The Ex Talk

Score: 5/5 Bookmarks

Steam Rating: 🍆🍆🍆/5

Thank you to Berkley for gifting me a review copy of The Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon.

Shay Goldstein is a producer for a Seattle public radio station. She’s used to being the golden girl, having started as an intern and risen through the ranks. Shay loves her job…until Dominic arrives. He thinks he’s SO great, and constantly lording his master’s degree in journalism in her (and everyone else’s faces). It’s clear he thinks that anything other than ‘real news’ is beneath him.

But when budgets get cut and layoffs start to roll out, their boss gives them the opportunity to work on a new dating show together…or rather, ex-dating show. Shay would get to be on the air. On the air! It’s part terrifying, and partly what she’s always wanted. But will she be able to get Dominic to agree when he’s made it very clear that he thinks that sort of show is just ‘fluff’?

This book has enemies to lovers, fake dating, and forced proximity—all of my favorite tropes—so naturally, I was hooked immediately. And you know I can’t go past a book that’s set in my new home-town of Seattle!

There were a few times where I really wanted to slap both of the main characters and tell them to get out of their own way, but ultimately I found them extremely likable and was really rooting for their happy ever after. And the dialogue…it’s solid gold. You know it’s funny when you not once, but thrice spit tea onto your book because you’re so taken by surprise by something completely hilarious. The moments of absolute hilarity are also balanced by some truly moving story-lines through the book that will have you tearing up and clutching your heart.

So, if you’re in need of some super fun, sweet, flirty romance in your life right now you definitely need to grab a copy of this one. It’s perfect to start off #FlirtyFebruary (hint hint). There were definitely some Ten Rules for Faking It vibes too, with the radio station dating show and all, so if you enjoyed that one you’ll love this too. Although this book is definitely steamier. Oh my, am I blushing? I might be. ;)

Synopsis:

Public radio co-hosts navigate mixed signals in Rachel Lynn Solomon's sparkling romantic comedy debut.

Shay Goldstein has been a producer at her Seattle public radio station for nearly a decade, and she can't imagine working anywhere else. But lately it's been a constant clash between her and her newest colleague, Dominic Yun, who's fresh off a journalism master's program and convinced he knows everything about public radio.

When the struggling station needs a new concept, Shay proposes a show that her boss green-lights with excitement. On The Ex Talk, two exes will deliver relationship advice live, on air. Their boss decides Shay and Dominic are the perfect co-hosts, given how much they already despise each other. Neither loves the idea of lying to listeners, but it's this or unemployment. Their audience gets invested fast, and it's not long before The Ex Talk becomes a must-listen in Seattle and climbs podcast charts.

As the show gets bigger, so does their deception, especially when Shay and Dominic start to fall for each other. In an industry that values truth, getting caught could mean the end of more than just their careers.