Just like the title suggests, The Slowest Burn, is a slow burn romance between young widow Ellie and the hot young chef Kieran. Fresh of his win from the reality cooking show, Kieran has been tasked with writing a cookbook but he needs a ghostwriter and that’s where Ellie comes in. They don’t get off on the right foot but after being forced into a week long writing retreat, they reach an understanding and then begin to develop a friendship from all the time they spend together cooking in the kitchen.

It’s been three years since the death of her husband and Ellie finds herself adrift stuck between grief, being there for her in laws, and finding something for herself. The more time she spends with Kieran has her feeling like a new version of herself is possible where she can flourish. Ellie grounds Kieran and Kieran sets Ellie free; they both helped each other heal and grow into the future they can have together happily.

I sometimes struggle with slow burn stories but Ellie and Kieran’s journey felt right- it was necessary for it to simmer and build up because they both needed that time to accept what was happening between them. Ellie’s best friend Nicole and Kieran’s best friend Jay are just the kind of supportive friends everyone needs because sometimes you need to hear the tough love speech while being supported.


Thank you @stmartinspress and @netgalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest feedback

The Slowest Burn is a heartwarming story for readers who enjoy character-driven romances with a focus on personal growth and healing. The pacing is a bit slow and there's a general lack of conflict that might not be ideal if you're looking for a solid third act conflict. A contemporary romance more focused on character growth

This strangers to lovers romance was just wonderful. I love that Kieran has an atypical romance hero body type. And Ellie has a messy life and history.
Slow burn - obviously!
Grief
Second chances
Culinary world
Cookbook author
Extended family
Give this one a try, you won’t be disappointed.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the early copy to read and review, All opinions are my own.

The Slowest Burn is a cute and heartwarming romance novel that I really enjoyed, Ellie is a 30 year old widowed writer of cookbooks trying to figure out how to move forward with her life two years after the death of her beloved husband when she is tasked with ghostwriting the book of Kieran, a hot young chef fresh off a reality cooking show win. The pair start as practical enemies through some realistic misunderstandings but the chemistry grows as they get to know one another better.

I found this book really charming. While the title is apt, it is a slow burn, it was sweet, and the perfect level of spice as well. I enjoyed the cooking descriptions and the experimentation with food/recipes found throughout. The book also sends a strong message about grief and how to move forward from tragedy. I highly recommend this one.

The title does not lie, this was the epitome of a slow burn romance and I loved every minute of it. The characters are so well written and the ending was so so worth the read.

Synopsis:

Kieran O'Neill just won a cooking reality TV show, is on track to open his own restaurant and has 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. Ellie Wasserman is barely holding it together. She's a 30 y/o 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. 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?

Review:

This was a slow burn/enemies to lovers romance. I loveddd all the food in this book since they're literally working out recipes for a cookbook together. There were a lot of complexities which really added depth to this read, i.e. Kieran's complicated family relationship, the fact that Ellie is a widow with an also complicated family dynamic. I was rooting for both of them to work through their traumas as well as to succeed in their shared goal of finishing the cookbook. It's my first time reading this author, but definitely won't be my last!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for my digital galley!

Enjoyable romance with a foodie angle!

THE SLOWEST BURN is a cute romance, though there's nothing hugely original about it. The entire time it nagged me that it reminded me so much of another book I'd read -- believe it was Ashley Poston's Seven Year Slip.

Here we have the usual set-up for a love story: two people with baggage have to get over it if they want to wind up together. Kieran won a reality cooking show and now he's trying to capitalize on that fame by publishing a cookbook. Ellie is the ghostwriter for said cookbook. Kieran is dyslexic with ADHD, but--of course--Ellie is orderly and uptight. The two clash... until they don't.

The serious aspect of the story revolves around a study of grief. Ellie is a young widow who still lives in a cottage behind her late husband's parents, and they depend heavily on her. Kieran has his own family problems, with a family who always had very high expectations for their son.

Kieran and Ellie are frustrating in the beginning, when they lack the ability to communicate. Once they get to know each other, it's an enjoyable book. The two feel they can't have a relationship due to perceptions in the publishing world. And Ellie is hung up on the fact that she can't have anything for herself (the usual) while Kieran is sure he'll destroy anything good he touches. I do feel badly for Ellie, as she has a lot going on, and Kieran seems like a pretty decent guy. Their chemistry is good, and there's a lot of cooking/baking references, if that's something you enjoy.

There are not a ton of major happenings or deep revelations, despite the serious topics covered, but this is still a sweet romance.

This is a debut!?! Color-me SHOOK. This story felt so fully realized that I would have assumed this author had been around the block a time or two (at least!). I adored this book so much. To be frank, I was worried at first. Blending grief and romance is an incredibly delicate balance, and I was so glad to see it done beautifully in this novel. This certainly isn't a light and fluffy romance; you'll spend the scope of the story navigating complicated familial dynamics and grapple with the main characters' sense of self. But it's SO worth it. This book is a safe space to feel, to grieve, to hope. I loved the unveiling of Kieran's personhood and dialogue around his ADHD. This was grounded, real and so well done. The progression of Ellie and Kieran's relationship from rivals to friends to lovers felt perfectly paced and utterly natural. Not the slowest burn (thank goodness) but just slow enough. It was such a delight to watch them find their homes in one another.

This one, while off to a strong start and a promising synopsis was a bit of a miss for me.
I enjoyed the storyline. I enjoyed the characters. But some of the language was iffy…especially during the sexy times. I loved how close she was with her in laws and how they had this bond but it was really unfair to her how her mother in law treated her. And I wish there would have been more resolution with her and her brother.

And Kieren…I think I was just as annoyed either way his leprechaun references as he was. And again…wish there would have been more of a resolution with his family. There was so much emphasis on his struggle with them but it still never really went anywhere? And I felt like it should.

For the most part, it was cute story and had a lot of potential

the slowest burn follows kieran o'neill, a 27-year old chef who just won a cooking reality TV show and has dreams of opening up his own restaurant one day, and ellie wasserman, a 30-year old widow who has been assigned with ghostwriting his upcoming cookbook. they have to spend the next few months working together, crafting up delicious recipes and a good story to sell. of course, this journey to creating something from scratch does not go by without its ups and downs...

this book was definitely a fun read and I devoured it within a day. definitely a good read for fans of a classic slow burn, as the title suggests. the characters were both well-developed and did not feel one-dimensional which I really enjoyed; the issues within their communication felt realistic and grounded in true life struggles that didn't feel too falsely derived, unlike in other novels.

however, there were also some facets that led to some mixed feelings. for one, I felt the characters were immature at times, especially in how their thoughts were portrayed. also some moments felt a bit out of place or like they had just been thrown in randomly which detracted from the one strong plot line. in general, I think I would have liked to see more of the small moments between the characters that brought out their chemistry rather than their lusty thoughts within the build up and that a few of the subplots would have been developed a bit differently.

overall, despite not being a typical slow burn fan, I thought this was a very well done version of this trope! I also just love the culinary setting with the mention of so many recipes and getting to see their histories and how it shaped their present being. would still recommend this book despute my own personal grievances :)

This is a slow-burn romance between two polar opposites, rich with witty banter, emotional depth, and chemistry. I found the world building to be stronger than most rom-coms, which I appreciated. Also enjoyed the incorporation of themes of trust, healing, and self-discovery which also add an extra layer of depth beyond a typical romance.

Sincere thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

3/5 Stars

Sarah Chamberlain’s The Slowest Burn delivers exactly what its title suggests: a romance that simmers for an extended period but doesn’t quite ignite into the satisfying blaze it promises.

The story follows two protagonists with undeniable chemistry and a wealth of emotional baggage. Chamberlain does a commendable job crafting complex characters, and their internal struggles feel realistic and heartfelt. However, the pacing drags at times, with the slow burn teetering on frustration rather than anticipation.

While the dialogue is sharp and the moments of vulnerability are touching, the central romance occasionally takes a backseat to secondary plotlines that don’t always feel essential. Fans of patient storytelling and emotional introspection may appreciate the journey, but those looking for a payoff that matches the tension might feel underwhelmed.

Overall, The Slowest Burn is a thoughtful romance that shines in its emotional depth but could benefit from a quicker tempo to fully captivate its readers.

A delightful enemies to lovers romance that captivated me in the beginning. Ellie and Kieran have chemistry and sparks fly despite their initial animosity. I loved their banter and interactions. The writing was engaging and entertaining and kept me interested in the story.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Ellie and Kieran don't seem like they'd make a match either in the kitchen or anywhere else. She is stuck in the past and her in-laws and family want to keep her there, and he is unpredictable and messy, and together they generate heat enough to cook all the recipes in the cookbook she helps him write.

The Slowest Burn by Sarah Chamberlain is a fun and sweet romance with a stunning cover! I was surprised to see this was a debut book by this author because the writing was very good. The title does make it seem like the romance is a slow burn and it is to an extent but don't expect the slowest burn out there. This book also has forced proximity and opposites attract which fit the story well. Overall I had fun with this one and would recommend it!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for a review!

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a wonderful book. I really loved it!

I actually don’t remember what drew me to this book when I first saw it, but whatever it was I’m so happy it did. It is such a sweet opposites attract romance.
Kieran O’Neill and Ellie Wasserman have nothing in common. He’s 27, has ADHD, and is allergic to commitment and she’s 30, lives by a plan, and is a widow who is taking care of her in-laws. When Kieran’s agent gets him a book deal and Ellie is hired to ghostwrite it the two realize they are more prone to fighting than testing recipes.
I’m not a big fan of spicy bedroom scenes and while the door is definitely open, the spiciness is not over the top. I loved all of the characters and the beautiful descriptions of San Francisco and the food Ellie and Kieran made. This is Sarah Chamberlain’s first book and I hope it’s the first of many.
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advanced copy of this. I’m sorry it took me so long to get to it. The Slowest Burn hit the shelves on September 24th.

This book fell short for me. The fake dating just didn’t work, Ellie & Kieran didn’t work. And there were to many tropes, like the author threw everything against the wall & picked what stuck.

This one is for the slow-burn romance lovers who are willing to endure a bit of agony (in the best way possible) while waiting for the characters to *finally* admit their feelings.

The chemistry between Ellie and Kieran was off the charts—so much tension and angst, it kept me hooked. Every shared glance, lingering touch, and accidental brush of hands had me internally screaming, "Just kiss already!" But instead of rushing, Chamberlain lets the romance simmer until it’s absolutely undeniable.

What I loved most was how well-rounded the characters were. Their banter was sharp and funny, and their personal growth throughout the book felt so natural. The way the author sprinkled in vulnerable moments between all the swoony tension was chef’s kiss.

If I had one complaint, it would be that the pacing occasionally dragged in the middle. There were times when I felt like the story could’ve moved just a bit faster, but honestly, by the time I got towards the end, I forgot all about it. The payoff was 100% worth it.

Oh this book gave me ALL the butterflies! Enemies to coworkers to friends to lovers. What a beautiful whirlwind! Kieran and Ellie are complete opposites, who truly balance each other out in the best way. This was a beautiful story that not only made me feel warmth and love, but it also approached the harder topics in life such as grief, abandonment, self doubt, etc. but in the most tender way. I loved everything about The Slowest Burn and I am so thankful to Sarah Chamberlain and Netgalley for this ARC in exchanges for my honest (and raving) review :)