I have read and enjoyed all of Josie Silver's previous books, some more than others, so I was excited when @randomhouse granted me early access to her upcoming release 𝐒𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐧 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 (Pub Date 06.10)

"𝘈 𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘩𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘯 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘭𝘢𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘧 “𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘴𝘵” 𝘰𝘯 𝘢 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘵𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘺’𝘴 𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘵𝘺-𝘴𝘩𝘺 𝘤𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘵"

This is more of a light fiction romcom versus some of her earlier work that had more emotional oomph (The Two Lives of Lydia Bird, One Night on the Island) .

𝗪𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝗪𝐎𝐑𝐊𝐄𝐃:
Original premise.
Well written.
Mostly, relatable lovable characters.
Dual-POV (mostly Kate, sometimes Charlie)
Supportive sister relationship
Grief (Charlie’s father, but other grief is talked about too)
Divorced FMC / Divorced MMC
Takes place in and around London

𝗪𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐃𝐈𝐃𝐍'𝐓: The cover lead me to believe this was a romance. It isn't/
Pacing started to get bogged down about 1/2 way through.
Lack of focus.
Plot points were introduced chaotically and willy-nilly.

TLDR: I liked it but I didn’t love it.

Kate Elliott is 39, newly divorced, broke, and crashing in a studio above her sister’s shop. Her life feels like a mess until a surprise email leads to an offer she can’t refuse—posing as the author of a viral romance novel written by someone who refuses to show their face. Enter Charlie Francisco, the grumpy talent agent who inherited his dad’s agency, also fresh off a divorce and trying to keep the business afloat.
Kate and Charlie clash right away. She’s a little chaotic and full of heart, he’s guarded and all business. But under the surface, there’s tension, connection, and a growing bond neither of them expected. Watching their relationship shift from prickly banter to something deeper was so satisfying, even if I found myself wishing we had just a bit more of them together.
This book blends humor, heart, and just enough behind-the-scenes publishing drama to keep things interesting. Kate's journey to rebuild her confidence and sense of self felt real and relatable. And the way Charlie quietly showed up for her again and again-I ate that up.
While some moments felt a little light on romantic build-up, the story still delivered the warm, hopeful vibes I want in a summer read.

᪥ Divorced MMC (from other people, not each other)
᪥ Actress x Her Agent
᪥ Takes place around London
᪥ 3rd Person POV

This book is way more women’s fiction than romance, and if you go in with that in mind, it’s great!

At its core, this is a story about figuring yourself out again after your life doesn’t go the way you planned. The fake author plot was so fun and unique, and there’s a sweet appreciation for books, readers, and the power of stories that made my little bookish heart happy.

Kate the FMC is very relatable, Liv, her sister, is an absolute baddie, and while the romance didn’t really come through for me as much as I’d prefer, it still kept me hooked.

You’ll enjoy this book if you like:

✍🏼 stories about second chances and starting over
❤️‍🩹 healing and finding yourself after heartbreak
📚 a behind the scenes look into publishing
👯‍♀️ sisters that steal the spotlight
💕 books that lean more women’s fiction than romance

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine/Dell for the eARC! 🩵🥰

I enjoyed this book and found it to be very funny. I know it was a rom-com but to me, the romance wasn’t really there. Luckily the comedy was so strong and kept me engaged and wanting to read more. Liz, the sister of the main character was a scene stealer. I loved how strong and protective she was! Overall it was a good book and I would recommend reading it!

This is pretty cute. I usually enjoy this author's books (except for that one time when I really didn't). In this, a recently divorced stay at home housewife, decides to try to go back to acting. After reading a romance novel, she agrees to play the part of the author in real life. The actual book author is a mystery. This is a romance, so there's all that gooey romance stuff and drama that goes along with these types of books. It's quite entertaining. I enjoyed it. And it's a fast read.

I picked up Slow Burn Summer by Josie Silver looking for something light and romantic—and it delivered with charm, wit, and a refreshing premise. The novel follows Kate Elliot, a recently divorced actress in her late 30s, who is hired to impersonate the anonymous author of a bestselling romance novel on a book tour. The premise is both charming and intriguing, offering a unique twist on the classic romantic comedy setup.

What I appreciated most was the depth of the characters and the emotional journey they undertake. Kate's interactions with Charlie, the talent agent who recruits her, are filled with witty banter and genuine connection, making their slow-burning romance all the more satisfying. The story also offers a behind-the-scenes look at the publishing world, adding an extra layer of interest. This was my first Josie Silver novel, and I can see why readers come back to her books—they leave you smiling and a little more hopeful than when you started.

This book had all the ingredients for a charming romance, and there were definitely moments that captured my attention. The slow-burn romance was sweet, and the character development was solid—there was real emotional depth between the leads that made me root for them.
That said, I struggled with the pacing. While I enjoy a slow-burn story, there were times when the plot seemed to drag, and I found myself waiting for things to pick up. The relationship, though heartfelt, felt like it could have progressed more quickly to maintain my full engagement. Some parts of the story felt repetitive, and the resolution was a bit too neat for my liking.
Overall, it’s a good read for fans of slow-burn romances who enjoy character-driven stories. While it didn’t quite leave a lasting impact on me, it was still an enjoyable, if not perfect, read.

3.5 stars, but I rounded to 4.
This is a cute summer beach read. Predictable, but it held up to its name.
When Josie Silver says slow burn in the title, that is exactly what is meant.
We have a young actress named Kate who lost her former agent to death, but the son of the former agent, Charlie, is now running the agency.
Charlie wants Kate to be the ghost author for a bestselling author who wants no association with the book. This sets the scene for the remainder of the book.
Kate and Charlie have a cute relationship.
Of course, there are mishaps.
The romance was not the largest part of the plot.
The plot was structured well enough. The pace was great in some areas, and then excruciatingly slow in others.
The characters are developed. I was able to connect at times, then felt myself disconnecting. I think that is just because of the pace of the book.
Again - good beach read.
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ARC!
Happy Reading!

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group—Ballantine and Netgalley for an ARC of this book which I voluntarily read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Josie Silver is an auto-read author for me. Her writing is beautiful and so bingeable that you can’t help but keep reading. SLOW BURN SUMMER is no exception. I really enjoyed the concept—an actress is hired to portray the author of a debut romance novel in place of the true writer, a best-selling author in another genre who doesn’t want their name attached—and the relationships Kate had with her sister and Charlie.

For the most part the story was great, including some funny moments as Kate acts her way through interviews and book signings, but I would have loved a little more depth and focus on the romance. The moments we did get between the two just didn’t feel like enough for the directions the relationship took. I also would have like to see Kate’s role last longer than it did before things took a turn.

Overall, every minute spent reading SLOW BURN SUMMER was delightful and I can’t see what Josie Silver cooks up next!

3.5 ⭐️s.

Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Dell and NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC.

In Slow Burn Summer, readers are introduced to Kate, a woman abruptly thrust into upheaval after discovering her husband’s affair—a betrayal made worse by a ruthlessly airtight prenup that leaves her broke and living above her sister’s dress shop. With few options left, Kate reaches out to her old acting agent in hopes of reigniting a long-dormant career. Instead, she finds herself drawn into an entirely different world when she’s asked to pose as the author of a steamy romance novel whose true writer wishes to remain anonymous.

Enter Charlie, the son of Kate’s former agent, who’s recently returned from a failed marriage in Los Angeles. He sees representing Kate as a path to personal redemption and professional respect—particularly with Fiona, his late father’s business partner. What starts as a simple publicity stunt—interviews, signings, and media appearances—quickly spirals as the book becomes a bestseller, and Kate forms an unexpected bond with the real author through anonymous emails.

However, the fragile ruse begins to unravel when Kate’s daughter inadvertently exposes the truth, setting off a media firestorm. As the scandal intensifies, Kate retreats to the countryside with Charlie, and the two find fleeting solace—and romance—away from the spotlight. But real life intrudes once more, and back in London, Kate faces not only public backlash but also bizarre attacks on her sister’s shop by a disgruntled fan armed with trifles.

In a desperate bid to restore calm, Kate takes to national television to confront both the public and her mysterious tormentor. What follows is an engaging blend of humor, heartache, and personal reinvention.

While Slow Burn Summer doesn’t reinvent the romantic comedy genre, it delivers a charming, fast-paced narrative with a relatable heroine at its center. Kate’s journey—from betrayal and embarrassment to unexpected fame and self-discovery—is both entertaining and endearing. A light but satisfying read, this novel is perfect for fans of rom-coms who enjoy a dash of chaos with their second chances

Slow Burn Summer by Josie Silver

Rating: 4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to Random House Publishing, Ballantine, Dell, Netgalley, and the author for access to this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Charlie, a talent agent, is dealing with a divorce that ended his screenwriting career, a business he never wanted to inherit, and a romance novel whose author wants nothing to do with it. The book is a hit, but his agency needs to find someone to play the author for the summer book tour. Kate, a former actress, is recovering from divorce and the job is a rescue. However, she can’t know who really wrote the incredible story. Kate and Charlie are both determined to play their role. As the summer goes by and the scheme continues, the question is whether they’ll continue to stick to the role or go off-script.

This was such a delightful read full of heart, humor, and love. A swoon worthy slow burn romance that is sure to leave you with all the feels. Slow Burn Summer strikes a perfect balance between humor, emotion, and romance. Absolutely perfect for summer!

One of the book’s tropes is in the title— it definitely was a slow burn. But the chemistry was always there. The beginning definitely did give Bridget Jones vibes and it was even acknowledged. Girl was just a British mess lol
The premise is that she is an actor (not popular at all, just what she wanted to do), and a role she just got is to play the writer of a book. Like ghost writing except she didn’t write the book. But the real author doesn’t want his name attached so she has to pretend she wrote the book.
The twist you expect is not the twist, which I liked as it made it less cliché, and I really enjoyed her and Charlie’s working relationship and watching their personal relationship bloom too.
Playing a role helps Kate grow more in confidence as well, and who she is at the end of the book is very different from the beginning in a positive way.

Thank you Dell for the read!

I couldn't put this book down! However, I do feel like it was more of a contemporary fiction and not so much a rom-com, even though there is humor throughout the story. I just wish there were more romance and connection between Kate and Charlie. Overall, a sweet, emotional, and fun read! This was my first book by this Author, and I will be picking up another!

-older divorcee fmc
-ghost writer actor
-workplace romance
-trifle mishaps
-light spice - one scene

Thanks to netgalley, Josie Silver, and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the arc.

Josie Silver has become an auto-buy author for me, and I'm happy to say I really enjoyed Slow Burn Summer! I liked the premise, especially being set in the book world. Kate was endearing and easy to cheer for as she began rebuilding her life. I loved Charlie as the love interest, but wish we would have gotten to know him a little more. I didn't feel like I didn't know him at all, but it felt like it skimmed the surface of him, and that there was more to know. Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the eARC.

4/5

There is a lot going on in this book. I was really into the book in the beginning but once I made it halfway through I struggled with wanting to pick the book up. The romance part just didn’t do much for me. If I friend asked me if they should read it I would tell them maybe. It’s not bad or good just ok.

TikTok review will be posted May 31

Slow Burn Summer is a much lighter version of the Josie Silver I have known and loved. Not that I didn’t enjoy it- it definitely was fun, but a far cry from the more epic feeling romance of One Day in December. I do think it’s not misrepresented- the cover of it surprised me initially, but I think it suited the book. Kate is an interesting character, but she is one where her previous relationship and life seems to make no sense. There was not enough nuance for me in her relationship with her ex-husband for it not to seem completely out of character for her to have been living that life. He was also a 2 dimensional villain which I hate. Charlie was interesting, but I never fully connected with him. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-arc.

First of all, thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of Josie Silver's latest novel! I'm a huge Josie Silver fan and I was so excited to dive into her latest. While the novel is cute and wrapped up in a nice bow at the end, it was lacking the emotion and romance for me that I loved so much in her earlier novels. The main character, Kate, I found to be so obnoxious, and I didn't feel the tension between her and her agent, Charlie until literally a page before they *spoiler alert* spend the night together. I would have loved if this book was told in alternating POVs to get more of Charlie's perspective. It was cute, but I was expecting so much more.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the ARC of Slow Burn Summer by Josie Silver.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

A new fav by Josie Silver! Having read almost all her books, this has been the best one yet. The storyline just moved smoothly and the characters were likable unless of course they weren’t supposed to be, then they were expectedly unlikable.

The gist of this book boils down to the slow burn between Kate and Charlie. Kate who was once an up and coming actor working with an agent, Jojo, but stepped away from that life to marry and raise her daughter. When her marriage ends and her daughter is away at school she decides to reach back to her agent. Little does she know, her letter will be intercepted by Charlie, Jojo’s son. And acting in an unusual role will be what she’s cast in. Just when she thinks things can’t get any crazy, they keep on getting more wonky, until it all implodes. The big question is how will Kate and Charlie handle it all.

This was a cute and quirky premise with some heartfelt moments, but it didn’t fully land for me. Some of the emotional beats were predictable. A decent beach read if you're not looking for anything too deep.

3.5🌟

As a big fan of slow burn romances, this was an interesting take on it and not what I expected! With Kate being an act in author, she has to go through the whole media process of the book. I think Charlie and Kate gave off true slow burn vibes and I think it added on the fact that they both were open to each other and had that friendship relationship first, where they got to know each other!

I loved this story and seeing the path that these characters went on in their life and toward each other!

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Ballantine Dell for an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.