Somewhere around 3.5; take this with a grain of salt bc I do still feel like Elissa Sussman is now an auto buy author for me and I enjoy her writing style a lot/ her books feel so different from what else is being written in the romance category rn. HOWEVER, I have a few qualms with this book/ her ~formula~ which perhaps I’ve noticed bc I did just read her first book a few weeks ago and those issues are still fresh in my mind.

With both books, when the reveal for the big gigantic conflict which has kept the couple apart all these years finally comes, it feels sooo anticlimactic. For FYSA it required so much suspension of belief in reality to think that two people could actually be in love after hanging out for one weekend ten years ago. For OMWF it felt like the conflict from the past happened just for the sake of a plot twist and not bc the characters would actually organically make those decisions. This is an important distinction but I think it’s almost always glaringly obvious when the climax/ conflict feels inauthentic and like the author gave this problem to the characters in order for there to be a conflict, rather than the conflict feeling like a natural consequence to the characters’ decisions and actions. Basically the entire plot with Katee dating Ryan felt ridiculous bc he was such a shitty boyfriend and why did she continue to date him despite her inner monologue constantly repeating how much she didn’t like him and he treated her horribly? Is this really the most creative way we can keep the real couple apart ?? I just seriously cannot get over how dumb the conflict reveal felt. I literally had to close the netgalley app to come rant on here.

^^Additional thoughts re: second chance romance and the conflict reveal/ the source of what has kept the couple apart: thought about this all day and I reflected on two of my favorite romance novels which feature the second chance romance trope: you deserve each other by sarah hogle and love and other words by christina lauren; like these books, elissa sussman does not have any difficulty building angst and tension and establishing the foundation of the relationship both in the past and present. In other words, it's clear why the couple fell for each other the first time around and it's also believable that they could come together again and overcome conflict. Where Sussman struggles and where these books shine is the believability/ merits of the source of conflict. It was clear why Naomi and Nicholas grew apart and began to resent each other, the conflict made absolute sense and felt true to the behavior of each character (you deserve each other); with macy and elliot, the reveal of why they went their separate ways was devastating and also plausible-- it hurt because it felt so real and it also made sense why they would have such unresolved feelings afterwards. for this book (and for FYSA) the conflict is where things sort of fell apart for me. ****spoilers in the next sentences***, it just did not feel believable to 1) kathleen would stay with ryan for as long as she did when her inner thoughts revealed how she didn't like him and he didn't treat her well, and 2) after planning to break up with him she decided to agree to marry him?? it just felt so stupid, there's no other way to phrase it and i know that seems harsh but it felt so over-the-top ridiculous that THIS is what kept her and cal apart. End rant.

Don’t even get me started on Harriet. (Yes I myself am very judgmental and opinionated and yes I do hate characters that are judgmental and opinionated, it’s hard work but someone has to do it) I wish that the confrontation between Kathleen and Harriet came like 100 pages earlier bc it was just annoying by the end that these grown women couldn’t just talk about their problems instead of lying to each other and being passive aggressive and sneakily trying to expose the other in their lies/ jealousies. Idk. Dumb. Didn’t care about Harriet and I wouldn’t have apologized to her or accepted her apology 😘✌🏼

The redemption for this book was the romance. I totally believed the tension and years-long anger they held towards each other and it did feel very authentic and organic for them to come back together the way they did. I loved their romance as teenagers and I loved their second chance at it as adults. This is what saves the book imo and why I would still overall recommend it. ALSO, “I’m very good at being directed” 🫢 iykyk

TLDR would still continue to read ES’ books bc I like the romance and the humor and the plots are unique, however they can’t earn five stars bc the conflicts/ climaxes are never worth the build up (and the build up is always great which is what underscores how anticlimactic the big problem always feels). With all that being said YES I am still going to make each couple their own taylor swift playlist

**note: this review is also available on my goodreads account. thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Sussman has a knack for writing heroines that make you want to reach into the kindle and smack them. They're real, they make realistic mistakes that you hate because it's dumb and also exactly what a real person would do. Her heroine here isn't unlikable but she's made choices that are *very* unlikable, if understandable. Kathleen is real in a way that a lot of romance novel heroines aren't. She's highly imperfect (and so is everyone else in the cast), but you root for her because you get it. She's written with enough love to make you want her to succeed even if you're watching her shoot herself in the foot somewhat repeatedly.
I also love how Sussman uses a dual timeline situation again. Seeing the choices Kathleen/co made in the past and the ones they're making now is such a cool structure.

Once More with Feeling, novel by Elissa Sussman, available May 30, 2023!

Do you like celebrity, entertainment, singing, theater, musical hijinks? Are you nostalgic for Britney and Justin relationship drama? This book has it all wrapped with a romance bow!

I loved Funny You Should Ask and I read it as I was starting to get into reading again (Chris Evans, please and thank you!). When I saw Once More with Feeling on NetGalley, I immediately requested this ARC. I am SO GLAD I did. I could not put this book down!

I’m a huge fan of the way Sussman uses “now” and “then” timelines and bases her stories off real-world situations with a twist (this book is also single POV). It’s an easy, quick read with just enough tension and pining to keep you turning the page. Following the celebrity lives of Kathleen and Cal, as well as Ryan, Harriet, and Rachel, we learn about the difficulties being a young adult growing up in the limelight and how Kathleen grows as a performer after her career is destroyed. The characters are all slightly immature, but you would expect that from child stars. I appreciated how Kathleen and Cal grow together, even though separated for many years, through their work together on the musical that Harriet wrote. Can I just say, the scene with the stage and the injury – ugh! I almost cried when Cal jumped on the stage!

Things I liked: celebrity lives, musicals, pining, second-chance romance, friends to lovers to enemies to friends to lovers (I **heart** a good roller coaster ride), a Rhode Island backdrop!

Definitely pick up this book if you are in the mood for a light, fun, second-chance romance, friends to lovers to enemies to friends to lovers romance that is well written, fast-paced, and heart-warming at the same time!

Thank you so much to Ballentine (Random-House) and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read an advanced (e-)reader copy and a chance to rate and review this book!

4 ⭐️ 1 🌶

TikTok: Video is in draft, will release with book release!
Amazon: (will post when book released)

So, can we just call Elissa Sussman the Queen of second chance romances at this point? Because she has once again nailed this trope and all of the nuances that go with it.

Flashbacks are used often in second chance romance novels, and Sussman utilizes them so well. In this book, we not only get a “now” and “then” look at Kathleen and Cal’s relationship, but we also get these short overtures sprinkled in of when they first met at summer camp, years before they both became famous. All three timelines allow the reader to comprehend just how layered and complex their relationship is.

The forbidden romance of it all may throw some readers off a bit, but I appreciate the desperation that it built into the story. There is nothing like a, “omg FINALLY” moment for me, and I felt it in my bones with this book!

Kathleen’s growth in the “now” timeline was a favourite of mine, as well. I appreciated that she finally released some responsibility and acknowledged that she wasn’t a solitary figure in the drama of her past. Her argument with Harriet was heart-wrenching, but also incredibly powerful as Kathleen finally came into her own.

While Once More With Feeling wasn’t quite as strong for me as Funny You Should Ask, it was still an engaging and bingeable read that I definitely recommend!!

Thank you to Penguin Random House for sending an e-ARC my way.

I previously read and loved Elissa Sussman's previous romance, but unfortunately I really didn't like her latest - I didn't particularly like the couple as individuals or during their time together.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the free e-copy.

Thank you Netgalley and Random House for the ARC!

Having read Elissa Sussman’s first book and absolutely loving it, I was extremely excited to read her newest book, especially after hearing it was another second-chance-romance! My favorite trope!

This book is a love letter to the Broadway girlies. The musical references were fun and not heavy handed. The energy and pace kept me invested and wanting to abandon all of my responsibilities to keep reading and find out what happened next with Kathleen, Cal and Harriet.

Lovable characters, fun plot, quick pace. Absolutely loved it!

such a delightful romance novel! i enjoyed elissa sussman’s debut but this was definitely an improvement. it went deeper and the characters felt more real (prob due to the fact it’s not based on chris evans lol).

Another great read by Sussman. I think that I actually liked this one more than Funny You Should Ask. Maybe it's because Katee and Cal were both in the industry, and their relationship was a bit more evolved. Maybe it was because I just really liked Katee (sorry Kathleen) and could get behind her comeback, rooting for her to overcome all of the prejudice and misogyny that led to her basically having a breakdown and retreating from her previous life. Maybe it was because Cal didn't come across arrogant about himself, because I have to admit that Gabe did for some of the other book. Also, they both loved Strictly Ballroom. I was annoyed for a lot of this book by how mean everyone was to Katee, including her best friend, because she was basically used for most of her career and then used again to help everyone reboot their careers. Sure, she did some things as well, but for the most part, she put others before herself and got pooped on for it when things got tough. The end, of course, has everything working out for the better. And I was happy for that. Also for the re-emergency of Ryan, because well, she needed to have her say too.

I will admit that I was trying to remember what the link between Katee and the previous book by Sussman I read was, and I'm still coming up with nothing. I'm sure it's there though. Maybe they crossed paths at an event or something. Argh. Will haunt me so have requested Funny You Should Ask from my library so I can do a search on the ePub to find it.

You definitely can read this as a stand alone. But I feel like if you read this one first, you may come away disappointed with Funny You Should Ask for not being quite as good. So, maybe read this second.

Romance = yup. Good characters = yup. Alternating past and present perspective = yup. Works well = yup. Good read = yup.

after adoring elissa sussman’s adult debut Funny You Should Ask i knew i needed to get my hands on Once More With Feeling as soon as possible. unfortunately, i was incredibly disappointed.

all of the emotional depth and complexity that drew me into Funny You Should Ask was severely lacking, or just nonexistent, in this novel. both kathleen and cal were so one dimensional and not nearly as fleshed out as they could have been. kathleen was unlikable, and she had so much potential to be this incredibly complex character but ultimately sussman ended up going nowhere with it. so she ended up just being a mean girl with a big, bruised ego. she spoke of having anxiety and seeing therapists in the past, but that was as far as that went. we also knew her home life wasn’t great, but again, we were given nothing more. cal was just, well he was there. i couldn’t root for these two characters because i didn’t know them. i don’t even know what they looked like? there were no detailed or vivid descriptions of anything. all i knew was kathleen’s hair was going gray and cal has dimples. how old are they supposed to be? we didn’t even get outfit details beyond kathleen saying she looked hot and felt sexy. everything was just so incredibly surface level.

the romance didn’t work for me either. i felt like i blinked and all of the sudden they didn’t hate each other. i also thought cal was forgiven far too easily for letting kathleen’s career get ruined while he stood by and took none of the damage. it takes two to cheat, after all. we also didn’t get enough development of their past relationship. again, i blinked and all of the sudden cal is in love with her. rachel was also just a caricature of a villain, she was a villain for villains sake. and harriet? where do i even begin on that friendship.

a lot of the dialogue also felt very forced, it was obvious that a lot of it existed just to drive the plot forward, so a lot of it didn’t feel real. there were also too. many. sentences. like. this.

all in all, i think what it boils down to is there was too much going on to give this book proper depth. we were given three timelines that jumped around at seemingly random points. maybe just a couple of flashbacks to the past that were more fleshed out would have better suited this, as i usually love a dual timeline. i was really disappointed because i know what sussman is capable of, as she created something really interesting before, and this felt like a whole bunch of drama and nothing. i will still be anxiously awaiting the next book she puts out, because i do believe she is capable of creating really unique romances and i cannot wait for her to do that again

thank you so much to netgalley for an eArc in exchange for an honest review

Calling all millennial theatre nerds!!! Your new favorite book is called Once More With Feeling and you won’t be able to put it down!

Once upon a 2000s time, Kathleen was known as Katee Rose, teen pop star who fell from grace after cheating accusations from her boy band boyfriend went public. Now, years later she has an opportunity to star in her best friend’s musical and show the world she was so much more than auto-tuned performances and dance moves—that is if she can stomach working with the direction Cal, the same guy she was accused of cheating with all those years ago. Yeah, the one who let her take all the heat and hate from the media? That one.

I loved the mash up of theatre and the nostalgia of 2000s pop stars. The author explores three timelines: the present, the heyday of their fame, and then as students at a theatre camp. How she seamlessly weaves the timelines together is a testament to her talent because I’m certain it wasn’t easy, but she made it look and read as if it was.

I am going to be obnoxious about this book until it publishes, it’s that good! It really hit all the marks for me. I was wowed by the line level writing of the Sussman’s debut and this sophomore novel delivers the same succinct prose and snappy one liners I’d hoped for. Definitely a new one-click auto buy author for me moving forward!

Really loved this book read it in almost one day! I loved the nostalgia of the 2000’s pop stars. This book was so well written I liked the second chance romance and seeing the main characters at different times of their lives and their relationship. My favorite part though would be the behind the scenes of a Broadway show! I love musical theater and reading about a musical was definitely entertaining especially for someone who has no musical talent! I want to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the digital arc in exchange for an honest review.

This was a cute read! I’m a big fan of second chance romances, but I did have a hard time getting excited about the theater aspect of this story(just not a topic I’m super into!). 3.5/5

Katee Rose was a pop star icon in her younger years but after drama with her then boyband boyfriend, her career and life imploded. Now she’s just Kathleen Rosenberg… older, grayer, and guarded. At long last she’s been given an opportunity to live her musical theater dreams but it comes with a catch. The director is a man from her past and there is drama…

I loved this one. We follow three timelines but they flow so well together. We go to musical theater camp with Katee before she gets her first big break, go on tour as a pop star, and years later as a “has been.” The writing is funny and sarcastic. After the book is released I’ll be returning to include my two fav quotes. They were just so perfectly relatable to me. Though at times I felt like Kathleen’s behavior was so childish and eye roll worthy but probably true to the character of a child pop star with no appropriate parental guidance. 🤷🏻‍♀️

The rumor is that the Justin and Britney drama was the inspo for this story. And that’s definitely what I was channeling as I read it. Usually Hollywood drama is not my jam but I was here for it. Also the same can be said about the musical theater camp vibes… not something I really get into but I loved it.

Read if you like:
-90s/00s pop stars
-celebrity gossip vibes
-musical theater/broadway
-second chances
-enemies to lovers
-elder millennial humor
-Emily Henry

I absolutely think you should add it to your TBR. It is set to release May 30. It’ll be the perfect summer binge read.

Spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

I was absolutely thrilled to get this e-Arc. I enjoyed Sussman’s previous book and this was a treat to receive. Thanks to @netgalley and @atrandombooks for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Elissa has done it again. She’s found the right formula and it works so well. Switching between then and now, two friends turned enemies are reunited on their road to Broadway.

What I loved most about this book is the banter and Kathleen’s inner dialogue – witty and relatable. I found myself laughing & smiling a lot while reading. It was a little slow at some points, but I was still hooked on the story.

Read if you like:
- Friends to enemies to lovers
- MUSICAL THEATRE!!
- Then and now storyline
- Funny You Should Ask ;)
- Reformed Popstars

My only dislike was how hard Kathleen was on herself even though that’s what makes her relatable, it made me sad/frustrated lol.

There are some discussions on harmful dieting.

Thank you so much to Random House Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read Once More With Feeling!

I loved, loved, loved, Funny You Should Ask, so I was so excited to see this one pop into my Kindle. While really enjoyed the characters in this book, as well as the love shown to the performing arts, I still think I prefer FYSA.

The 'then' and 'now' storytelling is always hit and miss for me because I am IMPATIENT. I need to be fully bought in to the book in order for it to work for me, and with OMWF I would say I was halfway there. I do not regret reading this book at all, and look forward to doing an audio reread later this year.

I want to say 4⭐ because I did enjoy the writing and a lot of the book, but some parts really made me mad! 🫣 Fans of music and theatre will love all the theatre/movie/musical references and the Broadway plot theme.
There is a lot going on in this book, but the author does a good job pulling everything together while also making the timelines distinct.
We hear from the NOW timeline with Kathleen, Cal, and Harriet making a musical as adults that they hope will be on Broadway. We hear from Cal, Kathleen, and Harriet from when they were kids at camp. And we hear from them when they were in their early 20's at the peak of their careers as a pop star and boy band star. The dynamic is complex and I did enjoy seeing the different times in their lives.
I was a teen during the whole Britney Spears/Boy band phase so I loved this revival and play on those characters.
If you love second chance romance, enemies to lovers, Broadway musicals, theatre, or boy bands/pop stars you will enjoy this book.
Thank you to netgalley for an eARC to review.

The plot of this book was a little slow moving for me. But, I liked the back and forth between the past and present, and the little snippets of theater thrown in there.

thank you to random house/dell and netgalley for this arc of once more with feeling! when i saw that elissa sussman wrote another celebrity inspired book, with this one being about broadway, i instantly knew i had to read it.

once more with feeling follows kathleen, more popularly known as teen celebrity katee rose, and former secret love cal, choreographer and member of one of the hottest boy bands, as they reunite as older adults. kathleen’s best friend harriet has designed the most perfect broadway show, and has tapped cal to be her director and kathleen to star in the titular role. the only problem? kathleen despises cal after their secret affair caused her rapid fall from fame, and it seems like he left the experience without a scratch on his face. how are they ever going to survive this?

okay. let me just say this: this book is messyyyyyy. with a capital y and an exclamation point. both kathleen and cal are flawed deep characters with a whole lot of baggage, but they clearly were designed for each other and that is so easy to see (even if they can’t see it themselves!!). i adored the now and then timelines and found them simple to follow along with, which is always a plus.

overall if you are looking for a fast paced read this summer, filled with second chances and musical theatre galore, i would highly suggest once more with feeling! thanks again to random house for the early release!!

Ahh this book was just perfect!! I was in a reading slump and this helped me get out! This was such a cute read because the characters were so easy to love!! I absolutely loved funny you should ask so I knew I’d love this one !! Her writing style I just perfect. The story of Kathleen and Cals story was such a heartfelt and heartwarming story, this book was just so cute and I can’t wait for the release!! Thank you netgalley!

This book is like if you combined #haylor with camp rock, and made it a love letter to musical theater

While I find reading about singing inherently a bit cringy, this book was still fantastic

I requested this arc because i had read Funny You Should Ask, which I know this book is not a sequel to, but they feel like they go together. While I liked the plot of fysa better, I was much more engaged in this book. I felt more connected with the characters, and i just couldn’t put it down.

I really struggled with the best friend, and whether she was in the right, or just rude, but her relationship with the mc was similar and I liked how they tied up their relationship, very realistic

Overall I would definitely recommend, but musical haters beware, this might not be the book for you

4.8