A podcast producer becomes the subject of a new show on modern dating where she agrees to have a social media influencer coach her through 20 dates with 20 men. Will a love match outside the show stir things up?
This is at the heart of writer Linda Holmes’ new novel Back After This.
Holmes is the author of the novels Flying Solo, and Evvie Drake Starts Over. She’s also a pop culture correspondent for National Public Radio (NPR) and a host of the Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast.
Back After This draws from Holmes’ experience working in radio and podcasts. In a recent What We’re Reading interview Holmes described why she wanted to incorporate this into the story.
“I think a lot of people don't know a ton about the world of how audio and podcasts are made and it just seemed to me that it would be fun to put a little bit of that stuff in there, and to recognize the work of all the producers and editors who have essentially made the career that I have now possible--that was sort of a bonus for me.”
As a fan of romantic comedy movies, Holmes often uses rom-com themes in her books. In Back After This, the love interests in the story meet while chasing a very large dog down the street. Holmes explained, “I love a meet-cute. I love a dog. So, it's just a matter of mixing elements that I love in a way that feels both familiar and hopefully a bit fresh.”
Back After This is a smart, enjoyable, and satisfying read. Learn more about writer Linda Holmes and her books on her website.
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