Loved this one!! I’ve loved Josie Silver ever since reading One Day in December. And this novel did not disappoint. A unique setting for this story. Enjoyed that. Something different. Lived all the characters in this one. Can’t wait till her next one!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. Josie Silver is a mixed bag author for me. Sometimes I really like her books and sometimes I don’t. This one was a miss for me. It was very slow and I didn’t buy into the romance at all.

This is a charming and heartfelt read that perfectly captures the essence of a slow-burning romance. The characters are very relatable and the way Silver balances emotional depth with light, summery vibes is so good. The story follows two protagonists who navigate their complicated feelings for each other while dealing with personal growth and past regrets. The slow-paced development of their relationship feels authentic and satisfying, making the eventual payoff all the more rewarding.

However, the pacing could feel a bit sluggish at times, with certain sections dragging on longer than necessary. While the emotional moments are touching, the conflicts were resolved a bit too neatly, which slightly detracted from the realism. That said, the book’s strengths lie in its ability to create a warm, immersive atmosphere and its exploration of themes like second chances and self-discovery.

Overall, it’s a great read for fans of contemporary romance. It’s not without its flaws, but it’s the kind of book that leaves you with a smile and a longing for sunny days and new beginnings. If you’re looking for a story that feels like a fun summer escape, this one is worth picking up.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC

This was such a fun summer time romance read. The author is a great writer and she makes the story so fun to read.

I love this author and Im so thankful to Netgalley for the arc of this. I highly recommend reading it. It makes for a fun summer read, I can't wait until I can get my hands on a physical copy of this book.

This book was so sweet! It was a love letter to readers everywhere. Though it was a slow burn, I enjoyed it a lot and would recommend it!

I enjoy Josie Silver’s work so was excited for a chance to read and review “Slow Burn Summer.”

I have wanted to be an author my entire life so the idea of hiring a soap opera actress to play one for the purpose of a book tour was a intriguing. Silver takes the time to develop our protagonist Kate who is reeling from a divorce and trying to figure out what comes next. Charlie is her agent who finds this particular role for her who carries his own baggage.

While I could not quite get into the supposed chemistry of Kate and Charlie, I did like reading about their journeys and ultimate connection. I also appreciated Silver’s attention to the novel’s additional characters, especially Kate’s sister, Liv. Readers will certain relate to her as well as Kate.

I predict this novel will soar this summer.

Four out of five stars.

Thanks to NetGalley, Josie Silver and the publisher for a chance to read and review this novel.

Josie Silver is usually a comfort read for me that started with One Day in December. I love the fact that her characters are not usually extremely young and tend to be closer to my own age, which makes them that much easier to understand and appreciate. Her characters usually have flaws that I can relate to as well. Slow Burn Summer had the makings of a comfort read, but at times felt rushed and not completely fleshed out for me. I feel like Charlie was bland and we were not able to get a grip on who he really was. Especially given the fact theta Kate was the face for this amazing love story, but the love story taking place between Charlie and Kate was fairly bland. Kate was fun, but my goodness did she make some wild decisions. There were portions that were also extremely unbelievable (like everyone coming to stop the trifle bandit.) That being said, I adored Fiona and her crazy antics, Liz and her protectiveness of Kate, and I really did love Kate, even though she made rash decisions that I could NOT relate to. All in all it was a quick, cute read. I think it just needed some extra time to truly dig into the grit of the story.

3.50 stars

Kate gave up her career years ago for love. After love betrays her she tries to get an acting job again. Her agent has sadly passed away and his son has taken over. He needs someone to act as a romance writer. Kate takes the job and they are forced to be together. Throughout the story their relationship grows. I enjoyed the story. I do think seeing more of Charlie and their connection would have elevated this story for me. Still a cute hallmark love story 💕

This was a refreshing read about finding love after heartbreak. After her long term marriage ended, Kate was adrift. But when she reaches out to her former agent, she’s offered an unconventional role that changes her life.

Charlie is struggling to fill his dad’s shoes as an agent when Kate strolls into his life, a mess of beautiful vulnerability. As he represents this whirlwind of a woman through her unconventional role, he sees a chance as happiness for himself too.

As they go through the ups and downs of the summer, these two find themselves, each other, and a love for the books.

ARC REVIEW
3.25⭐️

This was a cute one I really liked the plot i think it’s unique and i haven’t read anything like it before! I think it was written very well and you were able to get everything from the plot but I did feel like the characters fell a little flat to me. Kate was a really great character and we were able to see so much of her which was lovely but I don’t feel we got to see much of Charlie really at all and not too much about their connection. Bonus point for the Harry mention though😁!

*Off the Record* 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.

So good! I have read other novels by this author and really enjoyed them. This novel did not disappoint. I love a slow burn novel and this novel just checked so many boxes for me. I was excited to jump into this novel. From the first chapter this novel captured my attention and held on tight for the entire novel. I loved Kate. I loved watching her journey thru her grief and moving thru to her next chapter. I loved Kate and Charlie together. I loved their quiet chemistry. So good! I loved Kate's sister Liv. I loved how she was there to help Kate move thru all she was going thru. Once I started reading I didn't want to put this novel down. I needed to know what was coming next for Kate. Loved it! I can hardly wait to see what this author has coming next.

I am so grateful for the opportunity to read Slow Burn Summer early, because I was DYING for another Josie Silver book in my life. While this wasn't my favorite of her's, I did still enjoy it so much – particularly Kate's story throughout. The only miss for me was that I actually wasn't feeling a ton of chemistry between Kate and the MMC – I really felt she more deeply connected with Hugh over their email exchanges, and I thought for certain that once they had met face to face, some sort of romantic relationship would develop between them. I appreciated the ~journey~ between Kate and Charlie, but their I love you at the end was still like... huh. I didn't anticipate that given that they had sort of danced around their relationship for so long.

This was a super heartwarming read, and really celebrated authors and books (which is what we're all here doing!!!). While not my favorite of Josie's books, I will undoubtedly be purchasing this for friends as well as for my shelf.

If you're a fan of Silver's previous work you'll enjoy this one too! Close proximity, grumpy/sunshine, work place romance, all then troupes- but it works!

Kate is almost 40, recently divorced and her daughter just left for college. Now, with nothing to do and not much money... she really needs a job.
Enter in, Charlie, he has taken over his dad's talent agency and he in search of an actress to 'play' an author who doesn't want their real name associated with their first ever romance book. Kate was thinking more along the lines of a theatre job or a commercial. But okay. She can play an author for a bit. She loves books and seeing her hot new agent more often won't hurt much either. This is a great romance that gives us exactly what it promises: an amazing Slow Burn Summer!

Not a "Wow" book for me. It was fine, I enjoyed it, but I don't see myself returning to it again and again. The romantic tension between Kate and Charlie just wasn't there- it was almost a surprise when they got together.

The romance part of this book seemed so secondary. Barely there.

Kate’s character is both relatable and endearing, capturing the essence of someone striving to find purpose amidst life’s upheavals and just really being lost and plugging away at that. And I love her ride or die extreme af sister Liv, whose unwavering support borders on unhinged.

Slow Burn Summer is a testament to Silver’s ability to craft stories that resonate with readers, blending humor, romance, and personal growth into a satisfying read. It’s a perfect choice for those seeking a feel-good novel that celebrates second chances and the unexpected paths life can take.

I really enjoyed seeing the characters progress in this story. The story was well paced and well written. I was hooked from the beginning and devoured it in just a few sittings.

A heartfelt, uplifting read with O’Leary’s signature charm and warmth. The romance is tender, the emotions are real, and the journey is unforgettable!