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Kate (booksmartkate)'s Reviews > Back After This
Back After This
by
by
(4.5 Stars) Many thanks to Ballantine Books, @randomhouse, and @prhaudio for the #gifted advanced reading and listening copies of this total charmer!
Cecily is a brilliant podcast producer who has always preferred to stay behind the scenes. But when her boss pitches a new podcast idea that could bring financial stability to their company, she’s all in - until she realizes that she will be the subject. The premise? Social media influencer Eliza Cassidy will curate 20 dates for Cecily, using her own matchmaking methodology, all in the name of finding love (and boosting downloads). Cecily has been burned by mixing work and romance before, but after negotiating some serious ground rules, she reluctantly agrees.
As she embarks on this highly public dating experiment, one person keeps appearing in her orbit: Will. He’s not one of her assigned dates - he’s just there, always at the right (or wrong) time. One minute he’s chasing a dog, the next he’s waiting tables or snapping photos. But he doesn’t fit into Eliza’s carefully crafted dating formula. And as Cecily’s podcast gains momentum, so does her undeniable attraction to Will - except her job, her best friend’s job, and the company’s future may depend on her following through with the podcast’s intended love match.
Well, this was ADORABLE! I love quirky romances, and Will’s recurring presence in Cecily’s life is peak rom-com charm. There’s even a peanut butter/dog-related meet-cute that’s impossibly sweet. But beyond the swoon, I loved Cecily’s journey of self-discovery - though the podcast was meant to help her find love, it ultimately led her to deeper realizations about herself.
Her dynamic with Will was another highlight; they helped each other grow in ways neither expected. While the story is undeniably Cecily’s, Will is such a green-flag book boyfriend—patient, kind, and quietly dealing with his own struggles, which Cecily helps him navigate. If I had one small critique, I would have loved a bit more of his story, but I completely understand why the book leans into Cecily’s perspective.
🎧 About the Audiobook 🎧 Narrated by the author, this audiobook is a total delight! Linda Holmes brings so much warmth and personality to the narration, making each character (and the podcast itself) feel so real. If you’re an audiobook lover, this is a fantastic way to experience the story!
Cecily is a brilliant podcast producer who has always preferred to stay behind the scenes. But when her boss pitches a new podcast idea that could bring financial stability to their company, she’s all in - until she realizes that she will be the subject. The premise? Social media influencer Eliza Cassidy will curate 20 dates for Cecily, using her own matchmaking methodology, all in the name of finding love (and boosting downloads). Cecily has been burned by mixing work and romance before, but after negotiating some serious ground rules, she reluctantly agrees.
As she embarks on this highly public dating experiment, one person keeps appearing in her orbit: Will. He’s not one of her assigned dates - he’s just there, always at the right (or wrong) time. One minute he’s chasing a dog, the next he’s waiting tables or snapping photos. But he doesn’t fit into Eliza’s carefully crafted dating formula. And as Cecily’s podcast gains momentum, so does her undeniable attraction to Will - except her job, her best friend’s job, and the company’s future may depend on her following through with the podcast’s intended love match.
Well, this was ADORABLE! I love quirky romances, and Will’s recurring presence in Cecily’s life is peak rom-com charm. There’s even a peanut butter/dog-related meet-cute that’s impossibly sweet. But beyond the swoon, I loved Cecily’s journey of self-discovery - though the podcast was meant to help her find love, it ultimately led her to deeper realizations about herself.
Her dynamic with Will was another highlight; they helped each other grow in ways neither expected. While the story is undeniably Cecily’s, Will is such a green-flag book boyfriend—patient, kind, and quietly dealing with his own struggles, which Cecily helps him navigate. If I had one small critique, I would have loved a bit more of his story, but I completely understand why the book leans into Cecily’s perspective.
🎧 About the Audiobook 🎧 Narrated by the author, this audiobook is a total delight! Linda Holmes brings so much warmth and personality to the narration, making each character (and the podcast itself) feel so real. If you’re an audiobook lover, this is a fantastic way to experience the story!
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Reading Progress
October 17, 2024
– Shelved
October 17, 2024
– Shelved as:
to-read
Started Reading
February 1, 2025
–
Finished Reading
