The Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon
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Web ID: 1435245740 reviews
It's like reading a romantic episode of NewRadio!
This was my first book by Rachel Lynn Solomon and trust me, it WILL NOT be my last! I wasn't sure what to expect and as someone who doesn't really listen to NPR (or podcasts for that matter), I was genuinely concerned if that factor was going to impact my interest in the story. While those elements are essential for the story, they DO NOT take away from it at all. Rachel gives you just enough background to understand the nuisances of working in public radio. For that reason, The Ex Talk is simply delightful in every sense of the word. I still can't believe how quickly I read this book and how fast I fell in love with Shay and Dominic. Shay Goldstein has dreamed of being in radio ever since she was a little girl. Her fondest memory: the “Dan and Shay New Show” she did with her dad at Goldstein’s Gadgets. Fast forwarding 10 years, Shay has made that dream a reality as the youngest senior producer for Pacific Public Radio. While she longs to be on the air versus behind the scenes, Shay has accepted that she doesn’t quite have the “voice” for radio. What she can’t accept - newbie and golden boy Dominic. Quickly becoming her office nemesis, she is sick of him throwing his weight around and acting like his four months trumps her ten years of experience simply because he has a Master’s in Journalism from Northwestern (that he mentions with every other breath he takes). As he is a reporter and she is a producer for Puget Sounds, outside of him disrespecting the booking schedule, she takes solace in the fact that she doesn’t have to deal with him. This tranquility is rudely interrupted when Kent, the station manager, decides to take a proposed talk show idea and make it a reality - with Shay and Dominic at the helm. Not only do two people who can’t stand each other now have to work closely together, they have to pretend they dated, broke up, and were able to remain friends! There is absolutely no way this can possibly go wrong. I digested this entire book in a day, I just couldn’t put it down. There is so much humor I can’t remember not laughing! The banter, the slow build, the quirkiness of the characters, all of it just made the story perfect. As mentioned before, I am not an NPR or podcast type person but this book is strongly making me reconsider my stance! Rachel did a wonderful job presenting and developing her characters. They weren't just names on a page, you felt like you knew them to the core. Going deeper, I really enjoyed how Rachel tackled various topics while not taking away from the story. Fact or lie, Shay and Dominic did represent an interracial couple. Ruthie brings to light how that is perceived, especially towards Asians who date outside of their own race. Rachel also touches on the racism Asians face in America as well when Dominic enlightens Shay on some of the comments/feedback he had received from listeners. Lastly, Rachel also demonstrates misogynistic micro-aggression when the station manager only asks the women to take notes “because they are good at it” or only goes with an idea of it is backed by a male counterpart. These revelations bring an unexpected depth to the story and a reminder of every day issues we may take for granted. As for the spice, I will admit Rachel snuck that one up on me. With the delivery of the slow burn romance and tiptoeing around the idea of intimacy, I didn’t know what to expect. To be honest, the humor and beautiful storyline were captivating enough but suddenly you hit a scene and you are just like “Wow, ok then!” She does an amazing job keeping the intimacy and passion within the scenes but what I love most of all is how the characters live in the moment, they talk, they share, they connect verbally and physically - heightening the entire experience. A personal note: I always experience a wave of empathy when a character is experiencing grief for the lost of a parent. Shay makes a comment on page 301 about how losing someone doesn’t just happen once. I read and reread that paragraph because Rachel nailed it! The emotional lost that Shay was still experiencing 10 years after her father had passed was palatable. It never goes away and she said it earlier in the story, even if you wave off the “sorry for your loss” comment and tell the person giving it how much time has passed, to you, to the person who suffered the lost - it still feels like it happened yesterday. Last but not least - the resolve! I absolutely loved everything about the last two chapters of this book. I was already falling in love with Rachel’s writing but that ending just solidified it. From beginning to end, The Ex Talk captured my mind, heart, and delivered a spectrum of emotions across my face. I can't wait to see what else Rachel has written and connect to the incredible characters she creates.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
One of the best romances I've ever read
I didn’t think I could ever be a bigger fan of Rachel Lynn Solomon’s work. I was wrong. I missed out on THE EX TALK in 2021 because I was still reading/reviewing books as a side hustle and sadly just didn’t have time. But I’m really glad that I didn’t because I don’t think I would’ve enjoyed it nearly as much, nor would I have appreciated it. I absolutely loved this book. I was hooked from the beginning. This couple had an amazing amount of chemistry and I was invested in their relationship (or lack thereof) from the jump. There was so much sizzle and heat. And the fact that I’m NPR trash (and personally connected with the podcast production industry) meant that I was the perfect audience for all of the public radio-ness of this book. I’ve never been one to highlight books (ever) but I highlighted so much of this because I related to so much. I think it’s safe to say that this is my favorite Rachel Lynn Solomon book and I can’t wait to return to it again and again.
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Love this story
Ok I LOVED this story. Could not put it down and absolutely fell in love with Dominic....and STEVE. Steve is the MVP. I am a public radio obsessive. I have a line up of three different NPR current event podcasts I listen to every morning, and I turn on the NPR stream when I feel homesick. I've toured the studios in Atlanta and Boston. They create magic. The same kind of storytelling magic Rachel Lynn Solomon conjures here. Like all of her books, I am totally immersed, totally in love, and totally obsessed.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
this book had me giggling
I give this book a 4.5 ALSO BECAUSE I HAVE LIKE 4 CHAPTERS BUT IN A SLUMP! Other than that. i got this book for my birthday and i ate this up. shay is so funny and a girlboss icon. Dominic is so sweet and funny actually them together they're the funniest couple alive. OMG WHEN THEY WENT TO THAT DARK FOOD PLACE THAT SCENE HAD ME ON THE FLOOR. so i want to thank my friend for spending money just so i can die of laughing from this book love you
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Loved it, from start to finish!
Highly entertaining story to watch unfold! Shay and Dominic are the perfect example of enemies to lovers. I was hooked from the first chapter of the audiobook and found myself canceling my plans so I could finish it. Shay steps out of her comfort zone of producing, to co-host a new radio talk show with the one person she can't stand at the office. Dominic is proud of his education and wants to report ground-breaking news, but when there are budget cuts on the line, he has to decide where he wants his future in broadcasting to be. Shay and Dominic will win over your heart and make you laugh with their witty banter and undeniable chemistry. As they come to terms with being first time co-hosts, while pretending to be exes, a friendship develops the more they get to know one another, and soon they're not pretending anymore. I highly recommend listening to the audiobook of this one, as it brings the radio host aspect to life brilliantly! With plenty of heat and humor, this should be at the top of everyone's TBR.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Such a funny, sweet, romantic book! Read it!
You know I’m a sucker for anything with a cute, discreet cover, but even aside from the cover, this book was absolutely amazing. From learning about the world of radio broadcasting, to being a producer behind the scenes, Rachel Lynn Solomon had me hooked from the beginning. This story followed Shay and Dominic, co workers at a local radio station in Seattle, and lets just say, they weren’t the biggest fans of one another. In other words, this story had enemies to lovers, and workplace romance ( as well as other tropes I’ll mention later). Shay was ambitious, focused, funny, sweet, and a joy. Dominic came off as a bit arrogant and a bit of a know it all at the beginning of the story, but thankfully the more Shay getting to know Dominic more, we got to see his true personality and I absolutely fell in love with him. Shay and Dominic pretended to have dated in the past in order to play along for their podcast show, “The Ex Talk”, in which Shay and Dominic talk about what went wrong in their relationship and then became co-hosts of their show. Ironically enough, Shay and Dominic never dated, but… the listeners didn’t know that. In a way you also had the fake dating trope with Shay and Dominic having to pretend that they once had a relationship together. I thought the premise of the plot was interesting and it piqued my interest right away. This story reminded me of a romantic comedy movie that I would definitely watch and fall for all the cheesy, sweet romance of it all. This book was oozing with tension between Shay and Dominic that at certain points while reading I would just wonder, “…OH MY GOD!” The tension was fantastic! Shay and Dominic’s attraction to one another slowly built up over the course of the story that when they finally initiated intimacy it was like a bunch of fireworks went off and I was so excited for them haha. Once Shay and Dominic started to realize they were feeling more for each other on a deeper level that was when I became more invested in both the story and in Shay and Dominic. I also loved reading those lines where you could tell Dominic was becoming more vulnerable, more open with Shay, and especially when he wanted to spend more time with her. For example, Dominic asking Shay if she could come over to his apartment, making up excuses for Shay to meet up with him in Booth C (IYKYN!) and inviting Shay to have dinner with Dominic’s parents. Shay and Dominic were bound to end up together despite initially not liking one another, they somehow made sense together. The moments of Shay and Dominic being together were some of my favorites from their trip to the island, going antique shopping together, and basically any moment together was great. This story was sweet, funny, amazing, bit steamy, romantic, and overall had lovely characters that you’ll love.
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
A Wonderful Debut!
The magic of this book is in the details. Rachel Lynn Solomon has a special way of writing that puts you right in the story. All the little details mean that you are completely immersed in the scene and so you are able to really see, hear, feel everything the characters are. It is really a wonderful experience. On top of that, Solomon's characters are fully formed. Shay has worked in public radio for a decade. It's all she knows and she loves it. When station ratings lead to a new direction, Shay finds herself working on a podcast show along with the new guy. Said new guy is Dominic. Dominic has a masters in journalism and, fresh out of college, has stars in his eyes for the idea of telling the hard news whereas Shay loves telling the stories of humanity. These two do not see eye to eye and so we have a classic enemies to lovers romance. What is truly beautiful about these two is the journey they go on, both separately and together. There is vulnerability and loss and overcoming change that neither really saw coming, pushing them out of their comfort zones. The setting of public radio in the Seattle area was so enjoyable. Solomon puts you behind the scenes without getting too caught in the weeds with unnecessary information. I found it both interesting and entertaining. One of my favorite parts of this book was the banter, especially the transcripts of the episodes that Shay and Dominic recorded together. It was altogether great! The Ex Talk is a fresh, captivating, steamy romance with chemistry and heart. Solomon has landed herself on my must-read authors list as I anxiously await her next work. Highly recommend!
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Customer review from barnesandnoble.com
Predictable with some hilarious banter
It was an ok read for me. I did like the banter between Dominic and Shay. It flowed well and made me giggle, especially during their radio show. I'm not really sure why I didn't like it more. I just got really annoyed at Shays boss for treating her the way he did. And then mad at Dominic for daring to take the job after shay was pretty much forced out. Like ugh! I liked Dominic ok in the beginning. Then he made me so mad. I just think Shay forgave him too quickly. I know she loved him. But there should be lot more talking it out and communication. I really hated Kent. And I'm so glad that Dominic and Shay both quit and went their own ways. I just...I really just didn't like them together after everything. I don't know. I knew how it was going to end and yet I still didn't like it
Customer review from barnesandnoble.com