All around your island there's a barricade: YOU, AGAIN.

You, Again by Kate Goldbeck
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

YOU, AGAIN has a cheerful cover, but is actually a rather angry, emotional book instead of a happy, go-lucky romance. Our leads are flawed characters. We have Ari, who is post-breakup from her one real relationship, and who avoids serious relationships like the plague, and Josh, an anxious guy suffering from an intensely personal career failure who requires perfection in relationships.

The book chronicles Josh and Ari's encounters over a span of time, showing them to be self-centered, depressed, and fragile people. In many ways, this is refreshing. Instead of some picture perfect romance, we see two people living actual, real life. The author said she was inspired by When Harry Met Sally and it shows. The idea of two people who can't get over their own issues (versus the concept of forced external plots) is fun for a romance. Once accustomed to the book's tone, I found this enjoyable and more real than the artificial situations of some love stories.

And, Ari and Josh have an excellent simmering, angry chemistry that permeates the story. The book is filled with so many bitter but funny moments. Yes, it could be bleak at times, but also really hilarious. It's a very NYC story, focusing on landmarks and settings in the city, making you feel like you're there with the characters.

Overall, this was a different sort of story, but an enjoyable read. 3.5 stars, rounded up.


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