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beanie_bob's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
This was on the cusp of 3.5/5⭐️ but I don’t believe I was the most compatible reader for this book. I like some musicals, but it’s not one of my passions. I think theater fans would be more likely to enjoy! It was just okay for me.
The thing that worked best for me in Once More with Feeling was the tension and slow(ish) burn between Kathleen and Cal throughout their lives. I think the author did a great job establishing a very specific but believable enemies to lovers scenario. I understand that Kathleen holds resentment from how the media, and everyone, including Cal, treated her when her career blew up. At the same time, I see how Cal’s been harboring heartache all the while, and covering it up with frustration when they have to work together. Nicely done.
The next best element was the backstory of Cal and Kathleen (or Katee Rose) as teen pop idols. Honestly, so much more my thing. There are some interesting thoughts lightly touched upon here about child stardom, double standards, and the fake-ness of fame. Their initial interactions in this time are also very sweet.
Actually, after the 50% mark I was feeling hopeful for a 3.5⭐️, maybe even leaning towards a 4⭐️. But a few things held me back, especially in the third act. Mainly with how Harriet and Kathleen’s friendship is handled, but there is a particular Romance Book Thing that stuck out to me as well and some issues with the ‘antagonists’ (if you can call them that) in this book. Spoilers below!
The thing that worked best for me in Once More with Feeling was the tension and slow(ish) burn between Kathleen and Cal throughout their lives. I think the author did a great job establishing a very specific but believable enemies to lovers scenario. I understand that Kathleen holds resentment from how the media, and everyone, including Cal, treated her when her career blew up. At the same time, I see how Cal’s been harboring heartache all the while, and covering it up with frustration when they have to work together. Nicely done.
The next best element was the backstory of Cal and Kathleen (or Katee Rose) as teen pop idols. Honestly, so much more my thing. There are some interesting thoughts lightly touched upon here about child stardom, double standards, and the fake-ness of fame. Their initial interactions in this time are also very sweet.
Actually, after the 50% mark I was feeling hopeful for a 3.5⭐️, maybe even leaning towards a 4⭐️. But a few things held me back, especially in the third act. Mainly with how Harriet and Kathleen’s friendship is handled, but there is a particular Romance Book Thing that stuck out to me as well and some issues with the ‘antagonists’ (if you can call them that) in this book. Spoilers below!
There’s a third act break up. Which isn’t a hard no for me, but it really made me feel like Kathleen hadn’t learned her lesson at all? I understand it’s to protect Harriet (who will reappear on this list) but it all seems like too much of a repeat of the past. She’s in therapy, she’s an adult, she has literally been there done that. So…why break up when you can just talk like grown ups? The fight between Kathleen and Harriet needed to happen much earlier, if it was going to happen at all. Instead Kathleen just keeps telling herself ‘I need to value my friendship with Harriet more’ while doing nothing. Then, in the fight they say some really terrible things to each other. I understand why Harriet was upset (Kathleen lied and broke a promise) but she really went for the old wounds and slut shamed Kathleen. Then Kathleen doubled down and implied that Harriet was nothing without her. They were intentionally hurting each other. Both these ladies are supposedly in therapy... Rachel, the mean girl from camp, drops off in the middle of the book, never to be seen from again. Even though she’s sleeping with the producer and actively trying to steal Kathleen’s role. Imagine her as a less developed version of the mean girl from Camp Rock. Ex-boyfriend Ryan comes back into the story in the present for almost no reason? I don’t know, I guess to give Kathleen closure via the satisfaction of turning him down. I feel like Harriet’s characterization overall was off. I started out really liking her, then I something about the gumbo+movie night scene pulled me out of the story. The only black character is from Harlem and cooks gumbo. On the one hand, good for her - Harlem is historically black, and gumbo is divine (sincerely, one of my favorite foods). On the other hand…this feels cliche? Stereotypical? I dunno, just made me question some things.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Sexual content
Minor: Emotional abuse and Antisemitism
r_nni's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Infidelity
jadehusdanhicks's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
This was my second read by this author and I certainly enjoyed it more than the first. This author lives featuring Jewish protagonists, and I love that this diversity is being included in such mainstream romance novels.
I love how this follows Cal, Katherine and Harriet from meeting at theatre camp to accomplishing their biggest dreams, all interconnected by music.
It deals with rocky relationships (of all types), heartbreak, trauma at the hands of the media and more. Although this made for an interesting plot, and was certainly more engaging than Elissa’s other book, it still left me in a slump.
The theatre and musical background was preferable to the enemies to lovers interviewer and washed up actor of Elissas other book.
I love how this follows Cal, Katherine and Harriet from meeting at theatre camp to accomplishing their biggest dreams, all interconnected by music.
It deals with rocky relationships (of all types), heartbreak, trauma at the hands of the media and more. Although this made for an interesting plot, and was certainly more engaging than Elissa’s other book, it still left me in a slump.
The theatre and musical background was preferable to the enemies to lovers interviewer and washed up actor of Elissas other book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Sexual content, Medical content, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Injury/Injury detail, Infidelity, Drug use, Body shaming, and Fatphobia
rshearon's review
emotional
funny
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
i really enjoyed this book, though not quite as much as the first! the FMC was really complex and a little childish, but i think it was fitting for her background. this author writes REALLY good chemistry between the main characters, even though we barely get any happy/smut. her stories are just so interesting and well written that i don’t even mind time lapses and second chance romance (two of my least favorite plots)! thoroughly enjoyed and i’ll probably buy whatever she puts out next without even reading the cover 😌
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity
Minor: Sexual content
clareasday's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Minor: Sexual content
gwenswoons's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual content, and Body shaming
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Toxic friendship
Minor: Pedophilia, Infidelity, Antisemitism, Gaslighting, Grief, and Mental illness
amberinpieces's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Bullying, Cursing, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Alcohol, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Body shaming, Sexism, Drug use, and Toxic relationship
allisonlantagne's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Sexual content, and Infidelity
Moderate: Child abuse and Alcohol
jennabeck13's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Once More With Feeling by Elissa Sussman
⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3/5)
Genre: Romance
About 395 pages
Years ago, Kathleen’s career as Katee Rose fell apart when news broke that she cheated on her boyfriend, Ryan, with another member of his boy band, Cal. Kathleen and Cal’s history goes further back through theater camp as teens. Cal, Kathleen, and Harriett (her BFF) were thick as thieves and all talented in their own respects. That’s why the crew reconnects. Harriett wrote a musical that she wants Kathleen to star in and Cal to direct. Cal and Kathleen never addressed their blow-up years ago, so while they agree to work together, things start out rough. But the longer they are around one another, the more they remember why they couldn’t help but fall in love all those years ago…
Once More With Feeling was a cute, easy read! While it didn’t blow me away, Sussman’s writing style and the second chance love story kept me invested enough to read within a day. I liked the banter between Cal & Kathleen and loved the use of two timelines! But I also felt like the characters in the “now” portions acted extremely immature at times and like they hadn’t grown up since the “then” portions. My biggest qualm though was that it felt way too similar to Funny You Should Ask, Sussman’s other book, so I knew exactly where we were heading from the beginning… While predictable, it was still a cute story!
Favorite Quote: “I believe in the power of starting anew,” he said. “Every show, every role, every performance, is a chance to start fresh. Every day is a new opportunity for success. I don’t plan on judging anyone for what you did yesterday, or the day before, or the year before.”
Content Warnings
Minor: Infidelity, Bullying, and Misogyny
savvyrosereads's review
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Katee Rose was a pop sensation—but then a mistake imploded her career. Now, she’s Kathleen Rosenberg, and she finally has the chance to achieve her Broadway dreams…if she can work with the man who once blew up her whole life.
This book just GOT ME. Elissa Sussman’s writing is absolutely gorgeous, and the way she used all of the tropes and themes in this one was so captivating and fun. I laughed, I teared up, I swooned, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself the entire time. In particular, I LOVE how Kathleen is unapologetic about how much she wants the spotlight—a refreshing change of pace from the usual pop star narrative we see in fiction. Also, I’m obsessed with the camp flashback scenes and honestly need someone to write an entire YA theater camp romance right now because, yes. (This probably already exists…if it does and you know about it PLEASE TELL ME.)
I’m frankly not usually a huge second chance romance girlie, but this one handled the trope SO WELL—the characters actually had the chance to really develop their relationship in the “first” timeline, there were legitimate reasons it didn’t/couldn’t work (i.e. not just a frustrating miscommunication), and their reunion felt believable and demonstrated real growth. I want all second chance romances to be like this!
Also, there’s a cat named Gefilte Fish, and honestly that alone should be enough to get you to pick up this book.
Recommended to anyone, but especially if you like: second chance/sort-of-childhood-friends-to-lovers; Broadway/musical theater; plot-and-character-driven hybrids
CW: Misogyny/sexism/body shaming; infidelity
Katee Rose was a pop sensation—but then a mistake imploded her career. Now, she’s Kathleen Rosenberg, and she finally has the chance to achieve her Broadway dreams…if she can work with the man who once blew up her whole life.
This book just GOT ME. Elissa Sussman’s writing is absolutely gorgeous, and the way she used all of the tropes and themes in this one was so captivating and fun. I laughed, I teared up, I swooned, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself the entire time. In particular, I LOVE how Kathleen is unapologetic about how much she wants the spotlight—a refreshing change of pace from the usual pop star narrative we see in fiction. Also, I’m obsessed with the camp flashback scenes and honestly need someone to write an entire YA theater camp romance right now because, yes. (This probably already exists…if it does and you know about it PLEASE TELL ME.)
I’m frankly not usually a huge second chance romance girlie, but this one handled the trope SO WELL—the characters actually had the chance to really develop their relationship in the “first” timeline, there were legitimate reasons it didn’t/couldn’t work (i.e. not just a frustrating miscommunication), and their reunion felt believable and demonstrated real growth. I want all second chance romances to be like this!
Also, there’s a cat named Gefilte Fish, and honestly that alone should be enough to get you to pick up this book.
Recommended to anyone, but especially if you like: second chance/sort-of-childhood-friends-to-lovers; Broadway/musical theater; plot-and-character-driven hybrids
CW: Misogyny/sexism/body shaming; infidelity
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Sexism, Misogyny, and Infidelity