The Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon (for release Jan 26). This book is about two public radio co hosts, Shay and Dominic who pretend to be exes for the sake of their show. I absolutely loved it, which is why I’m gushing about it early 💖

Pre order this one to your TBR if you love:

📻 Fake Dating with a twist (Fake Exes)
📻 Enemies to Lovers
📻Forced Proximity (there’s only one bed!!)
📻Slow burn
📻Diversity (racial, sexual and gender representation in both the hero and also supporting characters) and interracial dating
📻An adorable pup with an underbite

In more detail, I really enjoyed how authentically these characters are portrayed. While I love a dual POV, I always fall for single POV because it really allows me to root for the heroine on a personal level while allowing for intrigue for the hero. I felt for Shay on multiple levels, particularly loneliness as an adult millennial and issues with “subtle” gender discrimination in the workplace. As noted above, Solomon did not shy away from candid discussions surrounding racism and sexism, all of which were handled so tastefully.

I also very much fell for Dominic, a sweet, shy, soft hero who honestly felt like a real person. 🙌🏼

This book hooked me right away with its unique premise, authentic and relatable characters, and wonderful writing. A huge thank you to Rachel, Berkeley, and Netgalley for allowing me access to this ARC 💖

When you finish your first 2021 book, you feel sort of different from before. Definitely more excited and still in shock that you get to read a 2021 book before its release date. You don't know how thankful I am to the publishers who kindly provide me with copies.

The Ex Talk is surely a very anticipated book for me. I was very excited to read it so of course, I didn't wait any longer? I got it and I started that baby as soon as it hit my kindle page. I was also just finishing another Rachel Lynn Solomon book, Today Tonight and Tomorrow, so I was having my Rachel fix and I am obsessed now with her stories? Seriously, she writes really great romances and overall relationship dynamics. But I also enjoy her depiction of friendships and family in her novels. The Ex Talk had that and more.

I'm not going to talk about specific things or a lot of stuff that happened in the book. It's still far away and I don't want to give anything away to be honest. Just know that it is coworkers turned enemies turned fake exes turned lovers. Pure trope goodness that I know many will enjoy IMMENSELY. Radio co-hosts decide to create and collaborate in this dating show but they have to act as fake exes meanwhile they sort of fall in love with each other (for real now!).

I'm learning more and more about Seattle as well because in the last two books I've read by Rachel they have been set in Seattle. I have not read her other books but these two show a lot of the city and its wonders. I absolutely love meeting new places I have never been to and feel them so alive on page that it feels like I'm right t h e r e, you know?

Age gap (the heroine is older!), height difference and fun situations make this romance great and I seriously hope many pick it up when it's out.

Fake dating is one of my top tier tropes so when I heard "combative coworkers have to be fake exes to host a radio show" it was a whole level up in my trope expectations. Shay and Dominic are both fully realized characters with great chemistry, and I especially loved the balance between their romance and everything else going on in Shay's life - still dealing with the grief from losing her dad as a teen, blending with her new impending stepfamily, and trying to make friends as an adult. I thought the public radio workplace setting was fresh and interesting, and the writing itself is great as well.

Thank you to Netgalley and Berkley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wow. Wow. Wow. I loved this book so much. The fake dating trope is one of my all time favorites, and The Ex Talk put a unique spin on it. Instead of fake dating, they're fake exes. Yes please!

The story follows Shay Goldstein, a 29 year old radio host. She's worked at the Seattle Public Radio station for a decade and cant imagine working anywhere else. Although she can't stand her co-worker, Dominic Yun, who feels like he knows everything about public radio.

The station is struggling, and she jokingly proposes a new idea: two exes who deliver relationship advice on air. Shockingly, her boss loves the idea, but also thinks Shay and Dominic would be the perfect co-hosts since they already hate each other. Neither of them love the idea of lying to the listeners but want to keep their jobs, so they do it, and the public ends up loving it. But the two begin to fall for each other, which can ruin everything...

The Ex Talk is one of the best rom-coms I've read. It's funny, with two characters you're bound to love, an interesting plot revolving around public radio which I haven't read much about before, and steamy scenes that will make you flustered and craving more.

The romance was perfect, filled with lots of sexual tension and shameless flirting. I found myself rooting for both characters, and was pleased by the development throughout the book.

I also really enjoyed the Buffy references. That made the book 10x cooler to me.

If you want a fun story filled with banter, steam, depth, and a story that will give you all the feels? Definitely pick this up!

The Ex Talk is a fresh take on the workplace romance! I adored the subversion of the "fake dating" trope into "fake exes." It was really well done, including the script-elements, and the chemistry between Shay and Dom was swoony and believable! I enjoyed the setting of Public Radio just as much as the romance. I loved all the deeper elements of this book: grief, Shay dealing with her mother finding love again, her best friend moving away, and trying to navigate her ambition with her relationships.

Gorgeous book with gorgeous writing and a big heart (and one bed *wink*)

Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC! I'll definitely be checking out Solomon's next book!

This was a new to me author, this was a cute interesting story. The characters were well delivered and had good chemistry. Enjoyed the public radio aspect of the story. This was definitely a good surprise, would recommend.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher, voluntarily read and reviewed all options are my own.

“The Ex Talk” is a fantastically original take on work nemesis-turned-lovers done in the realm of public radio—an area which I frankly know less than nothing about. But the context is simple enough: Rachel Lynn Solomon guides you through two at-odds colleagues who are forced to pretend to be ex-es on air—everything that’s against their natural inclinations and personal interests—because management is holding their jobs over their heads.

The sheer amount of diversity is staggering….but welcome. Aside from the multicultural, LGBTQ representation in the cast of secondary characters, Dominic Yun and Shay Goldstein are in itself a pairing that I’ve never quite seen before, knitted together with scenes of witty banter, chemistry-laden dialogue and brimming sexual tension that made “The Ex Talk” impossible to put down. With the spin on the fake-dating trope and the pretence of being ex-es, I simply couldn’t really tell where this was heading and it was the unpredictability that kept me going on and on.

It’s both swoony, funny and cringey at times; perhaps because there’s the younger man/older woman vibe that sort of gave the idea that Dom wasn’t too far away from his awkward years. I did think that some later parts felt a little choppy and start-stop—particularly the bits done with the conflict and making-up and the regression of adults acting like teens—but it could possibly just be me nitpicking about how I want to see my protagonists behave.

Long story short, “The Ex Talk” is my rare find and perfect for escaping the travails of a year I can’t wait to see the back of.

HOLY COW I didn't know how badly I needed this book. I was in a serious contemporary romance slump and I just devoured this in one weekend. Enemies to Lovers? Check. Podcasting? Check. Fake relationship? Check. If you haven't picked this book up by now, what are you waiting for?

This was such a fun, comforting read. I can always tell how much I love a book by how many passages I'm highlighting, and in The Ex Talk, that was a lot! Rachel Lynn Solomon writes with a clear, confident voice and I loved all the snappy dialogue (my favorite). The pacing and tension were spot on, and though I'm unfamiliar with both Seattle and public radio, the details all felt authentic, like I was 'in the room." I was rooting for both characters the whole way through, and the grief subplot was handled just right--moving and meaningful without feeling heavy. Clever concept + enjoyable protagonists + a great cast of well-rounded side characters makes this a top read for me this year. Loved it and can't wait to read more by Rachel Lynn Solomon.

I'll post a review on my insta closer to the pub date, but what I can say here is BUY THIS BOOK. It has everything you never knew you needed in a romantic comedy! It is sweet, honest, diverse, and real. I loved the banter, the plot, the setting, and honestly everything about this book. Highest of recommendations.

Wooooooooooowww! I’m screaming and crying so hard! For long a time I haven’t read it something so addictive, entertaining, smart, adorable! I didn’t want it finish. I wanted to read those smartass banters between MCs forever. I can read a book belong to their podcast episodes. Correction: I can read at least 20 books belongs to Shay and Don’s sexy, tempting, hot as hell, intelligent podcast series.

But unfortunately I stayed up all night and finished this book because I couldn’t put it down. My hands were glued to my e-reader, my mind stuck with those adorable characters and their extremely high chemistry presents you one of the epic enemies to lovers premise.

I kept giggling ( the sound I made was between Exorcist’s Reagan’s wicked voice when she is possessed by demon and morning voice of Fran Drescher before she has her cup of tea) I cannot help myself!

And now i feel so lost, frustrated. It feels like finishing the most adorable dessert at one bit and I want more but I already ate the last piece. So I’m doing something first and I reread some chapters over and over again. Trust me my friends, it’s truly worth it!

Quick summary of the plot lines before giving the entire stars of galaxy to this book ( trust me again, five stars are not enough. This was way too much better than most romance books I’ve read for a long time. It should be prescribed for all hopeless romantics and late night romcom cravers who hate Netflix’s lack of great romance movie lists just like me!)

Shay Goldstein, 29, producer of longtime radio show, working at same place: Seattle Public Radio Station for a decade, feeling lonelier after her mother’s sudden propose to her boyfriend and her best friend’s decision to consider the job opportunity at out of town.

She is also nervous ball because she cannot stand the radio’s new transfer Dominic Yum,24,is fresh off journalism master program.

His cocky smile, intimidating height and know-it-all, arrogant manners as if he can lecture her how to be real reporter for hours make her extremely pissed off.

When the studio looks for a brand new concept to attract more attention, at the brainstorming meeting, Shay pitches “ Ex- Talk” format: two exes will deliver relationship advice by criticizing own past relationship.

As you can imagine Dominic finds the idea illogical. They fight at the meeting which gives their superior the idea to force two of them host the show together because they already act like exes who cannot stand each other. If they don’t accept the opportunity, they may lose their jobs. The station has to let some of its employees go to function properly.

Shay sees this job as an opportunity for her dad’s memory by hosting her own show instead of being a producer and makes peace offer to her nemesis to give it a try for six months.

And as soon as they start their show, the numbers of listeners start to increase! Their fans grow who want them give another chance to their relationship.

What if you start to fall for your fake ex who become your friend, confidante, partner? Yes, Shay cannot help her attraction. The chemistry between them undeniable. But she always the one who declares her love at the relationships. What if her feelings are unrequited?

Overall: “Today Tonight Tomorrow” is my favorite realistic YA/ YA romance of 2020! And maybe it’s too early to announce but I think this book will be my favorite ( at least top three) 2021 adult romance novel.

The characters are so genuine, sweet and adorable. The relationship podcast concept was well worked with impressively catchy, laugh out loud, sexy, creative dialogues. So I’m not only giving entire galaxy stars but also Jupiter and bright side of the moon!

This is definitely one of the best motivational feel-good novel which should be reread many times to brighten your mood, warm your heart, feed your soul with positive energy. Congratulations dear Rachel Lynn Solomon, you did a hell of a job!

Special thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for sharing this amazing book’s review copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.

I fell in love with it!

I can say it definitively: Rachel Lynn Solomon's adult romance debut The Ex Talk is one of the most well-rounded rom-coms I've read in a bit.

It's truly got it all: Snappy dialogue! A realistic look at how media works! A heroine with actual issues and her own shit going on outside of falling in love! A cast of diverse characters who all have incredible personalities and interests and who don't simply live to serve the protagonist! A very adorable book boyfriend! A truly batshit but lovable rescue dog!

Admittedly Dominic was almost a little too perfect for my taste, but I'm letting it slide because the dude knows how to clean cast iron pans, enjoys cooking, and has good taste in music. Also, I love that Shay Goldstein is a Jewish leading lady. L'chaim, girl.

Seriously though, when's this being turned into a movie?

This is perfect for anyone who’s into podcasts and enemies to lovers! I really enjoyed reading the banter between the two main characters and I intend on doing a more in-depth review on my blog. I have already created a bookstagram post.

Shay has worked at Pacific Public Radio for ten years, so when 24-year-old hotshot Dominic strides in and wows listeners --her listeners-- it doesn't exactly endear him to her. But when they are strong-armed into a new show where they pretend to have dated one another in order to talk about dating advice, sparks fly. However, journalistic ethics are on the line seeing as how they've never actually been in a relationship (and now doesn't count)-- can their show, their love, survive the creative storytelling?

This romance is an homage to public radio, and, while the references to longtime NPR shows and hosts can be unwelcome to those who aren't fanatics, it hits all the right spots I want in a contemporary romance: banter, a haters-to-lovers trope, emotional openness, and character development. As someone who, like Shay, has had a misogynistic boss, I really appreciated that subplot-- and especially when others back up Shay's feelings that he's sexist. Some of the jokes are even the same ones I've made with friends about my misogynistic former boss.

On the chaste to steamy scale, I'd give it a 6. There is some on-page steaminess, but it's not overly done or too graphic.

Diverse reads:
- Dominic is Korean American.
- Multiple side characters are not-white and not-straight.

What a fun plot!! I loved this book so much. Rachel Lynn Solomon has the ability to write a super intriguing, funny contemporary romance. She is able to create some really fun banter between the two characters.

A very creative take on a contemporary romance novel, the Ex Talk follows Shay Goldstein and Dominic Yun on a “coworker turned enemies turned fake exes turned cohosts turned romantic partners.” The idea of a radio station hook-up was great! The author, Rachel Lynn Solomon, did a wonderful job building a story around the ins-and-outs of radio and also how podcasting and social media has changed the industry. How being innovative to have listeners ‘tune in’ is key.

The dialog in the book was well done. The intermittent chapters of Tweets and scripts was a nice touch! One thing I struggled with was some of the acronyms. I am not knowledgeable when it comes to text abbreviations, so a few times I had to look up what something meant in a conversation. Although the author explained that the super long acronym WW..something..something.. was I couldn’t remember and to save time ‘flipping’ on an ebook to find it again, I just gave up and moved on – some feminist mantra from what I remember.

Overall, I really enjoyed this story and would consider reading another novel Rachel Lynn Solomon has released.

Thanks to Berkley Publishing Group and Netgalley for giving the opportunity to access this ARC. I really enjoyed it and look forward to adding it to my library when it is released!

Sexy banter? Public radio hosts? Pledge drive love confessions? If this is the stuff of your nerdy liberal dreams, this might be the book for you. Other than the doubtful ability of a a single woman to buy a house in Seattle on a public radio producer salary, this book kept the fantasy alive. Dominic and Shay had sexy chemistry, witty dialogue, and interesting back stories. I thoroughly enjoyed entering their world for a few hours.10/10 would recommend.

Okay, wait, WHAT? I read modern romcoms never expecting them to genuinely be good, and am sometimes super surprised. Like with Talia Hibbert. And now, apparently, The Ex Talk. Because dang!

I’m always thankful for when a romance book has a decent background plot to the romance. Most of the time, the entirety of the romance novel’s plot IS the romance and nothing else, but this book had so many different moving parts and plots! Plus, it dealt with changes whilst facing adulthood, the amazingness that is public radio, and a whole slew of other subjects. I enjoyed the Jewish perspective, as well. This isn’t a very eloquent or well thought out review, but if you want a good modern romcom that has steamy romance AND an actual plot, then this is your best bet.

A delightful reading experience. Laughs and squeals; the characters have fun tension and banter. The running master's degree joke was great. This will appeal to fans of contemporary romcoms or anyone looking for a sweet read.

I loved this book. It was an absolute delight, and the ending especially was perfect. I'm from a bit north of Seattle, so I loved all the familiar places and such. I also just really loved Dominic and Shay's relationship, and all the public radio and podcast elements. Just a wonderful new romance.