I saw nothing but amazing reviews for this one and it totally lived up to hype. BUSINESS OR PLEASURE is such a fun twist on the workplace romance and celebrity romance tropes. Chandler is ghostwriter for celebrities, and her next project is a memoir for actor Finn Walsh who is best known for his role on a college werewolf show. Unfortunately, Finn happens to be the same man Chandler had a spectacularly awkward one night stand with the night before 😬

I’m going to be honest. After the first few chapters, I had no idea where this was going to go (and I was skeptical about the chemistry between the main characters). But Finn absolutely redeems himself and earns a spot in best book boyfriends of all time 🔥

THE EX TALK is one of my favorite romances ever, and BUSINESS OR PLEASURE had much of the same qualities ✨ @rachellynnsolomon writing feels so real and relatable. This book manages to represent multiple mental health issues and be fiercely sex positive without coming off as preachy or cringey. It feels like a warm hug to read ☺️

Another plus - the Jewish representation in this book and all of the paranormal TV show nostalgia.

Did this just become my favorite RLS novel to date? YES.

This book was awkward, horny, hilarious, and embarrassing. I absolutely adored the premise of a man asking a former one night stand—who is also writing his memoir—to give him SEX TIPS. Say less. I love the honest conversations, exploration of fantasies, and use of toys. All of that made this book so damn hot, but when paired with the memoir writing and fun adventures with these two, it was so sweet. I’m obsessed with these characters, and every single Teen Wolf reference.

I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I read the blurb for Business or Pleasure. I mean, I understood the concept, but I didn't really have an idea of how things would happen. In the end, I was pleased with Solomon's execution and found myself having a fun time reading this one.

Business or Pleasure is a unique take on a romance novel. After an adorable meet-cute, things between the main characters--Chandler and Finn (AKA Drew)--take a super awkward turn. Of course, that's not the end of the story, and that's when things get fun. The business relationship set up between Chandler and Finn makes for a lot of spice with an interesting disconnect, but things don't stay disconnected for long--thus the question of business or pleasure. Both characters see a lot of realistic development, and their interactions both in and out of the bedroom are wonderful to read.

There's also a strong focus on mental health, and Solomon creates honest and sometimes painful conversations about OCD, job satisfaction (or lack thereof), familial support, and the stigma of being different, particularly in Hollywood. There are many heavy conversations, but they're written sympathetically and cleverly, and it's easy to get to know Chandler and Finn better through these talks.

Business or Pleasure is a different type of romance novel, but it checks all the boxes in a fun and unique way. The mental health rep is great, and the fandom references and con scenes are a blast. Solomon has written another great read that will be prefect for your summer vacation.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!

This was fun! It has a few tropes that I haven't seen before, though I'll always get hung up on miscommunications driving me nuts. The characters were fun, playful and interesting, and it was a quick, fun summer read.

I was still riding the high of Weather Girl when I heard about this one, so I don’t remember if I read the synopsis or I just added it immediately because it had Solomon’s name on it. All of that to say I should have read the synopsis again right before I started it because it was NOTHING like I thought it would be.

I really thought this was going to a sweet rom com like the other. But this one was spicy and romantic and weird and very different than I was expecting. And I say that in the nicest way possible lol Because basically there was no plot because of the spice, but the spice itself could count as the spice? Does that make sense? They had a really terrible encounter at the beginning, she’s honest with him and tells him about it, and then they decide that giving him lessons would be the best course of action. (And like, I get it, why boost him up for the next? But like Lordt, I don’t think I could have taken him serious lol) But other than that, nothing really happened. They came together because of the chemistry they had at the very beginning.

The romance was fire though. Their chemistry was off the charts. Either that or I was just so tired of reading slow burns. People complained about no insta-love and then every book has the romance finally happening at 60% and later. This one was the complete opposite…. And I ATE IT UP. The book opens on them meeting after a book signing and they participate in a one night stand. When they meet in a bar, I just KNEW they were going to be great together. And then WHAM Solomon made me eat (no pun intended) those words. It was terrible lol I was disappointed for her. But as they worked everything out, I didn’t feel like there was no angst or anything like that. I still thought it was good with the romance starting immediately, so like, can we have more of that? lol

The main characters were a good reason for that too tho. They had so much depth. And it wasn’t even a dual POV. It was all told from Chandler’s POV, but since we got to see his mom and his old home, we know so much about both of them. And for me, that’s what I look for in a romance. Since it’s a realistic fiction book, there’s not really any world building because it’s set in our world, so I usually am a judge of character after that. And these two were amazing to me. There’s back story, little tidbits of random info, and more. I really liked them both. Well at the beginning. I don’t know if I could have taken him serious after the beginning. The whole time I felt weirded out. Like how were you grown and still only got her thigh? It was weird. But somehow she was able to overlook all that. So, I thought I was supposed to as well. But I was laughing the whole time he was on the page. (But I ain’t gon lie, when he learned the smexy talk, I was like fanning myself. Because you caught on fast sir lol )

This book was a surprise. Definitely made me realize I need to start paying more attention to what is on my TBR lol I was so into this, but I was also confused on the more important things like the non-existent, but totally there plot. It was weird, but not weird enough for me to quit.

This book should be renamed Socks and Sex Education. It was a blast! I am so happy I got to read and review this! Rachel Lynn Solomon has me howling out loud with laughter, pun intended! I loved her other books and if you like romance you should definitely invest in this author I even got the afterlight exclusives and they are gorgeous! Chandler is just like the rest of us trying to survive and live the American dream, while her one night stand Finn is considered successful buy the world from being a young actor. Finn wants to do more and not just in the bedroom. Chandler and Finn help each other like support system should. I love the nerdy references and the bookish references even more. This book is tied for top #1 spot for this year with Hello Stranger by Katherine Center mainly because I can identify with the main character so much. Thank you so much to Rachel Lynn Solomon, the publisher, and Netgalley!

Chandler Cohen is a writer in Seattle. She lives with her bestie/cousin Noemie and has had success as a ghostwriter for a handful of low level celebrities. She is independent, adorable and smart. Sound like a great resume? The truth is Chandler is miserable and facing a difficult crossroads. She forgot what it was like to write for herself, to hear her own voice instead of pretending for these unappreciative personalities. She finally slept with her decade long unrequited college crush only to be actually crushed when he told her he is emotionally unavailable. And then she meets Finn Walsh. They share an unforgettable meet-cute that leads to a most regrettable hookup. Things couldn’t get any more complicated until her agent sets up a lunch with Finn, whom she failed to recognize as an actor in a previously huge teen cult series. As awkward as this meeting initially begins, Finn is sweet and the deal is too. Chandler takes this all expense paid opportunity to travel with Finn across the country attending conventions for overzealous fans and ghostwrite his memoir. Perhaps this is a chance to finally make enough money and get back to the cozy mystery she abandoned writing long ago. Filled with laugh out loud romcom mishaps, Chandler and Finn are both determined to find out whether this trip is all business or mostly pleasure. Easy breezy and super steamy romance at its best. Another one for your summer list!

Have you ever read a book and thought "Wow, this is about Teen Wolf"? Because this book feels very much like Dylan O'Brien from Teen Wolf a few years later.

It was entertaining to listen to the plot unfold.

Rachel Lynn Solomon has done it again. Business or Pleasure is her latest contemporary romance, featuring a ghost writer approaching burnout and a struggling actor who hires her to write his memoir. But when they meet up to discuss the job, things get awkward quickly--turns out they'd already met the night before and one thing led to another, which then led to Chandler sneaking out of Finn's hotel room in the wee hours of the morning after a truly unsatisfying experience.

They decide to put the past behind them and be professional about it, but when Chandler lets it slip that it wasn't exactly the mind-blowing night Finn assumed it was, they strike up another agreement of a more "adult" variety--she'll give him some much-needed lessons while they work on his memoir.

But those kinds of lessons lead to feelings which start to feel a little too real.

I don't know how every book Rachel writes is this incredible, but I'm not sad about it. She's one of my auto-buy preorder authors, and that won't ever change. The Jewish rep is on point, and any book with ties to Seattle are automatically awesome. Thanks for another unforgettable romance, Rach! I'm just disappointed that my broken arm forced me to miss your book signing event!

Thank you to Berkley Romance and Netgalley for my advance reader copy.

This was my first Rachel Lynn Solomon book and it won't be the last! From deliciously awkward meet cute with terrible sex (outright hysterical) to a sweet HEA, Chandler and Finn's friendship and romance was a joy to read! Both MCs were well-crafted and relatable. Chandler had moments where I truly wanted to throttle her, but Finn was a delight. Bonus, he was a quick study with the dirty talk!

Mid-level spice with some really amazing, frank conversations between Chandler and Finn. Communication is sexy both in and out of the bedroom! Plus, who doesn't want to read a solid nod to comic cons? One of the biggest perks, outside of the sex positivity, was all the representation! From Jewish characters (and culture and cuisine) to mental health representation (OCD) and discussions on imposter syndrome, Solomon really nailed this romance.

I think my only minor complaint is wishing the supporting cast had been more present. This was a fast paced read and I wish we had more time really getting to know Chandler and Finn in how they interact with others for a full picture. We get a bit with Chandler but Finn's was pretty limited. But I know I'm being a bit greedy here.

Business or Pleasure was an incredibly cozy read and would be a great vacation or beach read! I'm really looking forward to reading more of her work!

*I voluntarily read and reviewed and advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you, Berkley Romance for my review copy!

Last year, @rachellynnsolomon book Weather Girl was only of my top ten reads of 2022. So I had very high hopes for her newest novel and I think it lived up to the hype!

Chandler Cohen is a ghostwriter that feels under appreciated especially after the author doesn’t even recognize her. She meets a charming man at a bar and hits it off with him. She doesn’t usually do this, but she goes back to his hotel with him.

The next day, she gets a call from her agent with a new ghostwriting gig and she’s to meet the author at lunch. But it’s actually the guy from last night- wait, he’s famous?! It turns out Finn was an actor on a CW type show about werewolves that was on for a few years. He know goes around the country making appearances at Comic Conventions.

They decide to work together anyway and Chandler admits their night together wasn’t as wonderful as Finn thought. She helps give him pointers and she gets to know him while writing his memoir. It turns out he has OCD that he’s worked hard to get under control. He also wants to help other people cope with their own issues.

I liked this one a lot! It’s pretty spicy, but I thought they handled it well. I liked their banter and they were able to be open with each other and not embarrassed. Chandler was looking for the push she needed to work on her own books and Finn helped coax out this ambition. They also bonded over their mutual Jewish upbringing which I liked. In between the chapters, there were also scenes from the werewolf show which just made me laugh.

This is another great hit from Rachel Lynn Solomon. Thank you to @berkleyromance and @prhaudio for my gifted ARC and ALC. The book is out now!

𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬💭:
I’ve read a couple of the author’s book before and enjoyed them. So seeing that she had another one coming out, I knew I had to read it. Thank you so much Berkley Romance for my copy. I also had the audio from PRH audio which was also a great accompaniment since the narrator was fun and talented. Making it such a hilarious listen! #BerkleyIG #BerkleyPartner

𝐁𝐥𝐮𝐫𝐛📝:
Chandler is a ghost writer and is not happy with her career path. After an awkward one night stand gone wrong, she is offered another job for Finn Walsh, an actor who used to be famous for an old werewolf TV show. He just so happens to be the very same guy she had the one night stand with.

𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5. I love a good forced proximity book! And what better way to formulate a good romance but to throw in a sweet and real mature male lead. I don’t wanna give too much away, but let’s just say Finn was a good mix of nerdy and mature. Something I didn’t think would go well together, but just did! The humor was also top notch. I couldn’t count the number of times i cackled on this one. Despite the friends with benefits trope, I appreciated that there was more to the story other than their sexual attraction. In fact, humor was also thrown in at times to make it even more entertaining. Pick this one up if you appreciate humor into your spice. I think it just blended so well together.

𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚: 𝘛𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘸𝘴, 𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘸𝘰𝘭𝘷𝘦𝘴, 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘯𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴, 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘹𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘺, 𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘣𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘧𝘪𝘵𝘴, 𝘓𝘰𝘳𝘥 𝘖𝘧 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘙𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴, 𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘥𝘺 𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥, 𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘤𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘺, 𝘴𝘱𝘪𝘤𝘦

I was sold early on: from the PNW and Sleater-Kinney to Daleks at Rose City Comic Con and a journalist questioning what’s next.
This story follows ghostwriter Chandler Cohen, helping write memoirs to the point where she’s starting to feel invisible like a ghost. For her next project, she’s set to work with actor Finn Walsh from a cult classic teen supernatural show for his memoir. And in a twist of events, she learns he’s her awkward hookup she ditched in the night. Yikes! So beyond the page sheets, they also decide to work on “lessons” for him between the bed sheets…and things get spicy.
Great for fans of romcoms, those who embrace their inner nerd at comic cons, & even anyone wondering what’s next in their life trajectory.
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. This is out now.

I loved so many things about this book! A writer MC and the whole convention circuit setting are both fun! The spicy scenes were varied and plenty- while the romance was a slow burn. All in all, a fun and spicy romcom!

Review: BUSINESS OR PLEASURE by Rachel Lynn Solomon https://bit.ly/3NOraaZ
Publication Date: 07/04/2023
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Reviewed by: Reading in Pajamas/ Donna
Rated 4.5 STARS

I thoroughly enjoyed this sexy little contemporary romance. For me it was refreshing and new in several ways. Each of them had vulnerabilities and issues I could relate to, which made me invested in their future. I adored Finn. He wasn’t the stereotypical alpha male, but instead a bit of a nerd (Lord of the Rings fan which made me love him more.) and a bit unsure of himself. Chandler had her own hidden insecurities that made her the perfect one to understand Finn. I loved how they dealt with issues - honestly and maturely. Especially about Finn’s poor performance in the bedroom. It was refreshing to not deal with angst, tantrums, or drama. The book didn’t need that to drive the story. This novel dealt with OCD and self-doubt, but in a way that was not preachy. It was real, humorous, sexy, and fun.

*Review copy provided by Penguin Random House in exchange for an honest review.


Kindle https://amzn.to/3NPE4Wm

This book is so fun! What I love most about it is how it shows you something absolutely normal in real life, that we never show in books or movies.
The first time people have sex together is not always perfect. They don't know each other's bodies. Of course it could go wrong, and of course by communicating, it can get better. This books shows that.
In books, the first time is always so perfect, so magical, but that's not necessarily reality. It might not go terribly wrong, but it won't be perfect because you haven't told each other what feels good. What brings you where you need to go. lol

This book is also amazing because of the communication. These characters tell each other everything. They talk about their lives, they tell each other what they want, they're in constant communication. It's fabulous and we need more if this.

Chandler writes books—books credited to other people. She’s frustrated but has stability working as a ghostwriter for minor celebrities. However, when she attends a book signing for her most recent work and the “author” doesn’t recognize her, Chandler has a career mini-crisis and hits the bar, where she meets an incredibly sexy man. The pair hit it off and ultimately end up at his hotel, where the sex is a disaster.

Hoping to move on, Chandler agrees to another biography for an actor who was on a huge hit as a teenager. Imagine her shock when she discovers Finn is actually her hookup from the night before. After much internal debate, Chandler takes the gig, which will pay for travel across the U.S. and shake up her life.

Business or Pleasure is sweet romance that bubbles and explodes with passion and heart. When Chandler lets it slip that their sexual encounter left much to be desired, Finn is horrified, but rather than blame Chandler, he wants to improve. Luckily, Chandler is willing to give him lessons. I like that Finn is genuine. He’s a good guy, and he wants his partners to enjoy sex as much as he does. I love how Finn can open up with Chandler.

Since we only get Chandler’s first person POV, we have to accept her clues on how Finn feels. We know Chandler is attracted to Finn, and she assumes he likes her since he said as much that very first night. What Chandler (and we) doesn’t know is if Finn is learning so he can try again with Chandler or just move on to his next partner, and this kept me looking for clues in every encounter and conversation. The author does a great job putting in the subtle signs of Finn’s true feelings. The problem is that Chandler can’t see them because she’s convinced Finn would never want her for an actual girlfriend.

As the book progresses, their chemistry climbs. Chandler attributes any of Finn’s “feelings” to their hookups. It’s heartbreaking to see Finn put himself out there while Chandler discounts what he says as a byproduct of great sex. Chandler goes through a lot of self-reflection and growth as she discovers who she wants to be and where her career is headed.

Business or Pleasure has a wonderful sex-positive message and takes a frank look at mental health. The story works because the pair hits it off right from the start and works hard to be open and honest with one another. I loved watching their friendship and love blossom as they confide in one another, ultimately recognizing their bond is true.

My Rating: B+

Rachel Lynn Solomon has done it again. When journalist-turned-ghostwriter, Chandler Cohen, begins the opportunity of a lifetime it's not all she thought it would. Feeling very disconnected from the process when she's hired to ghostwrite the memoirs of a former teen star. The only problem, she's never seen the show before, but she's certainly seen him - they'd had a very unsatisfying one-night stand the night previously. Chandler signs on not only to write his memoirs but to give him a little one-on-one tutoring in the bedroom, as well.

I will pick up anything RLS writes and her strong and nuanced characters with a real tenderness and concern for their well-being showed through her prose, for me, the mental health rep is always incredibly spot-on, there's both religious and cultural Jewish representation, and the humor is incredible. I loved every moment with Chandler and Finn.

I have yet to read Solomon's second adult novel (Weather Girl), but having read her first (The Ex Talk) I can easily say that this is my favorite of the two. Mixing steamy scenes with a wonderfully adorable romance and excellent real-world feelings that should resonate with many readers I was blown away with how much I adored this novel. Both main characters were a delight to follow; Chandler was deliciously complex and unapologetically fierce when it came to the things she was passionate about. Finn was wonderful and I just wanted to scoop him up and never let him go, he was so precious. The overarching message of not needing to know what you want to do with your life right out of high school, or college, or ever later, was something that resonated with me so much, and I applaud Solomon for including that aspect in the story. I think it just made everything better, and it's probably one of the main reasons I found myself so in love with this book. Honestly I think the only thing about this book I would have changed would have been to include Finn's POV in it, but then again I'm of the frame of mind that dual POV would make almost every book better. I will be more than happy to share this with anyone who is looking for a romance recommendation (it doesn't hurt that it's set in the area I live), and I'll almost certainly be writing a shelf-talker for it. Solomon doesn't seem to be able to write a bad book, and I'm so excited to know what she's going to come up with next.

This is one of the most delightful books I've read in a while!

Chandler is a ghostwriter and when her most recent celeb she wrote for doesn't recognize her at a signing, she drowns her sorrows at the bar and ends up meeting a man and having a one night stand, which delivers the worst sex of her life.

She gets a call with an offer for another ghostwriting gig for a star of a classic show from years ago that still has a cultlike following! When she shows up for the meeting, she meets the star Finn and is horrified that he is her one night stand.

She ends up taking the job and goes on the road with Finn to various cons and helps write his book.
He gives her another offer, which she could refuse but doesn't, that ends up delivering lots of laughs and plenty of steam.

Such a fun read, that also delivered some very real anxiety/OCD portrayal, and you will find yourself connected to these characters and cheering for them!

This is my first book by this author, but will not be my last.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Romance for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.