Ellie is a ghostwriter for cookbooks, and has an opportunity to write a cookbook for or with Kieran O’Neill, the winner of the food competition Fire on High. However, after meeting him, not only is he infuriatingly handsome, but he also doesn’t seem to take anything seriously. And Ellie takes her job VERY seriously.

Kieran won the food competition of Fire on High and now has the opportunity to write his own cookbook, until he meets Ellie and thinks she takes things a little too seriously, and is determined to win her over with his cooking.

Can these opposites really attract?

This book gave me many mixed feelings. On one end, I adored it and thought it was cute and quirky. On the other end, I kind of didn’t like it at all. I ended up giving it 4 stars, leaning more towards 3.5, because I really didn’t dislike it. I enjoyed it more than disliking it, and it is quite the cute read, it just has its moments.

This had a lot of emotion and connecting. There’s talk about grief, a lot of it, handling grief, learning to continue on with life, ADHD, dyslexia, and learning your own personal worth.

These two people didn’t exactly grow up in the greatest of households, and it seems like they were kind of handed a lame hand in life. They each seem to see the potential in others, but not in themselves. They each had to learn that through the other.

I know this book is called Slowest Burn, but I wouldn’t really say this was a slow burn. I think they’re the connected pretty quickly and lusted after each other pretty quickly, but it’s more the emotional connection and giving into each others feelings, acknowledging those feelings that was the slow burn. There’s a bit of back and forth and drama, but I think the banter and charm throughout made up for any drama and gave the romance charm.

It’s a deeper thinking book than I expected it to be, and I think it was balanced very well with the romance and everything else that happens in this book. There’s also a cat named Floyd in here and we’ll, I’m a cat lover, so I’m a goner and love Kieran just for his love for the cat 🥰

Overall, it’s a sweet and cute read with some heavy moments and emotion throughout that made for a charming romance. I would recommend, especially if you’re a foodie. Just give it a go if you love food, cooking and romance!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the gifted e-ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Title:  The Slowest Burn  
Author: Sarah Chamberlain
Genre: Romance   
Rating: 3.8 out of 4

Kieran O'Neill should be on top of the world. He's just won a cooking reality TV show, he's on track to open his own restaurant before he turns thirty, and he's even got a high-paying cookbook deal. Still he can't impress his stuck-up family, his ADHD makes planning ahead impossible and, worst of all, his ghostwriter is the most uptight, humourless woman he's ever met. But to be seen as a serious chef like he's always wanted, he needs to finish this book...

Ellie Wasserman is barely holding it together. She's a thirty-year-old widow living with her needy in-laws, her little brother won't adult without her help, and instead of working on her own cookbook, she's ghostwriting one for the chaotic, impulsive Kieran O'Neill. Or would be, if he'd ever answer her emails. But to own her own home like she's always dreamed of, she needs to finish this book...

As their deadline gets closer and the heat between them builds, can these two driven, lonely people let go of their past hurts and make something truly sweet together? Or will their fragile new love go up in smoke?

I found Kieran to be low-key annoying about half the time, frankly. I liked Ellie, but she spent most of the book being pretty passive about everything…why are you putting your own life on hold and letting everyone around you tell you what to do? The food scenes were fantastic—and everything sounded so good—but the rest of the novel wasn’t as engrossing. Maybe the voice just wasn’t a good fit for me.

Sarah Chamberlain lives in London. The Slowest Burn is her debut novel.

(Galley courtesy of St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review.)

This book was just what I wanted. Cute romance, the slowest of burns and food.
I don't think this book will be for everyone but I really enjoyed it.

Ellie and Kieran and their story were sweet and The Slowest Burn was definitely a slow burn. However, it took me a while to connect with the main characters and their story never fully engaged me.

This is one of the better debuts I’ve read in a while - The Slowest Burn from Sarah Chamberlain. I enjoyed it immensely and if I didn’t know going in that it was her debut, I never would’ve guessed that it was. The plot was very well developed with well-rounded characters. Banter and chemistry was perfect.

I really enjoyed the reality tv winning chef and his cookbook writing ghost, who clash from the start but being forced into proximity by the publisher in order to get the book written and tested, become friends. The shenanigans to get the recipes and cookbook figured out… that’s where the book magic happens. A great slow burn romance.

The backstory of each character is extremely interesting. The way everything unfolds - yeah, I really enjoyed this book. I definitely recommend it! Excellent for a debut. Very well done.

The audiobook is narrated by new to me voice Hunter Johns, and long-time fave Kate Handford (beloved narrator of one of my long-running detective series). They did a great job and I truly enjoyed both performances. I really look forward to hearing a lot more from them both in the future. I absolutely recommend the audio version of this book over the ebook. It’s a far better experience listening.

I received an advance read and listen copy from NetGalley, St. Martin's Press (St. Martin's Griffin), and Macmillan Audio, and this is my honest feedback.

This book was very enjoyable! It was a slow burn rom-com featuring an age gap and two charming characters. I loved the real world issues this book included parental neglect and grief. It gave a good view of both characters perspective and it made for an enjoyable read.

I wanted to love this book more than I did. Although it was well written, it felt like I had to force myself to read it at times. I wasn’t attached to the romance, & it honestly felt like Ellie could do no wrong. It felt like the author wanted her to be flawed but instead had everyone praise her & make all her ‘flaws’ positive. I’m sad to say it wasn’t for me, but it can definitely work for others.

What a cute little novel this was!
I enjoyed every single page of The Slowest Burn by Sarah Chamberlain.
This amazing opposites-attract romance debut was just what I need to get me out of this slump.
The pacing of their relationship was perfect for me, just enough slow-burn to keep me hooked. Very real and relatable characters.
Sarah Chamberlain delivers a cute book, that has left me wanting more!

Thank You NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

“The Slowest Burn” was definitely slow to get off the ground with quite a bit of the beginning of the book establishing that the main characters were an ADHD mess and the other wrecked with grief which made it hard to get into their stories and them as characters. I appreciated that they brought complications from their pasts to their present and into their relationships and the author did a good job at showing that. While it was great to see the characters getting closer to each other, the pacing of the story felt uneven. The amount of character development/narrative didn’t feel like it matched with the timeline the author established (for example, referencing that they’d known each other for six months but wjth story progression that felt like only a month or two. I loved all of the food, restaurant, and cookbook references. It did truly feel like both characters really valued and respected food. The dynamic with the mother-in-law felt unclear and then harsh and I wish there had been a less explosive way for the main character to understand the challenges of that dynamic. Overall I appreciate the nuance the author put into this story even if there were so uneven moments.

Thank you @sarahchamberlainauthor @stmartinspress @macmillan.audio
for the ARC and ALC!

A fantastic debut novel & a slow burn it was! I love the lead up to the romance. Ellie and Kieran were at odds for a long time but it just worked! The emotional and mental struggles were handled so well. Everything from being a widow to dyslexia to ADHD and more. Working on a cookbook together seeing how their passion and love for food brought them together was so sweet. The audio narrated by
Hunter Johns and Kate Handford was excellent and kept me sucked right into the story! Grab this one tomorrow and see how these enemies become lovers!

Sarah Chamberlain’s debut simmers on low slowly turning up the heat and the trust between Kieran and Ellie as they let one another into their kitchens and their hearts. Tasked with ghost writing a cook book with the latest celebrity chef winner, Ellie lives a life much like her career—unassuming, behind the scenes, and as the support for others. A young widow, Ellie resides in the guesthouse behind her in-laws taking care of everyone (cute cat Floyd included) more than herself. All she wants to do is her job, but Kieran’s energetic “Happy Pirate Leprechaun” personality seems to be interested in doing anything but putting pen to paper and writing recipes.

In a play by her agent, Ellie and Kieran are sent to his cottage in Sonoma to hash out the book and get the bulk of it written. And as every romance reader knows, forced proximity is one of the best ways for opposing characters to work out tensions and really get to know one another. This was my favorite part of the book; the slow burn. It’s sometimes the most underrated part of a romance novel because it’s the relationship building section. It’s not necessarily sexy, sometimes painful, but the end results are so worth it.

Chamberlain has really thought about her characters. Kieran is so much more than his television persona and although he’s never really had a relationship, he is built to take care of Ellie and be her champion, a task he takes to very well in and out of the bedroom. Likewise Ellie sees Kieran’s neurodivergence and capabilities as a talented chef, and helps show Kieran that he is capable of creating something more than just showing off. Family dynamics play a sensitive role in how Kieran and Ellie function in relationships and the beautiful thing about a slow burn is that there’s time to see growth from them. I’m excited to read more from Chamberlain in the future. I received an early copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟.5
Steam: 🪭🪭.5 open door

The Slowest Burn is a stunningly beautiful romance. Widowed at a young age, Ellie is struggling to keep herself afloat. With so many people depending on her help, Ellie simply can’t take on one more project. Unfortunately for her, she is paired with celebrity chef Kieran to help him write a cookbook. While Kieran excels in the kitchen, he doesn’t in planning and certainly not writing. Ellie is frustrated as she begins their ghost-writing journey together. As the tensions between them rise, will they be able to work together?

The Slowest Burn is achingly sweet and tinged with the complex grief that Ellie feels. Not only does she miss her husband, but she also feels a responsibility to look after his parents. This aspect felt so realistic. Kieran also has challenges he’s overcome and a difficult childhood that he still deals with. Ellie and Kieran are a swoonworthy couple- Ellie grounds him, while Kieran invites her to step out of her comfort zone. It was very fun when they had to work on recipes together for a week and grew closer than they anticipated.

The Slowest Burn is a fantastic contemporary romance debut from Sarah Chamberlain and I can’t wait to read what she writes next! Readers who love cooking, slow-burn romance, and delightfully real characters will devour this book.

Thank you to Sarah Chamberlain, St. Martin’s Griffin, and NetGalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

For publisher: My review will be posted on Goodreads, Amazon, Storygraph, and Barnes & Noble etc.

Can they finish the cookbook?

Kieran O’Neill should be on top of the world after winning Fire on High cooking competition reality show but now the competition is over and he’s signed a contract for a cookbook about having fun in the kitchen. But now Kieran has to write a cookbook with the help of cookbook ghostwriter Ellie Wasserman if he ever gets everything together.

Ellie is frustrated with Kieran being so scattered because they have a book deadline but after a viral showdown where he works, things get better with a lot work in their personal lives while they try to finish the cookbook.

The Slowest Burn is definitely not an instant love type of story but a truly slow burn romance where two people have a lot to deal with while they figure out themselves.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from the author and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

3 Stars Books about food/chefs aren't always my favorite, but this one was done well. I love second-chance-at-love novels and finding love again after loss. A sweet love story with a whole lot more.

I don’t know why I was so hesitant to read this book, once I started it I devoured it in 2 days. Ellie cares for everyone before she cares for herself. She is a cookbook ghostwriter that is living in a granny suite behind her in-laws house and dealing with the after math of loosing her husband as well as trying to keep her brother afloat. Kieran has accepted a deal for a cookbook off a big reality cooking show win and gets paired with Ellie as his writer. They clash immediately as she is organized and he is chaotic. When forced to stay in a cabin together to finally plan out the cookbook they start to understand each other more and the trauma they both bring with them. Their attraction burns slowly, but when it ignites it is fire! Can they avoid burning each other in the chemistry they have sizzling between them?

I loved this book right up until the last chapters. Them coming together both for the first time and the last was really fun to read but the central conflict was not my favourite and I found Kieran could be really hurtful at times. Ellie was a fun FMC and I loved her cat Floyd. The cookbook writing plot was enjoyable and made for some great moments in the book. Overall a really great read! It was my first time reading anything from this author and I would read more from them, definitely.

A slow burn rom-com full of heart, caring, trauma, healing, friendship, and love. This story had it all. Ellie is a young widow and ghostwriter for cookbooks struggling to find her own path after the unexpected loss of her husband 3 years earlier. Kieran is the chef and newly crowned winner of a reality cooking show who is publishing a cookbook. Both of them struggle with overcoming childhood traumas, and so begins an addictingly delicious enemies to lovers romance with forced proximity, some fake dating, mental health representation, a bit of spice, and all the challenging interactions with families, real and found. The characters are flawed but real, the trajectory of the story line smooth, and told in dual POV. I adored this read from Sarah Chamberlain and look forward to her next! Thanks so much to Sarah, the publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this e-arc.

The Slowest Burn is an impressive debut from Sarah Chamberlain.
Kieran O’Neill, celebrity chef, is working his hardest to keep all his plates spinning. He’s working on a cookbook with the help of a ghostwriter named Ellie Wasserman. The pair couldn’t be more opposite but they each are working through their own trauma. This was a beautiful will-they-won’t-they romance. You won’t want to miss this!

I really enjoyed this slow burn romance. We get dual pov, chef X ghost writer, so much character development, neurodivergent lead, forced proximity, and love after loss.

4.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
🌶️🌶️

This one wasn’t really for me! It felt a little sloppy and cringy but I could see how some people would enjoy! I liked the premise to start and it just felt unrealistic.

The Slowest Burn by Sarah Chamberlain is a charming, slow-burn romance that takes its time building a sweet connection between two very different characters. Ellie, a meticulous ghostwriter dealing with grief, and Kieran, a messy and charismatic chef, start off at odds, but their chemistry gradually grows as they spend more time together in the kitchen. The story touches on themes of grief, family dynamics, and personal growth, which add depth to the characters and make their journey relatable.

I enjoyed how the author slowly unraveled their relationship, and once they began working as a team, their bond felt genuine and heartwarming. The romance is tender, not overly steamy, but filled with emotion. The food and cooking scenes were delightful, adding flavor to the story. Overall, The Slowest Burn is a sweet and satisfying read about finding love again and rediscovering yourself in the process. A lovely, feel-good romance!

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martins Press, and St. Martin's Griffith for this advanced copy.

Sarah Chamberlain's "The Slowest Burn" is a sweet debut romance that explores themes of grief, healing, and unexpected love. Ellie Wasserman, a ghost cookbook author still mourning her husband's death, lives with her needy in-laws and struggles with people-pleasing tendencies that keep her from moving on. When offered a job to ghostwrite for rising celebrity chef Kiernan O'Neill, Ellie seizes the opportunity. Initially, they clash—Ellie finds Kiernan arrogant, while he sees her as bossy and judgmental. However, as they work together, their animosity gradually transforms into something much better.

Dual POV will always be my cup of tea. I loved getting to see things from both Ellie and Kiernan's views, seeing Ellie's journey through grief and Kiernan's challenges with ADHD made their characters so much stronger. Their personal struggles add depth to their slow-burn romance, making it both authentic and compelling. Secondary characters, particularly their best friends, add warmth to the story, and the role of food highlights themes of community and connection. Chamberlain handles emotionally charged moments with sensitivity, and the love scenes are intensely passionate. And really, I'm just a sucker for some good side characters, I can't stand romances where we only really get to know the couple.

While this book wasn't outstanding compared to others in the genre, I found it sweet enough to finish and enjoy the entire time. "The Slowest Burn" offers a satisfying romance that fans of hate-to-love dynamics, fake dating, and chef romances will enjoy. It's a touching exploration of healing and finding love in unexpected places.