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nicoleswiggard's review
4.0
(3.75)
idk, v fun time but not the most immersive/vibrant romance? like i understand their connection, but tbh didn’t reeeeally feel that much chemistry between them. but still! fun, interesting concept. love a second chance romance.
idk, v fun time but not the most immersive/vibrant romance? like i understand their connection, but tbh didn’t reeeeally feel that much chemistry between them. but still! fun, interesting concept. love a second chance romance.
sareas's review
3.75
An enjoyable story and a good read, but overall I think the story felt a little flat. the sudden appearance of ryan at the end was necessary, but it still felt a little pointless,and also Rachel dropping off the face of the earth halfway through the book. I loved the main focus on friendship and how you sometimes, you just have rough patches and have to work through them.
miahenry's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I like the world the author builds in this book, or I should say worlds since it moves between three time periods. They are all very specific and I felt like I could see the camp, the Brittney Spears like performances, and the Broadway show rehearsals. All three of my stars are for the world-building.
Kathleen is not a super likable character, which is unfortunate because I really wanted to be in her corner. But I just couldn’t connect to her so I was not invested in the romance. Cal is a little more fleshed out and likable, but, I couldn’t understand his attraction to Katherine because she is not particularly kind. She is not terrible, but just kind of meh.
The burn feels unnecessarily slow. Then all the juicy scenes happen at once.
The book tries to make the Black side character a significant one, but she never really comes off the sidelines. She has no life outside of Kathleen’s orbit.
And people, one Black lesbian and a mention of a gay couple we never meet does not equate to a diverse cast of characters. I am assuming Kathleen is Jewish only because of her last name. Cultural references for her are minimal at best.
I’m a Broadway musical fan, which certainly helped me move through this. But I still wasn’t… Riveted!
Kathleen is not a super likable character, which is unfortunate because I really wanted to be in her corner. But I just couldn’t connect to her so I was not invested in the romance. Cal is a little more fleshed out and likable, but, I couldn’t understand his attraction to Katherine because she is not particularly kind. She is not terrible, but just kind of meh.
The burn feels unnecessarily slow. Then all the juicy scenes happen at once.
The book tries to make the Black side character a significant one, but she never really comes off the sidelines. She has no life outside of Kathleen’s orbit.
And people, one Black lesbian and a mention of a gay couple we never meet does not equate to a diverse cast of characters. I am assuming Kathleen is Jewish only because of her last name. Cultural references for her are minimal at best.
I’m a Broadway musical fan, which certainly helped me move through this. But I still wasn’t… Riveted!
chiararai's review
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
seyermk's review
4.0
Having enjoyed Funny You Should Ask, I was shocked and excited when I heard about Elissa Sussman's new book. I heard this described as taking inspiration from a popular 90s "It-Couple," with descriptions of pop stars growing up in the spotlight and how it feels to fall from the grace of fame. This book is the story of a comeback, damning misogyny, and those who weaponize it and choose to back down in the face of it, and it has you rooting for Kathleen amidst bad decisions and coping and ultimately healing. I also specifically enjoyed how this was told in different timelines. I think Elissa Sussman is truly skilled in unfurling a story layer by layer and keeping the stakes high as more information is revealed to the reader.
I was pleasantly surprised by how well this story piqued my interest and held it the entire time, with the main characters being both frustratingly stubborn and stupidly endearing (all in good ways, I promise). Highly highly recommend Once More With Feeling with a 4/5 star rating!
Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Random House for letting me read an eARC of this!
I was pleasantly surprised by how well this story piqued my interest and held it the entire time, with the main characters being both frustratingly stubborn and stupidly endearing (all in good ways, I promise). Highly highly recommend Once More With Feeling with a 4/5 star rating!
Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Random House for letting me read an eARC of this!
kdenharder's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
bri_segura7's review
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75