This is the third Rachel Lynn Solomon contemporary romance I’ve read and I think that’s enough data to conclude that she’s now an auto-read author for me. Her voice is just a perfect blend of biting wit and vulnerable self-doubt, her characters are beautifully rendered with layers of complexity and the romance just feels like a punch to the solar plexus. There’s so much care taken, with the characters’ development, the relationship’s progression, and the way the plot unfolds. She truly is a masterful storyteller and I just feel like she doesn’t get quite enough love for her contemporary romances.

Business or Pleasure features a particularly favorite microtrope of mine, in which the MMC is bad at sex and the FMC has to tutor him in it. It’s not very commonly found in romance novels, the idea being that the main characters are immediately able to tap into their love interests’ sexual needs and desires and fulfill them. That is, after all, part of the fantasy, the escape we readers want when we pick up a romance novel. However, one reason I truly adore this microtrope, where the MMC is bad at sex, is because it forces the MMC to be in a vulnerable position, where he’s admitting to a lack of knowledge and skills and a need for help. And it showcases an MMC who is willing to listen and learn and is eager to please his partner. Though the impetus may be that he’s not great in the bedroom, there is nothing sexier than an MMC willing to do anything to please his partner, even if it means acknowledging he needs a little guidance and instructions on how to do so.

Most of the books I’ve read featuring this microtrope usually have one scene illustrating the MMCs lack of knowledge and perhaps in the same scene or a follow-up scene, the FMC gives him a singular tutorial upon which time he is declared a master at giving pleasure. However, this delightful book takes things to a whole new level. Chandler, the former journalist turned ghostwriter of celebrity memoirs meets Finn, the former star of a teen drama turned C-list actor of the occasional Christmas themed movies at a bar. She doesn’t recognize him especially when he uses a fake name to introduce himself (Drew) and therefore is completely unaware that the man she’s currently flirting with also happens to be one half of a popular pairing from a werewolf show who now pays the bills by traveling the country and appearing at fan conventions. The two engage in witty banter and verbal foreplay before moving things to Finn’s hotel room, where they engage in one of the most hilariously terrible and awkward sex scenes I’ve read in a romance novel. I kid you not, I laughed so hard I woke my husband up. It is truly awful, poor Finn knows his way around sets and can hit his mark on the first try but has no idea where the clitoris is, resulting in Chandler faking her way to a good time and then sneaking out of the hotel room once Finn falls asleep after mistakenly assuming the sex was mind-blowing. After all, she assumes, he’s just passing through Seattle, so it’s a one and done and she’ll never have to see him again.

Cut to the following day when Chandler’s agent calls, having set up a last minute meeting between her and an actor who wants to potentially hire her to help him write his memoir. When she shows up at the restaurant, harried and a half sweaty mess, it’s only to discover that the man who introduced himself as Drew the night before and very much did not blow her brains out with incredible sex, is actually Finnegan Walsh, one-time star of the hit tv series Nocturnals. Hemming and hawing because she doesn’t know if she really wants to travel the country with him, going from con to con as she gets to know him and hep pen his memoir, Chandler reluctantly agrees. She is broke, currently at loose ends, trying to figure out what she wants to do next, and even though the thought of spending the next few months in close proximity with a man responsible for one of the worst sexual experiences of her life does not fill her with joy and excitement, the money is too good to pass up. And so, the book finds them crisscrossing the country together, Finn making appearances at various cons while Chandler undertakes the task of unwrapping who he is beyond the public facade he presents to his adoring fans.

Early on in their working relationship, they have a clear-the-air conversation about their one night together and Chandler lets it slip that the night was hardly mind-blowing for her. One of the reasons I also love this trope is the way that the MMC responds to this criticism and Finn does not disappoint. He is humiliated and crushed but never, not once, does he become angry at Chandler, instead choosing to focus his disgust at himself. He even calls up past girlfriends and partners to verify whether his ill-fated night with Chandler was a one-off or if in fact, he is just bad at the sex. When he realizes he’s kind of a sexual dud, he begs Chandler to tutor him, and what might normally be just one scene turns into an entire book of “lessons”. Chandler, who also minored in gender and sexuality studies in college, is uniquely qualified to provide tutoring in this manner and the book goes deep into the lessons. She even creates a syllabus! (Oh, what I wouldn’t do to get my hands on this syllabus).

So while Chandler is tutoring Finn in the art of pleasure (lessons include enhancing the sexual tension and building up desire, the importance of foreplay, a guide to finding the clitoris and how to handle it, and yes, even dirty talk) the two also find themselves learning about each other, their hopes and dreams and fears. That Chandler should learn about Finn is sort of inherent in the job description – after all, she’s been hired to ghostwrite his memoirs. But he also gets to learn about her, initially through the sex lessons but also through their deepening conversations, and before long, the working relationship/tutoring sessions grow into actual feelings.

I love that both of these characters are searching for purpose and there is a lot of growth that happens in this book, for both of them but especially for Chandler. The dark moment, when it comes, isn’t so much as dark as it is a much necessary time to reset, to take some time, and figure out who Chandler is and what she really wants. And I love that Finn gives it to her, and allows her the time and space to figure out her own future without inserting his own needs into it. In fact, this is a thing Finn does remarkably well for much of the book once the sex lessons start, putting his own desires aside to figure out how to give Chandler what she needs and wants. And there is nothing sexier than that.

I simply adored this book. There are a lot of side characters as well, Finn and Chandler certainly don’t exist in a vacuum. We meet their families as well as Finn’s co-stars from werewolf shows, all of whom give depth and context to who these two people are. There is a great mental health rep (Chandler has anxiety and Finn has OCD) and Jewish rep and we also see Chandler opening up to Finn about the abortion she had while in college. All of it is addressed very matter of factly, without judgment or regret, an unapologetic recounting of something Chandler was fortunate enough to get to choose for herself. And Finn, to his credit, reacts perfectly, without judgment, just full of understanding and support.

The beauty of this book lies in the character development. It is not very plot heavy beyond the sex lessons microtrope. But the growth shown within each of these characters and the journey each of them takes to a place of self-acceptance and love is as important as the development of their romance. I truly loved this book, adored the characters, and found myself rooting for them, both as individuals and also as a couple.

The Ex-Talk was my favorite book of 2021 and I recently read Solomon's latest YA book, See You Yesterday and LOVED it also so I was really excited about this one. Business or Pleasure is a good, very steamy romance. Because I LOVED her other books, I think my expectations were a bit high - plus this is getting a lot of great buzz! I did really enjoy it but I think because of the premise of the book, it lacked a little of the tension that I normally love.

This is the story of ghostwriter Chandler, who meets a really cute guy that she vibes with really well and decides to have a one-night stand, but it ended up being the worst sex! The next day she gets a new assignment, to be ghostwriter for a famous actor, and it just happens to be her one night stand!

I loved the meet-cute. I loved their open communication. The miscommunication trope is not my favorite. These two main characters are great and I was rooting for them. This had so many good things going for it but I just missed the anticipation and tension that I usually find in a romance. I do think this book is deserving of the praise and it would be a great book for heterosexual men to read, ha!

*Thank you to Berkley and Netgalley for an advanced copy. Opinions are my own.

It was such a delight to read a romance with open, honest communication between the two main characters. Chandler Cohen is a ghostwriter who is feeling a bit lost. After being disappointed by someone she works with, she heads to the bar area of a bookstore where she meets Drew. The two have instant chemistry that leads to the worst one night stand of Chandler's life. She sneaks out on Drew believing she'll never see him again. Little does she know, Drew is really Finn Walsh, an actor who hit it big years ago on a teen classic only to be currently touring the con scene years later. Finn also turns out to be the next assignment in Chandler's ghostwriting career.

There are so many great parts to this book. The communication between these two is downright refreshing. Solomon does a great job of building the tension and portraying a relationship that grows organically. Neither character is perfect. The reasons for them not jumping into bed together are very real feeling which is tough to do in a contemporary. The teen heartthrob scene was a lot of fun to see in this book. Another great aspect is Solomon's inclusion of mental health rep and sex positivity. I laughed multiple times and enjoyed watching these two interact as they toured around together.

This is my second book of Solomon's I have read and I enjoyed it more than the first, which I loved. I would recommend this one to anyone looking for a slow burn romance with lots of steam and great conversation.

Ahhh in love!!!! This is my first from Solomon and definitely not my last! I was sucked in right from the start and couldn't stop reading. I loved Finn and Chandler's relationship and how easy their communication and relationship was. Amazing read!!

*Thank you @berkleyromance and @prhaudio for the #gifted egalley and audiobook in exchange for an honest review.*

Solomon is back again with another great romance story. This book follows Chandler who is a ghostwriter and has a hook-up with a person who doesn’t know what he’s doing until it turns out he’s a famous actor who she will be writing for. This book was something not what I was expecting and honestly, I loved it. It was a fun story with a great storyline. Some scenes were a but longer than necessary but the pacing was great. I enjoyed the multiple different settings and learning a bit more about the cons that Chandler traveled to. There was a lot of personal development in this story. This book is told from Chander’s perspective which I enjoyed.

Chander is the main character of this story and I enjoyed her character. She was fun to read about and I loved seeing her character development. Then there is Finn who’s not so great in bed but has a great personality. He’s caring and wants to make sure Chandler is happy. There were other side characters and the only one I enjoyed was Chandler’s bff. This book has forced proximity, sex ed, and a one-night stand with a bit of spice. I loved the mention of mental heath and being sex-positive.

The ending was okay but not the best though the overall book was great. I enjoyed Weather Girl and this one didn’t disappoint. I will for sure be reading more of Solomon’s books in the future and can’t wait to see what else she comes up with.

Business or Pleasure by Rachel Lynn Solomon was a fun (and steamy!) book. I thought that both of the main characters were well developed. The parameters behind their relationship were interesting, and I thought the author did a great job of pulling in a lot of relevant topics throughout the book - religion, mental health, family, job insecurities. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC!

What does a ghostwriter do after a disastrous one-night stand with an incognito actor? Write his memoir while traveling from city to city and give him lessons on how to please a woman along the way, of course.

That’s the basis of Business or Pleasure, but the execution is far more charming and humorous.

Rachel Lynn Solomon gives us an actor on the convention circuit who wants to be known for more than his role in a defunct werewolf drama and a floundering journalism graduate who ghostwrites to make ends meet while waiting for the right time to work on her own novel.

Chandler and Finn both want more from their careers, but they need a change to make that happen. Helping Finn write his autobiography is the perfect opportunity for both of them to see how much they have accomplished as well as how much they have been missing in life.

For fans of Solomon’s previous works, all of her trademarks are here: well-developed characters with realistic struggles, a workplace romance between co-workers, and of course, a cinnamon roll hero you want to cuddle.

However, compared to her previous novels, Solomon cranks up the heat by several notches, as evidenced by a lesson plan crafted by Chandler that Finn eagerly follows to glorious results.

I think what I enjoyed the most about the book is the immense growth between the characters from start to finish, with their communication being top-notch throughout almost the entire storyline. Finn took the criticism Chandler had for him to heart and really listened, while Chandler realized that the only person limiting herself was her.

Business or Pleasure really should have been named Business and Pleasure, in my opinion, but I enjoyed it all the same.

This was another adorable, relatable win for me! In Business or Pleasure, we meet Chandler, who is a ghost writer. She has just finished writing a memoir for some crappy "influencer" or another, who shows exactly zero gratitude for the fact that Chandler has written this great book for her. Rude, that. Even though she isn't loving ghost writing, she gets another opportunity that she can't pass up.

So who is her next client? A dude she had a very uninspiring one night stand with, and also, he is famous. Whoops? But as Finn's ghost writer, she will be accompanying him around the country to a series of fan conventions, taking her out of her comfort zone in more ways than one. And as you can imagine, all kinds of awkwardness ensues, but it is very charming, and you can tell that Finn is a decent guy (you know, outside of the bedroom heh).

Obviously, we get to watch Chandler try to navigate both her personal and professional relationship with Finn, which is messy at best. And I really did enjoy their chaotic relationship, but there is so much more to this story than that, as always! First, I loved that there is a lot of talk about mental health. Not just on Chandler's end, but Finn's too. I loved how open and honest they are about these topics, and how healthy it is that they have these discussions. I also loved that Chandler was open about her past relationships, including an abortion. I think it is so important to present this topics in non-stigmatized ways, and the author has nailed it yet again.

There is a lot of growth for both characters, too. They are both kind of trying to figure out what comes next for them, personally and professionally. This trip teaches them both a lot about who they are and who they are hoping to be, and what is most important to them. It was heartwarming and lovely and at times hard, but that made it all the more realistic.

Bottom Line: Rachel Lynn Solomon cannot write anything less than an incredible book. At first I was afraid of jinxing her by writing that, but I’m pretty sure her gift is beyond jinxes.

I thought this was going to be formulaic. I was wrong. It was sweet and funny and very sexy. The characters grew as individuals and as a couple as they went on thei cross country con journey. I would read more by this author.

POV: Single FMC
Spice: 🌶️ 🌶️ 🌶️

This is my first book by the author (I know, shocking) so I can’t compare to her other popular books, but I absolutely loved how it’s a different kind of romance! In fact, if you went in blind, you would assume that the MMC was actually the guy before Chandler meets her HEA and that they all laugh about later. Chandler helps Finn become more like the book boyfriend we are used to, but he is still unique, and he also helps her to become the best version of herself.

The ghostwriting and Hollywood aspect add another different and interesting layer to their story, especially with them traveling for all of Finn’s comic con appearances. Finn ended up being my favorite character so I just wish he would’ve had his own POV! Their story is awkward and funny but also deals with some tough and emotional subjects, but is otherwise mostly a feel good read!

“I know it’s only been a few months, but you’ve become so important to me. Every time we’re not together, I miss you, and every time we are, I feel like I have to hold on tight to make it last as long as possible. I’ve been so uncertain about everything in my life, but the way I want you is crystal clear.”

Chandler and Finn. She’s a ghostwriter, and he’s an actor. Her new client ends up being the same man that she has a one-night stand with, and he also happens to be terrible in bed. So he asks her to give him lessons while they write his book together.

✍🏻READ IF YOU LIKE✍🏻:
- she’s a celebrity ghostwriter, he’s a C-list actor
- one night stand
- strangers to friends with benefits to lovers
- a cinnamon roll, nerdy hero that loves lord of the rings & speaks elvish
- only one bed
- forced proximity
- an abundance of cozy socks
- workplace romance
- comic con
- sex positivity + sex lessons
- witty banter
- a cult classic werewolf show
- neurodiverse, mental health, therapy rep
- traveling around the usa

cw: ocd, anxiety, abortion, bullying, emotional abuse by parent, mention of anti-semitism, divorce

Thank you to @netgalley and @berkleyromance for the advanced copy! Business or Pleasure is now available!

This book was fabulous. I couldn’t put it down.

Chandler is a ghost writer for celebrities. Feeling stuck after her last project, she meets a cute guy at the bookstore bar. She proceeds to go home with him and have the worst sex of her life. The next day, she gets invited to an interview for her next ghost writing project. When she walks in, she finds the celebrity is her horrible one night stand. After starting their writing project, Chandler informs Finn that their night together wasn’t great for her (and he confirms this has been the same with his exes). They decide that Chandler is going to teach Finn how to be a better lover.

This book. Oh man.

Chandler is funny and Finn is sweet. Both are dealing with mental health issues and they’re handled beautifully. Chandler has anxiety and Finn has OCD. I really appreciated how these illnesses were talked about and found a lot of realism in the way they were portrayed.

My one warning is that this book is SPICY. There are a lot of spicy scenes right from the very beginning. If you don’t like that, you won’t like this book. But I did feel they were very well done. None of them felt cringey to me. I actually found a lot of humor in tem which I enjoyed. When I read Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood, there were scenes that I felt were so icky and cringe inducing that I knocked it down a star. This was not the case with Solomon at all.

Chandler and Finn’s chemistry just leaps off the page. He is so earnest and kind from the beginning that you can’t help fall in love with him. I was a little worried Chandler would fall into some of the insecurity trope, but it toed a line I was able to handle. I also appreciated that there wasn’t truly a third act conflict. There was a small conflict but it was something that was talked about immediately between the characters and handled maturely and realistically. It was wrapped up quickly and I appreciated it so much.

I also felt like I learned so much about ghost writing and life of an actor after they were on a big show. I found myself frequently picturing Finn like Tom Felton from Harry Potter.

I love love loved this book. It is definitely a top 3 of hers for me. This book is definitely more along the lines of the old school bodice ripper shirtless Fabio on the cover type of book rather than contemporary fiction. If you don’t like steamy, you will not like this book. But if you do, you will fall in love with Finn and Chandler. I enjoyed every minute of reading this book.

🌟 Business or Pleasure 🌟

Rachel Lynn Solomon is one of my favorite authors. She captures your attention with humor, animated descriptions and personable characters. My oh my, Business or Pleasure had me laughing so hard right off the bat. 

On a chance encounter, our main characters have the perfect date. They meet in a bookshop, find the perfect late night pizza place and stroll through Seattle area parks. After a perfect evening one thing leads to another & they have a one night stand only to find out that one of them is horrible in bed. How could that be with such fantastic chemistry everywhere else? Since they won't see each other again it shouldn’t matter.

Until his agent sets up an appointment to have her ghostwrite his autobiography. The scene where they find out who they each are when not on a date is hilarious and mortifying. Turns out Finn is an actor with a cult-like following. He’s one of those names that sells a Comic Con.

Our other main character Chandler is a ghostwriter who doesn’t follow celebrities. She had no idea who was asking her to do the writing but the pay is fantastic and an opportunity like none other. 

Paired up with plans to be together for the next few months they find an arrangement to help him become better in bed for future girl friends. While he has all the star power, he’s been led astray when it comes to his sexual prowess. This was my 1st central Teach Me trope read. I thought it was well done. I wanted the connection to come through a bit stronger after it was clear they both were falling for each other. As a romance reader, I wanted all the happily ever after tied up with a bow and gifted to me faster. You will love these characters. 

Read this for:
 
✨ Jewish Rep! 
✨ Vegetarian ( As a Jewish vegetarian I was excited)  
✨ Cinnamon Roll
✨ Mental Health Rep
✨ Found Family
✨ Nerdy Celebrity 
✨ Witty Banter
✨ Ode to Seattle 

Thank you to Berkley Netgalley and Rachel for the gifted copy. I am so excited to see her in our hometown of Seattle next week.

BUSINESS OR PLEASURE by Rachel Lynn Solomon is a contemporary, adult, erotic, romance story line focusing on thirty-four year old, former teen actor Finn Walsh, and thirty-one year old journalist/ghost writer Chandler Cohen.

Told from first person perspective (Chandler) BUSINESS OR PLEASURE focuses on the building romance and relationship between thirty-four year old, former teen actor Finn Walsh, and thirty-one year old journalist/ghost writer Chandler Cohen. Chandler Cohen is a journalist by degree but a ghost writer by career, and her latest assignment ends with an awkward one-night stand meant to forgettable and uninvolved, only to discover said one-night stand is Chandler’s next assignment, the man with whom she spent one uncomfortable night. Enter former teen actor Finn Walsh, and the man with whom Chandler will fall in love. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Chandler and Finn, as Chandler must navigate ghost-writing a memoir for the man who is asking for so much more.

The relationship between Chandler and Finn begins as a bumbling one-night stand of which Chandler was hoping never to remember but Finn, having lied about his true identity to our story line heroine wants Chandler to write his story, and teach him how to please a woman in the bedroom and beyond. The $ex scenes are intimate and passionate.

The world building continues to focus on Finn’s career as a teen heart-throb, his emotional struggles, and his ineptness with the opposite $ex but also focuses on the growing relationship and love between our story line couple.

Finn Walsh’s character overcame many obstacles in his life but his development throughout the story reveals a man who is struggling with his success and his life. Falling for Chandler was never in the cards but fall he did for the woman who knew more about Chandler than anyone else.

Both Finn and Chandler are likeable characters but from the outset Chandler battles with what she remembered about their one night stand, and the discrepancies with what Finn is about to reveal.

The sexual tension is palpable especially in light of their mutual attraction and failed one-night stand, a night Finn believes was a success. As the story line builds, Finn will discover there is more to $ex than reaching the end.

BUSINESS OR PLEASURE is a slow building story line about family, friendships, relationships and love. The premise is engaging, entertaining and captivating but there is limited conflict other than neither one knowing what happens next. The characters are determined; the romance is fated and fun. Like most of author’s books I have read, she does address the Jewish faith in her story line.



THE READING CAFÉ: http://www.thereadingcafe.com/business-or-pleasure-by-rachel-lynn-solomon-dual-review/


GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5560918469


AMAZON COM: https://www.amazon.com/review/R1WHKOSVKB9COL/ref=cm_cr_srp_d_rdp_perm?ie=UTF8


BOOKBUB: https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/852042980

I loved this! This was definitely steamier than I was expecting (definitely more than her previous works), but so good! I loved how Chandler and Finn's relationship slowly developed and all the trust they had in each other.

Chandler is a ghost writer who feels that things are going pretty well until she attends a signing for a book she wrote and the “author” doesn’t even recognize her. Wallowing at a bar, she connects with a man there… but the night doesn’t end how she would like.

Her next ghost writing project is writing for an actor Finn Walsh… who also happens to be that awkward hookup she had the night before. Trying to get a feel for the book, Chandler goes with Finn to all his comic cons. Trying to keep things professional is harder than it seems, especially since Finn doesn’t seem to realize he was the problem in their failed hookup. Now he has a deal to make with Chandler: when not working on the book, she will “school” Finn in how to satisfy his partner.

I absolutely enjoyed their communication skills (which always seems to be the downfall of most MCs). I loved that as Finn started to realize that he may be the problem, he contacts all his exes to find out why they never lasted.

As they grow closer, the question remains - will Chandler and Finn figure out which is more important: Business or Pleasure? Perhaps there’s a compromise in there too.

Thanks to Netgalley and Berkley for the opportunity to read and review this. Can’t wait to see what Rachel Lynn Solomon comes out with next.

Put this one on your tbr right now because this is a summer read you don’t want to miss! One of my favorite books of 2023, it gets ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 stars from me!

I find Rachel Lynn Solomon's characters so relatable in their struggles, goals, and experiences and Chandler and Finn are no exception! The shockingly bad end to their hookup was brilliant and totally unexpected. This leads into a few things that I adored about these characters: Chandler's ability to honestly share her thoughts, what she needs, and her advocacy for the sexual positive for women and Finn's acceptance of critique and his desire to learn, after getting past his denial. I appreciate how therapy positive Solomon is in her writing and her sensitive portrayal of neurodiversity, OCD in particular in this book. I loved getting a look inside the world of fandom conventions, Jewish community, and ghost writing, which I have been curious about since beginning to read memoirs. I learned so much!

I do wish that during their lessons, the focus hadn’t been so one sided. It seemed slightly selfish on Chandler's part and reciprocity would have been nice for Finn! While I would have made different decisions than Chandler, I accept that it was the path she needed to follow, even if I found it frustrating. I wish it hadn’t taken so long to get to the final HEA because I felt bad for Finn. He owned my heart in this book!

Thank you to NetGalley, Berkley, and the author for the advance review copy. I am leaving my honest review voluntarily.

unfortunately this book just didn't work for me. i felt really separated from the characters on an appreciation level, and also because of the parameters of this romance — the morals around their arrangement, their power dynamic, and their business deal felt off to me. i like rachel lynn solomon a lot, a lot of the time, but this one just didn't click.

Business or Pleasure is a remarkable blend of wit and wisdom, capturing both the edgy and vulnerable aspects of romance. It is an absolute delight, offering a smart and incredibly enjoyable reading experience. From the very first page, this funny and delightful book will captivate you, celebrating the values of consent, love, and compassion.

This is my favorite Rachel Lynn Solomon of all time. I thought I enjoyed The Ex Talk but Business or Pleasure knocked it out of the damn park. The main characters are a freaking delight and their relationship was absolutely amazing. He's bad at sex and she thinks they aren't going to ever see each other again so she fakes it. Of course then she's hired to ghostwrite his memoir and they have to talk about the night she wants to forget.

These two are just so freaking good together. They have mostly healthy communication, they actually like each other and want to see each other succeed and Chandler teaching Finn how to actually listen to a woman's body was A+++ work. I don't know when Rachel Lynn Solomon became an auto buy author for me but I'm not sorry. I also loved the reference to The Ex Talk hidden in here.

Thank you to Berkley for an early copy of this amazing book. It comes out on July 4th and I think you should buy it for yourself as a happy birthday America present.