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All the Men I've Loved Again
From Christine Pride, the beloved coauthor of the Good Morning America Book Club Pick We Are Not Like Them, comes a dazzling solo debut novel about a woman who finds herself in the impossible situation of being in love with the same two men who won her heart in her early twenties again as she nears forty.
It’s 1999, TLC’s “No Scrubs” is topping the charts, y2k is looming on everyone’s mind, and Cora Belle has arrived at college ready to change her life. She’s determined to grow out of the shy, sheltered girl who attended an all-white prep in her all-white suburb. Cora is ready to conquer her fears and find her people, her place in the world, and herself.
What she’s totally unprepared for is Lincoln, with his dark skin, charming southern drawl, and that smile. Because how can you ever prepare yourself for the rollercoaster of first love with all its glorious, bewildering contradictions? Just when Cora thinks she’s got things figured out, a series of surprises and secrets threaten to upend everything she thought she understood about love and loyalty.
In the wake of these developments and a shocking tragedy, a new man enters Cora’s life—Aaron—further complicating everything. He’s the only one who seems to get her, and the letters she writes to him when the two are separated reveal the truth of their inescapable connection. There’s only one problem—how can she fall in love with one man when her heart belongs to another?
Twenty years later, and Cora is all grown up, or mostly, and has cloaked herself in loneliness like a warm blanket. It’s the safest choice. But then an unexpected reconnection and a chance encounter puts her right back where she started. The same two men, the same agonizing decision.
Finding herself in this position—again—will test everything Cora thought she knew about fate, love, and most importantly, herself. All The Men I’ve Loved Again is a big-hearted coming-of-age story for anyone who’s thought what if about a past love and what it would be like to have a second chance.
It’s 1999, TLC’s “No Scrubs” is topping the charts, y2k is looming on everyone’s mind, and Cora Belle has arrived at college ready to change her life. She’s determined to grow out of the shy, sheltered girl who attended an all-white prep in her all-white suburb. Cora is ready to conquer her fears and find her people, her place in the world, and herself.
What she’s totally unprepared for is Lincoln, with his dark skin, charming southern drawl, and that smile. Because how can you ever prepare yourself for the rollercoaster of first love with all its glorious, bewildering contradictions? Just when Cora thinks she’s got things figured out, a series of surprises and secrets threaten to upend everything she thought she understood about love and loyalty.
In the wake of these developments and a shocking tragedy, a new man enters Cora’s life—Aaron—further complicating everything. He’s the only one who seems to get her, and the letters she writes to him when the two are separated reveal the truth of their inescapable connection. There’s only one problem—how can she fall in love with one man when her heart belongs to another?
Twenty years later, and Cora is all grown up, or mostly, and has cloaked herself in loneliness like a warm blanket. It’s the safest choice. But then an unexpected reconnection and a chance encounter puts her right back where she started. The same two men, the same agonizing decision.
Finding herself in this position—again—will test everything Cora thought she knew about fate, love, and most importantly, herself. All The Men I’ve Loved Again is a big-hearted coming-of-age story for anyone who’s thought what if about a past love and what it would be like to have a second chance.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published July 8, 2025
279 people are currently reading
18332 people want to read
About the author
Christine Pride
3 books622 followersChristine Pride is a writer, editor, and longtime publishing veteran. She’s held editorial posts at many different trade imprints, including Doubleday, Broadway, Crown, Hyperion, and Simon & Schuster. As an editor, Christine has published a range of books, with a special emphasis on inspirational stories and memoirs, including numerous New York Times bestsellers. As a freelance editorial consultant, she does select editing and proposal/content development, as well as teaching and coaching, and pens a regular column—“Race Matters”—for Cup of Jo. She lives in New York City.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 376 reviews
September 3, 2025
2.5 🌟 but I'm rounding up because the epilogue hit me a little close to my heart.
This book was definitely a choice 😅 I remember reading the blurb and said that this could be a beautiful love lesson with having a FMC talking about her journey through men… but what I got was just a very indecisive girl in her college years that didn’t decide and was a bit against love 💔 and tries all over again at her 40s. For me, I just didn’t find it profound or as deep as I thought it was going to be.
I won’t really give spoilers but Cora darling… what the helly ‼️ I’ll leave it at that because her college experience and the years after just drove me nuts. If I was one of her best friends, I would’ve kicked her butt with her decisions 🙄
Another main reason I drove the rating down was because the pacing of the story was very slow for me. I feel that the descriptive inner monologues were too many and not necessary for her story. The chapters were too long as well, which for me, I’m not a fan of rip.
I did love the relationship she and her father had ❤️ which I really appreciate because it let me keep reading the story. As well that at the end of the day she does make a decision and finds love! SO YEY.
Overall, I do think it’s a good solid book 👍 but I definitely would market this more into women’s fiction than contemporary romance.
⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.
➳ 𝗽𝗿𝗲-𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱｡ꪆৎ ˚⋅ i’m trying to catch up with my arcs! 🥲 i’m so behind! Fingers crossed 🤞
This book was definitely a choice 😅 I remember reading the blurb and said that this could be a beautiful love lesson with having a FMC talking about her journey through men… but what I got was just a very indecisive girl in her college years that didn’t decide and was a bit against love 💔 and tries all over again at her 40s. For me, I just didn’t find it profound or as deep as I thought it was going to be.
I won’t really give spoilers but Cora darling… what the helly ‼️ I’ll leave it at that because her college experience and the years after just drove me nuts. If I was one of her best friends, I would’ve kicked her butt with her decisions 🙄
Another main reason I drove the rating down was because the pacing of the story was very slow for me. I feel that the descriptive inner monologues were too many and not necessary for her story. The chapters were too long as well, which for me, I’m not a fan of rip.
I did love the relationship she and her father had ❤️ which I really appreciate because it let me keep reading the story. As well that at the end of the day she does make a decision and finds love! SO YEY.
Overall, I do think it’s a good solid book 👍 but I definitely would market this more into women’s fiction than contemporary romance.
⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.⋆. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁. ݁₊ ⊹ . ݁˖ . ݁⋆.
➳ 𝗽𝗿𝗲-𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱｡ꪆৎ ˚⋅ i’m trying to catch up with my arcs! 🥲 i’m so behind! Fingers crossed 🤞
January 27, 2025
I received a free copy of, All the Men I've Loved Again, by Christine Pride, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Cora Belle is single, by choice, but is lonely. I did not care for Cora or this book, she was way to self absorbed for me.
January 9, 2025
This novel delivers one of the most compelling coming-of-age stories I’ve encountered in recent memory. It masterfully navigates the intricate emotional landscape of Cora, a richly developed Black female protagonist, as she faces life-altering decisions between love, identity, and personal growth.
The tension she feels in choosing between Aaron and Lincoln is palpable, building a narrative structure that kept me hooked from start to finish. It brilliantly explores not only the complexities of romance but also the deeper themes of self-discovery and how there is no singular right choice in life—just different paths.
The tension she feels in choosing between Aaron and Lincoln is palpable, building a narrative structure that kept me hooked from start to finish. It brilliantly explores not only the complexities of romance but also the deeper themes of self-discovery and how there is no singular right choice in life—just different paths.
February 12, 2025
All the Men I’ve Loved Again was an enjoyable read! Like its protagonist, Cora Belle, the novel seemed to be finding itself at times, but I still found it compelling.
While marketed as a love triangle, this novel is just as much a coming-of-age story. Cora arrives at Hamlin College in Virginia eager to reinvent herself. Having grown up as the only white girl at her elite private school—which she attended only because her father taught there—college presents a fresh start. She can finally make her own friends and define her own path.
At Hamlin, she quickly bonds with her best friends, Kim and Neisha, and falls deeply for Lincoln, a driven scholarship student determined to make a name for himself in politics. Their relationship is passionate but tumultuous, and during one of their rough patches, Cora crosses paths with Aaron, leading to a whirlwind romance in Paris. Yet, for Cora, love always seems to end in heartbreak.
Fast forward twenty years, and Cora finds herself at a crossroads, with both Aaron and Lincoln back in her life. Can she let her guard down and embrace love again? And if so, who should she choose?
Christine Pride’s solo debut deftly balances romance with weighty themes, including Black identity and abortion. The writing has a natural, conversational flow, alternating between Cora’s first experiences of love with Lincoln and letters from Aaron. I appreciated how the narrative mirrored Cora’s own indecision, making me constantly reevaluate who seemed like the better choice.
That said, Cora’s privilege and occasional indecisiveness could be frustrating, though she deserves credit for refusing to settle. The pacing drags at times, and some characters could have been more fully developed, but the novel’s exploration of love, friendship, and self-discovery makes up for it.
For me, the standout character was Cora’s father, Wes. With his unwavering love and sharp sense of humor, he added warmth and levity to the story—I would have happily read an entire book about him!
While not without its flaws, All the Men I’ve Loved Again is a character-driven novel that will appeal to readers who enjoy stories about love, friendship, and personal growth. 3.5 stars, rounded up.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Atria Books in return for an unbiased review. Look for All the Men I’ve Loved Again on 07/08/2025!
While marketed as a love triangle, this novel is just as much a coming-of-age story. Cora arrives at Hamlin College in Virginia eager to reinvent herself. Having grown up as the only white girl at her elite private school—which she attended only because her father taught there—college presents a fresh start. She can finally make her own friends and define her own path.
At Hamlin, she quickly bonds with her best friends, Kim and Neisha, and falls deeply for Lincoln, a driven scholarship student determined to make a name for himself in politics. Their relationship is passionate but tumultuous, and during one of their rough patches, Cora crosses paths with Aaron, leading to a whirlwind romance in Paris. Yet, for Cora, love always seems to end in heartbreak.
Fast forward twenty years, and Cora finds herself at a crossroads, with both Aaron and Lincoln back in her life. Can she let her guard down and embrace love again? And if so, who should she choose?
Christine Pride’s solo debut deftly balances romance with weighty themes, including Black identity and abortion. The writing has a natural, conversational flow, alternating between Cora’s first experiences of love with Lincoln and letters from Aaron. I appreciated how the narrative mirrored Cora’s own indecision, making me constantly reevaluate who seemed like the better choice.
That said, Cora’s privilege and occasional indecisiveness could be frustrating, though she deserves credit for refusing to settle. The pacing drags at times, and some characters could have been more fully developed, but the novel’s exploration of love, friendship, and self-discovery makes up for it.
For me, the standout character was Cora’s father, Wes. With his unwavering love and sharp sense of humor, he added warmth and levity to the story—I would have happily read an entire book about him!
While not without its flaws, All the Men I’ve Loved Again is a character-driven novel that will appeal to readers who enjoy stories about love, friendship, and personal growth. 3.5 stars, rounded up.
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Atria Books in return for an unbiased review. Look for All the Men I’ve Loved Again on 07/08/2025!
June 27, 2025
This one started off strong for me—I really enjoyed the nostalgic vibe and early 2000s setting in the first half. There was something charming about stepping back into that era through Cora’s perspective, and I was initially drawn into the setup of her reconnecting with past loves. The idea of exploring “what ifs” in a love triangle sounded original enough to pull me in, even though that trope isn’t usually my go to.
Unfortunately, the second half didn’t quite deliver on the promise of the premise. The story is marketed as a love triangle, but we spend so much time building the connection between Cora and Lincoln that the abrupt pivot to Aaron felt jarring and underdeveloped. It threw off the balance of the story, and for me, the emotional investment never quite recovered. Love triangles can be tricky, and while I appreciated the attempt to do something different here, it didn’t fully land.
Cora herself was also a tough character to connect with at times. She came off as pretty self centered, which made it harder to root for her or get fully immersed in her journey. That said, there were bright spots—Cora’s relationship with her dad was genuinely sweet and heartfelt, and her friendships with her girlfriends added some much needed warmth and depth. Those moments felt grounded and real.
Overall, this was a middle of the road read for me. I appreciated the unique concept and some of the emotional beats, but the story lost momentum halfway through and never quite found its footing again. If you’re drawn to nostalgic second chance stories with a side of emotional drama, it might be worth checking out, but go in knowing it’s a bit uneven.
July 9, 2025
Does everyone hate Lincoln or just me?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 15, 2025
4/5 Stars!!
First off, the description of this book is entirely misleading: "a dazzling solo debut novel about a woman who finds herself in a love triangle with two men in her early twenties, and then again, in her forties."
This was hardly a triangle, it was more of a 90% leaning towards a first love, and 10% towards who Cora Belle, our MC, could possibly love. Can she love both? Well, naturally she can, and who will she end up choosing?
We start off at Hamlin, a college in Virginia, where Cora Belle meets life long friends Niesha and Kim, and eventually falls head over heels in love with Lincoln.
What I loved about this debut solo book, was not just Pride's writing style, but it was more to me, a coming of age story, as Cora navigates college, friendships, relationships, her family, and just learning to become a responsible adult.
The first 60% of the book was the 90's-2000's college experience, and the second half takes place 20 years later, as decisions are made between Lincoln and Aaron.
While I loved the overall theme of this book - how love can be found, or lost after decades, I just can't get over the triangle description. It also ended rather quickly, especially since one of her love interests (won't reveal any spoilers), hardly has the chance to shine, since the majority of it was leaning toward only one man.
It did hold my attention because Pride is talented, but is missing some major character development.
P.S. The letters between Cora and Aaron are VERY hard to read on a Kindle. Hurts my eyes to think about it.
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!
First off, the description of this book is entirely misleading: "a dazzling solo debut novel about a woman who finds herself in a love triangle with two men in her early twenties, and then again, in her forties."
This was hardly a triangle, it was more of a 90% leaning towards a first love, and 10% towards who Cora Belle, our MC, could possibly love. Can she love both? Well, naturally she can, and who will she end up choosing?
We start off at Hamlin, a college in Virginia, where Cora Belle meets life long friends Niesha and Kim, and eventually falls head over heels in love with Lincoln.
What I loved about this debut solo book, was not just Pride's writing style, but it was more to me, a coming of age story, as Cora navigates college, friendships, relationships, her family, and just learning to become a responsible adult.
The first 60% of the book was the 90's-2000's college experience, and the second half takes place 20 years later, as decisions are made between Lincoln and Aaron.
While I loved the overall theme of this book - how love can be found, or lost after decades, I just can't get over the triangle description. It also ended rather quickly, especially since one of her love interests (won't reveal any spoilers), hardly has the chance to shine, since the majority of it was leaning toward only one man.
It did hold my attention because Pride is talented, but is missing some major character development.
P.S. The letters between Cora and Aaron are VERY hard to read on a Kindle. Hurts my eyes to think about it.
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC!
June 27, 2025
It took me a moment to really settle into this one, but once I did, I ended up thoroughly enjoying it. Told in two timelines, it follows Cora, a woman nearing forty who finds herself reunited with the two men who stole her heart in her early twenties!
A very different story, but this actually reminded me a bit of the Netflix show Forever, with Cora as a young Black woman navigating college and finding an epic love. And like Forever, the story doesn’t follow a continuous day-to-day timeline. Chapters often skipped ahead by months! I loved that sense of unexpectedness, the early 2000s nostalgia, and how the past and present came together. One love story unfolds in real time while getting letters from another, and the way the two ultimately converge was just so juicy!
It’s a messy, emotionally layered story with lots of highs and lows for Cora and those around her. There’s some potentially triggering moments, so do keep that in mind. It’s not a romance that made me absolutely swoon, I must admit, but I was 100% invested in these characters and the outcome!
(heat level: 3 open-door scenes, mild details)
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
A very different story, but this actually reminded me a bit of the Netflix show Forever, with Cora as a young Black woman navigating college and finding an epic love. And like Forever, the story doesn’t follow a continuous day-to-day timeline. Chapters often skipped ahead by months! I loved that sense of unexpectedness, the early 2000s nostalgia, and how the past and present came together. One love story unfolds in real time while getting letters from another, and the way the two ultimately converge was just so juicy!
It’s a messy, emotionally layered story with lots of highs and lows for Cora and those around her. There’s some potentially triggering moments, so do keep that in mind. It’s not a romance that made me absolutely swoon, I must admit, but I was 100% invested in these characters and the outcome!
(heat level: 3 open-door scenes, mild details)
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 24, 2024
I would rate this 3 1/2 stars; it's very compelling and well-written. I would recommend reading it in print form rather than e-book. It's very difficult to read the letters from Aaron on a Kindle or even on a web browser/reader, so I felt like I missed some of the story due to this. I tried reading it in both, but the font/formatting made it difficult, though not impossible. Thank you to Edelweiss+ for the ARC. Fans of the author's other books will like this one as well.
July 8, 2025
Christine Pride’s All The Men I’ve Loved Again is a deeply moving, emotionally resonant novel that grabbed my heart and didn’t let go. It's a rich, lyrical story about first love, second chances, and the lifelong journey of becoming the fullest version of yourself. As someone who has ever looked back and wondered what if, this book felt like it was written just for me.
Through Cora Belle, Pride has created a protagonist so authentic, vulnerable, and real that I saw parts of myself in her—from the hopeful college freshman stepping onto campus for the first time, to the woman nearing forty still navigating the complicated terrain of love, identity, and belonging. Cora’s emotional evolution across two decades is written with such care and insight that I found myself cheering for her, hurting with her, and most of all, hoping for her.
The love triangle at the heart of the novel isn’t your typical trope—it’s tender, tangled, and steeped in emotional truth. Lincoln and Aaron aren’t simply romantic foils; they represent different paths, different versions of love, and different aspects of Cora’s own growth. Pride doesn’t offer easy answers, and that’s what makes the story so compelling. Instead, she paints a realistic, beautifully messy picture of what it means to love fully and fearlessly—even when it hurts.
Set against the nostalgia of late-‘90s college life and the reflective ache of adulthood, All The Men I’ve Loved Again is both a coming-of-age and a coming-back-to-yourself story. Pride’s prose is elegant and intimate, and her insight into the inner lives of Black women—particularly the ways they navigate love, loss, and self-discovery—is nothing short of masterful.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Five Glowing Stars
This novel is an absolute triumph. Christine Pride has not only delivered a dazzling solo debut but also a story that lingers long after the final page. All The Men I’ve Loved Again is for anyone who’s ever loved deeply, questioned their path, or found themselves staring down the past in search of clarity. It’s heart-achingly beautiful, emotionally complex, and deeply human.
A must-read—and a book I’ll be recommending to every woman I know.
Through Cora Belle, Pride has created a protagonist so authentic, vulnerable, and real that I saw parts of myself in her—from the hopeful college freshman stepping onto campus for the first time, to the woman nearing forty still navigating the complicated terrain of love, identity, and belonging. Cora’s emotional evolution across two decades is written with such care and insight that I found myself cheering for her, hurting with her, and most of all, hoping for her.
The love triangle at the heart of the novel isn’t your typical trope—it’s tender, tangled, and steeped in emotional truth. Lincoln and Aaron aren’t simply romantic foils; they represent different paths, different versions of love, and different aspects of Cora’s own growth. Pride doesn’t offer easy answers, and that’s what makes the story so compelling. Instead, she paints a realistic, beautifully messy picture of what it means to love fully and fearlessly—even when it hurts.
Set against the nostalgia of late-‘90s college life and the reflective ache of adulthood, All The Men I’ve Loved Again is both a coming-of-age and a coming-back-to-yourself story. Pride’s prose is elegant and intimate, and her insight into the inner lives of Black women—particularly the ways they navigate love, loss, and self-discovery—is nothing short of masterful.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Five Glowing Stars
This novel is an absolute triumph. Christine Pride has not only delivered a dazzling solo debut but also a story that lingers long after the final page. All The Men I’ve Loved Again is for anyone who’s ever loved deeply, questioned their path, or found themselves staring down the past in search of clarity. It’s heart-achingly beautiful, emotionally complex, and deeply human.
A must-read—and a book I’ll be recommending to every woman I know.
July 9, 2025
3.5! Thank you to Atria and NetGalley for the arc!
All The Men I've Loved Again is a story of growth, the beautiful & confusing hauntings of a first and second loves, regrets, and the fear of following your heart. It follows Cora as she dives into her past in hopes to figure out which man to choose. It details her first love, her second love, and all of the struggles she faced in between that helped her grow and learn.
This is a story I think a lot of readers will be able to relate to in some way! It's enjoyable, genuine, and vulnerable. It was an interesting take on a love triangle and I really appreciated the way that Christine Pride handled it!
Cora's an inviting character, and although she frustrated me at certain points, I understood her & was rooting for her to find her way, to make the right choice! I really enjoyed the dual timeline aspect & the fact that it didn't alternate between past & present. It made it a lot easier to follow Cora's journey, the love stories we are presented with, and her overall growth as a person.
While this wasn't 100% the book for me, I would totally recommend giving it a chance if you're in the mood for women's fiction with a heavy dose of romance!
All The Men I've Loved Again is a story of growth, the beautiful & confusing hauntings of a first and second loves, regrets, and the fear of following your heart. It follows Cora as she dives into her past in hopes to figure out which man to choose. It details her first love, her second love, and all of the struggles she faced in between that helped her grow and learn.
This is a story I think a lot of readers will be able to relate to in some way! It's enjoyable, genuine, and vulnerable. It was an interesting take on a love triangle and I really appreciated the way that Christine Pride handled it!
Cora's an inviting character, and although she frustrated me at certain points, I understood her & was rooting for her to find her way, to make the right choice! I really enjoyed the dual timeline aspect & the fact that it didn't alternate between past & present. It made it a lot easier to follow Cora's journey, the love stories we are presented with, and her overall growth as a person.
While this wasn't 100% the book for me, I would totally recommend giving it a chance if you're in the mood for women's fiction with a heavy dose of romance!
June 24, 2025
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the eARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts and a review.
Unfortunately, this book just did not work for me.
I found that the way the plot was laid out was very odd, with letters from 2002 interspersed between chapters from 2000-2001, but those chapters were for Lincoln and the letters were for Aaron, who we hadn’t even met yet. It created a jarring experience rather than a mysterious one, for me at least. There was a similar feeling of “mostly Lincoln almost no Aaron” in the second half as well, it just presented differently since by then the letters were finished. There are other things, but that was really the main issue for me that kept me from feeling like I could really get into the book.
One this I did like is that the "men" in the title also includes Cora’s father. I thought that was a really sweet touch instead of making it solely about the two men she’d fallen in and out and back into love with. It gave closure to her childhood experiences and to their changing relationship as Cora grew more independent of Wes (aka, as she became an adult).
Unfortunately, this book just did not work for me.
I found that the way the plot was laid out was very odd, with letters from 2002 interspersed between chapters from 2000-2001, but those chapters were for Lincoln and the letters were for Aaron, who we hadn’t even met yet. It created a jarring experience rather than a mysterious one, for me at least. There was a similar feeling of “mostly Lincoln almost no Aaron” in the second half as well, it just presented differently since by then the letters were finished. There are other things, but that was really the main issue for me that kept me from feeling like I could really get into the book.
One this I did like is that the "men" in the title also includes Cora’s father. I thought that was a really sweet touch instead of making it solely about the two men she’d fallen in and out and back into love with. It gave closure to her childhood experiences and to their changing relationship as Cora grew more independent of Wes (aka, as she became an adult).
June 9, 2025
I don't think this book was for me. I had a really hard time connecting to any of the characters, Lincoln sucked the whole time, Aaron wasn't around enough for me to get attached, and Cora was a little frustrating at times. I did get more into it by part two, but that's 2/3 of the way through the book. I'm sure this is a great read for someone else, it just wasn't quite what I was going for.
May 24, 2025
5 ⭐️ alert - Be still my heart! This is my favorite romance I’ve read so far this year (and it will tough to beat if not impossible.) This book has it all - second chance loves (yes 2!), a coming of age story, friendships evolving over the years, depth, and some steamy scenes. I LOVED rooting for the protagonist Cora and her Dad is now my favorite fictional parent of all time. This comes out July 8th and I think will be a romance staple of the summer!
1999- Cora is a freshman in college and not quite sure of herself. She’s a Daddy’s girl since it’s just been the two of them for so long, sheltered in an affluent community where she was the only Black girl at her prep school. She’s determined to make something of herself in this new chapter of her life. She meets two amazing girlfriends which make her feel seen for the first time, but when she meets Lincoln, she’s unprepared for these feelings of love. They fall fast and hard, but a series of events threatens to break them apart. Cora then meets Aaron who gets her like never before- but how can she be in love with two men? Now it’s twenty years later and both Lincoln and Aaron are back in her life and like before, she doesn’t know who to choose.
This book dealt with some series topics (check out content warnings below) so well. This is Pride’s first solo book - I really enjoyed “We Are Not Like Them” that she coauthored with Jo Piazza, now she’s an auto-buy author for me. I loved the exploration of first loves growing with you vs apart. If you like richly drawn characters and coming of age stories, get this book this summer!
✨Content Warnings: Suicide, Abortion, Classism, Infidelity, Death of a Parent, Postpartum
✨Themes: Second Chances, Growth, First Loves, Friendship
✨You May Like This If You Enjoyed:
-Seven Days in June (Tia Williams)
-Maame (Jessica George)
1999- Cora is a freshman in college and not quite sure of herself. She’s a Daddy’s girl since it’s just been the two of them for so long, sheltered in an affluent community where she was the only Black girl at her prep school. She’s determined to make something of herself in this new chapter of her life. She meets two amazing girlfriends which make her feel seen for the first time, but when she meets Lincoln, she’s unprepared for these feelings of love. They fall fast and hard, but a series of events threatens to break them apart. Cora then meets Aaron who gets her like never before- but how can she be in love with two men? Now it’s twenty years later and both Lincoln and Aaron are back in her life and like before, she doesn’t know who to choose.
This book dealt with some series topics (check out content warnings below) so well. This is Pride’s first solo book - I really enjoyed “We Are Not Like Them” that she coauthored with Jo Piazza, now she’s an auto-buy author for me. I loved the exploration of first loves growing with you vs apart. If you like richly drawn characters and coming of age stories, get this book this summer!
✨Content Warnings: Suicide, Abortion, Classism, Infidelity, Death of a Parent, Postpartum
✨Themes: Second Chances, Growth, First Loves, Friendship
✨You May Like This If You Enjoyed:
-Seven Days in June (Tia Williams)
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February 17, 2025
i have a love/hate relationship with this book. . .
first off, it's written in a style i don't usually vibe well with (memoir/biography over contemporary romance) & i absolutely HATE (with a passion) one of the main characters. so whenever ~this~ person showed up i would be fuming & want to scream at the book (but like if that's what the author intended, mission accomplished!!)
that said, i still enjoyed this book. i was invested in the drama of it all & was extremely opinionated about it all, and i have to give christine cudos for that. i'm happy with how it ended & overall that it was a great book about first loves, college, finding yourself and leaping headfirst into what you really want.
thank you Atria Books & Netgalley for the arc! this is my honest review.
first off, it's written in a style i don't usually vibe well with (memoir/biography over contemporary romance) & i absolutely HATE (with a passion) one of the main characters. so whenever ~this~ person showed up i would be fuming & want to scream at the book (but like if that's what the author intended, mission accomplished!!)
that said, i still enjoyed this book. i was invested in the drama of it all & was extremely opinionated about it all, and i have to give christine cudos for that. i'm happy with how it ended & overall that it was a great book about first loves, college, finding yourself and leaping headfirst into what you really want.
thank you Atria Books & Netgalley for the arc! this is my honest review.
July 15, 2025
4.5⭐️
Such a sweet take on a love triangle lol. Cora’s journey of her first love and an unexpected love was done so well. I loved the friendship between Cora, Neisha, and Kim. I’m glad Cora chose who she chose. I do wish we got to see more from Aaron early on. Overall a great read!
Thankful for Atria Publishing to sending me a copy of this book!
Such a sweet take on a love triangle lol. Cora’s journey of her first love and an unexpected love was done so well. I loved the friendship between Cora, Neisha, and Kim. I’m glad Cora chose who she chose. I do wish we got to see more from Aaron early on. Overall a great read!
Thankful for Atria Publishing to sending me a copy of this book!
September 5, 2025
I adored this book. The romance, the character growth, the spanning of time—it was all perfection. I was so drawn to Cora and related to her so well. Her love with Lincoln is something I think we can all understand to an extent. That first love feeling is magic and Lincoln was wonderful. I think we can all relate to the love she felt with Aaron too. That love that comes out of nowhere and knocks the wind out of you.
Cora grappling with a decision at a second chance was also unique and added so much to the story. At first I didn’t love that it started with present day and Cora making this huge decision. I wondered if I was in a reality tv series where she was choosing between two men and it felt a little silly and superficial. But once we got into Cora’s past and learned her histories I was hooked.
Beyond just a romance, I was also enthralled with Cora’s story with her father and with her friends.
This book isn’t deserving enough hype and it cannot be missed.
I listened to this novel on audio and it was wonderful. The narrator was fantastic and her accents and different voices were perfection.
Thank you to Atria and Libro.fm for the copy!
Cora grappling with a decision at a second chance was also unique and added so much to the story. At first I didn’t love that it started with present day and Cora making this huge decision. I wondered if I was in a reality tv series where she was choosing between two men and it felt a little silly and superficial. But once we got into Cora’s past and learned her histories I was hooked.
Beyond just a romance, I was also enthralled with Cora’s story with her father and with her friends.
This book isn’t deserving enough hype and it cannot be missed.
I listened to this novel on audio and it was wonderful. The narrator was fantastic and her accents and different voices were perfection.
Thank you to Atria and Libro.fm for the copy!
July 31, 2025
“𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬”
This is the story I couldn’t wait to come back to booksta and gush about! Definitely gave ME “Whitley & Dwayne” vibes 🩶
If I had let the 3.44 GoodReads rating deter me I would’ve missed out on a simply fantastic story! I LOVED everything about this coming of age in the 2000s style story. The innocence of starting young first loves, discovering self, future, hopes, next steps… while transitioning to independence in college, trying to make sense of it all, finding a healthy balance, and ultimately making the right choices!
Cora and Lincoln were a hot MESS and I was completely enraptured by their longtime relationship. I loved their journey, their flaws and imperfections. Complicated relationships are the ones I find myself leaning towards more often. They take me on a crazy bumpy ride. Cora’s connection with Aaron was told differently and it was tender, and sealed by simple goodness, but it didn’t hit the same.
But, the greatest love Cora experienced was the strong love from Wes, hee father. He was ever present, fiercely supportive and integral in Cora’s life from the very beginning.
Cora’s perfectly perfect dad was the true of the show. Parenting goals! I pray to be half as loving and supportive as he was during my daughter’s college years 💕
Things slowed down in the last half and I wasn’t as in love with Cora’s later decisions, but I was still glued to the story. I was sick of Cora’s indecisiveness at times. I just felt she remained the same naive little girl, unable to commit to anyone without severely overthinking and wasting time.
My biggest takeaway was that as we grow and evolve, what may have worked for us before may not be what’s best for us later down the line. It’s completely acceptable to choose a new route in life. And that’s ok!
This was one of my favorite books of the summer, and of 2025 so far! 5 ⭐️ from both me & my baby girl!
This is the story I couldn’t wait to come back to booksta and gush about! Definitely gave ME “Whitley & Dwayne” vibes 🩶
If I had let the 3.44 GoodReads rating deter me I would’ve missed out on a simply fantastic story! I LOVED everything about this coming of age in the 2000s style story. The innocence of starting young first loves, discovering self, future, hopes, next steps… while transitioning to independence in college, trying to make sense of it all, finding a healthy balance, and ultimately making the right choices!
Cora and Lincoln were a hot MESS and I was completely enraptured by their longtime relationship. I loved their journey, their flaws and imperfections. Complicated relationships are the ones I find myself leaning towards more often. They take me on a crazy bumpy ride. Cora’s connection with Aaron was told differently and it was tender, and sealed by simple goodness, but it didn’t hit the same.
But, the greatest love Cora experienced was the strong love from Wes, hee father. He was ever present, fiercely supportive and integral in Cora’s life from the very beginning.
Cora’s perfectly perfect dad was the true of the show. Parenting goals! I pray to be half as loving and supportive as he was during my daughter’s college years 💕
Things slowed down in the last half and I wasn’t as in love with Cora’s later decisions, but I was still glued to the story. I was sick of Cora’s indecisiveness at times. I just felt she remained the same naive little girl, unable to commit to anyone without severely overthinking and wasting time.
My biggest takeaway was that as we grow and evolve, what may have worked for us before may not be what’s best for us later down the line. It’s completely acceptable to choose a new route in life. And that’s ok!
This was one of my favorite books of the summer, and of 2025 so far! 5 ⭐️ from both me & my baby girl!
January 14, 2025
All The Men I’ve Loved Again by Christine Pride is a heartfelt coming of age story. Rounding up to 3.5 ⭐️ on this one.
Cora goes off to college, meets her ride or die girlfriends and finally starts to come out of her shell and figure out who she is. She also falls in love for the first time with Lincoln, a charming southern boy. She experiences the highs and lows that life and love throw at us. Amid these surprises, secrets, and an unexpected family emergency, she meets Aaron who seems to totally get her. Cora finds herself in love with two men and must make a decision.
Fast forward twenty years and Cora is still single but finds herself reconnected with the same two men, trying to make the same agonizing decision. She must dig deep to figure out who she really is and what she really wants.
I enjoyed the story of Cora and her two big loves. Cora’s relationship with her dad was really something special too. It was a bit of a slow start for me but I really wasn’t sure how the story was going to play out which kept bringing me back. There did seem to be a lot of focus on Cora’s relationship with Lincoln and not as much about Aaron so that felt a little unbalanced.
Overall I would recommend this for a nostalgic feeling read about first love, fate, and second chances.
Thank you to Christine Pride, @atriabooks and Net Galley for the ARC in exchange of a honest review.
Cora goes off to college, meets her ride or die girlfriends and finally starts to come out of her shell and figure out who she is. She also falls in love for the first time with Lincoln, a charming southern boy. She experiences the highs and lows that life and love throw at us. Amid these surprises, secrets, and an unexpected family emergency, she meets Aaron who seems to totally get her. Cora finds herself in love with two men and must make a decision.
Fast forward twenty years and Cora is still single but finds herself reconnected with the same two men, trying to make the same agonizing decision. She must dig deep to figure out who she really is and what she really wants.
I enjoyed the story of Cora and her two big loves. Cora’s relationship with her dad was really something special too. It was a bit of a slow start for me but I really wasn’t sure how the story was going to play out which kept bringing me back. There did seem to be a lot of focus on Cora’s relationship with Lincoln and not as much about Aaron so that felt a little unbalanced.
Overall I would recommend this for a nostalgic feeling read about first love, fate, and second chances.
Thank you to Christine Pride, @atriabooks and Net Galley for the ARC in exchange of a honest review.
January 23, 2025
All The Men I’ve Loved Again follows the story of Cora as she navigates adulthood and relationships. While the blurb suggests that this is a romance love triangle, it’s more a solo journey for Cora in her self discovery.
The first half of the book flashes 20 years in the past. Cora arrives at college where she makes her two best, lifelong friends. Cora grew up in a single-parent (father) home, the only Black girl in her school and environment. As she enters her first trial of adulthood, she finds her footing, makes connections with other POC for the first time in her life, and experiences her first love. I absolutely loved the inner dialogue of Cora. She’s a brilliant but anxious individual that many will be able to relate with. I also enjoyed the 90s and early 2000s nostalgia included in the early chapters.
The second half of the book is focused on the present day when Cora chooses which man from her past she would like to pursue. It’s an interesting story showing how we individually change along with our relationships as we go through life.
The reason I didn’t love this story has more to do with the editorial process than the author. The letters included throughout the story were so difficult to read because of the formatting. I was not able to read at all on my kindle because of the sizing. When I switched to the Kindle app on my phone, I was able to read, but it was a hassle and I found myself dreading those sections of the book. My hope is that this will either be fixed by publication, or the print version will be void of these problems.
Overall, a fun and insightful read that is heavy on the character development! Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
The first half of the book flashes 20 years in the past. Cora arrives at college where she makes her two best, lifelong friends. Cora grew up in a single-parent (father) home, the only Black girl in her school and environment. As she enters her first trial of adulthood, she finds her footing, makes connections with other POC for the first time in her life, and experiences her first love. I absolutely loved the inner dialogue of Cora. She’s a brilliant but anxious individual that many will be able to relate with. I also enjoyed the 90s and early 2000s nostalgia included in the early chapters.
The second half of the book is focused on the present day when Cora chooses which man from her past she would like to pursue. It’s an interesting story showing how we individually change along with our relationships as we go through life.
The reason I didn’t love this story has more to do with the editorial process than the author. The letters included throughout the story were so difficult to read because of the formatting. I was not able to read at all on my kindle because of the sizing. When I switched to the Kindle app on my phone, I was able to read, but it was a hassle and I found myself dreading those sections of the book. My hope is that this will either be fixed by publication, or the print version will be void of these problems.
Overall, a fun and insightful read that is heavy on the character development! Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Read
March 9, 20253.5 stars- This felt a little like reading someone's diary but in third person. It definitely made me nostalgic for my college days. Cora takes us back to her time in college when she first fell in love with Lincoln. The first half of the novel is about her relationship with him and trying to fit in her new world, making friends, and finding connections. Cora grew up without a mom and often felt lonely as she was the only black girl at a private school that her dad taught at. In college she makes her first real friends and also falls in love. All is well until one day it isn't. Flash forward twenty years and Cora is in a similar situation that she was in her senior year of college. She has to decide if she will repeat history or forge a new path.
I did like this book and it definitely brought me back. There were many parts of the story I could relate to or knew people in similar situations. It was interesting to see what choices she made. There were parts that I did find a little slow and at times I was a little frustrated with Cora's choices. Overall I thought this was a solid novel. There were steamy parts but I don't know that I would call this romance. To me it was more about understanding yourself and what you want in life.
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for this ARC.
I did like this book and it definitely brought me back. There were many parts of the story I could relate to or knew people in similar situations. It was interesting to see what choices she made. There were parts that I did find a little slow and at times I was a little frustrated with Cora's choices. Overall I thought this was a solid novel. There were steamy parts but I don't know that I would call this romance. To me it was more about understanding yourself and what you want in life.
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for this ARC.
July 28, 2025
Thank you for the gifted copies, Atria books & Simon audio!
Imagine being in love with the same two men who won your heart in your early 20s... and then again in your 40s! That's the impossible situation Cora finds herself in. Sounds interesting, right?
I absolutely devoured this coming-of-age, second-chance romance. I loved how Christine Pride explored Cora's journey of self-discovery and defining her own path. We see her bond with her first true best friends in college and concurrently fall for Lincoln, her first love. Their relationship is passionate and tumultuous as they both try to figure out their place in the world. During a rough patch, she meets Aaron and feels an immediate connection, but the timing just isn't right.
Fast forward 20 years, and Cora unexpectedly reunites with both college loves. It was fascinating to watch her navigate her feelings for Lincoln and Aaron in her 40s, contemplating how she truly wanted to live her life based on her desires, not someone else's expectations.
And can we talk about Cora's dad, Wes? He was my favorite character! I absolutely adore when books depict father figures who exemplify true fatherhood.
This book beautifully explores the intricate aspects of belonging, self-love, self-worth, first love, and being authentically true to yourself.
What I didn't understand, though, is why Aaron got his own chapters but not Lincoln. I would have loved to have both POVs from them.
Imagine being in love with the same two men who won your heart in your early 20s... and then again in your 40s! That's the impossible situation Cora finds herself in. Sounds interesting, right?
I absolutely devoured this coming-of-age, second-chance romance. I loved how Christine Pride explored Cora's journey of self-discovery and defining her own path. We see her bond with her first true best friends in college and concurrently fall for Lincoln, her first love. Their relationship is passionate and tumultuous as they both try to figure out their place in the world. During a rough patch, she meets Aaron and feels an immediate connection, but the timing just isn't right.
Fast forward 20 years, and Cora unexpectedly reunites with both college loves. It was fascinating to watch her navigate her feelings for Lincoln and Aaron in her 40s, contemplating how she truly wanted to live her life based on her desires, not someone else's expectations.
And can we talk about Cora's dad, Wes? He was my favorite character! I absolutely adore when books depict father figures who exemplify true fatherhood.
This book beautifully explores the intricate aspects of belonging, self-love, self-worth, first love, and being authentically true to yourself.
What I didn't understand, though, is why Aaron got his own chapters but not Lincoln. I would have loved to have both POVs from them.
April 13, 2025
Maybe closer to 3.5 stars - there were some parts that I really felt moved by and some parts that felt like they drug on forever. It felt like Aaron came out of the blue and we didn’t really get to know his character.
Thank you to Goodreads giveaway, Atria books, and Simon & Schuster for this ARC version in exchange for an honest review!
Thank you to Goodreads giveaway, Atria books, and Simon & Schuster for this ARC version in exchange for an honest review!
January 11, 2025
Took a bit to get into. Would have loved less Lincoln and more Aaron but I also understand the importance of Lincoln and Cora’s story. I would have also liked to see more of the Now part of her story, the end felt rushed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
August 3, 2025Really cute and extremely fun to read knowing the author (subtle brag). I loved that this transcended the romance genre and focused on so many more beautiful relationships that weren’t romantic. It’s a story of friendship, family, and following your heart !!! Won’t give it a star rating because Christine Pride hates a star rating …. But loved reading her !
January 28, 2025
Took me awhile to get into this one, and in the end, parts of this were really good, parts of this were just okay. I do love a love triangle and it was fun to watch these characters change into adulthood. Also loved all the DC settings!! True DMV representation <3
Thank you for the ARC!
Thank you for the ARC!
August 21, 2025
Very well written book on what love means and how it changes as you change
June 18, 2025
2.5 ★
This one took a bit longer to get into for me. I had to stop and start a lot. There were many moments the main character felt younger than she was at the time but it wasn’t the biggest turn off.
It just took a bit longer to get into the book. It does eventually pick up about halfway through however, especially with the description of the book I kind of expected more of a love triangle vibe but one of the guys was not in the story nearly as much as I expected.
It also felt like there was a lot of unnecessary points in the book that didn’t really move the story forward or help with development of any character.
I did like the flashbacks and seeing how Cora’s relationships with others in her life developed though. Honestly those plot lines in the book made it more redeemable and interesting for me than the love interests.
Thank you to Atria books and NetGalley for the chance to read an advance copy of this book!
This one took a bit longer to get into for me. I had to stop and start a lot. There were many moments the main character felt younger than she was at the time but it wasn’t the biggest turn off.
It just took a bit longer to get into the book. It does eventually pick up about halfway through however, especially with the description of the book I kind of expected more of a love triangle vibe but one of the guys was not in the story nearly as much as I expected.
It also felt like there was a lot of unnecessary points in the book that didn’t really move the story forward or help with development of any character.
I did like the flashbacks and seeing how Cora’s relationships with others in her life developed though. Honestly those plot lines in the book made it more redeemable and interesting for me than the love interests.
Thank you to Atria books and NetGalley for the chance to read an advance copy of this book!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 23, 2025
I'm dealing with wild fires and political upheaval. I turned to this book for something "light and distracting." I read it when I should have been working. The author makes ordinary human experiences like adulting, meeting your besties, and falling in love so interesting. I also loved Cora's sense of humor and her struggle to make the "right" choice.
January 10, 2025
Loved this novel!!!!! This was a unique spin on the love triangle plot in the way the author used timeline and unique storytelling for the second love interest’s story to unfold. Intentionally being vague so that the reader can enjoy the way this unfolded as I did reading it the first time. I will certainly be looking forward to what comes next from Ms. Pride!!! 5/5!!!!
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