There were a lot of the common romcom tropes, but Solomon somehow made it feel fresh and exciting. There’s the enemies-to-lovers, forced proximity storyline, but instead of fake dating it’s fake... exes?

Shay and Dominic are two of the more likeable characters I’ve read in a long time. Their humor and chemistry felt believable. They communicated well. Shay’s narration was so natural, nothing ever felt forced.

I loved the diversity and representation in the characters, the PNW setting, all of the NPR references, the discussions of grief, the dismantling of sexism in the workplace. The creation of my new favorite acronym: WWAMWMD (iykyk)

What do you get when you combine forbidden love, enemies to lovers, and fake dating (well, fake breaking up)? First, my top three romance tropes. And second, the perfection that is The Ex Talk.

The Ex Talk is Rachel Lynn Solomon's first romcom and once you're done reading it, you'll be impatiently waiting for her to write another, just like me. Not only did Rachel perfectly meld multiple tropes, she layered in so many facets of life that are sure to tug at at least one of your own.

The book centers on 29 year old Shay Goldstein, public radio producer and former station rising star and 24 year old Dominic Yun, owner of a new Master's degree in Journalism and new station rising star. They don't like each other, but when the station needs a new show, it's their snippy interactions that gets them chosen to host a new show about dating... from the perspective of two exes that stayed friends. Except they never dated. They're not even friends.

Shay and Dominic are perfect together. Their push and pull, tentativeness and openness, make for a swoon worthy romance. But what truly makes this book shine, in my opinion, is all the moments in between the swooning. It's real life. It's questioning how to find your place in the adult world after college or how to know if you've made the right life decisions as you creep up on thirty. It's learning how to find and keep friends when you have jobs and relationships. How to deal with grief and watching your parent move on with their life after loss. Side note: if you know me, you might know that I am horrible with book quotes and remembering ones that strike me. So, it's saying something that this book actually got me to make note of a quote on grief after that quote made me cry.

I'm still in that post book haze. You know, that one that has you just sighing after you finish a book because not only did it make you feel good, it did a good job just making you feel? So, I hope I'm doing the book justice here. I literally laughed, cried, sighed, and had a ball of nerves in my stomach reading The Ex Talk and I loved every minute of it. I hope you do too.

The Ex-Talk, which releases next Tuesday, January 26, is a fun take on romcom fiction that fans of Penny Reid and Talia Hibbert will undoubtedly fall in love with.
Shay and Dominic are co-workers at a public radio station. Shay has been there for ten years, but Dominic just recently graduated with his Master's and started working there. They regularly disagree and would not consider themselves friends. When the show that Shay has been producing for years comes to an end, a new show needs to start in it's place, and it's decided the Ex-Talk is just the thing...with Shay and Dominic hosting as if they are exes talking about what didn't work and helping others figure out their relationships as well. After working so closely together and getting to know each other on a fairly intimate level, things start to spiral out of control...on many levels.
#TheExTalk #NetGalley

I loved several things about this book, including the impeccable pacing and the development of the romance. I am ambivalent about white writers writing romance with non white leads, given how difficult it is for non white authors to get their own stories published. That issue aside, it's cost that Solomon is an has an excellent grasp of her craft.

This book is beautifully written and flows incredibly well. While I usually love a dual POV, this single POV is strong on its own. Shay is very mature and I loved seeing her story play out.

The chemistry was palpable from the first scene. The steamy scenes in this book were wonderful and enhanced the relationship between the characters.

This will be one of my new go to recommendations for romcom lovers!

A cute book with a different environment needed in adult romances--enemies to lovers at a public radio station, and not some corporate office/ newspaper/ ad agency, etc.--and growing diversity (Korean-American male protagonist, Indian-American best friend). Shay and Dominic don't quite have the bitter rivalry going on that Rowan and Neil have in "Today Tonight Tomorrow" (a YA romance which I LOVED), but it's a trope that's always my favorite. In the middle of the sweetness, there are issues regarding grief and moving on (like with Shay's dad, and Shay's career in general). And I always have much respect for third-base encounters, LOL. Looking forward to "We Can't Keep Meeting Like This" in June!

Shay Goldstein lives in the pacific northwest, Seattle to be exact, and has worked as a producer for public radio for ten years. While those close to her are making big life changes, Shay is starting to feel a little left out and lonely. At a meeting centered around generating new and innovative ideas to up their listeners, Shay pitches the idea of Ex Talk, where exes deliver advice over the radio while simultaneously criticizing their own past relationship. While Shay's boss seems intrigued, the new employee Dominic is not a fan. Dominic is fresh out of graduate school and has many ideas about public radio. His cocky attitude and arrogant manner immediately set Shay on edge and as the two exchange thoughts in a most decidedly hostile manner, Shay's boss decides that as the pair already fight much like exes and although they have never dated, should host the show. While not immediately enthusiastic about the idea, Shay also knows that layoffs in the company are imminent and she has had a lifelong dream of hosting a show. She decides to give it a go on a six month trial basis however the show becomes an instant hit for the station. Will the pair be able to pull off the charade or will their undeniable chemistry lead to something more?

Rachel Solomon's first foray into adult fiction is a resounding success. Solomon expertly combines the fake dating/enemies to lovers tropes with a podcast/public radio workplace premise that fits together seamlessly to create a unique and fun romance. Readers are treated to a realistic view of how working within media happens, with plenty of insight into the struggles and antics along the way. The romance itself was expertly crafted to slow burn perfection and evenly space out till the end. Full of snappy, witty banter and plenty of fun loving characters, The Ex Talk is a delight from beginning to end that is well worth the read.

Thank you so much @BerkleyRomance & @NetGalley for giving me this eARC in exchange for my honest and unbiased review (Release Date | 26 January 2021)

SYNOPSIS | Shay Goldstein has worked in public radio for the past 10 years as a producer but when the station announces that it is struggling, she comes up with an idea called The Ex Talk (essentially a relationship talk show hosted by Ex's). The only problem is that she hasn't actually dated anyone at the station so her work rival (Dominic) gets assigned to be her co-host and instead of fake dating... they have to pretend to have fake broken up

WHAT I LIKED:
- the banter between Shay & Dominic was *chefs kiss* ESPECIALLY on their show
- the entire concept of fake breaking up is a great spin on the fake dating trope
- the steamy scenes
- I am a sucker for the whole forced proximity trope too which this did beautifully
- an altogether extremely charming romance

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
- that Shay was referenced multiple times as being "tiny" & "cute" at 5'2". There are enough pocket sized women in romances & I would prefer to see more average-sized representation.

The Ex Talk is definitely one of my new favorite contemporary romance books! This is the fake dating story of my dreams and every page was just so good. The two main characters work together at a radio station and must pretend that they're exes for a podcast all about relationships. It was such a unique take on one of my favorite tropes. This rom-com has so much heart and I honestly laughed and cried along with the characters. It's about big dreams, grief, changing relationships, and following your passions. This book is also an #OwnVoices novel that features a Jewish main character, Shay Goldstein, and she might be one of my all time favorite characters? She is just so realistic, messy, smart, complicated, and unapologetic for working to get what she wants.

Are you new to the romance genre? This is a perfect book to pick up if you haven't read many (or any) romances before. It's approachable, features two main characters you'll instantly root for, and it has a really interesting plot hook!

My OH MY guys. I REALLY loved this book!! A hate to love, forced proximity, office romance?!?! Yes please ma’am!!

Here’s what I loved:
🎙The best banter I’ve read in a while! I loved when they were going back and forth on air together. Their connection was palpable and I was here for it.
🎙Shay was such a great character. Strong and hard working. Her growth through the book was inspiring.
🎙Dominic. Holy hotness. This guy was dreamy. And, NO JOKE, when he went antiquing my panties melted right off... 🩲
🎙The is a ONE BED situation and you know how I like that.... Also the steam was perfection 🔥
🎙Lots of race, gender, orientation representation!!!
🎙All of the parents. Just loved them.

Long story short. If you like great banter (and who doesn’t?) and office romance - just read it!! Thank you @berkley for the #gifted ebook in exchange for my honest review!

This was such a fun rom com. It was an enemies to lovers and fake dating all in one. I loved the fresh take on the fake dating trope as they had to fake they had previously dated and are now just friends cohosting a show. Their banter had me literally laughing out loud, I didn’t want to put it down. The tension and chemistry between them at the beginning was so big I was waiting for it to burst. And I think the amount of steam backed it up nicely.

While I loved the funny moments between the MC I really appreciated that they talked about some serious topic as well. A main theme throughout was learning to live after the loss of a love one and I really liked how it blended in with the upbeat rom com. A public radio setting isn’t one I read very often, and I think the podcast transcripts fit perfectly throughout. I want to listen to more podcasts after reading this book. I loved everything about it and Dominic is a new book boyfriend.

Exceptionally cute and interesting with a solid romance to boot! Loved the podcast angle, which felt very accurate.

This is such a real life romance - workspace -enemies-to-lovers -fake relationship. I just loved this book- all the 5 stars for this one. Add in public radio- NPR lovers this is just wonderful. Shay has worked at the station for ten years and Dominic is new with this grad school degree, they have to prove they want the job and make a fake relationship out of a made up relationship for a new show live and podcast. Shay is also 5 years older- which yes!!!
They have chemistry that just is sizzling that changes with a weekend overnight work trip.

The flow is just perfect with great banter, drama with side characters, friends and family understanding, diverse characters, and workplace drama. Add in WWAMWMD - which I use with my BFF all the time and well I feel in love with this book, author and can't wait for more of this author.

5 stars
3.5 steam

When I first got this book I couldn't figure out why it was taking me so long to pick up The Ex Talk. When I finally did pick it up though I realized that this was one of those books that had to be read at the right moment.

I devoured this book from the moment I started it one weekend. I absolutely adored this book. I have no complaints about this book at all and Rachel Lynn Solomon has become one of my favorite authors. I will read anything by her now, especially since her last book too. I was super excited that this was her first romance book. And I was even more excited to see that it was an enemies to lovers trope and that it featured around journalism which was my field of study in college. Except I majored in newspaper, not radio. I still loved that aspect though.

The Ex Talk was my first five star rating of the year and I was very pleased that it was. Thank you Netgalley and publishers for allowing me the chance to read and review this book. And thank you to the author, Rachel Lynn Solomon for gifting me the eARC copy of this through the giveaway on Twitter. My thoughts and opinions are my own.

Stupid premise that lacks basis in reality, with a whiney heroine. Basic writing that feels summarized.

I enjoyed this rom-com! The banter, the public radio fun, and the lovely characters made this book so great to read.

First, I want to point out how much I loved that this book "centered around" public radio and podcasts. I had a lot of fun learning more about public radio and seeing our main characters go through their podcasting/radio experiences. I think these experiences made the book a lot of fun! I feel like I don't get to read about radio/podcast hosts enough so I was so happy to be able to read about them here. And falling in love nonetheless!

The romance in this book was great. Dominic was such a doll. He initially brought some brooding and strictness to the relationship which contrasted beautifully with Shay and her passion and heart for radio. I was really wanting to snatch Dominic up for myself. Master's degree and all. It was also infuriatingly wonderful how they both thought they knew what each person wanted. It led to some angst and slow-burn-ness, which I'm all for.

Similar to TODAY, TONIGHT, TOMORROW, Solomon points out some cases of sexism as seen in the workplace. I loved the strong females featured in this book and how they were more than willing to stand up for what was right and how things should have been handled.

The one thing that I didn't like, and that caused me to give this a lower rating than I was initially going to, was the ending. Something was off for me. I felt like things were resolved without really being discussed or talked about. It seemed like the true conflict resolution was sacrificed for a big, romantic gesture. I was pretty disappointed by the ending to say the least.

Despite the ending, I enjoyed the rest of the book. I can't wait to read what else Solomon writes as I've loved her two books so far.

Flawlessly imperfect and totally relatable, The Ex Talk was everything I was looking for in a novel for early 2021. Steamy, perfectly paced, and all around fabulous!

"The thing about someone is that it doesn't happen just once. It happens every time you do something great you wish they could see, every time you're stuck and you need advice. Every time you fail. It erodes your sense of normal, and what grows back is decidedly not normal, and yet you still have to figure out how to trudge forward."

Thank you, Berkley Publishing for gifting me a copy of The Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon!

If you’re looking for a laugh-out-loud romance, then this is the book for you! I recently read this one as I was in desperate need of some light reading after a tough week and it was just what I needed. I haven’t read any of the author’s Young Adult books, but I think she did a marvelous job with her romantic comedy debut!

In my opinion, some sections could have been shortened as they didn't add much to the growth of the storyline. I, also, was looking for a little more depth from Dominic Yun’s character - he was a favorite of mine and I wanted more about him. In all honesty, this could be because I am so accustomed to romances told from a dual-narrative, giving me a glance into the minds of each character.

I have always been interested in the way that radio shows/podcasts are hosted and produced. I think it takes a specific personality to dive into that world and become successful. I loved the idea behind The Ex Talk and would tune in to listen if this were a real radio show.

Also, I have to give praise to the author for having the main character adopt a dog from the animal shelter - I’ve noticed a few books incorporating this into their storylines and I’m all for it!

Overall, I would recommend this to all my fellow rom-com lovers out there! I look forward to diving into more of Solomon’s backlisted titles and am anxiously awaiting what she comes up with next!

Every so often I read a book that is so authentic and addictive that I just wish it were real. I very much need Shay and Dominic and The Ex Talk on a podcast because they are amazing.

Shay Goldstein got her love of public radio from her father. After working for over 10 years in the background at a radio station, Shay is finally given the chance to be on the air. If only her co-host didn't hate her and she wasn't lying to everyone.

Dominic Yun is a "serious journalist" and isn't interested in a fluffy bit of a radio show that will have him deceiving his listeners, but he is interested in advancing his career and will do what he must in order to go further.

The Ex Talk is a wonderfully constructed story with amazing characters that I want to know. At first glance, it is a fluffy enemies-to-lovers story, but as you read through you find that it is layered with themes of abandonment, weathering adult friendships, and misogyny in the workplace. I was thoroughly hooked for this entire journey. It grabbed my attention and hasn't released me yet, even days after finishing. I adored the little peeks into the world of public radio. It was fascinating, humorous, and touched my heart.

What a book! I loved every second of this book and heartily recommend it to those who like an emotionally rich romance that feels REAL! The incredibly hot sex scenes are a bonus. Both the hero and the heroine are really good at their jobs and it's wonderful to read!