Review: Rachel Lynn Solomon’s WEATHER GIRL.

Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.

The reader’s note of Rachel Lynn Solomon’s Weather Girl really says a lot about this warm & cozy & also emotionally sharp read:

“More than anything, I wanted this book to highlight a neurodiverse heroine who happens to be on medication & in therapy falling in love & thriving.”

Meteorologist Ari Abrams is working under the famous meteorologist she admired growing up, a dazzling powerhouse who spends her non-air time fighting with the ex who also works at their station & in general creating a toxic work environment w/ their arguments.

One night after a particularly bad fight between the exes, Ari & a coworker, Russell Barringer, decide to parent trap them—they seem to have lingering feelings for each other underneath the volatility & Ari and Russell also want to improve inter-office dynamics & opportunities at the station.

Thus a strategic partnership between Ari & Russell is born.

Weather Girl has lots of things that had me squeeing: a heroine—Ari—who relies on “surface level politeness” as a coping mechanism & also has Depression, fears of which drive some of—but not all—her actions in the book. Um relatable much?

A self-described fat hero—Russell—who’s a single dad & a real sweetie whose care & concern for Ari (& you can tell for everyone) shines through like a soft beacon.

The manipulation of characters in this one is a little unsettling for me—even if two bosses might still have romantic feelings for each other I’m not sure it’s a good idea to parent trap them after one throws an award & breaks a window out of anger at the ex at an office party?

But this stunning romance really is full of care & hope & understanding & I love the idea that people will read this & realize/remember what Solomon writes in her note. People living with mental illnesses & challenges can fall in love and be loved & found desirable & valued for who they are; that’s certainly what this woman living with anxiety (me 😆) has found in my own life.

4.5 ⭐️. Release date: 01/11.

CW: heroine talks about “dark days” of Depression. Her mother has a history of debilitating Depression & is in rehab during this book. Russell was a teen parent. Russell is insecure about his body. Bosses have a volatile relationship.