Slow Burn Summer is a tender, atmospheric story that lives up to its name—warm, slow, and full of simmering emotion. Josie Silver brings her signature charm to a tale of second chances, quiet growth, and unexpected connection. The setting is dreamy, the writing flows beautifully, and the emotional beats land with subtle power. It does take a while to fully unfold, but once it does, it’s deeply rewarding. A perfect read for long, lazy days.

I’ve really loved Josie Silver’s writing in the past, so I was excited to pick this one up—but Slow Burn Summer didn’t quite give me the summery escape I was hoping for. Silver’s signature emotional depth is there, and her writing is as smooth and readable as ever, but the pacing felt uneven and the story didn’t fully click for me. I kept waiting to feel swept up in it, and while there were moments I enjoyed, especially some of the quieter, more reflective ones, it never fully captured that immersive, sun-drenched feeling the title promised. Not a miss, exactly—but not a standout for me either.

This was cute...I guess. There was really not much to it. I had a hard time connecting with the characters and love story. All the shenanigans felt a bit silly at times, as well. I didn't feel any chemistry between the characters at all, and found it all a bit forgettable. I read it in one day, but ultimately it just left me feeling meh.

"A talent agent hires an actress to play the part of “novelist” on a book tour for his agency’s publicity-shy client." Will they fall in love? Will the actress find her spark and jump back into the entertainment world?

This book has a super cute premise and a beautiful, eye-catching cover. Unfortunately, this book was exactly as advertised.. The burn was just too slow for me to get invested. It was a really cute story and I enjoyed the characters, but the pace just wasn't doing it for me.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing/Dell for my copy of this book.


This book is a woman’s fiction story. There really is no romance in this book.

Kate is a freshly divorced woman who is trying to start her acting career all over again. After getting married and becoming a mom, she sets out to reintroduce herself in the acting world. It’s just that she is a ghost actor for an author would wants to remain anonymous. Charlie has taken over his dad’s avenging business. He really didn’t want to.

This book is about discovering yourself after years of being a mom/wife. It was entertaining but I really wanted more romance in this story. I’m sure fans of Josie Silver will gobble it up. A great read for any fiction reader.

Thank you to NetGalley and PRH Audio for the early copies of the digital and audio versions! I am always a fan of Josie Silver’s rom coms and this was no different. The characters were real. The decisions and challenges were believable. The slow burn was just swoony enough. I wanted a little more from Charlie’s POV. The chapters that were from his POV were a little too sporadic that it almost felt like the author forgot and then remembered to throw one in for him. But ultimately this was an adorable summer read and I highly recommend!

Two decades ago Kate was an up-and-coming actress until she left her career for her husband. Now, newly divorced, she's looking to get back into her former career. With the death of his father, talent agent Charlie has left LA for England and has taken over the business he never wanted. A bestselling novelist has written a new book completely outside their genre and wants no connection to it -- meaning Charlie is looking for someone to play the part of a writer and Kate just so happens to be available.

I seem to be on a spree of books with great premises that turn out to be lackluster. Slow Burn Summer sounded like a fun, easy summer romcom and for the first few chapters I was THERE. Unlike other readers, I was on board with the ghost author plot and would have loved to see what a different author could do with the idea. Unfortunately, it didn't work for me here. Kate immediately proceeds to tell people despite this being a HUGE secret, naturally word gets out.

I do feel this might have been marketed incorrectly. The summery romcom vibe I wanted isn't here, instead it read more like a women's fiction novel. NOT A BAD THING, but when you're expecting a fluffy romance and that romance doesn't happen until the end of the book, that's a letdown.

Thank you netgalley for a chance to read this!
I was really intrigued by the 'hook' to this: Kate, a soap actress looking to find something after a failed marriage, goes back to her agent's office (who has died) and meets his son. She is given the opportunity to be the public face of an up and coming romance novel. The story then follows her attempt to act out the part of an author, some epistolary scenes with the author, and a sort of romance with Charlie, the agent's son.

This was enjoyable if not a bit surface level. It was a little bit chaotic and all over the place, but the premise was strong and the talk of romance books and how to sell them kept me interested. I really enjoyed the epistolary scenes between Kate and the author: there were some great gems there, and some of the conversations between Kate/Charlie about his dad were really sweet.

I wanted more from a) when the public found out Kate wasn't the real author (this happened way earlier than I thought it would and wasn't all that damaging) and b) the reveal of the real author (again, really wanted more). I was also looking for way more heat between Kate/Charlie, or at least some additional tension. Not spice persay, but heat.

Slow Burn Summer has a clever premise - a talent agent hiring an actress to impersonate a reclusive author on a book tour. Josie Silver executes the concept well, particularly in developing Kate's character arc as a divorced soap actress rebuilding her life.

The book's strength lies in Kate's personal journey rather than the central romance. Her struggles and growth feel authentic and compelling.
However, the romantic chemistry between Kate and Charlie never quite ignites. Despite their initial friction, the slow burn feels more like a lukewarm simmer.

Silver's writing is polished and the deception plot creates good tension, but the romance disappoints given the promising setup. This works better as a story about personal reinvention than a swoon-worthy love story.
Bottom line: Solid character development, interesting premise, but the romance lacks heat. Worth reading for Kate's journey, not the slow burn.

This is my first book by Josie Silver, though I have others by her on my TBR list. I can definitely relate to Kate and the constant need to ramble on and overshadow, because I certainly do the same thing and question it all later on. Honestly, I’m not too sure how much of a connection I felt between Kate and Charlie, I almost feel like they worked more as friends, but maybe that’s because I was so much more focused on the amazing plot of it all. I loved the ghost author idea and how it was all tied together.

Thank you to NetGalley, Josie Silver, and Random House Publishing for allowing me this digital ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review!

I don’t typically reach for romance novels, but I learned a while ago that when Josie Silver is writing, it’s my kind of romance, full of warmth, wit, and just the right amount of swoon.

Kate doesn’t just speak, she meanders, tangents, and spirals in the most delightful way. Her panicked, spiraling is pure gold, and when they ricochet off her sister Liv’s grounded pragmatism, it’s laugh-out-loud funny. Their dynamic is worth the read all on its own.

By chapter ten, you might think you’ve cracked the mystery of the ghostwritten book Kate’s been hired to promote. And you might be right… or maybe not. Silver plays with reader expectation just enough to keep you guessing, layering in small twists that tug at the rug beneath your feet right when you think you have it all figured out.

Then there’s Charlie. Ah, Charlie, with his “whiskey and cola” eyes and that simmering, buttoned-up demeanor that all good slow burns require. The professional boundaries are there. The spark is undeniable. And yes, eventually we get that scene, the one that hits just right and earns every wistful sigh. True to the slow burn promise, nothing comes easy. Even that scene is treated like a “deleted scene” tucked between complicated decisions and emotional restraint. Still, the embers linger... and maybe, just maybe, they get a second chance.

Just when you think the story’s comfortably coasting toward resolution, a reveal shakes everything loose. It’s not what you were expecting. It’s substantial. Kate has to decide what she’s willing to risk for the sake of someone else’s happy ending. And she does it with a kind of quiet courage that sneaks up on you.

Silver sprinkles in pop culture nods and literary Easter eggs give the book extra sparkle, making it a breezy summer read with heart and humor. This isn’t a story of fantasy spice levels, it’s a story of chemistry, conviction, and the little moments that matter most.

A fun twist on the ghost writer trope! I wish we had gotten a little more of an idea of who Hugh was, even just in passing, earlier in the book to create some momentum when the announcement came. However, I loved the depth of character and sincerity of feelings that she faced.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

You know that feeling when you pick up a book and from the very first page it just fits? That was A Slow Burn Summer for me. Josie Silver always delivers the kind of stories that feel like sitting down with an old friend: warm, a little messy, and full of heart. It’s the perfect heartfelt romance that makes you want to hug the book when you’re done.

In this one, we meet Charlie, a divorced talent agent trying to salvage his business and his pride, and Kate, a former soap actress whose life has kind of… imploded. 😂 Charlie needs someone to pretend to be the author of the year’s most anticipated romance novel because the real author refuses to show their face. Kate needs a job. What starts as a professional arrangement quickly turns into a slow-burn summer that had me swooning and smiling and feeling all the feelings.

I was so drawn in by the unique plot. It’s this love letter to books, authors, and the way stories can heal us when we’re lost. I especially adored the dynamic between Kate and her sister Liv. Liv was such a standout for me: strong, supportive, and the kind of person you just want in your corner.

What I didn’t expect was how much this story would make me think about grief. Not just grief for someone you’ve lost, but the quieter grief of losing yourself, and the hope of finding your way back. Josie Silver writes that emotional depth so beautifully.

And the romance… oh my goodness. The slow burn is so good (hello, it’s right there in the title 😂). I loved watching that tension build while really getting to know Kate and Charlie individually. The side characters add just the right amount of humor and warmth to balance the heavier moments.

🌿 Read if you like:

📚 Women’s fiction with heart
📚 Late 30s main characters
📚 Books about books (YES PLEASE)
📚 Slow burn + friends to lovers
📚 Forced proximity + ghostwriting chaos
📚 Emotional romances that make you feel cozy and seen

If you’re looking for a book that feels like a warm hug on a breezy summer evening, A Slow Burn Summer is it. 💛

My updated Josie Silver rankings:
One Day In December
One Night On The Island
The Two Lives of Lydia Bird
Slow Burn Summer
A Winter In New York

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for my gifted copy of this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

🏷️: #ASlowBurnSummer #JosieSilver #SlowBurnRomance #BooksAboutBooks #RomComReads #WomensFiction #EmotionalReads #Bookstagram #CozyRomance #SummerReading #allbookedwithbri

This wasn’t my favorite Josie Silver. She went with a rom com vibe and although funny and silly at points, it wasn’t my favorite. The premise was cute though, and for a fun, summer beach read, it was great. Thank you for the advance copy!

Slow Burn Summer follows a hired actress who pretends to be the Author of a bestselling novel. I struggled with the pacing and plot throughout the story and found myself not feeling sympathetic toward any of the FMC's decisions. I hoped the reveal of the author would make up for the slower pace, but ultimately I was left feeling underwhelmed by plot and character development.

I received an ARC from Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Dell via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Read for
🩷 Slow-paced fiction
🩷 Family drama
🩷 Books about books
🩷 Finding yourself story
🩷 A T-Rex costume
🩷 Sisterly love

Slow burn? More like just slow. This book took me 84 years to finish because I kept literally falling asleep anytime I read it. It’s a sleeping pill in book form. The romance is basically nonexistent. The MCs have as much spark between them as two wet sticks. I don’t know why this book was marketed as a romance instead of as just literary fiction.

The timing of this book is unfortunate because recent events with Silver Elite’s rabid release show the whole identity fraud fiasco in this book is totally pointless. Publishers can make bank without ever revealing an author’s identity. Despite the obvious effort by the author to make the FMC’s reasons for fraud believable, they simply are not. And she doesn’t stop with the main lie, she keeps adding more lies! The whole thing, from the premise the execution is just off-putting.

However, if you’re looking for a slow, cozy read about a divorced woman finding her footing after having her life reset, this might be right up your alley.

Thank you to the author, Josie Silver, and the publisher, Dell/Penguin Random House, for providing an advanced reader copy for my honest review.

Slow Burn Summer is a charming, character-driven story about reinvention, fake fame, and real feelings. Kate is hilarious and relatable, and her slow-burn romance with Charlie is sweet and satisfying. More women’s fiction than straight-up romance, but still a perfect summer read with heart and humor. Thank you NetGalley for an eArc copy!

3 stars.

I am so bummed to say I did not love "Slow Burn Summer" by Josie Silver. It's *fine,* but it's not what I hope it would be based on the plot summary! I found it to be poorly paced and even kind of boring a lot of the time. I did not get invested in the potential relationship between the main characters, Kate and Charlie. I think, in this instance, the burn is TOO slow. By the time they get together, the book is almost all the way over. The romance is DEFINITELY not the point of this book. It's about a woman trying to reinvent her career after a divorce and having a child grow up and move on. I was excited that this book seemed like a different type of novel than I have read from Silver in the past, but I struggled to get invested in the plot, the characters, and their chemistry. It just didn't hit right! There are some laughs here and there, but apart from that, it's sort of mid. No one is more disappointed than I am.

Thank you to NetGalley, Josie Silver, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, and Dell for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

Definitely a slow burn romance with two very relatable and likable characters. The interaction between Kate and the true author of the story that she is “ghost authoring” are a great addition to the story. Minor characters are not as memorable, but Charlie makes up for what is missing. A cute story that will attract fans of Silver with an awesome premise, but minor characters that are really underdeveloped as well as areas where editing was needed (Kate’s description of Charlie’s eyes as whiskey-cola) and lack of strong setting may turn some readers away.

As my first foray into Josie Silver's writing, I was immediately drawn into the clever premise and her witty prose. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about Kate's journey as a former actress and Charlie's insights into the publishing world; their individual backgrounds added significant depth, making their evolving connection feel incredibly authentic.

If you're looking for your next romance, particularly one with heartfelt characters, a compelling plot, and a delightful blend of humor and emotion, Slow Burn Summer is an absolute must-read.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Publication date: June 10, 2025