This is a fun book that just might have you laughing out loud. Cecily is a podcast producer and is very good at her job. She finds herself being thrown into the path of Will but needs to follow the advice of her dating coach. This book has it all and will brighten your day.

I loved this sweet story about a podcaster embarking on 20 first dates for a series on her show. She is surprised to make a random connection with a man named Will (not one of the date subjects). They cannot pursue anything further while Cecily is working her way through her series. But the impromptu meet ups with him just keep happening. Linda Holmes writes the most lovely romance stories that also include a heavy dose of character development and people finding their way on a new path in life. I really connected to these characters and loved experiencing their story arcs. Thanks to Linda Holmes, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Back After This is an interesting book about a woman who goes on 20 dates for a podcast. It was a little slow-paced for me and I was really hoping that we would see more about each date or more about the podcast itself. But each date got about a paragraph and then we never heard about them ever again. I loved Will's character and how he was always at the right place at the right time. But I didn't find the FMC very relatable.
Thank you Netgalley and Ballentine for the ARC!

When you need a book that will give you the warm & fuzzies!!!

FMC was thrust into hosting a podcast show where she’d have to go on 20 blind dates (my worst nightmare!!). This was so entertaining & fun.

A perfect contemporary romance when you want something light that’ll make you smile at the pages.

This was ADORABLE! I loved the main character, loved her character development, loved the male lead, loved the dog, and just loved it all! Such a cute, light romance!

Linda Holmes just GETS IT. This book gave me kicky feet (the highest compliment I can pay a romance) and also made me put my head down on my desk in utter despair. I absolutely loved this book. It was beautiful to see Linda write about something she clearly loves so much and I really enjoy that she seems interested in writing about people in their 30s who are still figuring themselves out. I love that her characters think they know things about themselves that turn out to be wrong, or more complex than they originally thought. This book is so special to me.

This is a cute rom-com about a podcast producer, Cecily, being setup on 20 dates for a fresh start on a new podcast series. Of course after being single for four years, she ends up with her own meet cute with Will and a giant great dane. Because her show is about to start, unfortunately she is forbidden from starting anything with Will and must follow the plan laid before her.

Unfortunately, this was a miss for me. The love interest felt awkward and not believable. This trope of a FMC going on multiple dates has started to feel more prevalent, but unfortunately, I didn't feel this one. The dates were funny, the banter was whip smart. But the actual romance in this book didn't sell me. It also felt like the entire middle of the book was a bit thinner on the plot. I wanted more development between Cecily and Will and while they bumped into each other constantly, it was never amounting to anything.

However, what did work in this book was that Cecily felt like a friend who you were catching up with on a girls night. Cecily is funny, sarcastic, charming and the author was able to develop her character very well. Everything she was going through, her past, that was believable. The premise that love happens when you least expect it and in the quiet moments is still magical, albeit, a little predictable.

Thank you to Ballentine Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest feedback.

I loved Evvie Drake Starts Over so I was really excited about this one. Unfortunately, it wasn’t my favorite. I needed Cecily to be a bit more confident. I’m all about self discovery but it felt like Cecily was just happy to let others make ALL the decisions. I also wanted more of the dates. Those short little paragraphs about each date were so funny. It felt like it took forever to get there and then it was over in a few pages. I did love Will. I wish their communication had been a bit more mature. I’ll still read whatever Holmes writes.

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.