4.5 STARS
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The story had such a great plot. It really has the ability just to suck you into the story and, it’s definitely going to be one that you will want to re-read again and again.

The two main characters are just a delightful experience. They have such wonderful qualities and the author did a fabulous job with the build-up. Their personalities are eclectic; they balance each other beautifully. You feel and experience their vulnerabilities too.

I absolutely love the lessons in bed that lead them into a bit of trouble. It is humorous, sexy, steamy, and slightly embarrassing for them but a delight to follow along as they learn and explore each other.

Finn is a fabulous character. He has wonderful qualities that make him stand out in the book boyfriend crowd. The hot nerd is definitely alive and well.

Solomon has added so much to the story that keeps it interesting and unique. We have characters with OCD, anxiety, parental issues, and past abortions. All of these are handled with grace and compassion. She also brings us empowerment and a focus on healing in this touching story.

The one thing that really disappointed me though is the ending. After everything we went through in the book, the ending fell super short for me. I wanted more! An epilogue would have made this a 5-star read for me.

Overall, Business or Pleasure is fun, exciting, sexy, steamy, empowering, and fresh. Grab this one!

I don't know what to think about this one and it is breaking my heart! I've adored all of Rachel's books, both YA and adult and this one just felt flat to me. I'm not sure if I am a different reader than I was when I read Weather Girl last year or if the lessons in this book are a trope I do not enjoy. 

I will start with what I enjoyed, obviously RLS' mental health representation is excellent. Finn has OCD and I appreciated the casual way it was incorporated into the story while still showing how an adult with OCD lives. I also really liked the beginning of the story. I was hooked right away. 

If you like low angst/conflict in books you might like this one bc there was no tension!! (there still is a 3rd act break up) And then the tension that was here wasn't fleshed out enough. They can't be together because they are working together and yet that is resolved instantly. But, also there is conflict with one of his former castmates and I don't think that got resolved? Not that it needed to, but I would've liked at least the characters to have a bit of closure. 

I just found Finn to be a bland love interest and without sharing too much found him really un sexy despite his eagerness. Yeah it's hot he wanted to learn and is enough of a man to admit his lack of finesse but it just didn't work for me. I normally love nerds and seeing passion for fandoms in books and yet his LOTR thing was just too much. Maybe having his POV would've helped? Idk I just haven't found a man this unattractive in a hot second despite him being pretty great on paper. 

And Chandler was fine? Not a ton to say about her. I appreciated her being stuck with her life being scared to dream and tbh it probably hit a bit close to home bc it just idk didn't move me??

I feel bad being this critical bc RLS is a fave and I loved the first bit of this book, but by the end I just did not care. I still will probably be buying this book because I want to see Rachel on tour but oooof. 

I do not consider myself a fan of angst, but I really need more tension between the main characters in a contemporary. Usually that is formed in the slow burn, but here it's not a physical slowburn and the emotional slowburn isn't really discussed much,

Rachel 👏🏼 Lynn 👏🏼 Solomon 👏🏼

She is and remains an auto-buy author. This expansion of the RLS universe was incredibly fun and warmed my little nerd heart. Even more than that, this is one of the rare romance novels that does not rely on the miscommunication trope! If you want a book with a combination of compelling characters, poignant moments, and yes steamy scenes too, be sure to check this out (then go read RLS's other books).

I was so excited when I saw I was approved to read this book. I started reading it right away. I thought the book was cute, but I didn’t love it as much as I hoped I would. I felt like the book was kind of slow and the storyline was easily forgettable. A few days after reading it, I barely remember anything about it. I also felt like there wasn’t much chemistry between Chandler and Finn. I just don’t think this book was for me. I know others read and loved it!

Thank you Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I liked this a lot it was sexy and charming. I don't love the self-referential bit but I will recommend it for my Romance book club.

I loved the book. It's sweet and steamy Chandler and Finn are relatable characters Seeing them getting to know each other while traveling the country was a lot of fun especially with the sex lessons.
Excellent mental health and Jewish representation.

I feel decidedly meh about this one. Wasn't bad, but didn't really capture my attention. I thought the concept was great and I loved reading about the two characters growing more comfortable with each other, but something about it felt a bit surface-level. Would give it 3-3.5 stars.

I have had mixed feelings about RLS's adult romances in the past--while I enjoyed The Ex Talk and Weather Girl, to be honest, I didn't quite understand all the hype. I'm glad I stuck with her, though, because I flew through*6 Business or Pleasure. It wasn't the most dramatic or heartwrenching when the couple had to overcome the hurdles, like it is with some books, but it was refreshing to read a romance where I wasn't positively heartbroken at certain points. I also really liked the whole ghostwriting bit--it's nice to be interested in things beyond the romance between the MCs, so that helped keep me invested throughout.

This was my first book by Rachel Lynn Solomon. It definitely wont be my last.
The steamy portions were 10/10. The relationship was delicious. The book was just a fun read and I enjoyed every page. Finn and Chandler is a pair. He has OCD, she has anxiety. It is addressed so well that it doesnt weigh the book down. They had shared a one night stand in the past that was so terrible Chandler offers to give him sex lessons. It leads to a very sex positive and enjoyable (dont forget spicy) novel.
Now I have to go back and read the rest of RLSs catalouge.

Thank you to Berkley and NetGalley for the ARC

This knocked me out of a reading rut! I loved the idea of ghostwriter and the meet cute with her future client who she doesn't recognize. She grows a lot on her journey through writing and sex and denying she has a real crush. Her confidence grows, but not quite enough to make the leap to relationship which causes all the tension.

I really enjoyed both of the main characters here--Finn is so very likeable despite being a Hollywood actor, you can see why it works with Chandler.

Two books in one week where the FMC watches Murder, She Wrote to unwind!!!!!

Girl ghostwrites book for influencer. Girl goes to book signing for said book. Girl's name doesn't get recognized by said influencer. Girl goes to drink at bookstore bar. Girl meets cute, dorky boy. Girl and dorky boy hook up. Hook up is....... not great. Like, <i>really</i> not great. Girl ghosts boy in the morning. Girl gets call for next ghostwriting gig. Girl runs to meeting for said gig. Girl sees boy again. Well, that's awkward.

Turns out boy is actually Finn, an actor best known for playing a nerd on a supernatural teen drama from the late aughts who now does the comicon circuit for a living. He's had a tough time finding just the right writer for his memoir, but he's confident that Chandler can actually do it justice. They agree that they can acknowledge and get over the awkwardness for the sake of the book; Chandler also breaks the news to Finn that things were not great during their time together. They make a deal where Chandler will help Finn in that department along the way. They catch feelings. What could happen?!

I enjoyed this one. I have started really looking forward to Rachel Lynn Solomon's new releases. I love how she writes solid Jewish representation in romance because it's still really not something that is seen super often. Finn was adorably dorky-- and so was Chandler. I liked seeing their dorkiness align and for them to each come into their own, PLUS have good mental health discussions!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my thoughts.

It’s a testament to Rachel’s writing that I was able to keep reading after Chandler and Finn’s awkward one night stand. It was horrifying but then Rachel managed to craft a story, as well as a realistic relationship, that I was able to root for. I think this may be my favorite of a Rachel’s work!

Thanks to Berkley Romance for the advance e-publicity copy of BUSINESS OR PLEASURE by Rachel Lynn Solomon, out July 4 2023.

No doubt this is RLSs steamiest book yet and I am completely here for it. Full of sex positive experiences, this was a perfect book to read on vacation.

I love a good slow burn romance, but this takes it to the next level. I love these characters, and Rachel Solomon really knows how to develop an emotional connection between strangers quickly and effectively. Also, the spice. OH MY GODDDDD, the spice is just next level. I am regretting being single right now more than I can possibly say.

Rating: 5/5
Warnings: OCD, anxiety, brief mentions of anti-semitism, abortion (in past), abuse by a parent (in past)
Steam: 4/5
Tropes: it's just a hookup, workplace, forced proximity, ownvoices

Thank you to Berkley Romance and NetGalley for access to this advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion

To review this book is to rave about how good it is and how RLS keeps getting better and better. I have been away from this book for a few days and still can't stop thinking about it.

Things I Loved: First off, this is her spiciest book yet and I was here for it. This book was so sex positive, the "teach me" aspect of this book was sexy and not at all creepy. RLS has this amazing way of creating sexual tension that even a kiss is WOW in this book. But there was also a balance of spice with heart, great communication, comedy and just a softness.

I think the career crisis in this book was such a relatable thing for so many of us. All RLS books take place in the PNW and it just makes me happy. Finn and Chandler had the most delightful slow burn (post one night stand). I loved how kind they were to each other. Finn is a hot nerd and I love it. Such a foodie book. The Jewish representation was wonderful and so poignant. I think the OCD and Anxiety representation was spot on and really special to see in a romance. I also appreciate how abortion was handled in this book with care.

Things I Didn't Love: The one pagers of Finn's former shows...I was never a teen wolf girlie and therefore, I was not the target audience for this lol

This book was okay. I’m not into teen werewolf so half the things discussed were a miss for me. Felt a tad too long as well.

Thank you NetGalley for eARC in exchange for an honest review

A romance about a woman ghostwriter giving sex lessons to the struggling male actor she's working with after their awkward first hook-up? Uh, yes!

The moments centered around this plot point deliver on the promise of fun, but the rest of the novel felt underwhelming. There wasn't much plot, which would've been fine if the characters were more compelling, but Chandler and Finn were rather dull. Their character arcs and personal struggles weren't interesting, making it difficult to invest, and slowed the story's pacing.

I was able to root for their relationship. Chandler and Finn were incredibly charming; I enjoyed their funny, supportive dynamic.

Rachel Lynn Solomon brings the spice with Business or Pleasure. This book had everything I enjoy in Rachel’s books, realistic characters, Jewish representation, and witty banter. I liked how Finn’s OCD was explained and represented throughout the book. There is even a tiny callout to The Ex Talk, which I loved!

Finn was my favorite character in the book and I liked how open and honest he was about things and not afraid to be vulnerable. It might have been the headspace I was in when reading, but I did find some parts a little bit slow and at times Chandler felt a little too immature. But, I honestly love anything Rachel rights and like all of her previous books, of course recommend this one!

After loving Rachel Solomon's first novel but not enjoying her second, I am so happy that she knocked it out of the park for me with her latest! Such a fun read and I absolutely loved the main couple.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the free e-copy.

RLS truly does not disappoint with this latest romcom between a ghostwriter struggling to find her groove and the famous actor who she has a one night stand with and later ends up hiring her to write his new memoir.

I fell in love with Chandler and Finn and the honest conversations they have about female pleasure, desire and mental health. Their first night together was less than stellar for Chandler and she offers to give Finn sex lessons when he discovers his past partners were left dissatisfied in the bedroom department too.

One of my favorite things about reading a RLS book is how personal they feel and how relatable her Jewish characters are. Full of humor and a ton of heart and NO third act break up, this was utterly enjoyable from start to finish and I can't recommend it enough!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Berkley for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review! Do yourselves a favor and add this one to your TBRs for July! The anxiety and OCD rep were also excellent and so sensitively written!\

CW: talk of past abortion