Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for this E-arc!

Rating: 3.5

I went into this excited since the marketing has pushed this as a "When Harry Met Sally" remix with modern characters. However, I think going into this with that notion sets it up for failure in my eyes because it's more than that. Josh and Ari are relatable characters that are trying to figure out what love and relationships mean to them. Josh is very idealistic where Ari is a bit more realistic and pessimistic at times. My biggest issue with this story is the miscommunication. It was getting very annoying after a while because we would have moments where the characters would take a step in the right direction. Then randomly they would argue and take five steps back. I didn't think either needed to be in a relationship with each other. Ari and Josh should have spent more time figuring out their life paths since it was one of the stressors in their relationship. Overall, I think this book definitely takes the foundations of "When Harry Met Sally" and made it better. However, the relationship was hard to root for .

In You, Again by Kate Goldbeck, Ari and Josh start off as bitter enemies, both with vastly different dating philosophies. However, as they navigate heartbreak and forge an unexpected friendship, their once-hostile relationship evolves into something more, blurring the lines between friendship and romance in this witty debut romantic comedy.

When I heard that You, Again can be described as a modernized version of When Harry Met Sally, I was immediately drawn to it! This book deserves all the stars! I ended up listening to the audiobook which had me easily envision the story being adapted into a movie. What truly stood out to me was the beautifully messy and complex characters of Ari and Josh. Watching them evolve and mature over the course of the story and through the time lapses was a delight. The supporting characters, particularly Radhya, Briar, and Gabe, added depth and charm to the narrative. I loved that Kate was skillfully able to progress Ari and Josh’s relationship from enemies to acquaintances to friends to lovers in an exceptional way which kept me throughly engaged. I appreciated that the book didn't just focus on love but also delved into the struggles of career growth, nurturing friendships, and family responsibilities. There were moments when I wanted to shake some sense into Ari or Josh, yet other times I found myself sympathizing with their dilemmas. For anyone who has a soft spot for When Harry Met Sally, I highly recommend giving You, Again a read. I can’t wait to see what Kate writes next! I’m hoping for Radhya to have her own love story explored in a future book!

Ok so I kept seeing "When Harry Met Sally Vibes" and .... this was not it.

Ari is a struggling comedian who loves to keep things casual. Josh is an ambitious want to be chef who just wants to cook for THE ONE. It's hate at first site. This could be because they are both sleeping with the same woman, but I digress.

This book took place over many years and many disappointments and many life upheavals for both of our characters. And over time it slowly...and I mean SLOWLY, morphs from enemies to friends to lovers.

Guys, this book was exhausting. I have read the other reviews and I know people love it but my GOD Ari was so much work I honestly couldn't understand why Josh kept trying.

The only thing that kept me going was that this was so beautifully written. I just had to finish it.

It gets 3 stars from me.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book. All opinions are my own

this book was a satisfactory and at points even good enemies to lovers romance, featuring two complicated and hard to like (in a good way) characters. but it was not when harry met sally, nor, beyond being an enemies to friends to lovers story set in new york, was it a retelling. these characters weren't them, the story wasn't theirs, and altogether this very pop culturey and improv comedy-y romance didn't even remind me of the all time greatest romcom.

although it wasn't bad! i am just left confused.

I jumped on this because When Harry Met Sally is objectively one of the greatest movies ever made, and this promised to basically be that in book form. Here’s the thing. When Harry Met Sally works for me because of Harry and because of Sally. I like them both separately and I like them even more together. You Again is not When Harry Met Sally for me. Josh and Ari are two people I don’t like separately and disliked even more together. Josh is a gigantic dick (he expects to be addressed as “Chef” in every sentence uttered by his kitchen staff) and Ari is one of those people who wants to see how many times she can make other people uncomfortable every single time she interacts with another human. What I did get was How I Met Your Mother/Father - two people who are totally obnoxious in very different ways meet each other in a weird way and then proceed to will-they-won’t-they for a decade or so while surrounded by a cast of equally obnoxious friends (in New York, of course). Anyway, so my verdict is, if you want Harry and Sally, this isn’t it, but if you want Ted and Robin or Charlie and Val, this is the book for you.

DNF at 34%.

This book was so hard for me to even get to 34%. It was a dragging 150 pages. I couldn’t imagine having to read 300 more. It didn’t really feel like there was much of a plot. Maybe there was, but it was obscured by how messy the characters are. I’m all for realistic messy, but I did not relate to the characters at all. Pretty much every conversation centered on alcohol, drugs, sex, and being unable to have a normal relationship. Like, you can’t be in the same room watching a movie with someone, and not have sex with them…? Maybe this gets better as you get further into it, but I’m just not sure where that would happen.

I really loved this cute little enemies to best friends to lovers story. I thought the characters were so well-developed and I enjoyed reading about both the main relationship AND the outside relationships between the main characters and their friends/family. I thought the whole *When Harry Met Sally with a twist* idea was so cute and definitely felt the vibes of that movie while reading this book. Also, I have to say, this book has probably the BEST first kiss scene I have ever read...it was so good and even better, in my opinion, than the other love scenes! I tend to enjoy a slow-burn, especially one that involves the romantic interests becoming super good friends before anything else develops, but I will say that I was a bit frustrated by the female lead towards the end of the story; this part was a pretty short excerpt of the book in the grand scheme of things, though, so I can look past it! Overall, I really enjoyed this romance - one of the best I've read this year - and would definitely recommend if you are looking for a cozy little read this fall!

I enjoyed the novel and the inclusiveness of it but it just took too long to get to the ending. I enjoyed Ari’s free spirit and Josh’s self-appreciation. There seemed to be genuine affection between them but I’m not sure I bought that they should be together.

You, again is a retelling of When Harry Met Sally, but I felt the characters lacked the charm that Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan bring to the original. In the movie, they were both unlikeable, but you couldn’t help root for them, whereas the characters in the book often just annoyed me. The writing itself was excellent. I didn’t feel like I was reading a debut novel. The middle did drag a bit. I feel like the book could be shortened by around 75 pages and it would have been more enjoyable. The ending was very cute, and I felt like it made it worth the read in the end. Thanks for the copy NetGalley!

this was mixed for me, I love a when harry met sally framing, and in this it was great, the meet ups and interactions over years were great, and then it took a while to really figure out why they should be together and if I even wanted it!

When Ari, commitment-phobic aspiring comedian, meets Josh, an uptight, privileged, but romantic aspiring chef, she hates him instantly. And the feeling is mutual. Over the years they keep bumping into each other, and eventually reconnect after both have gone through painful breakups. They start a friendship that inevitably ends up in will they or won’t they territory.

I keep seeing this book billed as a romcom, and I think I was expecting something a bit lighter going in. This has funny parts and there is great banter in moments, but I had a sense of dread while reading (this is completely a compliment because I was really invested in the characters) that I wasn’t going to get a happy ending. That isn’t my usually experience reading a typical romcom.

What I think I loved most is that both Ari and Josh were flawed characters. They were lovely and there was a lot to like about them, but they both played a significant role in messing up their relationship. I’m really sick of reading books where one of the characters is perfect and understanding and does everything right and gives the other character tons of space to fly off the handle and act irrationally. It’s not realistic. You, Again is not that book. A case could be made that both characters messed up big time in the most fitting ways for who they were and I loved it.

I also loved that both were having moments of career blocks. The way they each handled things not working out the way they wanted resonated deeply with me.
The audio for this one was great, but it was a single narrator and the book jumped around a bit between Josh and Ari’s POVs so having a physical copy to refer to might be helpful. But I loved listening and getting lost in these characters.

I’d definitely recommend this one to romance fans, but know that it’s a heavier book than you might expect and the characters feel very real.

I was sooooo excited about this book! With the fall vibes and especially the update on one of my fave movies ever - When Harry Met Sally! Ughhhh. I don’t think I’ve ever tried so hard and failed to like a book!

I really seriously struggled to make it though the first half, but I pushed through because there are so many 5 star reviews! The second half did give some redemption. I enjoyed watching both characters growth over time, but ultimately they were both so unlikeable and unrelateable to me!

What to expect::
•Opposites attract/Grumpy X sunshine
•Enemies to friends to lovers
•NYC setting
•Repeated run-ins over many years
•Jewish and Bi rep

Comedian Ari and Chef Josh have nothing in common…except for the fact they are sleeping with the same girl!! You, Again follows them through the years and their floundering relationships as Ari and Josh continue to make new mistakes, but somehow find their way back to each other. First as enemies, then as friends…but could one of them ever fall first?

When a book is described as a modern day When Harry met Sally, I have to read it…and You, Again did not disappoint! It had the charm, wit and setting of WHMS while still being unique with hilarious banter, and 21st century dating problems. Ari’s character, while disarmingly humorous, gradually opens up which endeared me to her more. While pretentious (I say that lovingly) Josh, has his heart on his sleeve and a frown on his face, a combo that I discovered is my ideal man😂 This story instantly became one of my favorites because it showed true friendship and how love could be found when people are at their lows. I loved this book so much I was inspired to make a playlist. (Kate has her own that goes with the book that’s much better lol) Do yourself a favor and read You, Again and try not to fall in love with it!

🧑🏻‍🍳Chef/🎤Comedian
☔️Grumpy/☀️Sunshine
🗣️Dual POV
🍂🗽Fall/NYC setting
🌈 LGBTQ + rep

Thank you @netgalley @randomhouse @thedialpress for an e-ARC, but of course I had to get a physical copy!💛

Okay, this book was….everything. I felt SO. MANY. FREAKING. EMOTIONS. while reading it. Honestly, though, how did my heart even survive the last few chapters?

Josh and Ari have redefined the term "chemistry" for me. They became friends (from despising each other) by connecting at a very difficult time in their lives - and isn't that how the best kind of friendships and relationships start? When someone sees you at your first and still doesn't run away. The witty banter, the conversations, the puns, the nicknames, the dramatic conversations, the comedy—their relationship had everything. There's just something so comforting in seeing two best friends become lovers.

I know that You, Again is a chunky book, and longer than general romances, but keep holding on my dear book friends. I was a bit turned off by how the story started, and how it felt like a lot has happened even at the 30 percent mark and the actual romance didn't even begin yet - BUT KEEP READING. Because this story is a gem. The side characters and the friendship group stole my heart.

If you're looking for a comforting book to read this fall, look no further!

What I liked:
- the Jewish rep ✡️ is great!
- lots of great bi rep too!
- we love a great nyc setting
- Ari and Josh’s banter. They really do have great chemistry.
- the side characters are great! I loved them all

What I didn’t like:
- the length…this book is over 400 pages and it feels incredibly repetitive…after the third “___ months/years later” I was a bit done.
- Ari’s character growth was incredibly slow and then happened all at once.
- the pacing feels off, which I think is the result of the time jumps.

I’ve been holding off on a review for this book while I processed my feelings because i was very conflicted on how I felt but damn. I think I loved it. It was messy and hot and slightly infuriating and relatable and fun and angsty and emotional and raw and real and hilarious all at once. It was truly unlike anything I’ve ever read and has such a unique voice. I can definitely see how this book may be polarizing and not for everyone. but is was for ME and my hot mess, angsty, commitment-phobe, reylo loving brain.

Immediately after starting this book, I knew it was going to be the “When Harry Met Sally” meets the 21st century book of my dreams. I loved the easter eggs from the movie, as well as the gender role reversals of the main characters navigating the messy realities of modern dating and relationships. It took me a minute to keep up with the switching POVs on the audiobook, but I really think having both Ari & Josh’s perspectives made this a rich, angsty, emotional romance that (to paraphrase a quote from the book) “broke my heart and melted it back together.” I think this was a very solid debut by Kate Goldbeck and I’ll definitely be keeping my eyes out for future releases. I’d recommend reading this book if you like the writing styles of Emily Henry, Ava Wilder, and Alicia Thompson.

CALL ME A MASOCHIST BECAUSE THE PAIN THIS BOOK CAUSED ME WAS SO DELICIOUS!

Wow this was incredible!!! The modern re-imagining of "When Harry Met Sally" of my dreams!! Not only was this such an epic and angsty hate-to-friends-to-lovers spanning YEARS but it was also the most subtle yet obvious mutual pining to ever mutual pine.

Ari and Josh invented opposites attract soulmates and now all I want is what they have and a black and white cookie (iykyk).

They complete each other on a cosmic level and I could cry just thinking about it.

I cried (a lot), I laughed (a lot) and I smiled like an idiot (a lot) while reading this book and I'm so so so so happy to have experienced this story.

Kate Goldbeck, you got yourself a fan for life <3

Thank you NetGalley and Dial Press for this eARC in exchange for an honest review

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this eARC.

You, Again is a When Harry Met Sally retelling for the modern era, starring improv comedian Ari and pretentious chef Josh as they meet and embark on a tumultuous journey of falling in love.

I did not realize when I picked this up that it was a When Harry Met Sally retelling, so it was crazy that I had literally just watched the movie (two times in a row because that was just the vibe at the time) when I started You, Again. It certainly achieves it's When Harry Met Sally-ness, particularly in the hate-to-friends-to-hookup-to-lovers plotline. Because the story is updated and modernized, I felt like it lacked the charm of the movie, but at the same time it developed a charm of its own. Ari and Josh are certainly whirlwinds, neither of them particularly likeable, but ultimately they do grow on you. I did find myself kind of weirded out at how much time was passing at certain points, and there were plenty of times where I felt the slog of dealing with difficult characters, but ultimately I do think this was an excellent enemies-to-lovers romance that certainly scratches a similar itch to the film that inspired it.

Let me tell you, when I started this book I expected to hate it. The characters are so outrageous and pretentious that I was having Sally Rooney flashbacks.

But then... the years go by and the characters grow and goddamnit if I wasn't having a great time. Honestly the whole enemies to friends to lovers might be my new favourite trope????

Kate Goldbeck is hilarious and perfectly balances the comedy and with the heavier emotional stuff. This really hits on a lot of hilarious modern dating issues and I thought it was super smart and witty. Read this if you like second chances, lovable side characters, and snarky text exchanges.