First I want to say thank you Penguin Random House and NetGally for this arc.I really enjoyed this book. It all felt so realistic al the way down to the side characters. I found myself laughing and smiling so hard! I feel this so many lessons in this book that you could apply to real life. Who would have known I’ll be so invested in a fake podcast. I loved everything about this book. I can’t wait to see what more this author has to offer.

3.5 stars. I liked this one, I definitely went in and out of interest in it, so it didn't fully captivate my attention for the entire read, but overall I liked it.

I'd give this book a 3.5 stars. This is the second book I've read by this author. I liked the idea of this book focusing around podcast but it didn't move as quickly as I wanted. Also I had an idea what the conflict would be before we found out. I did like the 2 main characters. It would be a good beach or summer read.
Thanks NetGalley for the advanced copy.

#BackAfterThis
#NetGalley

I think BACK AFTER THIS would be good for podcast fans and maybe those who use dating apps, or, like back in my day - speed dating - cringe.

Once I read she'd have to go on 20 dates the whole podcast project seemed overwhelming to me. I didn't really want to read about 20 dates.

I had a hard time connecting to all the characters - except I love Great Danes ...

I feel like podcast-related romances are becoming a trope and it's sort of overdone now.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for an e-copy of BACK AFTER THIS to review.

I rate BACK AFTER THIS three out of five stars.

I am a massive fan of ‘Evvie Drake Starts Over’ and ‘Flying Solo’(as well as all of her work for NPR)and was delighted by another book by Linda Holmes. ‘Back After This’ feels the most informed by Holmes’s experience as a woman in media and she does a wonderful job balancing honest reflections on that world with the fun of a romantic comedy. I was instantly charmed by Cecily and her fierce dedication to her friends and sister and drawn in by the story device of her 20 dates guided by influencer Eliza. I can so imagine my friends and I following along with this podcast (and I can imagine myself doom scrolling through Eliza’s page). Perfectly balances heartwarming fun and serious reflections on media and finding your purpose. Highly recommend for fans of Emily Henry, Rachel Lynn Solomon, and Mhairi McFarlane.

Back After This is a gentle, thoughtful novel about second chances, set against the unique and intimate backdrop of the podcasting world.
Linda Holmes once again delivers a heartwarming, character-driven story, though this one takes a little time to find its rhythm. The rich setting of podcast production and the layered world of audio storytelling add a refreshing depth. What truly shines, however, is the endearing relationship between the two main characters, Cecily and Will—filled with tenderness, vulnerability, and a quiet kind of love that sneaks up on you. Their dynamic is both lovely and believable, making this a comforting read.

I really enjoy how this author's works are first and foremost about a female main character learning about herself and the romance is thrown in kind of as an aside.

I was very interested in the world of Audio work and thought that things were well explained and laid out in this story. There were definitely a few twists/revelations that surprised me which I liked.

I love that Buddy and The Beast made it to the front cover as well. Those bits felt authentic to the story line and characters. The overall concept was really unique and pulled me in pretty immediately and the pacing kept me interested the entire book.

Will be recommending to my friends!

Look no further for a feel good, breezy summer read! I've read (and loved) another book by this author - "Evvie Drake Starts Over", and she hit it out of the park with "Back After This" as well.

Cecily is a podcaster who always works hard to move up in the podcasting world. She has dreams and goals, and by agreeing to participate in a podcast about matchmaking, she thinks this will help her move up the ladder. Will this work? Will she also find love when she has been so unlucky with past relationships?

This book has everything - well portrayed characters, humor (it is rare for me to laugh out loud at a book, but I did FOUR times reading this one!), and a giant dog. What more could a reader want? Highly recommend checking out this book!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reading copy.

I fell in love with Linda Holmes when I randomly requested Evie Drake Starts Over. I look forward to every new release!
She does romcom style books so well. I felt this was missing a little something but it was still a solid 4 stars.

I absolutely adored this book! I loved the premise, the characters, the love story. Just all of it was fun to read and a it was a great vacation book!

the whole book felt very millennial coded, and the storyline felt a little rushed with the romance. was still a fun read overall though

Back After This by Linda Holmes is a warm, witty, and emotionally resonant rom-com that blends podcasting, personal growth, and the messy magic of modern dating into one irresistible story.

Cecily Foster is a behind-the-scenes podcast producer who’s finally offered her shot at hosting—on one condition: she must star in a dating show about her own love life, guided by a relentlessly upbeat influencer. Cue twenty blind dates, a lot of awkward audio, and one very charming photographer named Will (plus his chaotic Great Dane). As Cecily navigates the chaos of curated romance and corporate pressure, she’s forced to ask: what does *she* actually want—and is she brave enough to go off-script to get it?

Holmes brings her signature charm and insight to a story that’s as much about creative ambition and self-worth as it is about love. Cecily is a relatable, quietly fierce heroine, and her slow-burn connection with Will is full of heart, humor, and just the right amount of zing. The podcasting backdrop adds a fresh, behind-the-scenes vibe, and the supporting cast—especially Cecily’s sister and best friend—shine with authenticity.

Book 11: thanks for this advanced copy, @netgalley and Ballantine! l've been a ®lindaholmes97 fan since the twop days. lykyk. Turns out l like a lovely rom com when it's written well and has some actual com.

3.5 stars. Thanks to Random House Publishing for the widget. Cecily is a podcaster she edits podcast but she wants to produce or host a podcast but her boss always makes promises and never follow thru. She is ask to host her own show about finding love since she has been single for over 4 years a influencer who wants to become a "dating coach" is going to find her love. Cecily sees it as self help and does not want to appear but there are other things happening so she agrees..... but she also meets someone IRL and pretty soon things start to feel awkward. Will (MMC) is sort of flimsy so things are not clear and she continues to go on these dates. I really enjoyed this book because it took away something so interesting that we dont always have to have a "career" or have life "figured out" sometimes we can be happy with what we do have and not always have to be achieving more.

Podcasters and podcast shows seem to be the newest trope to hit across multiple genres (mystery and romance for example), and after about a dozen stories where the main character hosts a podcast, I can say this is not the trope for me. However, taking that out of the equation, I enjoyed Cecily‘s story. I am a fan of Holmes’ writing and it shined here too. If you like listening to podcasts or books about podcasters, and want a good contemporary romance, I’d recommend.

Back After This by Linda Holmes
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Cecily loves to make podcasts. She has been dying to have her boss sign off on a new idea she has but he wants her to do a show about Cecily’s dating life. Now she is commited to twenty dates with strangers and she can’t stop thinking about, or running into, this guy named Will.
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What I liked:
-It was really interesting learning about all the behind the scenes work that goes into a podcast. It’s such a flippant idea “oh I’ll just start a podcast”, but after reading this book man is there a lot of work that goes into it.
-I really liked all of Cecily and Will’s interactions. They were great together.
-I loved the journey that Cecily made in this book. Coming to terms with things from her past and breaking free from things that were stifling her.
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4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was such a cute and charming read! I loved the dating show vibe, it made the story so fun and unique. The closed-door romance was totally my style, and the podcast aspect added an extra layer I really enjoyed. It was especially great on audio! It had such a sweet romance, an adorable meet cute, and it was an overall just a feel-good story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group Ballantine for this eARC in exchange for my honest review!

Back After This, by Linda Holmes, is an adorable story about a podcast producer Cecily Foster who is finding her way in the podcast world. Her commitment and reliability at work leave her little time for a social life, so her boss pitches a new podcast where Cecily is set up on 20 blind dates. Ofcourse as soon as she starts this new podcast, Cecily keeps randomly running into an adorable guy named Will. I found this story enjoyable, the flow was great, I just never found myself incredibly invested in these characters. Although predictable, this story was entertaining. I would recommend it to a rom-com lover!

A podcast producer agrees to become the subject of a dating podcast, going on 20 first dates arranged by a dating coach, to save her job and that of a dear friend. When she falls for someone not approved by the coach, things get complicated. I will recommend to fans of rom-coms (especially in the style of Sarah Adams) and workplace romance.
Thank you to Random House Publishing, Ballantine Books and NetGalley for a digital review copy.

I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

"The truth is that I found myself a guy. I didn't just find him once. I kept finding him again and again. And again."


Back After This was a pretty cute book. In this, you will meet Cecily Foster. She currently works in the podcasting world and thinks she loves her job. When her boss, Toby, asks her to do this job, she's initially pretty hesitant. The job, well, the show, is kind of a self-help dating show where someone sets her up on 20-ish dates until she finds the one. Yes, the one.

First things first, Cecily doesn't like self-help, and she isn't really excited to do this show either. On top of this, her coworkers keep hearing whispers about people potentially losing their jobs. So, it's a lot to handle, and she's not quite sure if she's making the right decision. She does what any normal person would do; she says yes.

Of course, that's right when fate intervenes and she runs into Will. Now he's not part of the show and isn't one of her lovely dates, and yet she develops real feelings for the guy. I obviously loved Will and her together. They just clicked. Also, Buddy (the dog) was a huge helper in getting them together as well.

Anyways, there's lots of romance, horrible dates, and drama that unfolds. Cecily eventually finds out the truth, whether it's about the show, her job, or her feelings for a certain guy. She does what she needs to do in order to make things right again. And in the end, it was cute, and she's happy. No, they are happy.