DNF @28% :(

As someone who LOVED “One Day In December” (one of my all time favorite holiday reads / recommendation in general), I went into “Slow Burn Summer” with high hopes and I’m sad to say it just did not hit the mark for me.

I do LOVE slow burn romances, but right out of the gate this one was just missing key elements for me. I NEED to have at least tension or yearning early on to keep my investment, and I just did not feel that was delivered at all here. At 28% in, I still just did not feel the potential chemistry from Kate and Charlie. For a short book, the pacing felt like it was dragging way too much. Maybe it picks up later, but this was unfortunately just not something I could force any longer.

I enjoy Josie Silver's witty, humorous and heartfelt writing. She always has a way of immersing her readers into a charming atmosphere and I love all the British references (a few that I had to google so I know what to imagine in my head). As the title suggests, it was a slow burn but very worth it to get to the satisfying happy ending. It was a delightful summer rom-com. This is the third novel I've read of Silver's and I plan to add the rest to my TBR list! Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book!

I really wanted to love this book but it was just missing something.

3/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Kate Elliot’s husband has left her, her daughter is at university now and the only job she’s ever done is acting a longggg time ago. After reaching out to her old agent she ends up with a gig acting as an author for a book. Instead of ghost writer she’s the ghost author. What could go wrong? Also enter her old agents son who’s just a little older than her and taken over his father. Is she imagining their chemistry?

All the plot points of this book are so intriguing but none seemed worked out enough. I wanted more of everything. The story of the authorship, the relationship Kate had with H, the business side of Charlie taking over and his relationship with Fiona. That could have been its own book. But then add in the romance between Charlie and Kate. I wanted more of that too. You never felt the tension between them and I wanted to! I wanted to feel their yearning and instead felt like they were just working together so why not hook up.

It was a fine book and I’d recommend it if you like Josie Silver but I just wanted more.

Thank you so much to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine & NetGalley for this e-arc.

I liked the characters, the unique premise, and the romance worked for me. I really enjoyed learning more about the publishing industry and how agents work. All of the primary characters have complicated relationships, a sympathetic past, and challenges to overcome. My only criticism would be that the conclusion seemed a little sudden. I am looking forward to Josie Silver's next book.

ARC was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for the opportunity!

The drama was ELECTRIC! I was hooked on every word.

When a woman goes back to her acting agency after years away, he asks her to be the fake author to a romance book. What could go wrong?

As a book lover, I was crying by the end! I mean I loved how awkward, kooky, and genuine this book is! The romance was great and palpable even from the beginning. I really just loved every aspect of the story, incredibly well done!

I truly don't know what else to say because I loved it so much!

This was a very sweet book! Loved Kate’s development as a character, I just wanted more between Charlie and Kate.

2.5 stars… which made me sad because I’ve genuinely enjoyed her other books I’ve read.

This one just didn’t hit for me. It felt like the story was all over the place with the most random stuff happening.

And slooow burn…. Felt like no burn to me. I was confused for the first half of the book and wondered when the love interest was supposed to come in but turns out he was there the whole time I just felt zero chemistry between them.

Thank you netgalley for the ARC. I will definitely read more of her books in the future even though this one wasn’t for me.

This was definitely a slow burn read. I won't lie, the cover made me interested, but so did the plot/storyline. I guess I was hoping it was more of a romcom and it wasn't. It's not that I didnt like the story, I just felt like things were said over and over and over again. I think this couldve been 100 pages less.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for this ARC.

#SlowBurnSummer #NetGalley

3.5 stars. I really did enjoy this. I found the plot fun and interesting and I didn’t guess some of the reveals which i really enjoyed. I love the side characters a lot (Liv is my girl) and I really liked the friendship between the sisters and the character development moment.

My struggle was the romance, I just think we needed more time with them. To feel and see them fall in love more, it just felt a little abrupt??

I did cry at the end though!

I love Josie Silver because even when you think you know what's going on and what will happen, there will be a twist and always a bit more than what you expect. This story was no different. When an author doesn't want their name attached to a book that they'd written but would need a face, their publishing house decided to hire an actress to be the face of the book and pretend to be the author. Of course everything happens how one would image but also the way everything unravels is beautiful and sweet and everything you want for a feel good lovely story.

#arc
#netgalley
#slowburnsummer

Kate and Charlie are agent and client with an unconventional gig. This book took me on a roller coaster of emotions. I was sad, hapy, angry, and I loved it! Kate isn't a perfect character but I think that's why I connected with her so much.Where she's at in life is no where near where I'm at but I could relate to her. This is my first Josie Silver book and I will definitely be checking out her future releases and her previous ones.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group, Ballantine, and Dell for giving me a digital arc copy through NetGalley!

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was my favorite book by Josie Silver!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. Josie Silver has done it again—Slow Burn Summer is an irresistible blend of wit, warmth, and slow-burning romance that will leave readers swooning. From the moment Charlie and Kate cross paths, the chemistry is electric, sparking banter that’s as sharp as it is endearing. The premise—a reluctant talent agent and a down-on-her-luck actress faking their way through a book tour—feels fresh and cinematic, the perfect setup for both heartfelt moments and laugh-out-loud mishaps.

This book was fine, but nothing special. I did like the reveal of who the author actually was, as you were definitely led to believe it was Charlie at some points in the beginning

Another winner from Josie Silver! Kate Elliott's life has imploded when she sends a desperate letter to her former agent to find her an acting job after years of being a housewife and mother. Charlie, her late agent's son finds her a job being a "ghost author"-basically acting as the author and attending all of the publishing events since the author doesn't want to be known. Fun story about Kate finding herself as she pretends to be someone else.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in return for my honest review.

*Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This isn’t a typical Josie silver book, but I quite liked it anyway. It’s a sweet romance novel and definitely a slow burn itself. I’ll always pick up book by Josie

3.75 🌟

Thank you NetGalley and Dell for my ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I am a huge Josie Silver fan but had a hard time getting into and staying into this. The slow burn was perhaps just a bit too slow for me?

But as usual for Josie Silver, this is full of heart — and infused with some comedy. Cute!

Excellent book, five out of five stars! I can’t wait to recommend this. Thank you for providing the ARC.

Slow Burn Summer is a captivating read that beautifully blends romance and personal growth. The slow-burn chemistry between the characters keeps you hooked, with every moment building to something deeper and more meaningful. The setting, rich with summer vibes, adds the perfect backdrop to this heartwarming and tender story. If you're looking for a book full of emotional depth, swoon-worthy moments, and a slow-burn romance, this one is a must-read!

3.5 stars! I really enjoyed this romantic comedy story. We meet retired actor Kate fresh off her adultery driven divorce. She’s left with nothing and goes to live above her sisters dress shop to try to get back on her feet. With her daughter away at college Kate decides to write her old manager, JoJo, a letter, basically asking for a second chance in the acting world. Surprisingly, it’s Jojo’s son, Charlie, that answers her as Jojo has passed away. Charlie gives Kate an opportunity she can’t refuse- become a “Ghost Author” for a book that’s sure to be a best seller, but the real author doesn’t want to be tied to the project. From here things go right, then wrong, then right again and I enjoyed the ride we were taken on!

The only thing I didn’t love was there was zero on page chemistry with Charlie and Kate, their relationship felt very forced. The chapters with the trifle bandit were also far too drawn out and repetitive. Fiona and Liv were comedic relief when needed. I love Josie Silver and will continue to read all of her work. Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book.