Maybe it's timing, maybe its the Seattle-ness of it all, perhaps its the NPR influence- I just ATE THIS BOOK UP. I did the audio, and sped through it. A lovely little rom-com, a side of inclusivity and diverse characters, and dash of standing up for what is right, and yes- I know this is a big trope, no this is isn't perfect. But I don't care. 5 Stars for entertainment value.
Shay has worked as a producer Seattle Public radio for 10 years. Her show is now getting squashed, and the new idea is to pair her and the new kid (young Dominic Yun, recent grad and the boss's favorite) and pretend to be ex's for an on-air show. This is Shay's chance to be in front of the radio instead of behind it, a dream she has had forever. Enemies to fake exes. A fun twist on an old trope. The show starts taking off, and the morality, the fake relationship, the personal life all starts getting twisted, and becomes too much.
I loved the Korean male lead- not the stereotypical Asian character. I loved our semi-anxious and introverted protagonist. I definitely felt the million stereotype seeping through her. I loved Ruthie, Shay's assistant and the tidbits into her life (Rachel Lynn Solomon, we want a book focused on Ruthie next!!). I'm big into podcasts, and listen to NPR- so I loved the references (although there were A LOT). The big climax was fun and exciting- pretty much exactly what I figured it would be from the start. This definitely falls under the 'plot would be non existent if the main two characters would just TALK', but I think that goes for just about every contemporary romance these days.
Shay has worked as a producer Seattle Public radio for 10 years. Her show is now getting squashed, and the new idea is to pair her and the new kid (young Dominic Yun, recent grad and the boss's favorite) and pretend to be ex's for an on-air show. This is Shay's chance to be in front of the radio instead of behind it, a dream she has had forever. Enemies to fake exes. A fun twist on an old trope. The show starts taking off, and the morality, the fake relationship, the personal life all starts getting twisted, and becomes too much.
I loved the Korean male lead- not the stereotypical Asian character. I loved our semi-anxious and introverted protagonist. I definitely felt the million stereotype seeping through her. I loved Ruthie, Shay's assistant and the tidbits into her life (Rachel Lynn Solomon, we want a book focused on Ruthie next!!). I'm big into podcasts, and listen to NPR- so I loved the references (although there were A LOT). The big climax was fun and exciting- pretty much exactly what I figured it would be from the start. This definitely falls under the 'plot would be non existent if the main two characters would just TALK', but I think that goes for just about every contemporary romance these days.