This one follows a ghostwriter, Chandler Cohen, and actor, Finn Walsh. After fun night, that turns out to be an awkward one night stand. It’s believed somethings are better left in the past. Until you run into that person again, when you’re supposed to be their ghostwriter.

This story had me hooked from the start, I love how it took off and how the story progressed.

If you’re a fan of communication in RomComs this is a great choice! I have been really loving Rachel’s novels, her characters a down to earth and she usually has some kind of mental health rep included, which I love.

The narrator did a great job, but I will say if sex talk makes you uncomfortable you may want to read this one rather than less. If you like me and it doesn’t bother you one bit 😅 the audio is a great choice.

Melli’s Book Breakdown
🤍Jewish Rep (MCs)
🤍Ghostwriter MC
🤍Leap Day Bday MC
🤍Mental Health Rep
🤍Steamy

5/5 Stars

Another fantastic read from Rachel Lynn Solomon. I'm pretty sure at this point this is an auto-buy author for me. I absolutely adored this book. I loved the chemistry between Chandler and Finn. I won't lie I got a little bit of secondhand embarrassment at a few points when some truths came out. I also loved the openness between these two, we got to see a very vulnerable side that made me love these characters even more. I will also admit this had me reaching for ice water multiple times, the steam coming from this book was "chef's kiss". Overall, I loved it and recommend this to anyone interested. I think I'm going to go reread it now!

Business or Pleasure by Rachel Lynn Solomon 🛏️

I really wanted to like this book. I had read Rachel's previous two books and they were both 3 star reads, but after reading the blurb for this one I felt like it had the potential to be a 4 or 5 star read. It did not work out for me though. There were just two many little things that kept piling up on each other that ruined my enjoyment of the book.

The whole premise of the book is Chandler and Finn having a one night stand which ends up being the worst sex of her life. She doesn't expect to see him again but of course they end up meeting again and end up traveling with each other after she agrees to ghost write his book. At first they decide to ignore and not speak about their one night stand, but it gets brought up and Chandler tells him that he wasn't good. This leads to them having "lessons" together so he can be better at sex. These "lessons" were so weird though because Chandler did next to no teaching and Finn was just magically good a dirty talking and everything else.

The number of times both of them blushed or cheeks turned throughout the book became ridiculous. If they are supposed to be having these sex lessons I feel like they should be able to have mature conversations about it without getting embarrassed. While there was spice, it was there without it being explicit. It's open door but used more flowery, descriptive language.

The book also felt like it was trying too hard to be relatable. Lots of current event references and moments that just made me cringe.

Also, I was obsessed with Teen Wolf when it was on TV so I thought I was going to love part of Finn's storyline being that he used to star in this werewolf show. However, I’m pretty sure Finn was supposed to be a knock off Stiles Stilinski but in the worst way. Sorry bud, you can't compare to Stiles or Dylan O'Brien.

Rachel's books aren't for me unfortunately. I do seem to be in the minority, so if you are interested in this and enjoyed her other books still give this one a read!

Tropes:
📸 celebrity romance
🛏️ one night stand
😏 friends with benefits
📖 book about books
🔥 sex lessons

single POV
3/5 stars ⭐️
2.5/5 spice level 🌶️

A terrible one-night stand is an unexpected end to a meet-cute and an even more unexpected start to a romance, but it does make things interesting in Business or Pleasure. Rachel Lynn Solomon’s newest is a sex-positive romance that isn’t afraid of honesty and open communication. I really enjoyed Finn and Chandler’s love story; it was sensual, fun, and the fact that it was such a healthy romance made it stand out.

Chandler is a ghostwriter whose life is kind of at a standstill. She doesn’t expect the shakeup she didn’t know she needed to come from her terrible one-night stand turning out to be a C-list actor from a college werewolf show needing a ghostwriter for his new memoir. Finn may have been bad in bed, but the deal he’s offering is too good to pass up. And when Chandler reveals to him that their night together wasn’t exactly mind-blowing, Finn is embarrassed but doesn’t get his masculinity in a twist over it. Instead, he’s an eager pupil, ready to learn the art of satisfaction. Between trips to conventions, drafting the book, and lessons in the bedroom, Chandler and Finn lower their guard and open up to one another. Their relationship developed organically over the course of the book and I really liked that. Chandler and Finn are complex, well-drawn characters with realistic thoughts, fears, and foibles. I really enjoyed seeing them come out of their shells and embrace their potential. Solomon manages to blend sex education, mental health discussions, career anxiety, and more into the story, intertwining it with our protagonists’ growth and the romance.

Business or Pleasure is sexy and engaging, which characters who face their fears and are open and vulnerable with each other. Solomon has delivered a romance with depth and isn’t afraid to let things get messy. I finished Chandler and Finn’s book a well-satisfied (no pun intended) reader and I’m very much looking forward Solomon’s next book.

I love all of Rachel Lynn Solomon's books. She's written multiple of my all-time favorites. But somehow, the most that I can articulate about how much I loved this book is that it feels different from her others in the best way. It's made me even more excited to read whatever she writes next. I finished it over a week ago, and there are still parts I've thought about every day.

CW: ableism, past abortion, panic attack, past emotional abuse

As a ghostwriter, Chandler’s experiences with her subjects have been less than fulfilling. When she attends a signing for her recent book, the subject doesn’t even recognize her! Chandler retreats to the bookstore’s bar where she flirts with a man sitting nearby. Surprised at how much she enjoys the banter, she spends the evening showing him around Seattle. They retire to his hotel room and proceed to have the worst sex of Chandler’s life. She slips out the next morning before he awakens figuring if nothing else it will be a funny story.

That morning her agent calls asking her to meet with a client who is visiting Seattle. Not only will she be paid more than on any other project, she’ll have more access to the subject, C-list actor Finn Walsh who gained fame on a teen werewolf show but now makes his living through made-for-tv movies and convention appearances. Chandler is nonplussed to see that Finn is the man from her disastrous evening.

Nevertheless, they agree to a writing contract in which Chandler will travel with Finn for several weeks. In the course of their interactions, Finn learns the truth about his performance, and Chandler agrees to give him sex lessons. As their business of pleasure becomes ever more pleasurable, it also gets more complicated, and Chandler must negotiate her own sexual and emotional needs while writing a book for Finn that will make them both proud.

BUSINESS OR PLEASURE is a great read, maybe my favorite romance of the year so far.

🍆 Sex-positive, though I liked that the couple didn’t have amazing sex at first and learned how to communicate their desires. Be prepared for lots of steam!
🍆Likable and quirky though relatable main characters and entertaining side characters.
🍆Laugh out loud funny.
🍆Jewish representation.
🍆Mental health representation (OCD & Anxiety).
🍆Very fun setting (fan conventions).
🍆Script excerpts and media reports about Finn’s old show “The Nocturnals” are amusing.

Why have I waited so long to read Rachel Lynn Solomon? Trust me, it's a mistake I won't make again...

I loved Business or Pleasure! Chandler and Finn's story was absolutely delightful, from the most awkwardly awful intimate scene ever (that was written that way on purpose, anyway...but I digress ;)) to the happy-tear-inducing epilogue, I adored every moment of reading this one. It's sex-positive, choice-positive, laugh out loud funny, swoony, sexy (yes, the sexy times get SO MUCH better!), and just plain fun, with extra dollops of OMG, I get that for anyone who's ever been a part of a fandom, gone to a con, and/or read a celebrity memoir or three.

Chandler and Finn are relatable characters, even for those who haven't ever starred in an iconic TV show or written a word of fact or fiction since they were (encouraged to? forced to?) in school. Everyone has probably felt a degree of imposter syndrome, worried about their career path--stay in a less than satisfying but secure job, or take a major risk and follow your heart?--and been worried about their performance in bed. Or maybe NOT worried about their performance in bed, when they really should... ;) Their banter is fun, their "lessons" are OMG hot, and their relationship at every stage is absolutely wonderful.

(But of course I'm a little partial the almost-at-the-HEA stage, even though that means we're almost at the end of the book and I wasn't quite ready to leave them yet)

There's also absolutely adorable puppies. You have been warned.

And--the only truly terrifying part of the story--LOTS of aggressive nail polish peeling. It hurt me, not gonna lie. I may never recover...

But still--beta heroes for the clear win with this one!

Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

One of the things I always liked about romance is learning about people's professions and issues. This is not a book for that. You will not be delving into ghostwriting or acting or the way they navigating mental health daily here. In fact, the more you think about this book, the more it falls apart, so best not to think about it and just enjoy it. The sex scenes are great, he's a nerd (it's LotR but I'll take what I can get), I read it fast. Good way to pass the time.

I actually like this one more overall than her other adult ones (I still like the other ones, don’t worry). Chandler felt very much like a version of myself, so sometimes she got on my nerves (I get on my nerves all the time) but I enjoyed it.

My main criticism is that the banter was there for me in the beginning but I wish that their love story has more…oof? Like the spice was great! Their relationship was healthy and I enjoy it! But I wanted more. I always want more. I think that because of chandler’s self doubt, most of the book was spent reassuring her that she wasn’t worthless or a bummer, which took more of a women’s fiction vibe to me instead. I do love a romance novel with some self-growth though!

All in all good though! Would recommend.

Special thanks to Berkley for an E-ARC!

Business or Pleasure has everything that you could ever want in a romance. Yes, including spice. Initially this book had me CRINGING so hard. Finn and Chandler’s first encounter is…. Not ideal, to put it nicely. When I finished that chapter I thought ‘there is NO way this can be redeemed.’ And Rachel Solomon had me wrong! This chance ‘one night mistake’ actually develops into a learning opportunity for Flynn (who quickly realizes he isn’t as great in bed as he’s always thought-he checks multiple resources even) while Chandler ghostwrites his memoir. Through the lessons and getting to further know each other professionally and personally, feelings start to grow and change. This book will have you gasping, laughing, and believing in love. Did I mention that Flynn is a celebrity? This will be in my top ten of books this year for sure. #NetGalley #NetGalleyARC #ARC

I love Rachel Lynn Solomon’s fun writing and how her stories are always so entertaining but emotional at times. I love her characters and dang, this one had some STEAM!

Ghostwriter Chandler Cohen meets former teen heartthrob Finnegan Walsh at a bar one night and had an… interesting night together. The two then become closely acquainted when she signs on to ghostwrite his memoir! Their romance starts out unconventionally but their love is timeless.

I was so eexcited to receive this eArc from Netgalley and Berkeley (check) and THEN to see it as a ALC from PRH Audio I became even more stoked! I really loved the narrator in this one.

Now, this wasn’t my favorite romance but it was so cute and loveable.

What a fun book. It was spicy and cute. I spent a good bit thinking who the inspo could be. I love any book that deals with writing or publishing. Also SO sex positive, it was refreshing. Loved the book.

Quick Breakdown

One Night Stand
Celebrity Romance
Bookish Book
Bed First, Feelings Later
Sexy Time / Intimacy Lessons
Cinnamon Roll Hero
Jewish MCs
Road Trip Vibes
Forced Proximity
Only One Bed
Single POV
Open Door - Moderate Detail

Chandler, a ghost writer, has a terrible one night stand, only to finds out her partner is the subject of her next project, Finn Walsh - a C-list actor know for playing the lovable nerd on a cult classic werwolf show from a decade ago. The two talk out their history before working together & the truth comes out. The pair strike up a friends w/ benefits situation - for (sexy time) education, of course!

I REALLY loved this book. It’s one of the best from this year for sure & I think a lot of that is how much I love these characters.

Chandler & Finn were both bumbling & awkward at times but I found it so endearing, especially since those are two words that I’d use to describe myself. I connected so hard to Chandler with her feeling stuck with her career path & her journey to start pushing herself out of her comfort zone. Finn was the cinnamon roll hero of my dreams. I loved how he took the news that he was subpar in pleasure. He didn’t get defensive, but inquisitive. He was the BEST student 😉

The biggest takeaway for me was the conversation this book starts in regards to sex positivity. We need more books that champion a lack of shame surrounding a woman’s pleasure, showing healthy sexual relationships with open communication & all the trust.

I credit finding the romance genre & reading books like this with helping me shed the stigma/shame associated with sex, become comfortable in communicating not only my wants / needs, but being able to openly discuss my reading preferences here. I wish that for every woman.

I went back & forth between the audio & ebook for BOP. Hathaway Lee did a phenomenal job; her voice fit Chandler perfectly. I highly recommended the audio for this one 🙌🏻

I am loving ghost-writer books right now (it’s sort of my dream job) and Business or Pleasure was no exception. Having just finished ghost-writing a book for an Instagram sensation famous for making bank by reminding people to drink water, Chandler Cohen is drowning her misery over the “author” not recognizing her or her name at the book signing (after month of correspondence, no less) when she has a meet cute with a sweet, quick-witted guy at the bar; dinner leads to an impromptu tour of Seattle, and the evening ends with the worst sex of her life, in spite of their amazing chemistry.

The next day she’s focusing her attention on her next ghostwriting gig… and it turns out to be for the bad-in-bed dude who gave her a fake name but is in fact, Finn Walsh C-list television actor whose series she’s never even watched. Their connection supersedes their embarrassment, and Chandler agrees to take the job, which involves trailing Finn for a few months while he attends cons and does a press circuit for an upcoming reunion of The Nocturnals, on which he played the nerdy hot scientist boyfriend of a werewolf. Eventually, Chandler admits their one-time thing was less than stellar, and Finn asks for her help: In return for her cleaning up his words, Chandler agrees to help Finn with his bedside manner, but after you contract to train someone to be your perfect lover, how do you wrench yourself away when the terms or timeline ends?

The travel scenes highlight US destinations and becomes a metaphor for their burgeoning relationship: as much as Chandler is getting to know Finn through seeing him interact with fans and co-stars, his childhood best friend and his rabbi mother, their intimacy grows as she shares things with him about past relationships, her love of cozy mysteries and own author aspirations, and her aging parents. Finn suffers from OCD, and Chandler from GAD, and normalizing of mental health is a strong theme throughout the book–trigger warning, Finn experiences some bullying over this and his peers don’t stand up for him.

I love a slow burn as much as the next person but sex upfront and at the beginning is trend I’m starting to appreciate. The chemistry between Finn and Chandler is wonderful, and the scenes detailed. I love that Solomon writes awkward, realistic sex, sex-positivity, and exquisitely rendered detail with heartfelt emotion. Judaism is both a routine and special part of all of her novels, and I love stories where being Jewish is neither history nor misery, but a natural part of her character’s backgrounds, alongside plenty of nerdy pop-culture references, a fair amount of trauma, and relatable relationship struggles. For all of these reasons, and because Solomon writes with attention to detail and palpable emotions and has the elusive amazing plot/setting/character trifecta, her new releases are a must-own for me.

Fans of Olivia Dade’s Spoiler Alert series will appreciate the deep fandom around Finn’s television show, the con experience, and the narrative interspersed with articles about The Nocturnals and excerpts from various scripts from Finn’s past projects; fans of Talia Hibbert’s The Brown Sisters series will catch all the feels for a sexy, sweet leading man who is vulnerable, accountable, eager to please, and living his best life with therapy, medication, and a wellness practice; and fans of Rosie Danan will appreciate finding another author who makes sex ed hot, lubed up, and positive.

I received a free advance reader’s review copy of #BusinessOrPleasure from #NetGalley

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I’m a huge fan of Rachel Lynn Solomon’s novels. She just never misses when it comes to delivering heartwarming romances filled with humor and relatable characters, and I knew within the first few pages of Business or Pleasure that I was going to love it.

Chandler is a celebrity ghostwriter. She would rather be writing her own books, but she’s not ready. When she attends a signing for one of the books she wrote and the celebrity she worked with doesn’t even recognize her, Chandler heads to the nearest bar to drink away her frustration. While there, she hooks up with a charming man named Finn, but what starts out as a sexy one-night stand, ends up being the worst sex Chandler has ever had.

Then as if things weren’t awkward enough, she learns the celebrity she’ll next be working with is none other than Finn, who is an actor on a cult classic werewolf TV show.

I adored watching Chandler and Finn as they are forced to be together for months while they work on Finn’s memoir. They try so hard to keep things professional even though there are clearly some feelings there, and I just loved watching them grow closer and closer in spite of themselves. There’s of course plenty of witty banter and fun moments that kept me thoroughly entertained.

One highlight for me was how Chandler addresses her previous sexual encounter with Finn. She decides she’s not doing women anywhere a favor by letting Finn think he’s doing a good job in bed and so she tells him the truth. Finn strikes a deal with Chandler to teach him some tips on how to help better satisfy his partners. I loved how Solomon writes these spicy scenes, with Chandler & Finn having very open discussions about sex & the art of pleasuring a woman. I loved how this new aspect of their relationship makes it even more challenging to keep things professional.

Other highlights included the wonderful Jewish rep, OCD rep, & the he falls first & forced proximity tropes.

Rachel Lynn Solomon definitely has another winner on her hands with Business or Pleasure!

This is an absolute riot! Chandler, a ghostwriter, has a cringe-worthy one-night stand with an incognito actor, only to find out she has to write his memoir. But it gets even wilder when she becomes his personal sex coach! The chemistry between Chandler and Finn is electric, and their witty banter had me in stitches. It's a hilarious and steamy rom-com that will keep you hooked from start to finish. I couldn't get enough of the lovable characters and their journey of personal growth. If you're in the mood for a laugh-out-loud read with a side of spice, this book is a must-read!

Thank you @berkleyromance @berkleypub @rlynn_solomon for the advanced reading copy, receipt of which did not impact my review. Business or Pleasure is out now, and I highly recommend you pick this one up! (Pub date: 7/4/23)

Chandler Cohen is a ghostwriter at a crossroads in her career when she meets a cute, nerdy stranger at the bookstore bar. After a disasterously awkward one night stand, she is offered a new ghostwriting job that seems too good to be true. The catch? It’s her one night stand partner - who happens to be Finn Walsh, an actor most famous for his role on a paranormal college drama and a regular on the comic con circuit.

As Chandler and Finn spend more time together, the truth behind their night together comes to light and some 🔥 lessons 🔥 commence. I couldn’t help but falling in love with both Chandler and Finn and their crackling connection. Their communication and willingness to be vulnerable together was *chef’s kiss.* And the honest and open representation related to imposter syndrome, OCD, and anxiety were so well done.

I’ve been a huge fan of Solomon’s books since I read Weather Girl last year, and Ex Talk after that. Business or Pleasure has cemented her further as a favorite author of mine and I can’t recommend her books enough!

“This is how I die, I think: confessing to Finnegan Walsh over falafel that he did not rock my world.”

Hahahaha omg I adored this book! @rlynn_solomon nails it. Business Or Pleasure is full of heart and is laugh out loud funny. There is a lot of Jewish and mental health representation which I loved and we definitely need more of. The chemistry between Finn and Chandler is hot Hot HOT and off the charts!

“Blame the siren song of the gray sweatpants, but I move closer, reaching for the fringe of his scarf.” #IYKYK 😂😂

This is like a handbook for how to have respectful and honest conversations about sexuality and what you want in the bedroom. No offenses. No hurt feelings. Just being open to pleasuring another person in the way they need, and then letting them pleasure you. Amen!

It was quite refreshing to read a book with such mature and honorable characters. The audiobook, narrated by @hathawaylee, was 10/10, especially considering all of the *ahem* sensitive talk. She really captured the heart of these characters…and the comedic timing. Spot on! Add this to your summer TBR asap. You don’t want to miss this one!

Thank you to @berkleypub @berkleyromance and @netgalley for the #gifted ARC and @prhaudio #PRHAudioPartner for the free audiobook.

Business or Pleasure is the absolutely adorable story of Chandler, a woman making a living as a ghostwriter of celebrity memoirs, who gets hired to ghostwrite the memoir of the star of a teen show about werewolves. This book had everything. It was hilarious but emotional and heartwarming. It tackled mental health in a very honest way while also being super steamy and spicy. Whoa. And there was so much communication - so much because communication was one of the themes. As someone who cannot stand books with miscommunication, this made me love it even more. Such a fun romcom to read over the holiday weekend.

Chandler Cohen is a ghost writer in Seattle. After the “author” of a book she wrote doesn’t recognize her, she picks up a stranger in a bar. Chandler and Drew have an amazing night, but after an awkward hook up, Chandler is glad she’ll never see him again. Finn Walsh is a C-lost actor looking for someone to write his memoir. Enter Chandler. The problem is she knows Finn as Drew, the guy she had the awful one-night stand with. Can they work together to help both of their careers?

Business or Pleasure had me hooked from the beginning, and I didn’t want to put this book down. From the awkward one-night stand, to the humor and emotion throughout, this book was everything I look for in a romcom.

I absolutely adored Finn. Who doesn’t love a nerdy guy with a heart of gold? His character was written so well, and I loved that the author gave his character OCD, which we don’t see often in books. Chandler’s sarcasm reminded me of myself especially how she used it to hide her insecurities in life. She was written realistically, and I could totally relate to her.

Even though these two didn’t have the perfect first sexual encounter, there were still such chemistry between them. The deal the came up with was clever and original and a great way to avoid the miscommunication trope we get in so many romance books.

The character development was on point in this story, and watching Chandler and Finn grow individually was just as satisfying as watching them grow into a couple.

Thank you Berkley Publishing and NetGalley for advanced copies in exchange for my honest review.