Linda Holmes, NPR pop culture correspondent and host of the popular podcast Pop Culture Happy Hour, delivers her third novel, Back After This, with the charm and wit readers have come to expect. Following her New York Times bestsellers Evvie Drake Starts Over and Flying Solo, Holmes once again crafts a story featuring a compelling protagonist at a crossroads, this time set against the backdrop of the podcasting industry.
Back After This follows Cecily Foster, a talented audio producer who has spent years perfecting other people’s voices while keeping her own muted. When finally offered the chance to host her own show, she discovers there’s a significant catch: it will be about her dating life, guided by an influencer/dating coach. What follows is a warm, insightful exploration of authenticity, agency, and what happens when personal and professional lives collide.
Storyline: Audio Waves and Heart Flutters
Cecily Foster has dedicated her career to making other people sound good. A skilled audio producer at Palmetto Media, she’s long dreamed of hosting her own show but has remained comfortable behind the scenes. When her boss Toby offers her a hosting opportunity, it comes with strings attached: the show will document Cecily’s dating life under the guidance of Eliza Cassidy, a successful influencer and self-styled dating coach.
Reluctantly agreeing to save her friend Julie’s job and secure her own future at the company, Cecily embarks on twenty dates arranged by Eliza. Meanwhile, she keeps bumping into Will, a photographer/waiter with whom she shares an immediate connection after helping him rescue a runaway Great Dane named Buddy.
As the show gains popularity and Cecily navigates the increasingly manipulative machinations of both Eliza and Toby, she must decide what matters more: professional success on someone else’s terms or the chance at genuine happiness on her own.
Characters: Expertly Produced
Holmes excels at creating characters who feel fully realized and authentically flawed. Cecily emerges as a protagonist whose competence in her professional life contrasts with her uncertainty in her personal one. Her sharp observations and wry humor make her immensely likable, even when she’s making decisions readers might question.
The supporting cast provides excellent texture:
Will: The photographer/waiter whose easy charm and understated ambition offer a refreshing counterpoint to the status-obsessed world of media
Eliza: The influencer whose confidence masks insecurity and whose seemingly perfect life has been carefully curated
Toby: The podcasting company boss whose business decisions increasingly reveal his ruthless side
Julie: Cecily’s colleague and friend whose career move forces Cecily to reconsider her own path
Buddy: The Great Dane who brings Cecily and Will together (and who might steal the show for dog lovers)
The dynamic between Cecily and her sister Molly provides some of the book’s most relatable moments, capturing the complexity of adult sibling relationships with warmth and nuance.
Writing Style: Clear, Conversational, and Captivating
Holmes brings her audio expertise to the page with dialogue that crackles with authenticity and narration that flows with the ease of a well-produced podcast. Her professional background in audio shines through in the detailed descriptions of Cecily’s work process, making the technical aspects of podcasting accessible and interesting even for readers unfamiliar with the industry.
The author maintains a light touch even when dealing with heavier themes like professional ethics, self-worth, and relationship patterns. Her prose strikes a perfect balance between witty observation and emotional resonance:
“What did you think was going to happen? You were making fun of me. You and my boss, you and your manager. How did you think I was going to feel if I found out you were giving me all this advice and you were just being mean about it the whole time?”
Holmes’ ability to capture the specific rhythms of contemporary professional life, particularly in media, gives the novel an immediacy that will resonate with many readers.
Strengths: What Makes It Worth Tuning In
1. Industry Authenticity
Holmes’ insider knowledge of audio production and podcasting creates a richly detailed world that feels genuine. From the tensions between creative and commercial interests to the specific challenges of audio editing, the novel provides a fascinating glimpse into an industry rarely featured in fiction.
2. Relationship Dynamics
The romance between Cecily and Will develops organically through a series of chance encounters that never feel contrived. Their chemistry builds through conversation rather than grand gestures, creating a relationship that feels both realistic and aspirational.
3. Modern Dating Commentary
Through Cecily’s twenty dates and Eliza’s coaching philosophy, Holmes offers thoughtful commentary on contemporary dating culture without being preachy or judgmental. The contrast between the manufactured dating of the podcast and Cecily’s natural connection with Will provides a compelling framework for exploring authenticity in relationships.
4. Female Friendship
The relationships between women—Cecily and Julie, Cecily and her sister Molly, even the complicated dynamic with Eliza—are portrayed with nuance and depth. These connections are given as much narrative weight as the romance, creating a more complete picture of Cecily’s life.
5. Workplace Politics
Back After This by Linda Holmes unflinchingly examines the often exploitative nature of creative industries and the challenges of maintaining integrity in environments where success often depends on compromising one’s values.
Criticisms: Where It Misses the Mark
1. Predictable Resolution
While the journey is enjoyable, the ending follows a somewhat expected path. More unpredictability in the final act could have elevated the story further.
2. Underdeveloped Antagonists
Toby and, to some extent, Eliza occasionally veer toward caricature. Their motivations, particularly Toby’s, could have benefited from more exploration to create more three-dimensional antagonists.
3. Pacing Issues
The middle section featuring Cecily’s twenty dates occasionally drags, with some dates feeling interchangeable rather than adding new dimensions to the story or character development.
4. Limited Exploration of Podcasting Ethics
Given the rich potential of the premise, the novel could have delved deeper into the ethical questions surrounding reality-based content and the commodification of personal experience.
Final Thoughts: A Show Worth Subscribing To
Back After This by Linda Holmes is a smartly observed contemporary romance that uses its podcast premise to explore broader questions about authenticity, agency, and what we sacrifice for success. While it follows some familiar romantic comedy beats, Holmes infuses the story with enough specificity and heart to make it stand out in the genre.
As a writer with a background in audio, Holmes demonstrates her expertise in both mediums, creating a novel that feels current without being trendy and romantic without being saccharine. Cecily’s journey from behind-the-scenes producer to someone willing to claim her own story resonates beyond the specific context of podcasting.
For readers looking for a romance that balances warmth with workplace drama and offers genuine insight into modern relationships, Back After This by Linda Holmes hits the sweet spot, securing Linda Holmes’ place as a reliably entertaining voice in contemporary fiction.
Back After This by Linda Holmes offers the perfect blend of workplace drama, modern romance, and industry insider perspective that makes for an engaging, thoughtful read. While it follows some expected patterns of the genre, Holmes’ authentic voice and well-drawn characters elevate the material beyond formula. It’s the perfect companion for anyone who has ever questioned their career path, struggled with dating in the digital age, or simply appreciates a love story that unfolds with the perfect mix of serendipity and choice.