I did enjoy this book but there were definitely a few sticking points for me. I loved how flawed Josh and Ari were but I just felt that Ari did not grow as a character throughout. I found her a bit unlikeable and questioned whether she deserved the happy ending she got. I thought that Josh grew more as a character and I liked him more. Also for at times reading this book I felt sad and anxious.

Enemies to lovers plot line, with the twist that it takes place over many many years. You Again does a great job of capturing how casual run ins and chance meetings sometimes turn into something more. It felt fresh and new for the romance genre.

I picked up this ARC while waiting in an airport and didn't put it down until I finished it on my flight. it's giving When Harry Met Sally only messier. I found both Ari and Josh simultaneously endearing and frustrating in the best way. this was an excellent take on the commitment-phobe/hopeless romantic trope. I appreciated that the third act conflict felt more about who they are as people as opposed to any one event. in particular, I'd find myself wincing at things Josh said or did and while it doesn't necessarily make him a book boyfriend, it felt far more realistic. these are two people that are hurt and hurt each other and I'm not entirely sure that they *should* be together but my god was it wonderful watching them fall in love.

Inspired by When Harry Met Sally and in the same vein as Normal People and Love, Rosie. I loved every second of this book. I am such a sucker for an “I can’t let myself be happy in love” main character. It’s so tragic but I just love melancholy so much. This isn’t much of a critique but I will be making no criticisms. It’s perfect to me.

4.25/5. Releases 9/12/2023.

Vibes: classic romcoms with a new spin, uptight anxiety man meets freewheeling lady rake, and friends to lovers the way it should be done.

When Josh and Ari meet, he's dating her roommate (the same roommate she's sleeping with). It's years before they're able to reconnect on the right foot, and only after major blows in their personal lives. As they grow into best friends, the inevitable tension between them turns into something totally different...

I'm really loving this string of contemporaries that take clear inspiration from God Tier romcoms. I don't think you need to be a When Harry Met Sally fan to enjoy this at all, but I do think that fans of that classic snark and feels sensibility will find this hard to resist.

Quick Takes:

--I do really want to touch on those WHMS comparisons, though. I'm a fan of the movie, and if you're a fan, there are certain lines and moments in this that will be clear, never-obnoxious nods. They're not lifting--it's definitely a tribute. However, I also think the book does some really interesting things by throwing a more contemporary spin on the story. Like I said, Ari and Josh meet in a love triangle of sorts--you know Ari is bi right off the bat. And that's always a thing that influences her journey and development. This is an m/f romance novel in which the heroine's bisexuality never feels fetishized or plugged in.

You also get a lot from Ari being the person who's okay with casual sex... only to have her heart crushed by love on more than occasion... while Josh is the one who seeks a solid relationship constantly, while never connecting with anyone on a deep emotional level. There's a gender flipping element that works really well here. The idea of Ari being a commitmentphobic snarker isn't something you see in many books. She's a truly "problematic heroine". She makes bad choices, she hurts people, she needs to grow the fuck up. At points, even I was a little frustrated with her. But the story is so much more satisfying in the end because Ari needed to work on herself.

--And of course, Josh is a great hero. I found him so................... much. He's big, he's shy and uptight, he just wants to settle down and be someone's someone. He could cook. Oh, and he can totally paddle your ass and call you a bad girl over the phone! Yes! (There is a moment over text in this book.... you're not ready.)

--There's a great sense of New York, New York in such an affectionate, romcom-y way? The setting is very lovingly done, and it adds to the sense that you're sort of stepping back in time.

--I've been very vocal about my antipathy towards friends to lovers. I'm not a big fan, generally speaking. I think it suggests a sluggishness and lack of desire and action from the hero and heroine. It often falls back on the idea that "I just didn't see you like that [for five years]" which is just hard for me to believe. But here, while Ari and Josh get to know each other over years, they're not truly friends for toooo long before the levee breaks. A good while, yes; but just enough for the tension to bubble through, never too much. Also, they clearly never see each other in a sexless way. You get so much longing, so much desire in this book, with neither Josh nor Ari ready to admit it.

--Another really nice thing about this book is that for the bulk of it, Josh is 34-35 and Ari is around 29-30. Neither one has their life totally figured out. They're both still stumbling through life and picking up and trying again. It's really nice to see, and fuck anyone who says this is New Adult. These people are adults, figuring their shit out, taking the time they need. That's normal.

The Sex Stuff:

I could have used maybe one or two more scenes, and one scene does cut off oddly early. However, when these two go off, they go OFF. I really liked the way they interacted through sex. It seemed like a kind of truly honest communication between them, and I found it really touching (and hot).

This book ends on a note I was delighted with--it really feel like I was watching an old school romcom come to a close. I had a great time.

Thanks to Netgalley and Dial Press for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

After seeing folks rave about this one on Bookstagram, I picked it up without reading much about the plot. But once I did, I could not put it down. I told me husband it was like watching an accident in slow motion to see Ari and Josh come together, separate, and do it again and again until they get it right. I loved that it was told from both points of view so we get to see both of them mired in endless angst. The book itself covers nearly a decade in time as we see Josh and Ari cross paths first as enemies then to friends and eventually lovers then back to enemies and eventually back to lovers in our HEA. It was hard fought but they got there. The writing in this is beautiful and there was several times where I laughed and cried. Will definitely look for more from this author!

Content flags: both characters experience depression; one character deals with the fallout of a messy divorce

I voluntarily read an early copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

There are times when reading romance novels where I find I have to challenge my own internal biases built up from my upbringing and past experiences. Reading the start of this book was one of those times. The initial gut reaction I had to Ari's character was truly, viscerally bad...but I kept going!

Anyways, I'm very glad I did, because this book had not one, but Two of the best character arcs I've ever seen in a romance novel. It was honestly wonderful to see both Ari and Josh learn and grow through their encounters and the experiences they have. Neither of them completely changed who they were, but instead became more fully themselves. The writing was lovely, it had some genuinely funny moments, but stay to see the two protagonists develop. It's worth it. 4.5/5 rounded up.

Reading this book felt like watching a classic movie rom-com - the banter, the NYC setting, the fun/funny coincidences that kick off the story. Ari and Josh were wonderfully real and flawed, and it was a joy to watch them work through their issues and realize how much better they made each other.

I turned the last page on YOU, AGAIN by Kate Goldbeck last night and will only start to recover once the leaves start falling off the trees. The way I devoured this book!

When you see a book cover with vibrant autumnal vibes and it's comped with one of your favorite rom-coms (WHEN HARRY MET SALLY), expectations run high. But I am very happy to report that this book exceeded all expectations and then some. I am also sad to report this because I can never read it again for the first time and Ari and Josh have consumed all of my thoughts.

I adored the dynamic between Ari, a struggling comedian and commitment-phobe, and Josh, a culinary force looking for his soulmate. They run into each other in NYC over the years, and each time, well, they're not fans of one another. It isn't until they meet yet again another couple of years later when they're both feeling low that they start to hang out, because misery loves company. Spending time together turns into a friendship that slowly becomes more, if only they can get past the fear of risking something good for something that could great.

If you're looking for friends-to-lovers gold featuring opposites attract with excellent banter and angst and wit and New-York-City-in-the-fall-vibes (always the vibe I'm looking for), add this to your TBR. It's out on September 12!

Thank you to the publisher, the author, and NetGalley for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

You, Again explores the evolving story of Ari and Josh over the period of several years, and the complexities of navigating sex and relationships in today’s world of dating apps and high divorce rates.

Kate Goldbeck is brilliant at showing, not telling, perspective. The choice of using split point of views showcases her skill to maximum advantage. Through lenses clouded by past experience, bias, and judgement, the reader sees how the characters perceive themselves, how they believe others perceive them, and how others actually perceive them.

In some ways, this book feels like one long conversation, and yet the world building is immaculate. You feel like you’re in New York, and god, I adore New York. And the banter! No one, and I mean NO ONE, writes banter as well as Kate Goldbeck. Full stop.

Ari and Josh are flawed, messy, and at times, make terrible decisions. They are plagued by insecurity and doubt, and are often victims of their own myopic, self-centred, fear-driven thinking. And yet, it is because of these things, not in spite of, that I love them. Without these traits, they wouldn’t feel half as relatable, and I wouldn’t have connected with them so deeply. They’re both brilliant, hilarious and unforgettable, but in very different ways.

Sparks fly when our protagonists meet for the first time, but not in a twitterpated way. It’s more of a two-trains-in-a-head-on-collision sort of way. They couldn’t be more different, and their wildly different outlooks (and the surety that their opinions are the only correct ones) cement their terrible first impressions of each other. But life has a funny way of bringing them back into each other’s orbit time and time again. Years pass, unforeseen events transpire, and choices are made with sometimes hilarious, and sometimes devastating consequences. We watch as Ari and Josh are shaped by these, sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse.

And it’s in navigating all of this, in realizing that nothing in life is black and white (except certain cookies), that there is never the perfect time, or the perfect person, there’s only here and now, and taking leaps of faith, and in choosing to live boldly that we truly find what it means to live. Living is being scared but doing it anyway. Living is knowing that people are going to hurt you and let you down, but loving them anyway. Living is failing but choosing to learn from it, forgive yourself, and move forward. Living, like this book, is ultimately about hope.

It’s impossible to define why or how someone is your person, they just are. And yet, Kate Goldbeck manages to capture it perfectly in You, Again. I can’t recommend You, Again highly enough.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️/5

My eternal gratitude to NetGalley and Random House for the eARC!

This was such a cute and fun romcom. In my opinion the enemies to lovers aspect wasn't as serious as how the blurb makes it seem (in a good way). It was more like a frenemies to friends to lovers type of deal and it worked well, there was lots of cute banter and the characters had well written chemistry. Because the book took place over so many years, the whole thing felt very believable and realistic. I really like the way friendships and relationships and boundaries were explored here. I'd definitely recommend this to anyone who enjoys Ali Hazelwood and Emily Henry cus that's the vibes.

4 stars- A modern take on the rom-coms I loved growing up. When Harry Met Sally set in 2023. Loved it! Thanks netgalley and the publisher for the arc

LOVED IT! Ari and Josh's build up to friends might've been my favorite part of the book, honestly. I didn't really figure it out until I read the author's note that it's based on When Harry Met Sally, but I totally see that now.
I think I'm glad I didn't know that information though, because it allowed me to just enjoy Ari and Josh without comparing it to the movie.

One of my other favorite parts was that Ari's friends didn't just let her walk all over them. When she was being a bad friend, it was acknowledged. Both of the MC's were flawed, and they had to work to make amends, or build better relationships. Not everything was perfect for these two, and that made it all the more special.

Thank you to Random House Publishing and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

The author developed a unique dynamic between her main characters in that their enemy era did truly last a long time. This book is written over years of time, and with that aspect, it was a long journey for them to come to grips with the reality of their feelings.

There’s a huge dynamic in this book where most everything is built on his and her failures in life. It’s a long story of some success, and then crushing defeat. It’s a story of good friends who continually support you. But the author also dives into an extreme inability to believe in yourself or find yourself worthy of one single thing.

In many aspects, this book was exhausting. The female lead seemed to be so incapable of functioning in simple conversation, and sharing herself that at some points it was difficult to read. There were points where I just shook my head and wondered how someone could hate their life and themself as much as they do. Shallow friendships and shallow continual hookups were better than having a relationship with someone she really loved but couldn’t admit to herself or him.

And speaking of him, after a crushing blow with his arrogance and failed business, he, too, hid himself from the world. Afraid to put himself out there again because of the ridicule. But at least he was willing to try for her affection, cared for her, and supported her emotionally more than it was worth. He seriously had to work hard to try to have any kind of relationship with her and that too was exhausting. I kept thinking, I hope she was worth it in the end.

But that is not to say there is not lightness too. Goldbeck added wit and plenty of humor with snarky comebacks and banter that keeps the story light and very funny. Ari is a comedian after all. But you can also feel the hurt and the pain that keep these characters from moving forward and getting out of their bad phases.

While the author finally brought it together for a happily ever after, it took a lot of time, hurt feelings, and broken hearts to mend. I truly commend Josh for not catapulting immediately, because honestly, having to emotionally support someone that broken is definitely something one should question.

I know my review and thoughts will be an unpopular opinion because many (most) of you are going to absolutely love this book. The author seriously has mad writing skills. You, Again is an interesting dynamic. Romantic, but for me, it failed to give me that heartwarming excitement that we should feel when two people fall in love and have a beautiful relationship in the end. With the passage of so much time in the story, it took on a whole other realm that lost me along the way.

A stunning and heartbreaking romance that shows more than a decade of character growth and companionship. Ari and Josh have this odd relationship built on common circumstances but they grow their friendship as they spend time and learn about each other. The personal growth for both characters is slow and at times nearly impossible to see them together but the chemistry is so undeniable I had to root for them. So when things finally work out the gratification is tantamount to extreme intoxication. It’s gorgeous and painful.

Thank you for allowing me to read this title early!

I love the nod to Harry met Sally! It was just enough but not overdone. The elements of fall and winter made me excited for the seasons to come.

These characters!! Ari!! I’ve never read a more genuine and authentic representation of a bisexual woman. It didn’t feel like a tie in. It felt like that was her. Josh was exceptional. A caring grump. We love to see it! Their chemistry and friendship together was so fun to read. I love that they fell in love without really realizing it.

Can’t wait to recommend this to patrons and friends.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Dial Press for this ARC! I've been so excited for this book and I was so glad to get the chance to read it early!

This book felt like fall. Relaxing and lovely. It was very slice of life for so much of it. Just these two people going from disliking each other to unlikely friends who need each other while they're both at their lowest. It was very, very character driven, so if you are not a fan of minimal plot with mostly character development, this may not be the book for you. But if you like that type of book, you just may love this one.

I loved Josh and Ari so much. I loved seeing them commiserate together, and find peace in each other's friendship. Sometimes you don't necessarily need a friend to bring you out of a rut, you just need someone to sit down in that rut with you and keep you company while you recover, and that was Josh and Ari together.

If you love When Harry Met Sally, give this book a shot. It was a lovely reimagining of it.

A good slow burn romance with some fun characters following When Harry Met Sally. I enjoyed this book as much as that movie if not more since it's a more modern take on the story. This was such a good romance read.

Thank you Dial Press and NetGalley for this review copy. All opinions are my own!

Immersive, sharp, smart, banter & deeply real, messy characters. This one is angst galore but tempered by snappy, wry wit and the comfort of seeing these characters’ eventual growth into emotionally healthier people who’ve learned to love themselves better and worked hard to forge safe, honest, loving relationships.

Content notes: divorce, grieving divorce, navigating polyamory, loss of a parent (strained relationship, off page), depression, mentions of drug use and self-medicating with alcohol.

Thanks to the publisher & Netgalley for the complimentary e-ARC. All opinions provided are my own.

You, Again by Kate Goldbeck is quite the emotional ride.

If you’re an angst-lover, jump in, the water’s very warm. If you’re like me, you might read this one with that Chrissy Teigen cry-grimace-smile on your face because objectively you can acknowledge it’s a great book but subjectively you need the pain to be over & the HEA to hit you with sweet relief .

Compared to When Harry Met Sally, this book features leads who keep bumping into each other over a series of years, at first fighting & disliking each other & gradually moving into friendship.

This is where the book really got to me, in seeing the characters change & in seeing that the characters *have changed* since we saw them last. The leads’ first clunky forays past animosity are wonderfully revealing & sweet.

Of course the leads don’t stay in the friendship zone—& I didn’t want them to!—but both have a lot of baggage to work through before the reconciliation.

It’s the way the baggage is worked through that caused me secondhand distress as a reader: see paragraphs above about angst. But the story is compelling & the characters feel real & the ending is lovely & unique & something I won’t likely forget .

I think a lot of people will love this one, & a lot of people will be moved by this one. It definitely makes an impact.

4⭐️. Out 09/12.

Please see a trusted reviewer’s list of CWs.

[ID: Jess’s white hand holds the ebook in front of a waterfall. Boulders are in between the ebook & waterfall.]