Something to Talk About by Meryl Wilsner

Something to Talk About by Meryl Wilsner
Release Date - May 26, 2020

Publisher Website - Penguin Random House
Publisher Social Media - Twitter

Pages - 336 pages
My Rating - 4/5
**received from the publisher for an honest review**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

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? 

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.

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. 

2020 Most Anticipated - Something To Talk About

The next book on my 2020 most anticipated list is one that seems poised to give romance readers something to talk about, and get a certain song stuck in their head.

Rumours start to fly when a moment between two women on a red carpet gets taken out of context. Rumours that kick off the slowest of slow burn romances.

I am excited to include Something To Talk About by Meryl Wilsner in this year's most anticipated event.

The Goodreads synopsis pretty much ensures that romance readers will be desperate to read it.

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? 

Emma and Jo's story sounds swoon worthy and I am already eager to fan cast the movie I hope gets made for Netflix.

Meryl graciously took some time to answer my questions about the book and made me want to blast a little Bonnie Raitt and get my hands on this book immediately.

1. What gif do you think describes Something To Talk About?

I actually just joined some other 2020 debuts in describing our books with multiple gifs. You can find the post here. If I had to pick only one, it’d be this one:

2. If someone were to make a signature drink in honour of your book, what might be included?

A signature drink for Something to Talk About would have to be sweet (but not sickly sweet). It would have more alcohol in it than you could taste, so the effect would sneak up on the drinker—just like feelings sneak up on Jo and Emma! 

3. What is your favourite rom-com trope? 

In case you missed it with the gif to describe Something to Talk About, I’m a sucker for a slow burn.

4. I cannot be the only one who immediately starts signing Bonnie Raitt's song when I see the title of your book. Name a song you listed to for inspiration while writing this novel.

I definitely did listen to the Bonnie Raitt song while writing. But I think my top artist for this book was Hayley Kiyoko. I kept trying to pick what song of hers I’d want in a movie version of my book, and I think I eventually settled on Cliff’s Edge.

5. If you could travel to anywhere, in any time period, when and where would you want travel?

I really like the idea of being able to see the world when people had less of an effect on it. I don’t even care about any particular place or landscape, just lots of unspoiled wilderness.

6. What 2020 release are you most anticipating?

I always say The Roommate by Rosie Danan, because I’m lucky enough to have already read it, so I know exactly how good it is. But as for books I haven’t read, I’m really looking forward to Who I Was With Her by Nita Tyndall.

7. If not too spoilery, can you share the first line of Something To Talk About. 

I know there’s a big emphasis on great first sentences, but for me, first pages as a whole are such an experience. When you’re first being exposed to the world and characters—I love that too much to just share the first sentence!

I now want to read that first page even more than I did before. I am already thinking of a wine to pair with this when I get to read it.

Something To Talk About releases May 26, 2020 but you can pre-order it right now from any retailer so that it arrives in time for summer reading.

Chapters // Amazon // Barnes and Noble // BAM

You can find out more about Meryl by following them on Twitter and visiting their website. You can also find out more about Something To Talk About on the publisher website. 

Do you love romance novels as much as I do? How do you feel about books with really catchy titles that get a song stuck in your head? Let me know in the comments.

Be sure to stop by tomorrow for the last post in this year's event.

Weekly Obsessions

The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every Saturday.

BOOKS

Cover of Something To Talk About by Meryl Wilsner (goodreads)

This book has been on my radar since the deal announcement and I am so excited that it has a cover!

Such a bright, fun cover, too! I love how eye catching it is and how it is very on trend with the rest of the rom-com book covers out there. I cannot wait to read this one!

The Nobleman's Guide to Scandal and Shipwrecks by Mackenzi Lee (goodreads)

I am obsessed with the fact that this book will exist and the cover!

It matches the others in this series perfectly and I am so excited that we are going to get another book about a Montague sibling!

MOVIES/TV

Riley Keough To Star In Daisy Jones and The Six

As per The Hollywood Reporter, Riley Keough has snagged the role of Daisy in the upcoming television adaptation of Daisy Jones and the Six. It's set to be a series available through Amazon. I loved the book and am thrilled with this casting news. They've chosen a great actress to play the part and I think she is going to be a perfect Daisy. Now we just have to wait and see who they cast as Billy.

What are you obsessed with this week? Let me know in the comments.