Satisfying and sexy M/F romance set in the podcast world.

Cecily is a workaholic who is exploited by her current employer. He offers her the opportunity to host her own show. The show's gimmick is that Cecily will go on twenty blind dates set up by a dating coach. Of course, Cecily despises the self-help genre and makeover shows. it's further complicated by a rather large dog and a man she keeps running into.

This book is a love letter to the audio world and to Washington DC. The city, not the politicians et al. It also touches on the uneasiness of parasocial relationships.

I liked that the main character was prickly and had flaws.

I really loved Linda Holmes’ Evvie Drake Starts Over, so I really excited to dig into Back After This.

Cecily Foster is a podcast producer who has been working behind the scenes for years…but always desiring her own show. When her boss Toby comes to her with the very chance to do this, she’s hesitant. The concept is a show about Cecily’s love life. She’d be mentored by Eliza Cassidy, an influencer/dating coach/life coach. Cecily will go on 20 blind dates in hope of finding love…but what if she’s already found it?

I liked the premise of this book and enjoyed Cecily and Will…and Buddy the dog. Always love a dog in a story. This story felt like a bit of a slow burn and while that’s not normally my kind of story, it worked here. The plot did seem a bit thin at times and I found Eliza to be a bit annoying with her influencer ways. Eliza’s annoyance with Cecily’s…deviations from the podcast plan were a bit frustrating.

Overall, this one was a bit more middling for me. Didn’t hate it, just wanted a bit more to it.

Thank you to Ballentine Books and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: 2/25/25

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this ARC.

I love Linda Holmes’s pop culture commentary and I love that the characters in her books are so well-drawn and interesting. Here, her protagonist works in podcasting, so we spend a lot of time getting to know Cecily’s work in audio. This was a fun story of someone getting to know themselves while wandering through territory I know well myself (DC, NY, bad dates). Cozy and compelling even though most readers will tell where it’s heading from the meet cute.

3.5 stars rounded up. This was a cute, mostly closed door romance about a woman who goes on twenty blind dates for a podcast, but keeps running into another man who she can’t stop thinking about. It’s a fun premise and an interesting look at the work that goes into the world of podcast making.

Book Review: Finding Love and Self-Discovery in "Cecily Foster's Journey"
"Cecily Foster's Journey" is a delightful exploration of love, friendship, and self-discovery. Cecily, a passionate podcaster, is not only fiercely protective of her colleagues but also deeply cherishes her friendships and family ties, particularly the cherished dinners with her sister. After navigating the challenges of a past relationship that left her heartbroken and wary, Cecily has decided to focus on herself and her career, putting romance on the back burner.
The turning point comes when her boss, disappointing her time and again, finally offers her a golden opportunity: to host her own podcast show. However, this opportunity comes with unexpected twists. The show is centered around Cecily's dating life, and she must adhere to the guidance of the ever-optimistic influencer and relationship coach, Eliza Cassidy. While Cecily initially resists the idea of putting her personal life on display and taking advice from an internet personality, she soon realizes that accepting this challenge might be the only way to protect a friend's job.
What makes this journey even more intriguing is Cecily’s commitment to twenty blind dates curated by Eliza. Throughout this process, she can’t help but be drawn to Will, a charming photographer she recently helped rescue a lovable lost dog with. Their chemistry is palpable, but Will's uncertain path complicates matters, especially with Eliza's critical insights swirling around her.
Cecily's struggle to reconcile her own desires with the expectations set by Eliza creates a compelling narrative filled with humor and heart. Readers will find themselves rooting for Cecily as she navigates the complexities of modern dating and the quest for self-identity.
In a world where love and self-worth can often feel intertwined with outside opinions, "Cecily Foster's Journey" is a refreshing reminder that true happiness comes from within. It encourages readers to embrace their individuality and make choices that align with their authentic selves. This book is not just about finding love; it’s about finding oneself amidst the chaos of expectations and societal pressures. A must-read for anyone seeking inspiration in their own journey of love and self-discovery! #netgalley

This is a cute book! The concept of a podcast dating show is...okay. I didn't really like how they met and kept running into each other but once they started dating dating, it was much better.

This book was enjoyable, charming, and fun, with likable main characters. While I didn’t completely fall in love with it, I still found it entertaining. Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing - Ballantine for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I've been a fan of Linda Holmes for years—I've enjoyed her television recaps, her book reviews, and her previous books. But I was introduced to her through Pop Culture Happy Hour, her podcast with NPR. So when I heard her next novel was based in the world of podcasting, I was absolutely over the moon—and I"m very pleased to say that I adored this book as much as I was hoping to.

The story follows Cecily Foster, a woman in her mid-30s who has worked as a podcast producer for years, riding the ebbs and flows of the audio industry. She's a career-focused perfectionist who cares deeply about her colleagues and her work, but has cared less about finding a relationship after her last long-term boyfriend not only broke her heart, but took the podcast the two of them had worked so hard on together. When her boss asks her to host a podcast, she's excited—but less so when she finds out she'll be working with an influencer who wants to break into the life coaching industry by becoming helping women boost their self-confidence and find their perfect partner. Still, Cecily agrees. But her dating show is derailed when she keeps running into Will, a man she seems to have a real connection with, but who is decidedly not one of the matches from her new dating coach.

Holmes's writing throughout this book is easy to read and filled with wit, the characters are nuanced and interesting, the themes regarding career and what success looks like are grounded in reality and extremely resonant—and, of course, there's the very fun treat of the true-to-life insights at what it takes to produce audio stories. I loved Cecily, and her journey toward learning how to identify—and ask for—what she wants and appreciated the care Holmes took in crafting the layered influencer/dating coach, Eliza, and found Will, with his easy-going charm, quietly amusing banter, and perfect one-liners so refreshing.

This was an absolute delight from beginning to end!

4.5🌟

loved the characters. loved the romance. loved the setup. loved the twists. i found it really cool! 5 stars, tysm for the arc.

Podcast producer Cecily has long had hopes of hosting her own podcast after years of pitch ideas being turned down or stolen from her and given to someone else to host. Because of this everyone else in her life has been ignored.

Her boss finally offers her a, less than ideal, chance of hosting. A show centering around her own love life and working with a self help guru.

During the time of working on the show and meeting and dating 21 men, Cecily meets Will by chance. Then she keeps randomly running into Will.

Should she hold up her end of the new show and give dating the guys picked by a self help queen a chance or take a chance on her own choice. Is Cecily enough to make the choice on her own?


So many books incorporating the theme of podcasting right now somewhat over saturating the idea and story. Back After This was a cute refreshing take on this. Plus, who doesn’t love a love story that begins with saving a dog?

What an absolutely perfect and delightful first read of 2025 .

I just couldn’t put this down, even when holed up in a mountain cabin over New Year’s with friends (but then again, they shouldn’t have put that hammock by the fire if they didn’t want me to disappear into it.)

I went in fairly blind to the story and recommend you do too. As in all her books, her characters are perfectly flawed and more interesting for it. Loved the peek inside podcasting and the radio world and I learned a lot. I just kept thinking yep, this is why they say to write what you know. Loved the DC callbacks too—I had forgotten so much of what it’s like to live there.

Love how Linda Holmes sets a mood and makes everything feel real, feel like nothing is trying to be something it’s not. I always walk away from her books feeling like a quiet happy little life is something lovely to want, something whole to live, which is the opposite of what it feels like social media (yes I know where I’m writing this) and the world want us to feel, what we are told.

I can’t share any quotes since it’s not published yet, but oh how I wish I could. Suffice it to say she is on the top of her game and each book gets better.

It comes out February 25!
Thank you @randomhouse and @netgalley for the advance copy!

Back after this is charming, hilarious, and also so relatable. Set in the world of podcasting and audio production, it follows Cecily as the producer becomes a star of a series where a dating coach/influencer sets her up on 20 dates with 20 different guys. Meanwhile, she keeps bumping into Will, the one guy the show doesn’t want her to date. Their chemistry feels so deliciously comfortable yet still sexy. Their banter is a DELIGHT. Cecily’s journey to uncover what she really wants brings an emotional depth that a lot of readers can probably relate to. This book is closed door so if you’re looking for something without explicit spicy scenes, this would be a great choice.. I see this being a hit with fans of Annabelle Monaghan or Sophie Cousins.

In a market flooded with romantic comedies that are all slight variations on each other, Holmes stands out as one of the very best. The story is smart, funny and charming and provides an fascinating look into the world of podcasting

I loved the authors first two books. This book was satisfyingly delightful. Holmes does cozy well. The MC is v relatable and the LI is absolutely adorable. It was both cute and funny and I had a great time. Thank you NetGalley for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

Cecily is relatable to so many women loyal to their jobs and not knowing exactly what they want, but when she agrees to take a step into the limelight and be the star in the next big podcast she puts everything on the line. Eliza an influencer turned relationship coach will give her advice and send her on 20 first dates to help her find the one but when all doesn’t go accordingly to plan Cecily will have to make some tough choices and finally stand up for what she wants.

As an avid podcast listener it’s interesting to hear some of the work and struggles that go into making shows!

Thanks NetGalley and Ballantine Books for this eARC all options are my own!

Back after this was a cute romance! It’s was funny, sweet, and sometimes predictable but in a comforting way. I enjoyed the main characters personal growth and awareness that we start to see as we delve deeper into the book

Would recommend!

#netgalley

Back After This
Linda Holmes

Cecily is a podcast producer whose dream of hosting her own show comes true, with a catch. The show features her going on twenty dates chosen for her.

Dating has become such a terrible, disappointing chore for many singles lately, so much so that there has developed a trend to forego dating and chose the single life. Reality may be depressing, and sometimes we all just need an escape such as this.

Back After This is a delightful, lighthearted read. The pages just fly, and you often find yourself grinning. With Linda Holmes, you kinda know what you are getting, but sometimes that is exactly what you want.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the ARC used in this review.

Cecily is a workaholic podcaster who can’t catch a break. She reluctantly agrees to working with a dating coach to try to find “the one” but fate has other plans.

The plot reminded me of Is She Really Going Out With Him? by Sophie Cousens, but with a podcast spin and had less of a focus on the dates. I was surprised to find all 20 dates were covered in one rapid fire chapter. With that said, I was glad there was more time to watch Cecily evolve and explore standing up for herself. I found myself cheering her on and laughing out loud at some of her inner dialogue.

I felt the romance was sweet but left a little to be desired. I still enjoyed the story overall as contemporary/humorous fiction and would recommend to a friend.

Thank you Random House Publishing for providing a free ARC for review via NetGalley.

Cecily develops podcasts. She produces, edits, finds ideas, whatever it takes to make a successful podcast. Her boss comes up with the bright idea for a blind dating podcast with Cecily as the woman searching for the perfect mate. Eliza, influencer par excellence, comes onboard to organize a 20-week, 20-man series.
Along the way, Cecily rescues a Great Dane who is running loose, meets Will, the dog sitter, dates some total mismatches, finds a couple of guys who meet Eliza's exacting standards, but don't exactly thrill Cecily. And worse yet, a former serious boyfriend comes back on the scene, one whom Cecily hoped to never see again. Her love life is on the line, her job is on the line, so how does she work it all out.

Back After This follows Cecily a podcast producer, who is asked to host a show about dating while being coached by a famous influencer. She's going to be set up on 20 dates picked out by her coach, with the hopes of being able to do her show after this and meet Mr. Right. I really liked the idea behind this book and enjoyed the background into podcasts. There was nothing at all wrong with this book I thought it was cute and entertaining the main characters were likable enough I just didn't love it. Giving it 3 stars and would recommend. I want to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing - Ballantine for the arc in exchange for an honest review.