Thank you to Random House/Dial Press for sending me an ARC of this wonderful novel! This review has also been posted to StoryGraph (@/vvanessamartinezz) and will be posted to TikTok (@vanessaandbooks) not later than 6/30.

The title of the book could summarize its entire plot, running into someone again and again and again, unintentionally but having it feel like fate everytime. I love that we get to see Ari and Josh throughout the years meeting again at different stages in their life and seeing how those circumstances facilitate their interactions with each other. It’s so very Reylo-dyad-esque for them to have been destined to meet before they knew what the cards had in store for them and I loved reading every encounter bringing them together like a bridge closing a gap.

Another large part of the book that I loved, and did not realize that I needed, was how open and discussed Ari’s queerness was throughout the story. In many books, the FMC’s queerness is simply mentioned in passing and then forgotten since she is destined for the MMC if the book is not specifically a queer romance. However, Kate Goldbeck thoroughly dives into Ari’s sexuality and celebrates her queerness, how sex positive she is, and how unapologetic Ari’s character is regarding those aspects. Ari is a woman who knows herself and goes after what she wants, and I genuinely believe she is the most realistic portrayal of a modern day woman that I have read in a romance book ever.

Josh is a wonderful albeit typical MMC –– sexy, stoic, brooding, very much a dick until he realizes she’s the only person he likes, etc. What made him different to me was his background as a refined chef and his father’s run-of-the-mill deli, and the dichotomous relationship between those two things in his life. His difficult relationship with his parents makes him much more real and likable, and that’s what sold me on him (along with his incredible dirty talk, I did not think he had it in him).

*SPOILERS BELOW*
Lastly, I am not a huge fan of the 3rd act breakup in romance books but in You, Again, it was exactly what the plot and the characters needed for their own personal growth, and for the growth of their relationship. Ari and Josh are both in awful places when they meet and it’s a continuous cycle of hurt to avoid confronting their feelings. The time away during their break allows them to realize how much they need and love each other, but also allows them to be in better places [literally, they are both unemployed at the beginning and wallowing in self pity] when they reconnect. The rekindling at the end was the perfect end to their story and I cannot wait for Goldbeck’s next book!

I LOVE THIS. It gave such when harry met sally vibes. I read it in 12 hours.Could not put it down I was so invested in the characters and their relationship. It was the perfect mix between funny(actually funny) and sexual tension! 5 Stars!

What does it mean when the person you barely know but have hated for years suddenly becomes the only person who understands you when you are at your worst? For Ari and Josh, that is the situation they find themselves in- heartbroken, careers flailing, and confiding their deepest feelings to someone they would usually actively avoid. As they spend more and more time together begrudgingly real friendship grows and grows until it seems like it might even be something else.

Well hello Kate Goldbeck and welcome to my list of authors to watch. A debut novel chock full of things I love- great banter, slow burn, well written characters with an actual connection. I could go on and on. Ari and Josh were so fleshed out with their realistic angst and issues it was hard to be in their heads at times. I wanted to smack them and cuddle them at the same times. The depiction of New York was so beautifully rendered, rats and all, I felt as I was dropped right on its streets and could stroll over to the Strand for a browse. A book that may have caught my eye because of the gorgeous cover but one I will be thinking about for days to come.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I had a love hate relationship with this book and the characters in the best way! Ari is an aspiring comedian and Josh is a chef with a family legacy to live up to who keep running in to each other in the most unexpected ways over the years.

I loved that Ari was the emotionally unavailable partner in the story rather than Josh - a nice switch up from your typical romance. Their banter was witty, funny and their slow burn build up was amazing.

I found myself rooting for the characters even though I was frustrated with them - mentally willing them to pull themselves up by their bootstraps and try again. It was refreshing to read about characters who go though rough patches, depression and the not so pretty parts of life.

“You’re the only person I’m nice to. If you weren’t around, I’d have no redeeming qualities.”

I absolutely ADORED You, Again. I devoured this novel in a day and am still reveling in this story. This novel was witty, sexy, a little heartbreaking, and just genuinely funny. A delectable slow burn, almost fated romance that gives you a realistic look into the lives of two very opposite people, who find each other over and over again in a sea of thousands. The MCs and supporting cast of characters in this novel were all so well fleshed out and multi-faceted, and I really liked the attention to detail when creating this world in which Ari and Josh live and grow. The sex positivity and representation in this novel did not feel forced at all, and I really liked how those aspects fit into our story as well. I enjoyed the dual POV and I think that there was not too much switching back and forth- the balance was just right. From the very first scene, I was un-fucking-believably (tehe) hooked.

One of the main pieces of this story that I really is that most all of our conflicts our MCs experienced were within themselves. The author, Kate Goldbeck, has a note at the end of the book that talks about this a little further. Lately, in the genre, the books I have been consuming have been very trope heavy, predictable, and formulaic. This story was not, in my opinion. Boiling it down, I think what really got me hooked deep in this story was just how utterly human our MCs are. We see them over the course of 8 years, running into each other, and then being apart- over and over again until finally they both finally say hey I am depressed and let’s be depressed together. And then we get our engrossing story of how they grow- both together, and apart. The drama of their lives may be very mundane at some points, but there is so much emotion in this story that it all felt so very urgent and high stakes all the way to the end. The internal battle Ari wagers within herself, whether or not to let someone truly and fully know her, was really well done and while frustrating at times, very real. Her personality is chaotic, messy, and flawed, but so wholly lovable and interesting, while not being at all manic pixie dream girly.

I loved how romantic and uptight Josh was. I loved how he talks, and how he treats the ones he loves. The bossy, sometimes mean, and always honest personality worked very well for me, and was a perfect foil for Ari. We stan a man who wears his heart on his sleeve, even when it is painful. My most favorite characters are the ones who love, and love hard. This can describe both Ari and Josh.

It was a little excruciating to be in both of their heads at points, but the little bits of anguish made it all worth it in the end, as life often is a bunch of little happy things with a smatter of suffering popping up when you least expect it. I liked how this story was a rollercoaster of all the emotions- there was no straight trajectory to the HEA, and even at one point, I did not think we would see a HEA at all. We, as readers, get to experience all of the ups and downs, pain, and discovery with Ari and Josh, to where they ultimately find a place where both of them have grown into themselves and what they truly want out of life and each other. I thought it was beautiful.

I CANNOT WAIT!!! to read the next thing Kate Goldbeck is cooking up. Gorgeous debut. I will constantly be always in love with authors who have acerbic wit down to a T. My absolute favorite kind of stories are these.

Thank you to Dial Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

You, Again by Kate Goldbeck was the romance read I was looking for this year!! Fresh, funny, full of real emotions and a really tantalizing will they/won't they storyline. I both loved to hate these characters and also shipped them so hard at various parts of the book. If you're into a good romance book, then you should definitely pick this one up!

Come for the When Harry Met Sally-style banter, stay for the sharp humor, lived-in characters, and quintessential New York vibes. Kate Goldbeck's debut is one my most anticipated titles of the year, and it didn't disappoint. Both Josh and Ari pop off the page, and their relationship captures everything I love about an opposite-attracts romance: snark, humor, and eventual understanding. What a fun, satisfying read!

It took me a second to get into this book (not because it started slow but I wasn't so sure I liked the FMC) but I actually enjoyed this story once I got into it! It was fun and reminded me a lot of a movie I seen that I really liked.

I really loved the premise of You, Again, gave off When Harry Met Sally vibes, but I did struggle to get into it to begin with. Both MMCs are kinda annoying and I didn't like them much in the beginning, but they (and the book) grew on me

Slower start, but ended up loving this book! Well written with great banter. This may be one of my favorite books of 2023.

This is When Harry Met Sally for the modern age. Both Ari and Josh can be a bit obnoxious and obtuse, but then again, so can Harry and Sally. The story made me desperately want to visit New York.

DNF at 15%.

I couldn’t connect to the characters and found both of their personalities unappealing. I did like how they ran into each other throughout the years at the before anything happens.

this is a perfect 2023 NYC book, perfectly of its time. The sarcasm, the toughness, the humor, the wit, the candor, the very New York moments - perfection. Pop culture references are top notch. Of course there is romance and 🌶️ and very messy people and an amazing side cast. And it will rip your heart out before it puts it back together.

I absolutely loved this book. I read it in two days because I got sucked in and never wanted to leave. I can’t wait until I can actually buy a copy and highlight so many passages.

Obviously, this story starts as a modern take on When Harry Met Sally, the author took that concept and made it so endearing and spicy. Ari and Josh are such well thought out characters and their friendship/ relationship development was just so beautifully done.

I love how they both are working through their vulnerabilities and dealing with their lives while also continuing to pop up in each other lives. The supporting characters were great too. I genuinely just loved this book. As a female line cook/ sous chef for over 10 years I also really appreciated all the chef/ restaurant references and the representation.

I wish I had some negative commentary but I don’t, the story just worked really well for me. I felt so many emotions and tension, I laughed(and cried) and I loved the smut.

Even though it’s only halfway through 2023 as I’m writing this, I can confidently say that You, Again by Kate Goldbeck is my favorite contemporary romance book of the year. Maybe even romance book in general.

Ari and Josh meet in a number of, let’s say uncomfortable situations, throughout the years in New York City. Their relationship goes from strangers to kind of frenemies to unlikely best friends over an 8 or 9 year period. Polar opposites, Ari is an all over the place comedian/waitress/dog walker/app speech writer and Josh is a professional chef/perfectionist. In no world should they have crossed paths, let alone become friends.

Oh my goodness! This book made me feel all the things. Truly, I haven’t laughed out loud or giggled or squealed this much at a book in ages. This is why I am a reader. If you’ve ever seen the movie Like Crazy (starring Felicity Jones and Anton Yelchin), the realism of their relationship and the struggles and RAW EMOTIONS really remind me of this book. I think it’s one of the reasons that You, Again resonated with me so well.

This is a modern day take on When Harry Met Sally, so it is very slow burn and will they/won’t they. If you have a problem with miscommunication, this may grate you, as it usually does for me. But it really worked for me here because of who Josh and Ari are as people.

Kate Goldbeck has such an engaging voice as a writer. Sooo many lines are highlighted in my kindle, and I’m not afraid to admit that I wish I’d wrote them myself—they’re just that good.

This book was such a beautiful nod to reylo, but if you’re not a fan of the pairing or even familiar with it, don’t let that put you off. You, Again is very separated from its inspirational material and is very much its own story. But Rian Johnson still got a nod in the acknowledgments, iykyk.

500 ⭐️ for me! I’ll be devouring anything and everything Kate Goldbeck writes and I suggest you do the same.

“She’s watching him the way contestants on The Great British Bake Off watch their ovens.”

Title: A Touching Tale of Love and Second Chances: "You, Again" by Katie Goldbeck

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Review:

"You, Again" by Katie Goldbeck is a heartwarming and enchanting story that explores the transformative power of love and the beauty of second chances. This delightful romance novel kept me engrossed from start to finish, as it effortlessly weaves together past and present in a seamless narrative.

Goldbeck's writing style is engaging and filled with genuine emotion. The characters are relatable and wonderfully fleshed out, with their flaws and vulnerabilities making them all the more endearing. I found myself rooting for their happiness, eagerly turning the pages to discover their destinies.

The novel's central theme of rekindled love is executed with skill and tenderness. The chemistry between the main characters is palpable, drawing me into their world and allowing me to experience the intensity of their emotions. The author captures the intricacies of their relationship with authenticity, making their journey one that tugs at the heartstrings.

While "You, Again" delivers an emotionally satisfying story, I felt that some plot developments could have been further expanded upon. Nonetheless, the overall narrative flow and pacing were well-maintained, keeping me invested in the characters' lives and eager to see how their story unfolded.

Goldbeck's portrayal of second chances is both relatable and inspiring. The novel serves as a reminder that love has the power to heal and transform, even when faced with past mistakes and heartache. It emphasizes the importance of self-discovery and personal growth, making it a meaningful and uplifting read.

I would recommend "You, Again" to fans of contemporary romance novels who appreciate stories of love, forgiveness, and the enduring power of the human heart. Katie Goldbeck's storytelling prowess shines through in this enchanting tale, leaving readers with a sense of hope and warmth.

Note: I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author and publisher for this opportunity.

#BookReview #YouAgain #KatieGoldbeck #RomanceReads #SecondChances #netgalley #netgalleyarc

Wow I really enjoyed this one! It's a story you fall into quickly and it just zooms by.

I thought the ending conflict worked really well for these characters. The author mentioned in her author's note? or the interview thing that was in the back? that she wanted the conflict to be internal and themselves are standing in the way of their being together. Which lowkey was a tad frustrating to read and I could've done with a bit more explanation/reflection but that is a minor critique.

Where this book shines is the banter between the characters. From their meeting to their friendship to them get together I was just grinning reading their dialogue. Ari and Josh get each other and it's so apparent from the jump.

Thanks so much Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley.

Two people who first hate each other, then become friends without benefits, and then what comes next? I struggled to get into the story, but it does pick up! The back and forth banter is great, but overall, this was not the book for me. I can see why others may like it though. It's a little too messy for me at times, but again, I loved the banter!

The premise of this book hooked me in so fast. A commitment phobe FMC and a MMC who wants a soulmate and they find out they are screwing the same woman

There are moments I enjoyed in this book, some of the banter, spice, bisexual and queerness to the FMC. How she doesn’t conform to society norms and is just herself. But I struggled with not seeing more to her. I wanted to understand more about why she functions the way she does and we just do not get that emotional depth with her.

The MMC I struggled with him around the 15% mark there is a situation that happens at work when he loses it on a Female side character who is a woman of color and he fired her for something that if he has listened to her would have never been an issue. This comes up in the book as an issue because she is best friends with Ari the FMC. How that was handled and resolved just left a bad taste in my mouth and I really never liked him after that moment.

The pacing is off with them as a couple or build to a relationship with them and the book really takes until the 70% mark to pick up and get interesting which made it also hard for me

CW: sexual content, drug use, alcohol, cheating by previous partner, misogyny, racism

4.5 stars rounded up for NetGalley

This was such a delicious read! I devoured it in under 48 hours. I had seen that Julie Soto and Ali Hazelwood recommended it and honestly, that was all I needed to know before running off to NetGalley. Per usual, they were not wrong!

You, Again was the perfect frenemies to friends to lovers, slow burn, tension-filled masterpiece. The banter was incredible. The ribbing was spectacular. The pacing was perfection. The spice was *chef's kiss*. I can always get behind spice for the sake of having spice, but this was so well done and helped drive the plot. At this point, I'll be reading anything Kate writes!

Ari & Josh are total opposites and it made watching them build their friendship and eventually fall for one another so so sweet! Their story spans several years. I've read books with expanded timelines in the past and had them feel too drawn out, but in this case, it helped to deepen the readers' connection with Ari & Josh. To the point where I was literally on the edge of my seat cheering for them as the ending unfolded. You'll have to read it to see why!


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Thank you NetGalley & Random House Publishing Group for this ARC. All opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Review will be posted to our blog/IG in the coming weeks & Amazon on publication date.