Kate, a 'freshman' at college, is hiding the fact that she's really 29 and trying to do college again like she failed to before. Carter, her sexy RA, is hiding how attracted he is to Kate, so he doesn't have to tell her about the shadows in his own freshman year past. Together, they navigate around the truth as they get closer and closer, but the harder they fall, the more the truth needs to come out.
When I first started AGAIN, I was a little hesitant. I love college settings, but a main character posing as a ten years younger version of herself had me a bit skeptical. However, the more I got to know Kate and her story, the more I couldn't help rooting for her to find her happiness. Lisa Burstein does a wonderful job of challenging the reader to examine what it means to want a second chance and what one might do for that.
Through Kate, readers see a character who has experienced a lot of pain and is facing the toughest person to stand up to: yourself. Alongside her, and bringing in seriously delicious scenes, is Carter, whose own story is hard to hear but all the more realistic for it. I love how they get to know each other in a way that doesn't feel rushed but never leaves you bored and waiting for something swoony to happen.
As much as I love the story, I do wish some parts had been expanded on, like Kate's journey up to this point and more about the side characters, Veronica and Dawn. However, that does just make me hope that there might be more from Burstein in the future with these characters.
Overall, if you're looking for a new adult with a little different premise, AGAIN would be an excellent pick. From hot study sessions to emotionally moving new love connections, Lisa Burstein delivers a story you don't want to miss.
How far would you go for a second chance? Eleven years after flunking out of college, Kate has finally hit rock-bottom. Losing her job and boyfriend in one drunken night, she's determined to fix her life by going back to the moment when she let partying and sex take over. And do things right this time. At twenty-nine, she heads back to freshman year of college, with a catch. Pretending she's nineteen with a new roommate and full class schedule is easy. When she meets her shy, sexy and seven-years-younger RA, Carter, following her self-imposed sobriety and celibacy rules is proving to be anything but. A senior enduring years of regret, Carter is more than ready to graduate. He's anxious to move on from the party his freshman year where he witnessed his frat brothers about to commit a sexual assault. Instead of doing the right thing and stepping in, he looked the other way and left. His guilt has made for a lonely four years. When he meets the new freshman on his floor, spunky and confident Kate, he wonders if his time as an outcast has finally come to an end. Kate and Carter's growing friendship and undeniable attraction make it harder to hide the demons from their respective pasts. But when their secrets are finally revealed, will their chance at starting over together still be there?
No excerpt available.
© 2003-2026