Cecily Foster is a podcast producer who reluctantly agrees to make/host a podcast called Twenty Dates where she will go on 20 blind first dates with the help of influencer and romantic coach Eliza Cassidy. Problem is she has a meet cute with Will when he is running to rescue a runaway dog and they just keep running into to each other during the making of the podcast. Can she find the one with Eliza’s help or will she figure things out on her own?

This is a cute romcom that was fun to read. The idea was interesting but I wish we had gotten to see more of the 20 dates instead of a quick summary. There was some good banter and Cecily did have some character growth. Overall, an enjoyable romance❤️

I enjoyed the book I really liked Will but I wasn't so crazy about Ceci. Maybe because I saw too much of myself in her. I don't really listen to podcasts or know anything about the industry so I might have enjoyed it more if I did but that wasn't a deal breaker. I felt a little sloggy at times I do generally prefer a faster paced story.

3 stars for my complicated relationship with this one. Let’s start with the things I liked: titled chapters 10/10 loved knowing what I was getting into. Big fan of Buddy the dog and I appreciated the banter between Will and Cecily. The way things turned out was a solid ending for me. Now on to the thing I struggled with: the chapters were sooo longgg. This is a personal preference, but I truly am grateful to short chapters. I think it’s easier for me to stay engaged this way. Because of this, I think it was hard to get through this story. The plot and characters weren’t the issue, I definitely think it was the format of the book itself. I do think this is a great story of finding yourself and learning what you deserve along the way.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and publisher for a copy of this eARC.

This is my first Linda Holmes book but it won’t be my last! This was a fun read, both the characters and locations felt very real and relatable. I enjoyed the view into the podcast world as well. I know it’s a popular storyline right now but I haven’t read many yet. This one will probably ruin all the rest! I loved Cecily and Will’s meet cute and how their relationship grew…oh and the banter! Loved this read and look forward to more books from Holmes.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine for the opportunity to read this ARC!

I really enjoyed this, as I always do with Holmes's books. The podcast atmosphere was so intriguing, and while that has become a common aspect in popular books, Holmes did it in a refreshing way. I was rooting for the characters the whole way through and loved how it all ended for them!

Back After This by Linda Holmes. Four stars.

As a longtime listener to Pop Culture Happy Hour, I feel like I can hear Linda Holmes in this book. Her voice is very strong. And with a novel steeped in Holmes' audio expertise, it comes through even more strongly.

Back After This finds Cecily - hypercompetent, always prepared podcast producer who's constantly sacrificing her wants for her friends and her job - asked to host a podcast (finally!) about finding love in your 30s (uh oh) working with an influencer to go on 20 first dates (oh no). Cecily agrees. But, oops, run into (actually after) a man and a dog that she can't seem to stop running into. And maybe doesn't want to stop.

This book is charming. The meet cute is charming. The man with the dog is charming. Their banter is extra charming. It's a novel with a solid dose of romance, and an even larger dose of Cecily waking up to her own wants and needs.

I very much enjoyed this.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Cecily's dream is to host her own podcast instead of producing them for everyone else, but the offer she receives from her boss comes with a twist. Cecily is going to have to give herself over to Eliza, an influencer/matchmaker/life coach, with the goal of finding Cecily someone to love. The thought makes Cecily squirm in discomfort, but with her and her best friend's job on the line, she feels like she can't say no.

I enjoyed this, particularly the behind-the-scenes look at podcast production and the politics involved, even if it wasn't rosy. I don't think I would have minded a little more content about the dates themselves, instead of the quick paragraphs we got. The dog was doggone cute, of course. Cecily doesn't always make the best decisions, but it does come together for her in the end. But as a Gen X oldest daughter who is the one people always ask for help, what's wrong with that? Do you need a piece of gum? Let me check my purse.

This is the type of book you can curl up in the comfiest chair with a cup (or two) of coffee and read in a day! Linda Holmes knows how to write about women needing a new start!

Cecily Foster loves her job as a podcaster and puts her whole heart into her work. Unfortunately, she's just not where she wants to be in her career after her ex-boyfriend, who she worked on a podcast with, stole her ideas to use as his own and broke her heart.
The company she is currently working with is under some financial strain and has started cutting jobs. Cecily worries not only for her job, but her friend and co-worker, Julie's job as well. When her boss presents her with the idea to host a show with a popular influencer, Eliza Cassidy, that will follow Cecily's personal dating life, she is super hesitant and on the verge of saying no until she realizes this may be the only way to save both of their jobs.

Cecily will be set up to go on 20 dates with 20 different men. Each date will be followed and reported on. She can get through this, do what Eliza wants her to do, move on and hopefully this will all have a positive impact on her future career. What she doesn't expect is a run-in with a Great Dane and a man in a cape. Obviously, the man in a cape (no worries, he was just getting a haircut, not really a superhero 😉) is not one of the 20 lucky guys she is going to be set up with, but what will she do if it turns out, he's on the top of her list?

This was just an all-around sweet and fun book. A mixture of romance and self-discovery wrapped up with a happy ending. I always enjoy books that are light-hearted but also go a little deeper without making it a stressful read. This is still a book you can escape reality with, but can also relate with (employment struggles, financial worries, etc). Watching Cecily grow as a person and a podcaster in the midst of funny, unexpected and unplanned run-ins with her love interest, just made for good book!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine for the opportunity to read this e-ARC in return for my honest opinion!

This story was so fun! I caught myself giggling out loud several times. This was my first Linda Holmes but as soon as I was done with it, I got on Libby and requested Evie Drake Starts Over!

I adored Cecily and Will and their meet cute was absolutely precious. You could sense their chemistry right away. I enjoyed the dating podcast show and how that affected Cecily’s personal life and I really liked her character growth through the story!

Read if You Like:
🎙️quirky characters
🎙️witty banter
🎙️loveable dogs
🎙️podcasts
🎙️cinnamon roll hero

I definitely recommend checking this one out if any of this sounds like something you’d like! I can’t wait until Evie Drake Starts Over is ready for me to borrow!

The first few chapters of this one made me wonder if I should even continue reading. I need a HOOK within the first few lines to really get me interested. However, I'm so glad I pushed through those chapters because I ended up really liking this one!

I enjoyed both Cecily and Will and found them to be super charming and cute. Their banter was fun and light.

It was such a light-hearted and engaging rom-com that I will for sure be recommending to my friends.

If you have liked this author's other books, you may enjoy this one. I liked Will's character, how passionate Cecily is about her job, and the overall concept. But I've not been reaching to pick this back up. The chapters feel choppy and disconnected, the story is telling not showing, and I feel like I'm reading an instructional manual on how to date. Calling it quits at 51%.

I absolutely loved this women’s fiction with a strong romance sub supply. The podcasting details were interesting, especially coming from the side of being the producer and editor versus a lot of books where the main character is a host. The meat cute was so fun and dog lovers will really enjoy it. I thought the commentary on finding someone to spend your life with was spot on and would lead to good discussion if this book was picked for a book club.

Thank you @prhaudio for the #gifted early reading copy and thank you @randomhouse for the early reading copy!

I couldn’t wait to get my hands on Linda Holmes new book as Evie Drake Starts Over will forever be a favorite book of mine!

I immediately connected with Cecily. She is quirky and funny and self deprecating but in the best and most relatable way. She honestly reminded me a lot of one of my most favorite podcasters and authors, Becca Freeman. Much if the book is spent with her navigating love and so many of her funny, quick, one-liners really had me hooked.

You get to meet Eliza, Cecily’s love wellness coach and I really, really enjoyed her too. I really don't want to get too much away and just recommend you get your hands on this one. It will give you all the warm and fuzzies, and while at times be predictable, steal your heart. You’re going to fly though this one!

I loved that this one was narrated by the author! Doing immersive reads is my new thing and Holme’s delivery was spot on! I suggest you do an immersive read if you can too!

#YearOfCecily

4

I loved this book!! A new Linda Holmes book is such a treat. Linda Holmes writes characters that are relatable and feel like real people. I loved learning more about the world of audio and podcasting. I thought the characters struggles felt so honest and I just loved this book!

Linda Holmes has tended to be my go-to author for reading about older women who don't need the happy ever after to have a happy ending. This book is a different tune. And while I appreciate the romance aspect of the story, I think the strongest part of this book was Cecily's experience as her professional and dating lives took her down paths she never expected. Linda Holmes knows how to write middle-aged women who have a strong sense of self, and I greatly appreciate that.

I recommend this book for anyone who likes a focus on career crossroads, protagonists fighting to make their voice heard when they're mostly surrounded by people who won't listen, and people who enjoy a bit of dog hijinks and sweet romance.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for early access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

3.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Cecily is a podcast producer whose job is on the line. Her boss comes to her with an offer to save herself and her coworker. She has to host a show and go on 20 first dates to help find her soulmate with this dating coach.

While concept of this book is super fun and unique, the book itself just didn’t grab me like I’d have wanted. And I think that’s a me problem and not the book. Maybe wrong book wrong time for me. I’m not sure.

I want to talk about the audio though and give major props to Linda Holmes. She narrates the book herself and she did a fabulous job!! 👏🏻

Overall, I think my issue was just that the book was a but predictable. From the first meet cute to the dates and everything else that happens you just could forsee it all. The story was still fun and the podcast aspect was cool but just didn’t hit home.

I really enjoyed the author's debut but absolutely LOVED this book! The banter is top-notch - every exchange of dialogue is perfection. The romantic chemistry/tension is chef's kiss and the conflict feels authentic and never forced. I truly enjoyed everything about this book, from the first page to the last and each one in between.

After loving one of the author’s previous books, I was excited to read her latest!

I really enjoyed this one! I loved the plot, it felt really fun to learn more about the podcast world and I enjoyed the angle of the MC going on 20 first dates. This was more of a side plot though, with the main plot being the MC finding herself.

I really enjoyed Will and how his and Cecily’s relationship grew over the book. They had a natural chemistry and I loved their banter.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the arc!

What a pleasant surprise! This book wasn’t at all what I expected, but I really loved it. As a single woman, it felt so amazingly relatable! It’s definitely set up a little different than a typical romance and felt almost like a podcast within a podcast. Like Holmes’ previous books, it is heavier on the women’s fiction, but this one still had a lot of romance. If you know me, you know I love a perfect mix!! This book - and its sweet ending - left me with a smile!

What to expect:
•Chance encounters
•BTS podcasts
•Relatable FMC
•Golden retriever MMC
•Rescue dog
•20 blind dates
🔥 Fade to black

Fun romantic story! I liked Cecily and the premise was unique and cute. There is a good amount of humor and the storyline and romantic obstacles are not ridiculous (as they often can be). A solid read!