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aliciavalenski's review against another edition
funny
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder and Infidelity
dixiecarroll's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-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
4.0
Thanks to NetGalley for the free ARC in exchange for a fair review. I really expected to not like this, but I was proven wrong. I wasn’t the biggest fan of her first book, but still liked it fine. This one being about the musical theatre world and actors and pop stars? Not usually my thing. I fully expected to hate it, but ultimately it was decently written, had a compelling story, flawed and real characters, and felt a little bit like smash (not glee). I think MT / Acting people will be icked occasionally, but it’s fun, a little sexy, and I loved it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia and Infidelity
gretchenplz's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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? Yes
3.5
This book was missing some of the spark that really drew me to FYSA, but it certainly doesn’t lack charm or uniqueness or charisma. We all know I’m a very harsh critic of second chance romances, but have a soft spot for celebrity romances!
This book was like Camp Rock x Disney Channel stars x Musical Theatre, and it was lovely. I think the arrangement of the plot and pacing held it back a bit for me, but it’s certainly an overall enjoyable read. I would have liked to know more about our main characters, and think they came off a bit shallow amid all the plot movement.
I noted several missed typos/editing errors that detracted from the experience, but I will be so happy to keep buying any books Elissa Sussman writes in the future.
This book was like Camp Rock x Disney Channel stars x Musical Theatre, and it was lovely. I think the arrangement of the plot and pacing held it back a bit for me, but it’s certainly an overall enjoyable read. I would have liked to know more about our main characters, and think they came off a bit shallow amid all the plot movement.
I noted several missed typos/editing errors that detracted from the experience, but I will be so happy to keep buying any books Elissa Sussman writes in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Minor: Mental illness and Antisemitism
izziepng's review against another edition
funny
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
SPOILERS ALL THE WAY THROUGH
i can not decide whether i likes this book or not and could be persuaded either way. it wasn’t a dnf scale bad its just not a great book
none of the characters feel fleshed out. they all have like 1-2 things and that’s it like
Kathleen- was a famous pop singer and cheated on her famous boyfriend with Cal
Cal- has been in love Kathleen for forever and like directing
Harriet- wrote the play thing that Cals directing and Kathleen staring in
and there is nothing else to their WHOLE personality
There are A LOT of apologies in this book and none of them feel like they truly mean anything. Everyone apologizes in this book like 10 times to everyone. they all just kind of accept the apologies and move on. But there is NO GROWTH in any of the characters
Also Cals apology for kind of helping Ryan ruin Kathleen’s career isn’t enough tbh.
He’s like sorry for not saying anything 🥺 yk like i had to save my career because what else was i supposed to so and she’s like yeh fs it’s fine love you too btw.
To sum this book up
- No one really grew as characters
- The characters are plain
- No ones good at apologizing
- Cal isn’t a good book boyfriend
- Kathleen was a kind of shitty person
- Harriet was okayish but also kind of a shitty friend
i can not decide whether i likes this book or not and could be persuaded either way. it wasn’t a dnf scale bad its just not a great book
none of the characters feel fleshed out. they all have like 1-2 things and that’s it like
Kathleen- was a famous pop singer and cheated on her famous boyfriend with Cal
Cal- has been in love Kathleen for forever and like directing
Harriet- wrote the play thing that Cals directing and Kathleen staring in
and there is nothing else to their WHOLE personality
There are A LOT of apologies in this book and none of them feel like they truly mean anything. Everyone apologizes in this book like 10 times to everyone. they all just kind of accept the apologies and move on. But there is NO GROWTH in any of the characters
Also Cals apology for kind of helping Ryan ruin Kathleen’s career isn’t enough tbh.
He’s like sorry for not saying anything 🥺 yk like i had to save my career because what else was i supposed to so and she’s like yeh fs it’s fine love you too btw.
To sum this book up
- No one really grew as characters
- The characters are plain
- No ones good at apologizing
- Cal isn’t a good book boyfriend
- Kathleen was a kind of shitty person
- Harriet was okayish but also kind of a shitty friend
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Bullying, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Sexual content, Body shaming, and Cursing
Minor: Antisemitism, Eating disorder, and Child abuse
ktkeps's review
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Infidelity
hazelgirl21's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity and Sexual content
Minor: Abandonment and Bullying
analenegrace's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Her acknowledgments started off by saying, "There are few things more tragic than a theater kid who can't sing, dance, or act" and as a former (barely) theater kid who can't sing AT ALL, I felt that, and this book, so much.
I loved Kathleen and Cal's relationship, especially because I love second-chance romances and celeb romances. Both felt very real and complicated, which I love in characters. Harriet also felt very real, and that third-act fight scene felt necessary to me for Harriet and Kathleen to continue their adult friendship.
My criticisms are few but include disliking how Rachel James was written and some of the strange language used. Rachel James was a clear and not great character based on Lea Michele to some extent, and I think a character like that has to be written with some nuance. Women like Lea and Rachel is written are a bit more complicated than Sussman writes here, and it feels like some internalized misogyny to make this character consistently villainous without a particular reason. My language issue came with how Kathleen would talk at times, especially about her body. At times it felt like internalized misogyny from Sussman but also just awkward, like when Kathleen says Breasts during sex with Cal; women just don't really call them that, in my experience.
All-in-all, a great and fun read!
I loved Kathleen and Cal's relationship, especially because I love second-chance romances and celeb romances. Both felt very real and complicated, which I love in characters. Harriet also felt very real, and
My criticisms are few but include disliking how Rachel James was written and some of the strange language used. Rachel James was a clear and not great character based on Lea Michele to some extent, and I think a character like that has to be written with some nuance. Women like Lea and Rachel is written are a bit more complicated than Sussman writes here, and it feels like some internalized misogyny to make this character consistently villainous without a particular reason. My language issue came with how Kathleen would talk at times, especially about her body. At times it felt like internalized misogyny from Sussman but also just awkward, like when Kathleen says Breasts during
All-in-all, a great and fun read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Mental illness, Sexism, Sexual content, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Body shaming, Misogyny, and Panic attacks/disorders
wildflowerleahg's review against another edition
4.5
Utterly charming and perfect for musical theater kids and 90’s babies alike. 4.5/5
As someone born right in the middle of the transition of the millennial to gen z, I was aware of the fascination of 90’s boy bands such as *NSYNC, the rise of bubble pop singers such as Brittany, and the incredible denim on denim look but was only looking in the review. With this book being an absolute delight.
In the present we have a washed up pop star hoping to make her Broadway debut and the man directing her just might be the guy that helped her ruin her career. Kathleen was both relatable and unlikable at the same time. Trapped at the age she became famous and slow starting to reintroduce herself. Cal was an total dreamboat. Like Hugh Jackman, they both long to dance on stage and I want nothing less for them.
Quippy dialogue, referencing musicals in chapter and just being a fun summer read, I enjoyed every minute of this!
*thank you PRH and goodreads for sending me a copy. My opinions are all my own*
As someone born right in the middle of the transition of the millennial to gen z, I was aware of the fascination of 90’s boy bands such as *NSYNC, the rise of bubble pop singers such as Brittany, and the incredible denim on denim look but was only looking in the review. With this book being an absolute delight.
In the present we have a washed up pop star hoping to make her Broadway debut and the man directing her just might be the guy that helped her ruin her career. Kathleen was both relatable and unlikable at the same time. Trapped at the age she became famous and slow starting to reintroduce herself. Cal was an total dreamboat. Like Hugh Jackman, they both long to dance on stage and I want nothing less for them.
Quippy dialogue, referencing musicals in chapter and just being a fun summer read, I enjoyed every minute of this!
*thank you PRH and goodreads for sending me a copy. My opinions are all my own*
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Sexual content
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
ktdakotareads's review against another edition
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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying and Infidelity
booksalacarte's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
tense
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
3.75
Once More With Feeling- 3.75⭐️ 3🌶️
A former pop star finds herself back in the spotlight —along with an old flame from her past—in this friends-to-lovers meets enemies-to-lovers story from the bestselling author of Funny You Should Ask, the sensational TikTok romance!
Then. Katee Rose is living the dream as America's number one pop star, caught in a whirlwind of sold-out concerts, screaming fans, and constant tabloid coverage. Everyone wants to know everything about her and her boyfriend, Ryan LaNeve, the hottest member of adored boy band CrushZone. Katee loves to perform but hates the impossible demands of stardom. Maybe that's why she finds herself in the arms of another CrushZone member, Cal Kirby. Quiet, serious Cal, who's always been a good friend to Katee, is suddenly Cal with the smoldering eyes and very good hands. One unforgettable night is all it takes to blow up Katee's relationship with Ryan, her career, her whole life...
Now. Kathleen Rosenberg is okay with her ordinary existence, and leaving her pop star image in the past. That is, until Cal Kirby shows up with the opportunity of her dreams—a starring role in the Broadway show he’s directing and a chance to perform the way she’s always wanted. The two haven’t spoken since the joint destruction of their careers, and each of them blames the other, making their reunion a tense battle of wits and egos. Kathleen reluctantly agrees to the musical, as long as she keeps her guard up around Cal. But rehearsals are long, those eyes still smolder, and those hands are still very good. Despite everything, Kathleen can’t deny the chemistry between them. Is it ever a good idea to reignite old flames? Especially if you’ve been burned in the past?
✨My Opinion✨
Well, if it isn’t Britney and Justin… as a second chance romance. Only neither of them are as likable as I would want. Their individual personalities aren’t as flushed out as they could have been. Having more than one example of a character trait, like being a people pleaser or great director, is helpful.
I wish there had been more MC interactions with their cast members. One side character is nicely established, then disappears until the end of the book?
As a musical theatre kid, I loved all the Sondheim references!
It was still a cute book. The tension was great. The plot was good. I adored the reveal at the end!
Thank you Random House Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Cursing, Abandonment, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Body shaming, Injury/Injury detail, and Misogyny