Thoroughly enjoyed this quick and engaging read. Loved the behind the scenes stuff into the making of podcasts. The romantic "misunderstanding" was slightly more annoying than most but overall the book made up for it.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group—Ballantine and Netgalley for an ARC of this book which I voluntarily read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

BACK AFTER THIS was not a book I had on my radar this year at all. I originally only requested it because I had read and loved EVVIE DRAKE STARTS OVER by Linda Holmes and, coupled with the knowledge that I enjoyed Holmes’s writing style, the premise sounded interesting enough that I thought I’d at least have another good book to read if I got approved.

BACK AFTER THIS is so much more than just another good book. It’s an original idea that kept me reading long after I should have taken a break. I would put the banter between our main character, Cecily, and the other characters on an Emily Henry level of banter, which is the highest of compliments in my opinion. I also loved getting a glimpse at the world of podcasts and audio, an area that I definitely don’t explore enough of.

The relationships between the characters were also explored in a way that felt realistic. I loved how close Cecily was with her sister and brother-in-law, and best friend, and, of course, I loved getting to see her navigate dating the different guys (done in such a clever way that meant I wasn’t constantly trying to put another name with a personality!) before ultimately finding the one for her.

Cecily was a perfect protagonist and I could have read fifty more random run-ins between her and Will and Buddy.

4.5 ⭐️s

Something about Linda Holmes' writing just feels like a big ol' hug to me!

I really enjoyed this one! Loved the characters so much and I love learning more about podcasts and the audio world because I am someone who knows nothing about any of it 😅

A solid book with super solid characters!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

I’ve been following Linda Holmes a long time and was delighted to get to read her new book early. I loved her first one (Evvie Drake Starts Over) and was not as charmed by her second one but this one was very fun, a romcom set in the world of podcasting. There’s a meet super duper cute, there’s fake dating (but not with the love interest!), there’s a cute dog, and there’s personal growth as our main character learns to speak up for herself. A good combo that got me out of a reading funk.

📖: Back After This
✍🏼: Linda Holmes
⭐: 4/5

Quick thoughts: Picked this book because of my love for “Evvie Drake Starts Over.” This story was more of a slow burn, but after I got about 30% through it I couldn’t put the book down. The main character, Cecily, is driven and is focused on having a successful career. She gets thrown into a new work project where she finds herself “in front of” the microphone vs. “behind” it as she dates 20 men looking for her special someone. Then, Will and his dog Buddy enter the picture.

Loved:
➝ Puppy-prompted meet cute
➝ Learn about the podcast world
➝ Strong character development

Perfect for: Anyone who loves a rom-com (PG13) that’s full of quick-witted dialogue and laugh out loud moments.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for a copy of this eArc!

A Heartfelt and Hilarious Journey

Back After This is a delightful and heartwarming read that perfectly captures the complexities of modern dating. Lindquist's witty prose and relatable characters keep you engaged from start to finish.

Cecily's journey is both funny and poignant. Her struggle to balance her professional aspirations with her personal life is something many readers will identify with. The dynamic between Cecily and her overbearing mentor, Eliza, is both amusing and frustrating, adding depth to the story.

The novel explores themes of self-worth, friendship, and the importance of embracing vulnerability. Lindquist's ability to blend humor with heartfelt moments makes this book a truly enjoyable read.

If you're looking for a book that will make you laugh, cry, and cheer for the characters, Back After This is the perfect choice.

Loved ‘Back After This’! Loved that it was set in the podcasting world and learning about making a podcast (as an avid Pop Culture Happy Hour listener). Loved Cecily’s journey and her chemistry with Will.
Overall, another great read from Linda Holmes!

Linda Holmes's books are like a warm hug. There was a little bit of tough love in this one, too, but everyone ends up better for it. If you are used to listening to Linda Holmes on Pop Culture Happy Hour, this will feel like an extension of that. Her sense of humor, cultural commentary, and kindness are in there, so much that I would tell my family "I'm off to hang out with Linda" when I went to read.

There's a chapter that's just quick summaries 20 blind dates, which is the kind of thing I nearly always skip over. It was so funny and readable, it might have been my favorite chapter, though! What can't she write?

I was not a very big fan of this one. It felt very predictable and reminded me a lot of another book I read. Almost to a T. While I understand there's only so many tropes to write about, this one was too similar.

4.5 stars rounded up. This was so fun to read after a big rom-com slump.

First, I always love a main dog character.

Second, I liked the relationship Cecily forged with Wliza. It could’ve stayed very surface level, or fallen into tropes, but it felt like a realistic portrayal of two people who are suspicious of one another, I appreciated the tension, as well as how they ended up in the end of the story.

I appreciated Cecily’s growth overall, especially as she recognizes that she’s just kind of let her career happen to her. (It resonated!)

And the love story was cute. Lots of good banter and chemistry between her and Will.


Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the arc!

Thanks for the ARC, NetGalley!

A podcaster makes a deal with a matchmaker to go on 20 dates with people she had been matched with, including one practice date for the matchmaker to see her dating style.

I enjoyed the premise of this book, but I’m struggling to decide whether it was the book or my ADHD that made it hard for me to follow at times. Overall, it was good!

Cecily Foster is a podcast producer, living and working in Washington DC. The company she works for is on the brink of failure, and her boss presents her with a new podcast idea that he is sure will help to save the company, but one that would require her to become a host. The idea? Cecily works with a dating/self-help/influencer "guru", Eliza, to go on 20 blind dates with the men of Eliza's choosing. Cecily must follow her advice and guidance with the idea that her help will ensure that Cecily is no longer single and on her way to true love. Of course, the complication here is that Cecily keeps meeting up with and having amazing chemistry with a man in her neighborhood, who Eliza tells her is absolutely off limits.
Linda Holmes is a great writer, with snappy dialogue and great character development. The chemistry between Cecily and her waiter/photographer man, Will, is amazing and nearly palpable. As with her previous books, the banter and back and forth is well written and also believable. Overall, the book was a fun read, my only criticism was how quickly and easily it felt like things wrapped up, but it was a relatively short book at only 320 pages.
Thank you to Random House Ballantine and NetGalley for the electronic ARC of this novel for review.

This is the perfect book to pick up if you want a rom-com that will leave you with a smile on your face. One of the things I especially enjoyed about this was the great blending of romance, comedy, and women’s fiction. This can be a difficult category for me because I often crave more romance and more comedy, but this was just right.

I also enjoyed the way Washington D.C. and the surrounding area was depicted, it felt as if I were transported there in a very natural way. The audio and podcast profession was another aspect I enjoyed. The main characters were believable and there was a perfect amount of interesting secondary characters and storylines.

Linda Holmes’ first book was what got me back into reading and introduced me to romance, so I have a soft spot for that particular story. Back After This might actually top Evvie Drake Starts Over for me though! I absolutely loved it. The banter, the main character’s observation of influencer culture, the podcast and audio aspect, all of it made a smart, witty, entertaining read that I couldn’t put down. I’ve seen this concept done before-where the main character has to date people for a news article or tv show or podcast, etc, but this one was fresh and different and I really enjoyed the dive into the audio producing world. I loved the relationship between Will and Cecily and this book might contain my favorite meet cute I’ve ever read. Cecily’s self deprecating humor and observations had me smiling and laughing throughout. This one was a definite win!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Another amazing book from Linda Holmes. I've loved her story telling since Evvie Drake!

📖 The Details:
Back After This by Linda Holmes
Blind dates | Podcasting | Rom Com

⏱️ Quick Summary:
Podcast producer, Cecily is getting the chance to host her own show - about her going on 20 blind dates with the help of a dating coach. And what are the chances that she ALSO meets a great guy right before the show starts, someone her dating coach says she absolutely cannot date.

💁‍♀️ My Take:
A unique and entertaining read! I really liked Cecily - she was strong and smart, worked hard, and stood up for herself (eventually...). Her story was relatable and interesting - from her journey in the business to her backstory with her ex and family. It was also a great look into the world of podcasting and influencers (Eliza had me rolling my eyes but simultaneously saying "oh, that's a good point."). And then there's Will. He was my favorite kind of MMC - witty and cute, can banter with the best of them, and not trying to be too "cool." I loved their chemistry and I loved this book! 4 stars!

Thank you for the ARC!

Linda Holmes does it again! I absolutely loved this book, didn’t want to put it down. I also very much enjoyed the very real descriptions of DC as a resident of DC and am looking forward to finding my own Will chasing after a dog.

Linda Holmes’ *Back After This* is a delightful, smartly written rom-com that blends the charm of witty banter, heartfelt exploration of self-discovery, and the ever-relatable chaos of modern dating. With a heroine you’ll root for from page one, a lovable ensemble cast, and a premise that’s equal parts hilarious and thought-provoking, Holmes once again delivers a story that feels both refreshingly original and deeply resonant.

Cecily Foster is the kind of protagonist you want to be best friends with: clever, fiercely loyal, and unapologetically herself. She’s built a life she loves—creating podcasts, cherishing her friends and family, and rebuilding her confidence after a relationship that left her heartbroken and betrayed. But when she’s offered the chance to host her own show, her excitement quickly dims. Why? The show will focus on her dating life, under the “helpful” guidance of relentlessly perky relationship coach Eliza Cassidy, whose internet fame is matched only by Cecily’s skepticism.

The setup is laugh-out-loud funny, with Cecily reluctantly agreeing to twenty blind dates (for reasons that tug at your heart—she’s doing it to save a friend’s job). From the very first date, Holmes captures the awkward hilarity of putting your love life under a spotlight while navigating the pressure of unsolicited advice from a coach who might just be better at selling tips than giving them. The dynamic between Cecily and Eliza is a highlight of the book, with Holmes skillfully exploring the clash between Cecily’s grounded personality and Eliza’s Instagram-ready optimism.

Adding complexity to the mix is Will, a kind, charming photographer Cecily meets in the most adorable way—while rescuing a lost dog. Sparks fly, but Cecily’s journey isn’t a straightforward love story. Holmes dives deeper, exploring themes of vulnerability, trust, and how to balance advice with staying true to yourself. Cecily’s hesitation about Will isn’t just about her past; it’s a reflection of her growth and her determination to make thoughtful, authentic decisions about her future.

The book shines in its balance of humor and heart. Cecily’s blind dates range from laughably disastrous to unexpectedly sweet, while her interactions with her sister and colleagues provide a warm backdrop of support and occasional tough love. Holmes’ prose is breezy and engaging, filled with sharp observations about dating culture, workplace politics, and the pitfalls of public life. The pacing is spot-on, with just the right mix of laugh-out-loud moments and introspective beats.

What sets *Back After This* apart is Cecily’s journey of self-discovery. This isn’t just a rom-com about finding love—it’s about reclaiming your voice, setting boundaries, and trusting yourself in a world full of noise. Cecily’s arc is empowering and relatable, offering a reminder that the best decisions are the ones we make for ourselves.

Linda Holmes has delivered another gem with *Back After This*—a funny, heartfelt story that’s as much about friendship, family, and self-worth as it is about romance. Whether you’re here for the laugh-out-loud blind dates, the slow-burn sparks with Will, or the deeply relatable journey of figuring out what you really want, this book is a five-star delight. Perfect for fans of smart, character-driven rom-coms, this is a story you’ll savor and recommend to all your friends.

Back After This was a fairly quick read about a podcast host trying to find “the one.” It was pretty lighthearted as it didn’t have a ton of depth to the characters or story.

I really enjoyed Linda Holmes' previous books, Evie Drake Starts Over, and Flying Solo, and her latest book did not disappoint! We meet Cecily Foster, who loves podcasting and is brilliant at it, but is stuck in a dead end job working for a boss who doesn't appreciate her talents. He guilts her into starring in a show where she has to go on a series of blind dates while mentored by a "dating coach." Cecily grits her teeth and agrees to share her love life with the public, but will it pay off in the end? And what about the cute guy she keeps running into?

Although Back After This could be described as a standard rom-com, it's elevated by the excellent character development and fascinating description of the inner workings of creating podcasts. A very enjoyable read!

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

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This book was a really solid contemporary romance. As an avid podcast listener myself, I really enjoyed learning more about what goes on behind the scenes on a dating show through reading Cecily’s POV. The premise of this book was very unique, and the characters had so much depth to them.

Fans of Holmes’ other novels, as well as fans of books like One Star Romance, will love this one!