“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.” (Amazon)
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my e-copy of this book.
Review of Something to Talk About by Meryl Wilsner
My rating: 4/5
It’s been a while since I enjoyed a contemporary romance so much! From eye-catching cover to great execution, Something to Talk About has been an absolutely wonderful addition to my Pride month book list. The cover is absolutely gorgeous, and the story inside this lovely package doesn’t disappoint.
Following well-known showrunner, Jo, and her assistant, Emma, Something to Talk About is a feel-good read that doesn’t shy from heavier topics. I loved the portrayal of Emma and Jo’s work relationship, and growing friendship, followed by more feelings. After the rumours following Emma and Jo’s red-carpet appearance during major awards, things get more complicated for both as the public assumes that they are dating. And yet the actual romance is very slow-burn, which I absolutely loved. Often contemporary romances luck the building-up between the characters, but it was not the case here!
Emma’s asthma, and both of female leads’ relations with their families is well-shown, with many hilarious moments, and snarky dialogues especially between Emma and her sister or between Jo and her best friend. It makes the whole story so much more believable. Despite continuous joyous and funny storyline, Something to Talk About handled some heavy issues in a great way. Starting from Jo not being out, to racism, and sexual harassment, some fragments have been absolutely heart-breaking, but Something to Talk About has shown the strength in both of the leads while dealing with those topics, and it made their story so much more important as the result.
I have been pleasantly surprised by the interchanging third-person narration in Meryl Wilsner’s book, giving the readers insights into both Emma and Jo’s lives and perspectives. A huge percentage of contemporary romances is written in the first-person, and while there is nothing wrong about, well-executed third-person point of view in Something to Talk About has been definitely a bonus for me.
Some fragments felt a little too long or not entirely needed, but overall, Meryl Wilsner’s Something to Talk About has been an absolute joy to read, so it’s not a surprise I have finished it in one evening!
Who is the book for: Anyone looking for a slow-burn contemporary romance with strong female leads. Something to Talk About is already published in ebook format and is released in paperback on 16th June. You can get your copy here.
Alicja Writes 
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