I really liked this! The romance was great, the characters were fun to read about and I really appreciated the discussion of mental health. I think this is my fave of Rachel’s books so far :)

One of my favorite things about Rachel Lynn Solomon as a storyteller is that she writes characters with mental health struggles, but she never lets these disorders define her characters. They are just one facet of their story. In WEATHER GIRL in particular, Ari successfully manages her depression. She knows her triggers and signs that an episode is coming. That self-awareness and maintenance phase of dealing with mental health is so refreshing to see.

WEATHER GIRL is funny, poignant, and full of wonderful representation. In addition to mental health rep, there is body positivity (a plus-size male love interest) and (as always for RLS) great Jewish rep.

I had a bit of trouble getting into Weather Girl, but once I did I flew through the book.
The friendship & relationship between Ari and Russel is beautiful. They have their ups and downs, and it’s all really realistic.
I love how depression is portrayed in Weather Girl.
Overall, I really did love Weather Girl and think it’s an important book!

Ari Abrams has always loved the weather and has been working at a local TV station with her childhood meteorological hero, Torrence Hale. Ari should be living the dream, but Torrence is more focused on battling with her ex-husband and station News Manager, Seth, than serving as a mentor towards Ari, while also creating a toxic work environment for everyone at the station. After a Holiday Party disaster between Torrence and Seth, Ari and sports reporter Russell Barringer decide to try to act on some seemingly unresolved feelings they’ve noticed between Torrence and Seth and see if nudging them back towards each other could improve things at the station for them and everyone else. While scheming and planning, Ari and Russell start to realize their own chemistry, but Ari is reluctant to let anyone see past her sunshine TV-face. As Ari starts to open up to Russell, she has to decide whether to let the mask crack or continue to face her dark days alone.

This story was just adorable, wonderful, and perfect. That’s it, right? Review over? Kidding, Kidding. But that is really the takeaway; I loved it and would recommend it to anyone and everyone. And the why is because it features really authentic and relatable characters that felt like people I’ve known my whole life. Beyond just Ari and Russell, you get to know Torrence and Seth fairly well, as well as snippets of Ari’s brother, brother-in-law and mother. None of these characters were perfect (except for maybe Ari’s niece and nephew), but they also weren’t flawed in cliché or unbelievable ways. It made it feel very natural and comforting to read and I got caught up in caring so much about the outcomes for these characters.

The reality of these characters went beyond their personalities to also include their body-types; I appreciated the intentional choice to not make Russell a washboard-abed hero. One of the quotes from the book that stuck with me was after Russell referred to himself as fat and Ari started the knee-jerk reflex to respond to him, Russell responded “It’s not a bad word. It’s just an adjective. It’s just the way I am.” He goes more in depth in talking about how his body-type has impacted him from there, but I just really found that powerful; I have trouble thinking about other romance heros I’ve come across recently portrayed this way. He’s also hilarious, sweet, nurturing and so thoughtful and conscientious, while also hiding a fiery side underneath it all.

Finally, I really found Ari’s portrayal of her depression and the way she struggled to let people see how she is truly feeling to be really honest and relatable. I think even people who don’t live with depression will find Ari’s struggle to let people see and accept all of her as something they can connect with. I’ve noticed a trend where author’s write honest and vulnerable notes at the beginning of books where sensitive and potentially triggering topics are addressed, especially when that topic in some way reflects their own life-experience, and I really like it. I would suggest everyone read Rachel’s author note at the beginning of this one, especially if you’re at all concerned about the subject matter of depression. I never find them particularly spoilery, but if you like to go in blind, definitely flip back to the front for that when you’re done!

I loved the chemistry and connection between Russell and Ari; watching them get to know each other and share secret parts of themselves was a wonderful way to watch them build emotional intimacy. And when their physical intimacy starts to build, after a very respectful but somehow still scorching hot caretaking moment? Wow. And their nicknames for each other? Just adorable.

While I own several other RLS novels, this was the first I’ve actually read and I can’t wait to dive back in to another world she’s created, but I know Ari and Russell will always hold a special place in my heart due to the amazing crafting done in this book.

Oh man. This just was not any fun. I gave up after the first third: didn't feel any attachment to the characters; was absolutely not living up to the com in romcom. Life is too short for books that aren't working.

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

This book beautifully combines a tender representation of mental illness with all the joy and excitement of a steamy romance.

Weather Girl sucked me in from page one. It was the perfect level of spice and love story. I couldn’t put this book down. Thank you to Netgalley for this advanced copy.

Sometimes all you need is a super quick and super cute book to get you through the day and thats exactly what this one is.

Not my favorite Rachel Lynn Solomon but still a fun read! A sweet light hearted office romance. It was just a little too slow for me.

4.5 stars! This book was an absolute delight! I loved the conversations surrounding mental health, therapy, medications, and how these things play out in a relationship. The author handled these topics with such care. The characters felt authentic and the way the book comes together was the perfect balance of real life in a rom-com for me.

I loved Russ and Ari, how much Russ loved his daughter, the Jewish rep, the Parent Trap references, office romance vibes, friends to lovers trope, and body positivity.

I loved getting swept up into this story, and cannot wait to read more by RLS.

I loved this book! The characters were so wonderful, and I thought the newsroom setting was so much fun! I loved the Jewish representation and the important conversations about mental health, and I loved that the love interest was a normal guy who wasn't some ripped Adonis. The love story was fun and heartwarming, and I just really enjoyed it overall!

The 𝗣𝗹𝗼𝘁
☔️Morning TV Meteorologist, Ari Abrams loves her job, even though working for her childhood idol, Award-winning Torrance Hale, isn't what she thought it would be.
☔️Torrance's ex-husband Seth, happens to be the Station Director, and the pair constantly bicker at the office, creating a tense work environment. After one of their fights ends in a dramatic disaster at the company Holiday Party, Ari and her co-worker, Sports Reporter Russell, scheme to get the couple back together, hoping to create some harmony in the office.
☔️As Ari and Russell spend more time together, their "Parent-Trap" shenanigans could end up backfiring as they start to fall for each other.

𝗜 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁
Weather Girl is a delightful romantic comedy and a great start to a promising new year of enjoyable and funny reads ahead. The book takes place in one of my favorite cities, Seattle, and I loved all the local references.

Ari has depression, and I admired how her character responsibly and maturely handles it through therapy and medication. The negative thought patterns Ali wrestles with felt authentic and relatable.

Russell is a single dad with a "dad bod," and his discomfort with how his body might appear to Ali was relatable and refreshing to see from the male point of view. He is also a hockey fan and so he immediately stole my heart.

Some steamy scenes probably will not rock your world but are presented as two great people having a great time and felt perfect for this book. I wouldn't say I liked all the plot shifts; nonetheless, the romance bar has been set high with this slow-burn, friends-to-lovers story. My forecast for this book is sunny with some mid-morning clouds that should clear away to a great day ahead.

Oh my goodness, I absolutely LOVED this book! Rachel Lynn Solomon never fails to bring the swoon, steam, and butterflies with every romance she writes, but even more than that, she brings us real characters battling their way through real issues.

I absolutely love that she writes both male and female characters that have complex backstories and that love each other through it all.

I absolutely adored Ari & Russel’s story and the way that Solomon handled mental health issues. This is something that so many of us battle with and it was beautiful seeing someone be loved through their illness not in spite of it. Such a great book!

WEATHER GIRL by Rachel Lynn Solomon was such a cheeky and uplifting rom-com. I love everything I've read from Solomon so far, and this one did not disappoint. I love that the author presented two flawed main characters, and presented an honest and open discussion about depression, mental health, and therapy. It made this book more endearing. I love how Ari and Russ’s relationship came together and how the workplace romance story gave you all the feels. I was cheering for them all along. It is a well-rounded story and I definitely would recommend!

“I meant it when I told you before: I want every version of you.” A fingertip lands in the center of my lower lip. “I love every version of you.”

Ari Abrams = meteorologist, and Russell Barringer = sports reporter, both team up together to get their divorced bosses to fall back in love with each other after the constant bickering between them is too much to handle and the work environment becomes toxic. With all the scheming happening, Ari and Russell grow closer and begin to realize that they’re also the ones falling in love.

Weather Girl had tons of representations, such as mental health. Ari’s journey and struggles with her depression made her vulnerable and it became hard for her especially with relationships because she felt as if she couldn’t be 100% herself so she’d hide that side of her.

☔️READ IF YOU LIKE☔️:
- meteorologist x sports reporter
- friends to lovers
- single dad
- weather puns
- workplace romance
- matchmaking
- The Parent Trap & Set It Up vibes
- mental health, LBGTQ, and Jewish representation

cw: depression, divorce, parent abandonment, body shaming, toxic masculinity, misogyny, manipulation

Thank you to @netgalley and @berkleyromance for the advanced copy! Weather Girl is now available!

Ari Abrams is a TV meteorologist who has always been fascinated by weather. To further cultivate her career, she desires a mentorship with veteran anchor Torrance Hale. Torrance can't make space for Ari though because she is too consumed with feelings for her ex-husband who also happens to direct at their studio.

It's why she and sports correspondent, Russell Barringer, decide to hatch a plan to get the director and weatherwoman back together. As the two work on this plan, they can't help but find that THEY have found some chemistry building between themselves.

Solomon crafts weather-corresponding titles that embrace Ari's stormy moods as she battles mental health struggles, a meatier plot point that weaves skillfully with these weather themes. While I appreciated that, I enjoyed more that Russell is the first plus-size male character I've read where HE struggles with his dad-bod (a plus-size plotline that we often see with only our female protagonists). Bravo to Solomon for this detail!

I enjoyed this one but not as much as The Ex Talk. This might be the case because I'm wildly passionate about the setting and public radio was more intriguing to me than the weather world. Nevertheless, Solomon continues to solidify her standing with me that she is a reliable choice for a solid rom-com.

Very unique - I loved the concept of the "weather girl" with the sports reporter and I don't think that I've ever read a book featuring a male love interest who was a teen parent/ has a pre-teen child. It took a while for me to get into this book but once the parent trap shenanigans were in full swing, it got a lot more exciting! Parent Trap was one of my favourite movies as a kid so I thought that Russell and Ari's plans to get their bosses back together was very cute. I also appreciated how Solomon handled the more challenging topics like mental health/ depression, divorce, and parenthood. I also appreciated that, even though it was a tad predictable, there were still a few twists that I didn't see coming. Lastly, I adored the character of Elodie (Russell's daughter) and her love of musicals and show-tunes. Overall, a perfect rainy day read that I would highly recommend to fellow rom com readers!

Weather Girl is so fun, sweet and poignant. I loved Russ and Ari’s journey. Their passion, caring and friendship is such a fun start and their romance is so well done. I loved Aris path to finding her way towards a healthier place and loving relationship with Russ. Such a fun, sweet and loving story.

Ari Abrams loves the weather, but she doesn’t love the stormy relationship between her boss, legendary meteorologist Torrance Hale, and their news director and Torrance’s ex husband Seth. After a massive blow up at the station holiday party, Ari discovers that Russell Barringer, a cute but reserved sports reporter, shares her frustrations about the office climate, and they hatch a harebrained scheme to parent-trap their bosses back together. Will they be successful? Or will their own rising temperatures, dark clouds, and simmering tensions get in the way?

Another very cute (and very steamy) rom com from Rachel Lynn Solomon. There were things I didn’t love here (mainly the entire “let's set up our bosses” premise, which is well executed, just personally not something I'm a huge fan of) but I adored Russell and Ari’s connection and their realistic and complicated pasts and personalities felt so true to life. From Ari’s depression and mental health issues, their body image concerns, Russell’s family structure, to both of them figuring out what they want from each other and from themselves…there is a very satisfying arc for each of them and for their relationship as a whole. Definitely add to your list for when you are ready for a sweet romance with a lot of spice–Rachel Lynn Solomon knows what she is doing with sex scenes, y’all.

Ok this was a super cute and quick read. I adored the premise of this book. The two main characters were adorable. I found myself relating to Ari quiet a bit. I mean who else doesn't love the rain and gets excited about storms? It can't be just me. I really loved the honest representation of depression. Often times it feels like people try to sugar coat it or even just gloss over it. It often gets treated like it isn't a real illness which is unfortunate and a major disservice to a large portion of the population. Russell was basically just a teddy bear and I absolutely adored his daughter. I would gladly rock out to showtunes with her and Ari anytime.

This was my first Rachel Lynn Solomon book but I have a feeling it won't be my last. I look forward to checking out more of her work in the future.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for giving me a digital copy of this book.