Extracurricular
By: Rachel Lynn Solomon
Published Year: 2026
Publisher: Berkley
Pages: 400
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This in no way shape or form influenced my opinion of this novel.
Summary (Provided by Goodreads): Ramona Wilder has spent her whole life in the spotlight. After a hit kids’ TV show, she transitioned into music, singing in arenas around the world and becoming an icon for millions of teenage girls. Now at age twenty-six, exhausted by the inhumane lack of privacy, she’s done—with all of it. She wants a chance at normal, whatever that might mean for her. And she’s starting with college.
Professor Nick Navarro is recently divorced but determinedly optimistic, allowing himself a very reasonable ten minutes per day to wallow. When his department calls a meeting about a celebrity enrollment, he plans to treat whoever it is like any other student. Except when Ramona blazes into class and causes an uproar, the typically easygoing professor is rattled, maybe for the first time in his career.
Ramona loves the way she flusters him, taking every opportunity to push Nick’s buttons, though what she really wants is to unbutton them completely. When a crisis brings them closer outside of class, they begin a tentative friendship amid an undeniable attraction. But Ramona can’t be so easily finished with her old life, and they’ll both have to confront their pasts if they want a chance at something real.
First Impressions
I have loved Rachel Lynn Solomon’s books. I was so excited when I saw she was coming out with a new book. I thought the cover was so cute too.
What I thought
The only way to describe how I felt about this book was disappointed.
Ramona Wilder was a child actress who became a popstar. When she finishes her most recent tour, she decides that she isn’t happy and wants a normal life. She retires from being a popstar to enroll in UCLA. One of her professors is Dr. Nick Navarro. At first, he doesn’t like Ramona’s entitled attitude until their physical chemistry is undeniable.
Ok, so admittedly, I think a major part of my issues with this book is a me problem. I do not like the professor/student dynamic. Even though she’s 26 and he’s 36 and she’s well traveled and mature it still just gave me the ick. I don’t like the idea of a professor sleeping with their student. The power dynamic just feels wrong. And the fact that he’s going for tenure and decides to risk it anyway? I don’t know, I think I’ve just found a new trope I can’t handle.
The other thing that unfortunately didn’t work for me was Ramona and Nick’s chemistry. As the book went on I found myself caring less and less about them being together. I normally don’t feel this way about Solomon’s characters so this was so weird for me. I don’t know if it was because I didn’t like Nick or if it was because I didn’t like Ramona or if I just didn’t like them together. I’ve read a few books that have had popstars or former popstars as the main characters and I found Ramona to be a little stereotypical. The one storyline that could’ve given her depth felt so, not even secondary. Like, it was mentioned so briefly in the beginning and ten nowhere in the middle and then the final 10% it came out as a huge part to wrapping up the story and Ramona’s life moving forward.
There also was a scene where Nick goes over to Ramona’s house because she’s super sick and he goes to take care of her. But then the day after he gives her medicine, after she has legit been sick for 5 days, they sleep together? Like, I get that it was supposed to be romantic that he wants her in that way even after seeing her like that, but it just wasn’t to me. One day after Nyquil and you’re finally feeling good enough to sleep with someone? No.
I have this book about 2.75 stars. It’s the lowest I’ve ever rated one of Solomon’s books. Something about it just didn’t have the magic her other books have had for me. I didn’t like either of the main characters and the trope itself didn’t work for me. She’s still going to be an auto-read author for me, but I would recommend checking out her other books first.