I had lukewarm feelings about Sussman's first novel, FUNNY YOU SHOULD ASK, but liked it well enough to give her second effort a chance. I had the same problems with this novel as I did its predecessor: I cared about one timeline far more than I cared about the other; cheating trope; lack of chemistry between the characters.

This book was so cute! It let me live out my "I'm going to marry one of the Backstreet Boys" fantasies from when I was a kid. It gives late 90's early 00's popstar vibes during the flash backs and I think anyone chasing that nostalgia will love this! In reality, I would probably rate this book a 3.5 stars, but goodreads doesn't allow that so I will round up.

I really enjoyed Elissa Sussman’s first book, Funny You Should Ask, so I was thrilled to get an ARC of Once More With Feeling. A book that boasts a second chance romance trope, with two celebrity characters who were once teen pop stars and are now trying to make their way on Broadway.

This book boasts some wonderful qualities that will hopefully make it a hit for many. It has really meaningful Jewish representation. It’s sure to feel nostalgic for those who went to summer camp and those who did musical theatre growing up. Multiple timelines that set up the feeling of falling in love at different points in your life.

However, for me, these qualities and promises weren’t enough to get through the characters. I almost DNFed the book after on multiple occasions but pushed through for the ARC. The characters unfortunately fall one dimensional. The supportive best friend. The shy boy band member. The outgoing front runner boy band member. The overcontrolling manager.

This book has three timelines going on - Kathleen and Cal at camp as young teens, on tour as pop star/boy band member as young adults, and on Broadway as adults. Unfortunately, because there are so many moving parts it’s hard to truly get into any of the story lines, and even harder to feel any of the build up and swoony longing feeling that normally comes with second chance romances.

Overall, this one wasn’t for me but hopefully it’s a hit for lots of others. 2.5 stars rounded up to 3. Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for the Arc.

Elissa Sussman’s new book ONCE MORE WITH FEELING comes out on Tuesday and it is *chef’s kiss* I somehow liked it even more than FUNNY YOU SHOULD ASK.

[Thanks for my copy @PRHAudio!]

ONCE MORE WITH FEELING weaves together friends to lovers, enemies to lovers, celebrity romance and second chance romance… while somehow not feeling tropey at all. The story follows Kathleen Rosenberg, who was once known as Katee Rose, a teen pop star who fell from grace after a fallout with her boy band boyfriend Ryan. She’s now in her 30’s and auditioning for a Broadway play whose director is Cal Kirby, the man everyone in America assumes she cheated on Ryan with.

I love how balanced Elissa Sussman’s books are, with so much more happening than a romance. In ONCE MORE WITH FEELING, we get complicated friendships, commentary on art and ambition, a ton of character growth (love a dual timeline) and alllll the music theatre references. I loved all of it, and it was amazing on audio.

Before I dove into Once More With Feeling, I though I should read Sussman's previous book, "Funny You Should Ask" first. Honestly, I was not a fan, which had me iffy going into Once More with Feeling. I am happy to report I was pleasantly surprised!

While I'm not generally a fan of neither second chance romances nor enemies to lovers, I really do enjoy a celebrity romance, and something about the story here had me absolutely hooked. While I sometimes had a hard time connecting with Kathleen, the MC, the story was enjoyable and the romance was so genuinely sweet,

I'm glad I got to read this one despite my scepticism, Would honestly recomend.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dell for this ARC of Once More with Feeling in exchange for an honest review! I read this on the beach in one sitting - it was THAT addicting. Sussman's writing draws you in and makes you laugh and you just can't seem to stop. I can't describe this better than Sussman writes for the chronically online but not in a derogatory way, because she genuinely does this so well. In the same vein as Carley Fortune, Sussman seems to have carved out a niche for her in the popstar/second chance genre, and Once More with Feeling cleverly follows up Funny You Should Ask. There's lots of drama and I think while I had qualms about the miscommunication, I overall really enjoyed it and it made sense to me. I would absolutely recommend this one.

loved this book as I knew I would. Her first book was great and this was no exception! Cute, Fun, and a great summer beach read

A big thank you to Elissa Sussman, Random House Publishing and NetGalley for an eARC in exchnage for my honest opinion. Once More with Felling comes out May 30, 2023.

I am going to preface this review with saying that usually I am not a huge fan of books that feature a main character cheating. That being said I actually really enjoyed this book, I think the fact that they didn't cheat on each other but with each other was what made a difference (plus I hated Ryan, I know that both are not good excuses). I thought that Kathleen was a pretty flawed character that goes through a lot of character growth to get to the end. The writing was fasted paced and the back and forth between the past and the present where well thought out. I think my biggest complaint is that due to time jumps the romance sometimes dragged for me. Overall, I thought it was a great book about love, forgiveness and second chances. If that's what you are looking for, please go read Once More with Felling once it comes out!

I was really excited about this one. It was a big letdown. There was no substance at all. The romance was lackluster. Kathleen was unbearable, and it was miscommunication upon miscommunication.

I rarely say I don’t recommend trying a book but honestly I do not recommend this one.

Thank you Elissa Sussman and Dell Paperbacks for the advanced reader copy of Once More With Feeling.

This story follows our FMC Kathleen as she re-emerges into the spotlight after an unfortunate fallout from fame as a young pop star. We are carried through her perspective from Then and Now in how she has shaped to be her current performer and self.

Our MMC Cal, comes from a similar background as Kathleen as they went to the same Theatre camp as kids and had two varying paths to fame that collide in their young adult years.

As the story progresses, we unravel what happened in Cal and Kathleen’s past that brings them to their enemy-based relationship of the present.

I found this story to be relatable. I grew up doing theatre and wanting to be on Broadway, so really seeing the theatrical love in this novel was a breathe of fresh air. Not many authors have written a story surrounded by the love of theatre, so it truly captured my heart from the first page.

I sped through the book, as I was unable to put it down and relished in every moment of the story. Not just the romance aspect, but the entirety of the theatrical process of a musical starting at auditions going through workshop and ending on Broadway.

I had to give this novel 5 stars for its ability to pull me into the story as I felt for these characters and the love and friendship between them.

Sussman delivers another fun, heartfelt celebrity romance.

Kathleen Roseburg, the faded pop-star once known around the world as Katee Rose, is looking for her next big break. This time on her own terms. This time, instead of world tours she wants a Broadway stage. With her BFF writing what should be the next Tony award winner (and creating a leading lady written specifically for Kathleen), this is her chance.

But we wouldn't have book if there wasn't a catch, and that catch is Cal Kirby. Kirby, a former pop-star himself, 1/5 of the dynamic dance sensation CrushZone, and Kathleen have history. History that predates even their epic tabloid scandal that left Katee Rose's reputation irreparably damaged. Now Cal is directing Kathleen's show, and it's causing some long forgotten feelings to make a comeback.

Once More With Feeling doesn't shine quite as bright as her debut but is still full of sexy tension and redemption. Looking forward to many more from Sussman.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing for an advance reader's e-copy in exchange for my honest review.

4 stars - I really enjoyed this story between Kathleen and Cal, with a side of Harriett and boy band drama to boot.

We meet former popstar Kathleen Rosenberg at the beginning of her reappearance in the public eye. She has history, and lots of it. Her best friend wrote her a part in a play that will hopefully make it to Broadway, yet her BFF Harriett forgets that she's got the guy who made her world implode all those years ago to be the director.

Cal. What a handsome, dreamy hero. He's so thoughtful, humble, sweet it makes my gums hurt. Kathleen is a little rough around the edges these days, but Cal doesn't seem to mind.

The two main characters are both famous in their own ways, and I feel like that put them on equal footing to have this love/hate relationship based around their past mistakes. They were equals, and that made the tension so much stronger.

If you love famous people, big drama, a little self-consciousness pop princess, boy bands, and young adult drama with a side of now-grown-up-adult drama, you'll enjoy this one!

3.5 - This second chance romance follows Katee Rose, a former teen pop star who fell out of the public's favor when she was caught cheating on her boyfriend, former frontman of a beloved boy band. The twist - she cheated on her boyfriend with his bandmate, Cal. Years later, Cal asks Katee to start in a broadway musical that he's directling, even though the two haven't spoken since the cheating scandal.

I thought the plot was fun and engaging, and I really enjoyed Elissa Sussman's first book. I felt like some of the plot lines were disjointed and not fully developed and left me unsatisfied at times. Overall, if you like celeb drama and/or second chance romances, you'll find this enjoyable but it's nothing that will wow you.

The deal: Kathleen was a pop star whose career was thrown in the gutter after she cheated on her awful boyband boyfriend with a less awful member of his boyband. Years later, she gets a second chance at the career she really wants (Broadway) with a musical written by her bestie and directed by now-nemesis “less awful boyband member.” Of course, they all went to theater camp together as kids, too. There is HISTORY.

Is it worth it?: Sure, if you like musicals even a little and are into this premise. I think this would have been more successful with a dual POV, a lot more growth/accountability for both leads, and stronger character development for the supporting cast (especially BFF Harriet), but otherwise, I devoured it in 24 hours.

Pairs well with: your choice of “bimbo justice” content (Pamela: A Love Story on Netflix, Open Book by Jessica Simpson, etc.)

B-

Second-chance romance with a dual timeline between two former pop-stars as they make their way to Broadway... Frankly, what more could I want?! I loved Kathleen and Cal's love story and they way their relationship grew after they were reunited in the present. Elissa Sussman delivers another fun celebrity romance full of emotion and well-developed characters you can't help but root for, and I enjoyed every moment.

*Thank you Netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you so much for an advanced copy of this book! I loved Funny You Should Ask, so this was one of my most anticipated May books. I'm happy to say it delivered on all fronts!

I love the way Elissa Sussman writes a gripping, connected couple with a strong backstory in such a short(ish) page length. Her stories really hone in on the details without being repetitive, highlight the couple's past and present, and provide strong emotional connections. I was hooked from the very beginning in this one. Formula wise, it is quite similar to Funny You Should Ask...there are dual timelines, two celebrities with a scandalous backstory, and a second chance love. Honestly, the characters were so good in this book that didn't bother me, though! Their connection, banter, and chemistry was just perfection, and I was okay with the book being a similar formula to Funny You Should Ask. This book was an easy five stars for me because I just could not put it down. I read it in one day, and I was glued to the pages.

Rating: 5⭐️

Thank you NetGalley for the early copy of this book!

Once More with Feeling was such a pleasant surprise- I loved it so so much! I was a big fan of Funny You Should Ask, so I really shouldn't have been shocked that I loved this one was well, but WOW. I'll be thinking about this book for a long time.

It follows Kathleen, formally known as pop sensation Katee Rose, a decade after an enormous scandal ended her career. She was practically shunned from the industry until her best friend writes a debut musical in which she'll star in. Things are finally looking up, until she finds out the boy who not only broke her heart, but had a hand in the destruction of her career is directing the play.

Things I loved:
- the dual timeline and how we really don't find out what happened all those years ago until much later in the book.
- Cal. I loved him so much. Since it wasn't dual POV, and we didn't find out the cause for the tension, you kind of go through the book with mixed feelings about him and his intentions, but I adored his character
- Harriet and Kathleen's friendship was incredible and wholesome
- You couldn't help but root for Kathleen and her growth during the book. She was talented and confident, without being cocky. You got to see her doubts and insecurities as she was trying to rebuild her life, and I enjoyed her throughout all the stages of her life that were portrayed.

I seriously couldn't put this book down- it was incredible. Excuse me while I go pre-order my physical copy.

This is a story about second chances.  Several years ago, Katee Rose was one of America's biggest pop stars -- famous, adored by fans across the country and across the world, and subject to constant media fascination.  Her fame only grew when she started dating Ryan LaNeve, one of the stars of a popular boy band, CrushZone.  But as she struggled with the pressures and expectations of stardom, she found herself spending more time with another CrushZone member, Cal Kirby, who Katee had been friends with before either of them were stars.  One night, their relationship changed, leading to the end of Katee's relationship with Ryan and, in light of the public reaction to the split, her career.

In the present day, Katee is back to her original identity as Kathleen Rosenberg, comfortable living a quiet and private life in New York.  But then, Cal comes back into her life, directing a new Broadway show with a starring role written especially for Kathleen by her best friend, Harriet.  Kathleen is eager to star in the show and have the opportunity to show the world her true range of talents, but she is concerned about what it would mean to work with Cal again -- especially as they have not spoken since Katee's career blew up and Cal did nothing to help her.   Kathleen is cast in the show and suddenly she and Cal are spending almost every day together.  Kathleen is committed to keeping her distance as much as possible, but soon finds the two drawn together -- and old feelings re-emerging.  Is it worth risking a second chance at love with the person who perhaps hurt you the most ... especially if it may put your second chance at career success at risk?

I loved this book!  It was such a fun premise, and the author executed flawlessly.  It is terrific to go on Kathleen's journey, as we see the ups and down of her initial stardom and her experience mounting a comeback in the type of role that she always wants, but weighted down by everything that happened to her in her past.  I thought that the exploration of the relationship between Kathleen and Harriett, her best friend and the writer of the musical, was particularly well done -- showing the richness of a lifelong friendship that has been subject to the ups and downs of each of their careers and the ways their careers intersect.  The book also offered an interesting exploration of fame and its different dimensions.  The juxtaposition between Katee and Cal's experience when they were young, when tabloids were dominant, to the present day, where social media plays a much more central role in shaping fame and parasocial relationships with celebrities, was a thought-provoking exploration of how the nature of fame can change for individuals over the courses of their lives and careers, and how it has changed more generally over time.  

Very highly recommended!

Such a fun read. Elissa is the queen of second chance romance with a tad enemies to lovers. And I typically do not enjoy second chance! And the banter was *chefs kiss* And the MMC, to die for. I will forever read every book she writes.

🌟: 4.5/5

This book checked all the boxes for me. Second chance romance? Check. Dual timeline? Check. Musical theatre setting? Check. Elissa Sussman was able to wonderfully walk the line between the emotional, or angst-filled moments, with the sweeter scenes of Cal and Kathleen’s romance. I appreciated the way she shed light on how unfriendly the industry can be to women, whereas men are able to get away with more without facing the same level of criticism. All the characters were imperfect, particularly the protagonist Kathleen, which was something I actually appreciated. She has so many complicated feelings to navigate, both in the past and in the present, and naturally she makes some mistakes along the way. I loved watching her reconnect with Cal just as much as I enjoyed watching their connection build at other stages of her life. Not to mention I absolutely flew through this book. Elissa Sussman’s writing style has a way of hooking you immediately, and not letting you go until you have turned the final page. If you want a fast-paced romance, then this is the one for you.