After leaving behind a life of sold-out pop concerts and constant public scrutiny, Ramona Wilder is determined to start over at college and live life for no one but herself. Falling for her psychology professor, however, was never part of the plan. As playful teasing between student and professor turns into undeniable chemistry, both Ramona and Nick must decide whether they’re ready to leave their pasts behind for a chance at a happily ever after together.
My initial one-sentence review after finishing Extracurricular was “This book is proof that the hottest thing a man can do is communicate.”
And you know what? I think that is still the vibe we’re going with for this review.
Extracurricular introduces us to Nick Navarro, psychology professor, dreamboat extraordinaire and recently divorced sweetheart who is way too charming. There was something so grounding about Nick that drew me in immediately. He is a down-to-earth guy, eternally optimistic and someone who deeply cares about his loved ones – and knows how to take a joke. His internal debates were also so funny, the way he would cut himself off if he got (in his opinion) too mopey and decided to focus on what is and not what could have been. Nick also fiercely loves his job…which means falling for your student is an absolute no-no. But as the saying goes, the heart wants what it wants…
Our heroine Ramona Wilder, meanwhile, is a force to be reckoned with.
Deciding to put her mental health first after years in the spotlight and under the thumb of her demanding parents, she leaves her singing career and fame behind and goes to college at 26. A daunting choice to say the least, and one that didn’t come easy.
I loved how fierce and funny she was and that she challenged herself to ace this new life of hers. Time and again she faced big obstacles (whether that be her parents urging her to not “alienate her fans” or a particularly gruelling online portal for students which I hated alongside her and reminded me too much of my own time at uni) with the attitude of “I’m gonna get through this, but I’m going to complain about it first” which was just way too relatable.
Ramona is also dealing with a lot of devils from her past that keep resurfacing. One of them is clearly her parents who mean well (probably, at some point, maybe) but keep hurting their daughter by putting insane expectations upon her and her body – and functioning as a catalyst for her anxiety.
While I don’t want to spoil too much of the trajectory of the story, I do want to mention that there is also a subplot that deals with consent (or the lack thereof) in a previous relationship of Ramona’s that led to a lot of her trust issues and fears of entering a new relationship. In my opinion, it was handled with a careful hand especially once the perpetrator somewhat resurfaced and while nothing happens on-page, there are some references and minor moments of flashback to the past. To say that Ramona doesn’t have it easy is an understatement, yet makes her meeting Nick and falling in love with him all the more rewarding because you just can’t help but root for this woman to get everything she’s ever wanted.
Despite both Nick and Ramona seeming like the exact opposite of what they would want in the beginning, they worked together so beautifully.
The juxtaposition of her coming from this glamorous life of fame with the down-to-earth attitude Nick exudes worked perfectly.
It is of course helped by the fact that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover and both Ramona and Nick quickly learn that while their past has shaped them it does not have to define their future, especially together – but it makes for some hilarious put-your-foot-in-your-mouth moments in their romance. Both are in an era of rediscovering themselves and who they are outside of fame…or marriage, in Nick’s case and I love how open they were to exploring what made them happy.
Opening up to each other about their wants and needs brings an emotional vulnerability to the table that had me so invested in their romance from the get-go.
I loved the little push-and-pull moments, the “should I go for it or should we just stay friends” debates, the way they both obviously want to be together but are also very aware of what they’re still struggling with. The internal and external conflicts (that is, trying to leave your past versus trying to not get fired because you’re dating your student) paired so well together and made for an unputdownable story. That is immensely helped by the fact that the two of them communicate throughout the whole book. Yes, there are moments where they misinterpret or even say the wrong thing to each other, but they try to see where the other is coming from and learn to trust again, which made their relationship progression feel so natural and inevitable in a way.
And of course, Extracurricular delivers on the spice. The teasing banter and the flirting with that cheeky charm of the “teach me, professor” vibes only heat up once Nick and Ramona give in to their desires. Chances are that if you weren’t fanning yourself because of the unseasonably hot weather outside, you’ll be doing it just because of Nick and Ramona’s undeniable chemistry.
And speaking of chemistry and communication: bless Solomon for breaking the unnecessary cycle of third-act break-ups and instead delivering a conflict that gets resolved by – you guessed it – talking it out with each other!
A refreshing and bold choice that just goes to show you don’t need to make a couple break up to heighten the stakes and keep readers invested for their happily ever after. And man, was I invested. All in all this book reaffirmed my love for the romance genre and made my heart soar.
Escape the unnatural heatwave and instead read about things heating up between an ex-popstar and the psychology professor that would do anything for her! Whether you’re in the market for a romance that makes you kick your feet, a heartening story of rediscovery that will make you pick up one of your long-discarded hobbies or just seeking some delicious will-they-won’t they tension, Rachel Lynn Solomon’s Extracurricular is the must-read romance of the summer!
Extracurricular is available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, and other good book retailers, like your local bookstore, as of July 14th 2026.
Will you be picking up Extracurricular? Tell us in the comments below!
Synopsis
When a former pop star enrolls in college, the last thing she expects is A-plus chemistry with her psychology professor in this sexy and tender romance from #1 New York Times bestselling author Rachel Lynn Solomon.
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.
