The Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon

 

4/5 Stars

Published January 26th, 2021

Published by Berkley 

Synopsis: 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.

This was exactly the fun, lighthearted rom-com I needed to spend my Sunday afternoon with. The public radio setting added such an interesting dynamic to the story. I enjoyed the behind the scene tidbits that gave us an inside look into how public radio may work in real life and these challenges really added to the characterization of our main cast. Reading about these two enemies turned fake exes turned lovers navigate this fabricated story to keep their jobs and radio station alive was something I grew so invested in. The Ex Talk is able to simultaneously tackle concepts of grief and vulnerability, love and longing, while creating an atmosphere that is so electrifying. Rachel Lynn Soloman's adult romance debut will make you feel seen in the characters she's crafted and has created a space that allows you to lose yourself in the simplest of joys. 

Jade City by Fonda Lee

 

4/5 Stars 

Published by Orbit

Published June 26th, 2018 

Synopsis: The Kaul family is one of two crime syndicates that control the island of Kekon. It's the only place in the world that produces rare magical jade, which grants those with the right training and heritage superhuman abilities. The Green Bone clans of honorable jade-wearing warriors once protected the island from foreign invasion--but nowadays, in a bustling post-war metropolis full of fast cars and foreign money, Green Bone families like the Kauls are primarily involved in commerce, construction, and the everyday upkeep of the districts under their protection.

When the simmering tension between the Kauls and their greatest rivals erupts into open violence in the streets, the outcome of this clan war will determine the fate of all Green Bones and the future of Kekon itself.

This is an incredibly impressive story. Jade City is the first book I've ever read by Fonda Lee, so I was really excited to experience her writing. Her ability to craft a world so rich in detail and culture is one of the main reasons why I enjoyed this book so much. From complex family dynamics to political strife, Fonda Lee is able to explore themes of love and power through the Kaul family and their homeland of Kekon. The imaginative descriptions of Kekon's history, as well as a few chapters containing Kekonese myth and legend, made the story so immersive and fun to read about. There are clashes between clans, a land rife with magic, and a social hierarchy that beckons to be changed. After hearing so many positive things, I finally gave in to the recommendation, and I firmly believe that Fonda Lee has the makings of one of the best adult fantasy series around.