I’ve not read an adult novel by Rainbow Rowell before, but I enjoyed this quite a bit! It’s a romance novel with characters and conversations that felt incredibly real and relatable, and I enjoyed the way their backstory unfolded over the flashback sections. The writing was a bit simplistic for this to be an absolute favorite, which is why I knocked it down a star. Thanks to William Morrow/Netgalley for the early copy — Slow Dance comes out in July!

I LOVE a Rainbow Rowell love story, so I was excited to read an advanced copy of this one. This one was just delightful - It's definitely a slow burn, but it works. It's the story of Shiloh and Cary, friends and first loves, who also haven't ever had their timing just right. It's a mix of what happened before and what brought them to their time reconnecting in the present. It was a lot of feels, but in the best way. I also liked that they were older (in other words, nearer to my age) and how all the "stuff" along the way was a part of the story, too. Thanks to NetGalley for the early look at this July 2024 release!

Yes, I tore through this, and deeply appreciated the lovers-with-history, slow burn nature of the story, but I also didn't feel like I ever quite understood the two protags.

Slow Dance by Rainbow Rowell
ARC BOOK REVIEW
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Slow Dance was a slow burn of brilliance.
Bouncing between the present and the past, the book tells the story of Shiloh and Cary. Friends in high school, they reconnect 15 years after they're last time together at their mutual friend Mikey's wedding. Shiloh, now divorced with 2 young kids and Cary, with 5 more years of Navy enlistment, spend the book reconnecting and learning to trust (themselves and each other).
Cary is, for lack of a better word, a dream boat. He is so cataclysmicly in love with Shiloh from day one that you can't help rooting for him. Shiloh (who is coded as both asexual and autistic) struggles to name her feelings, but it's obvious to the reader that her love for Cary is a guiding force.
I tore through this incredibly rich, friends-to-lovers cozy slow burn. Rainbow Rowell has a way of describing that always sucks me in.

I received this digital ARC from @netgalley and publisher in @harpercollins in exchange for an honest review.

Slow Burn will be released July 23, 2024

4.5 stars
If Rainbow Rowell writes something, I’m reading it. Shiloh and Cary were childhood best friends, secretly in love with each other with neither having the language or ability to talk about their feelings and the future. It leads to a severing of the friendship, until their other best friend from high school gets married and they reconnect at the wedding. Do things go any better for them this time around? Let’s just say these two struggled. And I normally would have wanted nothing to do with this kind of plot from another writer but RR can *write* uncomfortable characters saying and doing uncomfortable things. I never feel like highlighting sentences from books but I paused so many times while reading this book to reflect on something one character said to another as they navigated mistakes from the past to hurdle challenges in the present.

Whenever I start to get discouraged about the state of contemporary fiction/romance, a book like this will come into my life. I can’t underscore the importance of the writing/writer. Even if there were elements in this book that would have seen me wanting to rage quit from another author, RR gives us fully fleshed characters and addresses all of those moments head on. I loved Shiloh and Cary. I stayed up all night long reading this book because I was immersed in their world and RR’s words!

Shiloh and Cary are best friends. They have been best friends since the seventh grade. On a superficial level, they are a mismatched pair: Cary is the serious and strait-laced ROTC student who plans to join the Navy after graduation, while Shiloh is the artistic, unconventional, and anxious newspaper editor and drama kid. But, as their mutual friend Mikey will one day say, “You guys look different on the outside. Different packaging. But you’re a lot alike on the inside.” They are both intelligent, strong-willed, and steadfast, and they also share a sense of quiet unease and hesitancy likely borne from their untraditional and sometimes unstable childhoods in working-class Omaha.

Rainbow Rowell’s 𝘚𝘭𝘰𝘸 𝘋𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 tells the story of their friendship and eventual romance in a non-linear way, moving among different points in their close school years, estrangement in early adulthood, and reunion and reacquaintance in their 30s. I should warn you that this is definitely a slow burn kind of book and the pacing of the narrative and personalities of the lead characters can be very frustrating at times. Both Shiloh and Cary are poor communicators and have a lot of maturing to do, on top of the life obstacles and interrupted opportunities they must overcome. But eventually, the characters gel into flawed yet endearing characters who show growth and promise. Rowell manages to hold the readers’ attention through the course of this with engaging storytelling, sharp dialogue, and some truly beautiful prose.

4.5 stars rounded up. I recommend this novel to those who are fans of friends-to-lovers stories and second-chance romances in the vein of Emily Henry’s 𝘗𝘦𝘰𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘞𝘦 𝘔𝘦𝘦𝘵 𝘰𝘯 𝘝𝘢𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, Christina Lauren’s 𝘓𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘖𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘴, and David Nicholls’ 𝘖𝘯𝘦 𝘋𝘢𝘺. Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

What a fantastic, romantic, human story! Great characters, with quirks that feel authentic, and dialogue that sparkles. Can't say enough good things.

This was like a 2.5⭐️

This was like a big will they or won’t they? I didn’t hate this but I didn’t like it either but I really didn’t hate it and I was so invested if these two would get together. Shiloh and Cary gave me a headache but literally I kinda liked them. They’ve been friends forever and it’s so much miscommunication and Will we or won’t we? Like, I don’t know how I feel. Sometimes the dialogue felt wonky but I feel like it worked for them and the descriptions never lasted too long so that’s why I was little off put. It was lots of dialogue and back and forth feelings not feelings. Though when Cary does /that/ thing I literally sat up a little straighter and couldn’t believe my eyes.

I liked them. I think.


Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for a early copy in exchange for an honest review!

I love Rainbow Rowell’s books (well not really the Simon Snow ones). And Slow Dance was very good, it reminded me of Landline. The characters are well written and I like Omaha as a setting. I liked the friendships that are portrayed. They felt very real. I would definitely recommend reading if you like Rainbows books or if you like a story of high school friends reconnecting.

DNF @ 25%

This is purely a personal thing! This was my first try with Rainbow Rowell and the writing was just not jiving with me AT ALL. I do not think I will pick up anymore of their books.

A slow-burn adult romance with Rainbow Rowell’s signature irreverent writing, worthwhile for fans of the genre or the author.

This is a second chance romance, with chapters that jump from the present (well, it’s 2006) to various points in the past to fill in the background. This is written in third person, though it feels like it should have been first person. As mentioned, the writing style is the same as with the author’s previous books, which can feel juvenile and YA at times, but it is light and easy to read.

One thing I really appreciate about Rainbow Rowell’s books is how real her characters are. With romance books, you usually have protagonists who are drop-dead gorgeous and have amazing dream jobs. Cary and Shiloh, the main characters in this book, have down-to-earth occupations, real struggles, and normal appearances. It’s refreshing. This is not a romantic fantasy; this more closely resembles reality, for better or worse. It’s slow, it’s quiet; no big fireworks moments.

Slow Dance is a classic Rainbow Rowell treasure. She knows how to wrench my heart strings and make me root for the underdog—in this case, the elusive happy-ever-after that seems more common in fiction than reality. And the reality is what I love about her books and characters.
Shiloh and Cary aren’t flawless beauties who are one miscommunication or one unconquerable roadblock away from wedded bliss. They’re messy. They’re average. They’re broken. They’re complicated. They’re human.
They’re also best friends who’ve tried to be together but hurt each other instead, and have to put in real work to be ready for commitment. They’ve both been through hardship and will continue to face that hardship, even after the final pages of the books. But in spite of the conflict and pain, I couldn’t stop turning pages, because Ms. Rowell writes compelling scenes and vulnerable interactions. Her stories sweep me away from my own reality and immerse me in a new one.
I did have to skip a chapter that was too open door for my comfort level, but I could understand how it was relevant to the plot and character development. I just prefer to stay out of other people’s bedrooms.

If you’re a romance fan or a Rainbow Rowell fan, definitely give this book a go!

An ARC was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Man, what a wonderful book to read just before I get married!

I have been very hit or miss with Rowell's work in the past. I remember loving Eleanor & Park but I'm not sure how well I'd love it now, and the rest of her work is 4 stars or less...apart from Landline, my beloved. When I requested Slow Dance on NetGalley, I really hoped this would be a lot like Landline...

...and in spirit, it is! It even has the same non-chronological structure that carefully doles out information to you at exactly the right moments, no sooner, no later, and it gives the book a nice stream of consciousness as you feel the characters reminiscing about the past before you're then reading about the past, in the moment with them.

This is simply a beautiful, honest, relatable treat of a book. Rowell's prose here is frank yet sweet, and by the time I was about a quarter of the way into the book, she had me melting over these childhood friends turned lovers turned estranged ones who got away.

This book is very simple. Its prose is simple, its story is simple and straightforward and it probably goes exactly where you think it might go, but that doesn't make the warm blanket of nostalgia Rainbow wraps around you any less cozy or heartwarming.

Cary and Shiloh are truly a couple you root for, and the obstacles they face never feel melodramatic, contrived, or frustrating like many will-they-won't-they romances do, while simultaneously feeling interesting and gripping, really proving that a couple doesn't need to fight all the time to have interesting drama and misunderstandings.

All in all, I just loved my time with this book and I'm over the moon to be able to give it the title of best Rainbow Rowell book after Landline. I can only Rainbow gives me number three!

Shiloh and Cary were inseparable in high school but grew apart after graduation. Told in a non-linear way, the reader is taken on the journey of their friendship, the rift in their relationship and their reunion. The characters were insufferable at times but weren't we all as teenagers in the 90s? lol

This book was so good. Pulled at my heartstrings. Will definitely re read. Flawed characters and so much emotion. Loved every word!

Netgalley review, possible plot points mentioned below.

First off, what an absolute honor to have been able to arc read a Rainbow Rowell book.

Slow Dance by far wasn't my favorite Rainbow book, I don't think any could compare to my deep love for Carry On. If I'm going to be for real, I didn't get into it until I was roughly about 40 percent through. I think a lot of the backstories are what took me our of it because Shiloh is so annoying during them.

I do think the back and forth between back story, letters shipped, and the present are an interesting take on povs. It adds a lot on context to the book you might only have been hinted at without.

I hate to say I'm annoyed with only Shiloh but love almost everyone else (except you Ryan) but it's true. Shiloh caused almost all of the miscommunications, she went back and forth constantly about do I love him enough to be with him or should I never see him again and it's painful to read.

I really liked Cary for the most part, he definitely added a lot to the miscommunication (I'm not a misscommunication trope kinda guy I guess) but not on the same level as Shiloh. I loved how he fit so easily into Shilohs family and how he never once tried to get rid of the kids. (I think Juniper was a little weird during the Cary scenes)

Did anyone else think there were too many weird ankle scenes or was that just me? The amount of times Cary just like grabbed Shilohs ankles? Even at a restaurant he just grabbed them and held on while they were sitting down and eating - I genuinely cannot imagine how they were sitting for him to be doing that. Was he leaning down face first into the table to grip them, does he have freakishly long arms? How and why?

Overall what I did love about the book was when everything went down hill with Lois (sorry Lois) and Cary was back in town for a few days. I think the most was solved and the most felt natural in their relationship.

I almost wished we got more Mickey, Cary, Shiloh hangout where they got to relive their friendships (other than just the arcade scene)

I thank the authors and netgalley for giving me the chance to read and review this book.

Wow!! This is one of the most beautiful, human love stories I have ever read. This follows Shiloh and Cary, two former best friends who see each other for the first time in 14 years. It is told in past and present chapters so you get to see their friendship in the past plus their reconciliation in the present. What I loved most about this book was how realistic and human the characters felt. While I’ve never been to Omaha, Cary and Shiloh feel like people I would see walking down the street. Their love doesn’t eliminate all their struggles like money, coparenting, and family drama but it is a boon that helps them get through tough times

I’ve been a fan of Rainbow Rowell for years and was very excited when I heard about a new book from her. This one just wasn’t for me and that’s okay—not every book is for everyone. I had a hard time with the story at various points and even at the end still didn’t feel sure. Also something about the open door scenes made me uncomfortable. If you’re into character-driven storylines with a lot of history between the characters, this book may be for you.

Thanks to NetGalley for this advanced reader copy on exchange for my honest opinion.

I adore Rainbow Rowell - she has a way of writing that's open and uncomplicated, but still very engaging. And I loved this book, so very much.

One of the things I most appreciate about Rowell’s writing is how grounded and realistic her characters feel. This is a romance, yes, but the characters are not romanticized, if that makes sense. Shiloh and Cary’s relationship is tough and oftentimes messy. They aren’t perfect people, by any stretch of the imagination, but they are perfect for each other, and I love them all the more for it.

This book provided a fresh take on some of my favorite tropes: second-chance and friends-to-lovers. Technically speaking, Shiloh and Cary’s relationship is also a slow burn, but the book doesn’t necessarily read that way because of the unique story structure.

This was the first of what, I am sure, will be many readings. I can already see this becoming a favorite.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and William Morrow for providing the advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

I am a long-time reader of Rainbow Rowell and generally love her writing and her quirky characters. Slow Dance was challenging for me at times, but let's start with the good stuff.

I really enjoyed the story itself of high school best friends who were obviously in love with one another but didn't have the mental load or maturity to act on those feelings. While there are no secret surprises and the ending is obvious from the beginning it's enjoyable to see how the characters get themselves from those early days of high school to their happily every after in their thirties. Some of the characters are wonderful, particularly the third best friend Mikey who deserves some sort of Nobel prize of friendship for putting up with Cary, Shiloh and their array of bizarre behaviors with patience, kindness, understanding and love. Mikey is friendship personified.

Cary and Shiloh each bring plenty of baggage into the relationship which keep them from one another at various times; much of that baggage is realistic, but just as much of it is manufactured. Cary joined the Navy right out of high school and Shiloh went to college in another state, and they never figured out how to communicate with one another. The book alternates between current events and "before" and are presented from the viewpoints of all the various characters at different points.

Now for the bad and why I can't give this book more than 3 stars. Oh my word was Shiloh a challenging character to like. Rowell often writes characters who are quirky or on the spectrum without making a big deal out of it, but Shiloh's quirks or tics were often violent and borderline abusive, quite frankly. She was irrational, incredibly self-centered and I suspect would seriously benefit from some therapy. It was painful to read how she treated others and more painful to watch everyone - particularly Cary - just indulge this behavior. She did seem to grow out of some of them, sort of, but you can love and accept people for who they are while also not allowing them to hurt you. I also was just infuriated by both Cary's and Shiloh's inability to just talk to one another. I've never seen "best friends" who lack the ability to communicate with one another.

Second, if you are going to write a character who is in the Navy, for the love of stories, PLEASE talk to someone who is IN the Navy and have them check your work. I spent 30 years as a Navy spouse and still work in that community and I never got angrier at this book than I did at the glaring inaccuracies about Navy life - particularly the stupid ones that could be easily checked. For example, she has the main character, Cary, who is supposed to be a lieutenant commander wearing his summer whites but describes his cover as a chief's cover (with an anchor), not an officer's cover (with an eagle, shield and two crossed anchors). I mean, you can Google that. And yes, it ABSOLUTELY matters. She also spends half a page talking about how much Shiloh doesn't want to be a Navy wife because Navy wives... write blogs and she doesn't like their "vibe." A fictional character, doesn't like the "vibe" of a group of people who support and love the men and women of our armed forces? Thanks. (Pro tip- Navy spouses have book clubs and read a lot, it may not be a great idea as an author to talk about how lame you think they are.) Also, Cary is on a destroyer - he would never say he is on a boat. A destroyer is a "ship," submarines are "boats." There's more, I won't bother to point out because it clearly doesn't matter to Rowell or the editorial team. I mean I was willing to just note it to myself and overlook a lot until I got to the uniform bit & laughed out loud - and not in a good way - particularly because it was followed up by the part about how miserable military spouses are. It got a lot harder to feel much empathy for Shiloh (or Rowell) after that point.

So, I will say if you like a slow building, awkward romance, you'll enjoy Slow Dance. If you have spent time in or around the Navy, you will find lots of lazy writing to be annoyed by (though can we hope that will be corrected prior to publication?). Don't say I didn't warn you.

Slow Dance is scheduled to be published July 23, 2024.*

Thanks to William Morrow and NetGalley for the Advance Reader Copy.

*Goodreads review posted now, blog and FB posts will go live closer to publication date.