Slow Burn Summer by Josie Silver is a fun and refreshing rom com! Kate is a former soap actress in need of a fresh start, and agrees to pretend to be the author of a bestselling romance novel on a book tour because the real author is a total mystery. The man orchestrating the whole thing is Charlie, a grumpy, no nonsense talent agent trying to keep his career afloat. From the moment the two meet, it’s all bickering, tension, and sizzling chemistry! Their banter is sharp and their attraction is undeniable. The whole setup is just begging for them to catch feelings in the messiest, most wonderful way! Slow Burn Summer is the perfect mix of cute, funny, and emotional. The perfect summer read!

I wouldn't have picked this up out of a stack of novels. (The cover looks too flirty and trendy.)

Except that I love Josie Silver's writing. The plot is thick and colorful. The characters are relatable - whether you love or hate them. And the romance is both surprising and reassuring.

I gave a long exhale when I read the last page - probably from satisfaction and relief that things work out as they do. You can hardly guess the direction this will go in the middle of the book.

You'll enjoy this one on vacation, when you need a break from the office, or when you're just ready for a great story. Recommended!

love this romance and that they started working together and that she was able to help someone and figure out her life. Loved her sister and seeing her daughter.

Kate is a former actor, looking to get back into the business after her divorce. Charlie is a screenwriter, taking over his father’s talent agency company. When Charlie hires Kate to publicly play the part of a romance author who wishes to remain anonymous, they begin growing closer after forced to spend time together at event after event.

I thought it was a fun and unique premise for a romcom, and I really enjoyed the background mystery of the author’s identity. I was so thrilled that it went the direction it went in, and avoided some predictable tropes. As a huge fan of slow burn stories, I loved the pacing of Kate and Charlie’s relationship. Liv was such an awesome character, and I loved her fierce protectiveness. The background theme of the strength of the book community was woven throughout, and it made for my favorite scene in the book. This book grew stronger as it went on, and I genuinely enjoyed reading it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for the ARC! My review will be posted to Goodreads upon the publication date, and this review will be edited to add the link at that time.

I’ve been a huge fan of Josie Silver’s for awhile now (I absolutely loved ‘A Winter in New York’ last year), and was highly anticipating this new book from her.

The storyline of this novel was very unique, which intrigued me from the start. I also loved that our FMC was recently divorced, a little older, and on the path to see what was ahead for her. She wants to go after a career path that was always in the back of her mind. Additionally, the dynamic between Kate and her sister was hilarious and so fun; a huge standout in the novel.

With that said, thinking of the author’s previous novels, the romance in this one was not as present for me. I didn’t feel like it flowed as well in this novel, and progressed rapidly after a very very slow burn.

However, I would definitely give this one a shot for yourselves because Josie is a wonderful writer, and you will get lost in the story! This is more in the Womens Fiction category for me.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC of this novel; all opinions are my own.