Reviews with content warning for Infidelity - Once More With Feeling

Reviews tagging 'Infidelity'

Once More With Feeling by Elissa Sussman

35 reviews

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*

Content Warnings

ktdakotareads's review against another edition

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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

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booksalacarte's review against another edition

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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

sdupont's review against another edition

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emotional 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

5.0

This one is for the pop girlies! I absolutely loved this book I couldn’t put it down and finished it in one sitting. I found this to be a much stronger and more compelling novel than Funny You Should Ask. This book has all the vibes of Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake’s breakup circa 2003. I loved Kathleen and Cal- individually and together. I easily found myself rooting for their reunion. I appreciated that Elissa Sussman did Kathleen character right by providing context to her career fallout and the injustice of it all. I think the barriers and baggage that Cal and Kathleen had to work through and overcome were really realistic. Same for the friendship between Kathleen and Harriet. I highly recommend that everyone grab this book!

*I received the ARC for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*

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bookishaddy's review against another edition

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emotional funny medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

"You come alive on stage," he said. "I've never seen anything like it."

Katee Rose was the biggest pop star, sold out concerts, screaming fans type of big. Every dream was finally coming true, but it was all getting too much, and the person she wanted to turn to was Cal Kirby.

It all came crashing down when she broke Ryan LaNeve's heart, her boyfriend, and member of the same band Cal is in. When she cheated on him, he let the whole world know and the public rallied around their favorite CrushZone member.

It's years and years later, and she's ready to come out, this time as Kathleen Rosenberg, and finally chase what makes her happy. The only problem is her happiness comes with strings.. strings named Cal Kirby. She finally is going to Broadway, but Cal is the director and she's not sure how she can stand to be around him after his role in the destruction of her career. But all that time together... it's hard not to let those old feelings come to the surface.

___________________

The buildup in this story is soooo good. Sussman writing this book in three different timelines was perfect, because every piece of Cal and Kathleen's story is essential to their character arcs.

I love flawed and messy characters. Most of the time, this means we get to see their character arc, and we get layers. I think Elissa Sussman nailed that with these two characters. We know right off the bat they cheated with each other, but the rest of the story is them trying to come back from that. There's no excuses, just trying to move on. I loved their dynamic so much. These two who were friends when they were younger, then fell for each other, and ultimately resenting each other? There's so much understanding and feeling. There's no way they werent going to find their way back to each other... even if it meant a lot of bickering along the way.

This book tops Funny You Should Ask for me. I loved the side characters in this one. Harriet is Kathleen's best friend, the one who helped write her music, and wrote the Broadway play they're all working on together. I love that we get to see the way other people's mistakes effect not just themselves and their romantic partners, but the other people close to them too.

This book is filled with all things Broadway, lots of tension, and fantastic character development. Elissa Sussman excels with second chance romance and this book was addicting and fun. I cannot wait for everyone to get their hands on this, no doubt a perfect read if you're a fan of second chance romance, forced proximity, friends to lovers to enemies to lovers again, Broadway in any shape or form, and overall great character arcs

Thank you Netgalley, Elissa Sussman, and Random House Ballantine for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

-4.75 stars

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