Once more with feeling was so good! I loved Funny You Should Ask and was so excited about this one.

Some things I loved: friends/enemies to lovers, gaining confidence after a toxic relationship, and the celebrity vibes!!

The sexual tension in this book was amazing. You could tell the characters had feelings for each other the whole time and had SO many unresolved issues from the past. I liked how the story unfolded, and I anticipated what was coming so much that I couldn’t put the book down.

It was also interesting to see both Cal and Kathleen’s perspectives on how one night ruined their lives in different ways, realizing their misunderstandings and the possibility of reconnection.

Overall such a good read - especially if you loved Funny You Should Ask!

This was a good read but didn’t have me as hooked as Elissa’s first book Funny You Should Ask. Kathleen and Cal lacked chemistry and I found it hard to root for them. A quick read and still love this author but couldn’t help compare to how much I loved her first book!

As a washed up theatre girl, I wanted to absolutely love this book, but it fell a little short for me.

There were a lot of fun aspects to this novel -- the life of a pop star, the opportunity for a second chance, celebrity drama -- but I couldn't really get on board with the love story. My favorite parts were by far about the summer camp, which were very fun and nostalgic. That being said, "Memory" as the recurring song was a huge stretch for me.

🌟🌟🌟 -- All in all, I liked this book, but probably not one I'll read again in the future.

Kathleen Rosenberg was once a world-renowned pop star but has become notoriously infamous for cheating on her equally popular and beloved boyband member and boyfriend, Ryan, with the latter’s bandmate, Cal. Now, away from the limelight, she’s been approached by Cal to star in a Broadway show he’s directing and she reluctantly accepts. Long rehearsal hours follow with Kathleen struggling with her deep-seated feelings of resentment against Cal. Will they finally be able to forgive each other and get together without hurting anyone in the process?

At its center, Once More with Feeling is a story of how people can be so unkind to one who has made a huge mistake especially to a woman who has committed the same under the spotlight, and her journey towards redemption. Had it been committed by a man, I imagine people wouldn’t be so harsh in punishing him to the point of destroying his career (I was actually reminded of Kristen Stewart’s indiscretion during the height of the Twilight movies while I was reading this).

Such a great premise, but it’s unfortunate that I didn’t really connect with this book as I had with Sussman’s previous one, Funny You Should Ask. I felt that I only got glimpses of what happened in the past and the present, but was never able to get the whole picture. I simply wanted more particularly groveling on Cal’s part when he had everything easy after the fallout. It didn’t help that Kathleen was also sometimes hard to root for.

I did love everything Broadway-related in this book and the last two chapters were a delight.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Dell, NetGalley and the author for my copy. All opinions are honest and my own.

This book follows Cal and Kathleen two former popstars reuniting after a scandal that ruined Kathleen's career.
.
I wasn't the biggest fan of all of the flashbacks and time jumps that we got but putting that aside I did enjoy the overall plot. I like both Kathleen and Cal as main characters.

Elissa Sussman is probably one of my favorite contemporary writers. I love her voice, and Once More with Feeling was a delight to read. I am honestly generally not the biggest fan of the musical theater theme in books for some reason (even though I love seeing a musical IRL), but the combination of Sussman's writing and the evolution of leading lady Katee Rose was a winner for me.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me. All thoughts are my own.

This was an incredibly cute book from Elissa Sussman. I'm not always into a second chance trope, but I've thoroughly enjoyed Once More with Feeling. The pining and pent up emotions from childhood sweethearts were *chef's kiss*. Being childhood sweethearts and seeing the connection and history between the two, it made me completely root for them. I have DNF'd a lot of books lately, I was so happy that this book broke that streak.

I really enjoyed this second chance romance! I loved that the protagonists were older (30s), I loved the theater scene, and I loved all the nostalgia. This seemed like a book for millennials and it delivered! It’s funny, well-paced, and made me think about celebrity in different ways.

This was a fun book! I didn’t love it as much as the author’s first book, but it is a great story that highlights the issues of growing up a celebrity. Kathleen’s journey to become a broadway star and recover from her traumatic, and very public, fall from grace was enjoyable to read, though I wish there was more information about her internal journey and or her relationship. I know it is romance, but I loved the parts devoted to Kathleen’s journey!

I had such high expectations for this book after Funny You Should Ask but this one was unfortunately not for me. I didn’t feel connected to the characters and I think part of the reason was how the dialogue was structured. The premise was so insanely intriguing but it just didn’t pull together for me. I don’t want to completely give up on this author so I’ll still give her next one a fair shot!

I was very excited to read this title, and as much as I wanted to love it, it just could not connect to it as I had to the first book. it is okay, but the characters were too dull.

Once More with Feeling was one of my absolute favorites of the year, being given the opportunity to read it before it was released was amazing.

Review
The chemistry, the love/hate but really the deep missing of one another. This book brought my soul back to life after being in a reading slump, and never will I regret reading this book. The self growth from Kate Rose to Kathleen Rosenberg, the realization that who she is will never be who she once was and that is more than growth, it's beauty. I love that Cal sees her for who is is as she grows and it makes him want her more. But they bicker like they want one another and the fact that they do, makes this book so much more magical. The theatre has always been a hidden love of mine. The thought of being on stage was deep to me and to see Kathleen get something new made me cry a little ( don't tell anyone) because it shows that no matter when you were or are you can always have a new dream. I plan to read this book at least once a year just so that I can experience it all over again. Elissa Sussman knows how to make one feel as if they are in the book, a thought that a woman can grow and change and create something they want.

This is told in alternating timelines between the past and present. Kathleen and Cal met when they were younger, and they went their separate ways. When they met again, she was using a new name, Katee Rose, and dating the lead singer, Ryan, of a boy band. She and Cal still had feelings for each other, and Ryan wasn’t a very attentive boyfriend – he just wanted all the attention – so a scandal broke out, tarnishing Katee Rose’s name.

Now, Kathleen is herself once more, and her best friend, Harriett, has written a play that’s being directed by Cal. Harriett encourages her to try out for the play, and thus, she and Cal meet once more.

I really struggled to like the characters, and in the end, I only tolerated them. First, the whole reason Katee Rose’s name was blacklisted was because Ryan accused her of cheating. Um, well she did cheat with Cal. Ryan may not have been the best boyfriend, and sure, he made it a whole thing to get empathy, but still, he wasn’t horrible. Yes, she had her whole popstar image to maintain, but she didn’t even like Ryan all that much.

In present day, they still don’t communicate all that well. However, there were some cute moments. And the characters did have to work on themselves before they could truly be together.

Hmm I had a little bit of a hard time with this one but overall I still enjoyed it! I just wish I could feel they’re longing for each other more as a second chance romance. Very excited for her next one though!

I loved this book! Honestly though it was like it was written for me. Musical theater, awkward teens, and as woman scorned? All my favorite things!

I will say that the framing was hit or miss, because there are two pasts on the timeline, but I loved the way it was told and I give it a bit of a pass. I loved the writing, the characterization, and the conflict. Strong recommend to anyone who liked her other book, or fans of the celeb rom-com.

I just think Elissa's books aren't for me. I didn't love Funny You Should Ask, I found it such an eye-roll and the main character very unlikeable and annoying. But I liked this one slightly more. 3 stars.

This was ok. Interesting but not quite compelling enough. Hardly any detail outside of the romance so it didn’t quite fill like a full story.

something about this book just bothered me. like i'm sure it's lovely once you get more than 20% in, but i just...cannot. this is very much a Book About People Who Are Famous and that's just not for me.

Once More with Feeling is a celebrity/second chance romance between Cal and Kathleen. This books takes you through their lives, growing up, rising to fame, one of their “falls to fame”, and their public fallout.

The storytelling is magnificent. The switch between timelines is seamless. The only thing I would’ve preferred or what would have made this book even better is if we got Cal’s pov. Kathleen could be a bit unreliable at times and it would’ve been nice to see Cal’s side of the story as well. Maybe we could get a Cal POV in the future ;)

Sussman does it again! Following the success of her debut novel, which set the bar high for exceptional storytelling, 'Once More with Feeling' proves to be yet another captivating masterpiece. Elisa Sussman's ability to weave intricate narratives and delve into the complexities of human relationships shines through once more, leaving readers enthralled from the very first page.

At the heart of the novel is the beautifully explored relationship between Cal and Kathleen. Sussman's nuanced approach to character development allows their connection to unfold organically, creating a tapestry of emotions that resonates with authenticity. The small hints sprinkled throughout the narrative offer a tantalizing glimpse into the intricacies of their bond, keeping the reader engaged and eager to uncover the depths of their connection.

What sets 'Once More with Feeling' apart is Sussman's masterful balance between providing subtle clues and maintaining an air of mystery. The pacing is impeccable, ensuring that the revelations about Cal and Kathleen's relationship are neither rushed nor overdone. Instead, the author skillfully guides the reader through a journey of discovery, allowing the characters' perspectives and feelings to unfold with a natural cadence.

The exploration of both characters' inner worlds adds layers of complexity to the narrative, making them feel remarkably real and relatable. As the reader gains insight into Cal and Kathleen's thoughts, fears, and desires, a profound connection is forged, deepening the emotional impact of their story. Sussman's ability to capture the intricacies of human emotion is nothing short of remarkable, leaving an indelible mark on the reader's heart.

'Once More with Feeling' is a testament to Elisa Sussman's prowess as a storyteller. Her ability to craft engaging narratives, coupled with her skillful exploration of relationships, makes this novel a must-read. It not only lives up to the high expectations set by her debut work but surpasses them, solidifying Sussman's place among the literary elite. This book is a triumph of storytelling, leaving readers eagerly anticipating whatever narrative magic Sussman weaves next.