I’ve been following Linda Holmes for years as a fan of NPR and “Pop Culture Happy Hour,” so I was thrilled to hear she was coming out with a book set in the world of podcasting. I really enjoyed it!

Holmes is a great writer with a compelling voice and an ear for witty banter. Her writing goes down as easily as a binge-listen of your favorite podcast. Cecily and Will were so sweet together, and I loved how they kept running into each other — it was very classic rom-com. I could tell reading this book how much affection Holmes has for both rom-com tropes and podcasting. It’s always such a delight to really *feel* an author’s love and deep knowledge of what they’re writing about. That comes across on every page of this book.

Also, I would read an entire chapter from the POV of Buddy the dog, who’s the real star of this story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC, which was provided in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed the podcast and influencer angle of the story and the main character’s unwillingness to give up on making things right. Buddy was also a delight!

This title was enjoyable. The repeated meetings of the main characters was cute and felt natural. The plot and ending was telegraphed, but it didn't devolve into too much drama. Library patrons should enjoy this title.

Witty, and well written, this book will entertain you from start to finish. Although the end was obvious from the beginning, I really enjoyed the twists and turns in this lovely romance:)

In Back After This, podcast producer Cecily Foster is faced with a dilemma: take the chance to host her own podcast but be forced to endure a makeover and 20 blind dates OR date this cute stranger she keeps running into, Will. Or maybe she’ll just do both?

This book was a delight! Will is my new book boyfriend - he is so genuine and smitten with Cecily from their first meeting. Cecily is funny and very millennial-coded with her oversized bag, lack of work boundaries, and disillusionment with dating. I also loved getting some insight into the podcast world - the producer side of Cecily coming out in all the dates was entertaining.

This is a light-hearted but well-written romance that I looked forward to reading and didn’t want to end!

Thanks to NetGalley, Random House, Ballantine Books, and Linda Holmes for this delightful ARC!

Thanks to Net Galley and Random House for the ARC.
I was so excited when I saw that Linda Holmes wrote another book! Evvie Drake Starts Over and Flying Solo were both 5 star reads for me and Back After This didn’t disappoint. I felt for the characters, I loved the banter. I found myself laughing out loud and excited for the conflict and HEA. Can’t wait to see what Linda Holmes writes next!

Oh my GOODNESS I cannot say enough great things about this book! Let me start with the characters. While I'm 33 and married with a toddler, I found Cecily so relatable in the way she focused so much on self-discovery in her own identity and career. She had such a funny and sarcastic personality, and what an ARC in her growth! And Will - I loved him! The two of them had great chemistry and was a reminder that we don't always have to have everything figured out, even as an adult.

And the writing! Holmes does a great job at writing funny, witty banter and conversations that make you laugh out loud or giggle like a lovestruck teenager, but still keep it realistic and relatable. I found myself cackling at some of the conversations, especially between Cecily and her sister. I also loved the background of the podcast world. While I know others thought it was a bit much, I found it fascinating and educational without being too much - but then again, I feel like it was kind of necessary to show the impact it had on Cecily's personal life and growth.

This is my first read by Holmes but certainly won't be my last. Thanks so much for the ARC!

There aren't any adequate words to describe how much I LOVED Back After This, my new favorite book by Linda Holmes. I'm so grateful to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

Cecily works in audio broadcasting and has been single since her awful, self centered ex-boyfriend broke up with her unexpectedly four years ago. She's not actively looking for the man of her dreams, but when she's offered the opportunity to go on twenty dates selected by a self-made-self-help guru - and have the dates recorded for the world to hear - she agrees. As Cecily navigates the dating world, she also finds herself constantly bumping into Will, the adorable guy she met when he was chasing a runaway dog that didn't even belong to him. Will is funny and charming but he's also a waiter (and kick-ass photographer) who moves around a lot and doesn't meet the criteria that Cecily's "team" has decided she needs.

Back After This is filled with a ton of laugh out loud moments and a cast of unforgettable characters. I would love to see this become a mini-series!

Cecily agrees to host a podcast about dating in which she has to go on a series of blind dates and be counseled by a life coach. She stipulates that she will only do it if she and her best friend- her producer- are safe from job layoffs and she can be honest about the experience. In exchange, she’ll give it her best shot. But then, this guy keeps showing up in her life that she has met randomly and well everything starts to go off the rails.
Linda Holmes writes another witty , intelligent romcom. She takes them to a higher level.
Thanks Netgalley for the ARC. My opinions are my own.

Cecily, a podcast producer, is uncomfortably moving from behind the scenes to the star of the show. The podcast’s concept disgusts Cecily - a relationship coach will send her on 20 dates, from which she’ll hopefully find love. A gym sponsors this find-a-boyfriend show, along with a cat toy company and meal and wine delivery services targeted towards single servings.

Cecily agrees to this ridiculous idea because her company is in financial trouble, and her boss promises that the podcast’s revenue will save the jobs of her best friend and others. It isn’t the only time Cecily has made decisions contrary to her desires. She ceded a successful podcast she’d created to an ex-boyfriend, worked such long hours that she slept at work to help wherever an extra hand was needed. Cecily did this without being asked or appreciated, leaving her feeling wronged.

Cecily experiences unmitigated communion, pathologically putting others first and excluding herself. Other-centeredness—having a positive, caring orientation toward others’ wants and needs—is generally favorable. The difference between unmitigated communion and other-centeredness is that the former involves neglect of the self, leading to distress.

Here are tips for shifting the balance from unmitigated communion or pathologically putting others first (everyone is more important than me) to other-centeredness (we’re all important):

Identify Your Wants: Sometimes, you are so focused on others’ wants that you don’t take the time to ascertain your own. Before doing something plainly for someone else, answer what you want. Hint: “I want them to be happy even if it makes me unhappy,” is unmitigated communion.

Let Go of Control: You are likely motivated by the impossible goal of always making everyone around you happy and protected. Reframe your goal as supporting, providing love and care, and helping when you can.

Seek Equality in Relationships: No relationship is always perfectly evenly balanced, but averaging out to 50/50 is a healthy goal. Cultivate friendships, romantic partnerships, and work-colleague relationships where you give and receive support in approximately equal measure.

I jumped at the chance to request a Linda Holmes book as I really enjoyed 'Evvie Drake Starts Over'.
I highly recommend this new book 'Back After This' publishing Feb. 25, 2025.
Thank You NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Books for the eARC of this book.

I really enjoyed this smart, funny, well-written, insightful rom-com. This was a perfect weekend read. I couldn't put this one down (except when I had to deal with real life). This book was different than any other rom-com I've read so far and loved how different it felt. I love a rom-com that is clever, has witty banter, and feeling like you really get to know the main character as more of a person.
I enjoyed the story about dating, and appreciated that not too much time was spent on all the dates. Most of the time was spent on Cecily, the FMC and her growth throughout the book. She was flawed, but it felt real and relatable the way she put her job, coworkers etc.. first, over herself. I enjoyed the other characters in the book as well. Overall, I enjoyed this latest release by Linda Holmes. A light, fun and non-spicy rom-com.

You know when you read a book, and you want to yell at the main character? That is Cecily. Cecily is the most lovable yet irritating (said lovingly) character I have ever read. At one point, I swore that she was written to make me think she was the villain, and I loved it. I think the most shocking part was that I realized I was frustrated because of our similarities. This book is the perfect mix of a little predictable and surprising.

Cecily is a podcast editor and producer who devotes every waking moment to her craft, but somehow this book didn't feel like a stereotypical "workaholic" book. Instead, this book felt like it was about a woman who is passionate about what she does, and she is freakin good at it.

I definitely will be recommending this book to everyone when it comes out! I cannot wait to have it on my shelf.

I really enjoyed this one! The banter and dialogue was witty and fun, the premise of the dating show was really cool and interesting, and I loved the characters! They felt so real and had real struggles. It was a really fun read, highly recommend!

What a delightful novel! I’ve enjoyed Holmes’s other novels as well. The characters are three-dimensional and human in the very best way. I liked getting a glimpse into the podcasting world as well. Would 100% recommend! It’s a cozy, thoughtful read.

I read this in a single sitting, because I was INVESTED. Back After This had everything I look for in a romcom: witty banter, laugh out loud moments, unexpected introspection (who would have thought the sort of vapid influencer would make me question things about myself and my purpose?), lovable characters, compelling backstory, and a unique premise. Oh, and Great Danes. I loved the plot. LOVED THE PLOT. Highly skeptical, tragically single, workaholic, behind-closed-doors martyr complex FMC is forced to go on 20 first dates and create a hit podcast to save her company? While accidentally falling in love with the Hot Waiter? Yep, say less. This was fun. It was cute. It was heartwarming. It was everything I needed to chase away the Sunday Scaries.

I want to thank Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Ballantine Books and NetGalley for an advance copy of this delightful story about trusting your gut and falling in love.

I love Linda Holmes and this new release didn't disappoint. I loved getting to know Cecily and Will and of course, Buddy. You could feel this pull between Cecily and Will throughout the whole book even though they themselves were trying to figure out what they were (or weren't). I appreciated that the characters were fleshed out, flawed but lovable with great banter and dialogue.

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

4.5 ⭐️

I absolutely loved this book. I gravitated towards it solely based on the dog on the cover which looks like my dog. I loved the humor mixed into the story. I felt it wrapped up really nice and I’m interested in reading more by this author!

If you are looking for a easy and bingey read, this is for you!

The premise of this book (a dating reality show podcast) had me hesitant that it would be corny, but Holmes really pulled it off! I loved her characters and just the heart and this book. Thankfully, the dating game part took a backseat to the protagonist’s life and love. By the time the book really got rolling, I was all in for Cecily to get her happily ever after. Both of Holmes’ books have been 5 stars in my book. Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I read this in one sitting. The main character was flawed — but not in the ways we typically see the main character in a rom-com style story. She felt real, even when I got annoyed with her decision-making. Loved how fleshed out the other characters were. Really a lovely book that accurately depicted challenges in the audio/media space and also had a bit for the girlies (like myself) who like to watch reality TV shows.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

Thank goodness! I feel like I have been reading a lot of meh books lately and Back After This any Linda Holmes was the perfect pick me up! Linda Holmes writes banter like few others! Cecil’y and Will were so fun and I loved getting to know them I. This story Definitely a book to pick up on. 2/25/25!