Linda Holmes’ first book was what got me back into reading and introduced me to romance, so I have a soft spot for that particular story. Back After This might actually top Evvie Drake Starts Over for me though! I absolutely loved it. The banter, the main character’s observation of influencer culture, the podcast and audio aspect, all of it made a smart, witty, entertaining read that I couldn’t put down. I’ve seen this concept done before-where the main character has to date people for a news article or tv show or podcast, etc, but this one was fresh and different and I really enjoyed the dive into the audio producing world. I loved the relationship between Will and Cecily and this book might contain my favorite meet cute I’ve ever read. Cecily’s self deprecating humor and observations had me smiling and laughing throughout. This one was a definite win!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Another amazing book from Linda Holmes. I've loved her story telling since Evvie Drake!

📖 The Details:
Back After This by Linda Holmes
Blind dates | Podcasting | Rom Com

⏱️ Quick Summary:
Podcast producer, Cecily is getting the chance to host her own show - about her going on 20 blind dates with the help of a dating coach. And what are the chances that she ALSO meets a great guy right before the show starts, someone her dating coach says she absolutely cannot date.

💁‍♀️ My Take:
A unique and entertaining read! I really liked Cecily - she was strong and smart, worked hard, and stood up for herself (eventually...). Her story was relatable and interesting - from her journey in the business to her backstory with her ex and family. It was also a great look into the world of podcasting and influencers (Eliza had me rolling my eyes but simultaneously saying "oh, that's a good point."). And then there's Will. He was my favorite kind of MMC - witty and cute, can banter with the best of them, and not trying to be too "cool." I loved their chemistry and I loved this book! 4 stars!

Thank you for the ARC!

Linda Holmes does it again! I absolutely loved this book, didn’t want to put it down. I also very much enjoyed the very real descriptions of DC as a resident of DC and am looking forward to finding my own Will chasing after a dog.

Linda Holmes’ *Back After This* is a delightful, smartly written rom-com that blends the charm of witty banter, heartfelt exploration of self-discovery, and the ever-relatable chaos of modern dating. With a heroine you’ll root for from page one, a lovable ensemble cast, and a premise that’s equal parts hilarious and thought-provoking, Holmes once again delivers a story that feels both refreshingly original and deeply resonant.

Cecily Foster is the kind of protagonist you want to be best friends with: clever, fiercely loyal, and unapologetically herself. She’s built a life she loves—creating podcasts, cherishing her friends and family, and rebuilding her confidence after a relationship that left her heartbroken and betrayed. But when she’s offered the chance to host her own show, her excitement quickly dims. Why? The show will focus on her dating life, under the “helpful” guidance of relentlessly perky relationship coach Eliza Cassidy, whose internet fame is matched only by Cecily’s skepticism.

The setup is laugh-out-loud funny, with Cecily reluctantly agreeing to twenty blind dates (for reasons that tug at your heart—she’s doing it to save a friend’s job). From the very first date, Holmes captures the awkward hilarity of putting your love life under a spotlight while navigating the pressure of unsolicited advice from a coach who might just be better at selling tips than giving them. The dynamic between Cecily and Eliza is a highlight of the book, with Holmes skillfully exploring the clash between Cecily’s grounded personality and Eliza’s Instagram-ready optimism.

Adding complexity to the mix is Will, a kind, charming photographer Cecily meets in the most adorable way—while rescuing a lost dog. Sparks fly, but Cecily’s journey isn’t a straightforward love story. Holmes dives deeper, exploring themes of vulnerability, trust, and how to balance advice with staying true to yourself. Cecily’s hesitation about Will isn’t just about her past; it’s a reflection of her growth and her determination to make thoughtful, authentic decisions about her future.

The book shines in its balance of humor and heart. Cecily’s blind dates range from laughably disastrous to unexpectedly sweet, while her interactions with her sister and colleagues provide a warm backdrop of support and occasional tough love. Holmes’ prose is breezy and engaging, filled with sharp observations about dating culture, workplace politics, and the pitfalls of public life. The pacing is spot-on, with just the right mix of laugh-out-loud moments and introspective beats.

What sets *Back After This* apart is Cecily’s journey of self-discovery. This isn’t just a rom-com about finding love—it’s about reclaiming your voice, setting boundaries, and trusting yourself in a world full of noise. Cecily’s arc is empowering and relatable, offering a reminder that the best decisions are the ones we make for ourselves.

Linda Holmes has delivered another gem with *Back After This*—a funny, heartfelt story that’s as much about friendship, family, and self-worth as it is about romance. Whether you’re here for the laugh-out-loud blind dates, the slow-burn sparks with Will, or the deeply relatable journey of figuring out what you really want, this book is a five-star delight. Perfect for fans of smart, character-driven rom-coms, this is a story you’ll savor and recommend to all your friends.

Back After This was a fairly quick read about a podcast host trying to find “the one.” It was pretty lighthearted as it didn’t have a ton of depth to the characters or story.

I really enjoyed Linda Holmes' previous books, Evie Drake Starts Over, and Flying Solo, and her latest book did not disappoint! We meet Cecily Foster, who loves podcasting and is brilliant at it, but is stuck in a dead end job working for a boss who doesn't appreciate her talents. He guilts her into starring in a show where she has to go on a series of blind dates while mentored by a "dating coach." Cecily grits her teeth and agrees to share her love life with the public, but will it pay off in the end? And what about the cute guy she keeps running into?

Although Back After This could be described as a standard rom-com, it's elevated by the excellent character development and fascinating description of the inner workings of creating podcasts. A very enjoyable read!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This book was a really solid contemporary romance. As an avid podcast listener myself, I really enjoyed learning more about what goes on behind the scenes on a dating show through reading Cecily’s POV. The premise of this book was very unique, and the characters had so much depth to them.

Fans of Holmes’ other novels, as well as fans of books like One Star Romance, will love this one!

I love Linda Holmes! Her previous books were fun and sweet. This one was no exception, will be a perfect read for when you want something light with substance.

I think Linda Holmes should be getting just as much recognition as the big Romance girlies. She just doesn't miss.
A control freak podcast editor agrees to star in a self help dating show where she's coached by a relationship guru under the premise that she'll get to make her own show at the end while also saving the jobs of coworkers that are like family. She's set up on 20 first dates with "vetted" men but they're mostly misses, which is further punctuated by how right it feels to continue to run into Will, a guy she met by chance on the street chasing a Great Dane.
The main character is a lovable mess-frustrating at times but fun to root for. The supporting cast is solid, and the behind-the-scenes podcasting details make it even more interesting.
It's not my #1 favorite of hers (evie I love you), but it's funny, charming, heartfelt, and definitely worth a read!

I loved this book! I was hooked from the very first page. I've never even considered how much work goes into the world of audio, and it made me appreciate my favorite podcasts so much more. It also made me want to get into NPR - thanks to the author!

This story follows a woman who goes on 20 dates as part of a podcast. It was fun to see behind the scenes of podcasts, although the story was filled with a lot of cutthroat people, who went out of their way to be manipulative, which was kind of a bummer.

Thank you netgalley and Storm Publishing for this arc.

There was a lot of technical jargon in the beginning about podcasts and how audio works, that wasn't even explained all that well. I like listening to some podcasts but I'm not familiar at all with how things are edited so it would have been nice to have better explanations and less assuming people know these things. Also, no one knows what "that one podcast" is... I found the story to drag out and that there was too much random details throughout. It was a predictable ending/plot. It wasn't a bad read but just wasn't for me.

Evvie Drake Starts Over is one of my all-time favorites, so I will read anything Linda Holmes writes. This one is a close second; I loved the banter and chemistry that Cecily and her very appealing love interest have. I enjoyed the little peek into the world of podcasting, which I don’t know much about despite listening to many shows regularly, and of course a giant dog as a main character is always going to grab (and keep) my attention! I appreciated the depth Homes gave to Cecily; she’s not perfect, but she’s not a hot mess either, she’s just a normal person struggling to figure out what she really wants in life, and she’s relatable. I enjoyed her relationship with her sister and coworker, and I liked the development of her relationship with her dating coach and the fact that the coach isn’t as one-dimensional as one might assume an influencer would be. If you are looking for a heartfelt story about growth and love of all types, this is a wonderful choice. And did I mention the Great Dane? It’s maybe a bit of a slow burn, but it’s so worth going on Cecily’s journey along with her and seeing her struggle to determine what it is that she feels like she’s missing in her life, and how to get it. Plus, the meet-cute is fantastic.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of Linda Holmes' latest. I loved Back After This! Cecily is a passionate podcast editor who is pressured into hosting her first show - which happens to require her to work with a "romantic life coach" and go on 20 first dates that are arranged by that coach, recorded, and aired on the podcast. This sounds like her worst nightmare, but she agrees for various reasons. Ironically, as soon as she agrees, she has the most adorable meet cute with a Great Dane and his local owner. I adored this book from beginning to end.

I enjoyed the peek into the podcast world as that is a medium I don’t utilize. It was much more complex than I expected. The premise of all the dates was fun, and I wished we’d had more insight into them. The ending was just right.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the opportunity to read and review this book prior to publication.

Back After This by Linda Holmes, author of Evvie Drake Starts Over, is such a hit! This book had me laughing out loud several times. It’s funny, cute, and wholesome! I was hooked from the very start.

The character arcs were so fun to me. I didn’t want to like certain characters but then I did and I wanted to like others but then I didn’t. I also wanted to be friends with everyone’s cool sisters. Such a fun cast of characters and a good reminder to stay true to your heart.

I am so grateful to have been offered a Net Galley of this book so big thank you to Ballantine Books for sending it my way!

I *love* Linda Holmes as a critic, and I've been meaning to read one of her novels for years! I'm so disappointed to report that I didn't enjoy "Back After This." The premise is intriguing and prose is fine, but the pacing drags, and every single character is deeply uninteresting. And––crucially!!!––there is zero romantic tension. In fact, no one in this book seems to like each other. A romance novel has one job: to provide a swoony and satisfying reading experience. The goal is pleasure, people!!! "Back After This" does not deliver. The stakes feel contrived, and everyone gaslights the MC until the last few chapters. It all just made me feel icky and uneasy. That said, I'm definitely still going to check out Evie Drake Starts Over!

I'm so glad I was given an ARC of this amazing book!

I've really enjoyed Linda's other two books (Evvie Drakes Starts Over and Flying Solo) and also enjoy listening to Linda on NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast. This book gave me the same cozy vibes as Holmes' other two books. The female MC is strong and independent - traits I very much appreciate when I'm reading- but is still able to lean on her friends and family when she needs to be vulnerable. I find this to be important in romance books because I never want to feel like the leading lady has nothing going in her life except meeting "the one". Framily is key and finding the one is just a cherry on top of an already full life!

I also LOVE that this book is set in DC, it was so fun to picture the places in the book because I've walked those same streets.
If you need a feel good book with just enough adventure I recommend picking this one up when it comes out next year.

4.5 ⭐️

Thank you Ballantine Books/Random House and NetGalley for my ARC.

This book was a delight! It’s an entertaining dip into the world of audio producing (so fascinating!) with an engaging closed door romance.

My favorite part? THE BANTER. It was sublime. Just the most enjoyable, sharp, endearing dialogue. The author has such a gift when it comes to this!!

I really enjoyed this and was rooting for the main character (and the MMC!). Can’t wait to see what Linda Holmes writes next.

Thanks to Netgalley & Random House- Ballantine for the E-ARC! Really cute! Loved the main character & the themes. Will definitely read more from this author.