Camille Kellogg’s second novel, “The Next Chapter,” delivers a tender yet complex exploration of love, authenticity, and the courage to choose happiness over safety. Following her debut “Just as You Are,” Kellogg once again demonstrates her remarkable ability to craft queer romances that feel both deeply personal and universally relatable. This latest offering serves as a loving homage to “Notting Hill” while carving out its own distinctive identity in contemporary LGBTQ+ literature.
The Heart of the Story: Two Women at Crossroads
The novel centers on Katrina Kelly, a former child star whose career peaked with the “Spy Pigs” franchise before crashing to a halt when her teen show “P.R.O.M.” was canceled. Now twenty-four and financially struggling, Kat finds herself desperately seeking reinvention as a “Serious Adult Actress.” Her path crosses with Jude Thacker, a butch bookseller managing The Next Chapter, a queer feminist bookstore in the West Village that serves as both sanctuary and potential trap.
Kellogg excels at creating characters who feel authentically flawed and relatable. Kat’s journey of self-discovery resonates particularly strongly—her late-night Google searches about her sexuality (“how do I know if I’m bi or gay?”) capture the awkward, vulnerable reality of questioning one’s identity in adulthood. Meanwhile, Jude’s struggle with anxiety and her reluctance to leave her comfort zone makes her equally compelling. The author skillfully avoids the trap of making either character’s problems feel trivial or easily solved.
A Masterclass in Fake Dating Done Right
What begins as a calculated publicity stunt evolves into something far more meaningful. Kat’s manager, Jocelyn, orchestrates a plan to rebrand Kat as openly queer, with Jude as the perfect “normal” girlfriend to ease her into the spotlight. The fake dating trope, often criticized for being unrealistic, finds new life in Kellogg’s hands through her nuanced understanding of celebrity culture and the genuine emotional stakes involved.
The progression from performance to real feelings feels organic rather than forced. Kellogg captures the delicate dance of two people falling in love while navigating the complications of fame, family expectations, and personal growth. The media scrutiny that intensifies around their relationship serves as both external conflict and catalyst for internal change.
Writing Style: Accessible Yet Sophisticated
Kellogg’s prose strikes an impressive balance between accessibility and literary sophistication. Her writing style mirrors the contemporary romance genre while elevating it through sharp character observations and genuine emotional depth. The dual POV structure allows readers to experience both Kat’s celebrity anxiety and Jude’s small-business pressures with equal clarity.
The author’s background in children’s and young adult publishing serves her well here—she understands how to build tension and release it at precisely the right moments. Her dialogue feels natural and unforced, particularly in the quieter moments between Kat and Jude as they discover shared literary tastes and emotional vulnerabilities.
Themes That Resonate: Identity, Authenticity, and Chosen Family
The Cost of Fame
Kellogg doesn’t shy away from examining the darker aspects of celebrity culture, particularly its impact on child performers. Kat’s experiences with manipulative directors, restrictive contracts, and public scrutiny feel painfully authentic. The novel’s treatment of eating disorders and anxiety provides important representation while avoiding exploitation of these serious issues.
Finding Your Voice
Both protagonists struggle with agency in their own lives—Kat with her manipulative manager Jocelyn, and Jude with her fear of change following her mother’s death. Their relationship becomes a catalyst for each woman to claim her own voice and make decisions based on personal happiness rather than external expectations.
Chosen Family and Community
The bookstore serves as more than just a setting; it represents the power of chosen family. Jude’s relationships with her coworkers Rhys, Talia, and L.J. provide warmth and humor while demonstrating the importance of queer community spaces. These supporting characters feel fully realized rather than merely functional.
Areas for Consideration
While “The Next Chapter” succeeds admirably in most areas, some elements feel less fully developed. The Broadway subplot involving Richard Gottlieb’s experimental play provides important context for Kat’s professional struggles but occasionally feels disconnected from the main romance. The pacing sometimes slows during these theatrical interludes, though they serve important thematic purposes.
Additionally, while Jocelyn makes for an effective antagonist, her motivations could be explored more deeply. Her relationship with Kat spans thirteen years, yet we get limited insight into how their dynamic became so toxic. A deeper exploration of this professional relationship might have strengthened the novel’s examination of power and agency.
Character Development That Convinces
Kellogg’s greatest strength lies in character development. Both Kat and Jude undergo meaningful growth without losing their essential personalities. Kat’s journey from people-pleasing performer to someone who can quit a terrible play mid-rehearsal feels earned rather than convenient. Similarly, Jude’s evolution from someone paralyzed by grief and anxiety to someone willing to take professional risks demonstrates authentic character progression.
The supporting cast adds richness without overwhelming the central romance. Rhys, Talia, and L.J. each have distinct voices and contribute meaningfully to both plot and theme. Even minor characters like Kat’s former co-star Madelyn feel dimensional rather than purely functional.
The Verdict: A Romance That Delivers
“The Next Chapter” succeeds as both a satisfying romance and a thoughtful examination of contemporary queer life. Kellogg demonstrates growth as a writer while maintaining the warmth and authenticity that made her debut successful. The novel tackles serious themes without losing its essential optimism, creating a reading experience that feels both entertaining and meaningful.
Comparable Reads
Readers who enjoyed this novel might appreciate:
- “Beach Read” by Emily Henry – For its blend of romance and professional/creative struggles
- “Red: A Love Story” by Gigi Griffis – Another contemporary lesbian romance with authentic emotional depth
- “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” by Taylor Jenkins Reid – For its exploration of celebrity culture and queer identity
- “Dream On, Ramona Riley” by Ashley Herring Blake – Small-town romance with excellent character development
- “Something Wild & Wonderful” by Anita Kelly – Outdoor adventure romance with thoughtful LGBTQ+ representation
Final Thoughts: A Love Letter to Self-Discovery
“The Next Chapter” works on multiple levels—as a romance, as a meditation on identity, and as a celebration of queer community. Kellogg has crafted a novel that honors its genre conventions while pushing them in new directions. The result is a book that feels both comfortingly familiar and refreshingly original.
For readers seeking contemporary romance with substance, authentic queer representation, and characters worth caring about, “The Next Chapter” delivers exactly what its title promises: a new beginning filled with possibility and hope. Kellogg continues to establish herself as a significant voice in LGBTQ+ romance, creating stories that entertain while affirming the transformative power of love—both romantic and platonic.
This is a book that reminds us that sometimes the most radical act is simply choosing to be happy, to prioritize our own well-being, and to believe that we deserve love exactly as we are. In a literary landscape often dominated by angst and trauma, “The Next Chapter” offers something equally valuable: joy, hope, and the promise that our stories don’t end with our mistakes—they begin with our courage to try again.
