then & now alternating chapters ⏳
second chance romance 👩‍❤️‍👨
musical theater 🎭
former pop-star🎤
4.5/5⭐️

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.
Despite receiving an eARC of this novel, I waited 3 months before downloading it to my Kindle and taking the leap. I regret not doing it sooner!
This is my first Elissa Sussman novel, and it most certainly will not be the last.

The friends-to-lover-to-enemies-to-friends-to-lover pipeline was an absolute dream! Kathleen and Cal’s tumultuous relationship has the potential to give readers whiplash, but the alternating timelines made these transitions feel so smooth. It was impossible to not root for these two characters to be together.
I also really enjoyed Kathleen’s relationship with her best friend. Sussman did an amazing job writing about the complexities of friendship as well as chosen family. On the surface, this can easily seem like a fluffy romance, but the way the themes are handled really elevate this novel. The only reason I am not giving 5 stars is because I really wanted more! I feel like another chapter would have allowed me to part with these characters and feel like the storyline was tied up perfectly.

One More with Feeling released on May 20, 2023. Do yourself a favor and pick up this novel asap!

I really enjoyed Once More With Feeling.

I like stories about the life of famous people and hearing that that life isn’t all it’s cracked up to be sometimes especially with how much people envy them and want to be them.

Once More With Feeling is a comeback story…both in professionally and romantic.

Sometimes I didn’t really like Kathleen’s character but I think it was written like that on purpose. To see her struggling with confidence and being thrown back into the public eye.

My favorite part of the whole book was definitely the ending. I loooooved it so much 😍

Thanks to Netgalley and Dell for a copy of Once More With Feeling in exchange of an honest review.

Childhood friends to lovers to enemies to lovers?

I really enjoyed this book. I’m a big fan of then and now books and this one was great. It constantly had me turning the pages to see what happened next. I honestly think I may have liked it more than funny you should ask.

A great romance to pick up if you’re looking for a quick cute read.

*screams incoherently* I loved Once More with Feeling more than I thought possible. It's the PERFECT second-chance romance that warmed my formerly-teenaged-fangirl heart. Katee Rose--a very Britney Spears-esque popstar--is all grown up and trying to find her way, excited to finally perform on Broadway. After a cheating scandal ended her career and her ex did everything he could to ruin her, she's been living quietly under her real name--Kathleen Rosenberg--grateful she can live largely under the radar. This Broadway musical is supposed to be her fresh start--but everything becomes more complicated when the boy she fell for years ago agrees to be the director. It doesn't help that after he left her to bear the brunt of the judgment on her own after the scandal, she doesn't trust him as far as she could throw him.

I loved their dynamic. It felt so real--the slow rebuilding of trust and the delicious tension that they still feel, so many years later. The dual timelines added a depth of understanding--gradually revealing why they feel the way they do, explaining their reactions to different things that happen now in the present.

As a musical theater nerd and also a fan of 90s and early 2000s pop music, this book encapsulates my entire personality. I loved it so much. I couldn't put it down, and I stayed up way too late reading it. Like Kathleen, I'm not in my twenties anymore.

I do have to say I'm not a fan of cheating in romance books. In fact, it usually is one of my "no-gos." But I got it. I understood what happened and why it happened. They were both young when it happened, and I would say emotionally immature (especially Katee because of how she grew up), and her boyfriend was actually a manipulative little twerp.

This was enjoyable and while I waffled between three and four stars, I ultimately rounded down. The book covers a great amount of time and I feel like that hurts it, while simultaneously being necessary to show the course of the show on its way to Broadway. I also didn't love the flashbacks while made up a solid 30% of the book. They felt almost too much like snapshots and not enough like a cohesive story. That being said, I liked both Kathleen and Cal and all of the musical theater references, and I'm always a sucker for enemies to lovers, even when it's a second chance romance.

This is a fun read about a former teen singing sensation named Katee. She had a secret relationship with a guy in a boy band named Cal, and when the secret comes out her career got trashed.

Fast forward. Cal is now the director, and he’s putting on a Broadway musical written by Katee (now Kathleen’s) friend with a part in it written for Kathleen. She’s always wanted to sing in a Broadway musical, and this is her chance, if she can get the part and work with Cal again.

As they start rehearsals, they discover that their chemistry is as strong as ever. Kathleen wants to show her talent, and is afraid people will think she got the part because of their relationship.

I love all the behind the scenes descriptions, 4 stars.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed as in this review are completely my own.

i had high hopes after the first one but for me personally, it just fell a little short for my expectations and i DNF.

Another fun, sexy engrossing rom com from Elissa Susan. Where the theaters nerds at? This is the summer read for you. The fresh setting of a Broadway run makes the perfect backdrop for formers lovers reconnecting later in life. Sharp, contemporary writing. Really enjoyed this one.

Thoroughly enjoyed reading this - finished it in a day! As a fellow musical theatre lover, I loved their references and inside jokes - this book is very well-written, engaging, and a really fun read for all (though more if you like theatre!).

My only issue throughout the book was that I had no idea how old the protagonist (Kathleen) and her love interest (Cal) were. I kept looking for clues in the following phrases "in my advancing age", "I guess I could join social media", "He leaped over the stage like a man ten years younger" and "Wyatt has five kids now", and it was a little frustrating to not know for sure - are they thirty five and being dramatic about aging? Are they late forties? Sixties? It was very late into the book that I received a somewhat stronger hint and pieced together that they were in their thirties - I think, I'm still not 100% sure.

All in all, it was a pleasure - thank you Elissa, Random House Publishing, and Dell!

This book truly is a love letter to theater kids and I wish I were a theater kid because I just know I missed so many references.

I enjoyed Funny You Should Ask, but the one complaint I had about that book is that the romance/timeline felt unbelievable to me. I did not have that issue with this book. This is children friends to young adult lovers, with a second chance romance finale (one where the reason for their initial break up actually makes sense!). The characters are messy, and don’t always make the best choices, but that’s what makes this book a good read. I was heartbroken and stressed out for the characters, which I personally enjoy in a romance. My one complaint is how the third act conflict was handled and resolved, which is why I am giving this 4 stars. If you liked Funny You Should Ask, definitely pick this one up!

I'll preface by saying I love Elissa Sussman's work. If this book has flaws, which I know it does, I'm actively choosing not to harp on them. 🫣 If you liked Funny Feelings (which I did), you probably will also enjoy this one. In the same token, if you didn't like Funny Feelings, you most likely will not enjoy this one & that's ok!

Strictly vibes, this book is a 3.75. (childhood friends to lovers, celebrity romance, slow burn, workplace romance).

the main cast then/now:
- Kathleen "Katee Rose", once-beloved pop star
- Ryan (Katee's clout chasing boyfriend) & Cal Kirby (old theater camp flame and now broadway director/choreographer), ex-members of the boy band CrushZone
- Harriet, songwriter, and Kathleen's best friend

I enjoyed the preface, story, and characters as a whole- but not so much individually. Kathleen was incredibly difficult to root for throughout but despite that I still liked the banter and dynamic between her and Cal.. I just don't think Cal had a drop of accountability in the part he played in the "then" timeline and I can't get over that, but I digress, 🫢 It's something to be said about how women are unfairly crucified in the entertainment industry to their male counterparts.

Overall, while I did like the book, I think I may have enjoyed this even MORE if this was written as a screenplay. While I do enjoy reading, I think this book would translate beautifully into a movie or television show, especially with the character's singing and dancing (and all the musical/broadway references and nods). If one happens to pop up, remember I said manifested it here first. 😉

This is high school musical meets making the band and it is a super fun read! Katee Rose (now Kathleen Rosenberg, gave up her dreams of starring onstage in a musical after her run as a teen pop star comes crashing to a halt. That is until old fling Cal Kirby, reaches out to her with the opportunity of a lifetime - star in the broadway show he's directing that was written by her best friend! She knows she's perfect for the part because her friend wrote it with her in mind, but with the sordid past between her and Cal, will she be able to pull it off without a hitch? For fans of musicals and romance novels!

-Dual Timelines (past & present)
-Second Chance Romance

Kathleen, aka Katee Rose, went to camp to hone her singing skills and meet scouts to get on Broadway someday. There she meets her best friend, Cal and Ryan. She gets chosen to become a popstar, and Cal, Ryan, and a few others get put into a boy band.

Kathy dates Ryan but soon begins to question her choices and the way her life is going. Her bestie and Cal help steer her but things take a turn for the worst.

I felt for Kathleen, for the media judging her so harshly. I could only imagine how many celebrities felt like Kathleen and the toll it took on their careers and lives overall.

Her bestie and Cal turned director offer Kathleen an opportunity to do what she has always dreamed of.

I enjoyed reading this, I've never read a celebrity themed like book. This was giving me Britney and Kevin vibes 🩷

I felt like it was lacking in places.

Thank you Penguin Random House for the ARC! I liked this! As a musical theatre girlie myself I always have a hard time reading fictional celeb books/ reading about Broadway reminds me of the books I read as a kid in my room dreaming my big ole dreams. For me, it didn’t have the same pizazz Funny You Should Ask had, but I am a sucker for second chance romances with allllll that pining. I found Kathleen to be a bit hard to root for, constantly switching between “I am the most amazing performer to ever live” and “I ruined my career by being a hoe” when clearly there were some deeply rooted family issues there we could have dove deeper into but alas. Girlie has a brownstone in Brooklyn and is on the B Way she is living my DREAM!

These covers are amongst some of my favorites, too.

Once More with Feeling tells the story of Katee Rose (then), pop star, and Kathleen Rosenberg (now), aspiring Broadway star. Katee was the Princess of Pop, touring with her boyfriend Ryan - the Prince of Pop - and his fellow boyband members of CrushZone. After Katee cheats on Ryan, the world turns on her and her career is over. She's incredibly angry because neither Ryan nor Cal, his bandmate that she cheated on him with, experienced backlash for their roles in the scandal. Her best friend, Harriet, has written a musical with Kathleen in mind for the lead role. Only Cal is the director. Kathleen agrees to continue in the role, but the relationship with Cal is tense - and she still feels the attraction.

The story gave me Britney/Justin vibes. Kathleen is honestly not very likeable, but we can definitely tell that she's bitter. She also hasn't forgiven herself and is consistently putting herself down and thinking that she doesn't deserve success. Cal seems to be keeping his cards close to his chest (we eventually can see why), but it's obvious he can't deny his pull to Kathleen either. I really enjoyed that the book was written with "then" and "now" taking turns in the storytelling so you didn't know the whole story behind their previous relationships until near the end of the book. I'm interested in reading some more from this author!

A big thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing/Ballantine/Dell for providing me with a digital reviewer copy in exchange for my honest opinions.

Thank you to the publisher for allowing me to read the ARC of 'Once More with Feeling'!

Once again, I was super excited to receive this arc! Last year ('22), I had the opportunity to meet Elissa Sussman at the LA Times Festival of Books. She signed my copy of 'Funny You Should Ask:. She was so sweet and kind to every single person who came through her line. Sadly, I still haven't read that book, but now that I have read 'Once More with Feeling, I already know that I'm going to love it!

I really enjoyed this story. An enemies to lovers trope, is one of my faves. I liked how the story developed. I also really enjoyed the 'then' and 'now' sequence. Going back and forth from the past and the present. It was nice to see what had happened in the past and how it impacted the present. I enjoyed the characters as well. Cal seems like a really great guy, who is supportive and wants the best for the people that he loves, but also knows he has made some mistakes. Kathleen, also a good character... and real, because I think she definitely depicts the realness of a person who needs to learn to forgive themselves. (Why is that the hardest thing to do?) I also liked Harriett (I can't remember if she has one or two Ts), though I think she was quite unfair in a few ways toward Kathleen.

If a storyline of a 'romance' doesn't have a happy ending, then it's not a romance. So, I'm happy how things turned out. However, my one teeny tiny criticism, is that so much time was working toward this ending, that we know we wanted, that we needed (!), and then it was like boom bam here it is. Okay, bye it's over. It seemed quite rushed.

Other than that, I truly enjoyed it. I read the entire thing in less than 24 hours. Fun, cute, funny, real.

Also, cover design is killer!

this was one of my most anticipated releases for this season and it did not disappoint at all!

cal and katherine and their history in the entertainment industry is so interesting and the layers of their relationship slowly come together in such a unique way.

i think the perspective of a retired pop star is such a unique and intriguing concept, i loved seeing katee’s journey, seeing her grow into and out of the image projected onto her, and navigate her life post-stardom. her collaborative relationship with her boyfriends boy band and the roles they were assigned to play created this interesting dynamic of the real and the fake of hollywood, and that these people we watch perform and see in magazines are real people and are living this life for the first time just like us and trying to navigate through their lives without ruining everything they’ve worked for. i also loved the muppet and drag race references, they felt personalized to me almost! i love those two franchises!

I adored Elissa's debut novel FUNNY YOU SHOULD ASK, but I think I love this one even more!! I really loved both Kathleen and Cal as characters, and also enjoyed Harriet's character. The 3 different timelines employed to tell their story masterfully take us between present day; the characters' *pop star* moment in their early 20s; and the first summer they met, as teens at a performing arts summer camp.

At first, I didn't deeply "believe" or feel the connection between Kathleen and Cal, but through those alternating glimpses into their mutual past, my understanding of their dynamic grew and I became totally invested in their relationship. I loved the way in which Sussman used these alternating timelines to tell Kathleen and Cal's story. I also appreciated the book's commentary on double-standards regarding how the public and media treat female performers vs. male ones, and the theme/importance of female friendship as represented through Kathleen and Harriet's relationship.

With its structure, character development, and romance; its early 2000s pop music scene/storyline, and its musical theater references, ONCE MORE WITH FEELING hooked me and kept me *riveted* till the end.

This was a fun, quick read for me!

The book cover drew me in, and the content inside kept me going! I will definitely be adding this to my wish list.

I've never wanted two people to be together more than I want Cal and Kathleen to finally be together forever. This book was Smash + middle aged former pop stars + a lovely enemies to lovers romance. I give this book 4,000 heart eye emojis. Unmissable if you're a fan of musicals and romances.