The Ex Talk - by Rachel Lynn Solomon (Paperback)

About the Book

Public radio co-hosts navigate mixed signals in Solomon's sparkling romantic comedy debut. As they pretend to be exes, 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.

Book Synopsis

An Instant Indie Bestseller

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.

Review Quotes

One of NPR's Best Books of 2021
One of Buzzfeed's Best Romances of 2021
A Cosmopolitan Best Romance of 2021
A LibraryReads Pick!
One of CNN and PopSugar's Best Books of January

"A very funny book... Rom-coms need tears the way bread dough needs salt, and here the mixture strikes a perfect balance between sweet and savory."--New York Times Book Review

"The Ex Talk delivers. This book is quick, spicy, and sweet."--Shondaland

"More than lives up to the hype."--PopSugar

"The Ex Talk is so many things: a banter-packed laugh-out-loud rom-com, a meditation on how grief shapes our lives and our love, an ode to the joys of public radio and podcasting, and an all-around exquisite romance . . . we'll call it a breath of fresh air."--Entertainment Weekly

"A glimmering, sharp, and delightfully feminist rom com.The Ex Talk just crashed its way onto my forever-rec pile."--Christina Lauren, New York Times bestselling author

"The Ex Talk is an expertly crafted contemporary romance as well as a passionate love letter to public radio. With a crisp and affectionate attention to detail, Rachel Lynn Solomon breaths life across her pages that's so relatable you could sink right in." --Rosie Danan, author of The Roommate

"Forget fake dating ... fake exes is where it's at! The Ex Talk has all the public radio nerdiness that you didn't know was missing from your life. An absolute delight of a read!" --Jen DeLuca, author of Well Met

"This book gave me genuine butterflies. I fell in love with Shay and Dominic falling in love." --Sarah Hogle, author of You Deserve Each Other

"An impossibly funny and extraordinarily swoon-worthy romance brimming with banter-filled sexual tension! Rachel Lynn Solomon has written a rom-com perfect for anyone who's ever felt not quite good enough."--Kerry Winfrey, author of Not Like the Movies

"The Ex Talk is completely charming, hugely romantic, and utterly absorbing." --Kate Clayborn, author of Love Lettering

"A smart, soulful slow-burn romance that made me swoon. The characters are so charming and relatable that I couldn't help but want to listen to their podcast for real!"--Andie J. Christopher, USA Today bestselling author of Not That Kind of Guy

"The Ex Talk is everything you want in a romantic comedy--witty banter, slow-burn romance, and emotional depth. I wish I could read it again for the first time!"--Trish Doller, author of Float Plan

"Delightfully romantic and emotionally uplifting."--Kirkus (starred review)

"The transition from enemies to lovers is handled with wit and humor in YA author Solomon's exceptional adult debut (after Today Tonight Tomorrow), which puts an unexpected twist on the fake relationship trope."--Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Solomon makes her adult debut with this sizzling rivals-to-lovers romcom, where the heat comes from both precise characterization and a focus on direct communication. Bursting with zest and deep emotion, this one's a winner."--Booklist (starred review)

About the Author

Rachel Lynn Solomon is the bestselling author of love stories for teens and adults, including The Ex Talk, Today Tonight Tomorrow, and Weather Girl. Originally from Seattle, she's currently navigating expat life with her husband in Amsterdam, where she's on a mission to try as many Dutch sweets as possible.