【 WEATHER GIRL 】

Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Romance
Audience: Adult
Author: Rachel Lynn Solomon
Published: January 2022
Publisher: Berkley
Pages: 336 (paperback)

This was an unexpected surprise and a complete joy to read. It’s the first of Solomon’s books that I’ve tried, and I’ll certainly be going back for more. If you’re looking for a cutesy romance that strikes the right balance between oooh-la-la and plot, this is the book for you.

I loved so many things about this book – but first and foremost is the binge-ability of this book. You don’t want to put it down – the pace is cracking and investment you will rapidly put down on all the characters is immense. We start with such a fun premise: two colleagues plotting (half-jokingly) to reunite their divorced bosses to improve the workplace atmosphere. Doesn’t that just herald all the fun and all the red flags? We’re so there for that.

I really enjoyed the unique workplace setting of this book, too. Ari, being the local weather girl on the news station, offers the reader a glimpse into a career that is probably quite different to any that you’ve read about before. And her involvement with Russel (sports reporter) brings a nice balance to things.

All of their missions and escapades to bring their bosses are so funny, and also gives us a wonderful mix of work as the setting and then loads of random locations for the date nights as the setting. The ideas they come up with to get their bosses in the same place were creative and fun, and the innocent deviousness of it is so enjoyable to read. The massage encounter has to be a highlight for me. But I also thought the swing dancing was great, too!

But this book wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows (forgive the pun). Solomon has also done a really good job of having a character with a mostly under-control mental health issue (depression). I thought this was done very well, and fitted very nicely in the complexity of Ari’s character. We get to come along with her on this ever-ongoing journey of self-growth, because mental health isn’t a one-and-done fix, and that is acknowledged really well in this book.

And can we take a moment to adore how beautifully the Jewish representation is done? I’m glad that Solomon had a little note about the personal meaning behind this, because it really added an extra dimension to the book for me, and felt very genuine.

I will also say that there are some very explicit sex scenes – so depending where you stand, that’s either a good thing or a bad for you, but I thought they were all done quite well (and even were weirdly wholesome? Ari and Russ are so cute dangit).

So yeah, in sum? Romance + mental health done right + super fun plotting = a good time. Please sign me up for more Solomon books because I think I’m definitely going to need them in my life.

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Title: Weather Girl
Author: Rachel Lynn Solomon
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Ari Abrams has always been fascinated by the weather, and she loves almost everything about her job as a TV meteorologist. Her boss, legendary Seattle weatherwoman Torrance Hale, is too distracted by her tempestuous relationship with her ex-husband, the station’s news director, to give Ari the mentorship she wants. Ari, who runs on sunshine and optimism, is at her wits’ end. The only person who seems to understand how she feels is sweet but reserved sports reporter Russell Barringer.

In the aftermath of a disastrous holiday party, Ari and Russell decide to team up to solve their bosses’ relationship issues. Between secret gifts and double dates, they start nudging their bosses back together. But their well-meaning meddling backfires when the real chemistry builds between Ari and Russell.

Working closely with Russell means allowing him to get to know parts of herself that Ari keeps hidden from everyone. Will he be able to embrace her dark clouds as well as her clear skies?

A TV meteorologist and a sports reporter scheme to reunite their divorced bosses with unforecasted results in this charming romantic comedy from the author of The Ex Talk.