Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for the chance to read and review this book. I stumbled across this author’s first book purely by chance and bought the book despite the not so great reviews. I have shoved that book at everyone and will be doing the same with Once More With Feeling.
Sussman has the ability and gift of transforming a normal romantic story into a life journey. While I enjoyed the development of Kathleen and Cal’s relationship over the course of many years, what will bring me back to this author is he main FC ‘s journey. Again, we walk with Kathleen and see how she has reached where she is and then stand hand in hand with her in her current journey. We see her battle through friendship and disappointment and growing up.
Also unrequited love from childhood to adulthood *chef’s kiss*. 4 1/2 stars

This earns a rare five stars from me. For five stars, a book has to be perfection. Everything has to come together perfectly, and this does. Cal and Kathleen are perfectly imperfect, and their story is lush, dramatic, and sweet.

This book captured the original feeling I had when I read Sussman’s first novel and I was immediately drawn into the story. The back and forth between timelines kept the pace perfect. The main character become a little too unlikable at some points but I found her endearing by the end. However I wish we had more time with side characters and the other characters in the musical. Without this the musical itself did not have as much emotional weight throughout the book. But in the end it was a enjoyable read!

I read this author's other book, Funny You Should Ask, and instantly knew I wanted to read everything from this author. This book did not disappoint. It was a quick read, as was the other one and the dual timelines was one of my favorite parts. I also loved the second chance trope and the MC's were pretty cool as well. The one thing I hate in romance books or any books is the cheating trope. I will never support those who cheat, even if I ultimately want the couple to get together at the end. It takes away from the story and didn't feel like it was necessary. This is just a personal opinion though and I get it's a trope in this genre.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Funny You Should Ask was one of my favorite books from last year, so I was very excited to see what Elissa was gonna write next. Once I read the summary for it, I was dying to read it.

Basically the story is if Britney Spears cheated on Justin Timberlake with JC Chasez and ruined her career at the same time. It’s told in two timelines of past and present like her previous book, and I really enjoy the format. The pairing of Kathleen and Cal had great chemistry and I couldn’t get enough of them.

If you’re a 90’s/00’s girl like me, you will eat this book up. Definitely recommend it.

Thanks to NetGalley for a copy in exchange for an honest review.

I find the premise slightly hard to believe but besides that - this was funny, sweet, sexy, fun, and endearing. I was rooting for all of the characters, and I really loved that it all started at summer camp. This was so much better than her first book, and honestly I would love to see a book on HArriet finding love too

Thank you to Net Galley, the publisher and the author for the ARC.

Thank you Random House and Net Galley for this ARC. This was a cute and fast paced 2nd chance at love book and I enjoyed the two timelines.

Thank you NetGalley & Dell for the eARC. I really enjoyed this book! I loved the alternating timelines, the second chance romance, and the celebrity / Broadway aspect. I loved the MMC, Cal and thought he was so charming. This book was fast paced and had plenty of drama to keep you entertained. My ONLY thing is that I don’t love cheating in books, ever. Cheating playing a significant role in the couple’s backstory took away from this book for me, and that’s the only reason it’s 4 stars and not 5.

It has been a good while since a romance captivated me so quickly. The style presented within this book is magnificent -- I love the unique way Sussman glimpses back at the characters' expansive past, while giving us a juicy look at their current situation. Once More with Feeling was incredibly fun, fast-paced, and straight up unputdownable.

another gem from Elissa Sussman! Enemies to Lovers & Teen Celebrity past life are some of my favorite tropes. Thanks Netgalley & the publisher for the ARC!

I loved this book so much.
I read the first one as well but it didn't lived up to my expectations as this one unfortunately. I always loved reading second chance romance stories and this book ticks lots of the marks that I am looking foreword in them.
Music, camera action and a spotlight that bring them together again.
Kathleen and Carl are so good together. Yes he wasn't the perfect boyfriend years ago but they are both older and more mature and taking responsibility for their actions .
It's an enjoyable read with great characters and their interactions made me laugh out loud at times as well shout at one or the other for their actions.
A romance that will keep you entertained and fill your romantic heart.

I received this ARC from NetGalley.
Second change romances are usually hard for me to get into, but “Once More with Feeling” hit all the right notes! (Pun intended.) This was a quick and easy read and I couldn’t put it down! Sometimes it’s nice to read a story where the ending is pretty obvious and you just get to enjoy the ride getting there.
As a theater kid who also has no musical or acting talent (like the author claims) I enjoyed this immensely! This book is packed with old movie and stage musical references that I thoroughly enjoying nerding out on.
I’d recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun easy rom-com type read. I could easily see this book playing out on my screen (Reese Witherspoon, you up?) And that last scene - so cute!

ARC REVIEW (THANKS NETGALLEY)

I really enjoyed Funny you Should Ask and I was excited to receive the arc for Once More with Feeling. Books are set up almost in the same identical style- media articles, flashbacks, and present time. But it didn’t come off the same in OMWF. Maybe because Katee was a celebrity I couldnt empathize with her more? Or maybe it was the style in which book was written. I just didn’t care about characters and what happened to them. Book just felt choppy and disconnected, bummer for me!

4.5⭐️ This book made the untalented theater kid in me so happy. Second chance is not a favorite trope of mine but Sussman has knocked it out of the park, not once, but twice. The writing drew me in so quickly and I couldn’t put it down. The dual timelines were woven together so well and I loved when there was also a flashback to when they were kids. The ending was a bit too rushed for me and I wish it was dual pov.

I enjoyed this one but I just didn’t love it. It felt like it jumped from one thing to the next without providing any context in between. Both Kathleen and Cals characters were very likeable but I just didn’t really feel the chemistry between them. I definitely think if there would’ve been more details given of their relationship I would've felt their chemistry and been more interested.

Thank you NetGalley for the arc!

I really enjoyed Once More with Feeling. I’m a sucker for romance books about celebs and it was just what I needed. The tension and chemistry had me rooting for Kathleen and Cal. Give me more Elissa Sussman books!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I loved the plot progression and how the characters interacted I also loved the three timelines that were going on. I loved the musical element and the relationships between people. Also the ending was AMAZING!

Overall, I liked this one more than Funny You Should Ask because I am not a movie girlie but I am a musical girlie.

Loved it!! Such a cute quick and easy read. Some of the musical theater references went over my head but I didn’t mind. The writing was great and I liked the characters. Kathleen, Cal, and Harriet have been friends since they were teens and met at theater camp. Kathleen and Cal were pop sensations that had a falling out and the three of them find each other later in life for the second chance and getting it all right. Thank you to Random House Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC!

I read Elissa’s first book and while this one was pretty similar I still really enjoyed it. I like the flashback to Kathleen and Cals pop star days and I loved the broadway setting.

Completely fell in love with this story. Kathleen's life didn't go as planned due to an unforgettable event in her past
Now as an adult she has a new chance. The only problem it's with someone who was involved in hurting her all those years ago.
I can't say enough how great this story was. I fell in love with all characters. I really enjoyed the time jumps from then to now. I felt like they were well written that I was able to fully grasp the full story of the past and present time. Can't reccomend this book enough.
Absolutely, team Cal! Nuff said!