I love everything about this book. But that's no surprise because I always love Rachel Solomon's books. Her characters are relatable, going through things we can imagine for ourselves, and the story was set in many different parts of the US as Chandler travels with Finn for work. The scenery was always described to perfection. Chandler is trying to be a writer, but her career is basically floundering. She's writing as a ghost writer for celebrity types. She'd give anything to see her name on a book, but her fear keeps her lost. Then she meets Finn one night and has a horrible one night stand. The sex was blah at best. Her agent Stella calls with a job offer, and Chandler jumps at the chance until she realizes the actor is Finn Walsh. What ensues is sweet, sad, mesmerizing, and unputdowbable.

This was a weird one for me. I liked it but didn't at the same time? I was ultimately confused by this book the whole time I was reading it. I didn't know where it was going. I didn't know where I wanted it to go. I didn't know if I liked (or found believable) the main characters. Chandler was a super confusing character for me. Her introduction in the first chapter makes it seem like she will be a quieter, shy, more introverted person and that's why she's a ghostwriter. But then she immediately switches into being this seemingly all-knowing expert at all things sex and gender studies? She's so over confident in her skills and knowledge that she deems herself an appropriate teacher/practice partner for a popular actor on what I assume to be the equivalent of a Vampire Diaries show. Yeah...cuz that makes sense. Finn also didn't make the most sense to me as a character. For someone who is an actor and did a super successful tv show, I thought he would be a little more self assured and self confident.
It was super obvious from very early on that the fake dating, fake sex partner trope would backfire and there was very little buildup overall.
In the end, I'm just left confused.

This book was fun, but not especially memorable. Interesting concept and endearing characters. I read this with one of my book clubs.
The con sections were repetitive and boring.

This was such a fun, spicy rom com! And when I say spicy, I MEAN SPICY. But I loved the banter. RLS is an auto-read author for me!

I will definitely recommend to my readers who enjoy a romance with substance. Chandler is a strong female character that is easy to root for as she falls for Finn Walsh. Finn is not your typical romantic lead dealing with some issues you don't typically find in a romance. I will be watching for more from this author.

Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC of this book!

I feel like I’m in the minority here but I only felt this book to be ~ok. The romance was spicy, the writing was well done, but I just didn’t really care about the characters so it was hard to keep my interest.

4.5

Love this author! So glad to say this one didn't disappoint. This book was chef's kiss, literally loved everything about it. I hope to listen to the audiobook soon because I need to be back with these characters. Overall, I would highly recommend it. I want to say more but this is one you need to experience for yourself!

I think this author might just not be for me. I thought it was OKAY, but I don’t see what all the fuss is about. The characters are meh, chemistry lacking in my opinion, and the story tended to drag.

I have read Solomon's books and loved all of them, I found this one a really creative love story. Her story touches on taboo topics that have slowly become less taboo. I found this story relatable and kept my interest the whole time. I loved both the main characters, their banter and the ability to talk so easy.
I feel like this author could easily branch to fantasy; I would be the first to read it.

Chandler is a ghost writer, does she love the job, well it pays the bills so there's that. However, when Finn Walsh a C-list actor best known for his lovable nerd on cult classic werewolf show, needs a ghost writer he picks Chandler. There is only one problem, he was her one-night stand of crazy mishaps.

Both decide to keep their work professional. but when Chandler admits their one-night stand was not as good for her as it was for him. He wants to know what he did wrong and work on it with her. She agrees to help him, but soon the line between professional and feels is blurred. Can they get there growing feelings in check and get back to business?

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for a copy of this book for my honest review.

review: business or pleasure by rachel lynn solomon ✨🧦

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" i'm so glad you took the risk..."
"that's the thing.... with you, it doesn't feel like one. it just feels like home." 💕😭

✨ SYNOPSIS ✨

a ghostwriter and a c-list actor supplement their working relationship with lessons in seduction.

✨ MY THOUGHTS ✨

⚠️ cw: mental illness, bullying, antisemitism, ableism, emotional abuse, & abortion ⚠️

if you love teen wolf, funky socks, the seattle music scene, celebrity romance, friends with benefit smexy time lessons, neurodivergent & jewish representation this book might be for you!!

alexa play the very first night by taylor swift 🎶

🌟 RATING: ★★★★★
🥵🔥 spice scale: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

omg! rachel lynn solomon literally never disappoints. i love her more and more every time i read one of her books! chandler & finn are both super fascinating individually, but put them together & it's the perfect balance of funny, heartwarming & smutty. also, nothing is hotter than characters who actually communicate!!! just *chefs kiss* 🩷 i really really appreciated the dominic & shay cameo!! i was giggling & kicking my feet up in the air lol
if you're a audiobook fan, this one is soooo good!! hathaway lee did an amazing job bringing this story to life. i have nothing else to say expect please read this book asap!! you can thank me later. 💕☺️

Enjoyable rom-com with an unusual twist. When the female main character, Chandler Cohen, goes to a book signing of the latest book she had ghost written and the "author" doesn't even recognize her or her name, she falls deeper into a funk and ends up hooking up that night. Unfortunately, the hooking up was at best less than ok. Then wouldn't you know it, the ho hum hookup turns out to be the celebrity whose memoir she contracts to write. There were a lot of bits that I found interesting that others didn't, but I really enjoyed reading it.

"Business or Pleasure" is a super cute, fun book with some great characters! Loved how Chandler's rough one-night became a love story between her and Finn but I felt the story was predictable and found the "teaching" parts a little cringe worthy. Definitely wasn't my favorite but would still recommend to a friend.

Chandler and Finn share an amazing journey. I loved how carefully their stories are crafted. Their passion and romance is so sweet and perfect. They both have grown individually but as a couple and it was beautiful. A must read,

As you all know I read a LOT of romance. And while I love them dearly - each and every trope comes with certain expectations and general ideas. Rachel’s newest book felt so fresh and new and like something I’d never read before!

This is for every fan girl who goes to comic con and who has been dragged by a friend or significant other. For everyone who is a little lost in their career and feel like they aren’t quite where they thought they’d be. For all those who struggle with anxiety or OCD. There is great representation in this one and their conversations about their Jewish heritage and so real and honest I loved that.

This book had such fun chemistry between Finn and Chandler is so great. You root for these two the entire time and the care and time Chandler takes in nurturing this relationship is amazing. This is for all the girlies who had a miscommunication trope - these two talk about everything is such an open and honest way!! We are here for it!!

I absolutely loved this book! Both Chandler and Finn are absolutely wonderful characters and I loved every minute of their steamy, swoony journey! Rachel Lynn Solomon always manages to give her characters such a realistic and beautiful arc and it truly does feel like spending the day with good friends. I loved every minute of it!

Oh, where do I even begin with this gem of a book? Business or Pleasure by Rachel Lynn Solomon is absolutely going to end up in my top picks for romance in 2023. A perfect palate cleanser, this is one I highly recommend.

Chandler brings so much life to this story as the main character. As a ghostwriter, she's used to living in the shadows, but when she attends a book signing for a novel she penned, only to be unrecognized by the author, I couldn't help but cringe and laugh along with her. It's the perfect setup for the rollercoaster ride that follows.

The chemistry between Chandler and Finn Walsh, a C-list actor with a knack for fan conventions, is electric. Their initial encounter is an unforgettable blend of humor, awkwardness, and unexpected connection. I found myself rooting for them from the get-go, hoping they would find a way to navigate the murky waters of their personal and professional lives.

These characters were also some of the most stellar communicators I have read in a LONG time, and that made the reading experience that much better. The banter between Chandler and Finn is so deliciously snappy and genuine, it had me smiling throughout almost every encounter they had. But it's not just about the romance- Chandler's journey to reclaim her own voice and identity while maintaining her ghostwriting career added depth to the story and made her a character I felt I could truly connect with.

Rachel Lynn Solomon wins extra points from me for delivering a romance that feels refreshingly real. Yes, there are moments of cliché romance, but the story also tackles the complexities of intimacy and communication in a way that feels genuine and relatable.

In the end, Business or Pleasure left me feeling sappy, like anything can happen (this is not the norm for me!). If you're looking for a perfect rom-com, then look no further. Rachel Lynn Solomon has penned a winner, and I can't wait to dive into her other works.

Thanks a billion to Berkley Publishing Group for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts!

Rachel Lynn Solomon's books deserve more hype than they get! I've read her previous novels and eagerly anticipated this one, which did not disappoint. I love that she always focuses on sex-positive, feminist-forward writing and that her main characters have such exciting careers and lives.

This one was full of the warmth, wittiness, and joy I'd expected from her!

I adore everything that RLS writes, and I would gladly read her grocery list if it was as swoony and funny as her books! She is an auto-buy author for me, because she delivers every. Single. Time.

I am a sucker for the teaching to date/“satisfy” trope, so this one really worked for me. Loved it!

Loved this book. So fun. The banter between characters was laugh out loud funny while still having tons of depth and character growth. It is on my list of "books to read again" and I have so many on the to read list that its quite a feat to make something worth a second read. Can't wait to read more from Rachel Lynn Solomon!

Amazing brilliant perfect! I love Rachel Lynn Solomon so much and this was her spiciest book yet! I loved everything about this and the HEA made me cry. Can’t wait for her next one.