ABOUT THE BOOK
Cecily Foster loves to make podcasts. She fiercely protects her colleagues, dearly adores her friends, and never misses dinner with her sister. But after a disastrous relationship with a colleague who stole her heart and her ideas, she’s put romantic love on hold.
When the boss who’s disappointed her again and again finally offers her the chance to host her own show, she wants to be thrilled. But there’s a catch—actually, two catches. First, the show will be about Cecily’s dating life. And second, she has to follow the guidance of influencer and newly minted relationship coach Eliza Cassidy, whose relentlessly upbeat attitude seems ready-made for social media, not real life.
Cecily would rather do anything other than put her singledom on display (ugh) or take advice from the internet (UGH). But when her boss hints that doing the show is the only way to protect a friend’s job, she realizes she has no choice.
To make matters more complicated, once she’s committed to twenty blind dates of Eliza’s choosing, Cecily finds herself unable to stop thinking about Will, a photographer she helped to rescue a very big and very lovable lost dog. Even though there are sparks between the two, Will’s own path is uncertain, and Eliza’s skeptical comments about Cecily’s decision-making aren’t helping. On the one hand, Will seems great. But on the other hand . . . don’t they all?
As Cecily struggles to balance the life she truly desires and the one Eliza wants to create for her, she finds herself at a crossroads. Can Cecily sort through all the advice and find a way to do what she loves without losing herself in the process?
MY REVIEW
What an intriguing story set in the world of podcasts!
Twenty blind dates? I don’t think so. Cecily, the new host and blind date guinea pig of a spunky podcast that dives deep into her non-existent love life, learns a hard lesson about the path she’s taken and the realities of not controlling her own destiny.
Cecily is a powerhouse podcast producer who juggles interviews and fixes problems, but she doesn’t get the appreciation she deserves. The truth is, treading your own path can be a rocky road, especially when you’re navigating the turbulent waters of the podcasting realm. The big question is whether this job is really what she wants, or does she need a change?
Will is adorable with his superman save of Buddy the Great Dane, and his love of laughter and chill demeanor is refreshing. He is a wanderer seeking permanence. He’s charming and, yes, he proudly carries the “hot waiter” badge. He gives off those “I’ve seen things” vibes, but all he really craves is a place to call home.
Will and Cecily’s serendipitous encounters turn them from friends to lovers, but this causes friction for Cecily’s blind date project, and she has to explore the ups and downs of chasing dreams and the harsh realities of adulting.
This book had an interesting premise, and once I got past all the technical jargon, I enjoyed the witty banter and some delightful moments of awkwardness. What I loved most was the relatable vibe of the story. I found myself understanding Cecily’s preference for a planned career and stable future, but I also realized it’s that mindset that held me back from enjoying my life more.
This lighthearted rom-com made me laugh and cheer on Cecily as she finally found her happily ever after.
Thank you to Ms. Holmes for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Linda Holmes is an American author, cultural critic, and podcaster. She currently writes for NPR and hosts their podcast Pop Culture Happy Hour with Stephen Thompson and Glen Weldon. She also edits the PCHH blog, which was originally called Monkey See.
Follow Linda on her website, Twitter, Instagram, and Bluesky.
