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Back Where We Started: A Novel
A rising Hollywood star explores the road not taken with her first love in this tender second-chance romance by the author of The Christmas Orphans Club
Katie’s wildest dreams have come true. She’s a Hollywood actress, booked and busy, and campaigning for her first Oscar. Sure, she still struggles with sexist media malignment and unimaginative roles, but from where she stands today, her hometown of Dutch Ridge, Pennsylvania feels far away—and that makes it all worth it.
Because Dutch Ridge can only ever represent Drew. Every street is filled with memories of their shared adolescence, how they were each other’s first everything, the hours they spent planning for the future. Drew was the only person in Dutch Ridge who didn’t make Katie feel crazy for dreaming big, because he did, too. Was it their extraordinary level of ambition that brought them together at sixteen? It was definitely what drove them apart in the years after.
But now, a promise to her sister forces Katie to return for Christmas to Dutch Ridge, where she runs into Drew, who seems to have followed a different path from the one they once dreamed up. And strangely, he seems...happy. As their run-ins heat up and the two can't keep themselves away from each other, Katie begins to wonder whether her accolade-filled Hollywood life really fulfills her after all. Back Where We Started is an emotional second-chance romance, a story about allowing oneself to change, the addictive nature of achievement, and how we make room in our lives for what matters most.
Katie’s wildest dreams have come true. She’s a Hollywood actress, booked and busy, and campaigning for her first Oscar. Sure, she still struggles with sexist media malignment and unimaginative roles, but from where she stands today, her hometown of Dutch Ridge, Pennsylvania feels far away—and that makes it all worth it.
Because Dutch Ridge can only ever represent Drew. Every street is filled with memories of their shared adolescence, how they were each other’s first everything, the hours they spent planning for the future. Drew was the only person in Dutch Ridge who didn’t make Katie feel crazy for dreaming big, because he did, too. Was it their extraordinary level of ambition that brought them together at sixteen? It was definitely what drove them apart in the years after.
But now, a promise to her sister forces Katie to return for Christmas to Dutch Ridge, where she runs into Drew, who seems to have followed a different path from the one they once dreamed up. And strangely, he seems...happy. As their run-ins heat up and the two can't keep themselves away from each other, Katie begins to wonder whether her accolade-filled Hollywood life really fulfills her after all. Back Where We Started is an emotional second-chance romance, a story about allowing oneself to change, the addictive nature of achievement, and how we make room in our lives for what matters most.
361 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 13, 2026
About the author
Becca Freeman
3 books4,650 followersBecca is the co-host of the hit lifestyle podcast BAD ON PAPER and the author of THE CHRISTMAS ORPHANS CLUB (out now!). Follow on Instagram @beccamfreeman
She's based in Brooklyn, NY
She's based in Brooklyn, NY
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Review of advance copy received from Author
I poured my whole heart into writing this book (and then some). I hope you love Katie and Drew as much as I do.
Think: A starlet from a teen soap and a young, idealistic Ice Town-era Ben Wyatt from Parks & Rec. Think: dual timelines. Think: NOTTING HILL meets EVERY SUMMER AFTER meets SWEET HOME ALABAMA. Think: ’Tis the Damn Season by Taylor Swift mashed up with Stick Season Noah Kahan.
Think: A starlet from a teen soap and a young, idealistic Ice Town-era Ben Wyatt from Parks & Rec. Think: dual timelines. Think: NOTTING HILL meets EVERY SUMMER AFTER meets SWEET HOME ALABAMA. Think: ’Tis the Damn Season by Taylor Swift mashed up with Stick Season Noah Kahan.
Want to Read
October 13, 2026THANK YOU GOODREADS ADS I NEED THIS
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC. As a longtime listener of Becca's podcast and an Instagram follower, I was so excited to have the opportunity to be an early reader of her second book after following her journey.
Katie Eubanks, known to the masses by her stage name Blair Banks, leaves Hollywood to visit her small town in Pennsylvania for the holidays. Once back in familiar ground, she crosses paths with her ex-boyfriend Drew and finds herself reevaluating what she really wants out of life as they reconnect.
I've now read both of Becca's books, and it's clear that she has a talent for putting words onto paper. The descriptive language in Back Where We Started is particularly strong, and the dialogue is engaging and mostly realistic. The pacing of the chapters is well-done. I honestly struggled between two and three stars, eventually deciding to bump it up based on the quality of the writing itself.
Unfortunately, the book couldn't convince me to invest enough in Katie and Drew's relationship in order to really feel connected to the outcome of their relationship. When the present-day story picks up, the pair are both around 30 and feeling pretty medium about their lives. Neither one of them is going through a particularly difficult period. There is no looming disaster ahead or a ticking clock pushing their decisions.
Just like in her previous book, the story primarily alternates between chapters set in the present day and the past. But without any particularly dramatic history between the two, the backstory chapters felt unearned and came to grow boring. Spending that much time in the past would make a lot more sense if present-day Katie and Drew started off at a point where they weren't speaking, for example, to give the reader some intrigue in figuring out what went wrong between them. I really feel like this book would work better if a large portion of the backstory was cut and their history was instead told through exposition, eliminating the back-and-forth altogether.
There's a concept of insta-love in romance books, and this book qualifies for the categorization of insta-resolution. Even in their early teenage days, there is no build-up to their relationship, no strong "will they/won't they" to build interest. They just simply decide to be together with the same low energy they use to decide when not to be together every time.
I wish Becca had taken a lot more risks with Katie and Drew to make them more dynamic and interesting. Let Katie have a proper party girl phase in Hollywood instead of sitting at home like a nun! Give them a knock-down, drag-out argument and make that the cause of their five-year estrangement! Don't be afraid of messy characters!
As far as a romantic interest, Drew was a total snore for me. I just didn't see the appeal, and I started to actively dislike him when he
Katie and Drew's relationship kind of just meandered, which seems fitting as a lot of the chapters just seem to fizzle out without any resolution or relevance to the plot. I also had a lot of problems placing the book in time. Eventually, there was some mention of it being two years since Covid, but it took a long time for that to be established and I'm not sure if I'm convinced that the timelines worked out entirely. An entire plot point revolves around Trump's 2016 election without ever naming him at all, and it's not like I'm ever desperate to read that man's name, but it was a very curious choice.
The biggest conflict seems to come near the end when
I'll be interested to see how others received it!
Katie Eubanks, known to the masses by her stage name Blair Banks, leaves Hollywood to visit her small town in Pennsylvania for the holidays. Once back in familiar ground, she crosses paths with her ex-boyfriend Drew and finds herself reevaluating what she really wants out of life as they reconnect.
I've now read both of Becca's books, and it's clear that she has a talent for putting words onto paper. The descriptive language in Back Where We Started is particularly strong, and the dialogue is engaging and mostly realistic. The pacing of the chapters is well-done. I honestly struggled between two and three stars, eventually deciding to bump it up based on the quality of the writing itself.
Unfortunately, the book couldn't convince me to invest enough in Katie and Drew's relationship in order to really feel connected to the outcome of their relationship. When the present-day story picks up, the pair are both around 30 and feeling pretty medium about their lives. Neither one of them is going through a particularly difficult period. There is no looming disaster ahead or a ticking clock pushing their decisions.
Just like in her previous book, the story primarily alternates between chapters set in the present day and the past. But without any particularly dramatic history between the two, the backstory chapters felt unearned and came to grow boring. Spending that much time in the past would make a lot more sense if present-day Katie and Drew started off at a point where they weren't speaking, for example, to give the reader some intrigue in figuring out what went wrong between them. I really feel like this book would work better if a large portion of the backstory was cut and their history was instead told through exposition, eliminating the back-and-forth altogether.
There's a concept of insta-love in romance books, and this book qualifies for the categorization of insta-resolution. Even in their early teenage days, there is no build-up to their relationship, no strong "will they/won't they" to build interest. They just simply decide to be together with the same low energy they use to decide when not to be together every time.
I wish Becca had taken a lot more risks with Katie and Drew to make them more dynamic and interesting. Let Katie have a proper party girl phase in Hollywood instead of sitting at home like a nun! Give them a knock-down, drag-out argument and make that the cause of their five-year estrangement! Don't be afraid of messy characters!
As far as a romantic interest, Drew was a total snore for me. I just didn't see the appeal, and I started to actively dislike him when he
Katie and Drew's relationship kind of just meandered, which seems fitting as a lot of the chapters just seem to fizzle out without any resolution or relevance to the plot. I also had a lot of problems placing the book in time. Eventually, there was some mention of it being two years since Covid, but it took a long time for that to be established and I'm not sure if I'm convinced that the timelines worked out entirely. An entire plot point revolves around Trump's 2016 election without ever naming him at all, and it's not like I'm ever desperate to read that man's name, but it was a very curious choice.
The biggest conflict seems to come near the end when
I'll be interested to see how others received it!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Viking Penguin for a gifted advanced reader copy of Back Where We Started by Becca Freeman in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
I have been a devoted listener of Becca’s bookish podcast, Bad on Paper, for the past 6 years. I have enjoyed following along with her writing journey these past several years, and jumped at the chance to read an advanced copy of her sophomore novel. Getting a rare, behind-the-scenes look at her inner thoughts through the podcast make it impossible not to root for her success.
Back Where We Started is a childhood best friends to lovers, second chance, famous person-normal person romance featuring Katie and Drew. I found a lot to like about this story. I especially appreciated the emphasis that was placed on Katie and Drew achieving their personal goals. They each knew what they wanted and didn’t compromise their ambitions for the other. This isn’t a giddy, lighthearted romance with a simple happily ever after. But the work and compromises they needed to make gave their relationship a grounded, authentic feel. I just wish that I had felt a deeper connection to them and there was a more satisfying resolution for the story's two villains. Overall a solid second-chance romance that fans of the trope will thoroughly enjoy. And I look forward to reading the author’s next novel! 3.25/5⭐️
I have been a devoted listener of Becca’s bookish podcast, Bad on Paper, for the past 6 years. I have enjoyed following along with her writing journey these past several years, and jumped at the chance to read an advanced copy of her sophomore novel. Getting a rare, behind-the-scenes look at her inner thoughts through the podcast make it impossible not to root for her success.
Back Where We Started is a childhood best friends to lovers, second chance, famous person-normal person romance featuring Katie and Drew. I found a lot to like about this story. I especially appreciated the emphasis that was placed on Katie and Drew achieving their personal goals. They each knew what they wanted and didn’t compromise their ambitions for the other. This isn’t a giddy, lighthearted romance with a simple happily ever after. But the work and compromises they needed to make gave their relationship a grounded, authentic feel. I just wish that I had felt a deeper connection to them and there was a more satisfying resolution for the story's two villains. Overall a solid second-chance romance that fans of the trope will thoroughly enjoy. And I look forward to reading the author’s next novel! 3.25/5⭐️
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Viking Penguin, Pamela Dornan Books for my copy! All thoughts are my own.
I was so excited to read this book! I really enjoyed Becca Freeman’s debut and was excited since I heard her liken the book to “Tis the Damn Season” by Taylor Swift, which is one of my favorite songs. Most impressively, I loved seeing the growth of her as a writer. I thought everything flowed really well and the characters were well developed. I flew through the book and I think it will be a very popular Fall release!
Synopsis:
“Katie’s wildest dreams have come true. She’s a Hollywood actress, booked and busy, and promoting her latest film. Sure, she still struggles with sexist media malignment and unimaginative roles, but from where she stands today, her hometown of Dutch Ridge, Pennsylvania feels a million miles away—and that makes it all worth it.Because Dutch Ridge can only ever represent Drew. Every street is filled with memories of their shared adolescence, how they were each other’s first everything, the hours they spent planning for the future. Drew was the only person in Dutch Ridge who didn’t make Katie feel delusional for dreaming big, because he did, too. She was going to be the next Julia Roberts, and he was going to be president someday. Was it their extraordinary level of ambition that brought them together at sixteen? It was definitely what drove them apart in the years after.But now, a promise to her sister forces Katie to return to Dutch Ridge for Christmas, where she runs into Drew, who seems to have followed a different path from the one they once dreamed up. And strangely, he seems...happy. As their run-ins heat up and the two can't keep themselves away from each other, Katie begins to wonder whether her accolade-filled Hollywood life really fulfills her after all. Back Where We Started is an emotional second-chance romance, a story about allowing oneself to change, the addictive nature of achievement, and how we make room in our lives for what matters most.” —NetGalley
What I Liked:
The Tropes—Second chance plus famous person/normal person is a recipe for success for me. I especially loved that the past timeline had them as equals and the present timeline is when the celebrity aspect comes to the forefront.
The Holiday Season Timeline—I wouldn’t say this is a Christmas book at all, but it will scratch the itch for a little festive flair.
The Dual Timeline—Some of my favorite books are second chance/dual timeline. I love getting to see the past and present versions of themselves, their redemption arcs, their growth, the secrets slowly revealed.
What Didn’t Work For Me:
Not much! The ending pacing was a little slow in my opinion, BUT it was realistic and made sense without being a cheesy HEA you can sometimes expect.
Character Authenticity: 4/5 Spice Rating: 1/5 Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Content Warnings:
high risk pregnancy (minor and not main characters)
I was so excited to read this book! I really enjoyed Becca Freeman’s debut and was excited since I heard her liken the book to “Tis the Damn Season” by Taylor Swift, which is one of my favorite songs. Most impressively, I loved seeing the growth of her as a writer. I thought everything flowed really well and the characters were well developed. I flew through the book and I think it will be a very popular Fall release!
Synopsis:
“Katie’s wildest dreams have come true. She’s a Hollywood actress, booked and busy, and promoting her latest film. Sure, she still struggles with sexist media malignment and unimaginative roles, but from where she stands today, her hometown of Dutch Ridge, Pennsylvania feels a million miles away—and that makes it all worth it.Because Dutch Ridge can only ever represent Drew. Every street is filled with memories of their shared adolescence, how they were each other’s first everything, the hours they spent planning for the future. Drew was the only person in Dutch Ridge who didn’t make Katie feel delusional for dreaming big, because he did, too. She was going to be the next Julia Roberts, and he was going to be president someday. Was it their extraordinary level of ambition that brought them together at sixteen? It was definitely what drove them apart in the years after.But now, a promise to her sister forces Katie to return to Dutch Ridge for Christmas, where she runs into Drew, who seems to have followed a different path from the one they once dreamed up. And strangely, he seems...happy. As their run-ins heat up and the two can't keep themselves away from each other, Katie begins to wonder whether her accolade-filled Hollywood life really fulfills her after all. Back Where We Started is an emotional second-chance romance, a story about allowing oneself to change, the addictive nature of achievement, and how we make room in our lives for what matters most.” —NetGalley
What I Liked:
The Tropes—Second chance plus famous person/normal person is a recipe for success for me. I especially loved that the past timeline had them as equals and the present timeline is when the celebrity aspect comes to the forefront.
The Holiday Season Timeline—I wouldn’t say this is a Christmas book at all, but it will scratch the itch for a little festive flair.
The Dual Timeline—Some of my favorite books are second chance/dual timeline. I love getting to see the past and present versions of themselves, their redemption arcs, their growth, the secrets slowly revealed.
What Didn’t Work For Me:
Not much! The ending pacing was a little slow in my opinion, BUT it was realistic and made sense without being a cheesy HEA you can sometimes expect.
Character Authenticity: 4/5 Spice Rating: 1/5 Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Content Warnings:
high risk pregnancy (minor and not main characters)
October 16, 2026
Well, this was delightful! I absolutely adored Katie and Drew! I thought the pacing was great. It was just enough action that helped move the plot along while also providing a solid backstory that helped the reader develop a strong foundation to become invested in both Katie and Drew's relationship, as well as their lives. I highly recommend!
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
This is a second chance romance with an actress and a politician. The story opens when they are in high school in their small town and they have big dreams. Katie wants to be an actress and Drew wants to be the president. Katie was in the drama club and Drew did debate club. Katie gets bullied by some mean girls (one of them is Drew’s twin) but she and Drew stay close (he will do anything for her) and they go to college in New York. We don’t find out the details until later in the story about why they broke up, but Katie ends up in Hollywood and becomes famous, playing the part of a villain in a TV show.
Ten years later, her sister is having complications with a pregnancy and they ask her to come home for the holidays, instead of meeting in Turks and Caicos. When she gets home, she is surprised to see Drew is in town, he’s the mayor and he lives in his family’s basement. I wondered how he ended up back home, but I won't give it away! He’s got a girlfriend but it isn’t long before he and Katie are seeing each other again. Unfortunately, something happens that drives them apart. The story is lighthearted but also angsty in places. I got a little confused towards the end with the back-and-forth timelines but I was up reading it late, not wanting to put it down. I really enjoyed this romcom and look forward to reading more from this author. My full review will be at Spoonerreads 4 ½ stars. 10/13
Ten years later, her sister is having complications with a pregnancy and they ask her to come home for the holidays, instead of meeting in Turks and Caicos. When she gets home, she is surprised to see Drew is in town, he’s the mayor and he lives in his family’s basement. I wondered how he ended up back home, but I won't give it away! He’s got a girlfriend but it isn’t long before he and Katie are seeing each other again. Unfortunately, something happens that drives them apart. The story is lighthearted but also angsty in places. I got a little confused towards the end with the back-and-forth timelines but I was up reading it late, not wanting to put it down. I really enjoyed this romcom and look forward to reading more from this author. My full review will be at Spoonerreads 4 ½ stars. 10/13
October 14, 2026
Flew through this one in a single day! I absolutely fell in love with Katie and Drew. I’m such a sucker for a second-chance romance, and this one had so much to love!
There were so many layers to this story, and I especially loved the dual timeline that allowed us to experience their past while following along in the present. It added so much to their relationship and made me even more invested in their future.
Their chemistry was fantastic, and Drew was such a sweetheart! I love an emotional romance, and this one delivered with the perfect balance of love, heartache, and personal growth. Loved this one!
Thank you Penguin Books for the ARC.
There were so many layers to this story, and I especially loved the dual timeline that allowed us to experience their past while following along in the present. It added so much to their relationship and made me even more invested in their future.
Their chemistry was fantastic, and Drew was such a sweetheart! I love an emotional romance, and this one delivered with the perfect balance of love, heartache, and personal growth. Loved this one!
Thank you Penguin Books for the ARC.
April 29, 2026
If you are a fan to friends to lovers and enjoy the lights and cameras and behind the scene looks at celebrity life you will love this. This book was extremely intriguing, I didn’t want to put it down at times. It does an excellent job of providing background information to our couple’s relationship through the use of flashback scenes which were so adorable and I really liked that they were in chronological order by age. I love it when the romances I read have depth to them and this one sure has that. Not only is there depth to the relationship itself but also to our characters. We get to see them grow from the age of 9 years old looking up at the plastic stars on the ceiling to living out their dreams in their 20’s. I also thought this book touched on the difficulties women face in the public eye very well and how you dream of being famous/an actress without realizing the later difficulties down the road that come with it. The only part I wish we had dug a little deeper into is their relationship in the current timeline, I wish was had gotten to see our main couple together a bit more to dig deeper into the romance but overall this was a lot of fun and I really enjoyed it!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This is the kind of book I go into knowing I am going to adore - returning home, first love with a second chance, dual timeline - my favorite setup. It always gives me the nostalgic feels right off the bat, and this one gave extra in that department. This is a fantastic example of right person, wrong time. I love how realistic the relationship between Katie and Drew felt, how they were kept apart by their own motivations, and the way they are flawed, but growing and figuring themselves out. That she is an actor (plays a lot of mean girl roles), and he an aspiring politician, was icing on the cake, both added intriguing dynamics. I know the area in Pennsylvania that ythis takes place in well, so that was fun too! Overall, I was highly entertained by the witty writing and fast pace, and loved these characters and their depth, even when they frustrated me. It was angstier than I thought it’d be, which you know made me love it even more!
Some of the present day takes place over Christmas, but it isn’t over the top holiday, good for dipping toes into the season, which is perfect for me right now!
Brittany Pressley narrates the audiobook - she is one of my very favorites, so it’s always a treat to see her name on a book I’m interested in. And as always, she gave a solid, flawless solo performance. @britpressley 👏🏼👏🏼
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 ⇢ holiday romance, sort of • small town and big city • childhood friends to lovers • mutual pining • second chance • she’s an actor • family drama • dual timeline • light spice
Thank you to PRH Audio for the gifted advanced copy
Some of the present day takes place over Christmas, but it isn’t over the top holiday, good for dipping toes into the season, which is perfect for me right now!
Brittany Pressley narrates the audiobook - she is one of my very favorites, so it’s always a treat to see her name on a book I’m interested in. And as always, she gave a solid, flawless solo performance. @britpressley 👏🏼👏🏼
𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 ⇢ holiday romance, sort of • small town and big city • childhood friends to lovers • mutual pining • second chance • she’s an actor • family drama • dual timeline • light spice
Thank you to PRH Audio for the gifted advanced copy
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
✅ Blair (stage name) / Katie, actress & Drew, small town mayor of the town they both grew up in
✅ celeb-normie, second chance romance
✅ dual timeline- then and now
🌶️: a little
After years of avoiding her hometown (and her ex) Katie returns for her sister’s pregnancy.
Overall a very fun sexy Hallmark with insidery looks at both Hollywood & politics
✅ celeb-normie, second chance romance
✅ dual timeline- then and now
🌶️: a little
After years of avoiding her hometown (and her ex) Katie returns for her sister’s pregnancy.
Overall a very fun sexy Hallmark with insidery looks at both Hollywood & politics
October 6, 2026
Are you looking for teen drama tv nostalgia mixed with second chance romance? If so, Becca Freeman’s sophomore novel is the romance you didn’t know you needed. When a teen with actress aspirations goes off to LA and leaves her boyfriend with political dreams home in their small town, they naturally drift apart.
Told in alternating perspectives from their teenage selves to present day, this book was everything I didn’t know I needed and more.
I received an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
Told in alternating perspectives from their teenage selves to present day, this book was everything I didn’t know I needed and more.
I received an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
September 19, 2026
I liked parts of this book but I think the hyper specificity of the time period really threw me off for some reason. Normally, when I'm reading a contemporary romance, there's not much alluded to in terms of real world events but this book had so much of it (from Obama running for president in the flashback chapters to Hilary NOT winning in 2016 and then references to the pandemic) that it actually took me a bit out of the story. Also, the dual timeline wasn't a deal breaker but so many of the chapters were about things in the past and I wish there had been more stuff in present day because the speed at which they went from seeing each other at the grocery store to making out in the pantry seemed very, very quick, especially in light of the fact that in present day, he did have a girlfriend.
I also didn't like the part where the truth came out about her fake relationship with Cam and Drew's reaction to learning that seemed a bit disproportionately over the top. He was way too judgmental and morally righteous about it. Like, dude, you work in politics, pretty much a hotbed of bad choices and secrets and lies.
Anyway, it was ok but it didn't blow me away.
Content Notes: MMC's dad dies in a car accident. Slut shaming of FMC in media and online.
ARC from publisher, review is all mine.
I also didn't like the part where the truth came out about her fake relationship with Cam and Drew's reaction to learning that seemed a bit disproportionately over the top. He was way too judgmental and morally righteous about it. Like, dude, you work in politics, pretty much a hotbed of bad choices and secrets and lies.
Anyway, it was ok but it didn't blow me away.
Content Notes: MMC's dad dies in a car accident. Slut shaming of FMC in media and online.
ARC from publisher, review is all mine.
April 26, 2026
I liked this book! I really enjoyed the childhood friends to lovers of it all. I will say I felt like the flashbacks dragged at times and that there could have been more about the two main characters during the present day chapters. Overall, it was a nice little read!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.75⭐
(+) :
- The first two acts of this book really had me. I understood the care these two had for each other and also the desire to know what drove them apart. I was also especially interested in Katie’s story in her celebrity rise.
- All the side characters are well done. The families mainly especially. And I love that her publicist and agent are so entirely in her camp. I just appreciate when the easy path of “no one really cares about the poor celebrity’ is not the one taken.
- Man the anxiety of wanting to be seen as enough by people is too real and would probably rot me from the inside if I were in the public eye
- The parallels with Edie Sedgwick were goo. But also god I just love Edie Sedgwick
- I loooove this cover. The split with the opposite color clothes are just so good.
- Title is good. Solid.
(-) :
- This book just didn’t end up sticking the landing for me, unfortunately. I really didn’t feel that these two ending up together was the right conclusion to their story and I think they were actually actively toxic by the end. Which isn’t how I *personally* like to feel at the end of my romance stories.
- The third act break up is STUPID. Truly just one of the most contrived fights and made me believe that he actually DIDN’T know her at all. Wild.
- I think there could have been less flashbacks and further spaced out. We barely spent more than 50% of the book in the present.
- Yo what is with the political mentions being so "I would have voted for Obama a third time". Telling Pete Buttigieg "big fan"? And not with an ounce of nuance down the road. Cuz we can all look back and think about how good we had it but also realize politicians failings. It’s just too solvent of career democrats imo.
(?) :
- I'm sorry but why the HELL is Katie getting blamed by everyone for Cam?? What???
- I hated the line about her telling her sister there was always a penis in her. Like yeah okay but also blech
- Just straight up not how awards season works but sure
WILL I READ THE NEXT ONE? : I think so. I think fundamentally I like Becca Freeman’s writing (and the characters here were soooo much better to me than her first book), but I think the conclusions to her romances are my major sticking points.
(HOW LONG) DO I THINK THEY’LL STAY TOGETHER? : Two years MAX. These two DO NOT WORK. They are just comfortable in their draw to one another.
*Thank you to Penguin & Netgalley for providing this ARC!
SIMILAR BOOKS :
- 'Let's Make a Scene' by Laura Wood
- 'Love and Other Words' by Christina Lauren
- 'The Ex Vows' by Jessica Joyce
- 'What Happens in Amsterdam' by Rachel Lynn Solomon
- 'Forget Me Not' by Julie Soto
(+) :
- The first two acts of this book really had me. I understood the care these two had for each other and also the desire to know what drove them apart. I was also especially interested in Katie’s story in her celebrity rise.
- All the side characters are well done. The families mainly especially. And I love that her publicist and agent are so entirely in her camp. I just appreciate when the easy path of “no one really cares about the poor celebrity’ is not the one taken.
- Man the anxiety of wanting to be seen as enough by people is too real and would probably rot me from the inside if I were in the public eye
- The parallels with Edie Sedgwick were goo. But also god I just love Edie Sedgwick
- I loooove this cover. The split with the opposite color clothes are just so good.
- Title is good. Solid.
(-) :
- This book just didn’t end up sticking the landing for me, unfortunately. I really didn’t feel that these two ending up together was the right conclusion to their story and I think they were actually actively toxic by the end. Which isn’t how I *personally* like to feel at the end of my romance stories.
- The third act break up is STUPID. Truly just one of the most contrived fights and made me believe that he actually DIDN’T know her at all. Wild.
- I think there could have been less flashbacks and further spaced out. We barely spent more than 50% of the book in the present.
- Yo what is with the political mentions being so "I would have voted for Obama a third time". Telling Pete Buttigieg "big fan"? And not with an ounce of nuance down the road. Cuz we can all look back and think about how good we had it but also realize politicians failings. It’s just too solvent of career democrats imo.
(?) :
- I'm sorry but why the HELL is Katie getting blamed by everyone for Cam?? What???
- I hated the line about her telling her sister there was always a penis in her. Like yeah okay but also blech
- Just straight up not how awards season works but sure
WILL I READ THE NEXT ONE? : I think so. I think fundamentally I like Becca Freeman’s writing (and the characters here were soooo much better to me than her first book), but I think the conclusions to her romances are my major sticking points.
(HOW LONG) DO I THINK THEY’LL STAY TOGETHER? : Two years MAX. These two DO NOT WORK. They are just comfortable in their draw to one another.
*Thank you to Penguin & Netgalley for providing this ARC!
SIMILAR BOOKS :
- 'Let's Make a Scene' by Laura Wood
- 'Love and Other Words' by Christina Lauren
- 'The Ex Vows' by Jessica Joyce
- 'What Happens in Amsterdam' by Rachel Lynn Solomon
- 'Forget Me Not' by Julie Soto
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Becca Freeman's second novel, “Back Where We Started,” is a step up from what was already a strong debut in “The Christmas Orphans Club.”
The story follows Katie and Drew, childhood best friends turned first loves from Dutch Ridge, Pennsylvania, across multiple timelines. Watching them grow up and grow apart, and getting to know who they become over the course of their lives, was the heart of the book for me. Their relationship is genuinely sweet without ever tipping into saccharine. I loved seeing both of their paths unfold: Katie's life as Blair Banks, the Hollywood actress chasing her first Oscar, and Drew's very different path as he chooses to stay in Dutch Ridge. The contrast between the two says a lot about ambition and what each of them was willing to give up.
The pacing was excellent, and moving between past and present kept me hooked. I especially appreciated how true the book stayed to the pop culture of each era, with references to real events that grounded every stage of their timeline. It was an easy, absorbing read. I hated to see it end but couldn't wait to find out how it turned out. I highly recommend it to romance lovers, and really to anyone who enjoys books centered on relationships.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
The story follows Katie and Drew, childhood best friends turned first loves from Dutch Ridge, Pennsylvania, across multiple timelines. Watching them grow up and grow apart, and getting to know who they become over the course of their lives, was the heart of the book for me. Their relationship is genuinely sweet without ever tipping into saccharine. I loved seeing both of their paths unfold: Katie's life as Blair Banks, the Hollywood actress chasing her first Oscar, and Drew's very different path as he chooses to stay in Dutch Ridge. The contrast between the two says a lot about ambition and what each of them was willing to give up.
The pacing was excellent, and moving between past and present kept me hooked. I especially appreciated how true the book stayed to the pop culture of each era, with references to real events that grounded every stage of their timeline. It was an easy, absorbing read. I hated to see it end but couldn't wait to find out how it turned out. I highly recommend it to romance lovers, and really to anyone who enjoys books centered on relationships.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 3, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Viking Penguin for an ARC of this book!
This was such a sweet second chance romance! Full of depth, hard life decisions, emotional connections, and familial ties. I loved reading about Katie and seeing her develop and change from then, at sixteen, to current day. She had some big dreams at a young age and she pretty much achieved what she wanted! Then there was Drew. He was fiercely loyal from day one. He also had many high hopes and ambitions that he wanted to achieve in life. Only, when Drew and Katie see each other back in their small Pennsylvania town, she realizes he didn’t quite achieve what he was hoping for.
I did feel like Becca Freeman did a great job with the two timelines and giving the reader a good picture of who they were as kids and who they have become as adults without each other. Drew was an all around sweet character. And, the fact that The Olsen Twins made it into this novel was a huge plus 😆.
Katie definitely achieved what she wanted but as time goes on, it can look different than what you previously thought. Which is the same for Drew. This is a book you need to push through and read until the end to really understand both characters and why they ultimately made the decision they do.
This was such a sweet second chance romance! Full of depth, hard life decisions, emotional connections, and familial ties. I loved reading about Katie and seeing her develop and change from then, at sixteen, to current day. She had some big dreams at a young age and she pretty much achieved what she wanted! Then there was Drew. He was fiercely loyal from day one. He also had many high hopes and ambitions that he wanted to achieve in life. Only, when Drew and Katie see each other back in their small Pennsylvania town, she realizes he didn’t quite achieve what he was hoping for.
I did feel like Becca Freeman did a great job with the two timelines and giving the reader a good picture of who they were as kids and who they have become as adults without each other. Drew was an all around sweet character. And, the fact that The Olsen Twins made it into this novel was a huge plus 😆.
Katie definitely achieved what she wanted but as time goes on, it can look different than what you previously thought. Which is the same for Drew. This is a book you need to push through and read until the end to really understand both characters and why they ultimately made the decision they do.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
“I didn’t know it then, but this was the start of a lifelong pattern: one of us leading, the other chasing. Always eager, never quite in sync.”
If you’ve ever sung along to Harry Chapin’s "Taxi" or Dan Fogelberg’s "Auld Lang Syne," you’ll understand the nostalgia I felt while reading Becca Freeman’s brand new novel. "Back Where We Started" was definitely the right book at the right time for me, a reader who rarely dives into the romance genre.
This sophomore novel is an updated version of the familiar tale of a starlet returning to her roots and bumping into her childhood flame. Katie and Andrew grew up in a small Pennsylvania town and attended New York University, which became a stepping stone toward two very different paths. The bright lights of Hollywood contrast with a rural mayor’s office, and how both characters reevaluate their hopes and dreams while being tethered to each other throughout a decade, is central to the story. Exploring celebrity and how things become manipulated and exploited to an uncomfortable degree was an interesting and timely subplot.
If you’re up for a fun coming-of-age story with a bit of spice and a larger dose of lovable characters, this may be just the right read for you too!
Many thanks to Penguin Books and NetGalley for the early copy in exchange for my honest review.
If you’ve ever sung along to Harry Chapin’s "Taxi" or Dan Fogelberg’s "Auld Lang Syne," you’ll understand the nostalgia I felt while reading Becca Freeman’s brand new novel. "Back Where We Started" was definitely the right book at the right time for me, a reader who rarely dives into the romance genre.
This sophomore novel is an updated version of the familiar tale of a starlet returning to her roots and bumping into her childhood flame. Katie and Andrew grew up in a small Pennsylvania town and attended New York University, which became a stepping stone toward two very different paths. The bright lights of Hollywood contrast with a rural mayor’s office, and how both characters reevaluate their hopes and dreams while being tethered to each other throughout a decade, is central to the story. Exploring celebrity and how things become manipulated and exploited to an uncomfortable degree was an interesting and timely subplot.
If you’re up for a fun coming-of-age story with a bit of spice and a larger dose of lovable characters, this may be just the right read for you too!
Many thanks to Penguin Books and NetGalley for the early copy in exchange for my honest review.
October 14, 2026
I’ve been a fan and listener of Becca for many years which makes it a little hard to review her books but I will try my best.
Overall, I enjoyed this second chance romance a lot. It was sweet and it held my interest the entire time. I always felt like I wanted to get back to reading it. I particularly empathized with Katie and her feelings of being out of place. Her emotions seemed very real to me and I appreciated her struggle.
I found the political storyline to be very off putting and it I felt like it pulled me out of the story and detracted from it. I know the publishing industry only allows for narrow viewpoints but I certainly don’t enjoy being reminded of it multiple times in one book.
Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Books for an advanced copy of this book.
Overall, I enjoyed this second chance romance a lot. It was sweet and it held my interest the entire time. I always felt like I wanted to get back to reading it. I particularly empathized with Katie and her feelings of being out of place. Her emotions seemed very real to me and I appreciated her struggle.
I found the political storyline to be very off putting and it I felt like it pulled me out of the story and detracted from it. I know the publishing industry only allows for narrow viewpoints but I certainly don’t enjoy being reminded of it multiple times in one book.
Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Books for an advanced copy of this book.
October 1, 2026
4.5 🌟
Becca has yet to let me down. Drew and Katie’s story made me so happy. The dual timeline worked so well even on audio, I never was confused about what timeline I was in. I was cheesing and rooting so hard for them to whole time. Second chance romances are some of my favorites and adding in that she’s a celebrity actress and he’s just the high school/college boyfriend? Sign me up.
🎧Audio was so great with Brittany Pressley narrating! I seriously cannot get enough of her and could listen to anything she narrates. Thank you PRH audio for the free listen! Forever your biggest fan.
This one is out in 2 weeks on Oct 13 🎉
Becca has yet to let me down. Drew and Katie’s story made me so happy. The dual timeline worked so well even on audio, I never was confused about what timeline I was in. I was cheesing and rooting so hard for them to whole time. Second chance romances are some of my favorites and adding in that she’s a celebrity actress and he’s just the high school/college boyfriend? Sign me up.
🎧Audio was so great with Brittany Pressley narrating! I seriously cannot get enough of her and could listen to anything she narrates. Thank you PRH audio for the free listen! Forever your biggest fan.
This one is out in 2 weeks on Oct 13 🎉
April 22, 2026
I really liked this one!! I loved our main character of Katie and honestly, I really enjoyed all the time we got to spend in her thoughts, something I don’t always feel. I also really liked Drew, though I did wish he had been maybe explored a bit more because he did come across just as perfect, while Katie was a lot more dynamic. I also loved the world building both of Katie’s life in LA and Dutch Ridge. Overall, really really enjoyable and a great spin on friends to lovers.
October 9, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and Becca Freeman for an arc of this book!
A teen drama tv nostalgia mixed with second-chance romance? Sign me up!!
Told in alternating perspectives from their teenage selves to present day, this book was everything I didn't know I needed and more.
I received an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
A teen drama tv nostalgia mixed with second-chance romance? Sign me up!!
Told in alternating perspectives from their teenage selves to present day, this book was everything I didn't know I needed and more.
I received an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.
August 30, 2026
This is a very cute friends to lovers, celebrity/normie story. I’m a huge fan of Becca Freeman and am always happy to support her.
Review of advance copy
I loved the premise of this book, and I enjoyed the portions of it that were focused on Katie and Drew and their relationship in the present.
I admit, dual timelines are not always my favorites. I like them when they are executed well, but when they aren't it can be a challenge. Unfortunately, this book pretty well illustrates what happens when it doesn't work.
The pacing of this book was off and I never quite felt like I was engaged with the story, or the characters. I blame the dual timelines. There were too many of them, in my opinion, and it not only broke up the development of the characters, it also left me feeling like I wasn't getting to know the characters in the present so much as learning about who they were at the past.
And, well, the most I identified with any of the characters was Drew, at the end, when he makes it clear he isn't sure if they have anything that will allow them to be a couple in the now, or if all of their relationship had already happened and was in their past.
Disclaimer: I was provided a review copy by the publisher
I admit, dual timelines are not always my favorites. I like them when they are executed well, but when they aren't it can be a challenge. Unfortunately, this book pretty well illustrates what happens when it doesn't work.
The pacing of this book was off and I never quite felt like I was engaged with the story, or the characters. I blame the dual timelines. There were too many of them, in my opinion, and it not only broke up the development of the characters, it also left me feeling like I wasn't getting to know the characters in the present so much as learning about who they were at the past.
And, well, the most I identified with any of the characters was Drew, at the end, when he makes it clear he isn't sure if they have anything that will allow them to be a couple in the now, or if all of their relationship had already happened and was in their past.
Disclaimer: I was provided a review copy by the publisher
September 16, 2026
Could not put this down, great read!
I loved how original this was. Romance as a genre can sometimes feel a bit tired and formulaic. Back Where We Started definitely wasn't that! I like how the author hits all the right spots of the genre, while also delivering something really fresh. Loved it.
I loved how original this was. Romance as a genre can sometimes feel a bit tired and formulaic. Back Where We Started definitely wasn't that! I like how the author hits all the right spots of the genre, while also delivering something really fresh. Loved it.
May 9, 2026
As a longtime listener of the Bad on Paper podcast, and someone who considers Becca Freeman a friend in my head, I was thrilled to get an early copy of Back Where We Started from NetGalley.
To my reading, this book was spectacular. Right from the first pages, I was yanked into Katie Eubanks’ world, where I stayed right through to the last page. I especially loved the coming-of-age arc and even found myself tearing up when Katie achieves her dream and finally realizes that she can be—really, she is—the architect of her own dreams. That realization comes alongside another: that home and family are rarely perfect, and not always how we would have necessarily drawn them up, but in their own way, they are often exactly perfect for us.
I also really appreciated how the complexity of each character comes to life. There are no perfect people, and there were multiple times during my reading when I wished I could slap some sense into Katie and Drew, but that very quickly became part of the story’s appeal. Back Where We Started tells a story that reminds us that we are not perfect, but in most cases, we’re all just trying our best. The road we travel is bumpy and full of obstructions, and it’s how we find our way around them, I think, that adds up to a life well lived.
I think Becca’s second book reads more literary than a standard rom-com. It belongs alongside Annabel Monaghan, Emily Henry, and Elin Hilderbrand—well-written, compelling stories that are easy to get swept up in but that tackle complex issues.
5 stars!!
To my reading, this book was spectacular. Right from the first pages, I was yanked into Katie Eubanks’ world, where I stayed right through to the last page. I especially loved the coming-of-age arc and even found myself tearing up when Katie achieves her dream and finally realizes that she can be—really, she is—the architect of her own dreams. That realization comes alongside another: that home and family are rarely perfect, and not always how we would have necessarily drawn them up, but in their own way, they are often exactly perfect for us.
I also really appreciated how the complexity of each character comes to life. There are no perfect people, and there were multiple times during my reading when I wished I could slap some sense into Katie and Drew, but that very quickly became part of the story’s appeal. Back Where We Started tells a story that reminds us that we are not perfect, but in most cases, we’re all just trying our best. The road we travel is bumpy and full of obstructions, and it’s how we find our way around them, I think, that adds up to a life well lived.
I think Becca’s second book reads more literary than a standard rom-com. It belongs alongside Annabel Monaghan, Emily Henry, and Elin Hilderbrand—well-written, compelling stories that are easy to get swept up in but that tackle complex issues.
5 stars!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I mean I’m crying but also I have mixed feelings. The whole book kind of felt like La La Land where two people have a lot of love for each other but their lives are leading them on different paths except while my younger self would disagree I think La La Land got it right and some people just aren’t for forever. It’s not as nice of an ending but I’m not content with them ending up together and I’m not convinced of the happy epilogue we were given. Also I love to support a Hollywood martyr but she was kind of selfish the whole book. She really never once thought about anyone but herself and I wasn’t shocked she had no friends. I mean how could you build a years long friendship with someone and never notice they never spoke to you about their personal life or feelings? Drew seemed like a nice guy I feel like we didn’t really get to know him enough, but also seems like he could do better than someone his sister hates and never really sacrificed anything for him.
So truly the book was good and well written it just feels wrong to read a romance where I don’t want them to end up together.
Thank you to NetGalley and Viking Penguin for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review
So truly the book was good and well written it just feels wrong to read a romance where I don’t want them to end up together.
Thank you to NetGalley and Viking Penguin for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review
April 3, 2026
" And I realise that in buying my parents a house, I accidentally exiled myself from the one place in the world that felt lke home"
Becca Freeman really did a fantastic job with her sophomore novel. I adore a normie x celebrity romance. This also is about a tender first love, second chance, small town vs big city, and there is a LOT to love here.
I won't rehash the book synopsis, but instead, I will get to the heart of what I truly loved here. Katie's ambition, though misguided at times, was necessary to make it in Hollywood. But, the toll on her mental health and the contstant online judgment wore her down. More importantly, the piece of this novel I loved the most was heart of what many women struggle with. The pressure to push and have it all verses slowing down and loving community and others. Freeman did such a wonderful job threading that needle with Katie!
I also loved the nod to the polictal component of Drew and his position in the Obama administration. This was so nostalgic. I also loved all the fun characters in the small Pennsylvania town of Dutch Ridge.
Check this one out for sure!
Becca Freeman really did a fantastic job with her sophomore novel. I adore a normie x celebrity romance. This also is about a tender first love, second chance, small town vs big city, and there is a LOT to love here.
I won't rehash the book synopsis, but instead, I will get to the heart of what I truly loved here. Katie's ambition, though misguided at times, was necessary to make it in Hollywood. But, the toll on her mental health and the contstant online judgment wore her down. More importantly, the piece of this novel I loved the most was heart of what many women struggle with. The pressure to push and have it all verses slowing down and loving community and others. Freeman did such a wonderful job threading that needle with Katie!
I also loved the nod to the polictal component of Drew and his position in the Obama administration. This was so nostalgic. I also loved all the fun characters in the small Pennsylvania town of Dutch Ridge.
Check this one out for sure!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Back Where We Started explored the what ifs in life. What if I achieved my dream? What if I missed out on my person? What if I got a second chance at a different life? What if I altered the path I am on?
From the moment the readers met Katie you knew this story was going to be filled with introspection and regret. And in that regards, this book did not disappoint. I felt for Katie the moment I was introduced to her. She got her dream but was immensely unhappy. But how did she get here? I loved that the story played on the title with the flashbacks and sometimes telling the story in reverse. I thought that it was a great way to help the reader understand how Katie got to this point in her. Why she never went home. Why she seemed to hate her life. And I loved that that the answers to all of those questions meant that Katie had to go back. Back to the beginning. Back to the start. Back to where everything may or may not have changed.
Katie was an aspiring actress in her younger years that got the chance of a lifetime to chase her dream. But in chasing her dream, it meant that perhaps the people she loved couldn't chase their dreams beside her. Or that dream was too big for other's to dream. It was never intentional. But it was an interesting look at how can two people dreams be so big that they may not be possible to dream simultaneously? Or worse, what happens when person gets their dream and the other does not?
Drew was an aspiring politician. He wanted to change the world. He took a tragedy and altered the course of his life. He knew that in order to make a difference, he had to be someone in power. He simply wanted to make the world a better place. Better for all involved. He initially thought he wanted to be on the campaign trail and working for those in power. But when things didn't go exactly according to his plan, his dreams shifted and changed. And sadly this all happened as Katie was getting her big dream.
Being young and in love, both Katie and Drew thought they could have it all. That they could both get their dreams and still be together. But unfortunately, life and circumstances took it's toll on them and their relationship. They thought their past and history could overcome all of the obstacles in their way. And so we meet them in a space where they are no longer together but still in love with each other.
I loved the dual time line. I loved exploring who Katie and Drew were and who they are now. I loved learning why Katie wanted to act and why Drew wanted to go into politics. The reasons felt organic to the characters and not simply a just because. I also really appreciated how the author took the time to navigate the reasons. To understand the underlying reasons. And how those reasons led to both Katie and Drew being a bit unhappy in their life right now. But also why maybe in their early 20's chasing their dreams meant right person wrong time. My heart broke so many times for Katie and her yearning to simply be included and liked. And for Drew as he navigated a world where tragedy struck. I think it was really important that teenage Katie and Drew didn't have all the insights to be the healthiest versions of themselves. It felt realistic and added layers to the characteristics as they began to navigate their adult lives. It also helped me to understand some of the choices Katie made in her personal life and in her acting career.
Overall, this book was really well done. I loved the characters of Katie and Drew. I loved their history and the exploration how they came to be who they were. I think understanding the past is an important part of understanding where we are going. And Becca Freeman did that beautifully.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Viking for the early digital ARC. All thoughts and Opinions are my own.
From the moment the readers met Katie you knew this story was going to be filled with introspection and regret. And in that regards, this book did not disappoint. I felt for Katie the moment I was introduced to her. She got her dream but was immensely unhappy. But how did she get here? I loved that the story played on the title with the flashbacks and sometimes telling the story in reverse. I thought that it was a great way to help the reader understand how Katie got to this point in her. Why she never went home. Why she seemed to hate her life. And I loved that that the answers to all of those questions meant that Katie had to go back. Back to the beginning. Back to the start. Back to where everything may or may not have changed.
Katie was an aspiring actress in her younger years that got the chance of a lifetime to chase her dream. But in chasing her dream, it meant that perhaps the people she loved couldn't chase their dreams beside her. Or that dream was too big for other's to dream. It was never intentional. But it was an interesting look at how can two people dreams be so big that they may not be possible to dream simultaneously? Or worse, what happens when person gets their dream and the other does not?
Drew was an aspiring politician. He wanted to change the world. He took a tragedy and altered the course of his life. He knew that in order to make a difference, he had to be someone in power. He simply wanted to make the world a better place. Better for all involved. He initially thought he wanted to be on the campaign trail and working for those in power. But when things didn't go exactly according to his plan, his dreams shifted and changed. And sadly this all happened as Katie was getting her big dream.
Being young and in love, both Katie and Drew thought they could have it all. That they could both get their dreams and still be together. But unfortunately, life and circumstances took it's toll on them and their relationship. They thought their past and history could overcome all of the obstacles in their way. And so we meet them in a space where they are no longer together but still in love with each other.
I loved the dual time line. I loved exploring who Katie and Drew were and who they are now. I loved learning why Katie wanted to act and why Drew wanted to go into politics. The reasons felt organic to the characters and not simply a just because. I also really appreciated how the author took the time to navigate the reasons. To understand the underlying reasons. And how those reasons led to both Katie and Drew being a bit unhappy in their life right now. But also why maybe in their early 20's chasing their dreams meant right person wrong time. My heart broke so many times for Katie and her yearning to simply be included and liked. And for Drew as he navigated a world where tragedy struck. I think it was really important that teenage Katie and Drew didn't have all the insights to be the healthiest versions of themselves. It felt realistic and added layers to the characteristics as they began to navigate their adult lives. It also helped me to understand some of the choices Katie made in her personal life and in her acting career.
Overall, this book was really well done. I loved the characters of Katie and Drew. I loved their history and the exploration how they came to be who they were. I think understanding the past is an important part of understanding where we are going. And Becca Freeman did that beautifully.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Viking for the early digital ARC. All thoughts and Opinions are my own.
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