Something to Talk About

Starred review from March 16, 2020
Wilsner’s sparkling debut offers a glimpse at the truth behind the tabloid headlines. When child star turned showrunner Jo Jones takes her assistant Emma Kaplan to the SAG awards to be her buffer from the press, the paparazzi capture them sharing a genuine smile, and speculation about the nature of their relationship flies. While Emma wants to dispel the rumors that she’s sleeping with her boss, Jo has a policy of never publicly commenting on her love life and argues that it would only fan the flames if she were to break her silence now. They grow closer during the months of “no comment” that follow, leading both Emma and Jo to realize that maybe the tabloids got something right this time. Their romance burns tantalizingly slowly as they navigate their professional relationship and budding feelings; 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. Agent: Devin Ross, New Leaf Literary.

Jorjeana Marie and Xe Sands's dual narration beautifully highlights the two points of view in this slow-burn romance. Emma is the world's best assistant to her boss, Jo, a Chinese-American woman who went from child star to writer and producer. When Emma and Jo are photographed laughing together on the red carpet, rumors about an affair spread like wildfire. Marie's youthful voice captures Emma's determination to become a director and her devotion to her work and her boss. Sands portrays Jo in a deeper voice, conveying her pride and ambition, along with her anxieties about her growing feelings toward Emma. Each narrator helps the listener feel the yearning as Emma and Jo slowly realize the tabloids have spotted something real way before they did. E.E.C. � AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine