Slow Burn Summer by Josie Silver is an absolute gem of a read. From the very first page, I was drawn into the beautifully crafted world of longing, self-discovery, and second chances. The characters are so richly developed that they feel like old friends, and their journeys are both heartbreaking and uplifting in the best possible way. Silver's writing is vivid and immersive, perfectly capturing the emotions of a slow-blooming romance that feels so real and raw.

The chemistry between the protagonists is palpable, and I loved how their relationship developed gradually, with moments of tension and tenderness that made my heart ache. The setting, too, is beautifully described, making me feel like I was right there with the characters, experiencing their highs and lows.

What I really appreciated about Slow Burn Summer was how it balanced romance with deeper themes of personal growth and healing. It's not just about falling in love, but about learning to embrace who you are and making peace with your past. It’s a story that lingers long after you've turned the final page, and I can't recommend it enough for anyone who loves a slow, simmering romance with heart and depth.

Josie Silver has once again proven that she’s a master of emotional storytelling. If you're looking for a book that will make you laugh, cry, and feel all the feels, Slow Burn Summer is an absolute must-read.

This dual-perspective romance novel reads very quickly (I read it in completion during a two-and-a-half-hour flight) but didn't want to put it down, thanks to Josie Silver's now-signature compelling language. Yes, this is a romance novel -- but it's so so slow burn (hence the title) and closed-door in terms of spice that makes this more of a women's fiction book about FMC Kate getting back out there post-divorce and finding herself personally. "Slow Burn Summer" is gripping, witty, engaging, and indulgent that I did not want to put down for even a chapter. Looks like Silver does it again with "Slow Burn Summer".

3.5⭐

Kate is a recently divorced, currently broke former child actor. In an act of desperation she sends a letter to her former agent who never stopped believing in her talent. Charlie is also recently divorced and in an attempt to regain his footing, he's taken over his late father's role as a talent agent. As such, he receives Kate's letter.

Together, the two embark on an ambitious twist on the concept of ghost writers. Charlie's partner has the manuscript for an incredible love story but the author is adamant that it not be attached to their name. Enter Kate. She's going to pose as the author for all the press requirements, while picking the real writer's brain for tidbits to help her pull off the ruse.

While there is romance, it doesn't take the lead and actually fell a bit flat for me. I wanted to root for Kate and Charlie but I couldn't quite get fully on board. The secondary characters are fun; Charlie's partner and Kate's sister were the best, and the pacing is solid.

Overall, a solid read that's great for the beach and pool or even a rainy afternoon.

Review

The concept of this book was something that I haven't read but it seemed very interesting regardless. The summary that is listed on Goodreads gives off the vibes that this book is more than just a regular romance book and I can't wait to see what happens between these characters. Learning about her past! The handwritten letter was a good addition!! The concept of this whole ghost writer thing but she's just gotta play the author? Interesting, it sounds like a very cool opportunity but I understand that she wants to think about it with the way that it was thrusted upon her. The forcefulness of Fiona is so sus to me. The fact that she read the book twice and fell in love with it was amazing. I hope we get information about it throughout this book. I like this book don't get me wrong, I think it's me, but this book is hard for me to keep up with I am kinda one foot it one foot out on understanding what I'm reading. The whole meeting where they explained everything regarding the book was very interesting, it really makes you think about the people who surround people in the publishing industry and how everything works within it. What I would give for a job in publishing!! The quizzing to see her responses to simple questions like what do you like to drink and what are your favorite snacks was interesting to see what people would say to each thing. The photoshoot and her starting to like Charlie? The social media stuff and her ex? Her daughter going to Australia for the whole summer?? The emails. Publication day! The whole train thing before the radio thing and how it went good??! The morning show and the author is a man? The festival and Charlie showing up!! More emails! The whole leak and everything! Them and what happened after whatttt?!? Is liv going to be okay? She's pregnant and the fallout? The fact that the dude scared her that bad, Charlie coming back, the tv appearance after the aftermath of it! Everything came together very well and the epilogue and the deleted scene part made the book feel like it all came full circle.

Quotes: "She couldn't remember the last time she'd heard Nish raise his voice; he had an abundance of patience and was a lionheart when it came to his family."

"You're my book's guardian angel"

I rated it three out of five stars

Kate Elliot stopped acting when she met her ex husband. Now that the divorce is finalized, she has no money and is forced to move into a small efficiency apartment over her sister’s dress shop. She makes a last ditch effort to restart her acting career by contacting her former talent agent.

While he passed away, his son has a job for her. She will be the face of a debut romance novel. The actual writer doesn’t want their identity attached to the book. Kate will do all the press, signings and everything else attached to the novel.

This book was likable and fun to read, but the romance fell a bit flat for me. But, Kate’s character development was top tier and a delight to witness!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for this ARC! Kate is newly divorced mother trying to figure out her next phase when she meets with Charlie - also newly divorced, switching careers and a little lost. Charlie offers Kate an opportunity as the face of a new book whose author doesn’t want to be associated with its release. Bring on the shenanigans as I laughed out loud multiple times while reading. While I didn’t feel a ton of chemistry between the leads, the unique premise and Kate’s personality kept me in it to the end.

Oh get ready for a fun love story, and all the summer sweet feels with these two adorable characters and they journey to find love and how that looks for them. Loved it!

A rainy Sunday + no kids was the perfect setting to read this adorable book in one day…okay, one afternoon. I almost always read the synopsis of what the book is about but I didn’t this time, allowing myself to be pleasantly surprised by what happened. This book had a bit of everything - romance, sentiment, and comic relief all wrapped up with a sweet little bow for us to enjoy. I had only read one other Josie Silver book and honestly was not the biggest fan, but this book will definitely make me pick up another one soon!

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[ARC received from NetGalley. The opinions of this review are my own.]

I have historically enjoyed Josie Silver’s books and this one was no different. An engrossing, zippy read, I was drawn in quickly and was invested in the characters and their outcomes right outta the gate.

The original premise seemed iffy to me - but it didn’t bother me enough to interfere with my reading experience.

Slow Burn Summer by Josie Silver
Publishing date - June 10th 2025
Rating (5/5) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you Random House Publishing - Ballantine and Netgalley for this eARC. Josie Silver is an auto read author for me, so I was happy to get to read this book early. The author never disappoints to deliver a fun, cute book with likable characters. She’s always a fun read! This will make a great beach read for the summer.

Slow Burn Summer is the perfect cute beach read! Josie Silver never disappoints to deliver a fun, cute book with likable characters. She's always a fun read!

Thank you to netgalley for the arc in exchange of an honest review.

Kate is recently down on her luck. One night she writes a letter to an old agent, and it lands itself in the hands of his son. This story follows Kate being the ghost writer for a romance novel. Turns out tho Kate once wanted to be a published author. As this story unfolds, Kate is met with trials that she learns from, and has to figure things out. As things continue….. shouldn’t everyone have their own happy ending?

Josie Silver’s Slow Burn Summer is an ode to the bookish community and to romance readers. With Silver’s signature heartfelt writing, it’s a really lovely read. Talent agent Charlie has just inherited his father’s business and is representing a beautiful romance whose author doesn’t want to be part of the publication, and that’s where Kate Elliot comes in—she’s recovering from her divorce and looking to restart her acting career, so she agrees to be the face of the book, and as the book grows in popularity, lines blur and sparks fly. Kate is such a wonderful lead. She’s smart and quirky and endearing. She’s finding herself and has this wonderful sister Liv who will do anything for her. Her love for the book made me wish that I could read it. I will say I feel like Charlie gets a little lost. He has some chapters that are more of his perspective, but I feel like he’s more of a background character and I wish there had been more of that. Especially because I really enjoyed Charlie. He was so dependable and charming and just believed so much in Kate. There is so much love in this book and the love it has for readers and the book community shines through; that was my favorite part. It’s heartwarming and sweet and just very classic Josie Silver.

4.5 Stars
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this for a honest review.
Josie Silver is an auto read author for me, so I was happy to get to read this book early. She didn't disappoint. Kate is going through a lot of changes: divorce, daughter off at college, and needing to find a job. She reaches out to her former agent, who has died, and is put in contact with his replacement (his son, Charlie). He offers her a job: pretend to be the author of a buzzy romance as the real author wants to remain unknown. Kate is to go on all of the media appearances and book signings. Kate and Charlie aren't sure about their professional partnership at first, but they soon change their minds.

I really liked the relationship between Kate and her sister, Liz. I wish we'd had a little more time with Kate and Charlie at the end of the book.

Slow Burn Summer is all about Kate and Charlie. Both have been through events that seemingly would be career ending things but meet and work together to publish a romance novel and make Kate the “ghost writer”!

All things seem to be going great with amazing review for the book and people loving Kate, until word gets out the Kate didn’t actually write the book. Kate and Charlie have to navigate through the drama of her being the ghost writer being revealed. Will this tear them apart or bring them closer together.

Thank you NetGalley for the Arc!

I received a complimentary copy of this book "Slow Burn Summer" and all opinions expressed are my own. Josie Silver is one of my go to authors. I loved her first two books. This one was not my favorite. Overall I liked the story. I liked the humor throughout. This would be a good beach read for the summer.

Slow Burn Summer, emphasis on slow.

Kate, a former teen actress decides to return to her acting roots after her 20 year marriage ends and leaves her with nothing. She accepts the role of pretending to be the author of a romance novel to hide the identity of the real author.

Unbeknownst to Kate, her previous talent agent had passed away and his son Charlie would be representing her.

You see where this is going. But it never really got going.

I would classify Slow Burn Summer as more women’s fiction than a romance. I wish the last five-percent of the book had been sprinkled throughout. Maybe then I would’ve been excited for Kate and Charlie. But sadly it just fell flat for me and I found myself skimming pages to be done.

-Based in England.
-Older characters.
-Authors and publishing.
-Not a closed door, but the door was slightly ajar.
-The writing was good (this was the first I’ve read Josie Silver and I would like to read another one of her books).
-It was refreshingly free from “woke-ism” that’s too often found in books today.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

I received an ARC from NetGalley for Slow Burn Summer. This was a cute read. Good use of humor. I loved the relationship between the main character, Kate, and her sister. It was sometimes hard for me to follow the British jargon (I’m American). I enjoyed reading this thoroughly though and would absolutely recommend it to anyone looking for a cute, easy read for 2025.

Josie Silver is such an amazing author! This book mixed cute and cozy with emotion and romance. If had me giggling and rooting for the characters throughout. This book also encourages some reflection on things. Read ASAP!

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book.

This is an author whose work I enjoy yet ultimately i was disappointed in this one. There was little chemistry between Kate and Charlie; their declarations of love seemingly came out of nowhere. We got to see more of a relationship between Kate and her sister (who was a complete hoot, what a great character!). There wasn't a lot that was surprising throughout the story, either. The entire character of Alice, Kate's daughter, had nothing to do with the story - until wham, it did! - could see that coming a mile away - yet the way Kate forgave Alice immediately was completely unrealistic. I loved the emails between Kate and H. I liked this, didn't love it.