Jo Jones knows a thing or two about Hollywood. A child star, she grew up to create, write, and produce another hit television show, and now she’s ready to head to the movie theater. Taking over a huge franchise, Jo is nervous but she knows she can succeed just as long as sh’s given an honest chance. But when her assistant Emma inadvertently leans close to say something in her ear on the red carpet, and the photographers tag that moment as something more than employer/employee, the rumors start flying.
Jo has always had a policy of not commenting on her personal life, so she decides to simply wait for the rumors to die down. But those rumors live on longer than expected, and she starts to worry that the rumors are going to make the studio have second thoughts about her taking over the Agent Silver movie franchise she’s had her eyes set on.
Emma dropped out of film school, but when she came to work on the television show Innocents as a props PA, she found a place where she felt she could belong anyway. After getting promoted to Jo’s assistant, she’s been working hard to make Jo’s life easier. While there is certainly time spent getting coffee and dry cleaning, Emma also gets to hang out behind the scenes at the television show and experience important production meetings. Getting an inside look at the industry while working for a strong, independent woman, Emma knows the despite film school not being for her, there could still be a great career for her in Hollywood.
And then the rumors start. Paparazzi waits outside of Emma’s apartment. She knows that her boss’ reputation is taking a hit from the rumors, but Jo refuses to make a statement and Emma feels unable to help her. As the weeks go by, and Emma carefully monitors her behavior towards Jo, so as not to make the situation worse, she starts to realize that while the rumors may not be true, that photograph may have captured a feeling that Emma hadn’t spoken out loud yet, maybe hadn’t been realized yet. Is it possible that she has feelings for her boss?
And if she does have feelings for her boss, what then? Jo Jones is a powerful Hollywood woman, a millionaire, a self-made power woman. Emma doesn’t even know if she would be interested in dating a woman. Or if she’s single. Being notorious for not talking about your personal life means that not many people know much about it. Emma knows that Jo would never date an employee, so what choice does she have but to swallow her crush and enjoy her time working for and learning from this amazing woman. Right?
Something to Talk About is a queer romcom set in Hollywood. The two strong lead characters each lend their voice to the narrative, creating a sweet, graceful will-she-or-won’t-she love story that is so refreshing in the #MeToo era. Author Meryl Wilsner has written a romance that is filled with respect and good humor and characters you just want to hang out with.
I thought this was a beautifully written romance, and I loved the behind-the-scenes information about Hollywood, without all the cursing and ego and bad boy behavior I usually read about. These two women are smart and strong, successful and powerful. And Something to Talk About is a refreshing look at modern love from a queer perspective.
A copy of Something to Talk About was provided by Berkley through a Goodreads giveaway, with many thanks.
