Something to Talk About by Meryl Wilsner
Title: Something to Talk About
Author: Meryl Wilsner debut novel
Part of a Series: No, standalone
Genre: contemporary romance, f/f romance, LGBTQIA romance
Plot: Emma is an assistant to Jo, a Hollywood heavyweight, showrunner of a very popular TV series and tapped to write and direct the next big action movie. When Jo tells Emma she is attending an awards show with her, she is nervous to be in the spotlight but doesn’t think a moment on the red carpet will lead to the paparazzi thinking they’re dating.
Their work relationship blossoms into a friendship and eventually they both realize they’re definitely crushing on the other person, despite all their friends and family members constantly teasing them about that very fact.
Thoughts:
The slowest of the slow burns in a sweet and longing-filled romance.
I had been hearing some hype about this book for a while on bookstagram before it came out and almost selected it to be in our contemporary romance season 3. Because of the timing of the release and getting access to the audiobook, we ended up not picking it and I'm sad that we didn't.
This book was charming, sweet, and built the relationship from boss/assistant to friends to lovers quite nicely. Considering that it is Wilsner’s debut novel makes it that much more impressive!
I enjoyed Emma’s excellence at her job, her exuberance, and happiness with her friends and over food and generally her desire to be great at her job. Jo was a bit of a tougher nut to crack, but having worked in Hollywood, I can totally pair her description with people I have met in the industry who have to maintain such a facade over their real emotions and life to protect it.
This definitely isn't a "traditional" office romance trope where there is sex in the office or an illicit feeling. The actual real ramifications of these two dating is very much a part of this book.
I did want more sexual tension and heat... I felt like at the end there was a comment that had me perk up, but the book was over by then.
McDreamy to McSteamy: McAWWW
Classy to Nasty: Classy and PG 13 Fade to Black for the most part
Heroine rating: 🍑🍑🍑🍑 Emma was lovely. I liked her a lot, felt like she could be friends. She was super competent, kind, goofy, and stood up for herself.
Heroine rating: 🍑🍑🍑 Jo was pretty cool too. She was a bit tougher for me to relate too, but I did like the way she cared for Emma, went to bat for her with the director without batting an eyelash, and generally felt like Emma walked on water.
Overall rating: ⭐⭐⭐
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