Thanks to Dell for the ARC of this book! I was excited to read this one when it came to my email, because I have read and love quite a few Josie Silver books. This book follows Kate, a divorcee, who is a former actress. She hasn't acted in many years, but the end of her marriage has her struggling to find meaning in her life. She sends a letter to her former talent agent and ends up meeting his son Charlie instead. She accepts a rather unorthodox job to be the "author" and public face of a book. The actual author wishes to remain anonymous. She throws herself into the job and in the process finds herself connecting with Charlie.
The concept of this one was definitely original and different and there were parts of it I really enjoyed, but it felt very slow in parts and I wished there was more romance in the book. It was a 3.5 star read for me, but I like Josie Silver, so I'll be looking forward to more books from her in the future!

Thank you to NetGalley and Dell Paperback for an ARC of Josie Silver’s Slow Burn Summer. Unfortunately, I had to put the book down after reading 30% of the book. I have made a promise to myself that if I could get into a story by 20% way into a book, I would put it down and walk away from it since there are so many great books to read. Since this was an ARC, I went to 30% I just couldn't get into the story. I didn't care about the characters or what put them into the predicaments they were in. I wasn't even interested to see where the story would go. I usually like books by Josie Silver and was disappointed by this one.

I love romance novels with “older” MCs! Kate and Charlie were both so relatable with their relationship and career woes. This story was a perfect encapsulation of what it’s like to redefine your life in your late thirties/early forties!

One of the unique things about this romance novel, is that the actual romance plot line seemed to take a backseat in lieu of other, more focal narratives. There’s something fresh about this approach, that, for me anyways, didn’t detract from the story, but instead enhanced it. Don’t get me wrong, there was still tension, and yearning, and banter, but the “slowburn romance” allowed Kate’s other relationships to take center stage.

For a woman almost in her 40s, this seemed like a more accurate portrayal of her life. The focus on career, and what comes next after your world crumbles, and what are those relationships you hold onto regardless of your intimate relationship status. And yet the whole entire book focused on those enduring loves, the ones that are so part of your being, they rip your soul out when they end. I loved all of the different relationships in this story, but Kate’s relationships with her sister and the one she had with “H” were easily my favorites.

If you’re looking for your next romance read, I highly recommend picking up Slow Burn Summer! It’s got a second chance romance, sibling relationships, parenting woes, career struggles, and tons of humor.

Thank you to NetGalley, Dell Romance, and Random House for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

This book felt like a love letter to romance itself. I was completely charmed from the first scene and by the end I wanted to crawl inside the story and never leave. It’s witty and warm with just enough emotional ache to make it hit deep. Their chemistry is ridiculous. Every scene between them crackled with tension and affection. There’s something irresistible about two people trying to stay in control while everything about them wants to fall apart and fall in love at the same time. But what really got me was the heart. The writing is layered with emotional honesty. It’s about rebuilding after heartbreak, and about letting yourself be seen for who you are when the world expects something else entirely. This story was pure delight with just the right amount of soul. I adored it completely.

A fun, light romantic comedy from Josie Silver. I loved the slow burn romance between Kate and Charlie, but it was a bit lacking at times. 5/5 on the comedy.

Josie Silver writes deep, emotional, beautiful romance stories. It’s always a story within a story. It has depth and meaning and this is no different. The characters are charming and the storyline unfolds in a way that you didn’t imagine possible. I wasn’t sure about the plot when I started the book, but it rolled out beautifully and it really gave all the characters personality. This is a story that could be made into a big screen movie and I’d definitely pay to watch it. Great book. Highly recommend.

This was another great Josie Silver book! I thought the plot was very unique and not something I had read a hundred times before. Kate is an actor, albeit long removed from her trade, who gets hired to pretend to be the author of an amazing romance book. Shenanigans ensue, of course. I loved all of the characters in this book. The plot held my attention n the whole time. I think Josie Silver fans will love this book, along with other readers who just love to escape into a fun romantic story.

3.5 Stars- Slow Burn Summer by Josie Silver follows Kate Elliot, a former child star, navigating life after a recent divorce. Hoping for a fresh start, she reconnects with her old agent in search of work—and instead crosses paths with Charlie Francisco, the agent’s son. Also recently divorced and still finding his footing in the family business, Charlie is on the hunt for someone to pose as the face of a soon-to-be bestselling book by an anonymous author. Kate and Charlie don’t exactly hit it off at first, but they quickly realize they'll have to rely on each other if they’re going to pull off this unusual arrangement.

This book definitely lives up to its title—Slow Burn Summer unfolds at a gentle, thoughtful pace, allowing the chemistry between Kate and Charlie to simmer in a way that feels both believable and sweet. Their interactions are heartfelt and genuine, making it easy to root for them. That said, I did find myself wishing for more character development; there were moments in the story that felt like they had room to grow or deepen. Still, Josie Silver’s signature warmth shines through, and fans of her previous novels will likely enjoy this one just as much. As a former rower, I especially appreciated the setting in Henley-on-Thames—it added a personal connection and a charming backdrop to the story.

The concept of this book was so fun and definitely not something I’ve ever seen done before! I loved all of the characters and really thought Kate stood out a lot. I loved her wit and found her super entertaining. I was rooting for her the entire book and really loved how everything developed throughout the story. I do think people who go into this expecting a romance or romcom will be a bit disappointed, I’d classify this as more fiction than romance although there is a subplot of romance it just isn’t the main picture. However that being said the romance in it is very well done it’s just not the biggest focus. Would definitely recommend!

This felt like a slow start and as I kept reading more I started enjoying it more. Overall it was a nice enjoyable read. Thank you Netgalley for the arc of this book!

I was interested in reading this book because of the author. Josie Silver has written two of my favorite books- One Day in December and A Winter in New York.

The book got off to a rocky start but began flowing better after the foundation for the plot was laid. The establishment of the main characters, their back stories and how they were connected in the present was hard to follow. After those things were settled, the story flowed well. The main characters were written well. They had depth and complexity. The fact that the main characters did not have an “instant connection” helped the story’s authenticity as well. After the rough start, I really enjoyed this book. It was engaging, detailed, and humorous. My favorite part was how the “community” showed up for the main character in the end.

Thank you to NetGalley, Josie Silver, and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

3.5 stars.

I have LOVED Josie Silver books in the past, and while I didn't hate this one, it didn't quite have the magic of some of her others in my opinion. Also, is the premise of this book a real thing that could potentially happen?? It seems far-fetched to me. I did like Kate's character and her arc throughout this novel, but it just fell a little bit short of what I've come to expect from Josie Silver.

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

Kate and Charlie have both recently gone through a divorce. In this workplace romance, Kate gets hired by Charlie to play an acting part on his book tour. The setting of this book was fun. I liked the characters separately but not together. There wasn’t much chemistry between them. The story moved really slow which some people enjoy but it was hard for me to stay interested. I expected to like this book more because I really enjoyed other books by this author. It was a fun read but the romance just wasn’t there.

Thank you NetGalley for the e-arc.

Slow Burn Summer is definitely a slow burn in every sense of the term. While I initially thought this was going to be a romance novel, and at its core it is, the buildup is longer and slower than I anticipated. The pacing is deliberate, which could either be a positive or a drawback depending on your reading preferences.

That said, I enjoyed the characters. They were charming, quirky, and full of personality, and their playful banter added a refreshing dynamic to the story. It was clear the author put a lot of effort into crafting these characters and their interactions, and I found myself rooting for them throughout.

The story itself was well-written and thoughtfully developed, with layers of detail that gave it depth. However, there were moments where I felt the dialogue and certain scenes were a bit unnecessary, slowing down the plot and not necessarily moving the story forward.

Overall, Slow Burn Summer is a solid read. It’s a great choice for those who enjoy character-driven stories with a slow, steady buildup, but it might not be for readers who prefer a faster-paced plot.

This was such a heartwarming and charming romcom! I was hooked from the start and I absolutely loved the characters of Kate and Charlie. Their chemistry was written very believably and I really enjoyed going on their personal journeys. The author does a great job with character development and it was so emotional and honest that it made it all believable and sincere. This was such an uplifting and inspiring story that I know many readers will just adore.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review and feedback.

Charlie, oh Charlie, I could relate on a lot of levels!
This was so well done - I really liked the story, the main characters and their development arc.

Slow Burn Summer by Josie Silver is a slow burn, divorced FMC and MMC romance that was fun, different, and just wonderful!

Kate is recently divorced, her daughter is away at university, and she is low on money and work. She reaches out to her old acting agent, only to find out that he has passed away and his son, Charlie, has taken over his clients. Charlie is also recently divorced, mourning the loss of his dad, and attempting to figure out what to do with his life. Charlie is looking for a ghost-author, someone to act as the author for an unpublished romance book whose author insists on remaining anonymous. Kate absolutely falls in love with the book and agrees! I absolutely LOVED the humor and found myself laughing out loud at all the awkward and funny situations Kate found herself in during the novel. I would have like to read a little bit more about the relationship progression between her and Charlie, you could tell there was chemistry, but it felt like they went straight to “I love you” in the end without much development. Otherwise, I loved everything else about this novel, it was AMAZING and should definitely be added to your TBR list!!

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, and the author for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

A fun, bingable read. Distinctive characters and seasoned main characters. Loved the setting (England, the publishing journey (particularly book release), & the fun twist at the end. I was pleasantly surprised.

I’ve heard amazing things about Josie Silver and her books, unfortunately I do not like her writing style. I didn’t find the story all that intriguing either. There was just no pull to continue reading. I can usually tell within the first chapter if I’ll like a book, but with arcs I give them a few. This one just didn’t hit.

But if you’re a fan of workplace romances and starting over this one might be for you!

Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for the ARC.

I love a good book about books, and this one really makes you want to get your hands on the love story they are promoting in this book, I really want to read The Power of Love, please someone write it!! This is a pleasure of a summer read. It is great to get some more mature characters, both MMC and FMC are divorcées and around 40 years old. The journey they both take while navigating post divorce and midlife career and life changes is well done. Kate is a spark of joy and spunk, you will love her, she is a great companion to your summer. Dive in and enjoy this love letter to love stories and the power they have to change our hearts and let us heal.