Forecast: 100% Chance of Love – A Review of Weather Girl

Rachel Lynn Solomon has made a name for herself in the contemporary romance genre, and Weather Girl is another solid addition to her repertoire. This novel blends rom-com charm with a deeper emotional core, tackling themes of mental health, workplace toxicity, and the power of love and understanding. Oh, and let’s not forget—it’s also packed with weather puns that’ll make you giggle like a schoolgirl in a thunderstorm.

Ari Abrams has always adored the weather—so much so that she’s built a career as a meteorologist. But while she loves her job, she can’t stand the storm brewing in her newsroom, thanks to her station’s feuding exes, legendary weatherwoman Torrance Hale and news director Seth. Ari’s naturally sunny disposition is dimmed by their constant drama, which is why she teams up with the quietly sweet sports reporter, Russell Barringer, to play matchmaker for their chaotic bosses. Their plan involves orchestrating romantic moments, nudging the former couple back together, and hoping that a rekindled romance will lead to a more peaceful newsroom. But as Ari and Russell spend more time together scheming, they start to realize there might be a spark between them too. And let me tell you, their chemistry is hotter than a heatwave in July.

Beneath Ari’s cheerful exterior lies a constant battle with depression, a struggle she’s faced for years but rarely talks about openly. She hides behind her bright smiles and endless optimism, determined to be a ray of sunshine for those around her, even when she feels like she’s drowning inside. Rachel Lynn Solomon does a masterful job of depicting Ari’s internal turmoil, making her pain tangible in a way that seeps through the pages. There are moments where Ari’s anxiety takes hold—when she overthinks every interaction, when she spirals into self-doubt, when she fears she’ll never be enough. She fears being perceived as “too much” or “too broken,” and that fear keeps her from leaning on others, even when she desperately needs support. The contrast between her outer persona and her inner reality is heart-wrenching, yet deeply relatable. But what makes her journey so compelling is how she gradually learns to let others in, to accept that she doesn’t always have to be the strong, smiling one. Her relationship with Russell becomes a safe space, where she can begin to shed the facade and be seen for who she truly is. And honestly, we love a leading lady who learns to embrace her stormy side.

The Steam Factor: WOW WOW WOW WOW Listen, when I say this book brings the heat, I mean it. We’re talking category 5 hurricane levels of steamy. Ari and Russell’s chemistry builds in such a natural, slow-burn way that when they finally get there, it’s electric. And what makes it even better? The intimacy isn’t just about physical attraction—it’s about trust, about being vulnerable, about learning to be seen. Russell, in particular, struggles with body insecurity, and there’s something so raw and refreshing about how he expresses it in these moments. He hesitates, he makes self-deprecating comments, he tries to hide himself, and yet, Ari makes it abundantly clear that she wants him, just as he is. The way these scenes are written is both tender and ridiculously hot—balancing deep emotional connection with undeniable passion. If you’re here for the steam, trust me, you will not be disappointed.

One of the most striking aspects of Weather Girl is how it portrays Russell’s insecurities about his body—something rarely explored with male love interests in romance. Russell, a single dad with a self-described “dad bod,” makes offhand comments about hiding himself during intimate moments with Ari. He’s self-conscious about his size, about how he looks without a shirt, about how he compares to the conventionally attractive leading men we often see in romance novels. And honestly? This level of vulnerability is so raw and refreshing. We’re used to seeing heroines struggle with body image issues, but to see a hero openly battle those same doubts? It adds a whole new layer of depth to his character. The way Ari reassures him—without dismissing his feelings—makes their dynamic feel even more real. It’s modern, it’s authentic, and it’s a reminder that everyone, no matter their gender, has moments of self-doubt. This book does a beautiful job of showing that attraction isn’t about having the perfect body; it’s about connection, chemistry, and feeling safe with the person you’re with.

What Works

• A Refreshing Take on Romance: While the workplace romance trope is nothing new, Weather Girl puts a fresh spin on it by incorporating the matchmaking scheme and giving both main characters complex, fully fleshed-out personal struggles.

• Mental Health Representation: Ari’s struggles with depression are handled with nuance and care. Solomon doesn’t shy away from the realities of mental health, but she also doesn’t reduce Ari to just her diagnosis. Instead, her journey is woven naturally into the romance, making it all the more powerful.

• A Lovable, Realistic Hero: Russell is a standout love interest—he’s a single dad, a little self-conscious about his dad bod, and a genuinely good guy. He’s not the brooding, tortured hero often seen in romance, but that makes him even more endearing. Plus, his dad jokes? Absolute gold.

• Chemistry and Banter: Ari and Russell’s dynamic is sweet, slow-building, and full of genuine chemistry. Their connection feels authentic, and their conversations are both witty and heartfelt. Seriously, some of the flirting in this book is so cute, it’ll make you feel like you just walked into a rom-com montage set to an early 2000s pop song.

  
  

What Falls a Bit Flat

• The Matchmaking Plot Feels Secondary: The whole premise of Ari and Russell teaming up to fix their bosses’ love lives sometimes takes a backseat to their own romance. While this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, the execution makes the initial setup feel a bit underdeveloped by the end.

• Pacing Issues: Some sections drag a little, especially in the middle, where the story loses momentum before picking up again toward the climax. But hey, even the best storms take a while to build up before they really let loose.

  
  

Weather Girl is a heartfelt, smart, and deeply charming romance that balances light-hearted fun with serious topics. Rachel Lynn Solomon continues to prove that she can write romance with substance, and Ari and Russell’s love story is one worth rooting for. If you’re a fan of slow-burn romance with meaningful character development, and you appreciate a well-placed weather pun (because let’s be real, who doesn’t?), this book is well worth a read.

Have you read Weather Girl? Are you also in love with Russell and his adorable dad energy? Do you also feel personally victimized by how relatable Ari’s internal monologue is? Let’s talk about it in the comments—no umbrella required!