Something to Talk About by Meryl Wilsner
Release Date - May 26, 2020
Pages - 336 pages
My Rating - 4/5
**received from the publisher for an honest review**
Here is the Goodreads synopsis
There are books that reward a reader's patience. You know the books that I am talking about. The ones who are extra satisfying at the end because the destination of the plot feels earned. Something To Talk About is one of these books.A showrunner and her assistant give the world something to talk about when they accidentally fuel a ridiculous rumor in this debut romance.
Hollywood powerhouse Jo is photographed making her assistant Emma laugh on the red carpet, and just like that, the tabloids declare them a couple. The so-called scandal couldn't come at a worse time--threatening Emma's promotion and Jo's new movie.
As the gossip spreads, it starts to affect all areas of their lives. Paparazzi are following them outside the office, coworkers are treating them differently, and a "source" is feeding information to the media. But their only comment is "no comment".
With the launch of Jo's film project fast approaching, the two women begin to spend even more time together, getting along famously. Emma seems to have a sixth sense for knowing what Jo needs. And Jo, known for being aloof and outwardly cold, opens up to Emma in a way neither of them expects. They begin to realize the rumor might not be so off base after all...but is acting on the spark between them worth fanning the gossip flames?
Meryl Wilsner's debut is the slowest of slow burns. It is a delicious sort of torture because you will be yelling at the main characters to just kiss already and it will happen much too soon. This romance takes the scenic route and it is well worth the journey. It makes everything so much more satisfying as a result and builds a foundation that feels realistic to the characters.
The power dynamic between the two main characters could have been an issue. Jo is Emma's boss and that can be a messy dynamic if not handled correctly. Luckily, the element of the story is well handled. The author not only addresses that concern but makes sure to tackle it in such a way that it is no longer an issue. Sexual harassment in the workplace is directly dealt with in the plot and I felt it tackled the serious issues within the pages incredibly well. These elements are given space and time to breathe in a way that other books do not allow for.
The romance is, of course, the heart of the novel. The relationship is such a joy to see develop. Jo and Emma are so supportive of one another and so kind and patient with each other. They may not always communicate as effectively as the reader would like but that is pretty much the basis of every romance book in history.
I love that there was time taken to explore and flesh out the other relationships in both Jo and Emma's lives. There is Jo's best friend and Emma's sister who immediately come to mind as stand outs. The support they offer is a contrast to the more romantic support on display and it makes that aspect even richer. A lot of the humour is supplied from their friends and family teasing that they can see the connection between Emma and Jo even before they have admitted it to themselves. A good romance always ensures that the couple have plot points outside of the relationship being formed and this one manages that really well.
There is a saying that it is not the destination but the journey. I think in this case it is both. The journey makes the destination mean more in this case and it would not be the same without out it. If you like slow burn romances, wonderfully written characters, and feel good reads I would highly recommend picking this one up.
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