I have adored all Josie Silver books- rating them all of them 4-5 stars and was excited to see her have a summer release! Josie Silver has never let me down…. Until this latest release.

I am honestly not even sure this book was from the same author. The writing was nothing like her previous works at all. I’m not sure if she just had to pump it out too quickly or what but this one was not it.

The MCs had absolutely no chemistry and no build up to their relationship and that was the main flaw for me. I also kept thinking Kate was in her 20’s but she was 40- she just felt super young. I honestly found her annoying. She signed up to pretend to author the book and then is upset when it all blows up due to her own actions. It was really hard to get behind.

I wanted to DNF around 70% but I had come too far. So I skimmed some to make it go faster.

I honestly am so disappointed with this one. Do yourself a favor and skip it.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

Slow Burn Summer? Slow read!

Kate is a sad divorcee who needs a job. The only work she has ever done though, was as a soap opera star when she was nineteen. She writes to her old agent, right as his son, trying to manage his late father's business needs an actor to play the author of a book. Why? The real author is writing outside their genre and does not want this book published under their name. So Kate takes on the role. There is are a lot of details about taking on this role. And I mean A LOT. But of course, there are sparks between Kate and the agent (Charlie). Insert third act drama here! Can they work it out?

I will admit that this read dragged for me. I liked Kate and Charlie, but there was very little sparkling wit or the kind of spark that keeps me wanting to return to a book. The idea of an actress playing the author was interesting, but didn't seem that strange to me, so I was not enamored with the concept.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine, Dell, and Net Galley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

This book is for the book lovers. It really has it all! Romance, grief, humor, and a sister bond that.I just adored. Kate takes on an acting job where she will act like the face of a novel. Everything begins to unravel, and the reader is taken on a journey that I found shockingly relatable even though I have never been in a situation like that before. Josie Silver has become a must read for me!

Years ago Kate Elliott left a promising acting career because she was in love. Now, divorced and broke, she reaches out to her former agent. Kate’s agent has passed away, but his son, Charlie Fransciso, has inherited the agency. It’s not a job Charlie wanted, but his own divorce ended his career as a screenwriter so it’s a job.

Charlie’s agency has a project where they are looking for an unknown actor to play the role of ghost author for a romance novel. It’s a beautiful book, sure to be a bestseller, but the author doesn’t want their name or face associated with it. Kate is hesitant because what happens if people find out she’s not the real author, but eventually desperation wins out and she agrees to be the face of the book.

I really enjoyed the chemistry between Kate and Charlie. They try to keep things professional, but the more time they spend together working on the marketing campaign, it’s pretty clear other feelings are starting to creep in.

As the title indicates, their relationship is a slow burn, but I also feel that it takes somewhat of a backseat to Kate’s personal journey. Much of this story focuses on how Kate finds her path forward after divorce, and it’s a journey of healing and self-discovery for her.

This book also had some wonderful side characters, with Kate’s sister, Liv, being at the top of my list. She’s fierce and funny, and everyone needs a sister like Liv in their corner!

Part romcom, part women’s fiction, this one is sure to delight!

If you’re into warm, thoughtful rom‑coms about starting over—with a dash of publishing-world fun and slow‑burn chemistry—this one’s an easy and rewarding pick. Always love to read Josie’s books & was looking forward to this one! Its blend of charm, humor, and emotional beats delivers a satisfying summer/life‑reset read

Josie Silver is an automatic read for me. This is DEFINITELY a slow burn and the romance was very light and not the main story. That being said, I was still entertained and laughed out loud throughout.

I really wanted to love this one. The premise sounded incredibly charming! An out-of-work soap actress pretending to be a bestselling romance author on a summer book tour? Yes, please!

But while the setup hinted at a lighthearted rom-com, the story ended up leaning more into personal growth and emotional healing than romance.

Kate, the fake author, is recovering from a messy divorce and trying to rebuild her life. Her journey is compelling and relatable, and I appreciated how the book explored identity, resilience, and the weird limbo of life after big changes. Charlie, the agent who hires her, is also dealing with his own baggage, and their chemistry is sweet, if a bit slow.

Where the book stumbled for me was in pacing and focus. There were so many side plots the daughter, the sister, the ex-husband, the agency drama that the main storyline sometimes got lost. I kept wishing it would tighten up and give the romance more breathing room.

That said, there’s still a lot to enjoy here: sharp writing, a bookish backdrop, and a story about finding yourself when the script you thought you were following falls apart. A solid read if you're more into women's fiction than pure rom-coms!

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC all opinions are my own!

Slow Burn Summer is a charming and engaging romance that delivers a fun mix of literary intrigue, slow-burn chemistry, and self-discovery. Charlie and Kate’s unconventional partnership—built on secrets and staged appearances—makes for an entertaining journey, full of witty banter and emotional moments. While some plot points are predictable and the depth of character development could be stronger, the novel’s heartwarming themes and behind-the-scenes look at the publishing world keep the pages turning. A delightful read for fans of romantic comedies, especially those who enjoy stories about second chances and finding love in unexpected places.

First off, thank you Random House for the ARC! I thought that this was a perfect summer romance. It was an easy read and I found the characters to be extremely lovable. The FMC Kate was hilarious and her personality shined through on the pages. I wish that there was more romance between her and Charlie, but it was a slow-burn (as the title hinted it would be) which I always love. Again, a solid summer romance so I can’t complain!!

Definitely a slow burn, and not necessarily one of my favorite books of Josie Silver’s, but the story kept me engaged and entertained. More than anything, I would love to read the book that this book is about! Sounds like it’s the kind of love story I could really get into.

Recently divorced and trying to get her life back together, Kate Elliott reaches out to her previous talent agent, Jojo, hoping to get back into acting — a career she left for her now ex-husband. But Jojo has since passed away and his son, Charlie has taken over the agency. She’s hired to play the part of the author for a book being released, but she can’t know who the author actually is.

Overall, I liked the story. I liked the writing. I liked the characters. I liked how Kate’s character developed over the course of events. I gave it 3 stars. I liked it and would recommend it, but wouldn’t tell people to drop everything and read it now. If you’re looking for a sweet, fun beach read, I’d add this to your beach tote.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group Ballantine for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

A note on how I rate books:
⭐️ Hated it. Don’t even bother.
⭐️⭐️ Didn’t like it. Wouldn’t recommend.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Liked it. Would recommend, but no rush.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really liked it! Make this one of the next few books you read.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Loved it! Drop what you’re doing and read this now (or go ahead and finish what you’re reading and make this the next book)!

Short synopsis: Kate is hired as an actor to play the author for a novel, because the real author wants to remain anonymous.

My thoughts: I think I went in with really high expectations of this being a Rom-com, while there were some silly moments this was more a contemporary fiction with a touch of romance.

What I liked: I love that the characters are a little more mature, and have messy complicated lives. It makes sense that finding romance would be more difficult. I liked that I thought it was going to end up one way, and it completely surprised me. I also LOVED the deleted chapter at the end. That was the icing on the cake for me!

What didn’t work for me: I just didn’t feel the connection between the two main characters, and overall they felt a little surface level to me.

That being said, I will absolutely continue to read Josie. In fact, I have her next arc waiting for me to pick up soon!

Read if you love:
* Books about books
* Characters in their 30s
* Workplace Romance
* Forced proximity
* Slow burn

This was my first foray into a Josie Silver novel and I have a lot of feelings to wade through. Let me begin by saying this book was an enjoyable read, it just wasn't what I had expected. If you're looking for a straight romance filled with angst and all the lovey-dovey feelings, then you might want to consider a different book. What you will find within these pages is a story about a woman, Kate, who is starting her life over after recently being divorced, sending her daughter off to college, and moving in with her sister. She reaches out to a former talent agent who represented her in her youth and discovers his son instead has taken over after his death. She's offered the role of a lifetime as the ghost author of a romance novel whose actual author wants to remain anonymous. What ensues is a whirlwind and chaos galore for all involved. But what I enjoyed in the midst of it all was the, albeit reluctant at first, email communications between Kate and H, the anonymous author. They were charming and gave some depth to the story. There is a romance in this book between Kate and her agent, Charlie, and one short open-door scene, but I'll be honest, it's not a satisfying romance, in my opinion. This book is more about Kate's resilience and strength to move forward into the next chapter of her life, as well as to overcome the challenges she's faced with in the process.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for providing access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you @dellromance for the eARC

I really enjoyed the storyline, and I loved Kate’s character. She was my favorite in this story, and I also enjoyed the relationship between Kate and her sister Liv. I’d classify this book more as women’s fiction, with some comedy and romance mixed in. Obviously give the name, this is a slow burn romance. I enjoyed the friendship that developed between Kate and Charlie, but I just wanted a little bit from the romance. I alternate between the audiobook and the e-book and enjoyed both formats. Narrated by Anna Acton— This was my first audiobook by her, and I really enjoyed it. She has a voice that feels almost familiar, and she portrayed Kate’s character perfectly. Overall, I enjoyed this one and would recommend it.

Read if you enjoy:
✔️Slow burn
✔️Workplace
✔️Forced proximity

The Two Lives of Lydia Bird will always be my favorite Josie Silver book—but since then, she can do no wrong.

Slow Burn is exactly what the title promises: a fun, flirty, emotional ride with just the right amount of tension. The premise is gold, the chemistry is real, and the payoff is so worth it. Another win for Josie.

This was a cute, quick, summer read. It wasn't my favorite and it didn't grab me like some other (Emily Henry, Carley Fortune, Ali Hazelwood, or Abby Jiminez) but it was good enough. I know "slow burn" is in the title but I'm an impatient person :)

Slow Burn Summer was a bit too slow of a burn for my beach read pile. Silver’s writing is always well done but I wasn’t able to connect with the characters in this work the same way I have in some of her past books. Looking forward to reading her next book, but much like many a summer romance, this one won’t be one I revisit. Thanks to NetGalley and Dell for this ARC.

This book was the literary embodiment of Good Luck Babe! by Chappell Roan except the woman she didn’t choose at first was herself. It was the slowest of slow burns, a steady simmer, if you please?

I truly haven’t a read a book like this before. It was chock full of funny scenes and realistic happenings of a woman starting over midlife, with it mainly focused on her journey and her story returning to her life after a divorce. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who is starting over or is worried they don’t know what they’re doing with their life. There’s time. And yet life is short, so communicate.

A few notes:

It took me until 75% of the book to realize Charlie’s chapters were there to supplement the story, not truly provide his pov. It would have been nice to make it a true dual pov.

Kate’s family: Clive should’ve made more appearances. Liv was a central figure for 75% of the book and then was not truly in a scene again, it would’ve been nice to bring her back. Alice showed 0 love towards her mom and I can never understand when adult children don’t empathize with the parent that was wronged. It feels like a life lesson to hold someone you love accountable. Kate’s ex husband is so nasty evil. He didn’t respect the mother of his child at all and really treated Kate like she was dispensable.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! The setting was one of my favorites. The characters were well developed and the story line kept me turning the pages!

oh this was so fun and silly and a perfect perfect summer read. i loved that the fmc was a go with the flow kind of vibe person, i think it plays into the book so well. this book was something new and exciting!

When I picked up this book, I was expecting a slow burn summer romance filled with tension, chemistry, and character growth. Unfortunately, it didn’t had any of those. 
The romance was barely there, and the supposed chemistry between the FMC and MMC felt nonexistent. I found myself powering through the chapters, hoping things would pick up. I also struggled to connect with the main character. She doesn’t stand up for herself even when the world seemed to be against her. It was frustrating to read, especially as she just waited for her sister or MMC to step in and defend her. Overall, the writing style was decent, and the concept had potential. It was not what I was hoping for in a summer romance.