Book Review: The Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon

 

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Genre: Romance

Honestly, this book just wasn’t my cup of tea. It took so much willpower to get through this book it felt soooo longgg and took me way more time than it should’ve. Though, I think other people may like this more than me, I definitely think it’s a preference thing.

Continue reading for more details.

Synopsis:

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.

Review:

Shay…I didn’t love her. She was an ok main character, but she exhausted me. She’s such a brilliant girl with so much potential, but the way she always felt bad for herself and didn’t believe in herself was so depressing. Like it was a very primenet part of her throughout the book. Though, I understand it was a set up for her character development, but maybe that character development could’ve happened a bit quicker? The way Shay acted near the very end of the book was great because she really felt empowered and I loved seeing her know her value. 

“I'm a solid second, but I'm no one's first.”

I didn’t hate Dominic, he was better than Shay, though. He felt mature, sure of himself, and once we got to know him better, he was such a cutie. Honestly, a perfect rival for sure and I totally understand why Shay didn’t like him at first, I would’ve felt the same in Shay’s position. I really don’t have too much to say about him, but I definitely really liked getting to know him under his professional demeanor. 

At first, the chemistry was absolute chef's kiss between the two. There was so much tension and all the forced proximity moments they had added so much to their chemistry. Both of them on air were SO MUCH FUN! I really wish we had so much more of that, especially, especially in the second half. Though, once these two got together, they made a good team but maybe this is a me issue, things got boring. Like some moments were really fun and great, but some were just eh whatever. I got uninvested in the second half which definitely made things boring.

“He’s watching me with an expression of clear amusement. Instead of going in for a hug, I stick out my hand.

‘ i’m going to hold you to that.’ His hand is large, slender fingers fitting between mine and warming my skin.

‘it was a pleasure breaking up with you.”

Talking about boring, let’s discuss the plot! The first half was great as the idea of the ex talk was playing out, being recorded, while the tension was tensioning! Second half, things really winded down and it felt like the focus was solely on Dominic and Shay who were trying to figure out what they were while hiding their relationship. It was truly just frustrating. I wish we could’ve had more time with the ending, if that makes sense. I really liked the things that unraveled at the very end and would love seeing more of that. 

“But maybe that’s what we all are—halfway-broken people searching for things that will smooth our jagged edges.”

Also, I love the radio focused concept! I feel like that was such a cool, new, fresh idea and definitely made things more interesting since I’ve never really explored the radio industry. Just again, more focus on radio in the second half would’ve been great! Also, I love the way Shay and her Dad bonded over the radio, I feel like that was so special and I thought her having difficulty coping afterwards was very understandable.

“Make people cry, and then make them laugh,” my dad would say. “But most of all, make sure you’re telling a good story.”

Overall, I wish I could’ve loved Shay more because that definitely would’ve helped with getting through the second half of the book but honestly, it’s not a bad book and y’all might like it more than me so if you’re interested in a change of pace with your romance books, this might be it for you!

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