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While unique, romantic, hilarious, and representative, Business or Pleasure is also a story of self-discovery and finding out what it means to put yourself first.

Even though I was a fan of everything this book offered, there is something about reading about a man willing to learn. One of the best qualities this has is simply in Finn, the male lead. While he may be physically traditional compared to other male leads in romance, Finn lacks in the general romance department: his previous relationships haven’t lasted, he doesn’t really know how to please his partner, and he fumbles a lot as he’s about to go down. What starts off as an embarrassed individual turns into a character willing to learn from a woman to become a confident lover. His dedication to learning from Chandler was refreshing. Too often we see the same men in these stories that they become repetitive and tiring. Finn’s lack of knowledge and non-existent self-awareness of what he was doing wrong is what I wish would become more normalized in society. I can’t tell you how many times I have heard discouraging statements be said towards men who don’t exactly know how sex works or how to please a woman, ignoring either lack of experience (which is also frowned upon), or simply because they’re like Finn, where they have the impression they’re doing everything right and good because no one tells them. Rachel’s unique route for his character was refreshing. It felt like I had never read a book with a character like him. He was not always confident in dirty-talking, sex, and romantic feelings, but he still had confidence in other areas.

Chandler becomes something like a teacher for Finn, using some of their time spent together to teach him “sex basics�� so he can improve and use for his future girlfriends (although we know that was never going to happen). Her character is patient and kind, but also encouraging. She never purposely makes Finn feel embarrassed or ashamed; instead she offers a hand to teach him. Finn never really second guesses just because he’s a guy and Chandler is a girl. There’s never an unbalanced power dynamic because of their genders or the fact that “Finn should know better.�� I like this new approach, and I think it’s humbling, even, to show a different side between the genders, and how possible it is for a man to be unaware, inexperienced, and simply lacking while the woman is more confident, experienced, and knowledgeable.

Their relationship develops sexually but becomes emotionally involved as they get to know each other. Rachel’s strategy of having Chandler become Finn’s ghostwriter for his memoir while also being a mentor for him worked incredibly well. While their steamy moments were used for their seeks and pleasures, their time outside of that was used to get to know each other. Chandler was never just a ghostwriter for Finn, and we see it in their every day interactions. While Finn is telling Chandler about himself for the sake of his book, he also becomes closer to her in general, naturally conveying personal information that came easily for him to tell her. What starts off as a weary professional relationship turns into a friendship between colleagues. They hang on on many occasions, where they have close proximity that is both voluntary and necessary. There’s those little moments that also show how the two become getting emotionally attached and attracted towards each other on a romantic level. Even if we don’t get Finn’s point of view, we get glimpses of him through Chandler’s lens, ranging from things he does to things he says to his physical expressions.

If I had a shelf for green flag relationships, these two would be under it. There is open communication, vulnerability, consent, mutual agreement and understanding, compassion, and a willingness to fix what is wrong. Even the third act conflict was resolved maturely and professionally, with no immaturity, tantrums, selfishness, and self-depreciation. Finn never makes Chandler feel bad for being unsure of where she stands, and Chandler never makes Finn feel bad for where he is. The two share their own backstories willingly as well as for the sake of the memoir, but all these moments between the two where they share about themselves are emotionally sensual. We see a friendship be built up as they get to know each other, that their true feelings can’t NOT become involved. It’s sweet and cute, but also takes its time developing. Both characters mess up on occasions, but they also acknowledge the mistakes they make.

One of the other things Rachel adds into her books is representation, whether mental health, cultural, or both. Here we have Finn, who has OCD and is a vegetarian. I not only appreciated the unnecessary insults and rude remarks towards vegetarians/vegans (I say this because I’m vegan myself and am tired of the stereotypes and dumb comments always added in the media towards us), but also how mental health doesn’t make up the characters entire personality. We learn about his history with OCD, how it affects his eating habits, and how difficult it was for him to have it growing up. We learn how OCD is something Finn not only had to hide during his career, but also endure bad remarks and taunts from the people around him. He’s selfless, patient, and understanding, but his positive qualities also make it difficult for him to stand up for himself. He didn’t have the best support from his family, especially his dad, who was emotionally/mentally abusive. On the other hand, Chandler has anxiety and suffers from panic attacks. She’s proud and stubborn, and that affects her career and personal life. She’s willing to adhere to others requests and necessities but doesn’t put herself first. She’s not exactly miserable, but she’s also not happy with what she does. She’s unconsciously working for the sake of others and not herself, and it takes her a bit to wake up and realize that, but her character is realistically flawed. There’s also jewish representation, which I have noticed is something Rachel always adds in her books, and it’s heartwarming. I can’t speak for that on a personal level, but I also think it’s amazing how Rachel doesn’t add it in a forced or discouraging way. It’s simply something close to her and something she’s able to honor, which shows in Business or Pleasure.

This was my first adult romance by Rachel and second book by her read, but it sure won’t be my last. All in all, Business or Pleasure is a refreshing and new rom-com that I’m hoping will win the hearts of many people.

ARC provided by NetGalley + Berkley in exchange for an honest review.