Here I Go Again

A Novel

By: Jen Lancaster

Narrated by: Jen Lancaster

Length: 9 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

The second novel from the New York Times best-selling author of If You Were Here takes us back to the hair metal '80's.

Twenty years after ruling the halls of her suburban Chicago high school, Lissy Ryder doesn't understand why her glory days ended. Back then, she was worshipped...beloved...feared. Present day, not so much. She's been pink-slipped from her high-paying job, dumped by her husband and kicked out of her condo. Now, at 37, she's struggling to start a business out of her parents' garage and sleeping under the hair-band posters in her old bedroom.

Lissy finally realizes karma is the only bitch bigger than she was. Her present is miserable because of her past. But it's not like she can go back in time and change who she was...or can she?

©2013 Jen Lancaster (P)2013 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"Turns out Jen Lancaster, who was already a master of memoir, is a genius at fiction." (Beth Harbison, New York Times best-selling author of Shoe Addicts Anonymous)

"Jen Lancaster has the kind of scathing wit that makes you wish she was your best friend but thankful she’s not your new neighbor." (Carrie Ryan, New York Times best-selling author of the Forest of Hands and Teeth Series)

Audio is strange

I enjoyed the book but the audio quality is odd. Her voice sounds deeper and slower than it should and speeding it up didn't help.

Only for Lancaster Fans

Would you listen to Here I Go Again again? Why?

Probably. I love Jen Lancaster's spunk and I always get a kick out of how her snarky commentary comes through her characters.

Have you listened to any of Jen Lancaster’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Her non-fiction and personal stories are way better. They're much more snappy and often make me laugh aloud when listening to them.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

It was a silly, lighthearted plot that was fun to listen to when I had an entire floor to tile. It was easy to follow, and I enjoyed myself. I would read this again on a rainy day for sure.

Any additional comments?

Think of this book like a made-for-tv movie: don't watch an ABC Family movie if you're looking for an A-List epic. It's got that teenage John Hughes / It's a Wonderful Life thing going on which is great if, like me, you love those random movies on the Disney Channel.

Phew!

I had to make it through the early part - a main character I could despise, then learn to love. It is a good story and Jen is humorous as always. thanks for making me laugh.

For die hard Jen fans

I got this despite some negative reviews since this is Jen L's first foray into fiction (I believe). I confess, it is kind of rough for her first effort, but if you like Jen's memoir's there may be enough to reel you in here. The story has been done before, but this is her take on it, which is fine.

I disagree with those saying she shouldn't read her own books. I enjoy Jen's voice and cadence.

It's sort of like C to C+ level Jen. Don't let this be the first Jen book you read, but if you are a fan you'll enjoy it.

Fascinating!

I absolutely LOVED this book! It is so interesting and very hard to put down! I think it's her best book yet!!

Entertaining Read

I really enjoyed this book. I've been a fan of Ms. Lancaster since the beginning, but her fiction books have always been a bit lacking. I found this story light and enjoyable. My only "complaint" is that there wasn't a epilogue to bring some loose ends together. But, that leaves it open for a sequel!

I listened to this on Audible and I did struggle with the performance. It was read by the author, but I swear they altered her voice. I've listened to her podcasts, I watch her Instagram stories and I listened to the audio book of "Stories I Told In Bars". This was NOT her regular voice - and it really bothered me for the first few chapters!

Different than expected

When I bought the book, I thought I was buying another memoir of Jen Lancaster's, however, this is purely fictional. It was an interesting twist on a high school reunion book and I enjoyed her sense of humor as with all of her novels. It's also a pleasure being able to have her narrate the book.

Great story line, very different

loved the story line, loved Jen's (author) dialog. Not crazy about her reading it. I like when she reads her own stuff but not so great for a novel

Jen does it again!

Like all of Jen Lancaster’s books, this one is full of witty humor that no one else does quite like her! Entertainment from start to end! It’s a great story for fun, no-thought-required enjoyment!

Love Jen... but please, please don't narrate

What did you like best about Here I Go Again? What did you like least?

Maybe it is a good story, maybe not... unless I buy the print version I will never really know as I couldn't listen to you Jen.
Maybe it is because the narrator of your other books was good, maybe it was you were only bad in comparison.

Hey, I have always liked your writing in the past. Maybe just spend the bucks and get a good narrator.