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.
Release Date: Jan 26, 2021
Heat Level: Sensual
Publisher: Penguin Group
Imprint: Berkley
Price: $9.99
Public Radio Romance… sign me up!
I picked this book based on the cover and the title. That’s it. No backstory or blurb reading. If you’ve read my reviews before you know the drill. Imagine my surprise when I got so wrapped up in this one, I was standing in my bathroom for nearly an hour and half before I remembered I was there to brush my teeth so I could go to bed. Of course, makes you wonder what kept me standing but only deserved four stars… it all started with a fake break up.
Shay Goldstein is in love with the radio. She has been since she was a child and it’s always been her dream to host a radio program, even if she doesn’t have the perfect radio voice. When she’s offered a shot at co-hosting a brand-new program. Only two problems that:
One, her co-host is an arrogant, young reporter who is too cute for his own good and has to constantly tell people about his master’s degree. Two, they have to lie about their relationship to have the show.
It’s all about ex’s who stayed friends and want to talk relationships. Shay doesn’t plan on falling for the delish Dominic Yun… is it bad that sometimes my mind read his last name as Yum? Yep, I’m going to the bad place for sure. Dominic is all serious shell outside, soft gooey inside. Watching Shay and Dominic fall for each other is equally fun. Shay is this awkward, still-trying-to-figure-out-what-she-wants-almost-thirty-something. Dominic is the guy that kind of shows her what she’s been missing, at least in the friendship, don’t want to be lonely anymore department.
Set against the backdrop of Seattle, the city, the radio, everything just breathes life. At moments I felt like I was there. The rivals to lovers’ angle works and morphs from rivals to friends to something in-between. There is also a distinct feminist angle that I enjoyed and was a grounding to situations we see too often in real life.
What held me back… the lying aspect of the radio program and how it develops kind of stung a bit. I also wanted the villain of the story, because there is one, to get a little more just desserts. Those expectations really fit in romance IMO, not only should love conquer all but jerks get put in their place. There’s a fantasy aspect that needs to be met.
Overall, I wouldn’t mind reading more from Rachel Lynn Solomon and will be on the lookout for her next adult rom-com. If you are a fan of Sally Thorne this book is one to grab.
~ Landra
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