I enjoyed this book SO MUCH. What I loved most about this book was how well developed the characters were. The differed POVs were interesting to read and I thought the entire book was well written. I LOVE A GOOD ROMANCE! I will definitely miss reading about Jude and Kat.

Camille’s research into child actors I think knocked this book out of the park as an outsider to that world I don’t fully understand the people in it nor what they (or the people who are attached to them) face. I really felt as though the story made me think more about the world of celebrity and how people face it and its consequences.

While I loved that this queer romance touched on some heavy topics, I had a hard time getting into it. I didn't feel any connection with the characters. Kat was by far the worst character I've read about in a long time! My hatred for her definitely took me out of the story.

Original review on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7239737398

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House / Dial Press for this ARC! I really enjoyed this one and was so excited to read it after loving Camille Kellogg's first book Just As You Are. I found it very thoughtful that the book started with a content warning and ended with resources for folks who may deal with the same issues as these characters. Other things I loved were the little references to queer culture, and the relatability of having a super intense female friendship evolve into romantic feelings and then evaporate or crash and burn.

i knocked off a star because 1) I felt there was little to no build up in the crush which is less satisfying to me as a reader than a more gradual lead in, and 2) it was difficult to suspend disbelief enough to get behind the idea of an out-of-work child star causing a mob in an old navy. Kat's fame does not feel on par with her credits; i picture her more like ashley tisdale (not mob-worthy) than miley cyrus (mob worthy). all in all, a fun read!

The Next Chapter

I received this book as an arc through NetGalley!
Have to admit this was my first queer romance.

Kat and Jude’s individual journeys adds layers to this story to come together and create a heartfelt romance with depth and added humor.
I do love a good meet cute— and at a bookstore is a HUGE PLUS!

This book isn’t only a queer romance it touches topics on panic attacks and ED.. grief. I enjoyed the fast pace and it was well structured.

Thank you again for this opportunity.

The Next Chapter is a heartfelt and charming story about reinvention, healing, and unexpected love. Former child star Kat is determined to break free from her past and prove herself as a serious actress, while Jude, a bookshop clerk, is still grieving the loss of her mother and trying to figure out what comes next. Their meet-cute turns into a PR opportunity, but neither of them expects real feelings to develop.

Camille Kellogg delivers a beautifully written queer romance with depth, humor, and emotional resonance. The chemistry between Kat and Jude is compelling, and their individual journeys—one of self-discovery and the other of finding peace—add layers to the love story. Fans of coming-out narratives, sapphic romance, and finding true love will adore this book.

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

Five out of five stars ✨

I'm suing for emotional damage! This book ripped my heart out, stomped on it, and then slammed it back in my chest all the better for it. Camille has absolutely knocked it out of the park with her sophomore novel, the most perfect Notting Hill retelling that catches all the best beats of the original, while inserting all the best bits of Queer New York culture (seriously, my mouth was watering just thinking about some of those meal orders). But most impressive is how deftly and gently Camille handles the topics of grief, the impacts of child stardom, and queer self-discovery. I found myself in both Jude and Kat, each coming into their own and learning to trust themselves amidst the pressures of their pasts. The Next Chapter gave me hope in an otherwise hopeless time, and made me believe in myself again. And for that, I will be forever grateful.

Kat is a former child actress who is trying make it in adult Hollywood- Jude is working in her mother's bookstore now owned by a business first tycoon (not just any book store but the lasrgest queer representing bookstore in New York state Kats publist feels that new york is the place for her to try and reinvent her self (think broadway-ish) Katie also feels like it's time to come out after one disastrous encounter when she younger, June and Kat meet cute and with a little help from one of her book store besties (a really cool group with awesome representation) they begin talking Kat is scared but gives the romance a go but the problem with her publicist always in her ear telling her she knows best will she choose Jude or her career, meanwhile Jude whose mother has passed away a few years ago is at am impass with what she wants to do she's living in the same apartment and holding onto the bookstore cause its the life she wants or just to hang on to her mom- can she break free and form her own life- it's a very good romance and a good story, definitely a different view of what I'm sure child actors have to go through, it has a little spice too if that's your thing

Thank you net galley for the arc in exchange for an honest review

This book is so go and I simply adored it! The queer found family was beautifully portrayed, and I loved the messy, fun, swoony relationship. Kellogg is quickly becoming an auto-buy author for me.

I absolutely adored the vibrant cover! I’m all about the pink!

Unfortunately, this book just my cup of tea. I didn’t feel like I was able to connect with the characters like I wished I was.

I did love that the book was able to touch on some heavy topics in a great way but beyond that, I found myself just wishing for something more from this book.

3 stars! Just because I didn’t connect with it, doesn’t mean you won’t!

Thank you for an eARC of this book - I would definitely give this author another read in the future!

This was a fun and cute queer romance read. The cover really sparked my interest! Love the bookish elements and that they met at a bookstore.

As someone who suffers from panic attacks, I appreciated that this was discussed in the book in various ways.

Thank you NetGalley and The Dial Press for the eARC!

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.