Absolutely adored this book! Loved the premise, the characters and the sex-positivity so much! RLS is officially one of my favorite authors.

Oh how I loved this one! I adore everything Rachel Lynn Solomon writes, but this one particularly drew me in.

Chandler is a ghost writer attending the signing of an influencer’s book that she just ghost wrote and the influencer didn’t even recognize her. She meets a man at the bar and they have an instant connection, ending the night going back to his hotel room for the worst, most awkward sex/one night stand ever.

Flash forward to a last minute meeting with a new potential client and his agent to find out it’s the man she slept with who also happens to be a tv star whose show is planning a reunion.

Chandler ends up taking the gig even though it means traveling with Finn as he attends fan conventions around the country. They agree to “sex lessons” and develop a relationship beyond what she’s writing on the page.

I love the way Solomon writes. There is always fabulous mental health representation and I appreciated the panic attics and OCD representation as well as the discussion on therapy. It was so empowering to read such a sex positive book. Chandler knew what she wanted and his to talk about it and share it with a partner. Finn was the ultimate cinnamon roll book boyfriend. He was so sweet on Chandler and I just loved him.

I listened to the audiobook thanks to PRH audio and loved the narration. I can’t wait to read more books by Rachel Lynn Solomon.

Did I drop everything to read Business or Pleasure by @rlynnsolomon ?!?! Why yes I did.

Briefly… a ghostwriter and a struggling actor help each other on the page and in the bedroom in this steamy romantic comedy.

This first few chapters started off with a bang (literally 😂). After I got over the second hand embarrassment I could not stop laughing out loud. Chandler and Finn are just the cutest in this friends to lovers romance. If you’re looking for spice this book has you covered as it is wide open door off the hinges! 🥵🌶️

Highly recommend this fun and spicy friends to lovers romance!

This one was so much fun! I absolutely adored Finn and Chandler together. Finn was just the cutest on his mission to learn how to be a better partner intimately. I also loved how supportive the two were of each other. This one had such great representation of how to be a healthy relationship. It was everything I look for in a book and more.

I loved the idea of this book. A ghostwriter and a one night stand turns out to be the person she's meant to ghostwrite her next book for. Sadly it just didn't work out for me. I didn't feel the chemistry between the two main characters which made the spicy scenes not the best for me.
It was cute and enjoyable but nothing super rememberable.

This rom-com was fun and steamy. Chandler and Finn's initial hookup was comical and then discovering that he is her new client to ghostwrite for was so awkward. Despite their less than ideal start, the two form a really solid friendship. Chandler's lesson plan to help Finn get things right for his next relationship was somehow really endearing. I couldn't help but root for these two to stop pretending it was just practice and let their relationship become something real. It was also wonderful to see that despite being embarrassed at his less than stellar performance review, Finn was actually willing to listen to Chandler's advice to help him improve in the bedroom. Both characters are relatable and this book was just a delight to read!

When you overdo it with back to back wild thrillers you need to detox and nurture your book hangover with a RomCom.

I love RomComs . Clearly humor is what drives me. I’m also very new to RomComs so I look for suggestions from others to influence my decision.

Leave it to bookstagram!

Bookstagram LOVES Rachel Lynn Solomon, and rightfully so!! This woman is a literary genius!

I fell in love with both Chandler and Fin. The connection was real and I wanted so bad for them to work out! The initial one night stand was hysterical and I love how Chandler is a woman who knows exactly what she wants and definitely not the type to fake an orgasm to feed a man’s ego.

This book was everything I never knew I needed and all I could ever want within a book . I laughed so hard but also had a few other emotions triggered at times .

Reading Business or Pleasure, had me questioning myself as to why I don’t read more of this genre ?

I have now also joined the Rachel Lynn Solomon, fan club ♥️

Teaser :

A ghostwriter and a struggling actor help each other on the page and in the bedroom in this steamy romantic comedy from the New York Times bestselling author of The Ex Talk.

Chandler Cohen has never felt more like the ghost in "ghostwriter" until she attends a signing for a book she wrote—and the author doesn’t even recognize her. The evening turns more promising when she meets a charming man at the bar and immediately connects with him. But when all their sexual tension culminates in a spectacularly awkward hookup, she decides this is one night better off forgotten.

Unfortunately, that’s easier said than done. Her next project is ghostwriting a memoir for Finn Walsh, a C-list actor best known for playing a lovable nerd on a cult classic werewolf show who now makes a living appearing at fan conventions across the country. Chandler knows him better from their one-night stand of hilarious mishaps.

Chandler’s determined to keep their partnership as professional as possible, but when she admits to Finn their night together wasn’t as mind-blowing as he thought it was, he’s distraught. He intrigues her enough that they strike a deal: when they’re not working on his book, Chandler will school Finn in the art of satisfaction. As they grow closer both in and out of the bedroom, they must figure out which is more important, business or pleasure—or if there's a way for them to have both.

This is Rachel Lynn Soloman's third adult romance novel, and she turned up the dial on the adult aspect, which I am very much here for. I really enjoyed both The Ex Talk and Weather Girl, but Business or Pleasure definitely moved into the top spot for her best novel yet.

Our protagonists Chandler and Finn are very well fleshed out, and while the plot sounds far-fetched when you see it written out - a ghostwriter has one night stand with an unbeknownst to her at the time celebrity only for it to succckkk and for her to find out the next day he's her next client who she will be spending an inordinate amount of time with - but Soloman puts it off, while simultaneously redeeming the male protagonist who's initial performance in bed is severely lacking. It's a lot of balls to balance in the air, but I have virtually no complaints about this book other than your typical woman standing in her own way fair.

I can't wait to read what Rachel Lynn Soloman writes next!

Rating: 4.5
Laughing: 3

You guys - this is a fun one. Although I can’t see much of this happening IRL, it’s got a lot of good tropes - the type of tropes that make romcoms enjoyable. It’s a celebrity romance; there’s travel, sex lessons (hello, steam), and a little bit of let’s get this out of our system. It has Jewish representation and also mental health elements such as generalized anxiety and OCD.

I read this one pretty quickly because I was into the story, i liked the main characters and thought they had layers to them. I found the FMC to be a bit too relatable (minus her college degrees lol), and it could resonate with a lot of her feelings about times in life when you feel like you are behind compared to others, etc. I was happy to see that through her own way and time, she found her way.

Ghostwriter Chandler Cohen takes on a new assignment to help write a memoir for actor Finn Walsh. Little did she know that she had a horrible one night stand with him previously. With life on the road for Finn’s hit show tour, the two get reacquainted for business purposes, but because the discussion of their one bad sex encounter resurfaces, Chandler helps Finn cultivate his sex skills. Of course emotions and intimacy on another level get tangled in between all the physical stuff.

Wow! This was definitely steamier than the other books I’ve read by Solomon! But it was still sweet, full of substance, touched upon some serious topics (that could be triggers for some folks) along the lines of women’s and mental health, and I really got to know both Chandler and Finn even though the story was through Chandler’s POV only. I loved all the tropes, too: celebrity, workplace romance, forced proximity, one bed, and the teach me how to sex was sexy alright. Overall enjoyed and definitely recommend!

This was fun. I really loved that effort put into both of the main characters as well as Finnegan's lifestyle. This felt true and honest to how a teen (now adult) heart-throb on the comic-con circuit would live. I also loved the emphasis on female pleasure, something I don't think is discussed enough in the romance genre. I specific call out of the male gaze and the patriarchy at key points in the story really made it hit home for me. Would definitely recommend for fans of this author and of the contemporary romance genre.

This one really grew on me even if it took me a bit to get into. But once I got into it I was hooked. Good job explaining talking to one another and being a good partner throughout intimacy without being too on the nose or corny. The steamy scenes are still exciting and fun to read!

LOVED the representation in this - Finn’s OCD and the nuances of it being different than what I often see of OCD in media, Chandler’s abortion being something deeply personal to her but also not something that she is ashamed of or finds traumatic.

I do feel it is written solely for millennials, and solely for millennials to read this decade. References will get old fast. Chandler is younger than me and feels older than I am, probably because the author finished the book some months ago. The part where Chandler does the whole “they told me I could do anything, they told me I was special” reflection felt whiney and overdone to me, especially considering she does have a relatively stable and arguably creative career compared to many. It’s a conversation millennials have had amongst ourselves and in the media for over a decade now. That part of the story felt overly self-indulgent, like the author could’ve left it to a Twitter rant.

Loved that Chandler had to go off for a few days and think about things on her own. At first I was annoyed she was feeling so insecure, but she showed healthy boundaries and growth and it helped the two of them make sense of their relationship and take things at a realistic pace rather than the insta-perfect-relationship I see in romance a lot.

Rachel always has a way of completely pulling you in to her stories and this one was no different. There were so many things I loved. This was the spiciest of Rachel's romances so far and it was done so so well. I loved the real and honest conversations about sex and intimacy as well as the emphasizing how important communication is when it comes to those things. I also really enjoyed the way she hinted that each experience is different for everyone and I valued that a lot. As always, Rachel's Jewish rep is wonderful and it made me smile that both MC's were Jewish. In addition to the great spice and the teach me vibes, the mental health conversations were done so well too. I couldn't stop reading and I definitely felt myself getting emotional and attached to the characters. Business or Pleasure was so freaking good and I will without a doubt read anything Rachel writes. Thank you to Berkley for an ARC to read and review.

Wow Wow Wow…

I just read like three other reviews that literally were perfection about this book… here’s my attempt to form words….

WOW!

I loved it. Rachel Lynn Solomon is a RomCom queen! I knew I would love it but I didn’t know I would LOVE IT!

Bits…
Ghostwriter
The representation for both MCs
Sex positivity
The STEAM 🔥
The humor of a horrible one night stand
Forced proximity
Comic-Con
Ex Paranormal werewolf tv cast
YESSSS more love for cozy mystery genres in a RomCom!
Imposter syndrome
Also the families 🫶🏻
I also can’t forget to mention Seattle! & some other places 😂

I loved this dang book so much! I’ll be thinking about Chandler and Finn for awhile I’m sure!

Thanks to the publisher for an early e-copy!

Life is turning around for Chandler Cohen. First, she meets a cute guy for her first one night stand, and the next day she gets a job offer that could launch her ghostwriting career. But that one night stand…one of the blandest sexual experiences of her life. The job…writing for the cute guy she just had mediocre sex with in a Seattle hotel room. Former star of the early aughts werewolf show The Nocturnals, Finn Walsh desperately wants Chandler to tell his story and pull him from the comic con circuit into something new, but their past entanglement complicates things—especially when Chandler reveals Finn’s less-than-adept skills in bed. Now there’s a new deal on the table: can they mix business and pleasure as Chandler instructs Finn on how to please a partner? And more importantly, can this ghostwriter find her own voice in the process? Content notes: OCD, anxiety, panic attack, reference to child abandonment, reference to past abortion.

I was really intrigued by this storyline. It basically had me at "lovable nerd on a cult classic werewolf show" and I was already halfway invested.

And in that vein, it did not disappoint. I loved the cult classic pop culture references, I loved the road trip setting at a series of Cons, and I loved, loved, loved Finnegan Walsh. When a cinnamon roll hero is done just right, I find it utterly irresistable and sinfully delicious and basically that was Finn to me. Sweetness personified. Adorable. Awkward. Perfection.

I had a harder time knowing what to do with Chandler. I struggled to stay invested and connected with her. Her voice rankled me sometimes. In some ways (the way her previous attempt at relationship really messed with her head, and the way she struggled with imposter syndrome and stressed over taking a leap of faith on Finn - for instance) she was totally relatable. In other ways, she drove me a little bit crazy.

The pacing was also a little off. I was dying to know how everything played out, but the story bogged down for me in a few places, and I found myself skimming a bit to stay invested.

That said, there was a lot to love in this story. The spicy scenes, and the way that Rachel Lynn Solomon handled the "schooling in the art of satisfaction" storyline was...*fans self*, really well done. She somehow made it insanely sexy while also allowing it to drive the growing emotional connection between Finn and Chandler. Physical chemistry as a central point of the overall relationship doesn't always work for me, but this was very well done.

In the end, Business or Pleasure was a little bit of a mixed bag for me, but it was definitely worth the read. The romance was adorable, the spicy scenes were absolute fire, and the cult classic werewolf fandom was an absolute trip. If you're looking for something fun and entertaining, this will do the trick!

This book was amazing. I loved every second of it. I’m in love with Chandler and Finn. How long is an appropriate amount of time to wait before re reading it?

Super spicy compared to her other adult books but it’s also still emotional and funny. There is a third act breakup (more like taking a break) but it actually makes sense and was a necessary break. That’s how you write a third act breakup!

I loved Rachel Lynn Solomon’s Weather Girl, so I was super eager for Business or Pleasure! Chandler is a ghostwriter hired to write the book for former teenage heartthrob Finn—only he’s the one-night stand she never wanted to run into again, and when she admits their night was less than mind blowing, they agree to not only writing the book but lessons of the art of satisfaction. This book is fun and vulnerable. Finn is just the sweetest and I love his goals behind his book and his eagerness to please Chandler. And I love Chandler’s growth as a writer and partner. From the traveling misadventures to their fun rendezvous, there’s a lot of steam and heart and wit in the pages. These two open up so much and give so much of themselves and I love their friendship. The pacing is great, the writing is a delight and it’s a fun, spicy read!

5 glowing stars.

Summary: Chandler Cohen is a ghostwriter who feels invisible-- to the point where the author she recently ghostwrote for doesn't even recognize her at a book signing. The only upside to that evening is when she meets a charming man at a bar. Their connection is immediately, but when they go home together, it ends up being an epically awkward hook up. Her next day begins with a promising new project-- writing a memoir for Finn Walsh, a C-list actor from a werewolf show. Upon meeting him, Chandler is shocked to discover that he was the man from the previous night's hook up. While they both agree to set that night behind them and maintain a professional relationship, she opens up to Finn about their night together. He is distraught and proposes a deal where Chandler "teaches" him how to improve his skills in the bedroom. Quickly what begins as "educational" starts to feel more emotional. Can they mix business with pleasure?

Thoughts: I really enjoyed Solomon's The Weather Girl, but this was truly something special. It had such well-written sex positivity and emphasized the importance of openly communicating wants and desires. Chandler and Finn are absolutely a pair worth cheering for, and each has their own emotional burdens to reconcile. I found them very relatable and realistic. This book is an absolute hit!

I really enjoyed this book! The writing was well-paced and kept me interested throughout the entire story and the romance was built upon a very open and trusting foundation, making me pretty invested in the book as a whole.

Chandler and Finn were both relatable characters in their own rights. Chandler's indecision toward her career was very relatable to me, and I admired her journey in this regard. I empathized with Finn's struggle to move forward from his place in the public eye and toward his dream organization. These two characters were so positive toward one another and really helped each other grow in various ways. Aside from the extracurricular lessons that Chandler gives Finn, both characters help each other realize their true potential. It was a great journey to see both characters embark on and I love how the author managed to combine the seriousness and thoughtfulness with the silliness throughout the story.

Chandler and Finn's romance was so wholesome and healthy. Seriously, the communication skills between these two are admirable. Beyond the honest conversations about sex, these two communicate their other concerns, vulnerabilities, and dreams with each other. It's such a positive thing to see in media and we need more of it!

This book did give me a bit of the travel bug as Chandler and Finn traveled across the country to visit various conventions. I would have liked to see a little more of each city but recognize that that's not the main point of the book. The bits that we did get to see were fun and helped bring the characters closer in a really genuine way.

As much as I loved this book, there was something missing for me. I can't quite put my finger on it, but I think it was just lacking a little oomph. That bit that puts me on the edge of my seat wondering what will happen next, you know? There's definitely something to be said about books that are predictable/dependable like this- at the right time they can be the perfect fix for a reading slump or the emotional equivalent of a fuzzy blanket in the winter. I just needed a little more to get me to five stars, but make no mistake, this book is really great despite that!

I would recommend giving this book a read for the overwhelming good vibes it has. Positivity about chasing your dreams, relationships and sex, and familial relationships are abundant and I absolutely loved it.