Scan barcode
avasbookmark's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment
Moderate: Biphobia and Lesbophobia
taelights's review against another edition
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This book had so much potential, I'm so disappointed that it turned out like this⦠Like usually I love workplace romances, boss/employee pairings, age gaps, and slow burn. It had so many things I love to read about but it fell so flat because the execution of it just wasn't good.
First of all the entire book is built on pointless conflicts and miscommunication. I'm not a fan of the miscommunication trope to begin with because I think it's a cheap annoying thing to rely on to create drama in your book but I'm more understanding if it's like one or maybe two scenes. But it was literally the whole book.
The characters didn't act their ages at all. Like supposedly Emma was in her 30s and Jo was in her 40s but they acted like teenagers most of the time. I'd give them early 20s at most. They were just both so immature for supposedly grown women. This felt like it should have been a YA book rather than an adult book.
I also felt both characters were one-dimensional and didn't have much in the way of character development. Their actions were dumb and if their ages weren't explicitly stated I would not read them as grown women. Also personally I think Emma calling Jo by "Boss" all the time was annoying.
Usually I love slow burns but this one got to the point that I was getting very frustrated in a bad way. Like nothing really happens between them until the last 10% or less.
Finally I know sexual harassment is unfortunately a prominent thing in Hollywood and an important topic to discuss but I felt it being included in this book was pointless and felt out of place. Also taking such an important topic and using it as a plot device to make two characters forgive each other after a fight felt a bit icky to me personally.
First of all the entire book is built on pointless conflicts and miscommunication. I'm not a fan of the miscommunication trope to begin with because I think it's a cheap annoying thing to rely on to create drama in your book but I'm more understanding if it's like one or maybe two scenes. But it was literally the whole book.
The characters didn't act their ages at all. Like supposedly Emma was in her 30s and Jo was in her 40s but they acted like teenagers most of the time. I'd give them early 20s at most. They were just both so immature for supposedly grown women. This felt like it should have been a YA book rather than an adult book.
I also felt both characters were one-dimensional and didn't have much in the way of character development. Their actions were dumb and if their ages weren't explicitly stated I would not read them as grown women. Also personally I think Emma calling Jo by "Boss" all the time was annoying.
Usually I love slow burns but this one got to the point that I was getting very frustrated in a bad way. Like nothing really happens between them until the last 10% or less.
Finally I know sexual harassment is unfortunately a prominent thing in Hollywood and an important topic to discuss but I felt it being included in this book was pointless and felt out of place. Also taking such an important topic and using it as a plot device to make two characters forgive each other after a fight felt a bit icky to me personally.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment
Moderate: Homophobia, Racism, Sexism, Xenophobia, and Lesbophobia
kayladaila's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Biphobia, Cursing, Xenophobia, Medical content, Stalking, and Lesbophobia
storykath's review
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
When rumours begin to fly about the relationship between child-actress-turned-showrunner Jo and her assistant Emma, the two women begin to find it harder to navigate their professional and personal lives with each other.
First of all, it was super refreshing to read a queer romance where the queerness is (almost) never the focus. Taking away the queer aspect would change the story significantly, but there's next to no conflict regarding coming out, homophobia, etc. Wilsner did a great job balancing a distinctly WLW story with the necessary lightheartedness of a romance novel.
The alternating perspectives provided an effective insight into the protagonists' inner thoughts and feelings, while also amping up the frustration with every miscommunication and missed opportunity. Their inner monologues were realistic and relatable, if a bit repetitive. Then again, who doesn't mull over the same worries over and over in their mind? Jo and Emma were equal parts endearing, sympathetic, and agonizingly frustrating as they tried to understand themselves and each other - that is to say, they're typical romance novel characters and typical human beings.
The focus of the story was absolutely on the characters and their growth, which left the setting as more of an afterthought. Descriptions of the award shows, business trips, and day-to-day demands of the television industry fell flat, and it was hard to tell if they were unrealistic or just poorly fleshed out. While Jo and Emma's relationship is, of course, top priority, it would have been a nice touch to have more details about the characters' workplaces and homes to round out the story.
Altogether, as a general avoider of romance novels, I came for the queer representation, I stayed for the sympathetic characters, and I only sometimes wished for a more literary experience.
First of all, it was super refreshing to read a queer romance where the queerness is (almost) never the focus. Taking away the queer aspect would change the story significantly, but there's next to no conflict regarding coming out, homophobia, etc. Wilsner did a great job balancing a distinctly WLW story with the necessary lightheartedness of a romance novel.
The alternating perspectives provided an effective insight into the protagonists' inner thoughts and feelings, while also amping up the frustration with every miscommunication and missed opportunity. Their inner monologues were realistic and relatable, if a bit repetitive. Then again, who doesn't mull over the same worries over and over in their mind? Jo and Emma were equal parts endearing, sympathetic, and agonizingly frustrating as they tried to understand themselves and each other - that is to say, they're typical romance novel characters and typical human beings.
The focus of the story was absolutely on the characters and their growth, which left the setting as more of an afterthought. Descriptions of the award shows, business trips, and day-to-day demands of the television industry fell flat, and it was hard to tell if they were unrealistic or just poorly fleshed out. While Jo and Emma's relationship is, of course, top priority, it would have been a nice touch to have more details about the characters' workplaces and homes to round out the story.
Altogether, as a general avoider of romance novels, I came for the queer representation, I stayed for the sympathetic characters, and I only sometimes wished for a more literary experience.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Chronic illness, Homophobia, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Alcohol
Minor: Cancer, Cursing, Medical content, Death of parent, Lesbophobia, and Outing
amivireads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
πππππ
CW: (Harry Potter mentioned)
I love this book so much and I wish I had read it sooner.
Boss and employee relationships are usually never written well, but this was done perfectly and I didnβt even hate it being a slow burn. Emma and Jo are amazing characters and I just love how their relationship grew throughout the book. Read this book now!
CW: (Harry Potter mentioned)
I love this book so much and I wish I had read it sooner.
Boss and employee relationships are usually never written well, but this was done perfectly and I didnβt even hate it being a slow burn. Emma and Jo are amazing characters and I just love how their relationship grew throughout the book. Read this book now!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Racism, Sexual content, Lesbophobia, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Toxic relationship
foreverinastory's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
4.0
This was such a feel good romance.
Something to Talk About is an office romance about Jo Jones and her younger assistant, Emma Kaplan. When Jo invites and brings Emma with her to a red carpet appearance, the paparazzi get a photo of Jo making Emma laugh and rumors the two of them are romantically involved begin spreading around. This can't come as a worse time for the two as Jo is beginning to start a new movie and Emma is getting a promotion. But as the two continue to wrap up the current project they find themselves opening up to each other in ways they never expected.
I've been meaning to read this book for so long and I'm glad I finally did! One of my friends, Sam, talked a ton about this book on the podcast she cohosts and I knew I had to finally pick this up. So thank you Sam!
This story is a huge slow burn and oh my god did I enjoy it. Slow burn is one of my favorite tropes because it's basically fun emotional torture. HA. I would like to be clear though that Jo and Emma are not romantically involved while they are working together. The sexual harassment CW is for someone else on the set.
I loved seeing Jo and Emma grow closer together. I really enjoyed getting to know both of them more. I loved seeing them open up to each other and how Emma brought Jo into her family. Jo and Avery's slow friendship was one of my favorite things in this besides the romance. I also loved that this was a Hollywood type book, but it revolved around the production side of things. Ever since working various theatre crews in high school, I love learning the production side of things.
Overall, this was so fun. I really loved it and I can't wait for Meryl's next book.
Rep: white bisexual Jewish female MC, Asian American lesbian female MC, Black female side character.
CWs: Sexual harassment, sexism, sexual content (1 graphic scene near the end). Moderate: mentions of past sexual assault, lesbophobia/lesbomisia, biphobia/bimisia, misogyny, cursing, racism, slut shaming.
Something to Talk About is an office romance about Jo Jones and her younger assistant, Emma Kaplan. When Jo invites and brings Emma with her to a red carpet appearance, the paparazzi get a photo of Jo making Emma laugh and rumors the two of them are romantically involved begin spreading around. This can't come as a worse time for the two as Jo is beginning to start a new movie and Emma is getting a promotion. But as the two continue to wrap up the current project they find themselves opening up to each other in ways they never expected.
I've been meaning to read this book for so long and I'm glad I finally did! One of my friends, Sam, talked a ton about this book on the podcast she cohosts and I knew I had to finally pick this up. So thank you Sam!
This story is a huge slow burn and oh my god did I enjoy it. Slow burn is one of my favorite tropes because it's basically fun emotional torture. HA. I would like to be clear though that Jo and Emma are not romantically involved while they are working together. The sexual harassment CW is for someone else on the set.
I loved seeing Jo and Emma grow closer together. I really enjoyed getting to know both of them more. I loved seeing them open up to each other and how Emma brought Jo into her family. Jo and Avery's slow friendship was one of my favorite things in this besides the romance. I also loved that this was a Hollywood type book, but it revolved around the production side of things. Ever since working various theatre crews in high school, I love learning the production side of things.
Overall, this was so fun. I really loved it and I can't wait for Meryl's next book.
Rep: white bisexual Jewish female MC, Asian American lesbian female MC, Black female side character.
CWs: Sexual harassment, sexism, sexual content (1 graphic scene near the end). Moderate: mentions of past sexual assault, lesbophobia/lesbomisia, biphobia/bimisia, misogyny, cursing, racism, slut shaming.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Biphobia, Cursing, Misogyny, Racism, Sexual assault, and Lesbophobia
and_abelard_reads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I need to know Wilsner's A03 handle *right now*
Points for:
- fanficcy fluffy goodness
- Hollywood creeps getting wrecked wish-fulfillment
- slowest of burns on the colleagues-to-friends-to-lovers
- Top tier Pining
- Actual Character Reasons for the miscommunication plot stuff
- Hot-Older-Millionaire determined to be the Anti-Mr.Rochester. Nice
Overall - Fluff with depth. Very domestic despite the glamorous setting. I might drag myself out of YA and this book slump yet.
Points for:
- fanficcy fluffy goodness
- Hollywood creeps getting wrecked wish-fulfillment
- slowest of burns on the colleagues-to-friends-to-lovers
- Top tier Pining
- Actual Character Reasons for the miscommunication plot stuff
- Hot-Older-Millionaire determined to be the Anti-Mr.Rochester. Nice
Overall - Fluff with depth. Very domestic despite the glamorous setting. I might drag myself out of YA and this book slump yet.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual harassment
Minor: Biphobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Xenophobia, Lesbophobia, and Alcohol
- Character experiences an asthma attack - Child characters are mentioned (briefly) as being injured in sports - Most warnings are for things characters experience or are concerned about and deliberately avoided.and_we_can_be_pirates's review
funny
lighthearted
tense
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Lesbophobia, and Sexual harassment
readinglikesappho's review
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Biphobia, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Lesbophobia, and Sexual harassment
water_violin's review
emotional
hopeful
slow-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
4.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Misogyny, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Lesbophobia, Outing, and Sexual harassment