Once More with Feeling: A Novel
“As fun and frothy as a Britney concert mashed up with a musical comedy . . . warm, engrossing, and satisfying in every way.”—Entertainment Weekly
From the bestselling author of Funny You Should Ask comes “a pitch-perfect second chance romance with off-the-charts tension and chemistry” (Carley Fortune, author of Every Summer After).
A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: Entertainment Weekly, NPR, PopSugar
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?
From the bestselling author of Funny You Should Ask comes “a pitch-perfect second chance romance with off-the-charts tension and chemistry” (Carley Fortune, author of Every Summer After).
A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: Entertainment Weekly, NPR, PopSugar
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?
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Community Reviews
A book about second chances, (former) pop stars, and musical theaterâ¦whatâs not to love?
âOnce More with Feelingâ is such a fun read. From the very beginning, sheâs open with the reader about her past as a disgraced singer embroiled in a cheating scandal. Throughout the book, more and more glimpses into the specifics of what happened are revealed as parallels with whatâs currently happening in her life: sheâs been tapped to star in a musical that her best friend wrote and her former romantic interest Cal (AKA the other half of her affair) is directing.
What I loved about this book was the chemistry between Kathleen and Cal. Their interactions alternate between the unresolved anger from what happened in the past and the very apparent fixation they still have on one another. I liked that they seemed like equals throughout the story, even when Kathleen didnât realize so herself.
Some of the pacing felt a bit uneven at times for me, and thereâs a few dialogue-heavy sections that might have benefited from more description; however, I have to admit that the braided narrative structure helped me overlook some of this, especially with the particular selection of the final scene. I do love a strong romantic sentiment, and this one delivered.
When itâs published at the end of May, Iâll probably pick up a physical copy to add to my bookshelfâI enjoyed it that much (and the coverâs aesthetic tbh). I already have a copy of the earlier âFunny You Should Askâ which I have yet to read, but Iâll definitely be moving it up on my TBR list now.
Thanks NetGalley and Random House for providing me with a copy in exchange for a review!
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