The Ex Talk Book Club Kit
The Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon is the official February 2023 pick for the Peanut Blossom Book Club for Recovering Readers.
Every February, I love to find a fun somewhat non-traditional romance book to our list.
When I read the summary of this month’s pick, I immediately imagined Frasier’s talk show in Seattle. Anyone else a big fan of that show?
But the idea that a show was being made about exes delivering relationship advice? It just has to be good. Ha!
I hope you enjoy a bit of lighter, romantic reading this month. Have fun!
P.S. Just joining us? Don’t miss the full 2023 line-up for our book club picks.
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Peanut Blossom Book Club
This book club pick is one of the awesome books from our ninth year of book club.
We’re still going strong! Want to join us?
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What is The Ex Talk About?
“Public radio co-hosts navigate mixed signals in Rachel Lynn Solomon’s sparkling romantic comedy debut.
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.”
The Ex Talk Discussion Questions
I believe the best book club questions to spark a lively discussion in your group help readers make personal connections to the story.
You can read about how to write the best book club questions on your own here, but hopefully these will get you started!
Question 1:
Are you a public radio or podcast listener? Did you enjoy them before reading this book? Were you inspired to start listening after finishing the book?
Question 2:
How did you feel about the show transcripts used throughout the book? Were they fun to read or would you prefer a traditional written plot?
Question 3:
What did you think about Shay and Dominic setting their journalistic integrity aside for the show? How could they have handled it differently?
Question 4:
Do you think Shay and Dominic would have gotten together if it weren’t for the show?
Question 5:
Do you think working in public radio helped or hindered Shay’s processing of her grief after the death of her father in high school? If you were her mom, what might you advise her to do?
Question 6:
What bothered you most about Shay’s boss? Have you had a boss that behaved similarly? How did you handle the situation?
Question 7:
Where do you think Shay and Dominic will be in 5 years after the story has finished?
Book Club Party Menu
I think it is so fun to plan your book club dinner menu or dessert list based on the theme of the book.
For this month’s pick, use the plot from the book and the Seattle setting to plan your feast.
Start with a DIY Coffee Station, with or without Seattle’s infamous Starbucks coffee.
Then plan a simple coffee cake to go with the lattes like my cherry almond streusel coffee cake or better yet, a decadent espresso soaked easy tiramisu.
You Might Also Enjoy
If you loved The Ex Talk you might also like these books:
