Quick Synopsis

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.

Publisher’s Synopsis

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?

Book Review

Once More with Feeling, told in two timelines, is the story of Kathleen Rosenberg, formerly popstar Katee Rose, as she tries to chase her original dream of Broadway when her bestie’s musical is given the green light. Little does she know that the director will be someone from her past.

Once More with Feeling is a novel that I would call more contemporary fiction than romance, as it is labeled. While the publisher calls this book a friends-to-lovers meets enemies-to-lovers story, I would argue that if anything, it is a second chance romance for all the musical theater lovers out there.

Despite generally enjoying the plot of Once More with Feeling, I struggled with the romance portion. Elissa Sussman wrote this book so that the past between Kathleen and main man, Cal, is a mystery that very slowly unfurls, or rather is dragged out. Instead of building chemistry, attraction, and heat, the novel focuses on musical theater, boy-band references, and Jewish summer camp nostalgia. Now, I do not take issue with any of these. However, when the two main characters finally get together, it feels more like a foregone conclusion than a natural climax to which the rest of the book builds. I do not require “spice” in a romance, but I do need to feel some desire, tension, and love. This book was lacking all of the above.

Personally, I would have loved Once More with Feeling to have more details about the musical itself. I would watch the hell out of it – a Rosie the Riverterish musical – if it actually existed. I did enjoy learning a bit more about the process of how a musical goes from conception to Broadway. I also liked that the story included themes about gender double standards in the press and public opinion.

Overall, Once More with Feeling is a substandard romance but a decent contemporary fiction novel about three musical theater nerds. I would recommend it if you enjoy books about friendship and musicals and if you do not need a romance element to drive a story.

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