Weather Girl

Weather Girl is my favorite of Solomon's books that I've read so far, and that's definitely because I related to Ari so much and saw so much of my struggles with depression reflected on the page. One of my notes from reading is “Reflections on therapy – ACCURATE.” It's been a few months since I read the book, so I don't remember precisely what said reflections were, but I felt very seen by them!

It's a romance novel, so of course, we have a Third Act Breakup. What I loved about their breakup (as much as I can “love” it) was that Ari's motives made sense for her character. It didn't rely on massive miscommunication. Her actions were a bit self-destructive, but it was an essential step for Ari to reflect and accept her depression.

If you've read and enjoyed any of Rachel Lynn Solomon's other work, you're sure to love Weather Girl!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Going into this book, I was expecting a rom-com but I would consider this more of a contemporary romance as there was not a whole lot of comedy. Unfortunately it didn't grip me as much as The Ex-Talk did. I never felt fully connected to the characters and it felt like a chore at times to get through. I understand the importance of authors writing stories that focus on mental health, however I wish this book would have been marketed that way rather than as a romantic comedy as I had certain expectations going into it and instead it ended up being a book dealing with some pretty heavy topics that I typically need to be in the right headspace to enjoy.

ARC provided by Edelweiss in exchange for honest review.

Never thought I'd love a book about a weather anchor and a sports anchor but here I am! Weather Girl was so cute and it kept giving me warm gooey feelings in my chest while I read.

Weather Girl follows Ari Abrams who is all sunshine until she isn't. The work force has become a hostile environment with her two bosses. They are a divorced couple and is making the workplace hard to be at with their constant jabs and bickering. This is when Ari and Russell decide to get them back together.

During the time they get them back together, they start to form feelings for each other and it is the most pure thing probably when it comes to adults falling for each other. AND THEY ARE SO CUTE. The way Ari described Russell was just adorable how she kept constantly wanting to touch him and how he would blush. How she even found his round belly attractive. It was all mushy to me and I ate it right up!

Russell seemed like the perfect gentleman for Ari and the person to help her through her issues. The person to love her regardless of them and it made me feel seen.

I recommend this book to anyone looking for a cute work romance. Where they slowly fall for each other and are the perfect fit. I want to thank NetGalley for giving me this ARC for an honest review.

I'm leaving this book unrated because I don't think I really gave it a fair chance. After a brutal 2021, I am finally in a semi-good place mentally so the discussion of depression and anxiety in this book was too much for me. It understandably coloured my enjoyment of this book and it was a bit too heavy for me.

I might reread this when I am more solidly in a better place. It might be everything I want in a romance, but at this moment, I can't tell.

This was an easy and enjoyable read. The book follows the evolution of Ari and Russel friendship while they plot to help their bosses get together again.

What to love:
- Heroine with depression (she's medicated and goes to therapy). I really like to read about characters that feel real, with whom I can connect and who contribute to the normalization of mental health care.
- Fat hero. (It was a first to me)
- Lindy hop! While it is not the same as going to an actual Jam, it was good enough to remember the feeling of it. Do yourself a favour and go to one experimental class wherever you live. The lindy hop community is just the best and you'll have a blast! It just not possible to not smile while dancing lindy hop.

The negative point for me is that I didn't feel much chemistry between the main characters, discrediting their romance.

However, I want to emphasize that Rachel Lynn Solomon wanted to create a story that showed a heroine that thrived despite her condition, and a hero who loved her through her dark days, not despite of them.

I think she succeeded.