This was so sweet! A light and fluffy, while still filled with substance and grit, sweet little read. I loved reading a new-to-me-author and falling in love with this story!

I am a huge fan of Linda Holmes’ work and have been since her first novel, Evvie Drake Starts Over. Back After This is another winner!

Cecily is a podcast editor whose boss asks her to do a dating podcast to help solve their company’s financial problems. She would be paired with a relationship coach/influencer, Eliza, who would give Cecily a makeover and tips on dating. Eliza would choose men that she thinks would be a good match for Cecily and Cecily would be sent on 20 blind dates. Cecily is not thrilled to do this, but agrees to do it to help her co-workers escape potential layoffs and/or loss of jobs. In the meantime, Cecily keeps running into Will, a really nice guy with a Great Dane. Cecily is drawn to him, but Eliza is convinced that the only way to find a perfect match for Cecily is through her more scientific approach. She forbids Cecily to see Will.

This is NOT a story of 20 blind dates. The dates actually play a small part in the story. Instead, it is the story of a woman who had been so hurt by a disastrous previous relationship that it affected her confidence in all aspects of her life. It is the story of her growth and self-discovery.

I love the characters. They are authentic and relatable. Even the Great Dane had a personality! I love the interaction and chemistry between Cecily and Will.

I thoroughly enjoyed Back After This. It was funny and well-written. In addition to enjoying a delightful romance, I learned a lot about the world of podcasting. I highly recommend Back After This and I look forward to Linda Holmes’ next novel.

Thank you to Netgalley and to the publisher for providing me with an advanced review copy in exchange for an honest review.

I absolutely loved this book! I really enjoyed Linda Holmes's debut novel (have yet to read her second one, but it's definitely a priority now!) but this one might be my favorite so far. The story follows Cecily, a talented podcast producer who's worked behind the scenes for years, while longing to step into the spotlight and host her own show. She's beyond excited when her boss finally gives her the chance...only to learn that the show will be all about Cecily's dating life *and* she'll have to be mentored by famous dating coach, life coach, and influencer Eliza Cassidy. Cecily is less than thrilled to broadcast her love life to a public platform, especially because the last time she mixed work with romance, it ended in disaster. Still, she goes along with the scheme, but to add to all the chaos, she can't stop thinking about Will, a photographer she met serendipitously and keeps unexpectedly running into since. Eliza is convinced that Will is bad news, someone she believes is no better than Cecily's exes, but Cecily isn't quite so sure. Will she finally go for what—and who—she truly wants in both her career and love life, or will she fall in line with the choices she thinks she's "supposed to" make?

BACK AFTER THIS has just about everything I love in a book: fantastic writing, witty banter, swoon-worthy romance, and a compelling story of self-discovery and realizing your own worth (plus, a dog—who could ask for more?). I was utterly charmed by Cecily and Will's love story, and maybe even more so by how realistic it felt. Even things in romcoms that might seem implausible, like when the characters keep running into each other at the most random moments, were handled so believably here. Selfishly, I wanted to see even more of their relationship—I would have read pages and pages of them just hanging out together, lol! In general, all of the different relationships Linda Holmes explores throughout felt so authentic yet entertaining, from Cecily and Molly's sisterly bond to the dynamic Cecily has with Eliza. All of these characters felt like real people, whose journeys you couldn't help but get invested in! I also enjoyed learning more about what it's like to work on a podcast, which Holmes clearly has so much experience in. The details included about the world of audio production were super fascinating, and added a fresh, creative touch to the story. Overall, needless to say, I would highly recommend BACK AFTER THIS! It's such a comforting, uplifting read that could see myself returning to again and again. I can't wait to see what Linda Holmes writes next! Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the ARC.

thank you netgalley for this e-arc! i really enjoyed this title. i found with her previous work, i either couldn't get into the story or the writing was not grabbing me. this book was well-written, funny and had substance to it. i didn't catch on the trouble with the life coach until they revealed it through her emails. i'll be looking forward to the author's next books.

This novel was so so good!! I was instantly attracted to the cute cover - any book with a dog will already be an amazing read! Back After This was romantic, comedic, and so real. The story truly embodied how it just takes one person to change your life and happiness, no matter how you met that person. The book was very well written and had a clear sequence of events, as well as very good characters to accompany. Even the minor characters, such as Buddy the Dog, Julia, and Justin, were important characters to Cecily's development.

Sometimes the book was a little slow and a little over descriptive, but the funny and witty dialogue made up for it and the memorable moments that went along with it!

This was the first novel I've read by Linda Holmes, and I will defiantly be reading more of her books.

Thank you so much to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy of this book!!

I adored this cute story! This was a solid 4.25 stars for me but Buddy the Great Dane takes this up to 5 because helloooo as a Great Dane x2 Mom myself how can he NOT be my favorite character!?

This pubs Feb 25th and I'd recommend you grab it if you love:
-a sweet romance (no descriptive spicy scenes here, sadly/ good for some, lol)
-hilarious and memorable Meet Cute
-'dating show' vibes with the podcast theme
-lots of audio talk as the FMC works in audio production
-some mixed media with podcast/ video transcripts included

I thought this was such a fun, cute story. I LOVED how Will and Cecily kept running into each other and having these hilarious, sweet moments together. The podcast and Cecily's character growth are central to this storyline but the romance storyline and scenes were my favorite to read. I was so invested in Will and Cecily's blooming 'friendship' :)
There's a little 3A breakup which I dislike as well as some miscommunication (ick) buuut we circle around and get a HFN ending which we all love in a romance.

Overall, I adored this and couldn't read it fast enough.

I enjoyed this far more than Flying Solo but Evvie is still my favorite of her books.

Cecily is a podcast producer who ends up being the host and star of a self-help/dating podcast where she goes on 20 dates to find a partner.

I loved learning more about audio and the podcasting world - you can tell this is where Linda shines and where her own expertise comes from. The story reads more like women's fiction with romance. I loved the very convenient run-ins with Will (but after a few, they did start to feel too much). However, Cecily also read as unlikable at times and flipped to be hard to root for. I would have liked to see more reflection and growth after some of the comments she made.

This novel is completely charming—from making the most ridiculous and unlikely constant run-ins appear completely plausible, to the most un-cliched ending. It’s also got all my favorite things, superb banter, great writing, a story of self discovery, a lovely romance. I’ve actually already ordered a print copy for myself because it’ll become the most perfect of comfort reads.

Loved this story. Both MCs were fun and relatable, I appreciated the way their relationship developed and grew, plus, there's a dog! Always extra points for a dog.
Watching Cecily deal with being underappreciated at her job, being kind of steamrolled by the influencer, and trying to protect her friends job all made for a great story. Will was an interesting character and I love that he clearly truly liked his friendship with Cecily, found her to be an interesting person, and that's how they grew their relationship throughout that story. Eliza, Eliza, Eliza... the influencer working with Cecily... she was something else, they definitely gave the character more depth than I had expected, still didn't like her, in the end haha. While this book was a cute, fun, flirty romance, I think it was also good commentary on what it's like for women working in many careers and I appreciated that piece to it.
I'd give it 4.5 stars, rounded up to 5, there were a few things that I thought should have been addressed, but unfortunately were not. I would definitely read more by this author!

Publish to Goodreads on 2/11/25

This is an ARC review thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine.

This was a very cute and easy read. The story line was well built and keeps you interested to find out what is next. It is very relatable to real life which made connecting with the characters much more enjoyable. I enjoyed the bit of drama it had. Not too much and not too little. Just enough to keep things interesting.

Podcasts, influencers, advertising sales. These are all worlds that are completely foreign to me. So, I'm probably not the target audience for "Back After This". I think my niece, or the college students I work with are right there in the mix.

But still, I thoroughly engaged with Cecily and her total immersion in her work. I became one of her cheerleading gang as she dated twenty men... in public... and fell in love with one.

... and I learned some random but intriguing facts about the business of podcast production!

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

This was a fun one. Cecily works as a podcast editor, and she’s really good at her work. She recognizes good audio (and bad), and when she’s approached to be the subject of a match making show with a popular influencer, she’s not so sure she wants to be on that side of the mic.

While preparing for the show, Cecily keeps running in to the charming and handsome Will, and dating strangers becomes much more complicated.

Back After This does a great job of creating real, human characters with normal flaws and anxieties about their lives and careers. Ultimately the book is rather low stakes but I wouldn’t consider it a gentle read. It’s just a real, grown up, relatable and sweet romance.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this title.

Back After This felt like wrapping myself in a cozy blanket while swapping secrets with my best friend. From the very first page, I was completely captivated by this enchanting journey of self-discovery—laughing, tearing up, and cheering Cecily on every step of the way. Cecily Foster, a talented podcast producer, finds her carefully ordered world flipped upside down when she’s unexpectedly thrust into hosting a show about going on twenty blind dates. Her anxiety and resistance? I was fully invested in Cecily’s dating escapades, cringing through the awkward encounters and celebrating the unexpected sparks. Her dynamic with her ever-enthusiastic dating coach, Eliza Cassidy, had me grinning—like oil and water, yet their clashing personalities create pure magic. And then there’s Will. Oh, Will. Every time this sweet, charming photographer appeared, my heart fluttered. Their serendipitous meetings over a lost dog felt like fate at work, and their chemistry was nothing short of electric. Even though Will wasn’t part of “the plan,” I couldn’t help but root for them. Linda Holmes has an extraordinary gift for crafting characters that feel like old friends. The podcast setting adds a fresh, modern twist to this romantic journey, but what truly resonated with me was Holmes’ exploration of deeper questions: How do we balance ambition with reality? What happens when love doesn’t fit into our carefully laid plans? And is it possible to find yourself while searching for someone else? More than just a romance, Back After This is a warm embrace—a reminder that it's okay to be messy, imperfect, and utterly human in our pursuit of love. Holmes has created something truly special: a story that made me laugh, cry, and wholeheartedly believe in the magic of unexpected connections. If you’re looking for a book that will leave your heart full and your face sore from smiling, this is the one. A huge thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review.

Thank you to the author, publisher and Net Galley for providing a free ebook of this title in exchange for my review.

This was such an enjoyable read. I've enjoyed Linda Holmes' other books and this one didn't disappoint. I felt like this was a good catch up session with a good friend - I laughed, cried, and cheered though the book


5 stars - I know I will re-read this one!

In these cold, dark days of winter, it’s nice to read something light and fun that still has some depth and that’s exactly what I got listening to 𝗕𝗔𝗖𝗞 𝗔𝗙𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦 by Linda Holmes. I first became a fan of Holmes with her debut, 𝘌𝘷𝘷𝘪𝘦 𝘋𝘳𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘴 𝘖𝘷𝘦𝘳 which had the same easy listening qualities to it. She definitely knows how to write a female character who has a life of her own with a little romance thrown in on the side.⁣
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In this case, Cecily Foster is a long time podcast producer who gets roped into hosting her own show. The catch? It’s a show that has her going on 20 dates selected for her by a well meaning “dating/life coach.” What could go wrong? As it turns out, a lot! Cecily struggles sticking by her coach’s recommendations when events in her own life collide with her many dates.⁣
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I’m not typically a big rom-com fan, but this one worked for me. I liked the fact that the entire story was told by Cecily. It made me feel as if I really knew her. I also loved the parts going behind the scenes of podcasting. As a bonus, many of the side characters were endearing, especially a giant dog who played a surprisingly large role. Were there eye-roll worthy moments? A few, but not as many as I’d typically expect. I also need to add that the audiobook is narrated by Holmes herself, and she did an excellent job. So, whether you’re a big fan of romance or are just looking for something fun, think about giving 𝘉𝘢𝘤𝘬 𝘈𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 a try! (Publishing on 2/25.) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

If you’re looking for a book that balances sharp dialogue with moments of heartwarming vulnerability, this is it. The author really understands how to connect a story line with character development. I read this and completely felt that the story was genuine and the characters all fully relatable.

I have read Linda Holmes previous books and this is my favorite. Keep writing ! Until the next book, I will make do with her podcasts.

Thank you Random House for this ARC.

Just what the reading doctor ordered! I flew through this novel about a podcast producer's entangled love and work life. Cecily is a relatable, down-to-earth heroine who, refreshingly, is surrounded by a sister and friend who have her back. Holmes avoids easy stereotypes and has created a smart, delightful novel that offers a fascinating glimpse into the podcasting world.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the early galley.

Cecily finds herself hesitantly the focus of a dating podcast, and ultimately ends up finding herself in the process. I enjoyed the reading of this book, and I definitely felt pulled along and looked forward to seeing where the story went. I felt like I learned a lot about audio/podcasting/influencers and that perspective was interesting. There is a lot of text-heavy sections in the novel, as well as lots of inner monologue of Cecily. It actually felt like very little plot at all, and almost read more like a journal to me at times. I appreciated many of the full circle moments and lessons at the end of the book and overall I really enjoyed reading it. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to provide my honest review.

I read Linda Holmes’s first novel after being a dedicated PCHH listener for several years, and really enjoyed it. Admittedly I did skip her sophomore novel but was excited to see this one come up. Her knowledge and love of audio clearly shines here, and I enjoyed learning about the process. Great banter and thoughtful and funny remarks throughout. I don’t think these characters were quite as standout as in Evvie Drake, but this was overall a very delightful read that I would recommend.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the arc of this book. All opinions are my own.

I really loved this one! I am not the best at writing reviews sometimes, but sometimes books take you by surprise and this one did just that. I got invested a few chapters in and couldn't put it done. It was so good! I highly recommend this one.