Reviews with content warning for Sexual content - The Ex Talk

Reviews tagging 'Sexual content'

The Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon

121 reviews

sqacedvst's review against another edition

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lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

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chronicallybookish's review against another edition

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lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

Quick Stats
Age Rating: 18+
Over All: 4 stars
Plot: 4/5
Characters: 4/5
Setting: 5/5 (bc its where I’m from! Automatic 5 stars there!)
Writing: 4/5

I love Rachel Lynn Solomon’s YA books, and in preparation for the signing of her sophomore adult romance book, I decided to read her adult debut. I’m not the biggest fan of adult books, because I don’t enjoy spice, but I love RLS, and I can’t wait to meet her (eeee!!!), and I figured since I was meeting her at a signing for her adult romances, I should probably read one of them first.
And I did really enjoy it. I love Rachel Lynn Solomon’s writing. She crafts the most real and relateable characters, and Shay and Dominic were no exceptions. It was a bit spicy for me, personally, and I likely won’t read Weather Girl, but I’m still glad I read this one.
From the start I was smitten with the concept, and the characters just made it that much better. They have great banter and amazing chemistry. The lack of communication between the two around the 85-95% mark did make me want to bang my head against the wall, and the way that played out as well as the way some of the things with Ameena happened weren’t my favorite, but I really enjoyed the ending. All in all a fun book. And I love that it takes place in Seattle—most of RLS’s books do!

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fiwwa's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

"We liked the idea of having a Halloween anniversary, since weren't relationships a little spooky?

Here we go again with another review which half of it only talks about the guy character, but we'll do that later.

First off, the plot. I like the idea of the concept: a workplace rivals to lovers at a radio station company. But unfortunately I'm not really satisfied with the execution. I don't feel the hating tension going on between the two characters. To me it's just Shay being mad because Dominic did such a great job doing what she always wanted to do, she was jealous. The first few chapters are a bit boring, it feels so slow, but it gets better when the show is started. I always pretend that I'm Shay in the transcript chapters. If there's an actual podcast like The Ex Talk I would definitely listen to it. The ending is super cute especially the love confession but not so satisfied about the enemy, he deserves... nothing, tbh.

Shay Goldstein is a 29 years old woman who has been working as a radio show producer for 10 years. Shay was trying to figure out her adult life, living alone, far from family and friends, and that she hasn't find the one. I know she's going to be 30 soon and she's older than Dominic but she acts like she and Dom has a huge age difference. Like... it's only 5 years?? Sometimes she acts like he's still a high school student and she's the teacher.

Okay, Dominic Yun. I thought there was nothing special about this guy and it's annoying that he keeps talking about his master degree, but... maybe... it wasn't that bad. His master degree taught him something, just like he said. And he's good at what he's doing. Journalism, I mean, duh, reporting and communication stuff. Yeah, communication stuff. He's good with his words, great.

"Making me work for it. I don't mind. I have a master's degree, after all. I'm used to hard work."

Overall this book is good as a light read but I don't think I will reread it. One thing for sure, this book makes me want to listen to podcasts. Ok one more Dominic Yun and his beautiful words:

"You just climbed a fucking mountain. You're beautiful, Shay. At work or in pajamas or at the top of a mountain."

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internationalreads's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful fast-paced

4.5

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toberomanced's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Lots of longing and sighing in this one. Maybe it was the narrator, very wistful. Still a great little romance!

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0701mango's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

The characters were super lovable in my opinion, but the plot got a little annoying at some parts and a little over dramatic at other parts for me. That’s personal preference though. I recommend it! It’s satisfying.

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high_lady_of_the_night_court's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? N/A
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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ashhearddwrites's review against another edition

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lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

cute story but didn't really buy into the lying on the air as being as big of a deal as it was made it to be since I personally wouldn't have cared as a listener to their show but oh well. Also annoyed that they didn't actually expose their shitty boss for his sexism and basically forcing them into the lie to begin with or they'd lose their jobs... That seemed super relevant once things were exposed but it never came up again which was unsatisfying

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lusouto's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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readwithde's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

This is a perfect fun and steamy read! I always prefer dual POVs in romances, but I felt like Shay and Dom both communicated very well (which makes sense for people in radio/communications), so I felt like I got enough content from both of them.

Though the start was a bit slow, the pace picked up quickly. There were some times where the plot stretched a bit,

like an office sending two people away for the weekend, but to a place with only one bedroom?

but overall, it didn't ruin the story or break verisimilitude for me.

The banter and tension between Shay and Dominic is so great, and I'm glad that it stayed that way through the entire book. They have such great chemistry, whether rivals, friends, or more; it gives the book a grounded feeling -- they are who they are throughout the narrative.

I liked the side plot of Shay's life (her mom remarrying, her best friend possibly moving away), but it made the book feel like her story alone. I would have loved to have some current Dominic drama, but that may have cluttered the story a bit.

Overall, I'm trying to find something to criticize, and I can't. It was emotional without being sad or dark, it was lighthearted but covered real issues with race and gender, and it was steamy and romantic while being vulnerable and fun.

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