Well, that was entertaining!

Shay Goldstein has worked in the same Seattle public radio station for 10yrs. Not only is she good at her job as a producer, but she also grew up loving all things radio. At 29yrs old, she's still grieving the loss of her dad, living alone in a too-big and most-of-the-time-empty house, with her mom about to re-marry and her best friend about to leave her for a job out of town. In short, she feels utterly lonely and is currently on a hiatus from dating apps because she tends to always be the person who 1. gets attached easily, and 2. says I love you first. Her job is basically all she's got going great, until Dominic Yun.

Dominic Yun who, at the age of 24, is newly-hired at the station Shay works in, and is making incredible progress with the crew and already talking like he knows everything about being a reporter. That last fact pisses off Shay like no other. And so the hating game begins.

But when the studio looks for a brand new concept for a new show that'll attract more attention, Shay pitches "The Ex Talk", where two exes will deliver relationship advice on the air, while also figuring out what went wrong in their relationship. Once the show got the go signal, Shay takes this as an opportunity to finally be able to host her own show. Problem is, she has to co-host it with arrogant Dominic and they have to pretend they're exes with a failed relationship that they never even had.

Like I said, this was such a fun and engaging read. The characters' chemistry was better-than-average and the banters were successful in all counts. Other things that I liked:

-Shay adopted a dog and slowly learns how it is to be a dog mom
-The feminism
-The height and age differences
-The podcast episodes (all of them)
-The many relatable situations + unexpected friendships

Thank you Netgalley and Berkley Publishing for the ARC!

This was so sweet and lovely! I loved the focus on public radio--I really know nothing about that so I found it super interesting. There was also definitely chemistry between the two leads. There was this one almost-kiss scene near the beginning that HAD ME like wow.
I'm giving it three stars though just because I had a little difficulty connecting with the main character. Something about her I just didn't like, and also all the grand gesture stuff at the end was a little to sappy/cliche for me. But I don't think this will necessarily be a problem for other readers.
As always, Rachel Lynn Soloman kills it and this was just super fun.

I was totally smitten with THE EX TALK, a romantic comedy set against the backdrop of a public radio station. Shay Goldstein has been a producer at the local public radio station for her entire career; Dominic Yun is the new rising star, fresh from receiving a masters degree in journalism. Dominic infuriates Shay with his arrogant leaning against doorways and his distracting forearms. When the flagging station needs a creative jolt, Shay has a zany idea: a radio show featuring a former couple who discuss their relationship origin story and its demise to listeners, and offers relationship advice to the masses. The catch? Shay and Dominic are tapped to star in this new show, aptly called "The Ex Talk". Their on air chemistry and smoldering banter takes their audience by storm. But problems arise as the show rises in popularity. Readers will love to watch the lines blur between white lie and reality in this story that is full of heart and humor.

OMG! I loved this story SO much. Incredible banter, so much heart and a fantastic swoony hero. Highly recommend.

I had to stop reading The Ex Talk shortly after the two main characters launched their show. I found the details of public radio and podcasting too inaccurate to ignore, which is disappointing considering the author used to work in radio/audio. I also found the characters of color to be shoehorned for the sake of diversity, which meant they also displayed unrealistic cultural traits. As a person of color who works in audio and media, I could not suspend my imagination enough to overlook so many inaccuracies. Luckily, I left before the characters had their “dating and race” show, but even just reading them discuss the subject left me cringing and full of dread.

*Spoiler free, 4.5 stars*

I will read anything Rachel Lynn Solomon writes. She swept me off my feet with her YAs, so when her debut romance was announced, I was ecstatic to read it. It didn't even really matter what it was about, it was Rachel Lynn Solomon, so I was going to read it. But, it also sounded fantastic. Shay has to co-host a public radio show with her coworker, Dominic, who she does not like. She also has to pretend to have dated him. It's enemies-to-lovers and faking dating with a twist! Trigger warnings: loss of a parent, social anxiety

I am very happy that I now get to love Solomon's romances along with her YAs. It's double the love now.

One of the reasons I fell in love with these books in the first place was because of Solomon's writing. It's changed since her first two books, but not in a bad way! It's still one of the reasons that I fall head over heels for her books. It's crisp, and creates the most vivid picture. At the same time, it's written in a way that makes the book easy to fly through.

I have to admit. I'm not really into public radio, or even podcasts, pretty much at all. I know, that makes it weird that I was so eager to read this book, but it actually turned into one of my favorite parts of it. It was fascinating to see how public radio works and what it's all about. I also loved how fiercely Shay loved it. It takes up so much of her that it has an emotional toll on her. It's a huge part of her character and even character development, and it was done really, really well.

Speaking of Shay, I really, really liked her. She was funny and weird and just all around cute. She's trying to grapple with the fact that she's 29 and is expected to be an adult, and is expected to feel like an adult when she feels like anything but. She also feels like she has to have everything figured out and she is so far from that. She also gets attached so easily, which is something I totally got haha. All of that put together created a really great character with a really great story to tell.

I also really liked Dominic! He's a bit upright, but funny at the same time. He struggles with making friends and he wants to do hard hitting research. He's basically the opposite of Shay in so many aspects, but they are also incredibly similar in other ways!

The relationships in this book were top notch. The romantic ones, the friendships, and the familial ones. Across the board, all of them were incredibly well done. Of course, the romantic one was hilarious, sexy, funny, serious, adorable, and all around incredible. The friendships were more complicated. Sometimes they crumble and sometimes friends are in the least expected places. The familial ones brought an air of pain and deep emotion to the book that I felt added more depth and turned the book into something special. They are about grief and finding new happiness and just loving each other.

All in all, The Ex Talk was a really fantastic debut romance. It has a weird little dog, a love interest who loves cast iron skillets, Beanie babies, cluelessness, and sex in a sound booth. And that's just the tip of the ice berg!

The Ex Talk is a novel for public radio nerds, podcast fans, old school radio junkies, and romance readers who enjoy Northwest Settings. I fall into all those categories, including having actually worked in public radio before transitioning to podcasts. Though I had some issues with a couple of plot points in the novel, Solomon does a great job capturing the radio environment, the producer/talent relationship, and the development of a radio show. It's a fun, fresh setting that the author makes the most of. The main characters, Shay and Dominic, create and host a new radio show about exes who remain friends-- the only problem is that they aren't really exes. That plot bit strains believability in the super-earnest world of Public radio, but the rest of the story zips along. 4 stars for romance fans.

Ok so the plot of Rachel Lynn Solomon’s The Ex Talk is pretty different from the movie While You Were Sleeping. But also I was reminded of that goodness because:

✅enemies to lovers

✅ heroine is tied so strongly to memories of her father

✅ heroine’s life is in a state of suspension

✅ the approachability of the narration. Remember how good Sandra Bullock’s voiceover is? It’s so home-y.

✅ deception plot

The Ex Talk gave me some good feelings.

Shay Goldstein grew up loving public radio & when her boss gives her the chance to be a host she jumps on it even though she’ll be required to (1) host with her enemy, Dominic Yun & (2) lie to viewers that she & Dominic dated briefly.

Their program The Ex Talk is largely about relationships that have ended & she & Dominic will use their fake dating turned fake break-up as part of the show’s premise.

Dominic is more reluctant to do the show but caves in the end.

What could possibly go wrong? Especially when the two start realizing that the other isn’t so bad after all.

I love how straight-up of a beta hero Dominic is. How they’re both imperfect; he’s occasionally annoying & she’s realistically at times self-absorbed & not always sugar sweet. The steam. The deep convos—I felt like this couple really got to know each other. The age gap—Shay’s the oldest. How many times he says the wrong thing & then apologizes. The meditations on grief & Shay’s moving conclusions about it.

But I’ve gotta say, the overall deception plot bothered me. Probably because I’m wary about those in general; probably because there’s so much lying in & related to US politics right now that I’m a little sick of it tbh. But also, I just really don’t want people associated with the news to lie—even though Dominic & Shay’s show was more of a human interest-related show it seems to cross some not-so-small ethical lines for me.

The Ex Talk is fun, it’s sensitive, it’s authentic. It wrestles with grief & honesty & loneliness & also portrays petty fights over the best sound booth. ALL THINGS CONSIDERED it is a breath of FRESH AIR (get it?!).


4.5 ⭐️. (Might be a little high--I waffled a little--but I’m feeling what I’m feeling this morning.) The Ex Talk releases on 01/26/21. Thanks to the author for my free copy which I won in a giveaway. All opinions provided my own.

The Ex Talk review

*TW death of a parent (prior to story, but discussed)

I adored Rachel Lynn Solomon’s most recent YA rom com, Today Tonight Tomorrow. Read my full review here. When I saw that she had an adult romance coming out I was hyped. I low key am loving that some of my fave YA authors are writing adult romances. This is one of the few books that I remember exactly where I was when it was announced, why? I have no idea lol. I guess I was that excited. So when NetGalley & the publisher approved me for an eARC I was so excited.

This novel follows Shay Goldstein who has been working in public radio for the past 10 years. She loves it and it was her saving grace when her dad died. However, when Dominic “I can’t stop name dropping my fancy master’s degree in journalism” Yun starts working at the station things get tense. Shay can’t handle that Dominic is acting like he knows public radio. Shay has been at this for ten years, she knows public radio. At a pitch meeting Shay casually throws out the idea that their new show whould feature two exes who host a relationship show. Her boss decides they are going to do this show and decides that Shay and Dominic should pretend to be exes. It is “enemies to exes to lovers” and it is a time.

WHAT I LOVED:
I love the characters that Rachel writes, this is my third book by her and her characters are just so flushed out. They have quirks and random personality traits and they just seem like read people

I loved that this focuses on public radio. RLS worked in public radio too so that is makes it even cooler.

I loved Dominic and Shay together their banter and flirting was TOO CUTE

RLS just writes books that are addictive and so much fun. I was smiling so much while reading this

I could relate to both Dominic and Shay’s loneliness in adulthood and Shay’s whole, “I can barely adult” thing.

Shay’s relationship with her mom and her grief about her dad
Shay’s mom had some of the best one liners I was LOLing
Just overall the themes of family
Def cried at one point



*minor spoilers* Dominic like actually acknowledges a lot of semi problematic things he does and apologizes for it. Often in enemies to lovers they don’t have that communication and it was nice to see

The ending!!!

I loved seeing a Korean love interest and when they go get Korean food LOL

WHAT I DID NOT LOVE
I felt that the pacing of their relationship was a bit off

I did not love how there was so much lying – even though I get that is basically the entire plot lol

So fun and tender, with just the right amount of nerdy. 4.5 rounded up!

Shay Goldstein has worked for a public radio station in Seattle for the last 10 years. Shay proposes a new show called The Ex Talk - a show where exes go on air to talk about what went wrong in their relationships. Her boss decides Shay and new-comer Dominic Yun would be perfect co-hosts, despite having to fabricate a past relationship.

Oh man, this enemies-to-lovers was so genuine and charming! I loved the public radio aspect of this story, especially the details of what goes on behind the scenes, and the show transcripts blended so perfectly! The sweet family relationships and chemistry were wonderful too. Oh, and WWAMWMD has forever changed me!

Overall, a sweet rom-com that I would love to see on screen!

A special thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for this advanced copy!

This book made my heart soar. Rachel Lynn Solomon is one of my absolute favorite YA authors (all 3 of her so-far published books have been 5 stars) and this is her adult romance debut! The story follows Shay and Dominic, co-stars at a public radio station in Seattle, who start a new radio show together masquerading as exes, although they have never really dated and actually don’t like each other at all. The show gains popularity really quickly, and it’s no wonder why: Shay’s and Dominic’s banter is LOL funny and so witty. A lot of books try to write witty dialogue but this book actually succeeds in doing it!

The characters’ chemistry leapt off the page and as the story progressed, I wanted them to finally kiss so badly! I loved the enemies turned fake exes turned lovers storyline – it was such a fresh take on tried & true romance tropes and I seriously had so much fun watching them fall for each other. This is a book I would read again and again when I’m looking for something to make my heart happy, and that is not something I say lightly. THE EX TALK is officially on par with my all-time favorite books and I cannot recommend it enough. I was lucky enough to read an advanced copy of this book, so do yourself a favor and pre-order your copy now so you can treat yourself to some joy when it releases on January 26th, 2021.

I love this so much! Rachel's books are some of my favorite books out there and this was no different. Dominic and Shay really balance each other out very well, their banter and their working together. I love drunk Dominic, I think he is so funny! I love this book!!

LOVED IT!
Charming/slow burn/romantic comedy

Shay Goldstein and Dominic Yun work for a public radio station in Seattle. While struggling for new ideas to keep the station afloat, Shay proposes to host a new show called The Ex Talk. A show where exes go on air to talk about love, relationships, and what went wrong in their personal lives. Their boss decides Shay and Dominic would be perfect co-hosts, and with the help of social media, their show skyrockets to the top.

This book is unique! I loved the connection between Shay and Dominic, it felt genuine and relatable. You get to see a lot of background into radio life, and broadcasting. I also loved the Buffy references, and Shay’s relationships with her family. It’s a little predictable, but overall sweet. This would make a cute rom-com movie.

A special thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sending me an advanced copy!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review

This book was amazing

I would recommend if you're looking for

-m/f fake exes
-enemies/rivals to lovers
-age gap
-grump/sunshine
-close proximity, office romance
-a cute puppy named steve rogers
-beanie babies
-only one bed, vacation
-slow burn, great sexual tension
-an appreciation for Buffy (Team Angel!)

I read this book in one sitting I could not put it down. It gave me The Hating Game vibes in the best way. This book was so original. It has been a long time since I related to a MC so much. I understood Shay about to turn 30, single, dealing with blatant sexism at work, and how rough the single life is and making new friends at that stage in your life. She was honest, flawed, and just funny. This was a true romcom.

Dominic was a grump, with a secret cinnamon roll hidden inside and I loved him in all of his beanie baby loving glory. The tension, the banter, so well executed. I loved the choice of using the transcripts and the social media to propel the story forward. This was a fresh take on the fake dating trope which is a favorite of mine.

The grovel too at the end was so original and had me laughing and sighing in equal measure. I cannot say enough good things about this book. WWAMWMD are words I will now be living my life with. Thank you for this gem of a book.

Rating: 5 (honestly all the stars)
Steam: 4

CW: grief, anxiety, sexism, misogeny

This was so fun and unique! I loved Shay and Dom's chemistry, I loved the public radio parts, I loved the family and friends. I also enjoyed the transcripts of the show, that made it feel more real. I would 100% listen to a podcast like this!

I had been eagerly anticipating this book since it was announced, as a massive public radio nerd and romance reader, and I'm happy to say The Ex Talk did not disappoint! I always love Rachel Lynn Solomon's Seattle settings, because in so many ways, her books feel like love letters to her home city. And, again, as someone who grew up listening to and has always loved public radio and podcasts, Shay and Dominic and co. truly felt like my people. I loved reading about their work at the station, but even more than that, I loved the way their romance developed. I'm a sucker for the fake dating trope, and even though it almost always involves some sort of miscommunication plotline, I thought that was handled well in this book. I also really enjoyed the friendship side plot in this book; it felt very relevant to my life as someone in their late-twenties. Overall, I enjoyed this one a lot and will be recommending it to all my romance-reading friends!

ed and raced through this.. and now am tapping my fingers and waiting for news of what this author has coming next!

Here's what this non-romance reader truly appreciated about The Ex Talk:
- Shay & Dominic's story was believable and not-contrived
- Their chemistry is palpable (and there are several scenes that prove it)
- The enemies-to fake exes - to lovers storyline doesn't overpower the rest
- Shay stands on her own two feet; Dominic is not there to rescue some damsel in distress
- That I felt like I was really in the studio, on Orca Island, and all over Seattle with these two!

The writing itself is a masterclass in world-building, relationship dynamics, and keeping readers flipping to the next page. If you're already a romance fan, you won't be disappointed. And if you're like me, and don't usually fall for the genre, I highly encourage you to jump in with this one!

Is it possible for one of my favorite romcom reads of 2020 to be a 2021 release?

No, seriously--I'm obsessed with this book. Shay and Dominic are coworkers at a public radio station, and Shay is put off by Dominic's hotshot, newcomer attitude ("I have a MASTERS in Journalism!") and the possibility that she's not the new kid on the block anymore. With the station struggling, their boss forces them to pretend to be exes for the station's new show--The Ex Talk. While the animosity may be real, the former relationship isn't. But what happens when they start to catch the feels? Well, you'll have to read and find out...!

Right off the bat, I want to stress how AWESOME this concept is. It's truly original and nothing quite like I've seen. It's a little bit enemies-to-lovers, a little bit fake dating--except it's not, because they're fake exes who maybe in the end need to cover up the fact that maybe they are dating? How CREATIVE! I love it. The detail put into the conversations around radio and Podcasts had to have required intense research or a background in the field, which added so many interesting tidbits to the story. And Shay and Dominic--I mean, could we GET any better leads? Their chemistry and banter and heat--wow! Dominic is pure #BookBoyfriend goals and drunk Dominic is not ideal but certainly entertaining. I binged this book so hard and fell in love with it within the first few chapters--and the ending didn't disappoint.

One thing I'd like to note is throughout much of the book Shay is extremely self-conscious about the way her voice sounds on the air (too high-pitched and feminine). I could relate so much to this. I still remember my college mock trial coach telling me I needed to lower my voice, and when giving it a try and asking if that was better him just telling me, "It's a long-term challenge." As a woman, it is all too often our voices are described as "shrill" or "grating," when there's absolutely nothing we can do about it. Shay has the best mantra of all to deal with this: WWAMWMD? What Would a Mediocre White Man Do? Sometimes we need to remember that...

As someone between the ages of Dominic and Shay, I also found them extremely relatable. Shay's struggled to "adult" and feeling alone in the house she strived so hard to be are extremely real. My point in all of this is to say that this is a wonderful cutesy fun sexy romcom, but there's also a lot of great, interesting, real-world details that I loved and could relate to. I have nothing bad to say about this book.

5 stars - 10/10

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for my free eARC in exchange for an honest review.

“The Ex Talk” is about a woman in her late twenties, coasting through life alone. She creates an idea to save her job and is forced to work with her rival on a radio show, where they lie about dating and dole out relationship advice, while of course falling in love. The book seems shallow at first glance, with hidden depth underneath, coping with the many raw emotions that life throws at you. Overall, “The Ex Talk” was a great read!

This book is so sexy and fun. With the authors classic setting of Seattle we get great insight into the city with plenty of pop culture references and local spots around town . That atmosphere really helps shape the book. I’m always down for a hate-to-love type of romance and this book doesn’t disappoint. It has a great plot and story line too.