Linda Holmes is probably best known as a radio personality and the host of NPR's long-running “Pop Culture Happy Hour” podcast, among many other projects. In recent years, she also has turned to writing fiction. Her latest novel, BACK AFTER THIS, is not only a charming romantic comedy, it's also a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the world of podcasting.

Cecily Foster has been working in podcasts for most of her career. She's one of the best producers in the biz, and she (and everyone else in the industry) knows it. But after her longtime boyfriend and one-time collaborator, Justin, dumps her, steals her show idea, and claims it as his own, Cecily finds herself still toiling away in the trenches at the Washington, DC–based podcasting company Palmetto. Justin, however, has gone on to achieve the closest thing the industry has to celebrity status.

"BACK AFTER THIS has a winning protagonist with just the right combination of talent, smarts and vulnerability to be really likable."

Cecily loves her colleagues at Palmetto, with the possible exception of her boss, Troy. Podcasting is a volatile business, though, and Palmetto is constantly hustling for the next new breakout show idea and their share of limited advertising revenue to support it. So when Troy approaches Cecily to host her own podcast --- based on a concept that she never would have come up with herself in a million years --- she reluctantly agrees but on two conditions: she'll be able to protect the job of her assistant producer during the layoffs that are rumored to be right around the corner, and she'll get a chance to finally produce a pilot of her own podcast concept once this show wraps up.

The concept is this: Cecily will partner with lifestyle influencer turned romantic life coach Eliza Cassidy. Eliza, who's gorgeous, happily married and living in a lovely Bethesda home, will transform Cecily's dating life. Granted, since Cecily barely has been out on a third date since she and Justin broke up years earlier, this doesn't seem like it will take much. But, according to Eliza, Cecily also will learn how to stop sabotaging her own happiness and instead pursue whatever or whoever has the potential to really make her happy. Cecily is not the kind of person who wants to be under the spotlight --- she's a podcast producer after all! --- but she's willing to meet Eliza halfway, especially when she surprises herself by not hating Eliza after their first meeting.

Eliza's plan is to set Cecily up on a series of 20 blind dates over the course of a 12-week podcast series, culminating (appropriately enough) on Valentine's Day. But all of Eliza's strategizing fails to account for Cecily's uncanny propensity to keep running into a guy who's definitely not on her vetted list. Cecily's meet-cute with Will is really the cutest --- especially since it involves a lovable Great Dane named Buddy --- but Will does not live up to Eliza's standards for Cecily's romantic partners. So why can't Cecily get him out of her head?

BACK AFTER THIS has a winning protagonist with just the right combination of talent, smarts and vulnerability to be really likable. Will (not to mention Buddy) is a catch even if Eliza doesn't think so, and their chemistry and repartee are on point. And for those of us who love listening to podcasts and want to learn about all the hard work it takes to produce them, this is an enjoyable introduction to the industry. The novel's only real drawback is that the obstacles to Cecily and Will's relationship feel slightly contrived, but that's a small hiccup that readers undoubtedly will be more than glad to forgive.

Those who enjoy audiobooks shouldn't bypass the chance to listen to BACK AFTER THIS. It's narrated by Linda Holmes, naturally, with skill and humor.