Here’s a pickle: I need to open with a massive compliment to Kellogg, though that same compliment is why I couldn’t ultimately love this book. I hate Kat. I so appreciate the detailed, hard work Kellogg went through to turn Kat into a complicated, complex, and deeply flawed character — she feels real! And also like someone I would absolutely loathe in real life! I’d tell my friends she’s not good enough for Jude and doesn’t deserve her! I appreciate everything that went into making Kat feel believable and true, but that’s also all the stuff that made her so irredeemable in my eyes. She does awful, awful stuff and still gets everything she wants in the end, and that, frankly, felt awful to me. (Great love scenes, though!!)

one day i will find a book where someone treats their beautiful butch right from the start. even so, i loved this one anyway! camille kellogg kind of hit the nail on the notting hill head in that way — kat (taking on the role of julia roberts’s anna scott) does jude dirty over and over again, but that’s the nature of the film. fame is messy, and so are people, and especially (sorry) gay people! we are so messy. it can’t be helped.

now me personally, i would treat jude RIGHT. there was a particular moment that i knew would come back to haunt kat the second she said something, and damn if it didn’t all come crashing down. it was brutal to watch, but as awful as it was to see happen, it felt messy in a believable and angsty way that i really enjoy in books like this. i was upset with kat — and jude at points too! — but i could understand their thought processes and see where they were both coming from. it can be hard to articulate human mistakes like that while still maintaining a likable relationship that readers will want to root for, but camille kellogg does it!

i really loved her first book, and i’m ecstatic that i loved this one, too. i can’t wait for all of her future releases :)

This was a romance novel as cheerful as its bright pink cover. I'll admit that I was hoping from more based on the plot summary, but for romance, not too bad. Would be interested in more from this author.

The Next Chapter by Camille Kellogg made me want to move to New York. I didn't love the storyline, but the characters were great!

Super fun and cute story! I loved the chemistry between characters and the representation is refreshing. Touching and heart felt! This book brought me back to a time in my own life where I had similar internal struggles. Will be keeping an out for this author in the future!

Before I get into my review of “The Next Chapter”, I would like to thank NetGalley and The Dial Press for the ARC!

I’m going to be completely honest, this book was not for me. There were definitely some sweet and spicy moments in this book, but I couldn’t get attached to the characters.

One of the FMC’s, Kat, did some pretty inexcusable things to Jude, which I couldn’t look past while reading this book.

Throughout this whole book I couldn’t help but feel so sorry for Jude and pure rage towards Kat.

However, this book does do a great job of showing the struggles of having panic attacks, eating disorders, and grieving over the death of a parent.

Although this book wasn’t for me I cannot wait to read more from Camille Kellogg in the future.

How cute is this cover! The Next Chapter is a double-entendre. It is the name of the bookstore where Jude works, and where she meets Kat. Kat is a former teen actor looking to find the next chapter of her career, to be seen as a Serious Adult Actress by being cast in a theatre production and get over her somewhat troubled career. Kat's manager is fine with her coming out, and thinks it might help her career and wants to put together a fake relationship. Kat convinces her to "sell" a regular person so that she can go after what her heart wants, which is to make a connection with Jude, where there is a real spark. Soon they are in a relationship, and they go public which is a big adjustment for Jude, who has always led a quiet life. Kat has to come to terms with troubled friendships and relationships in her past and reconcile with who she wants to be.

This was a fun setting and a good plot- reminiscent of You've Got Mail, a celeb and a regular person, younger age couple, overcoming your past. Figuring out what is next. I loved the side characters of the coworkers in the bookstore and even the new owner of the bookstore who we love-to-hate. I didn't feel as much of a spark as I like to in a rom com, but the characters were pretty well developed. They were both pretty insecure, which made sense based on their age and position in life. I like more of a build up to the relationship. There is some spice, and you will note a TW for eating disorders, but I didn't think that was too bad. I really hate a 3rd act breakup, it is one of my least favorite tropes, I feel like this is a cheap way to make the grand romantic gesture the feature of your ending scenes. LOVED the epilogue.

Thanks to NetGalley and Dial Press/Random House for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own. Book to be published June 10, 2025.

This book was SO messy hahaha. It was so well written and so well done. I loved the characters. Jude and Kat were strong, developed characters who Kellog really fleshed out. And I adored the supporting characters, especially the side romance. It made me want to move to New York!

I want to start by thanking the author and publisher for an opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book. This book just wasn’t for me. DNF

Great story. Loved the representation of LGBTQIA+ folks and each of their individual storylines. Also loved the realness of the issues child actors face. Well written while also being swoon worthy.

Absolutely loved this. The moments that were supposed to be funny were funny, and the moments that were supposed to be sad were exactly that, and everything in-between felt like a warm hug. I loved these 2 characters - both authentic in their own ways. Kat’s internal struggle felt real and Jude’s chivalry was adorable and heartbreaking at times considering the plot. And to wrap it all up in a romance-tied bow, this book also served as a love letter to NYC.

Thanks to NetGalley & the publishers for the ARC!

I enjoyed reading Camille Kellog’s newest book. The Next Chapter was an entertaining romcom. Pick this one up on publication day.

No lo odié, pero tampoco me encantó.


Las vidas de Jude y Kat son opuestas. La vida de Jude es tranquila, trabaja en una librería, mientras que Kat, una actriz, tiene una existencia en constante escrutinio. Cada una tiene metas diferentes, pero cuando se conocen y las chispas surgen, comienzan a pasar tiempo juntas. A medida que sus vidas se entrelazan, se darán cuenta de que tal vez sus sueños son distintos.

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En teoría, tiene todo lo que me gusta, pero el desarrollo no me resultó tan entretenido. Sobre todo, no pude conectar con Kat, ya que sentí que su personaje no tuvo un crecimiento significativo.


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

Camille Kellogg has written such a lovely story! I really enjoyed this sweet and slightly spicy romance between bookstore manager Jude and former child star Kat. The setting of the bookstore was lovely (despite the new owner's frustrating changes!), and the premise was a great take on the fake dating trope.

I'd recommend this to anyone who loves queer romance with lots of representation across the queer spectrum, anyone who's questioning their identity, and anyone who's interested in the effects of child stardom, especially on queer folks.

CW: disordered eating, panic attacks

Many thanks to NetGalley, Random House, Dial Press, and the author for the opportunity to review this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

What's not to like about a romance with a bookstore meet-cute? Jude the bookseller and Kat the actress hit it off immediately, but they both have unresolved past trauma that might get in their way. There's a charming Notting Hill homage near the end that I greatly enjoyed. I was frustrated with Kat's actions throughout the book, but overall they had great chemistry. I also loved Jude's motley group of friends.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC to review. All opinions are my own.

I flew through this book. I just couldn't put it down! I absolutely adored Just As You Are and this was a wonderful second book from Camille Kellogg. The normal/famous trope was done so well, and the romance and the chosen family moments were just delightful! Definitely would recommend,

The title and the front cover sold me on this book quickly, but I could not put this down! It was such a great book. Wonderfully written. Just such a fun story!

What a fabulous read! Oh this one and any book by Camille will be picked up by me immediately! I loved the modern day setting!