Rachel Lynn Solomon is one of those authors who has delivered a near-perfect rom-com experience every time I pick up one of her books. She writes strong female voices, tackles sophisticated adult struggles with an earnest inner monologue, and knows how to stick the landing with that cliche happily-ever-after.
Yet when we discuss names within the ethos of the current rom-com market, she is all too easily forgotten amongst the masses of readers hooked on Emily Henry and Colleen Hoover. So this is a formal reminder to me and my fellow romance readers — don’t sleep on Lynn Solomon.
The author’s earlier debut, The Ex Talk, was a sleepy Seattle treat brimming with podcast jargon and angst. However, I am here to tell you that her latest dip into the romance genre — Business or Pleasure — is a pleasure!
This is one of those books where the steamy cover artwork and synopsis do not necessarily paint a cohesive picture. When I started reading the back cover, I was surprised to find that this seemingly spice-heavy book I had passed on reading a couple of times before had such a tantalizing, heartfelt premise going for it.
This isn’t just any love story — this is a love story for the teen supernatural drama girlies of the early 2010s. It follows Chandler Cohen, a ghost writer trying to find the courage to write under her own name, who finds herself contracted to work with Finn Walsh, a heartthrob actor who was once at the center of a cult werewolf drama and now mostly lives out his acting career on the con circuit. As someone who gleefully made Teen Wolf and The Vampire Diaries my entire personality in high school, I was hooked on the idea of a romance paying tribute to that niche.
And the novel has many fun tidbits for those looking to relive the glory days. Using real pop culture conventions as the setting for Chandler and Finn’s torrid affairs fleshes out his celebrity world with fun, factual touches. Finn’s show The Nocturnals could be a direct nod to The Originals, and his painfully-human character, who starts as the geeky sidekick but grows into the show’s fan-favourite, has Stiles Stilinski written all over it. Regardless, every nod to the genre and the fans that occupy their fandom spaces lends likeability and gravitas to this couple’s story. Much like The Ex Talk did with its attention-grabbing podcast concept.
Dangle a few cheeky supernatural drama references in front of me, and I am sold. Indeed, a love story that bribes us with our love for cheesy werewolf shows is smart. However, that’s only one facet of this multi-dimensional romance to champion.
This rom-com is smutty and sexy, but not in the way any other spicy romance I’ve read is. Instead of trying to fit as many obscenely gross descriptive words and body parts into each paragraph, Business or Pleasure tackles each sex scene with a refreshing vulnerability and humility. The concept of a ghostwriter teaching an awkward actor how to have satisfying sex seems ridiculous enough to bring this ambitious read crumbling down like so many other corny rom-coms that came before it. And sure, at times, the sex lessons stick out as the sore thumb amongst honest career reflections and swelling emotions. Still, for the most part, they are an imperative element of demonstrating the development of Chandler and Finn’s feelings.
Instead of coming off as raunchy or superficial, Lynn Solomon writes these sex scenes with an organic passion that allows these interactions to feel authentic and even educational at times. The spice is not a typical highlight of a rom-com because it can be done poorly, but Chandler and Finn will genuinely have you swooning over their chemistry.
It helps that this book is wrapped in a warm hug of emotional stability and healthy relationship dynamics. The novel’s core couple is a giant green flag, putting each other first at every turn and talking through their feelings. There are no miscommunication tropes here, just adorable tell-alls and supportive career talks to top off a lot of satisfying foreplay. Even the big blowout fight isn’t melodramatic, as it puts Chandler’s fears at the forefront without completely cutting Finn out of her life. Their relationship hiccups make that final declaration of love so incredibly sweet.
Ultimately, Business or Pleasure is a warm hug that beautifully explores adulthood’s growing pains and insecurities while prioritizing romance.
Chandler and Finn are a breath of fresh air in what can feel like a stale, repetitive genre sometimes. I miss those two crazy kids already!
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Want to add this read to your TBR pile? You can find more information and purchase a copy of Business or Pleasure by Rachel Lynn Solomon here!
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