Different from what I usually read, but I ADORED Russell and Ari together. The Jewish rep and depression rep was amazing and something I rarely see in books and it was done so so well! Russell was so sweet and Ari was super likeable and relatable. I haven’t read the Ex Talk but this makes me want to run to the bookstore and grab it!!

This was a fun and very sweet romance. Ari and Russell both work at the same news station, Ari in weather and Russell in Sports. They haven't interacted much until they team up to reunite their bosses, ex-spouses whose dislike of each other is affecting the entire station.

Their schemes and ideas bring them closer together and the chemistry is palpable. But Ari has secrets, secrets that ruined her last relationship and she doesn't know if she ever will be able to share them. Plus Russell is a father and that is his number one priority in life.

This was a really sweet story and I really enjoyed Ari and Russell's relationship. There were moments that I had never experienced in a Romance book that I really respected and felt were very true to life and this helped me love the story even more. The conflict felt pretty natural and I enjoyed how they got back together in the end.

I loved how this book discussed some important topics but in this case the romance didn't work out for me. It lacked in chemistry.

This fun and refreshing read wins points for being well written and starring a smart and funny heroine with a unique perspective. It's especially refreshing to read a hero with body issues; to see that a guy doesn't need a six pack to be sexy. BUT, I think poor Russ would be mortified by how often the reader's attention is drawn to his rounded belly! Can we focus on something else? It would be nice to know what else he's got going on that attracts Ari, especially since we get the impression she thinks every guy she sees is cute. I personally am partial to a flexed forearm. Or broad shoulders, perhaps? Because I wasn't totally convinced of their attraction, the steamy scenes were a tad underwhelming.

The romance here takes a bit of a back seat to two other storylines: Ari and Russ's work situation, and Ari's relationship with her mom. This puts it closer to the "chick-lit" end of the spectrum, but readers who prefer that type of book will absolutely love this.

For fans of Emily Henry and Alexandria Bellefleur.

Rachel Lynn Solomon does it again! I would read literally anything she wrote. I’ve barely been able to keep it in stock at my store either, and keep telling my customers the truth - that this was one of my most anticipated releases of January and it did NOT disappoint.

I appreciated the attempt this book made at an accurate picture of mental health, but unfortunately the author’s portrayal of the relationship with her mom was triggering to the point of skewing my view of the entire book. Due to my own personal experiences, I felt dark days coming with how much hope Ari was putting into her mom’s attempt to heal. I get the author wanted to be real and maybe it’s all her personal experience but it just didn’t jive with me. Without the maternal relationship factor, I probably would’ve loved this book. I did love the inclusion of therapy. I was so stoked to see the single, former teenage dad storyline. The parent trap thing?! Heck yes!! There was so much to love.

Weather Girl by Rachel Lynn Solomon is a contemporary romance novel. The story in this one does a dance on the border between lighthearted fun and having a more serious side to it with the main character dealing with depression.

Ari Abrams is working in her dream job as a TV meteorologist after always being fascinated by weather. The dream job comes with some obstacles to it being perfect though with Ari’s bosses being a divorced couple always bickering with one another putting a damper on the workplace.

One night Ari finds herself chatting with Russell Barringer, a sports reporter at the station. Russell has also noticed the atmosphere at work and the two of them come up with a plan to push their bosses together thinking unresolved feelings are still there. Of course this means Ari and Russell will have to spend a lot of time together in order to “Parent Trap” their bosses.

Weather Girl by Rachel Lynn Solomon was such a delightful story that I couldn’t help but get totally caught up inside. The story was such a cute one with the characters trying to set up their bosses but Ari felt much more like a real person with having depression she was dealing with. I didn’t think the two sides of this would mix well but I was wrong as the book did still have that lighthearted fun that you would expect from a rom-com type of read but also with a more realistic twist that you don’t normally find and I was definitely a fan.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

I loved this book. It started with such witty chapter headings that were weather puns and just got better from there! Ari is a local meteorologist whose boss doesn't fully see her. Her boss's ex-husband also works at the station, which has created a somewhat hostile environment for all involved. Russell, one of the station's sports reporters, connects with Ari at their holiday party as they commiserate over the latest blowup between the exes. They create a plan to try to get their 2 bosses back together, and in the process learn more about each other and begin to form a connection that is a bit more than friendship.

The voices of the characters are witty. They have complex motivations and backgrounds. I appreciated the frank discussions about mental health and seeing a therapist. Demystifying these things are so important. I also found it nice to see different family representations throughout the whole novel. It was a dimension that I haven't always seen in literature that I would love to see more of.

A highly recommended read!

While Weather Girl is a sweet, slow burn romance, the story tackles some tough topics in a serious but relatable way that didn’t make the plot line feel too heavy. Having struggled with depression so a significant amount of time, I really connected with Ari in several aspects. I really felt Ari’s emotions watching her character develop and her break down.

Even with the tough topics, Weather Girl still brings humor, steam and amazing side characters it would be a crime to exclude them. Rachel Lynn Solomon exceeded my expectations and I can’t wait to see what she writes next!

Thank you Berkley Publishing and Netgalley for the advanced copy and Rachel Lynn Solomon for writing such a beautiful story.

Weather Girl is an office romance between Ari (a meteorologist with depression) and Russell (sports reporter/single dad who is plus-sized), who team up to bring their bosses back together (reminded me of the movie Set It Up).

This book honestly exceeded my expectations! It was a cute romance book that made me laugh out loud and smile but also dealt with serious topics such as mental health (which I could personally relate to), body image, and parenthood. I loved the writing style and all the weather puns. Can’t wait to read more books by this author!

Thank you to Berkley and Netgalley for providing me an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!

A 5 star read! There isn't a thing I didn't LOVE about this book! So much so that I went ahead and bought a paperback copy to have on my shelves! I simply couldn't get enough and never wanted this sweet and charming romance to end. I highly recommend Weather Girl and the authors debut novel - both of which were 5 star reads for me!

So cute and I loved the artwork!
There was a sprinkle of fatphobia in there so just be aware. Funny, insightful - I will always support my Jewish queen!

Rachel Lynn Solomon is becoming one of my favorite romance writers! As a journalist, I normally can't stand any media that has journalists as the main characters, because it's almost always a frustratingly inaccurate representation. But Solomon captures the realness of a newsroom so well, and her characters are lovable and real. I need her to publish more books, immediately!

This book was cute but kinda predictable. There are some sweet moments and I did shed a tear. Reminded me a lot of her other book the Ex talk where it was just a cute story but nothing readily stood out.

*Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for providing a free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book was so cute! I really enjoy a workplace romance story. It did seem a little unbelievable that Torrence and Seth would still be allowed to work there together with the way they were behaving towards each other with no reprimanding or HR issues, but alas, it's just a book. Russell seemed really adorable although at times it was hard to fully picture him because of the descriptions. He likes sports and is/was athletic? But then Solomon described his "belly" a few times? So maybe just basic dad bod? Wasn't sure. I also appreciated the discussions around depression and how it can affect people so differently and treatments can also vary. Especially in today's world, talking more openly about mental health and depression, in general, is relevant and necessary. My one negative is the ending! I hate when people use someone else's wedding to do their own proposal. I think him proposing either when they are alone or even at the bat mitzvah would have made more sense for their characters.
Overall, super cute and fun read and I look forward to more from this author.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. It was meaningful to read a book that dealt with depression in such an honest way. I also loved that the book was so body positive for both characters-I can't think of any book that deals with men feeling insecure. The ending felt a bit rushed, but the romance felt real which always helps me tolerate any pacing issues.

Ari Abrams loves the rain, she loves all the weather that Seattle has to offer but she’s been obsessed with the commonality of the rain since she was young. Now, she’s the weather girl, securing her dream job at the Seattle News station working with the woman she’s idolized since she watched the news at 5am every morning before school. Life should be great, she’s living her actual dream, however reality isn’t so sunny. Torrance Hale - the living weatherwoman legend has fallen short of what Ari was expecting in her idol, boss, and mentor. After Torrance and her ex-husband, station news director Seth Hale finally called it quits they have been at odds and ends trying to piss the other off and creating a semi-toxic work environment for everyone in their storm path.

After the most disastrous holiday party Ari cant’t help but strike up a conversation with Sport caster Russell, airing out all her grievance about working under Torrance, and he reciprocates with his own annoyance with Seth, the two scheme to force the once lovebirds back into a happy relationship so to salvage not only Seth and Torrance’s reputations but also the station as a whole.

For fans of the movie Set It Up, I found this book incredibly refreshing and even found myself laughing out loud at parts. This story depicts a realistic representation of mental illness and the daily struggles and stigma around it. The author does what I found the most incredible job at not using Ari’s depression to cast a ‘cloud’ of shame over the short comings Ari deals with on a daily basis while also showing readers a different side to a characters mental illness and how they cope with it.

A huge HAPPY PUB DAY to @rlynn_solomon and #WeatherGirl!!

I will never not IMMEDIATELY read anything that Rachel Lynn Solomon writes and I was so excited to get my hands on her newest adult romance, Weather Girl!!

There is so much to love here and I have no doubt that this will be an incredibly loved book! A Jewish, own voices romance with exploration of mental health, sex positivity, and body positivity? I am here for it. It means so much to see myself represented in books and Solomon’s descriptions of Judaism perfectly capture some of my own experiences.

Weather Girl follows Ari and Russell who both work at a Seattle tv station and who decide, after witnessing another epic showdown between their divorced bosses, that they might be able to get them back together. What starts as scheming turn to friendship and then some, and it was so cool seeing some of the inner workings of a tv station. The romance here is a slow burn - reeeeaaaallllly slow at first - but then WHAM!! The next thing you know you’ve fallen in love with Ari and Russ and you NEED THEM TO BE TOGETHER!! I seriously cheered these two on and loved their sweet (and then definitely steamy) romance.

I am so grateful to @berkleyromance and @netgalley for the eARC of this one in exchange for my honest opinion.

3.5/5

Weather girl was a very cute parent trap romance story. The book begins with meteorologist, Ari Abrams, and sports reporter, Russell, plotting to bring their divorced bosses back together. However, as Ari and Russell spend time planning elaborate ruses to reignite a spark between their employers, they also seem to find themselves growing closer and closer with each interaction.

One of the main moving plot lines was Ari’s ongoing battle with depression. I really appreciated the transparency she had throughout the book showcasing the benefits of therapy, medication, and how to communicate that part of her life to a potential partner and family members. I see many books usually gloss over a characters battle with mental health or they zero in on the struggles on every page which sometimes overshadows the message but I think Weather Girl had a really good balance where it felt organic.

Overall, Weather Girl was a very fun and fast read with relatable characters. I also really enjoyed the side plot of a second chance romance between the two side characters.

Side note: I am not a huge fan of chapter titles, I feel like they take me out of the story or they spoil the chapter for me when I just want to keep reading without any hints. However, the chapter titles in Weather Girl were very charming with so many weather puns that you can’t help but smile at.

My ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Great story! I loved getting to know these characters. I loved watching them struggle and succeed, both seemed very relatable. I think both characters were strong and independent, very well developed. Their relationship was a bit rocky and I wished there was more time to see it blossom. Overall, the story was very funny and also had a ton of depth.