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.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this early copy!
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Josie Silver has done it again! Slow Burn Summer is a refreshing and beautifully layered story that surprised me in the best possible way. While I truly enjoyed the characters, it was the concept that absolutely captivated me: an actress hired to impersonate the author falling in love not only with the story she's helping to sell, but also with her acting agent. It’s such a unique and original setup, and it pulled me in right from the start.

What stood out most to me is how this novel quietly but powerfully celebrates the reading and writing community. It explores themes of honesty, transparency, and the value of respecting complexity — reminding us that life and people aren’t just black and white. There’s a whole, vivid spectrum of emotion and experience in between, and Josie Silver brings that to life in such a thoughtful, moving way.

I don’t want to say too much about the plot or the characters, because Slow Burn Summer is best experienced with fresh eyes. But I will say this: it’s the kind of book that lingers. One that makes you reflect, smile, and maybe even fall in love with stories all over again.

🌟 4.5 stars from me, and a wholehearted recommendation for anyone who loves smart, emotional, and quietly powerful romance reads.

Following Kates reinvention after her husband betrayal and subsequent divorce. Loved following the journey with its ups and downs.

I love Josie Silver books, but I do feel the title/marketing of this is a bit confusing. This is less romance and more women's fiction. Slow Burn Summer does indicate...a burn.

I thought this was a slow burn, but there is nothing burning at all... Sorry, had to DNF this @ 50%. I didn't really like the characters.

This was such a gorgeous, uplifting romance! I thought Kate was an absolutely magnetic lead character, so warm and easy to love, and whilst Charlie didn’t have quite the same pull for me, I still really enjoyed their interactions.

I also thought the idea of the ghost author was really fun, and liked the insights into the publishing world! Overall, a great and uplifting read, and refreshing to have slightly older divorced main characters with the different problems that brings!

Josie Silver's words are those that I will always want to return to. They feel like huddling around a warm fire with your closest friends around you. I am someone whose books keep her company on her shelf, and there is no better company than a Josie Silver book. Slow Burn Summer is no exception.

Charlie, an agent who is slowly trying to rebuild his life after a messy divorce and a business inheritance which no one foresaw, comes across a once-in-a-lifetime romance novel. Ensuring that as many people lay their eyes on this masterful piece of art consumes his thoughts. The only problem is that author wants nothing to do with the book itself and wills to remain completely anonymous. That's where Kate Elliot comes into frame. As a former soap actress, also reeling from her recent divorce, the offer from Charlie to act as the author of this novel feels like the first step of many to get her life back on track. When the love story springs of the page and helps Kate believe that she can love and be in love once again, who will be there for her to catch her when she falls? Is it truly possible to keep this facade up in front of so many prying eyes? The most important question of all: will she be able to hold it all together in front of the person who matters to her most?

I loved reading about the different dynamics within Charlie and Kate's support systems, as well as their own blossoming relationship. I don't want to give too much away, but I absolutely adored Kate as a main character. Her life has been thrown into chaos and yet she's one of the funniest and most emotionally available characters that I have had the privilege of reading. She never failed to make me giggle or make my heart stumble.

Slow Burn Summer encapsulates what it feels like to relish in the joy of our own pockets of community.

First off I would like to thank NetGalley and Random house publishing for the opportunity to ARC this book, I picked this book up thinking it was gonna be another cute romcom…but I was wrong, to me the romance was more of a side plot then the main plot.
I personally felt this more more leaning towards woman’s fiction then a romance. The plot centred around the characters love of books rather than the romance I was expecting, I felt there wasn’t much development for the characters and the build up wasn’t really there, some of it felt finds of rushed. For instance the sudden love confession.

That being said, this book was still a really fun read but if your expecting a light fluffy Romance…your gonna be slightly disappointed

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Firstly, thank you, NetGalley and Penguin, for giving me access to a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I've never read a Josie Silver book before, but I definitely will again! I absolutely loved reading Slow Burn Summer - it's fun, it's chaotic and a little romantic!

I don't want to spoil it for those who haven't read it but it really was one of those stories that you can relate to aspects of - the chaos, the anticipated romance...I really felt like I was part of the story and could see and feel the things Kate was seeing and feeling.

I feel there was more potential for the romance side, but it was actually nice to read something that didn't go where you expected it to go straight away!

Maybe, just maybe we might get a second book for a follow-up on Kate's life in the future?!

I really wanted to love this book, because I have loved author's previous work, but I barely got through the book. The burn between the characters, sure, was slow, but the whole story unfolds rather quickly. They discover the fact, that she is not the real author of the book, too quick in my opinion. I did like the writing style and Charlie, of course, but it was not a romance, that is memorable. Good read for summer, but that's it.

This was the british rom com I didn't know I needed - oh how I have missed reading british sense of humour!! The characters were unpredictable, funny and Fi's character depth added to the narrative that left me wanting more from all of them. The varied pace kept me hooked from start to finish. Also the mystery of H had me reeling and dying to find out who it could be. I really enjoyed how all the questions were answered in the end and left me feeling warm and fuzzy inside. Would definitely love a series from Josie to get even more of her delicious writing.

Read and reviewed in exchange for a free copy from NetGalley. Having enjoyed Josie Silver's previous books, I was pleased to be granted an ARC of her latest novel. It did not disappoint. The storyline felt a bit different from most of the books in this genre (perhaps in part as the character was a bit older and had a grown-up child from a previous marriage) and I found her an engaging narrator. I was invested in the story and the slow-burn relationship, but found the backdrop of the book (her being a ghost author) equally compelling. It was well-written and well-paced, with a satisfying conclusion.

Thank you to Penguin Books and Netgalley for this ARC in return for an honest review!

Slow Burn Summer by Josie Silver delivers exactly what its title promises: a gradual, emotionally rich love story that seeps in quietly and lingers long after the final page. Silver's gift for creating relatable, imperfect characters shines here, drawing readers into their inner worlds with nuance and depth. Her prose is elegant and intimate, making even the smallest emotional shifts feel significant.

Set against the backdrop of a dreamy, sun-soaked summer, the novel explores themes of second chances, healing, and rediscovering oneself. The central romance unfolds at a believable pace, making the chemistry between the leads feel genuine and earned. Silver excels at crafting emotional tension that simmers beautifully without rushing the payoff.

The only reason this isn’t a five-star read is that the middle section drags slightly, with a few repetitive beats that slow the momentum. Still, the emotional payoff, rich setting, and heartfelt writing more than make up for it. Slow Burn Summer is a touching, satisfying read for fans of introspective, character-driven love stories. 🌻🌄💞

I really enjoyed Slow Burn Summer, it was a cosy, comforting read. We all need someone like Liv in our corners!

Oh my!! You truly get a slow burn summer with this one! Kate is the epitome of Bridget Jones without the 2nd hand embarrassment, such a joyful and wonderful character, one that I felt I was truly best friends with. There's so many little twists and turns that had me clutching my pearls. And the little bit at the end that just tied it all together? Weirdly had me tearing up. What a journey. I wish I could rate this higher that 5 stars, A slow burn romance that also keeps you hooked with great mystery and shenanigans is so hard to come by, but this is perfectly paced. I've rated it 5 stars but just know in my heart it's 6 stars 🌟

Thank you Net Galley for this cosy read. My first Josie Silver read and i can’t wait to pick up more of her books. It was such a fun concept for a book and I could not put it down.
Recently divorced and almost 40, Kate found herself back in the UK as an unemployed actress living above her sisters fancy dress shop and decided to write to her old talent agent for work. Jojo her old talent agent recently passed away so his son Charlie has taken over and Kate finds herself being offered a role as a ‘ghost author’, her name and photo will be on the book as the undercover famous author doesn’t want to be linked to this romance novel.
With the mystery around who is the undercover author, Kates hilarious mishaps and the relationship between Kate and Charlie I loved this book.

Slow Burn Summer by Josie Silver offers a fresh and engaging premise: reeling from a recent divorce, Kate is hired to impersonate a reclusive author on a national book tour. It’s a fun and unique setup that provides the perfect backdrop for themes of self-discovery, reinvention, and personal growth. The story is both humorous and heartfelt, and I especially adored the supporting cast. Each character added warmth and depth that really enriched the reading experience.

While I appreciated the journey Kate takes, I found the romantic subplot didn’t quite hit the mark. The chemistry between her and the love interest felt a little flat, and their resolution leaned toward the formulaic. I suspect that for me, the reclusive author’s own storyline may have unintentionally overshadowed the romance. That said, Silver’s writing remains a highlight. Engaging, thoughtful, and full of emotional insight.

This book will appeal to readers who enjoy character-driven stories with emotional resonance and a slow, thoughtful pace. Though the romance didn’t completely land for me, the novel still offers a heartfelt exploration of second chances, identity, and starting over. I look forward to reading more of Josie Silver's work! A solid and enjoyable 3 stars (3.5!)

Katie`s family have left home and she`s now divorced and penniless so she applies for a job with an ex friend as a ghost writer for a famous author who does not want to be known for writing a love story, but her friend has died and his son Charlie has taken over the agency and things start to heat up, but can Katie trust again after her ex was unfaithful.
A good holiday read with good characters.
Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC and I give my honest review.

This is a lighthearted romantic comedy with slightly older characters which I liked as I am slightly older myself. It was enjoyable but not her best book.
I finished it and was glad I did. I would definitely read more by this author as I have really enjoyed her previous ones.