Meryl Wilsner is a new to me author. This book was suggested via Net Galley. After reading the blurb, I requested to read.

Let’s start with the positive. The author is a good writer. What you read from the blurb is actually how the story goes. Most blurbs are spoilerish, but the theme behind STTA was must right.

I really enjoyed both characters in different ways. Everyone should have an Emma as an assistant and Jo as a boss.

Although as I mention above is good, and usually I don’t mind a slow burn, but here was a bit much for my liking. There was too much non verbal communication and it was driving me a bit crazy. Most times there was too much fillers that didn’t need to be in the book.

Also, the third person voices was confusing at times even though each chapter was named by each character name.

I haven’t read f/f in awhile, but I would have like more of a romantic aspect.


*An ARC was provided via Net Galley

This one was okay. It wasn't my favorite and it was also my first F/F book, and its probably my last. I just couldn't get into the stories or the characters didn't excite me. But I will say that the authors writing was really good.

I am always on the lookout for good F/F romances and this one was wonderful! I was concerned about the boss/assistant relationship but she handled it super well and I was so happy when they finally got together. The only downside was sometimes Emma's personality was inconsistent, but otherwise I really liked everything from the cover, to the romance, to the set up!

Librarian: In the last 10 years LGBT romances have exploded across the YA market. A whole generation of teen readers have gotten used to having romances as diverse as they are. Well now those teenagers are growing up, and they want that same level of diversity in the adult romances they read. "Something
to Talk About' is a good one to hand them. It's as much frothy fun as any other Hollywood romance on the market, and it has at least some of the diverse content that the upcoming generation of adult romance readers have come to expect.
Reader: This one made me smile right from the first page. I only read romance sporadically, but I was in the mood for something lighter. This delivered. It hit all the beats I was expecting it to, but that was perfectly alright with me. Jo and Emma are adorable and a good Hollywood romance can be a real pleasure.

Something to Talk About is mostly fun. I appreciated that the power imbalance was addressed, but something didn't quite work for me, and I'm finding it hard to pin down what it was. I think for me slow burn romances are most enjoyable when there is pining involved early on, but there was a lot of the characters not realizing or not letting themselves have feelings or desires.

This book was an interesting look into the workings of Hollywood while also being a romance. I enjoyed the shifting perspectives between Emma and Jo since it gives us insight into their inner lives. I also enjoyed the little bits of gossip and the tabloid highlights that peppered their lives because it is a reality of celebrity life. Jo a child star turned writer and show runner is familiar with the tabloids running with any story finds herself the headline when she takes her assistant with her to an awards show and a picture of the two of them together set tongues wagging. Emma her assistant is not at all accustomed to the spotlight and finds herself the subject of speculation which is not at all comfortable for her. Calling attention to herself is the last thing that Emma wants and having the world believe that she's in a relationship with her boss is not exactly the type of career move that Emma desires. A picture is worth a thousand words Emma and Jo find themselves wondering if there really isn't something there when they do see the photos of them together but with all of the lights on them can they really have the relationship that they both want without the loud headlines (and families) butting in.

The power disparaty, on multiple points, between the two mains colored my enjoyment too much for me to really recommend this title.

Emma is Jo's assistant, and she's very good at her job. Perhaps too good, because rumors start to spread that Jo and Emma are dating. Jo tries to convince Emma that "no comment" is the best course of action, but things spiral out of control quickly and the rumors will not die down. It doesn't help that someone on set is clearly leaking information to fuel the fire. Emma and Jo may have feelings for each other, after all, but how can they be together if it could destroy both of their careers?

I enjoyed every moment of reading this book. It was so fun, and it took on some very relevant issues that are going on in Hollywood. The diversity in this book is nice, as well: Jo is a Chinese American woman who is a lesbian, and Emma is a Jewish woman who is bisexual. I'm delighted that this book is written by a queer author, as well. I don't have any complaints at all about this book, except that it ended too soon.

This was very cute, and had a great plot and characters I really enjoyed, but it was VERY slow-burn. Loads of build up and anticipation, very little denouement. After being in these characters' heads through all the trials, tribulations, and angst, I wanted way more time spent on the ending result!

I've been waiting for this one and it did not disappoint! Wilsner's debut is a fun, queer take on workplace romance, rumor-fueled romance, and a delightful, tortuously slow burn. I'm always a little wary of significant age and power differences in romance, but the way perspective switched between Jo and Emma and the way Wilsner addressed the issues on the page made this work for me. Good chemistry, interesting setting, great supporting characters. I can't wait to recommend this one and to see what Wilsner does next!

Emma is the 27 year-old assistant of Shonda Rhimes-like Jo Jones, a former child actress who has cultivated and runs a massive production company. Emma is superb at her job, and Jo's life certainly runs more smoothly thanks to Emma. But maybe it's more than just smooth running thanks to Emma.... Rumors of a relationship between boss and assistant crop up after Emma innocently accompanies Jo to the SAG Awards. As the two work through their feelings-- denial and finally slow acceptance-- a relationship based in knowing-one-another intimacy blossoms.

Something to Talk About really reads like slow-burn fanfiction, and I'm 1000% okay with that! I do wish, though, that it were narrated in first-person rather than third-person, but that is just a personal preference.

Diverse reads: Jo is Chinese-American.
LGBTQIA+: Jo is a lesbian, and Emma is bi.

BONUS: A queer author writer writing a queer romance! (In the "about the author," it states that Meryl is married to a woman and uses they/them/their pronouns. More queer romances by queer authors, please and thank you!

Nice relationship type of story that drags a bit at parts but overall a nice pace with a final ending that satisfies.

Most of the book is about the ethics/power dynamics of their relationship which is good! I read a lot of romances where the consent is in some way dubious and/or coerced that it's nice to read a romance where the relationship is indisputably morally correct. I actually have a lot of thoughts about this issue that don't necessarily belong in this review but suffice it to say that I do think it's fun to sometimes read about "bad" sex that would be wrong IRL but so much romance from the past is full of that that it's nice to read something that has really thought about those issues and is trying to present a healthy, mature, ethical dynamic. I would be sad if all romances went this route but the genre has certainly not overcorrected yet.

Well, that was adorable. A very sweet, slow-burn Hollywood romance. I was initially nervous about the power dynamic between an older boss and her younger assistant, but Jo (the boss) is extremely conscious and careful. Frustratingly so, at times!

This is a story about learning to speak up for yourself and going after what you want. At any age. I hope we’ll get to see Emma and Jo again in future books.

I really enjoyed the book. It's high time more money was put into f/f romance, and this will definitely help the genre open up more to queer characters and writers. The writing style was descriptive and funny, and offered a close glimpse into the characters' minds, which is important for contemporary romance! I loved how the romance developed between Emma and Jo, and thought that Wilsner did a great job with plotting and characterization.

I also loved how serious topics were handled by Wilsner. Emma's experience working as a PA, and being propositioned by a top-tier director ring true for a lot of people who work in the industry, and the topic was handled very well.

It's also a fast read! I read it in a day, and will certainly be talking about it for days to come. Thanks for the opportunity!

I will definitely be acquiring the book, and recommending it to library patrons.

I absolutely adored this book! I started reading it and did not stop until I'd finished. The Hollywood film & TV backdrop means that this book is tons of fun, but it is also filled with heart -- not just between Emma and Jo, but also in their relationships with their families and friends. This book is an excellent slow burn -- like the very best rom-coms, Emma and Jo don't get together until the very end. But when they do, it is even more satisfying than I imagined it'd be.

Every since I heard about this book for the first time, I have been dying to read it. I loved every single second of this very slow, slow burn. My hopes for this book were sky high and it met every single one of them. I can't wait to read everything Meryl Wilsner writes for the rest of their life.