SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT by Meryl Wilsner
Set in a convincingly realistic Hollywood complete with glamorous awards shows and the sacrifices demanded of those who want to walk their red carpets, Something to Talk About manages to take on injustices pulled straight from today's headlines while still delivering an empowering and optimistic love story.
Jo Jones (née Jo Cheung) is a driven, forty-something showrunner and former child star who's learned to be guarded after years in the public eye. Her tenacity has carried her through lean times where speaking out against industry racism left her blackballed. She's a powerhouse, but has been keeping her surprisingly soft heart well shielded.
Emma Kaplan is her stalwart, capable, and endlessly competent 27 year old assistant whose open hearted exuberance proves exactly the right lever to crack the shell around Jo's heart. That eager momentum fails Emma when it comes to risk taking in her professional life, and it's Jo's faith and guidance that gives her the confidence to move past the insecurities holding her back from the next step in her career.
Notwithstanding the workplace setting, their dynamic is never uncomfortable to read. Both in thought and deed, there's no exploitation of the power imbalance between them. When Emma experiences a blatant case of workplace harassment by a third party, it's a stark contrast to the respectful interactions between her and Jo, as well as the entry point to a satisfyingly resolved #metoo plotline where Jo's ferocious advocacy really shines.
Because the two don't engage in a romantic relationship until Jo is no longer Emma's supervisor, the obvious pitfalls of a workplace romance are avoided, but it's by necessity a sloooow burn (as well as a bit of an idiots to lovers story where even strangers on the internet know more about their feelings for each other than they've acknowledged to themselves). That said, the gentle glide into dating let me witness their deep rapport and made me feel confident the age gap was no obstacle and there's was a relationship that would stand the test of time. Plus, the eventual sex scene was both intimate and hot!
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ ⭐💫
CWs: on page sexual harassment & #metoo storyline, parental death from cancer (past), racism & sexism in film industry
Disclaimer: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
