I really struggle with how to rate this book. I really loved the characters and the chemistry between them was amazing - I loved the timeline jumping back and forth, and how we got a glimpse into the two main characters first summer together. The romance was amazing and I loved how into each other these women were!

What I didn't love was the over-saturation of Taylor Swift references. While the general pop culture references could have been fun, the Taylor references were overdone.

I loved this so much!

Seeing plus-size and sapphic joy expressed so well in this warmed my heart so much.

I also love how healthy the communication was between Jo and Hunter - I think often these things are overlooked, but I found it to be really humanising and helped me connect with them more.

I’m so excited to read more from Katie Duggan.

Thank you so much to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the arc. 🫶🏻

With plus-size rep, this sapphic romance is a must-read! So charming and captivating, you won't want to put it down!

This was my first book by this author. She did a nice job with characters and the plot. This was a sweet second chance romance. Jo and Hunter are ex lovers who find themselves living together again. Hunter offers to help Jo by faking a relationship. The pretend relationship helps them rediscover their feelings for each other.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Thank you to the author, Katie Duggan, and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I had a good time reading this sweet romance between Jo and Hunter. They’ve known each other since they were 15, but haven’t seen each other in 12 years. There are 2 timelines we get to experience (mostly in the present setting) to see how they saw each other as teenagers.

I loved all of the therapy discussions and open communication in regard to past relationships, family issues, etc. Jo and Hunter slowly begin to reveal deeper parts of themselves to each other that they haven’t been able to do with anyone else. They have an instant connection that is palpable and honest. They see each other for who they are at face value and love each other through some very difficult things.

I loved the diabetes rep from Jo and ADHD rep from Hunter — you get to see how they’ve evolved as people while working through these parts of themselves as adults through therapy and maintaining their medications and therapies.

Looking forward to reading more from Katie Duggan!!

CW: sexual content, religious bigotry, medical content (diabetes rep and insulin care), toxic relationship, emotional abuse

Back to Me by Katie Duggan is everything I love about a second-chance romance—plus that extra layer of emotional depth Duggan always brings to her characters. This book hits just right, balancing heartfelt moments with genuine laughs and the right amount of tension between two people rediscovering each other in a totally new way. Duggan has this incredible knack for making her characters feel real, and if you’re a fan of hers, you know exactly what I mean.

Jo Quinn is doing her best to hold it together after her engagement falls apart, convinced she’s perfectly fine on her own...until Hunter Cleary, her first love, steps back into her life. Hunter’s return stirs up a whirlwind of emotions and unresolved chemistry. She’s searching for a fresh start after coming out, and as fate would have it, she ends up as Jo’s new roommate. Hunter’s solution to Jo’s wedding-planning dilemma is just wild enough to work: the two decide to team up and play “fake couple” for the event.

What makes this book so addicting is the way the “fake” parts force Jo and Hunter to dig into the real feelings they’ve been avoiding for years. As they pretend for everyone else, they start breaking down walls with each other, letting go of old hurt, and discovering who they’ve both become. There’s something both hilarious and sweet about two people pretending with the world while being completely open and honest with each other.

Overall, Back to Me is a warm, funny, and totally satisfying second-chance romance that I couldn’t put down. Katie Duggan has done it again with characters who feel like people you want to know, and a story that pulls you in from the first page. If you love second chances, fresh starts, and a bit of chaos in the name of love, this one’s for you!

4.5 rounded down -- I really enjoyed this novel. Hunter and Jo/Giovanna were complex and interesting characters. Even though I hadn't read the first in the series, I really enjoyed the other Quiblings. I appreciated the lack of conflict in the third act. I'm looking forward to the third book!

I love Katie Duggan; at this point, I will read anything written by Duggan. I loved this sapphic, second-chance love story so much and I can't wait to recommend it to shoppers!

Katie Duggan wrote an extremely sensitive take on FMCs are who are going through things. It almost felt like too much for each character. Like leave Jo and Hunter alone. Ultimately, the bond of love and respect between tJo and Hunter as written by Duggan overcame this feeling. I'll be on look out for her next book. Thoroughly enjoyed.

Thank you to Katie Duggan and NetGalley for providing an eARC for a honest review.

Oh I liked this book a lot! It’s very funny but also very deep. I loved the premises: second chance with fake relationship? Sign me in!
The rep is amazing: queer rep, chronic illness, fat rep, neurodivergent… That’s a lot, but they are all treated very well.
The story is simple but compelling and I was totally in love with Hunter and Jo. They are so realistic and precious.

Thank you NetGalley and the author for the arc.

At first, I found myself unexcited to read this book, even though the plot sounded right up my alley, mainly due to, what I would consider a lack-luster cover, I also weirdly thought that one of the women was going to be an Elvis impersonater and kept telling myself to get in the right mind space for that - but then I finally did pick the book up - LOVED IT - I think it is so cute from the very beginning that Katie Duggan has included a playlist, I think a song a chapter isn't exactly doable to read along tho because a song is 3-4 minutes - chapters take more, but still so nice. I think the book excelled at dialogue - body representation - discussion on compulsive heteronormativity - being neurospicy and the less talked about evil self-talk that happens versus the actions other people see. I think the trigger warnings were thoughtful and I also had no idea before reading this that diabetes was a chronic illness. I think I thought it went a little long - dragged out bits - some things I found unnecessary - the hatred I have towards Kelsey is a testament to phenomenal writing!

This was an emotionally deep, second chance, friends to lovers, fake dating, roommate romance that takes place in the Quiblings universe but can definitely be read as a standalone. I loved Jo and Hunter and the flashbacks we get from their first summer together. They both have scars from the past and are in therapy working through their individual issues. The mental health rep (Jo's depression) and disability rep (Type 1 diabetes, Jo and ADHD, Hunter) was excellent! The two women show up for one another, learn to take risks on love and COMMUNICATE!! Expect lots of cameos from Jo's big queer family and it was so great to see how her parents are trying harder and growing themselves! This was my first book by indie romance author Katie Duggan and definitely won't be my last!! Many thanks to NetGalley and the author for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

CW: homophobia

I think this book has great representation for so many things. Body positivity, mental health, and chronic illness/diabetes among other things. But I’ll admit I had a hard time with one aspect of this story. As this is a second chance romance, the two first met as teenagers and haven’t seen each other in twelve years. Now as adults and in each other’s lives again, they often reflect back on their past. But the way they discuss their past intimacy could be very graphic at times and it made me uncomfy reading about teens in this way. It’s not a huge thing but it happened often enough early into the story that it took me out of the romance.

Back to Me by Katie Duggan was such a delightful second chance romance. I loved Hunter and Jo finding their way back to each other and getting to see them both learn how the other had grown as they pulled down their walls was quite charming. The book provided plenty of heart, a cast of quirky side characters and family members, and a grade A villian to rally against, while deftly tackling some serious topics, like internalized homophobia, what happens when your family can't be your safe space, and managing a chronic condition. I'd love to read more by this author!

Katie Duggan will always write the romance with a found family that we ALL need! Jo and Hunter are some of the best representation of the friends to lovers trope done well, I loved seeing the flashbacks to their first summer together as teens and how it shaped their relationship today; it also highlighted their growth as a couple and individuals. Very well-rounded characters. The banter between our main couple, their friends and family: hilarious!! The siblings were written like real siblings and I could see myself having that conversation under the same roof as my sister.

NetGalley ARC Reader Review: 4.5 stars rounded up!!

Honestly this book was fantastic. I wasn't sure what to expect with the start feeling like a bit of a dive into diabetes as a chronic illness, but it definitely set the stage for this book showcasing overcoming adversity. Illness comes in all forms, and seeing the behind the scenes of living with Type 1 Diabetes, Depression, and ADHD in this story doesn't take away from the plot, it enhances the story and makes it more real.

Jo and Hunter are flipping adorable, and I love how much they grow in this book. I love the diversity and the real-ness of the characters. Insecurities, and bold personalities, all part of most realities!!

I can't wait for book #3!!

Back to You tells the story of Jo and Hunter, who first met and fell in love as teenagers, only to reconnect years later. Jo is recovering from the breakup with her ex-fiancé, while Hunter is trying to rebuild her life after being disowned by her family. It’s a heartwarming tale of love, hope, growth, and learning that the toxic people in your life don’t define your worth. When Hunter becomes Jo’s roommate, they start to realise that they might just be exactly what the other needs.

This charming sapphic love story explores themes of second chances and healing after trauma. I loved following their journey. The pacing is quick and engaging, and Katie Duggan expertly guides the story’s development without feeling rushed or overdone.

If you’re looking for a sweet wlw romance that restores your faith in love, hope, and healing, this is the perfect read. It also thoughtfully touches on mental health and features both Jo and Hunter as plus-size characters—something we love to see! And the spice was so good.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

I took out one extra star purely out of vendetta against Taylor Swift, I cannot take her presence as a so-called "gay icon" and the face of every sapphic playlist any longer. Enough with chapters titled after songs by the current popular white pop girlies.

I had a hard enough time with the beginning of the book due to not great to downright cringy writing (curiously the flashbacks were better written?) and then the second half just feels bloated for no reason.

For a book where a character attends therapy and everyone speaks like social media therapy jargon there are a lot of weirdly immature moments like pretending to sleep with her brother to make her jealous. And then for a book where the main couple is supposed to be employed by one ex's future wedding, they all speak to each other like it's a college drama and not professionals working together.

Overall, it's not really entertaining, swoony or captivating with the best moments revolving around the central family (i really liked that early scene where jo is the last to learn something people around her already knows that scene concept was a gut punch). The disability representation which was a main selling point for me did not disappoint me. it was not a one time thing swept under the rug but rather something that's a part of every day life.

I think Katie is writing important stories and important characters with this series. Hunter & Jo were relatable and lovable.

Thank you Netgalley for allowing me to ARC read this.

I really wanted to love this book. I did. I just felt that their backstory was shallow, and there wasn’t enough oomph to the story to keep me entertained.

Most of the time, I found myself cringing and feeling like it wasn’t genuine. There were times where I felt like the characters were way too immature for their age, and I don’t know why they brought up their past soooo much in such a sexual way at the beginning of the novel.

I loved the overarching themes that were talked about with mental health, therapy, ADHD, etc. and I thought the pop culture references were fun (although there were definitely too many). I also loved the playlists attached to each chapter, especially because I knew the songs and were ones I love to listen to.

That’s about all I appreciated from this book though, which makes me sad. It wasn’t the worst book, but it definitely wasn’t the best.

Overall, it was a bit of a swing and a miss. But if you like quick and easy queer read with some spice, you might like this one!