Twenty somethings trying to figure it out...

The Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon is a coming of age for two young adults trying to figure out who they are and what they really want. It is a fun story, sometimes R rated, but in the end I think it will give twenty something year olds hope and relief that they don’t have to have everything figured out. I also liked that they conveyed that you can change careers if you want to, it’s okay. It’s also okay to go back to something and/or someone you love at any age.
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2 people found this helpful

It was so funny, sexy, and relatable!

The Ex Talk is about Shay and Dominic. The pair didn't get along well, so they were the perfect candidates to host a radio show about their past relationship. Except, they never dated, and now they are starting to get to really know each other.

I LOVED the Ex Talk! It was so funny, sexy, and relatable! I am a big fan of the fake-dating trope, but I did not know I needed a fake-exes rom-com in my life until I read this book! Shay is so witty and such a relatable mess of a millennial. I mean, aren't we all just trying to figure out what we are doing? Hahaha, I just wanted to give Dominic a big hug because he was so much more complicated than he seemed at first.

This book is so funny and light-hearted while still touching on serious topics. The author brought up white privilege, age gap in relationships, misogyny, and how differently women are treated in the workplace, which I really appreciated!

It was so close to 5 stars, but one thing happened in the end that really bugged me, but I will not spoil it for you! You'll have to read it!

The narration was well done; however, I feel like it was over-acted during the smutty scenes, so be aware!

Overall, I could not recommend this book more! Any and all lovers of romcoms and deliciously smutty books should get their hands on this book ASAP! ;)

1 person found this helpful

Loved but not perfect

I loved the overall plot of the book. Instead of fake relationship, it's more like fake exes. It's essentially about rivals who have to pretend to have dated so they can host a show about the very same thing. It's inclusive for sure, many of the side characters are racially diverse, including the hero(he's Korean-American) as the heroine is Jewish. If I were judging it on the plot alone, i'd say it was a straight five.
But because it's not about just the plot alone, it's much more a 4-4.5
The heroine was very whoa is me. She was one of those annoying 29 dreading 30 types. As someone in my 30's, especially after surviving COVID, I'm happy as hell be in my 30's. I know real 20-somethings feel like this, but I feel like the media(including books) shape why people feel like if they dont achieve things by a certain age, they havent accomplished anything.
She had everything going for her but jealousy was her achilles heel. She was jealous of her LI for being younger than her and more accomplished, she was even jealous of her mother for being married twice! This woman lost her first husband! That made it challenging to like her because she was young, white, privileged and pretty (even though she saw her brown hair and eyes are drab compared to her mom; yet another thing to be jealous of).
She was insecure about her voice, which I can understand because I've always had a naturally deep voice even as a child. I know what it's like to be made fun of for it. But I had to laugh at her when her privilege came out complaining about it, considering her LI had WAY bigger problems with micro AND macro aggressions.
The hero didnt have his own narrative, so I only knew him through her narrative. He seemed handsome and smug/self-assured for sure. He was a little arrogant but in a naive way, not in an intentional way. I liked him but it felt like they were competing with each other and relationships dont always start out well that way. They had amazing tension though!
It was obnoxious how they kept bringing attention to a five year age difference he was 24, she was 29. I'd hardly say it was as serious as they kept making it. Also, I wasn't sure why her stepdad's name was Phil  he was straight from Nigeria so that seemed odd considering he wasnt Nigerian-American as in born in the US.
Overall, it was wildly entertaining. I'd try this author again.

1 person found this helpful

Sharp, witty, and emotional!

I thought The Ex Talk would be a fun enemies-to-lovers romance, but I ended up getting a deeper, emotional story and I loved it! There was fun, clever banter as I hoped for but loneliness, grief, and sexism in the workplace were also featured.

Shay and Dominic had the most wonderful slow burn, reluctant attraction that built into a seriously hot romance! Ms. Solomon’s sharp and witty dialogue made this such a delightfully fun read. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next!

I alternately read and listened to the book and Emily Ellet’s narration was poignant where deeper emotions were on page, but light and fun with great comedic timing in the funnier parts. I really enjoyed it! I listened at 1.5x the normal speed.

What a narrator!

I enjoyed this story, it was full of feeling and great characters but especially loved the narration!

This Book Is Amazing

I have been an avid reader most of my life. I read anything a could get my hands on since i was little. I have my Dad to thank for that in all honesty. He was an avid reader as well (John Grisham being is favorite). When I was first learning to read in kindergarten he bought me this leapfrog reader. I dont know if anyone remembers them, its like this case that you put a book in and as you turned the pages the reader would read that page. I had quite a few and used it non stop till we had put new batteries in even couple of weeks. When I could read on my own I devoured one right after another. I lost my Dad back in 2017, I was a little older then Shay, 21 to her 18. But that didn't make it any easier. I stopped reading for a few years after because I would miss our talks and discussions we would have after one of us finnished a book. Im still not reading as much anymore but when I do I dont always feel that constructed feeling of sadness anymore. Reading about Shay in the book and both her and her mothers loss they suffered and the joy they have remembering him. And while it wasnt a major part of this wonderful love story this author so experly put together It was handled beautifully. Now this story in and of its self is amazing. I laughed and cried and cheered so much it is quickly moving to the top of my all time favorite books. Not an easy list to be on to be honest. and the major part is the Characters. To me ypu could have an amazing book concept and totally screw up the Charaters. But Rachel Lynn Solomon made these characters even most of the background characters feel real. Everone of them is a like someone I knew, someone i would want to know. I dont know if of Mx. Soloman ever plans on returning to this universe even if it centered on another set of Mains but I will 1000% be reading. I would like to end this really long ranty review with best wishes to the author and you just made I new fan and im forever going to recommed this book to all of my friends and to any stranger who will listen.

Absolutely Loved!!!

The story is absolutely lovely!
Gotta love the fake dating trope!
Shay is such a great MC!
Dominic Yun is definitely Husbandoooo material!
Loved their relationship and their banter!
& Emily Ellet, she absolutely AMAZING! The range she had really surprised me! Loved her!