Wilsner's story of Hollywood in the age of social media influencers and tabloids feels authentic ... Something to Talk About centers on the ideas of mutual respect and friendship, and Wilsner explores those ideas with care and consideration, especially welcome in a novel that features an office romance during the #MeToo era. And their focus on the importance of privacy in a setting where media bullying is an acceptable consequence of fame serves as a believable plot engine that delivers plenty of motivation and drama ... there are times when Wilsner introduces so many topics, you might feel a little whiplash—but they do strive to make sure readers don't lose track of the central love story for too long. Jo and Emma are richly drawn, and each also has an equally compelling best friend in their corner ... a slow-burn of a romance that eventually reaches a fiery simmer.
... a slow-burn romance that alternates between the viewpoints of both women as they navigate their unspoken feelings and pine after one another. A series of personal and professional related twists and turns further complicates their already complicated relationship, including a lecherous film director, a high octane work environment, and a leaker inside Jo’s company who is sharing information about their 'maybe' relationship to the press. The novel, although containing some frustrating clichés, is ultimately successful, as a succession of travails leaves audiences wondering when an alleged romance will become a real one.
Seeing two LGBTQ leads not struggling with their identities—one so fully supported by her family that at Hanukkah dinner her parents practically beg to be introduced to her girlfriend—felt great and refreshing. (Still, I'd wished we had gotten to see more of their queer identities outside the relationship. There are no other queer celebrities or friends in the book, for example.) ... We need more lighthearted, wholesome queer stories, and Something To Talk About certainly helps fill the gap. No two queer love stories mirror each other, but Emma and Jo’s is a sweet one worth talking about.
This debut is an unputdownable slow-burn romance with well-drawn and incredibly real characters. Wilsner does an amazing job exploring a Hollywood love story in the middle of a #metoo movement.
Fleshed out with important female friendships and a timely look at sexual harassment in the film industry, Wilsner’s tale maintains a primary focus on the delightful, developing romance. Completely captivating and so satisfying.
Wilsner’s sparkling debut offers a glimpse at the truth behind the tabloid headlines ... romance burns tantalizingly slowly ... Wilsner makes sure the reader knows both women intimately before allowing them to be intimate with one another, making the eventual payoff that much more rewarding. The supporting cast—among whom Emma’s sister, Avery, especially shines—adds depth and dimension to this charming rom-com. This is a gem.
The novel is populated with strong secondary characters who bring Jo and Emma to life. Emma’s Judaism in particular is thoughtfully integrated into her character. Wilsner’s writing is matter-of-fact but effective, lending the novel a believable Hollywood insider vibe with a deftly handled #MeToo subplot. A sparkling debut with vibrant characters, a compelling Hollywood studio setting, and a sweet slow-burn romance.
