A superstar chef needs to write a cookbook, a serious ghostwriter needs the money - the sparks fly inside and outside the kitchen.

CW/TW: Grief, Parental Neglect, Abandonment, Neurodivergence, Addiction, Mental Abuse from family

If you like:
- Dual POV
- Enemies to Lovers
- Reverse Grumpy + Sunshine
- Forced Proximity
- Slow Burn
- He Falls First
- Plus Size FMC
- Cooking
- ADHD Representation
- Dyslexia Representation
- Jewish Culture / Family

Overall - a sweet book that handles some serious subject matters really, really well.

I really loved this story!!
Right at the beginning we are introduced to Ellie and Kieran as they are tasked with writing a cookbook together; Ellie is the ghostwriter of the book, who really needs the paycheck, while Kieran is a chef who recently won a cooking reality show. Their personalities are so different; however I was fully invested into the love story. Both of them had specific personality traits, with the history to support where it stems from. I also enjoyed the ways in which the author presented information about the two characters, such as the ways in which dyslexia, grief and alcohol use were portrayed.
As someone who is a clinical social worker, it is clear to me that the author has done her research on the ways in which ADHD presents in men, especially as it relates to working in a fast paced environment like a restaurant kitchen. I really enjoyed the ways in which the characters were so against each other due to the task at hand, but as the story progressed they became more empathetic towards each other and were able to accomplish what was needed for them.
The pacing and the writing is so digestible. I would recommend this novel to anyone and I can't wait to read this author's next novel!

Thank you so much NetGalley, Sarah Chamberlain and the publisher for providing a copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review.

I liked this book.
I am always in the mood for a good slow burn, and tension. And this book delivered on those.
I also liked how surprisingly emotional this book was. There was a lot to unpack, and I really enjoyed that aspect of it.

If you're looking for a romcom, with grief and emotion, and slow yearning. This is it!

Kieran O’Neill is successful chef yet his parents are never impressed. Ellie Wasserman is Kieran’s cookbook ghostwriter and can’t seem to catch a break from her family. As the two pairs feuds began to soften, they start to investigate their own relationship. The book was a slow burn but had a very intriguing plot. I enjoyed the characters and they developed relationship but the beginning was a little too slow for me. Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

⭐️ 4 Stars

The Slowest Burn is Sarah Chamberlain debut novel. Take the title literally, it is a slow burn. This is a dual POV romance novel about a chef and his ghostwriter working on a cooking book. There was great character development making this a quick fun read.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Please note that I received this book via NetGalley. This did not affect my rating or review.

Overall I really enjoyed my reading experience with this book. Although it was a slow burn, it was not something that had me wanting to just put the book down. I loved seeing the growth of both the main characters. I do feel like towards the end everything felt a little rushed especially with the lead up/slow burn aspect. My heart broke for both characters having to deal with such problematic people in their lives. The recipes/cooking scenes were so enjoyable! All in all I think this was a solid read, I would def recommend it to anyone needing a quick slow burn romance.

The Slowest Burn is the perfect title for this delicious, slow-burn romance between Ellie and Kieran, two characters whose chemistry sizzles right from the start. They’re the embodiment of pining and longing, drawing you into their push-pull dynamic that leaves you completely hooked. The premise of a chef and ghostwriter working together on a cookbook is so unique—I’ve never read anything quite like it, and it added a fresh twist to the classic romance.

Ellie’s journey of finding love again after loss, all while dealing with the emotional complexity of her in-laws, made her incredibly relatable. I found myself deeply connected to her and cheering for her the whole way through. She’s a strong character, full of spunk, and refuses to just let life happen to her, which I absolutely adored.

Kieran is the perfect match for her, and their slow-burn romance was paced perfectly, keeping me on the edge, waiting for the moment they would finally come together. I also loved how even the side characters had depth and heart, adding richness to the story. The cover is stunning too—just an extra bonus for an already wonderful read.

Overall, The Slowest Burn is a heartfelt, charming romance with well-developed characters and a unique premise that kept me fully engaged. This is one slow burn you’ll want to savor!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

The title is accurate - this is a slow burn, but so so worth it. Fans of cooking, fake dating, and open door spice will need this one on their TBR immediately.

Could not put this one down and definitely recommend!

Words cannot express how much I loved this book. Ellie is a young window who is a cooking book ghost writer whose life has been on pause for the three years since her husband’s sudden death. Kieran is a sous chef in a top restaurant who’s flying high after winning a cooking show and becoming a household name. The two are paired up to write Kieran’s book however they could not be more opposite and struggle to co-write the book together. As time passes and they find some common ground with their mutual love of food these two spark up more than just delicious food. I loved the story between these two characters and the subplots of the book. I laughed and cried throughout the book and loved the way the whole book came together in the end.

Meh. This book had the opportunity to be so delicious with the way they constantly describe food. But it felt like so much telling and lacked any feeling. I love top chef and other culinary shows, so I thought I’d fly through this one, but I started skimming just to move the pacing along and admittedly wasn’t even swooned by the romance. The concept was there but I wanted my mouth to water.

I received an advance review copy for free from the publisher via Netgalley and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this book!

Not sure what it is about romance books lately but this was another non start for me. I wasn’t fond of the main characters and that made it difficult to continue.

So precious! I just love me a chef romance and this one had the added cuteness of cookbook ghost writer + chef and it was just a delight. I wanted to eat all their food. Ellie is a young widow just trying to get by and save up to forge her own way in the world. Kieran is coming off a win on a popular cooking show. Both have their demons but they really did bring out the best in each other.

There was of course a cast of characters who helped them along (and a few that you loathed!) but overall it was just a solid contemporary romance.




For fans of Savor It by Tarah DeWitt.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Really sweet story about meeting people where they are even when it's hard. The characters are incredibly loveable. I also really love the structure of the cookbook designed in this story and would genuinely buy something similar. Sweet read with touches of sadness and healing.

Ellie and Kieran’s story was well done. They were an unlikely pairing and I guess enemies to lovers could also be attached as a trope to this novel. Kieran was lovable, but misunderstood by most people around him. Ellie sees his differences and helps Kieran create a cookbook using his neurodivergent brain as a positive, rather than a negative. Ellie has been the caretaker in everyone else’s life and has put herself on the bottom of her own priority list for too long. Kieran sees that and carves out space for her to relax and realize she’s been undervaluing herself for her whole life. Yes, this love story was a slow burn, but the writing was also a little slower paced. While each main character had one solid friend on their side, they were also surrounded by a lot of characters I just wanted to smack some sense in to. Thankfully, Ellie and Kieran also learn to draw some boundaries - very little smacking was necessary.
Overall, a 3.5 stars for this one. Not only do we get a happily ever after, but we end up with two characters who appreciate themselves by the end.

The Slowest Burn is a beautifully crafted love story that will leave you breathless. With her signature wit and emotional depth, Chamberlain weaves a captivating tale of two friends who slowly realize their feelings for each other.

The novel follows Olive and Ethan, who have been friends since childhood. As they navigate the complexities of their lives, their bond deepens, revealing a connection that is both heartwarming and heartbreaking. Chamberlain's portrayal of their journey is both tender and passionate, capturing the nuances of their evolving relationship with stunning authenticity.

What sets The Slowest Burn apart is its deliberate pace. Chamberlain takes her time to develop the characters and their relationship, allowing for a deep and meaningful connection between Olive and Ethan. The slow burn is well worth the wait, as it culminates in a love story that is both believable and unforgettable.

In addition to its emotional depth, the novel also boasts a compelling plot, engaging characters, and beautifully written prose. Chamberlain's writing style is both lyrical and accessible, drawing readers into the world of her characters and making them feel as if they are experiencing their journey alongside them.

The Slowest Burn is a must-read for fans of contemporary romance and literary fiction. It is a powerful and moving story that will stay with you long after you finish the last page!

Thank you so much SMP for my ARC and ALC!

This was so good! The slow burn was well done, and the premise felt original. The dual POV was well written and both main characters were likeable. This was an excellent debut novel for sure!

I received a DIGITAL Advance Reader Copy of this book from #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really loved this book. I loved that it was an actual slow burn and how it was a true enemies to friends to lovers. These two people really disliked each other when they first met and seeing how they were once they were together was perfection.

Kieran is one of the best golden retriever MMCs I've read in a long time and he's adorable. I also like that he has a real backstory and he's not one dimensional. I also really enjoyed seeing Ellie go from being stuck in her grief and her place in life and learning how to let herself live again.

3.5 rounded up. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC! I'm from the Bay Area, so it was fun to see the hints of all these familiar neighborhoods/cities. I loved how they slowly got to know each other over food and how they were fully developed people with proper backstories. My only gripes were the unnecessary third act breakup and the early attraction (if it's a slow burn let it be a slow burn!), but overall I had a great time with this. Fun, cute summer read to pair with the heat wave we're having right now.

Nice writing, but very immature characters who I struggled to connect with. Took too long to really get to the plot. Not for me.

This was a great book, combining my love for romance and food. Ellie is a cookbook ghostwriter and widow, and also an oldest daughter who basically raised her little brother. Kieran is the chef who just won a TV competition show, but has always been disappointing to his parents. The two of them are teamed up for his cookbook, and they start out by butting heads. Once they find their groove, they start to understand each other and support each other. They recognize the past hurts that make them hesitant to trust or love.
I loved all the talk about food and recipe testing. There are some fantastic scenes in this book, like going to the tailor. I rooted for the characters both as individuals and as a couple. The book was a slow burn, but it never felt like it wasn't progressing.