I’ve read and enjoyed Josie Silver’s books before and was expecting a romantic story. This book does have a romantic element but it’s a multilayered story with a fantastic set of supporting characters and a large dose of humour, the dinosaur disguise was hilarious. A story with everything and I wholeheartedly recommend it.

it was a lighthearted, easy, funny and loving read for the summer ☀️ overall i give this book a 3,5 stars.

This is the story of Kate, who decided to contact her old acting agent following her divorce, to see whether, after a 20 year hiatus, she could pick up on her acting career.

Sadly, her agent had died, leaving his son, Charlie, running the business in his place.

Charlie’s drop-dead gorgeous, and he has a job for Kate… but it’s not exactly what she was expecting.

Kate’s role is as the author of an amazing book, taking the place of the real author, who wants to remain anonymous. She’ll do interviews, be the face of the social media accounts and do the book festivals and signings… all goes swimmingly until someone discovers Kate’s secret and goes to the press.

Kate, and her family, come under intense scrutiny but Charlie’s there to help…

I really like Josie Silver’s books. This one has a great premise, it’s not run of the mill and is entertaining. She’s written some lovely characters but some of her usual humour is missing and the wit is dialled down. I felt like some elements of the story could have been explored further, I would have loved to hear more about some of the key characters, for example.

That said, this is still a really enjoyable story - get a cuppa and settle down for a few hours.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Review for NetGalley

Slow Burn Summer is a moving and thoughtful story about grief, new beginnings, and the slow build of an unexpected connection. Kate, seeking a fresh start, finds herself thrown into the quiet world of Charlie, who is reeling from the recent loss of his father. Their relationship unfolds gradually, with tension, warmth, and a sense of emotional authenticity that really resonated with me.

Charlie’s quiet grief and Kate’s own need for change are handled with care and realism. The slow pace in the first half may not be for every reader, but it ultimately makes their bond feel earned and sincere. Josie Silver’s writing is tender and grounded, with characters who linger after the last page.

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

A slow burn romance that covers the excitement of actress Kate posing as a novelist for the real author who does not want to be revealed. But what happens when things don't go as smoothly as planned. This is Kate's story along with Charlie, her talent agent. I liked this book, especially the bookish side to it. The romance was too slow for me (guess I should have anticipated it from the title huh?) and then moved so fast by the end that it didn't seem realistic. If you're going into this one as a romance, please note that it seems more like a backstory with the novel being more focussed on throughout the book.

This was such a gorgeous and fun story!

First of all, thank you so much Josie Silver for writing romances for woman who are a little bit older than your usual romance FMC, it is s refreshing. So many woman I know who are older often feel like they are observing, rather than participating in society so I love to see Kate get centre stage here.

The slow burn was delicious, the yearning so tangible, it is the perfect beach read for summer.

The second half slowed down a little, with the humour starting to feel a little repetitive but in the end, I love books about books so this was always going to be a winner as well..

This one is a fun read for all the bookish, messy, loveable heroines out there 🫶🏼

Kate was the FMC I did not expect, she’s someone you couldn’t help but cheer for; a former soap star, turned accidental author imposter with a healthy sprinkling of romcom cheer and chaos to boot, she was hilarious! Mix her in with a broody agent, Charlie and his ‘cruella deville’ type business partner, Fiona and her fun and witty overprotective sister; Liv, were left with a recipe for a fun, chaotic and loveable romcom!

Trifle gate and the T-Rex were a little bit too far in the ‘would that really happen’ vicinity for me and felt a little un-natural but otherwise the comedic element was brilliant and the romance and chemistry left me internally screaming ‘JUST KISS!’ on multiple occasions 😂

Thank you Net Galley for my earc 🫶🏼

The book had me hooked instantly with a funny meeting between the two main characters; Kate returning to her old agency after a break from acting, and Charlie her new agent. Both characters lives have recently been turned upside down, both newly divorced and in new locations, trying a new job.

Charlie’s agency are looking for someone to be the face of a fantastic new romance novel, as the author wants to remain anonymous. When Kate walks in and interviews for the job, Charlie knows she would be perfect.

The premise for this book is great, as a reader and lover of books I’m sure I’m not the only one who would love this for the insight into the publishing and pr world! Kate’s role as “guardian angel” of the book is so well done, and she adds her own personality and twists to the marketing campaign which make everyone fall in love with her and the book.

There’s also a will they, won’t they theme running the background between Kate and Charlie. He’s a screenwriter so some of their scenes towards the end are quite cheesy but also I loved them both so much that I was here for it 😂

Josie Silver does an amazing job of showing the sinister side to the internet vs the amazing side. It’s worrying how quick public opinions can turn, and with the help of social media, escalate in such a negative way. As the reader you see the full journey of the book, Kate’s feelings about it and her emails with the actual author, so when the public fallout happens I felt completely on Kate’s side and I think it’s a fantastic message to portray that behind the social media face you are criticising, there’s a very real person (and possibly multiple teams) that have their own reasonings and feelings.

I definitely recommend this one for all the readers!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Slow Burn Summer is a book about Kate, recently divorced, living in her sisters flat above her shop and looking for work in the first time in years. She sends a letter to her old agent asking if they have any work going. Unknown to Kate the boss has died and his son has taken-over and he invites her in for a job offer that's totally different from anything she has been offered before. To become a ghost author for a well known author who has branched out and written his first romance. Kate takes the role on, having to keep the true authors identity secret whilst doing all the publicity and social media for the book. The story follows Kate as she navigates this new world, with her agent Charlie at her side.

Its a lovely heart warming summer story - a great pool side read for the summer but it took me a while to enjoy it. It felt really slow going to start but I finished it within 24 hours, but the first 40% was just slow and I thought about not finishing it. I'm glad I did and I did enjoy it in the end. The characters were good, Kate's sister - the best sister and the story was good, and well thought through too and the ending was really lovely.

I gave it four stars but if i was going on the first 40% it would be a 3 star, but the ending made up for it.

4.25✨
Thank you NetGalley, Josie Silver and Penguin UK for providing an eARC in exchange for my honest review - Slow Burn Summer publishes July 17th.

The premise of this book is so good! Kate, a former actress is drafted in by talent agent Charlie to play the part of a romance author for a new novel, covering for a famous author who doesn’t want to be attached to the book.

Kate and Charlie are both delightful characters. Kate’s inability to stop talking / no filter was really endearing and Charlie was such a sweetheart, always taking care of her. The plot was really well thought out, it kept me guessing and wanting to know who the author was throughout. It was well paced and an enjoyable read, the ending wrapped everything up so nicely. The romance was just the right amount and complimented the story in such a nice way.

Kate’s sister Liv was really entertaining (prawns in hummus, the trifle incident) and so sweet towards Kate (mouse orchestra). The side characters really added to the story (even Fiona!)

Overall I really enjoyed this wholesome book and it has made me want to pick up more by Josie Silver. I’ll definitely be picking up a copy of this for my bookshelves on publication day.

This book just wasn't for me. I definitely think other people will love it when they read it. I will still recommend it to friends and followers

Perfect summer romance read. This has just the right amount of slow building romance and down on her luck, self discovery moments from our protagonist Kate. It was cute, the chemistry was good and the characters felt believable and genuine. Characters I could really root for. Kate is funny and relatable, self deprecating but not in an annoying way. More a self aware way, and Charlie is her perfect match. Someone who can push her and make her see a new side of herself but supportive at the same time. I also loved the fact that Kate is a little bit older for a protagonist. She's someone who has that little bit of life experience that makes her not as naive as some other characters I've read. She gave definite Bridget Jones vibes. In a good way.

Perfect summer read that doesn't take itself too seriously, but promises a perfect happily ever after with great characters.

Slow Burn Summer is one of those summer reads that make you wish you could stay in the charming and cozy English summer forever. Reading it was like spending time with old friends and I always love the way Josie Silver tells her stories, with a lot of heart, lots of laughter, and quite a few tears (shed by the reader).

This book is more a story of a woman finding herself and her own voice than your basic romcom but I for one absolutely adored the way it all came together. Kate was wonderful, her relationship with her sister was just so precious, and Kate and Charlie's interactions were tender and true.

Thank you so much Penguin and the author for the chance to read this beautiful book in advance!

Ready, Action!

Kate was an up and coming young actress when she when she gave it all up to follow the man she thought was her dreams, now years later she’s divorced and has no money and is considering starting her life again by restarting her career.

But now an opportunity arises and Kate is acting as a ghost author, attending all the events pretending that she is the author. What could go wrong?

A successful bestselling author has just penned a romance. But they don't want to be associated with the book, as it's a completely different genre.

This was a fun rom com! Truly it wasn’t my favourite read but I did enjoy it, the romance itself could have been a given more but I would still give a it read! A fun romance read!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing

I enjoyed this read, it was quick and easy, and perfect for a summer holiday.
A bit of escapism with a few chuckles along the way.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

what a gorgeous take on this genre. i loved it. it was fun, uplifting and i smiled far too much in that far too goofy way all the way through. i also want to say how much i adored the dry tone to the humour. this is me, this is mine, this is my joy. it was just a delight.
if you haven't read Josie before then why are you here now, you should be hiding somewhere in shame. because she is perfection in this genre and you will want to read this novel and hold it to your chest like all her others. i cant believe how blessed we are to have her talents given over to us a gifts in book form.
from the cover, characters plot and pacing it was all just lovely.
Kate in this book was just a joy. her journey to where she is now has been the kindest. she gave up on her acting dream to follow her dream man. but ermm that didn't turn out. and things arent feeling so dreamy right now either. at all.
Charlie is a talent agent. and he might just have the role for Kate. he definitely needs it to be the role for Kate. because what he does already have is a best selling author who doesn't want to be linked to said romance novel. so hello Kate, you have your starring role. right? right? where could this go wrong?
and there is going to have to be more to come for these two. together. and things take a turn. but there comes the risks to both their professional lives and their hearts.
this had so much heart to it. this book help me in a happy skip all the way through.
Josie bring me joy in her books. they are such skilled pieces of work. another corker.

3.75 ⭐️

Slow Burn Summer was a fun ride—maybe not what I expected, but enjoyable all the same. The premise is definitely a little wild, but I was happy to go along with it.
Kate and Charlie’s romance was cute, even if it didn’t totally sweep me off my feet. What surprised me, though, was how much I connected to the family side of the story. As someone with a sister, those moments really tugged at my heart, it was my favorite part of the book.
Kate as an actress? I wasn’t convinced. And despite the title, I didn’t really get those summery vibes I was hoping for.
But the writing was super smooth and easy to get into, and I appreciated how it balanced humor with more emotional themes like grief and starting over after life knocks you down. Overall, I would recommend it.

Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin General UK for the ARC!

Slow burn summer
⭐️⭐️⭐️

Listen, with cover and that title I was expecting a summer romance and yet I was mislead. The romance aspect of this book felt like a very (VERY) secondary plot. I got not chemistry between the main characters, no build up, no tension, nothing and suddenly they were in love, what? I believe this story should be marketed better as a woman's fiction maybe, than as an actual romance.

Now, this doesn't mean that I didn't enjoy the book, I did! But it took me time to adjust to the fact that this wasn't what I was expecting. I appreciate the unique plot line (even tho it cringe me out a little how easy was for the FMC to lie and everything), it was entertaining to read and the humor was amazing! Bonus points to the sister of the FMC, at times she stole the show!

In conclusion, I think the story it's a good time if you go in with the right mindset and expectations. I was wishing for more but overall was an enjoyable experience.

Thank you to Penguin General UK for this ARC. I enjoyed the character of Kate and especially her sister, their bond was fun to read about and really jumped off the page.

I know the book titles itself as slow burn but I found it a little too slow and almost a little unbelievable, I didn’t feel like it had enough build and momentum for me to really be fully invested.

Actress Kate has been asked to play an unusual role, as the author of a book whose real author usually writes more serious books. She has written a new novel under a pseudonym and wants Kate to act as the face of this book. Kate reads the book, loves it and takes the job, especially as she’s recently divorced and needs the money. She also rather likes the publisher, Charlie, who has recently reluctantly taken over his father’s role in the company. Romantic but also shows the bad side of social media. There’s a great twist towards the end.