⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗲𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆:
- Jewish Rep
- Forced Proximity w/ Your Terrible One-Night Stand
- "Teach Me How To..."
- 6.5(!!!!) Spicy Scenes

AHHH! Why was this my first Rachel Lynn Solomon book? I loved everything about Business or Pleasure and could not put it down.

Chandler and Finn are one of the cutest, quirikest and realistic couples that I have read recently and I could read probably 500 more pages of them two just being together. The communication is strong with these two and nothing is better.

There are a handful of spicy scenes but it's not your typical spicy - it's lots of open communication - I mean, you have to have that when you're teaching someone how to improve their bedroom skills!

If you like any amount of nerd in your book boyfriends then Finn is for you (spoiler alert: he speaks elvish). On top of that he 100% falls first and (imo) becomes a total simp for Chandler 😈

Behind all the spice lessons and comic cons, there is an adorable love story that develops over a few months so nothing feels rushed or forced. I will be recommending this book to anyone and everyone.

BUSINESS AND PLEASURE was such a fun take on a celeb romance. I always love Rachel Lyn Solomon’s inclusion of mental health rep in her books and it worked so well in this story. I loved that BUSINESS AND PLEASURE was so sex positive in a way we don’t really see in romance books.

Rachel Lyn Solomon is definitely an auto buy author for me - can’t wait to see what’s next for her!

LOVED IT. I'm a longtime fan of Rachel Lynn Solomon's books and Business or Pleasure managed to include all the things I've come to know and love in her books while presenting me with something that felt very new and fresh! Loved it, loved it, loved it!

Often romance books are predictable, largely because we know there will be a HEA. I've grown so accustomed to the typical meet cute, the amazing love interest who has all the right moves, and so when RLS broke away from these norms it was amazing. I loved it! Seriously, I really, truly enjoyed that Finn did not know what he was doing in the bedroom!! And it was wonderful following along as Chandler gave him lessons, Google Doc and trip to the Erotica store and all! The anticipation that builds, the steam, it was great!

The Jewish representation in the book is amazing. As a Jewish reviewer, there was so much that I connected to. I loved the scene where they attend Shabbat services!

And in the past I have disliked romances between a celebrity and normal character, but RLS did it so well here! This pairing felt believable. I loved the con circuit setting!

The only thing disappointing about this book is that it ended! Five stars!

This book was a joy. From the beginning chapters reading about Chandler and Drew's "meet cute" and their chemistry-filled impromptu evening around Seattle together to a steamy kiss to... absolutely horrible sex. Reading this bad sex scene was little awkward carbonation bubbles of joy. THEN trying to work together and not be weird about it until it gets TOO WEIRD when he thought it was mindblowing. RLS really nailed the setup for this book.

This premise of Finn/Drew's ghostwriter also being his sex teacher is phenomenal. She makes a full-out SYLLABUS for their lessons and that is dedication to the craft right there. It is so much spicier than her other books and hats off.

After that, I really enjoyed the pacing of this one that flowed through the awkward to professional to friendship to lovers. Having that progression with the backdrop of Chandler experiencing the craze of comic cons and a cult classic teen movie helped provide a light balance to some of the heavier themes introduced. Finn/Drew story focused on mental health (OCD) and Chandler's on taking risks with her career, family, and life.

I love RLS, this book is no exception.

I adored the personality traits of the main characters in this book. Watching them work through communication issues, personal issues, and their own pasts to be truly open and honest with each other was a delight. Although this book had a lot of "on screen" physical scenes any reader could use the situation as an opportunity to open their own paths of communication with their partner. Please keep writing and publishing books like this!

4.5 stars - RLS is quickly becoming a must read romance author for me. If you like the emotional/thematic weight of Emily Henry but want a book to read more like traditional genre romance, this would be one I'd recommend. I also am a sucker for the old "sex lesson" trope from my fan fiction days, so that was a winning element to me. Finn & Chandler were so cute together and all & all, this was just a fun read

Rachel Lynn Solomon has another smash hit in her third adult novel, Business or Pleasure.

Chandler is a ghost writer who realizes she needs to shake up her life after she goes to a book signing for a book she wrote... and the celebrity doesn't even recognize. Talk about rock bottom. Finn is an actor who enlists her to write his next novel... and maybe teach him a few other things once he realizes he might need lessons in a few other areas.

After receiving some less-than-stellar feedback about his bedroom performances, Finn decides he could use some help. Who better to ask than one of his failed one-night-stands... who also happens to be writing his book for him.

RLS books are always a hit for me and this was no exception! Business or Pleasure is earnest, heartfelt, steamy and swoony! If you have enjoyed her other books I think you will love this one too :)

Only Rachel Lynn Solomon could write the most vulnerable, honest, and mature relationship I've ever read in a romance novel. Let's be honest, as a lover of the romance genre, most authors don't do the best job at showing what an authentic relationship - or the budding of one - looks like, sacrificing realism for dramatics (which is fine, because that's why a lot of us read them). That's why Solomon has always been the author I turn to whenever I want something refreshing and real and I'm happy to say this may be her best work yet.

We start the book off by meeting Chandler, a 'relationship type' ghostwriter who seems to be floundering in both her personal and professional life. When she meets Maddy DeMarco (the influencer whose book Chandler just finished ghostwriting) and Maddy doesn't recognize her, Chandler hits an all time low, determined to drink her way to stupor in a bookstore bar. Enter our MMC, Finn, who Chandler has instant chemistry with. She decides to be reckless for one night, goes home with Finn, and proceeds to have the worst sex of her life, ghosting him after he falls asleep. Next day, she shows up to a job interview to write a memoir for an actor, and who is it but Finn? After agreeing to the job, Finn and Chandler manage to stumble their way into a 'for sex education purposes only' relationship.

Obviously this means that this book is chock-full of sex; it's right there in the synopsis. There are more than half a dozen scenes - some spanning a dozen plus pages - and Rachel Lynn Solomon does not shy away from getting specific, opting for more authentic terms rather than cringy descriptions (no 'velvet-wrapped steel' here, folks). Unsurprisingly, this is easily the most sex positive book I've ever read. Unlike most romances, the FMC is not shy or inexperienced; she knows exactly what she likes, what she wants, isn't ashamed of her sexuality, and is not shy about asking for anything or giving specific directions. The MMC does not start out as the stereotypical dynamo, but he's open to learning, listens to feedback, and is very attentive to his partner. What surprises me is how well Solomon manages to include educational, open, and honest communication between the characters while still keeping every scene taut with tension. There wasn't a single scene that I didn't read with a goofy grin on my face or a blush on my cheeks.

One night stand turning out to be your new boss/co worker is a trope that's been done time and time again, but where this book differs is in the authenticity of both the characters and their relationship. Finn isn't some hot shot, swaggy actor. He's a shy, soft, self proclaimed nerd (he speaks Elvish!) with a proneness to blushing. While anxious and a bit lost, Chandler is also fiercely loyal, driven, and compassionate. Their banter is laugh-out-loud funny and their chemistry jumps off the page. Each character's growth (Chandler from floundering to thriving and Finn from self-conscious to confident) feels authentic and well-paced.

I also loved the inclusion in this book, both with religion and mental health. Chandler's generalized anxiety disorder and panic attacks, Finn's OCD, the discussion of Judaism, antisemitism, and the way religion has shaped both Finn and Chandler were all treated with such care and thoughtfulness. Even the way Rachel discussed nerd culture with respect and admiration for their passion, rather than as a joke, was fantastic.

All in all, Business or Pleasure is one of the best, most sincere romance books I've read in years. If you’re at all interested in the romance genre, you need to pick this one up!

I've decided I need to become best friends with RLS. Be it her young adult books or her adult rom coms, she hasn't let me down.

Chandler is a ghostwriter who feels the need to not be so ghost-y anymore. At a book signing for one of her clients, they don't even recognize her, which leads to her slightly spinning out and having a less than satisfying one night stand. Lo and behold, the next person to reach out for her ghostwriting skills? Said less than satisfying one night stand.

I thought the MMC was charming, and I was VERY thankful he didn't ask Chandler to ghostwrite as some sort of creeper thing. I found their banter realistic and wonderful, and I thought their third act break up was incredibly relatable. As someone questioning their own career choices (because what late twenties, early thirties person doesn't), I adored this book so dang much.

Thanks, NetGalley!

Business or Pleasure
By Rachel Lynn Solomon
Pub Date: 04 Jul 2023
Berkley Publishing Group, Berkley
Romance
Rating: 5/5

Business or Pleasure is one of my top reads for 2023. In addition to being funny and romantic, the story is relatable. Chandler and Finn, the two main characters, quickly captured my heart.

As a ghostwriter of popular celebrity memoirs, Chandler Cohen's writing career has slowed down to a crawl. Her next celebrity client, Finn, is the man with whom she was unknowingly involved in a disastrous one-night stand. Despite the embarrassing and uncomfortable situation, Chandler accepts the writing job. To conduct her research, she attends various sci-fi meet-and-greets across the country to observe how Finnegan Walsh interacts with his fans. Will Chandler and Finn's "strictly professional" relationship become more?

Rachel Lynn Solomon's Business or Pleasure was a pleasure to read. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a hilarious and engaging romance.

Thank you NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the opportunity to review this book. Your kindness is appreciated.

A very cute love story between a ghost writer and her famous client who she has an awkward one night stand with the night prior. The way both of these characters handled their situation was very admiring, especially considering that a lot of authors make their adult characters act like teenagers. Not in this story though. My favorite thing about this couple was their utilization of communication. Lack of communication is my least favorite trope and it irks me to my core, so it was really refreshing to see how maturely Chandler and Finn were able to talk about their feelings and needs. This book had the right amount of angst, tension, steam, and comfort. I would definitely recommend this novel to others.

I always like Rachel Lynn Solomon's books and this was no exception! The plot hook is fun - a ghostwriter's hot but bad hookup turns out to be the new celebrity she's shadowing to work on his memoir - and I always love "we have to bang For Science" tropes. I thought all the different representation was done well - generalized anxiety disorder, Jewish main characters, OCD, past abortion - and Chandler and Finn were both well-rounded characters as a result. The lack of a fifth star comes from the final act feeling incredibly rushed. The third act breakup ended up feeling contrived because the underlying issues (Chandler's fears about their relationship and her own future) get solved in the space of like, one chapter. And I respect the need to finish the book and not drag things out but I felt like this erred on the side of being too rushed for the sake of following the format. That criticism aside, I had a great time reading this book and definitely recommend!

Thanks to @berkleyromance and @netgalley for early access to this book. I thoroughly enjoyed Business of Pleasure by Rachel Lynn Solomon.

✔️ Insta-Lust
✔️ One Night Stand
✔️ And Now They Work Together
✔️ Teach Me
✔️ One Bed

I loved the premise of this one. Two folks have instant chemistry and have a one night stand. Unfortunately, for one of them (Chandler) the encounter was less than satisfying. Good thing they'll never see each other ever again. Except they do since Chandler will be ghostwriting his (Finn's) memoir and they have to spend a lot of time together so she can do just that. Of course, it's all complications and attraction and pining and all the stuff that makes a romance so delicious.

I adore the Teach Me trope and this may have been the first romance I've read where it was used because the sex was terrible (and not because a character was inexperienced). I loved how vulnerable both characters had to be in such an awkward situation and I loved what great communicators both of then are. Too often in real life, mortification and embarrassment can lead to anger so it was wonderful to see a more positive example of how to properly talk to your partner and how it will ultimately pay off - in a tighter relationship or feeling safe and that your trust each other or ever just more orgasms. All wins.

Finn is a terrific cinnamon roll character and he felt so brave during most of the book, dealing with his OCD and anxiety, his feelings about his place and future in the entertainment industry, and then taking harsh feedback about his bedroom skills and actually wanting to fix it.

Chandler was a great character too. I connected with her about wanting (or at least feeling like she should want) a safer career with financial stability. I also sympathized with her imposter syndrome and talking herself out of pursuing her dreams. I loved that seeing Finn be brave made her feel a little brave too.

I loved it all. 5⭐️ and I desperately need Finn's teenage werewolf show to be real.

Steam 🔥🔥🔥
Banter 🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️
Swoon 💕💕💕💕💕

This was Rachel Lynn Solomon's spiciest book yet! SO funny and cute and oh so swoony!! I really enjoyed the banter and the connection!!

I just could not get into this one. I found the plot kind of confusing and none of the characters felt paticulalry worth rooting for.

"Nothing beat the pure and utter joy of finding exactly the right word to mean exactly the right thing."

Received an e-ARC for review via NetGalley.

Wow I totally fell in love with this one, and it took me by surprise! I loved Weather Girl when I read it last year, and this book gave me all of the same warm and fuzzy feelings.

Chandler is making a career as a ghostwriter, and Finn is a has-been C-list actor who wants to write a memoir. They first meet and have a one-night stand without knowing who the other is, and then Chandler is hired to write Finn's memoir. When he learns that she thought their one-night stand was disastrous instead of mind-blowing, he is distraught and asks Chandler to show him how to actually please a lady.

This book was hilarious and heart-warming. It's about finding yourself and your career in your 30's, while also about taking a chance on love and romance. Chandler and Finn agree to keep things casual, but you can tell that they really care for one another. Working on a memoir about someone's life is definitely an intimate task, and this helps to bring our two main characters together. However, the best part of this book was just how willing and open Finn was to learning and listening to Chandler and what she likes. This book was so sex positive and I feel like a more realistic portrayal of sex and intimacy than other books I've read (which, to be fair, are supposed to be an escape so that's nothing against them!). They were able to take things slow, there was no exaggerated descriptions of physically impossible ~anatomy~, and it was an intimate portrayal of their relationship. But still managed to be super hot, because the emotional intimacy kicked up the heat. I really walked away from this book loving it and I will definitely be recommending it as a really realistic and sex positive romance!!

BUSINESS OR PLEASURE is a cute, steamy, and surprisingly humorous look at vulnerability and experience (of lack thereof) in relationships, stigma around mental health, and identity. Also: a love letter to fandom! I absolutely loved the open and honest interactions between these characters. I could've followed through a dozen more chapters, easily! An incredibly tender and fun read.

I've enjoyed all of Rachel Lynn Solomon's books that I read but I *really* loved this one. It may be because female main character Chandler Cohen mentions in the first couple of pages that she's wearing a Sleater-Kinney t-shirt (my favorite band), but I was hooked right from the beginning. Chandler (accompanied by her cousin Noemi) is at a book signing for a Rachel Hollis-type influencer because Chandler is the ghostwriter who actually wrote the book. When she gets to the front of the line, the author has no idea who she is and doesn't recognize her name, which throws her into a career related spiral and sends her to the bar. There she meets Drew, a cute, funny guy who is in town (Seattle) for a conference, and Chandler, fresh off of a devastating hookup with her friend and decade-long crush that ended with her squarely in the friend zone, is unexpectedly feeling a strong connection that leads them on a very meet cute date that ends in his hotel room. They're super into each other and things start out great but... the sex is so awful that Chandler sneaks out in the middle of the night. The next morning, her agent calls her to let her know that a celebrity who wants to hire her to ghostwrite his memoir is in town with his agent and wants a lunch meeting. Of course, the celebrity is "Drew" (whose name is actually Finn, and who was on an extremely popular werewolves in college show 10 years ago that still has a huge cult following) who is shocked to see Chandler. They decide to put their one-night stand behind them and Chandler agrees to go out of her comfort zone and go on tour to cons all over the country while they work on the book. Chandler accidentally reveals the reason that she left him that first night, and after he contacts a few other exes who all confirm that he's just not that good in bed, she jokingly offers to help him learn how to be better. There was so much I loved here - the whole werewolf show thing, the fact that this was a romance but the sex wasn't automatically amazing in spite of their chemistry, how funny these two characters were together, the fact that the male main character was humble about his shortcomings and willing to learn, and the mixture of humor and sarcasm and vulnerability that was the foundation of their whole relationship. Also a big plus for me was that Finn has OCD (which I also have) and the way that Rachel Lynn Solomon handled that with care and respect was huge. There was one small thing I didn't love about this (a "secret" from Chandler's past that I just didn't totally understand the purpose of in the narrative), but the rest of it more than made up for that to me.

Thank you Net Galley for giving me a ARC.

I overall really enjoyed this steamy book. I could not put it down and was bummed when it was over! I look forward to more books by this author!

Could it be that this one tops Ex Talk?? I think it comes incredibly close. I thought it was super enjoyable and incredibly steamy. And there is a mention of the characters from Ex Talk which was a pleasant surprise! The two main characters have amazing chemistry and I thought starting off with a pretty terrible one night stand was an interesting way to start off the book. This is definitely one to recommend to contemporary romance readers!