushered by an influencer turned dating guru. Cecily is understandably not that enthusiastic about putting herself out for consumption for a project like this but faced with company layoffs and fewer hit projects at their company, she feels pressured to say yes and go on this new journey.

I had a great time reading this book, it was so interesting honestly to just learn about the podcast/audio process from the backend. It was also a journey to see someone contemplate the decision to put their personal life out for public consumption and how your shifting vision of what you expect out of your life can be a hard transition to come to terms with. It feels like a really relatable about slowing down to enjoy life again, and reintroducing yourself to what inspired you to enter a career in the first place.

Also for the DC folks it’s set here and it is always so fun to read a book that you can place all the different spots where things take place. Solid light read for folks that need a good vacation book or something to get them out of a rut!

*Back After This* by Linda Holmes is a charming and deeply thoughtful novel that explores the complexities of relationships, career, and self-discovery. The story follows the journey of a woman who returns to her hometown after a life-changing event, grappling with her past while seeking new purpose in her present. Holmes excels at creating fully realized characters whose emotions and struggles feel authentic and relatable. The novel delicately balances humor and heartache, offering moments of lightness while also diving into deeper, more introspective themes. The setting is rich and vivid, providing the perfect backdrop for the emotional journey the protagonist undergoes. Holmes’s writing is warm and engaging, with sharp dialogue and a keen understanding of human nature. *Back After This* is a tender, uplifting exploration of second chances, resilience, and personal growth, making it a truly rewarding read for fans of contemporary fiction. A beautiful and satisfying story.

I became an avid fan of Linda Holmes after reading Eve Drake Starts Over, so I was super excited to read another title by her. This story did not grab my attention as readily, mostly because the podcast/radio host theme is something I am not as familiar with. Because of that and all of the affiliated lingo, it took me a moment to get into the storyline. I found the protagonist, Cecily, to be entirely relatable and found myself rooting for her success much like I do with the women in my life. I love that she is in her 30s and still figuring life out, which as someone who can root herself in the same camp, is often a faux pas in a society where “having your life figured out” is indicative of success. I will definitely recommend this book to friends!

Loved every minute of this book! I’ve read Linda Holmes other books and while I loved those, this one was on another level. The build up between Cecily and Will felt very real and not forced. I also enjoyed a bit of behind the scenes into the podcasting world. Highly recommend!