Back After This by Linda Holmes
Cecily Foster loves podcasting and would love to have her own show, but her boss keeps giving her other assignments. Until one day, he calls her into his office and tells her that it is finally her turn, that she is getting a shot at hosting her own show.
After his pitch, there are a couple of catches that have Cecily questioning if this would be the right show for her. Her boss wants to set her up to work with a relationship coach named Eliza Cassidy, who is an advertiser for their company. Eliza would coach Cecily on dating and then she would go on 20 first dates, with men selected by Eliza. This would all be aired as part of the show, meaning the show would be a dating podcast. Also, listeners would know that Cecily is single, after a relationship where her ex not only broke her heart, but also used her ideas to further his career, and would be able to offer her advice (and commentary) on dating via their comments.
She would rather turn it down, but her boss makes her think that a co-worker might be at risk of losing her job if Cecily does not take this assignment, so she relents. Soon she is working with Eliza and going on her dates, but in the interim she has met someone that seems great. She knows this falls outside her commitment to the 20 first dates, but after helping rescue a giant Great Dane with a man named Will she cannot stop thinking about him.
Linda Holmes, the bestselling author of EVVIE DRAKE STARTS OVER (one of my favorites) and FLYING SOLO is a star at writing witty dialog and BACK AFTER THIS has plenty of it. Cecily is trying to balance her career and her love life, and many readers are sure to identify with her plight. Holmes’ book is perfectly written for readers looking for a feel-good story about starting over in love and life.
The elements of the book are so perfectly written, witty rom-com, the popular world of podcasting, plus a handsome waiter, and Great Dane named Buddy. Heart, humor and honesty. The book is relatable emotionally and the real star of the show is Cecily and her growth from a people pleaser to someone more real and true to herself. If you are like me and need a distraction from the chaos of the holidays, give this one a read!
Review written by: Jeana Gockley, Joplin Public Library Director
