Book Review
Book: The Ex Talk
Author: Rachel Lynn Solomon
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Rating: 4 stars
Synopsis (Goodreads)
Public radio co-hosts navigate mixed signals in Rachel Lynn Solomon's sparkling romantic comedy debut.
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.
My Review:
Of course, the instagram hype made me pick this one, and also my dire need to read some light romance, but I did not expect this book to be about such cute and perfect characters, and such a refreshing and amazing setting. I really enjoyed reading each and every chapter. It made me laugh out loud several times while reading about witty and funny dialogues of Shay and Dominic.
Plot: This book revolves around Shay Goldstein and Dominic Yun (Korean American) who are working in Pacific Public Radio. Shay, 29, is a senior producer. And Dominic, 24, is fresh off journalism master program. From the very beginning Dominic’s cool demeanor irritates Shay. She can’t stand his intimidating, know-it-all personality. When Shay proposes a new radio show, her boss, Kent, assigns her and Dominic to host the show together. Real fun starts when they start working together on this new show.
Setting: I really loved that the story was set in a radio station. It was a refreshing concept for me, which I thought might be boring as I’m not fond of listening to radio myself, but I ended up loving this setting. Also the minute details of Korean background, their preferences in kitchen, and how Koreans prefer having multiple kitchen utensils (mostly antique) were amazing as I’m a big fan of Korean dramas myself.
Characters: Shay and Dominic, perfect cohosts, perfect exes and perfect couple. Shay is hardworking, funny, witty, and devoted to working at station. Dominic is a typical Korean boy (if you watch Korean dramas then you know what I mean), with intimidating height, attractive personality, and cocky smile. I loved that how Shay is attracted to his height and his signature pose (his lean on doorframe).
Overall, I adored this book. It is quirky, fast-paced, funny, romantic, hot, and extremely enjoyable. There is only one thing that prevented me to give this book 5 stars. I really wanted to read Dominic point of view. There are a few scenes where I wished to know what exactly Dominic’s thoughts could be. But this book is written in Shay’s point of view. Well, this was my first book by Rachel Lynn Solomon, and it is not the last. Apart from that, everything was perfect. Recommended!
My Favorite Lines:
“Sometimes I wonder if content is really just a synonym for complacent. I try not to think about that though.”
“It shaped me. I don’t know if I’d have finished growing up without it. Without knowing that kind of heartbreak. And now it’s just something I carry with me.”
“There isn’t anything I can realistically have with him that isn’t casual. If this is the only way I can have him, then I have to be okay with it.”
Very well drafted review.... Impressive style