Quick Synopsis

A commitment-phobe and a hopeless romantic clash over and over again—until heartbreak and unexpected chemistry bring them together in this enemies-to-friends-to-lovers debut romance.

Publisher’s Synopsis

Can they stop hating each other long enough to fall in love?

When Ari and Josh first meet, the wrong kind of sparks fly. They hate each other. Instantly.

A free-spirited, struggling comedian who likes to keep things casual, Ari sublets, takes gigs, and she never sleeps over after hooking up. Born-and-bred Manhattanite Josh has ambitious plans: Take the culinary world by storm, find The One, and make her breakfast in his spotless kitchen. They have absolutely nothing in common . . . except that they happen to be sleeping with the same woman.

Ari and Josh never expect their paths to cross again. But years later, as they’re both reeling from ego-bruising breakups, a chance encounter leads to a surprising connection: friendship. Turns out, spending time with your former nemesis is fun when you’re too sad to hate each other—and too sad for hate sex.

As friends-without-benefits, they find comfort in late-night Netflix binges, swiping through each other’s online dating profiles, and bickering across boroughs. It’s better than romance. Until one night, the unspoken boundaries of their platonic relationship begin to blur. . . .

With sharp observations and sizzling chemistry, You, Again explores the dynamics of co-ed friendship in this sparkling romantic comedy of modern love in all its forms.

Book Review

You, Again is a debut romance novel inspired by When Harry Met Sally. It is an age old New York story: she is a struggling bisexual comedian with commitment issues, and he is a neurotic, acerbic chef who thinks too much with his head and not enough with his heart. And they both happen to be hooking up with the same person.

From reading You, Again, I was sure that Katie Goldbeck is a seasoned novelist, but it turns out this is her debut novel and a strong one at that. This story has so much nuance without relying on tired tropes like miscommunication and third act breakups. Instead, Goldbeck crafted a novel that focuses on two individuals as they grow and evolve, and as they do, so does their relationship. There are no dramatic or unbelievable plot points and no petty grievances or contrived squabbles. There is just the evolution of two people and a relationship (from strangers to enemies to acquaintances to friends and finally to partners) in their many forms spanning many years. The only things keeping them apart are themselves, their personal hang ups and neuroses.

As someone who prefers plausible romances to the fanciful and fantastic, I revealed in You, Again‘s practicality. These characters experience the highs and lows of life. Their 20s are filled with some success followed by crushing defeat. Along the way, they have the city and their friends to hold them up. And honestly, nothing feels more New York than that.

While the story is not all butterflies and rainbows, I still was engrossed in Ari and Josh’s lives. I felt their heartbreak and celebrated their wins. I believed in their friendship and basked in the romantic/sexual tension. And perhaps it is the millennial in me, but I think having this type of plot really allows you to truly feel the magic of finding love in this crazy, chaotic world.

It also helps that Goldebeck packed You, Again with wit and humor. Ari and Josh not only have great chemistry, but their banter is snarky and swoon-worthy. I cannot remember the last time I laughed so much reading a book.

It was so refreshing to read a romance novel without celebrities or perfect human beings. Ari and Josh are well-developed characters with depth and personalities. While they may not be the most likeable protagonists, they felt honest and real. You could have told me these were actually two people who Goldbeck knew, and I would have no qualms believing you.

As I mentioned before, I felt like You, Again was partially a love letter to New York from someone who lived here during her twenties and thirties, someone who has sat through awful dates and had oddly coincidental run ins, someone who has ate Katz’s at 3am after a night spent dancing on the Lower East Side, and someone who learned the lessons the city teaches. Along with the love story of Ari and Josh, Goldbeck made a celebration of the mundane, every day grind of the city.

Overall, You, Again is one of my favorite romance novels of 2023. If you are looking for a romance that is messy and raw, relatable and slightly infuriating, angsty and real, hilarious and hot, this is the book. If you want a romance that is fairy tale love, this is not it. I highly recommend it, especially if you want to read a love letter to New York in all its gritty, kick-you-while-your down, but always pick-you-back-up-again spirit.

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