Business or Pleasure Summary, Characters and Themes

Business or Pleasure by Rachel Lynn Solomon is a witty and heartwarming romantic comedy that dives into the complexities of identity, intimacy, and second chances. 

It follows Chandler Cohen, a ghostwriter living in the shadows of other people’s success, and Drew, a former teen TV star trying to redefine himself. After a hilariously awkward one-night stand, the two unexpectedly reconnect when Chandler is hired to ghostwrite Drew’s memoir. What begins as an uncomfortable coincidence evolves into a slow-burning relationship built on vulnerability, honesty, and mutual growth. This is a love story that smartly blends humor with emotional depth—and plenty of steam.

Summary

Chandler Cohen is used to living in the background. 

As a ghostwriter in Seattle, she’s penned bestselling books that bear other people’s names. After attending a book signing where her own contribution goes unnoticed, she ends up at a bar—frustrated and invisible. 

There she meets Drew, a charming stranger with whom she shares flirtatious banter, midnight pizza, and eventually, a very underwhelming one-night stand. Both walk away slightly embarrassed, assuming they’ll never cross paths again.

But life has other plans. When Chandler shows up to her next ghostwriting gig, she’s stunned to find out her new client is none other than Drew—real name: Finn Rhodes—a former heartthrob from a supernatural TV series who’s now trying to transition into writing comic books. 

Drew is just as shocked and mortified, especially because he doesn’t initially recognize her. 

Despite the awkwardness, they agree to work together and keep their previous night a secret.

As they navigate their new professional dynamic, tension simmers beneath the surface. Chandler accompanies Drew to fan conventions and interviews, learning more about his struggle to move beyond the role that once defined him. 

She discovers he’s more thoughtful and insecure than his Hollywood past suggests. Meanwhile, Drew is increasingly impressed by Chandler’s intelligence, patience, and wit—qualities that he initially overlooked.

The lines between business and pleasure begin to blur when Chandler proposes an unusual arrangement: a friends-with-benefits deal aimed at helping Drew improve his bedroom confidence. What starts as a practical partnership evolves into something tender and emotionally charged. 

Through shared vulnerabilities—Chandler’s struggle with being undervalued and Drew’s identity crisis post-fame—they begin to heal and grow together.

However, emotions complicate their carefully constructed boundaries. 

A turning point arrives during a Comic Con panel where Drew credits an unnamed friend (clearly Chandler) for helping him embrace his true self. Chandler, moved yet conflicted, begins to realize she’s falling for him. 

But career frustrations—especially being denied credit for her next book—cause her to pull away. Afraid of repeating past patterns of invisibility and rejection, she distances herself emotionally from Drew.

In the aftermath, both characters take time apart to reassess. Drew opens up to friends, realizing that what he wants isn’t just professional success—it’s Chandler. 

He writes her a heartfelt letter, not to win her back with grand gestures, but to affirm her worth and talent. This spurs Chandler to stand up for herself, demanding more recognition from her publisher and finally landing her first solo book deal under her real name.

They reunite at a publishing event, no longer dodging the truth. Honest conversation leads to reconciliation, and they commit to a real relationship—no more rules or half-measures. Drew starts a new comic book project that’s deeply personal, while Chandler finally steps into the spotlight with her own name on the cover.

Together, they navigate public life, private milestones, and professional highs. Drew supports Chandler’s book launch; she helps him prepare for his new tour. They return to the bookstore where they first met, but now as a couple choosing each other deliberately—not by chance.

In the epilogue, they’re thriving: Chandler’s book is a hit, Drew’s comic receives acclaim, and they’re planning a leap day trip—celebrating Chandler’s rare birthday and their not-so-rare but very real love. What began as a bad hookup becomes a beautifully grown-up romance.

Characters

Chandler Cohen

Chandler is a ghostwriter who feels undervalued and invisible in the literary world. Throughout the book, she navigates the complexities of working behind the scenes while secretly creating successful books.

Her struggle with professional recognition weighs heavily on her, which is only exacerbated when she encounters Drew, a former teen actor, in a series of increasingly personal situations. Chandler’s growth throughout the story is rooted in her emotional journey—learning to balance her career and her sense of self-worth.

She is introspective, deeply empathetic, and also struggles with feelings of isolation, particularly in her profession. Her connection with Drew forces her to confront her vulnerability and desire for genuine connection, something she initially resists because of past emotional scars.

The complexity of her character is enriched by her emotional depth. She goes from protecting herself from emotional entanglements to realizing that her feelings for Drew have evolved into something more substantial.

Drew

Drew, a former teen TV star turned comic book writer, is initially portrayed as charming and self-assured. However, as the story progresses, it becomes clear that his fame has left him with deep insecurities.

Drew is a man trying to redefine himself after his early success in acting, struggling with his identity and purpose in the wake of being typecast. He’s vulnerable and unsure about his worth beyond his former fame, and this sense of inadequacy makes him open to Chandler’s offer to help him with his sexual confidence.

His journey involves understanding that his emotional growth is as important as his professional one, and Chandler plays a significant role in this transformation. Drew is torn between his growing feelings for Chandler and the pressure to maintain their arrangement without emotional involvement.

However, as his relationship with Chandler deepens, Drew’s vulnerability surfaces. He begins to realize that he needs more than just physical connection; he needs to be truly seen and valued for who he is.

The Relationship Between Chandler and Drew

The evolving dynamic between Chandler and Drew is the core of the novel. What starts as a no-strings-attached arrangement to help Drew build sexual confidence turns into a transformative relationship.

Both characters initially resist emotional entanglement, but over time, their boundaries blur, and they begin to share deeper parts of themselves. Their relationship is marked by moments of humor, intimacy, and raw honesty, with each person slowly confronting their fears and desires.

Chandler helps Drew work through his career insecurities, while Drew becomes a source of emotional support for Chandler, helping her stand up for herself in her professional life. Their bond transcends physical attraction, and by the end of the book, they have created a relationship based on mutual respect, trust, and support.

Their connection is a journey of personal and professional growth for both. They ultimately come to realize that they are better together than they were apart.

Supporting Characters

While Chandler and Drew are the central figures, the novel features a range of supporting characters that add layers to the narrative. Drew’s friends, especially those who encourage him to be more authentic, play a pivotal role in his emotional journey.

These characters provide the necessary push for Drew to confront his feelings for Chandler and take responsibility for what he wants in life. Chandler’s publisher and colleagues also act as foils, highlighting her struggles with career recognition and forcing her to confront the undervaluation of her work.

These supporting characters serve not just as plot devices but as reflections of Chandler and Drew’s growth. They reinforce the theme of personal evolution in both professional and emotional realms.

Themes

The Complexity of Professional Identity and Recognition

In Business or Pleasure, the theme of professional identity and the struggle for recognition is deeply explored through the protagonist, Chandler. As a ghostwriter, Chandler’s work is often invisible, and this anonymity leads her to question her value and place in the world.

Her experience at the book signing event, where she is overshadowed by the self-help author she wrote for, highlights the tension between external success and internal fulfillment. This sense of being unrecognized extends into her personal life, as her efforts often go unnoticed, both in her career and relationships.

Chandler’s journey throughout the novel involves reclaiming her voice and demanding the recognition she deserves, not just as a ghostwriter, but as a writer with her own identity and creative contributions. This theme reflects broader societal issues related to the undervaluation of behind-the-scenes work, the desire for acknowledgment, and the personal fulfillment that comes from claiming one’s achievements.

The Evolution of Sexuality and Personal Growth

The theme of sexual exploration and personal growth is central to the relationship between Chandler and Drew. At the outset of their arrangement, Chandler offers to help Drew gain sexual confidence, a premise that transforms from a lighthearted pact into a more profound exploration of emotional vulnerability and intimacy.

Through their “friends-with-benefits” setup, they both confront their insecurities—not just sexually, but emotionally as well. Drew’s struggles with his past as a teen actor and his desire to redefine himself beyond his on-screen persona are mirrored in Chandler’s own emotional battles, as she contends with being pigeonholed as a ghostwriter.

The lessons they share go beyond physical encounters, touching on themes of emotional authenticity, trust, and healing. This theme illustrates how personal growth is intertwined with understanding and embracing one’s sexuality, and how true intimacy involves both physical and emotional connection.

The Tension Between Public and Private Lives

Throughout Business or Pleasure, the tension between public and private selves plays a significant role in the characters’ development. Drew, once a famous actor, now grapples with his post-fame identity, struggling to be seen for his work as a comic book writer rather than his TV persona.

Chandler, too, faces this duality—externally, she is a successful ghostwriter, but her private life, including her emotional turmoil and creative aspirations, is hidden from the world. The narrative explores how the public’s perception of an individual can conflict with their true self, creating a sense of isolation.

As Chandler and Drew navigate their professional and personal relationships, they constantly wrestle with how much of their true selves to reveal to the public versus maintaining a private life. This theme examines the complexities of self-presentation, the masks people wear to navigate the world, and the tension that arises when one’s public identity doesn’t align with their inner truth.

The Struggle for Emotional Vulnerability in Relationships

Emotional vulnerability is a key theme that develops gradually as Chandler and Drew’s relationship shifts from a casual arrangement to something more profound. Both characters initially enter the relationship with walls up, determined not to let feelings interfere with their professional lives.

Chandler, especially, is hesitant to open up, fearing that emotional exposure could lead to disappointment or rejection, as she has experienced in the past. Drew, on the other hand, is haunted by the lack of authenticity in his previous relationships, where he was only valued for his celebrity status.

Their growing emotional connection forces them to confront their fears of vulnerability. This theme underscores the idea that true connection and intimacy require the courage to be open and honest, not just with one another but also with oneself.

Through their relationship, both Chandler and Drew learn that being vulnerable is not a sign of weakness but a path to greater emotional depth and genuine connection.