This book read a little clunky to me. I thought the main character was a bit annoying, so I could not connect with her very well. I liked the premise of this book, but I think there were aspects that needed to be changed in order for me to really enjoy it.

First off, this book is definitely more women's fiction than romance, and felt rather long to me as a result. I appreciated the deep relationships between Cora and her friends, as well as her attachment to her dad, but I could have done without most of the bits about Kim and Neisha's parents. Because I was expecting a straight-up romance based on the title and cover, the heaviness of some of the topics covered (like Lincoln's mom's alcoholism and a few plot points I won't mention here) made for a less pleasant reading experience. The pacing was also kind of awkward, with a handful of letters from Aaron thrown in at random moments, and I didn't feel like we got to know him well enough. In short, had I known to expect women's fiction rather than typical romance, I might have walked away with a more favorable view of this novel, and my review is influenced by this.

Though I didn't like some of Cora's choices, I liked her as a FMC enough, and she felt like a real human with complex emotions, as did Lincoln (even though I didn't like him right off the bat!). The early 2000s setting made for a fun flashback (though some of the references felt more 90s than 00s, making me wonder if this book was originally written with an earlier timeline), and the whole college experience felt authentic and took me back in a way no other book has done in recent memory. The writing was great, and I'd certainly read more from this author again.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for the opportunity to read this ARC and give an honest review!

This book is five stars for a Happily Ever After. A Black woman chooses love on her own terms. I want a book about Cora's dad or about a group of distinguished Black men. The crux of the story is that love can be simple and overwhelming. The romance is meaningful. The timelines are perfect for the story and carry a strong pace for fulfilled characters. The nostalgia is also just enough and serves a purpose for Cora's story.

Two stars, I hate to say. The nostalgia of the early 2000s and the writing were my favorite parts, but Cora. Ugh. Not my favorite FMC.

Thank you, NetGalley and Atria Books for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

What if the two men you loved in college come back into your life 20 years later? This is the premise of All the Men I've Loved Again. Cora Belle, a shy, introverted woman begins her freshman year in 1999 where she falls in love with Lincoln, a Southern boy who plans on moving far beyond his challenging upbringing. And when life with Lincoln takes a bit of a detour, Cora meets and falls in love with photographer Aaron.

Never being able to commit to either man, the book fast forwards 20 years in the future when Cora is approaching 40 and both Lincoln and Aaron reenter her life. While I loved the premise and the "what ifs" of this book, I couldn't help but feel that both Cora and several of the other characters seemed two dimensional. I could understand an indecisive 20-something Cora, but an almost 40-something Cora who is still perplexed and puzzled with life felt a little annoying.

Call me prudish, but the sex could have been toned down a bit; overall, I found the book a solid read with some interesting twists at the end.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #AtriaBooks for this electronic ARC of #AlltheMenIveLovedAgain.

All the Men I've Loved Again by Christine Pride peaked my interest with just the title. This is a coming of stage story with a little love triangle mixed in. This was a cute, fun read.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, & the publisher for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This was a sweet story, but a little low on substance and dialogue. Cora’s indecision on pretty much everything over the 20 years this story unfolds jars a little. I wanted to see some progressive of character. Cora is sheltered and shy when she leaves for college and falls for the lovely Lincoln. He is kind, confidant and knows what he wants from his future. Cora finds herself adrift so much, Lincoln’s certainty is a draw she can’t resist. And then she meets Aaron, who she connects with instantly. Things don’t go the way she hopes and she finds herself alone twenty years later and reconnecting with them again. Will she make a choice this time or let others make the decisions for her?
I would have liked less Cora inner thinking and more active prose and dialogue. Her friends were very two dimensional which was sad. I think some chapters from Cora’s upbringing would have broken the endless Cora thoughts. Snippets from her past to help us understand what drives her (or some reasoning for why she isn’t driven).
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC

3.5 Stars rounded up

First love, personal growth, & what if's are all explored in this heartfelt novel. While this was an enjoyable read, I feel like some of the romance could have been developed further.

This story was honestly a real struggle for me. I had a hard time getting into it and even found myself not wanting to pick it up at times.

I also wasn’t a fan of the dual timeline format. Personally, I think the story would have flowed better if the key moments from Cora’s college years had been presented as flashbacks woven into the present timeline, rather than jumping back and forth. I struggled to really connect with Cora overall and found myself skimming a lot of the book. The time was not divided equally between both our MMCs so it didn’t make sense to me that this was a love triangle. What we get is most of Lincoln and VERY little of Aaron, even in the second part when it’s the present.

I’m giving this 3 stars because while the premise was solid, the execution just didn’t fully work for me.

Thank you so much to the publisher for the eARC.

All the men I’ve loved before is literally everything in the title! It had to do with Cora who goes away to college, she is finding herself then enter two guys who she falls for. Fast forward to today, 20 years later and they show up in her life again and she is faced with similar situations and feelings. So much drama, with some funny situations in there as well. It has a little bit for everyone! Go pick up a copy as soon as it comes out!

This was a meh for me.

A complex character with too much going on: it just wasn't my cup of tea.

I wanted Cora and her father's relationship to be more real; it just felt too fake to me.

This book is a realistic depiction of first loves, coming into your own, family and friendship.

Christine Pride did a wonderful job bringing Cora to life and giving her a lot of depth and growth through the book. My favorite part of the book was the connection Cora had to her friends and also Cora’s relationship with her father.

I love that this book took place over decades and there was some back and forth in the timeline to keep it interesting overall. Unfortunately I found the love interests to be a bland and one dimensional.

Personally I really wanted more of Cora, her connecting to her African American identity and forming community, her growth in self assurance and confidence. She was a wonderful character to follow from her college years to adulthood and I think a lot of readers can connect with her. This book does a great job of dealing with some harder topics such as being child free and unexpected pregnancies and I enjoyed exploring that.

Overall I think this was a great book in terms of coming-of-age stories and once Cora, her friends and family are very interesting but the romance fell a bit flat for me.

🌱| This isn’t just another love triangle. Cora’s journey from a college freshman to a grown woman grappling with love, loss, and second chances had me invested. This book is full of emotion, nostalgia, and real-life messiness. One man was her first love. One was the one who got away. Now, they’re both back. This is a heartfelt, reflective, and full of those what if moments story. It’s not always easy to root for Cora (girl, make a choice!), but her growth felt genuine and watching her find herself through love, heartbreak, and therapy is worth the ride. Wes steals the show as a supportive, witty father.

Thanks for the early copy! ✨

I was thrilled to open this book. While I’ve read the author’s other books, they were co-authored with another person. This book spans from the 1990s to the present day. Cora is raised by her father, who prioritizes her above all else. She goes to college and experiences the ups and downs of her first love. I appreciated how her college friends supported her and helped her navigate college life through her sheltered perspective. However, the book did drag on in some parts, and I found it jarring when it switched between third-person and first-person narration at times. I would have enjoyed delving deeper into Cora’s friendships. While her relationship with her father was loving and caring, I wished for more exploration of their bond. Overall, it was a worthwhile read.

I want to express my deepest gratitude to NetGalley, the publisher, and of course, the author, for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Christine Pride's solo debut, *All the Men I've Loved Again*, offers a poignant exploration of love's enduring echoes and the intricate dance between past and present. The narrative centers on Cora Belle, who, in her early twenties, navigates the tumultuous waters of first love with Lincoln, a charismatic college per Their relationship, marked by passion and challenges, sets the stage for Cora's emotional journey.

Years later, as Cora approaches forty, she finds herself entangled once more with Lincoln, while also reconnecting with Aaron, a man from her past whose presence reignites unresolved feelings. This dual reconnection forces Cora to confront her choices, desires, and the person she has become.

Pride's narrative shines in its authentic portrayal of Cora's internal struggles and the nuanced depiction of her relationships. The story delves deep into themes of identity, personal growth, and the enduring impact of past relationships. However, some readers might find the pacing uneven, with certain character arcs, particularly Aaron's, receiving less development than anticipated.

Overall, *All the Men I've Loved Again* is a heartfelt tale that resonates with anyone who's pondered the "what ifs" of past loves and the possibility of rekindled connections. It's a testament to the idea that while time changes us, some emotions remain timeless.

**Verdict:* A reflective and emotionally rich narrative that captures the essence of second chances and the enduring nature of love.

All the Men I’ve Loved Again was such a good read. It’s about love, personal growth, and second chances, and I really enjoyed how Cora’s story played out. The alternating timelines between her college days and present-day really worked for me. Cora’s growth felt real, and I loved how the book tackled things like forgiveness and finding yourself after tough experiences.
The relationships were interesting, though I did feel like the guys—Lincoln and Aaron—could’ve been a little more developed. But Cora’s journey, especially with therapy and learning to heal, made up for that.
The only thing that felt off to me was that there wasn’t much focus on the time period, like the impact of 9/11, which I think could’ve added something extra. But overall, this is a solid, heartfelt read that I know will stick with me.

All the Men I’ve Loved Again is a beautifully written, emotionally rich story about love, growth, and second chances. Christine Pride delivers a thoughtful and engaging narrative that explores what happens when the past and present collide—and how revisiting old loves can sometimes help you find your true self.
The main character is relatable and real, and I loved following her journey as she reflects on her relationships and what she truly wants out of life. The writing is heartfelt, the pacing is spot-on, and the themes of forgiveness, identity, and empowerment are woven in so naturally.
A smart, warm, and moving read—perfect for fans of contemporary fiction with depth and heart.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy! All thoughts are my own.

A second chance love story that pulled me in from the first page is what I needed to read. I laughed and I cried and I loved this book. Hope to read more from this author very soon.

SOLID coming of age story! Got an ARC for this book (thank you, Net Galley) and it brought back sooo many good memories of the 1990s (arguably the best time period). The story wasn't my favorite, I found it hard to connect with Cora's story - almost felt as if I was reading her diary if that makes sense. Lincoln is also the name of my 7 year old son so my head wasn't in the game fully... haha! but a good entertaining summer read for sure!

I believe this is more women’s fiction than it is romance.

Although I love a story that takes me back 20+ years, I’m guessing the author wasn’t around during that time because there some significant events not mentioned or glossed over such as September 11th.

If you like coming of age and women’s fiction you’ll probably enjoy this story.