I love the Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast. After books, tv and film are my favorite--it's the stories! I love stories in all forms, and PCHH podcast is all about reviewing and discussing them. Linda Holmes is a longtime host of the show and one of my favorite people to listen to. I have been absolutely delighted that she became a novelist. She is talented, funny, observant, wry, smart, and creative. And a fabulous writer, of course.

This is the third novel she's written, and I've read all three. I think this might be my favorite--there's self-doubt to overcome, there's undeniable attraction with the "wrong" timing, there's antics and banter and friendship and hot guys. And podcasts! A meet-cute with a dog!

I could "hear" Linda's voice as I read the book, which is truly delightful. I honestly wish I could hang out with this author in real life. She seems like the perfect friend for going out to dinner and a movie and talking for hours.

Quote I liked: “People do exciting things after they turn forty all the time. Julia Child was fifty when she published her first book.” “You know why everybody knows that?” I said. “Because it isn’t what usually happens.”

Right? Thanks to Ballantine books for the advance copy.

I loved Evvie Drake and this was a similar style- so fun and easy to read. I read it in one beach day. Highly recommend for fans of Emily Henry.

BACK AFTER THIS is a sweet and endearing love story filled with witty humor and wholesomeness that takes readers inside the podcast world. After a bad breakup and not having a dating life since, Cecily, a podcast producer, is approved to host her own show, but it has to involve her going on twenty first dates setup and coached by an influencer. But why happens when she goes away from the terms to the show and meets someone else - in the wild no else! - but not approved by said influencer coach)?

This book somehow felt so pure and yet grounded at the same time - still relatable while making for a delightful escape. With the refreshing storyline, likable characters, and the entertaining writing, I found myself quickly invested and caring for the characters (and dog!). I enjoyed the maturity and depth to Will and Cecily and seeing their friendship bloom and evolve. This was my first time reading work by this author and I look forward to reading her other books.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

An interesting look at self evaluation and relationships. Cecily's journey was so relatable that you can see yourself in her shoes.

Linda Holmes has done it again with Back After This! This book sparkles with wit, charm, and heart, all tied up in a story that feels like a cozy chat with a close friend.

Cecily Foster is a delightful protagonist—her quick wit and relatable awkwardness make her instantly lovable. Watching her navigate the chaos of hosting a podcast about her love life (a situation I would personally find mortifying!) kept me laughing and rooting for her. Her banter with the eccentric Eliza Cassidy is pitch-perfect, and the swoony moments with Will? Absolute gold.

Holmes masterfully balances the humor with moments of vulnerability, as Cecily reflects on her past relationships and her self-worth. The podcast framework adds a modern and fun twist to the rom-com genre, giving the story a fresh perspective on dating in the digital age.

If you love quick dialogue, swoon-worthy romance, and characters that feel like real people you'd want to grab coffee with, Back After This will sweep you off your feet. A must-read for fans of modern love stories!

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Ballantine Books for the opportunity to receive the ARC.

A cozy romance from beloved NPR host Linda Holmes. While this didn't hit quite as well for me as her previous two titles, it was still heartwarming, witty, and winning. Holmes's love for and knowledge of audio shines through the FMC and specific traits and quirks make her relatable and familiar, without falling into that "she's beautiful but don't hate her because she's a mess, see she tripped over her own feet" cliche territory. I'll always be ready for a new Linda Holmes book.

"Back After This" by Linda Holmes is a charming romantic comedy with all the right elements: a likable heroine, a swoon-worthy love interest, and a dog. Cecily, the protagonist, humorously navigates her romantic life by dating men like it's her job (because it currently is). Her observations and frustrations with both the men and her dating coach make for an enjoyable, lighthearted read. The real heart of the book, though, lies in the slow-burning friendship between Cecily and Will. Their connection feels authentic and natural, and it's refreshing to see their relationship evolve over time.

While Cecily’s self-deprecating nature is relatable, it can sometimes feel a bit excessive, making her seem more awkward than an adult woman might be in her situation. That said, this minor flaw doesn't detract much from the overall enjoyment of the book. If you're a fan of authors like Abbie Jiminez or Emily Henry, "Back After This" is a perfect pick for a fun, quick read full of humor, heart, and plenty of romance.

I enjoyed Holmes's previous book, Evvie Drake Starts Over, and I like this one too, although it's a little too predictable and formulaic. A podcast producer--and I did love learning about podcast production!--agrees to take part in a podcast in which she'll go on 20 dates and get advice from a "romance influencer"-type figure. But before those dates get underway, she has a meet-cute with a charming guy and a charming dog. So we know what's gonna happen: most of the dates will be duds, and either she'll have to choose between a date and meet-cute-dog-guy, or all of the dates will be duds and she'll end up with meet-cute-dog-guy. Spoiler: it's the second. But along the way there are some unfortunately cliched events: misunderstandings, omission of crucial info, et al. Even knowing the ending that's coming, it's still a pleasant read; the main characters are interesting and pretty well-developed and the podcast and influencer worlds are interesting to learn about.

Linda Holmes' third book is a truly wonderful piece of storytelling. She repeatedly raises the bar for compelling and nuanced heroines and shows how love happens to everyone in the messiest and most wonderful of ways. Her writing is so insightful and funny, every time I read one of her books (this one was no exception) I spend an exorbitant amount of time texting my friends about passages and moments I find delightful. Anyway I loved it, please let her write whatever she wants.

This by far my favorite novel from Linda Holmes! I love podcasts so a romance book about a podcast host was right up my alley. I appreciated the character development of the main characters and the story kept me engaged. A five star read!

Such a lovely read. Hilarious, witty, romantic all set against the backdrop of the DC status game. Really appreciated the unique take on needing to be helpful and have people grateful for you.

This novel is about Cecily who is a producer of podcasts for a small and struggling company in DC. Despite preferring to be behind the scenes, she agrees to be the guinea pig for a bachelor-esque podcast series that follows her going on 20 dates and being guided by a matchmaker named Eliza. In order to get the project of her choosing and to save her and her best friend’s jobs, she agrees to follow Eliza’s guidance and give this a fair shot. As in real life nothing goes according to plan and right as Cecily is set to begin a man runs into her life, superhero cape and all.

I *loved* this book. It was such a delight to read - I immediately adored Cecily and wanted to protect her at all costs. The writing is SO good and I didn't want to put it down - but I also did not want this book to end. It was so readable and I loved getting to know some behind-the-scenes details about what goes into making a podcast.

Overall, this book was a delight. If you enjoy romances with more depth than a kiddie pool this is the book for you.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for the eARC copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

This is probably my favorite book by Linda Holmes, and that is saying a lot. This is true romance, an impossibly cute meet cute, and a very satisfying grand gesture. And. The Banter. It was bantering. The premise of this book, in other hands, could have been handled very poorly. Our FMC works on podcasts and the company she works for is spinning the drain. But then an opportunity comes along and her boss wanted her to have her own podcast with a social media influencer who will help her find love by going on twenty dates, get some lifestyle coaching, and a She's All That-style makeover. I don't want to spoil anything else about the plot, because everything in this book is a breath of fresh. This book was so fun, so swoony, and yes, there is a dog. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC for my honest review.

At the heart of this novel is Cecily Foster, a podcast producer who's been burned by both love and professional disappointment. After a failed relationship with a colleague who stole both her heart and her ideas, she's sworn off romantic entanglements—until her boss forces her to host her own dating podcast, with the caveat that she must follow the advice of the overly optimistic influencer turned relationship coach, Eliza Cassidy.

Cecily’s struggles with the pressures of modern dating, her unwavering loyalty to her friends and colleagues, and her resistance to opening up again after past heartbreak create an engaging and relatable emotional landscape.

The chemistry between Cecily and Will, a photographer she meets during a chance encounter involving a very cute lost dog, provides a lovely counterpoint to the tension of the podcast’s premise. Their connection feels genuine, and their evolving relationship adds depth to the story, making it more than just a “will-they-won’t-they” romance.

While Cecily tries to figure out whether she should follow her heart or try to save her job, I found myself continuallyrooting for these characters. Overall, I found it to be a charming rom-com and an enjoyable read.

Cecily, a podcast producer, agrees to star in a podcast, mostly because she believes it will save jobs at her failing company. She has a bad past with an ex-boyfriend who stole their podcast idea and took off with it, becoming famous, causing Cecily to wonder if she can do the same. The new podcast revolves around Cecily dating and receiving self-help advice from Eliza, a social media influencer. But, right before it starts, she has a "meet cute" with a man named Will and a dog named Buddy. After that, she sees Will everywhere.

Cecily also has problems saying what she wants and standing up for herself, though she's fine as a bossy producer telling others what to do. She's not thrilled with doing this show--does anyone really want to date publicly? (I guess anyone who goes on The Bachelor.) We quickly realize she needs to learn more about herself and how she sees others. Waiting for her to realize that--that's a bit more frustrating. My favorite in the story is Will, a rather charming guy, even though he's worried that his lack of a formal career means there's something wrong with him.

There's no huge momentum or story arc in BACK AFTER THIS, but it delves into Cecily as she goes on her dates, secretly sees Will, and performs self-discovery. This is a story of character development and growth, with an in-depth look into the world of podcasting. Holmes writes with her usual wonderful voice. The story is witty and often laugh out loud funny (thanks, Will!). Cecily and Will have good banter, and this is fun overall.

Linda Holmes is fabulous at crafting quiet, comforting reads that offer just the right amount of tension, romance, and hope. I loved this slow burn and even if the plot was on the predictable side, I was invested and rooting away for all of the pieces to fall into place.

I usually love a far-fetched rom-com (let's be honest, I'm reading to escape life!) so Back After This was a struggle for me to get into. The writing was very good and it was a thoughtful book (with very realistic "problems") So overall, it was a good book - it just didn't have enough escapism for me to enjoy it.

It is very funny and the characters (well, most of them!) are likable. Cute book but I preferred Evie Drake better.

I like nothing more than a smart romcom that prioritizes emotional needs and does not rely on a misunderstanding to propel the plot. That’s just what this snappy, personality-driven story does, and it gets bonus points for being set in the world of podcasting. The main character, Cecily, is bright and ambitious, but her people-pleasing nature is a hinderance to her happiness. When she’s paired up with a rich social media influencer to make a dating podcast featuring Cecily herself, she’s forced to confront herself and to figure out what she really wants in life and in her career. The love interest, Will, is personable and sweet and there’s great chemistry between he and Cecily. All in all, I really enjoyed this novel and it did everything I wanted it to.

Cecily is partnered up with a popular influencer who now totes herself as a life and dating coach. She boldly claims she can set Cecily up for a successful relationship. Cecily agrees to 20 blind dates with the expectation true love will bloom from one of these dates. Oh, did I mention everything will be recorded and dissected for the world to listen to?
Before there was online dating... Think of the popular show,
"Married at first sight" but here you meet at a restaurant instead of the alter. All you know is a name and maybe an occupation. No texting before-hand. No swiping. You rely on a trusted friend or relative to set you up with someone they know. A bit old school, but it works. It's how I met my husband.
But just as the dates are getting started Cecily meets Will, who just happens to be running past her apartment, chasing a huge Great Dane.
Of course, the universe keeps putting the two together. So how can Cecily concentrate on her project of meeting Mr.
Right when Will seems to be everything she could hope for?
I enjoyed both Cecily and Wills' characters. Their banter was fun and refreshing and as a devoted dog lover, the Great Dane known as Buddy stole my heart.
There was quite a bit of shop talk as we got to learn everything about the audio and podcast world. Maybe a bit too much. I'd have rather had more scenes with Buddy and less about podcast production.

Linda Holmes' third book is her best yet! It was so fun to see Holmes bring her podcast and radio background into her fiction writing. The main character of BACK AFTER THIS, Cecily Foster, works for a podcast company and embarks on a last-ditch attempt to climb one more rung of the podcast business ladder. But the last-ditch attempt is agreeing to become the host AND subject of a new dating podcast in which she'll go on 20 first dates with the help of an expert. Since she's had no luck dating since her disaster of an ex, Cecily agrees. But then of course she has a wonderful meet-cute with a man and a Great Dane...

I loved the characters in this book, especially Cecily and Will. They felt very real and their flaws were simple and relatable. Buddy the Great Dane was an excellent supporting character. And all three of them have the best meet-cute I've read in a while!

The inside info on podcasting and radio was really fascinating and I'm glad Holmes decided to write a book set in the world of podcasting! It was great!