I just want to hug this book so hard. Besides being a rom com that I couldn't put down, the character development in this book was phenomenal. The banter was witty and fun, the behind-the-scenes of a radio station was super interesting, and the two main characters were so lovable!
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Thank you so much to NetGalley and Berkley for my review copy!
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CW: grief, death of a parent/spouse (heart condition and cancer), mention of a skiing accident, misogyny, alcohol consumption

A very sweet, emotionally resonant story full of the tropes so many romance fans love (fake dating! only one bed!). The rich cast of support characters, in addition to the care and depth that Solomon gives her main characters, make this one fun, sexy, and sweet.

I loved the idea of two ex s hosting a podcast. I really enjoyed the fake dating, which I've read a lot lately but it totally enjoyable. The characters had amazing chemistry and the stream between them was lit.

This book was pure fun and heartwarming goodness. I am a sucker for a good enemies to lovers / fake relationship story. And this one did not disappoint. Like any good romance novel, I was rooting for Shay and Dominic from the start and waiting with bated breathe as the worked through their journey. These characters, not just Shay and Dominic, all of them, are so relatable and fully realized. I would read a spin off for any of them - give me Ameena and TJ’s story, and Leanna and Phil’s and please God more Ruthie! But Shay, she hit me where I live. I know her. In so many ways I am her and I am so happy she exists through this book.

This was such a fun read, and I love a fake relationship trope apparently. I enjoyed it paired with the enemies to lovers trope that I also really love. Dominic Yun and Shay were both trying to figure their lives out as adults, when luck brings them together in the form of a fake dating podcast.

I’ve never read a storyline quite like this and thought it was a wonderful debut! I’m excited to read more by Rachel Lynn Solomon, and appreciate that she added flawed characters that I could relate to.

*many thanks to Berkley and Netgalley for the gifted copy

The Ex Talk
Rachel Lynn Solomon

Another Rachel Lynn Solomon book that I absolutely adore!

The Ex Talk is a workplace romance novel that is enemies to lovers/fake relationship = real feelings trope. It takes place at a Seattle public radio station between longtime radio producer, Shay Goldstein and fresh out of grad school, Dominic Yun. In an effort to save the radio station they get assigned to be hosts of a new show that Shay came up with. The premise of the show is that the hosts are exes who work together to talk about relationships and why theirs didn’t work out. Cut to, Shay and Dominic needing to pretend to be exes to host and market the show.

This book is a great workplace romance, enemies to lovers, fake relationship that becomes real, it really covers a lot of romance novel bases. And while this is a steamy and very sexy romance, there is also the inclusion of sexism in the workplace, and misogynistic behavior that gets named and called out.

Solomon does an incredible job of building tension between Dominic and Shay. They have a clear connection, and their banter is quite entertaining. Both characters have some issues going on under the surface, and this is what helps them to build a real connection and eventually support each other.

The only thing I think was a missed opportunity was to talk about the issues that can come up when a couple is in a multi racial relationship. She’s Jewish he’s Korean, and it seemed that aside from naming this, it wasn’t acknowledged after that. I just think it discounted the fact that racism exists, even in a romcom. I think it would have been an opportunity to be inclusive and realistic, and not just have a diverse cast of characters.

I did enjoy this book and thought it was a quick and fun read. I would recommend it and would give it 4 ⭐️’s

At times it was a little slow and frustrating - how many books could be shortened if the characters just communicated. But it was still cute.

Not a big fan of radio/public radio so that was a struggle for me but I do love the way Rachel Lynn Solomon writes! She is so good at making characters and situations relatable and has this lovely style that pulls you through the pages. I also love the Jewish characters and casual diversity in her books. And the romantic tension!!! So great! Can’t wait to read more of her books.

So, workplace enemies-to-lovers is a time-honored tradition, and it’s a trope that I really do love. This book had its highs and lows, and my biggest struggle was feeling like our main character was just a little two-dimensional. However, it was an enjoyable read. There were plenty of miscommunications, the eternal question of what to do when there’s two enemies and one bed, and a glorious public declaration of love. If enemies-to-lovers is also your jam, this is one to read. If it’s not, you’re not missing anything too groundbreaking by skipping it.

Looking for a quick romance featuring diverse characters? I just finished #theextalk earlier today and it totally fits the bill⁣
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I picked up The Ex-Talk because I wanted to read a romance by a Jewish author. I loved that this one featured a biracial (Jewish and Korean), interfaith couple.⁣
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The concept was cute – two radio show hosts fake a relationship to try to get ratings. Except they are pretending they already dated and broke up… which eventually leads to them actually dating. It was a cute, easy read perfect for Love month.

The Ex Talk first lured me in with its amazing cover, and kept me turning the pages with its witty banter! This was the perfect light romance and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a fun and feel good story. I give this book 3.5 stars rounded up! Thank you Netgalley for my advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review!

There was a lot to love - Shay’s emotional starting point, the beauty of radio, her mother’s story - even though I felt the mechanics of the overall storytelling could have been a bit tighter. Solomon works so hard to put many layers into the plot but at points I felt like that slowed the forward momentum of the story overall. WWAWMD bangles for everyone though!

The Ex Talk
By Rachel Lynn Solomon

I adored this book so much for the wonderful romance in a public radio setting between Shay Goldstein and Dominic Yun. It’s a well written and fabulous story about coworkers turned enemies, turned faked exes, turned cohost, who really turned into real exes that finally turned into real romantic partners, in a hot and steamy romance that my heart is swelling so much for.

The dialogues and banter were amazingly well written as well as the other characters in the story. The romance was so exciting and Solomon can write a beautiful love scene you will swoon over. I thought that the pacing was great with some surprising turn of events have such a wonderful HEA. I was completely enamored with this novel and now have become a huge fan of her writing.

This was an incredible read I highly recommend.

This book is a very cute transformation of rivals to lovers all around the framework of a fake relationship. I loved learning more about public radio and laughing every time he mentioned he went to grad school. Definitely recommend this fun and nuanced read from Rachel Lynn Solomon!

Review! Special thanks to @netgalley @berkleypub for a copy of this one in exchange for an open and honest review!

The Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon

Genre: Romance

Synopsis: Shay Goldstein has been working in public radio in Seattle as a producer for the last ten years. When the obnoxious Dominic Yun enters her workspace, she is immediately annoyed with his arrogance and *constant mentioning of having a master’s degree* The banter between the two soon prompts a new show for the station starring the two of them cohosting and posing as exes who now give relationship advice. It’s called The Ex Talk and what starts out as just an act for good radio soon blossoms into something more.

Review: Ok so at first I wasn’t sure if this was going to be my thing but by the end of this book I was in happy tears. Not only were the characters adorable, but the storyline was unique and natural. Also...this book was STEAMY My only complaint is that the enemies to lovers was not very drawn out. But that’s okay because I still give this book a solid four stars. It’s available now on Amazon and another great book to get out of a reading slump!

I received an ARC through Netgalley. All opinions expressed are my onw.

Shay Goldstein loves public radio, and she has since she was a little girl listening with her dad. When he passed away when she was a teen, talk radio remained as a connection to him. Shay has been producing a show for about 10 years, and she loves her job even when it demands so many hours of overtime.

What -or rather who- Shay cannot stand is the newest member of Pacific Public Radio, her colleague, Dominic Yun. He's only just graduated with a masters in journalism and his idea of public radio is serious. journalism. and. breaking. news. no. fluff. It seems that Dominic dislikes Shay as much as she him and their animosity is evident to their coworkers.

With the station struggling, and the option either co-hosting a show with Dominic or facing unemployment, both Shay and Dominic decide to pretend to have been in a relationship (and subsequently split up) to host THE EX TALK, a new concept talk show feature relationship advice from two exes.

As the talk show gains popularity, the feelings between Shay and Dominic start to feel decidedly less like animosity and more like admiration -- and maybe more.

I really enjoyed the banter in this book, and look forward to more books by this author.

Adored it! I think a novel set in the world of NPR was what I'd been looking for my whole life!! Can't wait for her next adult novel. Thank you for allowing me the chance to read it.

The Ex Talk was such a fun book. I absolutely loved the chemistry between the two characters. I loved the podcast subplot as it added to the intensity and wittiness of the story. Shay and Dominic pretend to be exes in order to co-host a podcast in which they pretend to be friendly exes. As the show gets bigger, they begin to fall for each other, but how can they come clean?

I loved the author’s witty writing and will definitely be reading her backlist.

*I purchased a physical copy after I read the book.

OMG I loved this book. I stayed up way too late last night to finish it. I loved both the characters and their romance was so believable. For me, there was the perfect balance between romantic moments and conflict. Plus, the sex scenes were steamy and placed at just the right times. I also love the setting. I like on Vancouver Island which is basically surrounded by Washington, so the references to places like Orcas were super fun. I highly recommend this book. If you liked books like The Hating Game, I think you'll love this one too.

A charming book the had me laughing out loud at times! A cute concept. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC.